08 August 1999
07 August 1999
8. - 7 AUG: Big Cave Camp game drives
Big Cave Camp game drives
The Big Cave Camp wilderness area was purchased by Cyril Waddy in 1947 and has been in the family ever since. The Waddys are from pioneering stock and have lived in the country for four generations. Avid bush lovers, the entire family spend a large part of their time exploring, hiking and learning about the many species of trees, flora and fauna that abound in the Matobo Hills.
Big Cave Camp was started by Mike and Yvonne Waddy as a recreational facility for the family in 1980 and was subsequently developed as a tourist facility by David Waddy. Dave can recall how they first lived in a two man tent, with no electricity or generator. Everything was either paraffin or gas operated. Today they are still very much involved in promoting tourism to Zimbabwe, after what has been a tough few years.
The lodge was expanded to accommodate 16 guests, the property restored to pristine condition and a wildlife sanctuary was created for the natural species of game that occur in the Matobo Hills.
The Waddy family continues to live and prosper in this beautiful area. We
The Big Cave Camp wilderness area was purchased by Cyril Waddy in 1947 and has been in the family ever since. The Waddys are from pioneering stock and have lived in the country for four generations. Avid bush lovers, the entire family spend a large part of their time exploring, hiking and learning about the many species of trees, flora and fauna that abound in the Matobo Hills.
Big Cave Camp was started by Mike and Yvonne Waddy as a recreational facility for the family in 1980 and was subsequently developed as a tourist facility by David Waddy. Dave can recall how they first lived in a two man tent, with no electricity or generator. Everything was either paraffin or gas operated. Today they are still very much involved in promoting tourism to Zimbabwe, after what has been a tough few years.
The lodge was expanded to accommodate 16 guests, the property restored to pristine condition and a wildlife sanctuary was created for the natural species of game that occur in the Matobo Hills.
The Waddy family continues to live and prosper in this beautiful area. We
Location:
Matobo, Zimbabwe
06 August 1999
7. - 6 AUG: Masvingo to Bulawayo
Depart for Bulawayo and the Matopos - approximately 3.5 hours drive.
Big Cave Camp -
Big Cave Camp -
Location:
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
05 August 1999
04 August 1999
5. - 4 AUG: Harare to Masvingo (Great Zimbabwe)
Hertz Rent-a-car delivers our car at Imba Matombo at 08h30. We load all our stuff, get easy directions from the driver and head South for an easy drive to Masvingo. This is a 3 hour drive on an almost entirely straight road.
The condition of the tarmac is good, and after a short while I get used to driving on the left-hand side of the road.
We check in at the Lodge of The Ancient City again on a Half Board basis. Again a luxury hotel with thatched roofs that blends in perfectly with the local environment.
Rest of the day at leisure, we take a short walk and spend a pleasant evening at the lodge, comforted by a great meal of game and South African wines.
The condition of the tarmac is good, and after a short while I get used to driving on the left-hand side of the road.
We check in at the Lodge of The Ancient City again on a Half Board basis. Again a luxury hotel with thatched roofs that blends in perfectly with the local environment.
Rest of the day at leisure, we take a short walk and spend a pleasant evening at the lodge, comforted by a great meal of game and South African wines.
Location:
Masvingo, Zimbabwe
03 August 1999
4. - 3 AUG: Harare shopping
Zimbabwe is dismantling the one hundred years old railway track solid teak
sleepers and replacing them with concrete. The sleepers are cut up and
made into furniture; you can find it at several shops in Harare (we found
the ones at Sam Levy's village and at Ballantyne Park the best, they will
also make items to order) but avoid Savanna Woods in Vic Falls as it is
considerably more expensive.
sleepers and replacing them with concrete. The sleepers are cut up and
made into furniture; you can find it at several shops in Harare (we found
the ones at Sam Levy's village and at Ballantyne Park the best, they will
also make items to order) but avoid Savanna Woods in Vic Falls as it is
considerably more expensive.
Location:
Harare, Zimbabwe
02 August 1999
3. - 2 AUG: Harare
Full day in Harare, dedicated mostly to exploring the work of Shona sculpture artists.
We went to Zim especially for Shona sculptures and thoroughly searched the place. Matombo Gallery on L.Takawira Avenue is the best place for quality sculptures, but expensive, and manager Roy Cook, who will gladly devote you his time to explain about Shona sculptures, does not like bargaining, so be prepared to pay for what you get... and more! Be sure to visit also their sculpture garden on the airport road, it holds some masterpieces by "first generation" artists which are not found elsewhere.
The National Gallery is the only other serious alternative, but the selection is poorer. Matombo (which means ROCK in shona) also has a good shop in Vic Falls. They will also arrange shipping at a reasonable rate. Tengenenge sculpture village has gone down in quality and is just a messy mountain of second quality stuff, though occasionally good artists emerge from the lot. Average pieces can be found at many other shops, so if you are not fussy about a specific artist or school do look around. Street markets are mostly for cheap souvenirs, not art.
We went to Zim especially for Shona sculptures and thoroughly searched the place. Matombo Gallery on L.Takawira Avenue is the best place for quality sculptures, but expensive, and manager Roy Cook, who will gladly devote you his time to explain about Shona sculptures, does not like bargaining, so be prepared to pay for what you get... and more! Be sure to visit also their sculpture garden on the airport road, it holds some masterpieces by "first generation" artists which are not found elsewhere.
The National Gallery is the only other serious alternative, but the selection is poorer. Matombo (which means ROCK in shona) also has a good shop in Vic Falls. They will also arrange shipping at a reasonable rate. Tengenenge sculpture village has gone down in quality and is just a messy mountain of second quality stuff, though occasionally good artists emerge from the lot. Average pieces can be found at many other shops, so if you are not fussy about a specific artist or school do look around. Street markets are mostly for cheap souvenirs, not art.
Location:
Harare, Zimbabwe
01 August 1999
2. - 1 AUG: Harare
The huge 747 lands and park in the small Harare airport. No buses and no jet bridge "finger", we just descend the staircase and walk to the terminal A deep blue sky and a cool breeze welcome us to Africa.
After an uneventful passport control we get our bags and are met by the rep of Run Wild, the local tour operator we are using for this trip. He proceeds to transfer us Imba Matombo, a great little hotel in the Relais and Chateaux chain. It is a luxurious yet cozy property, white washed houses with thatched roofs. I booked a standard room on a half board basis.
Rest of the day by the pool, recuperating and reading up to prepare for our tour of Zimbabwe.
Imba Matombo remains the non plus ultra in terms of accommodation; they asked us USD140 pppd on a dbb basis, but we got it down to 120 through Runwild; it is worth it! During our stay, an Australian visiting chef delighted us with world class cuisine which took into account local foods and ingredients. You can also just go for dinner. Their "afternoon tea", with cake and cookies served by the poolside or in your room/verandah, and included in the daily price, is irresistible. Only catch: do not use their shuttle bus to town: at USD10 pp/per hour (min 3 hours) it is a veritable rip off.
After an uneventful passport control we get our bags and are met by the rep of Run Wild, the local tour operator we are using for this trip. He proceeds to transfer us Imba Matombo, a great little hotel in the Relais and Chateaux chain. It is a luxurious yet cozy property, white washed houses with thatched roofs. I booked a standard room on a half board basis.
Rest of the day by the pool, recuperating and reading up to prepare for our tour of Zimbabwe.
Imba Matombo remains the non plus ultra in terms of accommodation; they asked us USD140 pppd on a dbb basis, but we got it down to 120 through Runwild; it is worth it! During our stay, an Australian visiting chef delighted us with world class cuisine which took into account local foods and ingredients. You can also just go for dinner. Their "afternoon tea", with cake and cookies served by the poolside or in your room/verandah, and included in the daily price, is irresistible. Only catch: do not use their shuttle bus to town: at USD10 pp/per hour (min 3 hours) it is a veritable rip off.
Imba Matombo |
Location:
Harare, Zimbabwe
31 July 1999
1. - 31 JUL 1999: Depart Brussels and arrive Harare
Easy flight with KLM via Amsterdam. Free business class tickets, thanks to lots of frequent flyer miles accumulated over time. KLM is pretty good, and my collection of blue KLM Delft houses gets one more piece!
Location:
Harare, Zimbabwe
30 July 1999
Itinerary of a trip to Zimbabwe, 31 July - 17 August 1999
31 July 1999
depart Brussels
1 August
Arrive ex KLM
Met by Run Wild and transferred to Imba Matombo - Relais and Chateaux
property. Standard double room on a Half Board basis.
2 August
Harare
3 August
Harare
04 August Drive to Great Zimbabwe
Hertz Rent-a-car will deliver your car to you at 08h30.
Run Wild will supply you with a welcome wallet and road map full
directions and show you to the correct road for Masvingo and Lodge of the Ancient City. This is a 3 hour drive on a straight road.
Lodge of The Ancient City is on a Half Board basis - 2 nights.
5 August Great Zimbabwe
6 August Drive to Bulawayo
Depart for Bulawayo and the Matopos - approximately 3.5 hours drive.
Big Cave Camp - Full Board basis
7 August Game drive Cave Camp
Cave Camp game drives
8 August Visit Bulawayo town
09 August 99
Depart for Hwange, actually Dete for the National Park.
Drop off car in Hwange as we will be transferring you by 4x4 into the camp itself so I suggest drop off the car at the Hwange Airport.
Chimwara Tented Camp is all inclusive of choice activities, walks, drives,
night drives on the estate and drives into the National Park, full baord
all drinks, levy, laundry, park fees and transfers.
10 August Hwange game drives
11 August
Run Wild will collect you on the 11th and drive you to Victoria Falls - 2
hours drive.
arrive Victoria Falls Safari Lodge BB basis.
12 August 99
We have booked Ultralite trip over the Falls, this departs from Zambia,
our Manageress will be at your disposal to assist with Visas, transfers and other activities you may wish to book.
13 August 99
Your private charter flight will leave Vic Falls Airport for Chizarira National
Park airstrip (50 minutes) at a time to suit you.
Chizarira Wilderness Lodge is owned and run by Run Wild.
14 August
Flight back to Victoria Falls
15 August
Victoria Falls activities
17 August
Depart to Harare
Thetford Country House Hotel on an All Inclusive basis full board, drinks, shopping and transfers.
17 August 99
Harare shopping
18 August 99
depart on KLM.
depart Brussels
1 August
Arrive ex KLM
Met by Run Wild and transferred to Imba Matombo - Relais and Chateaux
property. Standard double room on a Half Board basis.
2 August
Harare
3 August
Harare
04 August Drive to Great Zimbabwe
Hertz Rent-a-car will deliver your car to you at 08h30.
Run Wild will supply you with a welcome wallet and road map full
directions and show you to the correct road for Masvingo and Lodge of the Ancient City. This is a 3 hour drive on a straight road.
Lodge of The Ancient City is on a Half Board basis - 2 nights.
5 August Great Zimbabwe
6 August Drive to Bulawayo
Depart for Bulawayo and the Matopos - approximately 3.5 hours drive.
Big Cave Camp - Full Board basis
7 August Game drive Cave Camp
Cave Camp game drives
8 August Visit Bulawayo town
09 August 99
Depart for Hwange, actually Dete for the National Park.
Drop off car in Hwange as we will be transferring you by 4x4 into the camp itself so I suggest drop off the car at the Hwange Airport.
Chimwara Tented Camp is all inclusive of choice activities, walks, drives,
night drives on the estate and drives into the National Park, full baord
all drinks, levy, laundry, park fees and transfers.
10 August Hwange game drives
11 August
Run Wild will collect you on the 11th and drive you to Victoria Falls - 2
hours drive.
arrive Victoria Falls Safari Lodge BB basis.
12 August 99
We have booked Ultralite trip over the Falls, this departs from Zambia,
our Manageress will be at your disposal to assist with Visas, transfers and other activities you may wish to book.
13 August 99
Your private charter flight will leave Vic Falls Airport for Chizarira National
Park airstrip (50 minutes) at a time to suit you.
Chizarira Wilderness Lodge is owned and run by Run Wild.
14 August
Flight back to Victoria Falls
15 August
Victoria Falls activities
17 August
Depart to Harare
Thetford Country House Hotel on an All Inclusive basis full board, drinks, shopping and transfers.
17 August 99
Harare shopping
18 August 99
depart on KLM.
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