Maxwell and Shadreck recently got back from a Zimbabwe Botswana ZBa16 and had some great experiences along the way. This is what Maxwell had to say... With some really nice sun but somehow cool temperatures we started our adventure from Johannesburg and headed north to Kruger National Park. It’s always nice to have twelve clients on board most of them on their first African safari, not so sure what to expect for the next 16 days. It was a perfect group with mixed nationalities to experience the African atmosphere, the wilderness the wonderful people and the wide varieties of flora and fauna big and small.
Shadreck was my guiding partner and the first day was a bit hectic as we had to collect the 3 clients who were late to meet with the group due to them missing a flight and also missing their luggage. But nevertheless we made it to Kruger NP in time. We did our all normal game drives in the park and had the opportunities to see lots of zebra, elephant, Kudu and buffalo to name but just a few, but not forgetting to mention the beautiful trees and landscapes we saw.
Next on the itinerary we visited the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, these majestic stone structures that have survived the test of time built without the bonding mortar that rise up to 10m and are fascinating to say the least. After a walk around the ruins we headed to Matobos. We spend the next 2 evenings at a beautiful lodge just outside the park. On the day between the 2 evenings we enter the park in search of the now endangered rhino one of Africa’s big five. In Matobos you also find the resting place of Cecil John Rhodes, a man who changed the politics, way of life and the setup of many communities in the whole of southern region.
After 2 nights in Hwange and a full day game drive in the park we headed to Victoria Falls, the activity capital of Zimbabwe. The tour of the falls is the major highlight of this tour. Discovered by David Livingstone in 1855, the Victoria Falls were named after Queen Victoria. Known as "The Smoke that Thunders" , due to the falling water that sends spray clouds high into the air, the falls are one of the seven natural wonders in the world and also the largest and perhaps most beautiful. Here the Zambezi River is over a mile wide and plunges into a vertical abyss across its entire width.
After 2 nights in Vic falls we headed across the border into Botswana. The one thing that was missing so far on the tour was leopard and lion. The only realistic chance left to see these two cats was in the Chobe National Park (Kasane). We advised everyone to try an optional game drive available the morning we left for Nata. They all jumped at the idea and what a pleasant surprise for all!! The elusive leopard and the king of the jungle presented themselves; it felt like a completed trip.
After 2 nights in the Okavango delta with some amazing experience’s we travelled to our last stop being Khama Rhino sanctuary. Here is where I can say I was caught feeling “only if I could do something to save a young promising future”. We arrived at one of the waterholes in the reserve to find a dominant rhino bull that started to charge a group of feeding mothers with their young adult males.
The bull charged towards one of these young males and within seconds we were watching a race. This race turned out to be a matter of life and death for the young rhino bull as the dominant bull was sorting out his territory. The young bull seemed to be getting tired and started to give a faint distress call for help. With the dominant bull getting closer to the youngster none of us were prepared to see the death of such an incredible beast. Somehow the dominant bull gave up the chase to everyone’s delight. Strange how nobody took a video clip of this once in a lifetime experience? It was almost as every one of us was so engrossed in what we were watching & praying for a miracle.