Holidays in the Zambezi Valley, and along the shores of Lake Kariba, will always hold a special place in my heart. It was my happy place, where encounters with wildlife were close, frequent and simply part of everyday life. It wasn’t just the wildlife that made Zimbabwe so special. It was the people. Zimbabweans are warm, humble, endearing and blessed with the most wonderful sense of humour. I often think that’s where I inherited a little of my own! Some of my earliest childhood memories are of wandering over to the open fire where the cook would be brewing coffee in a pot. He would pour it into mugs filled with condensed milk, creating the most delicious, creamy, sweet coffee. I was allowed a few little sips, and even now, I can still remember that feeling. It’s funny how the simplest childhood moments can stay with you forever. Some of my happiest childhood memories were made exploring the granite kopjies (rocky hills) in the backyard of my granny’s farm. We would clamber over the enormous granite boulders, letting our imaginations run wild, and bellow like baboons to see who could produce the loudest and most convincing call!
Today, when I send clients to Zimbabwe, I want them to experience that same sense of wonder that I grew up with. I want them to stand before the magnificent Victoria Falls and be completely breathless at the sheer enormity and power of the water cascading into the gorge.I want them to experience the magic of being close to wildlife, surrounded by the raw beauty of nature, where time seems to stand still.
Taking it all in
There is something extraordinary about being in the African wilderness. Your mind quietens, the distractions of everyday life disappear, and you become completely present in the moment. You’re no longer thinking about what comes next. You’re simply there, taking it all in.
When I was 16, I spent a week with family at their makeshift hut along the Zambezi River. Life out there was wonderfully wild, but every now and then, the bush had a way of reminding you who was really in charge!
One afternoon, the camp cook told my cousin and I that he had spotted leopard tracks leading towards the outhouse, about 30 metres from camp. We were warned to go to the outhouse in groups.
Of course, nature waits for no one, and before long, I needed to make a trip myself. With the sun setting quickly, I asked my cousin to accompany me behind the camp, up a slight rise into the bush, so I could find a suitable spot. She was a city girl and certainly not as accustomed to the bush as I was!
I chatted away as we walked, frequently turning around to check that she was keeping up and feeling comfortable. A few minutes later, I turned to check on her again and, rather unexpectedly, walked straight into what felt like a tree.
I was momentarily confused. Then came a blood-curdling scream from my cousin!
In that split second, I realised that what I had walked into wasn’t a tree at all. It was the leg of an elephant!
Well, that was my cue to make a very hasty retreat. We took off back towards camp at a pace that would have impressed an Olympic sprinter, with my cousin a little ahead of me.
Thankfully, we both made it back unscathed, albeit a little shaken. Fortunately, there was no confrontation, and we were left with nothing more than a racing heartbeat and a story that would stay with us & the family for years to come.
Looking back, I can laugh about it now. But it was a powerful reminder that in the African bush, you are a visitor in the animals’ world. You can never take your surroundings for granted and sometimes, the most unforgettable encounters happen when you least expect them!
Walking on the wild side
For me, the ultimate wilderness experience in Zimbabwe has to be Mana Pools. I first visited when I was 23, travelling with my family, and it certainly gave me a taste of just how wild Zimbabwe can be! One evening, I had left my takkies (trainers) outside my 2 man tent. The following morning, they had mysteriously disappeared. It didn’t take long to work out that the hyenas had decided my footwear would make an excellent midnight snack!
Sadly, due to logistics, I haven’t yet managed to get back to Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands. Nyanga and Chimanimani are among the country’s most beautiful regions, with spectacular mountain scenery, lush landscapes and a completely different side to Zimbabwe. Access is best arranged by road transfer, but I know that one day I’ll make it back there.
The elephant-rich landscapes of Hwange.
And then there’s Hwange National Park, a place I absolutely love. The sheer size of the park and the enormous herds of elephants are simply breathtaking. Watching these magnificent animals move through the landscape, often in great numbers, is a sight that stays with you long after you’ve left. One of my most memorable experiences in Hwange was photographing approximately 200 elephants gathered in the bush, waiting patiently for their turn at the waterhole. What amazed me most was the order and precision of it all. Each herd would make its way down to the water, spending around 10 minutes drinking and enjoying the waterhole before moving on and allowing the next herd to take its turn. It was an incredible sight to witness, with one herd after another moving through this natural rhythm.
I was fortunate enough to capture this extraordinary moment in a photograph, and it means so much to me that I chose to feature it on one of my Africa Calls business cards.
Zimbabwe has so many different faces, from the untamed wilderness of Mana Pools to the rolling mountains of the Eastern Highlands and the vast elephant-rich landscapes of Hwange.
Zimbabwe safari magic
A Day on safari in Africa is pure magic
There is something truly special about a day on safari. Every day brings a new adventure, unexpected encounters and those little moments that make you fall in love with Africa all over again.
Even if you’re not a morning person you’ll become one on safari
The day begins with an early-morning coffee in the dining area, exchanging morning greetings with fellow guests before climbing aboard the safari vehicle. As the sun begins to peek over the horizon, we head out into the bush.
The cool morning air is wonderfully refreshing, waking you up as the African wilderness slowly comes to life around you. These early-morning game drives are magical. The pace is unhurried, the bush is alive with birdsong, and the animals begin their day. Even the lions seem reluctant to get going, stretching and yawning as though they, too, could do with another hour in bed!
Around 9 am, your guide finds a lovely spot to stop for a second round of coffee or tea, accompanied by homemade biscuits, traditional rusks, biltong and a handful of nuts. Sipping a hot drink in the middle of the African bush, surrounded by nature, is a rather wonderful way to start the day. After encountering a variety of wildlife and birdlife, we eventually make our way back to camp, where a scrumptious late breakfast or lunch awaits.
Nothing like a bush siesta
One of the great pleasures of an African safari is that there is time to slow down. After a delicious meal, you might retreat to your room for an afternoon nap, settle down with a good book or simply relax and soak up the peaceful surroundings.
By 4 pm, it’s time to wander back to the lounge for high tea. And what a treat it is! I am always amazed by what the chefs produce from such tiny kitchens and with relatively limited ingredients. These talented chefs are nothing short of master chefs, creating the most delicious dishes in the most unexpected places.
Refreshed and ready for another adventure, we climb back into the safari vehicle and head out along the gravel tracks to discover what the afternoon has in store. And more often than not, there is plenty of action!
Sundowners expose another enchanting bush encounter
Your guide and driver will find the perfect spot to stop for sundowners, a few tasty snacks and a chance to stretch your legs. There is something about enjoying a good old gin and tonic in the bush that makes it taste even better than usual!
As the sun sinks below the horizon and the sky transforms into a canvas of gold, amber and crimson, you realise just how blessed you are to be there. The journey back to camp brings a different kind of excitement. With darkness settling over the bush, your guide keeps a keen eye out for nocturnal creatures beginning their nightly adventures. You never quite know what might appear in the glow of the spotlight.
As you approach camp, you are welcomed back by the melodic singing of the staff. It is such a heartfelt greeting, and one that makes you feel genuinely welcome and might bring a tear to the eye.
A delicious dinner is served, often beneath the African sky or around a beautifully prepared table, where stories of the day’s sightings are shared and laughter fills the air. You sit back, enjoy the spoils of the day and feel wonderfully pampered, almost like royalty.
And just like that, another extraordinary day in Africa comes to an end.
For me, this is the beauty of an African safari. It is not simply about ticking animals off a list. It is the early-morning chill, the smell of coffee in the bush, the laughter shared with fellow travellers, the incredible hospitality, the sundowners and the feeling of being completely immersed in nature.
These are the moments that stay with you long after you’ve returned home. These are the moments that make Africa so special.
And what a blessing it is to experience them.
Surprises are never what they seem
Twenty-three years ago, shortly after I got married, my husband surprised me with a trip from South Africa to Victoria Falls. Little did I know that one of his surprises would involve throwing me completely out of my comfort zone!
White-water rafting on the mighty Zambezi River was on the agenda. Now, I was genuinely nervous. This was definitely not an activity I felt prepared for, and I was wondering what on earth I had agreed to.
What I didn’t know was that the other five participants in our raft were all friends visiting from Canada, and they were qualified doctors and surgeons. Well, at least if anything went wrong, I figured we were in pretty safe hands!
The ride was exhilarating, intense and absolutely heart-racing. The rapids were relentless, and I found myself being flipped out of the raft not once, but several times! Each time I hit the water, a few helping hands would immediately reach down, grab me and haul me back aboard.
There wasn’t much time to think, let alone worry. You simply had to trust the people around you, hold on tight and embrace the adventure.
Looking back, it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. I can still remember the adrenaline, the laughter and the sheer excitement of it all, even after 23 years.
If anyone ever tells you to try something that pushes you beyond your comfort zone, my advice is simple: DO IT!
If you’re dreaming of an African safari and would love to experience the magnificent Victoria Falls, my recommendation would be to immerse yourself in Zimbabwe. This beautiful country offers so much more than one iconic waterfall, it’s a destination filled with extraordinary wildlife, warm hospitality and unforgettable wilderness experiences.
I would start with four nights in Hwange National Park, one of my favourite places in Zimbabwe. This is your opportunity to settle into the rhythm of safari life, with early-morning game drives, leisurely afternoons and evenings spent around the campfire, watching the bush’s own version of bush TV.
From Hwange, make your way to Victoria Falls for two nights. This is the perfect opportunity to shake off the safari dust and experience one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. Standing before the mighty Victoria Falls, feeling the spray on your face and hearing the thunderous roar of the water, is an experience that stays with you forever.
As the afternoon draws to a close, step aboard a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Watch hippos wallowing in the water as you sip on a refreshing drink and enjoy delectable canapés, with the African sun setting in a blaze of colour around you. It’s a wonderfully relaxing way to experience another side of Zimbabwe.
From Victoria Falls, fly into Mana Pools National Park for another four nights of extraordinary safari experiences. Mana Pools is a place for those who want to feel truly immersed in the African wilderness. Its remote setting, beautiful landscapes and remarkable wildlife encounters offer a completely different safari experience. Here, the days unfold at nature’s pace, with opportunities to discover the bush, observe wildlife and appreciate the extraordinary privilege of being out in the wild.
Give Zimbabwe the time it deserves. Combining Hwange, Victoria Falls and Mana Pools brings together exceptional wildlife, one of Africa’s greatest natural wonders and the magic of a remote wilderness safari.
Zimbabwe has a very special place in my heart, and I would love for you to experience its magic for yourself.
