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In the Hwange National Park are 15.000 buffalos, 3.000 giraffes, 3.000 zebras, 15.000 or more antelopes of different species.For us the elephants were the most impressive, but of course we enjoyed also the other animals like the giraffes.Also giraffes are my favorites.
After the close encounter with the first herd of elephants we drove to a pool with a nice viewing point. The herd, we saw before, was allready arrived together with an herd from the other side. Another herd was leaving allready.There were 200 elephants around, included some solitary men. Never before I saw so many elephants at the same time! At the pool were also some buffalos, two giraffes were waiting for their turn, a jackal walked by and we saw some ostriches. We were in Africa !!! For panorama enlarge the picture.See the travelogue for more pictures !
After spotting a lot of single male elephants at the waterholes, our driver suddenly stopped the car. We waited a few seconds and then started a breathtaking experience.Just behind our car 40 elephants crossed the track and then also in front of our car another 40 crossed also.We were enclosed by elephants at all sides. We didn't know, where to look first and nearly forgot to breathe.There were a lot of young elephants in the herd. The female leader of the herd was looking at us, while the herd was passing.And the most peculiar of all, we didn't hear any noise of the herd, walking in the bushes !!For a full sight enlarge the panorama picture.
The Hwange National park covers an area of 14.651 sq KMs and was founded in 1929. The area was not very suitable for agriculture. At the moment of foundation there were around 1.000 elephants. They made a lot of waterholes, so there would be also water in the dry season. In the 1970s there was a population of 20.000 elephants, too many, so they destroyed the area. The amount in the park is reduced to 12.000, acceptable for a good natural balance.We visited the park in the dry season (July to October). In this period it easy to spot game at the waterholes, where the water is pumped with engines.
We stayed a few days in the main camp of the Hwange National Park.At arrival we directly knew, what it was, to be in the middle of wildlife. We saw a group of baboons jumping on some tents.Early morning and late afternoon we made our game drives to see the elephants and otther game. Open landrovers came to the camp to pick us up. The adventure could start !!!In August 1994 the park was open from 6 am to 6.30 pm and admission was 15$.
From the parking lot it's an easy 5 minutes walk to the top of the hill, that called Cecil Rhodes the "view of the world'' after the view gripped him strongly. Here is his grave, but also two other graves. The scenery is marvellous with large boulders around his grave. We saw a lot of colorful lizards around the grave and the boulders.This mountain knew the Ndebele as Malindidzima or ''dwelling place of benevolent spirits".
With a HUGE BULL ELEPHANT. That looks like he's coming at you. He did turn around after abit. To join up with a herd. We followedaround the other way. Trusting our guide:CRAIG VAN ZYL!CHIZARIRA PARK, 10/99
After our visit to the Whovi Game Park, we went to the nearby Bambata wilderness area, just west of the Matobo National Park.The Bambata Cave is known of the rockpaintings. You can reach the cave by a 40 minutes walk from the Whovi-Bulawayo road.We enjoyed our walk through the rough landscape. First there was a bushpath, but later there was no track , but the walking on the solid rocks was fun and rather easygoing.
The Bambata cave, just near the Matobo National Park, is extensily excavated. These excavations have uncovered tools and pottery of the first few centuries BC.Similar finds in Zimbabwe from the same period got also the name Bambata after the name of this cave. When I'm in a cave with such an old history, I always tried to imagine the life of people thousands of years ago.
The Bambata cave, in the small Bambata wilderness area, is well-painted.The best known is the painting of a cheetah with striped legs. Further you can see elephants, elands, impalas, hunters, some rhinos and geometrical forms in red and ochre colors.
Ilala Lodge Victoria Falls
3 Reviews and 176 Opinions The hotel is really super, with very friendly staff. We are shown to room no. 26 on the same level...
Holiday Inn Harare Harare
1 Review and 19 Opinions
Holiday Inn Bulawayo (Milnerton Avenue ) Bulawayo
1 Review and 14 Opinions service was allright rooms are very basic, clean but a little used the restaurant was a posivtive...
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Q: What would you recommend for this forthcoming trip? I aim to spend a clubbing and fun period between Harare (28 to 30 Dec) and...
A: I haven't been to Harare but I have by accident ("The Blue Train" derailed there) stayed overnight in Bulawayo. It isn't a place I would go back to. As for the Victoria...
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