Zimbabwe Tourism by John King Swanepoel
Zimbabwe Travel Guide
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Sunday, 27 January 2013
Chizarira National Park - Zimbabwe
Chizarira
National Park is situated on the Zambezi escarpment in the north/west part of
Zimbabwe, overlooking the great Zambezi Valley and the upper waters of Lake
Kariba. A remote area of 192 000 hectares of wilderness country with
magnificent gorges, plateau and floodplains, this National Park is unique and
in a class of its own.
The
area is relatively undeveloped and road conditions are rough within the park.
Backpacking
wilderness trails, escorted by an experienced and armed Officer of the
Department, are run during the dry season within Chizarira.
The
trails are not readily available, but with prior arrangement at station level it
can be arranged, ranging from a few hours duration to a few days depending on
visitors’ needs.
An
armed Game Scout can be made available to escort visitors on daytime walks
within the park.
It
should be noted that unaccompanied walking by visitors is not permitted.
There
are six exclusive camping sites established at present, each of which is
limited to one party of a maximum of 12 persons.
We
visit a few of these sites.
Kaswiswi
Bush camp is situated on the upper reaches of the Luizilukulu River, 6-km from
the park headquarters.
This
camp has the best facilities.
Facilities
consist of two sleeping shelters; one dining shelter with concrete table and
benches plus a braai /cooking place.
The
camp also boasts an ablution block with flush toilet, shower and a kitchen
area, all with hot water.
Please
note that water may not be available during the dry season.
Mobola
Bush Camp is situated on the Mucheni River below the Manzituba Spring, 6-km
from the park’s headquarters.
No
shelters have been constructed at this camp as yet, and the only facilities are
concrete table and bench.
An
ablution block with flush toilet, shower and basin and kitchen area, all with
hot water, now exist at Mabola.
Water
is pumped from the perennial Mucheni River, which is close by, into a header
tank.
The
Mucheni View campsite is situated on the verge of the escarpment overlooking
the Valley and in the distance, Lake Kariba.
The
camp is 4-km from Park’s headquarters with minimum development, comprising of a
braai stand/cooking place, a shade and a toilet.
Please
note that there is no water at this camp.
Other
campsites are: Mucheni Gorge Camp Site, Kaswiswi 2 Camp site and Busi Bush Camp
which is 35-km from the parks Headquarters.
Road condition from Matusadona to Chizarira - Zimbabwe
The
way to Chizarira, our next destination, lay up the Tashinga road, through the
almost aboriginal Batonka tribal area, but first you had to get out of the
park.
The
82-km stretch of road over the Matusadona Mountains before you joins the Karoi
– Binga road is rough and not suitable for saloon cars.
Even
in 4x4 the road can be a tester. During the rainy season some of the bridges
are washed away and can
defy all driving skills.
During
heavy rains the road might be impassable. It is advisable to inquire about the
condition of the road before starting your journey.
From
Matusadona, the mountains that form the escarpment resemble a barrier, and
barrier is in fact what Chizarira means.
Chizarira
National Park straddles the Zambezi Escarpment at its highest point, a journey
of about 200-km from Tashinga.
It
will take you more than half a day to reach the park headquarters.
It
is a fascinating drive through the Ume, Sengwa and Lusilukulu river valleys,
before climbing the steep side of the escarpment.
The
20-km spectacular twisting climb up geological step of Chizarira to the park
headquarters is rough and 4x4 are essential, especially during the wet season.
Matusadona National Park - Zimbabwe
The
Matusadona National Park is situated on the shores of Lake Kariba between the
Ume and Sanyati Rivers.
It
covers an area of 1407 sq. km of which only a third is provided with roads for
visitors.The other two thirds consists of very wild, rugged and inaccessible
country.
The
park has a beautiful, shady camping ground at Tashinga on the lake-shore.
There
is an ablution block with hot and cold water, showers, toilets,
Wash
basins and baths.Firewood and braai facilities are available.
Some
of the campsites boast sleeping and dining shelters.
For
the adventurous canoes are available for hire to explore the shores of the
park.
The colors of an African sunset over water will provide spectacular memories of
Lake Kariba and the unspoiled beauty of Matusadona.
Visitors
are allowed to get out of their cars and view game on foot, but this is done at
their own risk.Wild animals are dangerous and unpredictable.
Elephant,
buffalo, impala, kudu and water buck are plentiful, whilst rhino, lion, sable,
eland and zebra are frequently seen.
Escorted
walks with a game Scout are possible, subject to availability
of
staff at the time.
Free
fishing throughout the year is obtainable in the Kariba Lake.
Tiger,
bream and vundu provide good sport but a word of warning – look out for
crocodiles when standing at the water’s edge and avoid swimming in
shallow/shoreline areas.
Ume
and Mbabala are exclusive camps.
Each
consists of 2 family units containing 2 bedrooms and a bathroom.
There
is a central dining room and kitchen with stove storeroom and fridge.
The
units have basic furniture, linen, crockery & cutlery and cooking utensils.
Cooking
is by wood stove and lighting is solar powered.
The
camps are available for six-day periods (Monday to Sunday) and a maximum of 12
persons are allowed.
Matusadona
once had the largest black rhino population in Zimbabwe.
Today
many of their shuttered skulls are lined up like white tombstones along the
road in the Chete safari area.
Dismal
reminders of poachers, who shot their way through the area, in the 70's and 80's.What
a sad end for these creatures which, with huge effort, were saved from the
rising waters in Operation Noah.
Matusadona
is now an Intensive Protection Zone as the small number of remaining rhino are
successfully protected day and night by parks board personnel.
Newly
introduced young rhino are kept overnight in bomas under the watchful eyes of
armed guards.Still being babies they need to be fed twice a day with a
nutritious milk formula, mamma style.
Then
they are off to explore their new and save territory accompanied by a armed
scout complete with 2 way radio who will protect them with his life.
Kariba ferry to Matusadona - Zimbabwe
Kariba
is once again our departure point for our next destination – Matusadona
National Park.
Kariba
Ferries operates a ferry service across the lake on their car ferry Sea Lion and
its sister Ferry Sea Horse.The 280-km trip across the lake takes approximately
24 hours.
It
has two departure points, one from Kariba itself at the eastern end and the
other from Mlibizi at the western end.
The
government-run DDF – which stands for District Development Fund-
Shipping
service ferry operates scheduled ferry trips to various destinations on the
lake.
The
best way to visit Matusadona is to charter a ferry from DDF. This 50-km trip
will take about 4 – 5 hours depending on the whether.
Normally
by road the park is reached via Karoi.
Eight
km north of Karoi on the Harare/Lusaka road turn left through the Urungwe
Communal Land.115 km from Karoi, the Sanyati River is crossed.
Continue
on along the Binga road for a further 62-km and then turn right and continue on
for 82 km to Tashinga, which is the headquarters for the park.
From
Kariba this route is more than 400-km long and can take up to a full day to
cover.
From
Karoi the roads are either gravel or dirt. The last 80- km is rough and not
suitable for saloon cars, and during the rainy season the road could be
impassable even in 4x4 vehicles.
The
trip on the ferry is more enjoyable though, as you can sit back and relax while
you ease your way out over the lake.
As
you leave Kariba behind small islands appear on the horizon as the captain
skilfully manoeuvres the craft on its route.
Dozens
of houseboats and other smaller craft are encountered on your way.
No
wonder Kariba is known as Zimbabwe’s Riviera.
Lake
Kariba is recognized by many as the tourist paradise of Zimbabwe.
It
is 280 km in length and supports a large population of people and animals along
the shoreline.
A
wide range of activities are on offer to the visitor – game viewing, boating,
sailing, water-skiing, scuba diving and houseboat cruises.
But
it is the fishing that is probably the most sought after activity, particularly
the fighting Tiger fish.
Wildlife
in the area is prolific and elephant and buffalo are common sights along the
shoreline.Other species, which one can see, are impala, water buck, zebra and
sable.
Bird-life is varied and includes many water birds such as herons and egrets as well as
large numbers of fish eagles.
Visitors
can also hire one of the many houseboats available at Kariba.
This
is the ideal fishing holiday, cruising slowly up and down the lake, stopping to
fish at will, and enjoying the spectacular sunsets whilst the captain carefully
moors the boat for the evening.
The
Matusadona National Park lies along the southern shores of the Lake and the
Department of National Parks provides several campsites within the park.
In
addition there are many top quality safari operators in this area offering
small, exclusive camps staffed with professional guides to take visitors on
game drives, walking or fishing.
Mana Pools - Zimbabwe:
At
the town of Makuti, situated high on Zambezi Escarpment, you need to fill up
your tanks as there is no petrol or diesel available in Mana Pools National
Park.
This
is also a good time to do some last minute shopping or to enjoy an ice-cold
beer at the hotel.
16
Km from Makuti on your way to Zambia you will reach the National Parks office
situated at Marongora.
All
visitors to the Zambezi Valley must obtain an entry permit here.
You
won’t be allowed into the reserve without it.
The
view onto the Zambezi Valley from the top of the escarpment is magnificent and
on a clear day you can see forever.
Descending
the winding pass to the foot of the escarpment you reach the turnoff to Mana
Pools 16 km from Marongora where you obtained your permit.
Turn
right onto the gravel road.
The
distance to Nyamepi Camp and the reception office is 72 km and could take up to
2 hours to reach.
Although
most types of vehicles can negotiate most of the roads in the park, care should
be taken especially at the sandy river crossings.
The 220 000 ha
Mana pools National Park lies in the north of Zimbabwe between the Rukomechi
and Sapi rivers.
The Zambezi River forms the northern boundary and the Zambezi
Escarpment the southern.
Huge herds of elephant and buffalo occur in the park and lion,
waterbuck, zebra and impala are plentiful.
Nearly 400 species of bird have been recorded in the area.Open in the
dry months from May to October Mana Pools is one of the most untamed areas of
the country and tourist is still allowed to walk away from his vehicle through
tall open forest of mahogany and acacia.
Elephant and lion are common residents so walkers need to be alert.
The Zambezi valley is one of the low-lying areas of the country with
very high temperatures in the summer.
The best times to visit are the late winter or spring months when the
temperatures are milder.
During the dry winter months the animals concentrate round the
waterholes and the banks of the Zambezi. The veld is dry and brown with little
or no grass.
When the rains comes, normally in early November, the land is suddenly
transformed into a green haven.
The flood plains become carpeted with lush green grass. The whole area
resembles an enormous park.
During this time the large pools along the banks of the river, which
give the area its name, fills up from the heavy rains.
Nyamepi Camp is 4 ha in extent and has a total of 29 camping sites.
The camp is set on the banks of the Zambezi River and campers can enjoy
a magnificent view of the Lower Zambezi National Park and the mountains across
the river into Zambia.
Shady campsites are set well apart that will leave you with a feeling
of solitude even when the camp is full.
Firewood is provided in limited quantities at the entrance to the camp
and must be purchased.
Collecting of firewood from the veld is prohibited and visitors are
urged to take their own gas stoves.
The camp has 4 ablution blocks with hot and cold showers, bath and
flushing toilets.
There is no place better equipped to put you in touch with your primal
nature than Mana Pools.
Here you will experience the true African wilderness, with no
protective fences, no guides, and no defences.
If this thought frightens you, Mana pools is not for you.
If it excites you, you will have the holiday of a lifetime.
The best way to spend your time at Mana Pools is to enjoy being alive
and a part of the natural environment.
You can do this by simply sitting on the bank of the Zambezi, and
watching nature happen around you.
As the camp is not fenced you could be surprised by occasional visits
from buffalo, elephant and even lion.
Be aware, even if they seem to be tame, all animals are unpredictable and
can be very dangerous.
Watch out for baboons and monkeys whose only mission seems to be
raiding your campsites during the day.
During the night be on the alert for scavengers like hyena. Don’t leave
any food or cooking utensils outside. Lock it up in your vehicle.
Hippo might wander into the camp at night and surprise you. It could be
an unpleasant and tragic surprise as it is claimed to be the most dangerous
animal in Africa.
Fishing is permitted but there is a limit of 6 fish per day.The Zambezi
is renowned for its tiger fish and Mana Pools is the ideal place to catch this
monster of the deep.
While fishing you must constantly be aware of the presence of hippo and
crocodile.
There are 2 large lodges situated a short distance upstream from
Nyamepi camp each designed to accommodate up to 8 persons.
The lodges are self-contained and fully equipped with furniture, all
bedding, towels, cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery.
Cooking is by gas stove and there is a gas fridge/freezer in each
lodge.
Visitors should make sure all doors are locked when they are not in the
lodge to prevent access by baboons and monkeys.
Sitting on the veranda you can admire the unspoiled beauty of the river
as it winds its way through the valley.
Canoes are available for hire on a half day or full day basis.
Canoeist must always be aware of the presence of hippo and crocodile
and other dangerous game and avoid paddling too close to them.
Enquire at the reception office for more information.
The Best way to spend your time at Mana Pools is to take a picnic lunch
and park at one of the pools, especially Chine pool or Long pool, and relax
while all manner of creatures come to drink.
You could take a walk to explore the vegetation, and see if you can
develop an understanding of some of the myriad relationships among the animals
and plants.
A walk along the river bank from Nyamepi camp to Nu Kupe camp and the
Mbera River is highly recommended, but do not stray into tall grass or bush,
and keep a sharp eye out for buffalo in this area.
A walk along Chine Pool, or from Chine Pool to Nu Kupe if your bush
navigation is good, takes you among the tall and shady apple-ring acacias.
You should watch out for lion in this area, but the bush is quite open
and relatively save.
Walking along Long Pool is also beautiful, but a bit more risky, since
there is a lot of thick bush.
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