A proud WINNER of the Zimbabwe Achievers Tourism Award!
NEWS: JULY 2014
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We promote travel opportunities to the wild areas of the Zambezi Valley
WILD ZAMBEZI invites you to a world of nature where the pace is slow, the sun is warm, the sky is huge and the people are friendly. Our travel promotion focus is the Zambezi River and its iconic wildernesses, including the Victoria Falls & Zambezi National Park, Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park and Mana Pools World Heritage Site. We provide web-based, up-to-date information on operators, activities, accommodation choices, tours and services in this magnificent area, and offer a reliable, independent travel advisory service.
AIR ZIMBABWE RE-INTRODUCES THE "ZAMBEZI TRIANGLE" FLIGHT
HARARE-KARIBA-VIC FALLS
GREAT NEWS FOR TOURISM TO KARIBA!
From 1st August, Air Zimbabwe has re-introduced the once-popular "Zambezi Triangle" flight route linking Kariba with Victoria Falls and Harare. The service is now running three days a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, using a 52-seater MA60 aircraft to the following schedule:-
UM226
Depart Harare at 0930 arrive Kariba at 1020.
Depart Kariba at 1050 arrive Victoria Falls at 1210
UM227
Depart Victora Falls at 1400 arrive Kariba at 1520
Depart Kariba at 1550 arrive Harare at 1640
Air Zimbabwe's initial promotional fares (inclusive of all taxes and available on a first come first serve basis) are as follows:-
HRE/KAB:
One-way: US$100.00
Return: US$170.00
KAB/VFA
One-way: US$105.00
Return: US$190.00
Passengers using this schedule one-way can also link in with Air Zimbabwe's flights between Harare and Victoria Falls
Fares start from US$129 One-way / US$220 Return depending on how far in advance bookings are made.
UM322 - Depart Harare at 0930 arrive Victoria Falls 10.30 (every day except Saturday)
UM323 - Depart Victoria Falls 16.30 arrive Harare 17.30 (Mon – Friday)
UM326 - (via Bulawayo) Depart Harare 0700 arrive Victoria Falls 0900 (Saturday only)
UM327 – (via Bulawayo) Depart Victoria Falls 1600 arrive Harare 1800 (Saturday and Sunday)
For more information and bookings, contact Air Zimbabwe or your local travel agent.
Wild Zambezi recommends Premier Travel and Tours in Harare.
WILD ZAMBEZI EXPERIENCED THE INUAGURAL FLIGHT .....
We were privileged to be invited on Air Zimbabwe's inaugural "triangle" flight service linking Kariba with Victoria Falls and Harare.
On Friday 1st August Wild Zambezi joined VIPs, dignitaries and the media for an exciting and festive day of air travel, in celebration of this long-awaited moment.
Approaching Kariba approximately 45 minutes out of Harare, flight UM226 cruised over the rugged southern barrier of the Matusadona Mountains and emerged over the sparkling blue waters of Lake Kariba spread out panoramically in front of us. We glided down low over giant baobab trees and mopane woodland and landed safely on the ground at Kariba Airport where a crowd of several hundred residents of the lakeside town had turned out to greet us!
The aircraft, a 52-seater Air Zimbabwe MA60 44Y, piloted by Captain Ruzungunde and First Officer Wessels, was first welcomed with a ceremonial shower from the powerful water-cannon jets of Kariba airport's fire-engine! The plane then taxied in front of the airport buildings and the passengers disembarked to an explosive atmosphere of excitement from the huge crowd: flags flew, drums pounded, traditional dancers leapt, schoolchildren waved, cameras flashed and everyone cheered with unrestrained enthusiasm!
A scheduled flight service into Kariba has been a long time coming (the last Air Zimbabwe flight was in 2006), and the residents of this lakeside and resort town could not contain their delight at the occasion!
While the VIPs and other invited guests attended an opening ceremony for the new Air Zimbabwe Kariba office in Nyamhunga Business Centre, followed by lunch aboard The Zambezi Trader – Kariba's largest passenger ship - Wild Zambezi took the opportunity to experience the flight linking Kariba with Victoria Falls, as visitors will do.
The trip is scenically beautiful and a tourism delight. In only 60 minutes, it provides magnificent views of the entire 280km length of Lake Kariba, its islands, peninsulas and elephant-frequented shorelines, as well as the spectacular, deeply-incised gorges eroded by the Zambezi River between the Victoria Falls and the upper reaches of the lake. As passengers aboard this inaugural flight, we were afforded a rare privilege – a scenic "fly-over" of the Falls themselves! Our picture - hastily-snapped through the window of the plane, cannot even begin to do justice to the sight of this awesome Natural Wonder of the World from the air.
A quick turn-around in Victoria Falls and we returned to Kariba on UM227 to drop off passengers and collect the dignitaries for the afternoon flight back to Harare.
This new re-introduced service is long overdue and will provide a very important boost for tourism and business in Zimbabwe. It will serve to widen the net of visitor focus out from the Victoria Falls (which has long been the country's central tourism hub) by providing affordable air access into the wildlife-rich areas of Lake Kariba and the rest of the Zambezi Valley for local, regional and international visitors. It will also provide a convenient corporate access link with Harare which will serve to kick-start much-needed investment and business activity, particularly in Kariba.
Read the full story at this link: Fly Air Zimbabwe to Kariba, via Vic Falls or Harare! We did!
KLM TO DISCONTINUE FLIGHTS INTO ZIMBABWE
We are disappointed to receive news that KLM Dutch Royal Airlines will no longer fly into Harare via Lusaka as from 26th October 2014 "in line with recent network optimisations".
However, the airline's partnership with Kenya Airways ensures that this link between Zimbabwe and the wider world is continued via Nairobi. Kenya Airways offer 14 weekly flights into Harare via Nairobi which connects with major world destinations.
Zimbabwe's Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, the Hon Walter Mzembi said in an interview that the airline's decision to discontinue flights was purely business and not a political decision. "Our cost structure—fuel, landing fees and service fees—have a damning impact on operations," he said. Mzembi said he was lobbying the Zimbabwe government on the revision of the cost structure which has culminated in a committee to look into the matter. Airlines flying to Zimbabwe have raised concern about the high-landing fees charged by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
WILD ZAMBEZI WELCOMES NEW NETWORK PARTNERS
We are pleased to welcome the following additions to the Wild Zambezi network:-
Falcon Air-DDF
Air Charters throughout Zimbabwe
Falcon Air operates air charter services throughout Zimbabwe in 6 different aircraft out of Charles Prince Airport near Harare. Available for charter are:-
4 x 12-seater twin-engine Caravans,
1 x 7-seater, single-engine Cessna 207 and
1 x 4-seater single-engine Cessna 182.
These aircraft can land at any registered/licensed airstrip over 1000m long, including Victoria Falls, Binga, Bumi Hills, Kariba, Mana Pools, Kanyemba and other remote areas.
The company offers a minibus transfer service to and from Charles Prince Airport for the convenience of clients.
Transport ferry & boat services, Lake Kariba
This company also offers scheduled and charter boating services on Lake Kariba. The newly-refurbished DDF Transport Ferry carries up to 50 passengers, and cargo up to 50 tonnes including space for 4 large vehicles (e.g. 4x4s). It services the area between Kariba and Chalala Harbour (a fishing community on the southern lakeshore west of Bumi Hills) and can stop along the way at Tashinga/Matusadona, Msampakaruma Fishing Village and Bumi Hills. At Chilala, the DDF depot has refrigeration and storage facilities, and sells fuel and lubricants.
For more information about air charters and the ferry-boat services on Lake Kariba, see this Wild Zambezi.com link: Falcon Air-DDF
Falcon Lodges & campsite, Kanyemba
Falcon Air-DDF also own and operate Falcon Lodges and campsite in Kanyemba, situated in Zimbabwe's far north corner, on the banks of the Zambezi River as it flows into Mozambique and the upper reaches of Lake Cahora Bassa.
Kanyemba is a popular destination for fishing and 4x4 enthusiasts. These newly-refurbished, fully-equipped, two-bedroomed chalets look out over the Zambezi River and are available on a self-catering basis. They may prove a popular budget option for self-drivers who brave the long, dusty drive to Kanyemba to enjoy the excellent fishing in the area. So far, 12 people can be accommodated in the three chalets that have been completed (more are undergoing work). Each chalet has two double bedrooms, bath/shower, separate toilet, fully-equipped kitchen (with fridge) and sitting room and DSTV. Hot water is available via generator or boiler. There is also a campsite available with a central gazebo and ablutions currently being constructed.
NOTE TO SELF-DRIVERS: The Kanyemba Ferry which, many years ago used to carry vehicles across the Zambezi at this little border outpost, has not been functional for many years, despite references to it in recently-published maps and GPS mapping services. A ferry service is available, but only for foot passengers. 4x4 self-drivers should note that you cannot cross into Zambia from Kanyemba in your vehicle. To do this, you need to drive via Nyamapanda, Chirundu or Kariba.
For more information and contacts for bookings, see this Wild Zambezi.com link: Falcon Lodges & campsite
ASSISTANCE FOR TRAVELLERS AT BEITBRIDGE – PLEASE RESPECT OFFICE HOURS
In a previous Wild Zambezi newsletter, we published the names and contact details of two ladies from the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) who are stationed at the Beitbridge borderpost between South Africa and Zimbabwe, and whose job it is to provide free assistance to visitors to Zimbabwe passing through the Customs and Immigration post there.
Response to this information has been overwhelming.
However, PLEASE NOTE that this assistance is NOT a 24-hour service. The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority staff at Beitbridge work to ordinary office hours (8.00a.m. – 4.00p.m. Monday – Friday). They are not available outside these hours nor at weekends.
We received the following appeal from ZTA Area Manager, Bertha Mutowembwa, and ask that all visitors requiring assistance respect her request to make prior arrangements with the ZTA office in advance of travelling:-
"Our office is a tourist office therefore prior arrangement is necessary because we have other duties such as registering and licensing of operators, hotel inspections, levy and statistics collection and compilation, amongst other duties. However we will always send an officer to assist all those that need our assistance at the border. Our services are free.
We are hoping to extend our daily working hours and into the weekend in the near future.
Our offices are 3 km from the border at:
NSSA Building, 1st floor Left wing
Great North Road
You can contact ZTA at the following numbers: Tel +263 286 23640/1/2/3
Or email:-
Area Manager, Bertha Mutowembwa berthamuto@gmail.com
Marketing Executive, Lindarose Ntuli lindarosentuli@gmail.com
KARIBA
UPCOMING KARIBA EVENTS:-
HOTEL-STYLE OPTIONS IN KARIBA – FOR FAMILY HOLIDAYS, BUSINESS TRAVEL, CONFERENCES etc
With the newly-re-introduced Air Zimbabwe flight schedule (see above), access into Kariba is set to become easier, quicker and more affordable. Local, regional and international travel agents and visitors will be looking for accommodation options to cater for various needs – from small family holidays to two-day business trips, to large conference/incentive groups or weddings.
Wild Zambezi has four options for you to consider which can cater for individuals, families or large groups:-
1. CARIBBEA BAY RESORT
The lakeside resort of Caribbea Bay is Kariba's largest accommodation facility with 83 bedrooms and conference facilities for up to 150 people. Part of the African Sun Group of hotels, this place has a Mediterranean feel to it, with rooms overlooking the waters of Lake Kariba and a distinctive, Sardinian-style architecture. There is an attractive pool, bar and terrace dining area overlooking the lake, complimentary wi-fi facilities throughout the resort and spacious lawned gardens leading down to the water. Facilities for children include a playground area and the "SuperTube" water-slide, which is a favourite with kids in the hot summer months. Boat cruises, game drives, site-seeing tours, fishing and canoeing can all be arranged from the resort, and transfers are available to and from the airport which is approximately 15 kms away.
For more, see this link: Caribbea Bay Resort
2. CUTTY SARK HOTEL
The Cutty Sark is a friendly hotel with a homely feel, set in beautiful, lush tropical gardens overlooking Lake Kariba. It has 48 bedrooms, 12 of which are "Deluxe" with views right out over the lake and 6 of which are Family Rooms. The bar and dining areas have spacious balconies and outdoor seating areas overlooking the lake. There is wi-fi internet and a large swimming pool. A small air-conditioned boardroom can host business meetings for up to 20 and there is also a larger conference room which can seat up to 250 delegates. There is a children's playground, tennis court, pool table and darts board as well as baby-sitting facilities. The Cutty Sark's lakeside gardens provide a popular and attractive venue for weddings. A variety of activities can be arranged, as can transfers to and from the airport, approximately 8 kms away.
For more, see this link: Cutty Sark Hotel.
3. THE ZAMBEZI TRADER (CRUISE-SHIP)
This is Lake Kariba's largest passenger ship - a "floating hotel" which can sleep 50 passengers on board in 23 cabins (with air-con or fans) and cater for up to 150 people for day functions or cruises. The Zambezi Trader provides an attractive and "different" venue for special events, weddings, conferences or large family gatherings. These can take place either on the Lake itself, or the boat can be moored offshore near to a resort, hotel or safari camp and can be used as an adjunct to the land-based function – either providing extra accommodation or a great addition for romantic sunset-cruises, cocktails or a lunch/dinner/dance venue. There is a great deal of open deck space aboard the Zambezi Trader, as well as a swimming pool and spacious tender boats for water-based activities such as fishing or game viewing. Transfers to and from Kariba Airport to the harbour can be arranged.
For more, see this link: Zambezi Trader
4. BUMI HILLS SAFARI LODGE & SPA
Although it is strictly not a hotel but a safari lodge, Bumi Hills is included here because it has upmarket facilities to cater for small conferences or weddings, and its accommodation for 40 people can be combined with an accompanying houseboat moored in its harbour e.g. The Zambezi Trader (above) or one of the Umbohza Houseboats fleet.
This lovely lodge has a magnificent hilltop location with stunning views over Lake Kariba and the nearby Matusadona National Park. It has 20 double or twin rooms some with balconies overlooking the lake, a stunning infinity pool, a spa-with-a-view, an al-fresco dining deck, a conference room for 40 and a state-of-the-art boardroom. Wifi is available. Children are welcome, but must be closely supervised by parents. Activities include spa treatments, game drives, fishing, birding, sunset cruises, beach barbeques and cultural visits to a nearby village. Access is by air charter or a combination of Air Zimbabwe's new scheduled service into Kariba and a 90-minute boat transfer across the lake in Bumi's 18-seater speedboat. (Bumi has introduced special fares in celebration of the new scheduled Kariba flight)
For more, see this link: Bumi Hills Safari Lodge & Spa
CHANGA SAFARI CAMP – A 'TENTED CAMP' OF THE LUXURY VARIETY
There are many different variations on a "tented camp".
Changa Safari Camp, situated in the Matusadona National Park on the southern shore of Lake Kariba, points out in its latest newsletter that, to avoid the problem of misunderstandings, their version of a "tented camp" means luxury "under canvas".
"Beautifully designed to blend into the natural environment, the tented accommodation at Changa really is the epitome of comfort and style, it's the perfect place to relax and unwind after a busy day on safari.... We often get guests who are totally overwhelmed when they arrive at the camp, having not expected to be accommodated in such stylish and sophisticated surroundings. When they arrive it is so much better than they expected. It's luxury close to nature, something totally different from home and a real part of the safari experience.
With solid furniture, crisp white linen, ensuite bathroom facilities with hot water, these "tents" are truly designed to make you feel comfortable and important.
This is something we take very seriously at Changa."
The camp can accommodate up to 20 people in 6 double/twin deluxe tents and 2 family deluxe tents.
For more information and contact details, see this Wild Zambezi.com link: Changa Safari Camp
ZAMBEZI RIVER
AUGUST SPECIAL FROM SUNPATH SAFARIS
• Mana Shoreline canoeing and tented camp on the Zambezi River $350 pppn (min 3 nights)
• Chitake springs tented camp $350 pppn min 4 pax (min 3 nights)
• Canoeing Safari Chirundu - Mana min 2 pax $222 pppn (min 3 nights)
• Self catered Zambezi River tented camp- $1000 per night - max 10 pax (this is aimed at Zimbabwe self-drive market)
For more information and contact details, see this link: Sunpath Safaris
KANGA PAN – GORGEOUS IMAGES FROM YOUR ARMCHAIR!
As the dry Season kicks in, there is no need to go on game drives at African Bush Camps' Kanga Camp in Mana Pools.
Simply relax in the armchairs on the wooden decking of Kanga Camp's Main Area and enjoy the up-close encounters of wildlife and birds drinking at Kanga Pan.
How awesome is that?
For more information and contact details, see this link: African Bush Camps' Kanga Camp.
WILDERNESS-SENSITIVE EXPERIENCES WITH ZIM4X4
Dick Pitman of Zim4x4, who guides self-drivers on wilderness tours of Mana Pools and other more remote (and less-well-known) areas of the Zambezi Valley, has captured some wonderful cameos of this beautiful National Park and World Heritage Site in video footage.
Part of the sequence, taken in June this year, shows this relaxed elephant bull as he leisurely drinks at a pan, browses from the famous "winterthorn" trees on Mana's floodplain and then crosses the Zambezi River. Here is the true, timeless, essence of Mana Pools.
Click on the image for a link to the video.
Visitors wanting to explore these areas in their own vehicles often lack the background detail and local knowledge about an area that can considerably enhance their holiday experience. An experienced guide can provide this.
For more than 25 years, Dick Pitman headed up The Zambezi Society, an organisation focused on conserving the wildlife and wilderness areas of the Zambezi region. His passion for the Zambezi's wild areas and their future preservation is infectious and his intimate knowledge of the whole area is fascinating to anyone keen to get more out of their holiday than just game viewing along dusty roads. For visitors who'd like to explore the Zambezi with Zim4x4, but are coming from afar and don't have their own vehicle, the company has a fully kitted Land Cruiser available for visitors to self-drive on an accompanied Zim4x4 trip. They will meet you at the airport with the vehicle and take you on a truly wild adventure.
For more information and contact details, see this Wild Zambezi.com link: Zim4x4
.VICTORIA FALLS
LOOK WHO VISITS PIONEERS CAMP AT NIGHT!
Thanks to Pioneers Camp in the Zambezi National Park upstream from Victoria Falls, for these wonderful night camera images taken in their camp!
Says manageress, Francie Sherren:
" Ever wondered what happens in the camp while you are sleeping ? Our game camera (placed only meters from our water tank by the kitchen area ) picks up many weird and wonderful happenings. Two days of camera activity and we managed to capture, Leopard (often) seems to be resident, Ardvaark, Hyena (often), Elephants (often), Genet (often), Civet , African wild cat (seems to be resident), Bushbuck and Waterbuck."
The Zambezi River has dropped about 1.5 meters in the last three or four weeks and will continue to do so now for the next few months. It will offer the opening-up of channels and some good structure for better fishing and even a good wallow to cool off in the shallow sandy channels in the hotter months to come - with a crocodile sentry on duty of course."
For more information and contact details, see this Wild Zambezi.com link: Pioneers Camp
VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI LODGE COMPLETES ITS ROOM UPGRADE
Here are some photographs of the wonderful newly-upgraded rooms at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.
The new rooms all have sliding glass doors, which enhance the magnificent views from the lodge out over the Zambezi National Park and towards the river. All rooms now have minibars (previously these were only available in the deluxe rooms and suites) and the lodge also offers complimentary wifi.
In addition, the Lodge reservations office now operates 16 hours a day, from 0700hrs - 2300hrs.
Africa Albida Group Operations Manager, Brian Gardiner comments: "We are exceptionally happy with the wonderful progress, detailed finishes achieved, space, freshness and light created and the overall results can be seen in the excellent feedback we are receiving from our Guests, Agents and Operators alike. We have simultaneously been reviewing our entire service delivery and guest care throughout the resort, and with the combination of the newly refashioned rooms are confident this will translate into a delivery of experience for our guests well beyond their expectations. The increased room quality provides a perfect match now to our newly introduced and exquisite Victoria Falls Safari Suites, and premium Victoria Falls Safari Club. We believe this puts us in a very strong position to deliver the highest quality product in the area."
For more information and contact details, see this Wild Zambezi.com link: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
CROC TAIL ENDER ....
Another recent and tragic crocodile attack at Lake Kariba has generated a spate of media activity and some emotive (and often ill-informed) calls for the removal of large numbers of this species from the Lake and other inland waters.
While fully aware of the tragedy of this particular situation, Wild Zambezi wishes to underline the need for a rational response to any such wildlife scenario.
Crocodiles are wild and potentially dangerous to humans, as are elephants, lions, buffalos and hippos and a whole host of other species found in the African wild. However, we need to get things into perspective. In almost all cases, wild creatures are afraid of humans and will only attack us if frightened, provoked, wounded, starving or breeding. Our problem is that since we aren't all animal behaviour experts, we can't always tell when an animal is frightened, provoked, wounded, starving or breeding. The harsh reality is that we often unwittingly put ourselves in situations that can provoke an attack.
We can reduce risk by educating ourselves about wild animals and their habits (see the articles below), and also by employing a good deal of precaution and common sense AT ALL TIMES.
In the particular case of crocodiles in Lake Kariba, it is advisable to:-
· Remember that there are ALWAYS crocodiles in the lake, even if you can't see a single one.
· Remember that the main diet of crocodiles is fish, but they are cunning opportunists and will ambush prey that "offers itself up" to them on land or in the water
· Never swim or wade in water along the lakeshore
· Stay well away from the water's edge at the lakeshore at all times of the day, but particularly in the late afternoon/evening, which is the favoured hunting time for crocodiles. Remember that they are able to propel at least one third of their body length out of the water at high speed to catch prey at the water's edge.
· When fishing:-
- never wash your hands in the water over the side of the boat – carry a bucket of water on board instead
- try not to leave a keep-net full of fish in the water at the side of a boat for too long or it may attract crocodiles
- be extremely vigilant when retrieving a keep-net, a hooked fish or a snagged line
- be particularly cautious when mooring boats either on land or tying to a tree-stump in the lake
- avoid gutting fish off the back of boats or houseboat (this will attract crocodiles)
· Be particularly cautious during June/July/August during the approach to the crocodile breeding season when crocodiles can become very aggressive in defending territories or the rights to females.
· Do not panic. Crocodile attacks do not happen often, and sensible precautions should keep you safe.
The African Fisherman Magazine Online has recently posted two very interesting and insightful blogs about crocodiles. Read them here:-
Crocodiles – A Perspective and
Crocodile Attack on Humans – or Vice Versa?
THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ON THE BANKS OF THE ZAMBEZI!
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