Imvelo Safari Lodges have four very unique camps in and around Hwange National Park. And while their lodges certainly deliver luxurious creature comforts, they firmly believe that travelers today are increasingly seeking the luxury of exclusivity, of remote places, of small intimate camps and unique, authentic interactions with nature and local people. And this is where Imvelo really excels. They help travelers enjoy a safari in new and unique ways, like their Elephant Express rail safaris, bush yoga, underground blinds, biking, walking and even canoeing safaris to name a few! Coupled with their incredibly impactful community and conservation programs and immersive cultural activities, Imvelo really does things differently, offering a very unique safari experience.
Zimbabwe has the most stringent guide licensing regulations of any country in Africa, with a series of challenging theoretical and practical exams, and Imvelo’s guides are widely recognized as some of the best in the country. Here we meet Harris Mupedzi, one of Imvelo’s extraordinary guides.
Harris (in the green shirt above) was born in Zimbabwe’s eastern province of Manicaland and attended school in the small town of Rusape, where agriculture is the source of most commercial activity. Currently he lives in Kariba with his wife and six children – the wildlife areas around Kariba (Zambezi Valley) are well stocked – enough to encourage his two boys to want to follow their dad into careers as guides. When he is not guiding, Harris enjoys playing soccer and fishing at his Kariba home.
Harris’ favourite animal is the elephant, which he calls “the great ecological engineer.” It’s no surprise then that his favorite place to visit in Zimbabwe as a whole is the middle of Hwange National Park where elephants reign supreme. “I love the variety of animals, birds and trees – and the fantastic different walking areas in Hwange,” says Harris.
Nehimba is Harris’ favorite Imvelo lodge “because it’s really wild in dry season and I like very wild places. But wherever I am guiding I like sharing our pristine flora and fauna with first-time Africa travelers. What surprises them the most about Zimbabwe is the warm friendliness of the people.”
Harris is a great communicator – and speaks five languages to prove it: English, Shona, Ndebele, Tonga and Kimwani. With guests he is confident and self-assured without any false showmanship, and the guests soon appreciate his vast knowledge. “Guides are the true ambassadors of our country, bringing tourists so that the country earns foreign currency – needed for our hospitals and economy. For the first-time safari traveler to Zimbabwe I would say they should always have a good guide to really introduce them or connect them with nature.”
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Born in Manicaland & grow up in Rusape.
Where do you currently live?
Kariba
Are you married with any kids? Do any of them want to become a guide like their Dad?
I am married with 6 kids. Two of my boys are very keen to be guides.
What do you enjoy doing when not guiding?
I love to play soccer and go fishing.
Do you have a favorite place to visit in Hwange and in Zimbabwe as a whole?
The middle of Hwange National Park has so many animal species, birds and trees. It also has fantastic different walking areas.
What is your favorite Imvelo lodge and why?
Nehimba because it’s really wild in the dry season and I like very wild places!
What do you like sharing with first time Africa travelers and what surprises them the most about Zimbabwe?
To share our prestigious flora and fauna. I like that we can all share knowledge and also the warm friendliness of the Zimbabean people.
How do you see tourism and your job as a guide benefiting Zimbabwe?
Guides are the true ambassadors of our country. We help bring tourists and the country gets foreign currency, helping all people.
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