Back From Zimbabwe

[lhgreenacres]

We were off to Matusadona and I really felt sad to leave Somalisa. We flew on what I call the mini-van with wings, a four seater plane. Our pilot was great and the flight went without incident. We actually had the same pilot that flew us to Mana. We landing at the air strip and no one was there to pick us up. Luckily the children of the village came to meet the plane and I had the best time taking pictures, videoing them and then dancing to music from my ipad. The pilot was so helpful and he got in contact with the lodge and they thought we were coming the next day. They came over to get us and as they arrived I was dancing away with the children and they said that it was quite a sight to see that white woman dancing with all the children. I am sure that I was quite a sight. We went by boat to the Rhino Safari Camp. The setting is extremely beautiful and our little house was on stilts, open air and right on the water. It was really nice as we had a variety of walking, going in the jeep and going on the boat. There were lots of beautiful birds and we were lucky to see the mommy and baby rhino on our second day of tracking. Here are some pictures from Matusadona.

[Atravelynn]

You got sable AND roan in Hwange. The dripping water from the sable's mouth is a unique shot.

[lhgreenacres]

After Matusadona we were off to meet Doug in Mana Pools. We actually had the same pilot and the flight was without event. It was so exciting to meet Doug after everything that we heard about him. I have to say he was truly an incredible guide, so smart and so funny which is very important to us. We had such amazing experiences in Mana. I will say that I do not think in my entire life I have every been so dirty as we spent a lot of time scooting on the ground. It was definitely more rustic than I have been used to but I loved it. We stayed at Little Vundu, one night in a mobile camp by the river and two in Chitake Springs. We saw so many lions and really got up close and personal. We did go canoeing on the Zambezi which was a little thrilling in that a crocodile came under my canoe and bumped the canoe and then tried to grab the guides oar. Luckily he smacked the crocodile and that was it. I think that navigating through all the crocs and hippos was a little less than relaxing but so incredibly beautiful. We are also lucky enough to see the Carmine Bee Eaters and Doug had set up a hide that we sat in the afternoon. It was so beautiful to see the birds so close. Doug was in search for the wild dogs and we were again so lucky to have an excellent close up viewing right across from our camp. We also saw them on the way back to the airstrip right next to the road and the two puppies just laying there and looked right at us. Chitake was beautiful but the flies, both Tse Tse and other types drove me a little crazy. This was our fourth time to Africa and I have to say I do not know if I could ever go back to a just jeep safari again. We are looking at the Congo with Doug next summer and would love to have some others to join us. I was joking with Doug about the dirt and then I realized the Congo will just have a different type of dirt, mud. Loved, Loved, Loved Zimbabwe. I definitely could be the poster woman for the Travel Poster.

[Sangeeta]

Lisa - would it be possible for you to reduce the size of these photos at all? Not able to view the whole image on my screen. But they are all terrific! I think the Zim tourism department should post a link to ST on their official site

 

The red sausage tree flowers had just begun to fall as we were leaving - nice to see the animals in good condition even as dry season begins to peak. Any canoe pics for us to see?

[lhgreenacres]

Sangeeta-Here goes

Edited October 8, 2012 by lhgreenacres

[twaffle]

Another terrific Zim adventure … quite envious.