Zimbabwe: Still A Top Safari Destination?

What To Expect From Zim's Reserves

by Sandra Mallinson, 29 October 2008

Ten years ago, if you were planning that once-in-a-lifetime safari holiday to southern Africa, chances are Zimbabwe would have topped your list.

Zimbabwe's parks and reserves had all the right credentials: the best guides in Africa, a wide diversity of game, vast tracks of untamed wilderness, and phenomenal activities - from classic walking and river safaris to tiger fishing.

Then Zim started hitting world headlines for all the wrong reasons, and the word 'Zimbabwe' no longer conjured up images of a magnificent waterfall, sundowners on the Zambezi or black rhino, but rather of a nation in turmoil.

As safari-goers turned their attention elsewhere, many of Zim's camps and lodges were forced to close down ... but there are those who stayed.

I recently chatted to three people on the ground about whether they still consider Zimbabwe a top safari destination: Gregg Hughes (a private guide for Wilderness Safaris), Rolf Steiner (CC Africa's Regional Director for Zimbabwe) and Jaco Ehlers (a sales manager for Singita).

Can visitors still expect to see big game?

Gregg: As long as they stick to the main reserves, like Mana Pools or Hwange National Park, the wildlife experience is second to none. We're maintaining all the pumped waterholes in Hwange, and have reintroduced 8 white rhino to the area.

Rolf: Matetsi Game Reserve offers fantastic game viewing. It's currently dry season here, so large herds of buffalo and elephant frequently gather round waterholes and along the river, and guests have a good chance of seeing lion and leopard. There's also plenty of sable antelope, a species we're well-known for.

Jaco: Malilangwe Game Reserve is a private concession about the size of the Sabi Sands. The reserve has the Big 5, the second largest population of black rhino in Africa, huge herds of elephant, and guests have a good chance of seeing the big cats.

Is poaching a problem?

Gregg: Yes it is. Although we've devoted considerable resources to supporting anti-poaching efforts by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA) in south eastern Hwange. In fact game numbers in Hwange have been increasing over the past 13 years.

Rolf: Yes we do have some problems with poaching. National parks are doing what they can, but they're underfunded, particularly in these trying times with problems like fuel shortages, so we help sponsor anti-poaching units in our area.

Jaco: Some of the big national parks still have a lot of poaching, but we have 150 scouts patrolling our reserve area. We're also heavily involved in community development and feeding projects, and currently feed 25 000 children a basic meal every day.

Do the guides still live up to their high reputation?

Gregg: Zimbabwe guides are much sought after, so some have moved across to Tanzania or up to Botswana. But the infrastructure and mentorship programmes are still in place for Zimbabwe's strict guide licensing policies, and the guides who've remained are top quality.

What about the standard of the lodges?

Jaco: We've just done a major refurbishment to Singita Pamushana Lodge, which we wouldn't have done if we weren't positive about Zimbabwe's future. The lodge is looking phenomenal, and is definitely in line with Singita's high standards.

Gregg: We've recently totally rebuilt Little Makalolo (in Hwange) as well as Ruckomechi Camp (in Mana Pools). It's true that it can be a logistical nightmare supplying camps in Zimbabwe, but we've made certain that the accommodation and guest experience measures up to the high standards of our classic Botswana camps.

Are people still going on safari in Zim?

Rolf: At the moment Matetsi Water Lodge is full, which is fantastic, and we generally run at 65 to 75% capacity.

Gregg: International guests are still going on safari in these areas. You must realise that people wouldn't still be running operations in Zimbabwe if no one was interested. In fact, I've recently returned from a trip to Zimbabwe, and will soon be going back to Hwange with a private group of 8, who are returning to Africa for the fifth time.

Why choose Zimbabwe over other southern Africa safari destinations?

Rolf: One of the main advantages of going on safari in Zimbabwe is that a park like Matetsi is a 50 000 private concession with only 5 game vehicles. While the game viewing on Chobe River frontage is difficult to beat, it can get quite busy at times.

We also have a position that is difficult to beat. You can go on a game drive in the morning, take our free shuttle down to Victoria Falls, have a look around, and be back in time for high tea.

And the answer is?

Zimbabwe has pockets of beautiful wilderness, rich in wildlife. Visitors fly in to these safari areas from Victoria Falls, a tourist island which has remained unaffected by Zimbabwe's political and social problems

All three people I chatted to were optimistic about Zimbabwe's future. The guides are still excellent, the range of activities on offer difficult to beat, and some camps have not only stayed open throughout Zim's troubled times, but have recently undergone extensive upgrades.

Guests are still going on safari to Zim, although in far smaller numbers than before. However, as the country continues down the bumpy road to recovery, we anticipate that it won't be too long before Zimbabwe is back on top.

Readers' Comments:

Would you consider Zimbabwe when planning a southern Africa safari? Let us know.

Article © Copyright 2008 Go2Africa.

Print this page |  Send to a friend

Related content