Recent Hwange traveler highlights

Casey and Christine, a married couple from Massachusetts, traveled to Zimbabwe with Imvelo a few months ago. Casey works in the tourism industry and had been on safari before, but for Christine, it was her first trek halfway across the globe to finally experience what she’s heard about from her husband’s journeys over the years. Here is their experience in their own words…

I thought I knew what to expect of our trip. I have heard so many stories and seen countless pictures about the animals, the guides, the communities, the camps, the sundowners, and much more. But it didn’t take long into our two-week trip for me to realize that there are hardly enough words or photos to describe the experience of being there in person.

I had some basic expectations…such as seeing a lot of wildlife, spending a reasonable amount of time in a safari vehicle, and being offered a gin & tonic at the end of the day back at the lodge. I wasn’t expecting our tents to look and feel so luxurious, nor did I know that an armed guide would walk us back to those tents at night, which made me feel very safe and secure. I wasn’t expecting such delicious meals throughout each day, snacks and hot tea/coffee out on the savannah, or to drive up to a private lunch for two overlooking a waterhole in the middle of nowhere! These were just a few surprises that came my way throughout the trip that made the experience even more incredible.

We entered Hwange National Park on the Elephant Express at the onset of our eight nights on safari, and immediately I was impressed by the level of hospitality and warmth we received from the staff on board. This level was different – elevated – from any other area of the world I have traveled thus far. The Elephant Express is where we met Pethile (Pete), who was our guide for the duration of the trip.

As we began my first safari experience on the Elephant Express I couldn’t believe we immediately began seeing giraffe, elephants, impala, kudu, baboons, water buck, wildebeest, and more. I was surprised at the level of my excitement each time we spotted something new, as well as my level of excitement when I was able to regurgitate some of my newfound knowledge! I knew of course there would be plenty of animal sightings, but I didn’t realize how personally invested I would become in spotting the animals as well as learning about all of the different species found in Zimbabwe from Pete. Our train trek ended with jumping into a safari vehicle because one of the resident lionesses in the Bomani area – Tandeka – was stalking a herd of impala at the pan. In my first few hours on safari in Hwange I had seen more than I had expected to see throughout the whole trip! That was certainly another surprise as I knew Hwange was famous for elephant, but the level of diversity of species for a first time safari goer was so rewarding and in such an authentic setting.

From that very first day we arrived at Bomani Tented Camp, all of the members of the Imvelo team began contributing to a feeling that built throughout our trip – a feeling that we were home. Never in my life have I traveled and experienced not being ready to go home when the trip is nearing the end, especially when we are traveling without our three children. I missed our children, but the greater feeling was wishing they could be with us to experience this beautiful country and the wonderful people we met while in Hwange National Park.

The most impactful experiences Casey and I had with the Imvelo team members were sharing our personal stories and knowledge with each other. At tea times and over dinner, we learned about families, customs, hopes, and dreams. We talked about what life is like back at home for each of us and what it was like during the height of the pandemic when there weren’t any visitors, but the lodges still needed to be staffed. And over an ever-memorable conversation out in the middle of the bush, standing around a couple of safari vehicles, we learned about what the traditions of marriage dowries are like in the local villages. These conversations indeed left a Zimbabwean imprint on our hearts.

During our stay at Camelthorn Lodge, we were fortunate to visit the Ngamo Village and sit with their headman – Mr. Johnson – and his wife Dorothy, to learn firsthand about the profound impact that tourism continues to have on their community at the hand of Imvelo’s eco-tourism business model. Being in the tourism industry professionally, as well as being avid travelers, we have seen and heard of negative impacts that tourism can sometimes have on local communities. But in the case of Imvelo and the surrounding villages, there is nothing but fondness and acceptance of the world’s travelers coming to visit Hwange. It was a truly refreshing feeling!

When we arrived at Nehimba for our last two nights, we were greeted by Mark “Butch” Butcher. Being in the tourism industry and focusing on sustainable tourism in Africa, Casey was eager to meet Butch and learn more about his story and what his vision today looks like after experiencing such success with the eco-tourism model he dreamed of years prior. It was clear to us that the Imvelo team will never tire of Zimbabwean conservation and the creation of symbiotic relationships between community, tourism, and wildlife. The impact that Imvelo, Hwange, and all of its people have had on us keeps us thinking every day about its future and will certainly bring us back sooner than later and this time around with our boys.

On the day before we left…I was not expecting to get emotional about parting ways with Pete. I found it hard to express what I was feeling at the time but was later able to understand that I had many emotions tied to him because he represented my first African safari, including so much learning, laughter, and adventure. He also represented my safety, which is a big unknown for a first-timer. There were questions in my mind before we started our journey, such as whether we would be faced with any danger, like an elephant charging or predators outside our tent. It did not take long for me to feel 100% safe and secure under Pete’s watchful and knowledgeable eye. In one day, we were faced with two different curious young bull elephants. I would have expected that the guide’s job in that situation was to make a ruckus to scare the animal away, but I was pleasantly surprised at their calm approach. The first occasion, on a walking safari with Tyron in Jozibanini, we were told not to move as the bull moved closer and closer to us. In my mind that translated to “don’t breathe”, which resulted in a very high heart rate after the elephant moved away. Tyron politely asked the elephant to move along. In the next instance, we sat in chairs relaxing across from the elephants at the Jozibanini waterhole. Pete told the young bull that he was “too close” to us, so the elephant put it in reverse and walked away. Again, my heart rate was through the roof, and my knuckles were white, but what I was most amazed about was the calm demeanor both Tyron and Pete had with the elephants. They explained that it is their job not to allow the animals to get too comfortable with humans because this is their land, but also not to let the animals view humans as a threat to them. We were witnessing firsthand the delicate balance of Imvelo’s motto – connecting people and nature.

Stay tuned to the Kusini blog for highlights from the 2021 Imvelo Kusini FAM!