An unplanned love affair with Zimbabwe

I did not expect to write a blog about my Zimbabwe trip, but it was just so fun and filled with new experiences that I must document it here.

Viewing the Vic Falls (which are in Zambia, teeheehee) from the Zim side

We flew straight into Victoria Falls from Nairobi (after a classic 2-hour delay courtesy of the one and only KQ). The airport was surprisingly nice. There was no WiFi for visitors, but the little waterfall feature was a cute (if slightly on-the-nose) touch. A waterfall at Victoria Falls airport? Why not?

Waterfall feature at the airport

We drove straight to Hwange, a journey I was wildly unprepared for. I had imagined Hwange National Park was just a quick ride from Vic Falls town. Ha! That drive was over two hours long. With the earlier flight delay, I arrived completly finished.

Views of the Hwange Safari Lodge from the reception

But the moment we pulled up to Hwange Safari Lodge, my tiredness melted away. We were welcomed with an icy Mazoe-based drink and breathtaking views. The lodge is set inside the national park (fenced in), so wildlife sightings are pretty much part of the itinerary. Within minutes, we spotted a pack of wild dogs. Later on, a lone elephant strolled past like he owned the place. Baboons were a daily presence. And for bird lovers, this place is paradise. Some of the birds were as tall as me (I’m 1.53m, mind you).

I say this about many places I visit, but Hwange truly feels like somewhere I’ll return to. Inshallah, touch wood, all the hopeful phrases apply.

One of the highlights of the trip for me was the Elephant Express, a safari train experience that runs along a historic railway line. It was a relaxed, scenic 4-hour ride from Dete Station to Ngamo, perfect for wildlife viewing. We saw giraffes, elephants, baboons, wild dogs, a tortoise (!), ostriches, and more. It’s run by the same folks behind Imvelo Safari Lodges (mentioned below), and to top it all off… I got to drive the train. A real, moving safari train. What a thrill!

Once we reached Ngamo, we visited Imvelo Safari Lodges, who shared their inspiring conservation efforts. The lodge owners had brought in two rhinos to boost tourism in the area and support local anti-poaching efforts. We even visited the ranger training site and met the rhinos! We were just 20 meters away. I was shaking when one came close. After being charged at by a gorilla in Cameroon’s equatorial rainforest, I now know to stay close to the guides. The animals know them, and the guides know exactly what to do if things go left.

Two rhinos in the back, while I enjoy a Southern African bev (stoney ginger)

I highly recommend the Elephant Express experience if you're planning a Zimbabwe safari. My ideal itinerary next time? Start in Livingstone (to experience the actual falls), take in all the activities there, then head to Victoria Falls town (aka the Zimbabwe side), drive to Hwange, spend a few nights at Hwange Safari Lodge, and ride the Elephant Express to Imvelo Safari Lodge for a couple of nights. Definitely ask for the village tour, if you’re lucky, you might even meet the village headman. Then circle back to Hwange and soak it all in.

On my way back, I found that my flight to Harare was not booked in the system, so I had one full day to spend in Vic Falls town (which was upgraded to city status), and naturally, I went to view the falls from the Zim side (because you know...all they have is a view, lol) and I took the first step to bungee jumping, which is taking a picture all geared up and taking some stairs 108 metres above the bottom of that fast flowing gorge.