Zimbabwe Fly-in safari 2022 (English version)

After two years of Corona and restrictions about traveling abroad we finally could go back to our beloved continent Africa in September 2022. The long countdown was over when we took the plane to Johannesburg with a day later our connected flight to Harare. In a Cessna the itinirary continued to Mana Pools where we stayed a couple of nights in John's Camp; a temporary camp that is rebuilt each season. We made several gamedrives as well as walking safaris. As all wildlife can walk through we got some exciting moments when a lion passed by one time when we had lunch. Another time some elephants visited our terrace and we quickly moved in to avoid the not amused mother with her youngster.  The evening gamedrives ended with a sundowner and after dinner the guests sit together around the woodfire to share all impressions and stories of the passed day. 

In Mana Pools we not only saw the usual wildlife but as well we could encounter a pack of wild dogs from very close during a walking safari. Also this time we saw a lot of elephants and babies. In John's Camp guests can experience a night on the Star Deck to get the ultimate bush feeling while sleeping just under a clamboo and thousands of twinkling stars listening to all noises the bush produces at night.

From the Mana Pools airstrip we flew to the Fothergill airstrip near Lake Kariba in Matusadona NP. After a short ride we arrived at Changa Safari Camp, a luxury accomodation with lake views. Here also many gamedrives and walking safaris on our program as well as boattrips on the very photogenic Lake Kariba with some mysterious scenery by countless dead trees in the water. The shores of Lake Kariba are habitat to many crocodiles, hippo's  and a lot of different species of waterbirds and it attracks daily herds of thirsty wildlife.   

On one of our gamedrives we had the luck to witness the ultimate safari experience one can ever have. We could follow for hours a group of lions with one alpha male, some lionesses and cubs from different ages. First they were very lazy relaxing and chilling on a small plateau with a view on the Fothergill floodplains but than they came in action. The lionesses prepared a tactical attack on a herd of zebras grazing on the plains near the lakeshore. How they approached slowly and than isolated a heavily pregnant mare and finally with 3 they jumped on her to throw her down. After the kill the whole group surrounded the cadaver and they started to eat. They ripped the belly open and one of the cubs ran away with the fetus and ate it all in his own. At the same time horrible and unique sightings !! Next morning we went again to the plains and again we were lucky to watch a striped jackal hanging around the carcass to pick some leftovers of the lions' feast. Also the lions were again on the appointment. They were chilling with full bellies after their dinner of last evening.   

The fresh water of Lake Kariba is home to a lot of species of fish. We tried our luck as fishermen on a fishing trip and could catch a tilapia while we enjoyed another legendary sunset over the lake.

When it was time to say goodbye we continued our safari with a next flight that brought us to Umtshibi airstrip and from there to The Hide Safari Camp for exploration of Hwange NP. An extra attraction at The Hide is a hide with sightings on a waterhole from where one can observe and capture the wildlife without disturbing the animals. By this way I was able to make really close pictures of the very shy but so photogenic warthogs. Never before I succeeded in this challenge with such unique images.

On the gamedrives I could capture a lot of new species of birds never seen before besides the usual wildlife as lions, elephants, giraffes, zebras and with some luck one leopard. Each day on the evening gamedrive we celebrated the sundowner with a gin-tonic and some delicious appetizers.  One evening we were treatened on a dinner for two and an overnight in the treehouse The Dove's Nest. The amenities are basic here but the luxury is in the creation of a feeling of ultimate freedom. High up in the trees watching sun going down and next morning rising up. Hearing the night come to life in all noises of rustle, growl, far away the call of an owl or the laughings of the hyena or the flutter of startled birds in the surrounding trees.... Africa at his best ...

On our last gamedrive through Hwange NP our guide did his very best to show us again some of the best sightings as there were a sleeping Verreaux's Eagle owl, different species of Hornbills, a big babboon family with many playfull youngsters, a big herd of Cape buffalo's, a few of my favorite Lilac-Breasted Rollers and even for the first we saw a herd of sabelantilopes; the national symbol of Zimbabwe. Our last sundowner we enjoyed near a waterhole where at that moment more than 100 elephants came for a last drink; some unique moments guaranteed.

The last days of our Zimbabwe trip we spent at the world famous Victoria Falls on the border with Zambia. We stayed at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and here as well guests have the opportunity to watch birds and other wildlife from very close in a hide while they visit the waterhole. One morning we spent some hours right after sunrise in company of a birding guide. I was able to capture many different species like bee-eater, weaver, marabou, guinea fowl, ibis; even a crocodile was on the hunt. The garden of the lodge is home to a big colony of vultures which I could watch and capture from our balcony.

Of course we visited the famous Victoria Falls with an easy transfer by the hotel shuttle. We were impressed by so much nature power and the landscape pictures ran out. Celebrating the last evening we booked a sundowner dinnercruise on the Zambezi River.

What a beautiful end of this African adventure it was !!