Road trips are fun, perhaps my favourite way to explore places and introduce new people to Zimbabwe. There is no better way to appreciate the Zimbabwean landscape than to drive through mountains, cliffs and the vast panoramic views of flat lands. I took on a challenge to embark on a 5-day tour – taking us through Gweru, Bulawayo, Hwange National Park, and to Victoria Falls, before heading back the same way: total driving distance: 2,138 kilometres; a trip I aptly named: safaris, waterfalls and sunsets – a road trip in Zimbabwe.
If I were to answer the question: what do you always take with you on tour, it would be my travel mug, with coffee inside of course. I am a sucker for early mornings, and so we were on the road by 4am, and had passed through Bulawayo before lunch – arriving at Hwange National Park before sunset. The drive was easy and I was happily surprised that my wife, who is my travel buddy, managed to stay awake the entire time on this drive! I often have to wake her up once we arrive at our destination, but I guess it helped having 2 other Norwegians with us in Ida and Erle. After cooking and having dinner, we turned in for the night, only to be woken up by the sounds of a hyena that was right outside the camp. Such is the beauty of Zimbabwean National Parks, true nature, devoid of artificialness, where animals are not caged up and are free to roam around undeterred by humans – what is referred to as responsible tourism. The bush ultimately belongs to the wild animals, and humans are visitors who should always respect that balance of power.
First morning in the camp was another early one, as we wanted to find the game still drinking water at the waterholes. It was quite the unlucky morning game drive in Hwange National Park. We did not see a lot of wildlife until it was time to return to camp for lunch. I wasn’t about to give up though, and so we set out again, this time in our van and not a safari truck, seeing the benefits of having a sunroof as Erle and Ida took turns to stand on the seat and look out into the wild. The pitfalls of being a driver and tour guide is that you get to spot the animals first, but often don’t get to see much after that because you are looking for the next best spot to see the animals. We were a lot luckier this time around, and at one point had a giraffe dead in tracks and would not move – we concluded it was an attention seeker of note.
There was time for yet another safari the next day, before heading out for the falls. This time around we went all the way out to Somalisa Camp, before turning around and making an exit via the Painted Dog Information Centre (African Wild Dog sanctuary & learning facility).
We were in Victoria Falls by 3pm in the afternoon, and checked in at Shoestrings Backpackers. I had always taken my guests to Shoestrings for a drink over the years, but had never stayed there, and so I was quite keen to have a feel of it so that when I recommend it to students who come for internships in Zimbabwe through Tiritose Sustainable Travel, I would have first-hand experience. I have to say; budget accommodation in Victoria Falls is right up there with the best in the world. The bed was very comfortable, the en-suite bathroom was clean, with hot water, and they gave us towels. We enjoyed the melting pot of different travellers of all ages, and the conversations were fascinating. The surprise was finding people getting massages by the lawn, next to the swimming pool.
One of my favourite spots to grab a meal is the Lookout Café, and the view is possibly the best in the world, and that’s before we consider the crocodile kebab and pork ribs. Watching people bungy, raft, zipline or jump on the gorge swing adds to the unique experience when travelling. What’s a time in Victoria Falls without spending time at the Victoria Falls Hotels? High tea or lunch is a must-do, and we sure did. The trip was the perfect balance between budget and premium travel, and the morning breakfast at the hotel changed my life and the 3 Norwegians. I was supposed to leave Vic Falls at 9am after breakfast, but noon came around while I was still helping myself to the all you can eat breakfast. I only left once they started setting up for lunch. Such is the power of Champaign breakfast (something that means little to me since I don’t drink alcohol). I was more focused on the omelet. The drive home was a breeze, until I was about 100kilometres from Hwange town, when I met a rainstorm. The road is notorious for cattle sleeping on the warm tar, and so I had my eyes wide open the entire time, and moving at a slow pace. We were in Bulawayo by 5pm, and stocked up at Food Lover’s Market, another pit stop that I never miss whenever I am in the City of Kings. Biltong and coffee for me are the best when I am on a road trip in Zimbabwe, and so I got plenty to last me the trip. By 10pm we were in Harare, and ready for a niece’s wedding the next day. Ida and Erle stayed over at Victoria Falls Hotel and caught a FastJet plane the next day. They were in Harare for just one more day, before boarding again for Norway.
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