ZIMBABWE: Photographic Safaris

[UKHunter]

I thought I would share some pictures of my recent trip to Zimbabwe. The traveling group consisted of my dad, brothers and I. We hired a 4x4 and did a self drive safari camping as we went. The trip was fantastic and I would return in a heart beat. The local people are very friendly and helpful, the food was great and the national parks are full of game. I took around 1,500 pictures so I will just select a few to post on here.

We landed in Victoria Falls - What a sight it is and certainly with a visit. We also went whitewater rafting which was a lot of fun.

Hwange national park was incredible! We stayed at 2 different camp sites for 2 nights each and we were pretty much the only people there. We barely saw any other tourists during our game drives and there were lots of animals, especially elephants. Highlights were seeing Lion, Buffalo, a pregnant Cheatah, and Klipspringer, to name but a few!

 

[dory]

Did you happen to get Cecil's autograph while you were there ???

 

[dory]

Good photos buddy . Where they all taken in the park or while you were traveling ?

 

[JustinC]

Hi,

I'm glad you guys had a good time!

Regards

 

[Pheroze]

Very cool! You mentioned it was self drive, did you just grab a map and drive out of vic falls?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Great photos! I'm heading to Livingstone and Chobe in 2 weeks for a photo Safari. We almost cancelled the trip, since there was now no chance of seeing Cecil. But we decided to go anyway, with the small chance of possibly seeing some other lions and wildlife. I can tell from your photos that wild game is indeed scarce

 

[James.Grage]

Some good photos and i am sure you many more to remember your trip...

 

[UKHunter]

All these photos were taken in either Victoria Falls national park or Hwange national park. I have some more of the write up to do, when I get round to it.

There was very little game outside of the national parks in the areas we went. The local population is very poor and as a result the game is heavily poached to put food on the table. Inside the national parks there is a lot of game, Hwange in particular. We saw thousands of animals over the trip and game was seen through-out the day.

We did some research and had a rough idea of where we were going, but we made some alterations as we went. We had our destinations, rough distances between them and a map to navigate. It was all very easy and stress free.

 

[gillettehunter]

Congrats on doing that trip yourself. I would have to think about that a bit. You have some very nice photo's and reminds me of my trip there last May. Thanks for sharing. Bruce

 

[CAustin]

Ok for the professionals and those with even some experience. The 11th picture in is a lone elephant. Estimate of tusk weight please??

 

[Rob404]

That Kudu is Beautiful,,thanks for the pics

 

[UKHunter]

More to follow shortly, including an on-foot Rhino treck in-which we got within 10m of a female white rhino and her calf.

 

[UKHunter]

Matobo Hills national park

It was here where we had arranged a day with a guide to track white rhinos on foot. Our guide was very knowledgable and had already spoken to the game scouts for information about where the rhinos were this morning. Once we found them the on-foot stalk in began. We got within 10m of a female and her calf. We were down wind and all crouched down in the long grass without them having a clue we were there. It was amazing to be able to observe these animals at such close proximity.

Next stop was a tour of some of the bushman cave paintings.

After this it was onto Cecile Rhodes grave, where our guide gave a fascinating talk about his life and influence on Zimbabwe.

 

[Scott Slough]

Great trip and photos! I have most of the same trip planned out in the back of my mind. I do admit to wanting to do a hunt near Kruger to start and near Hwange to finish. Really don't have any idea how I would fund the trip or find enough time to do it justice, but reports like this one will always keep it in the back of my mind!!

 

[UKHunter]

We actually booked this trip a week before we left! It was all very short notice. None the less we had a great time and learnt some tricks for the next adventure. Hopefully next time I will have a bit more warning so I can go out 10 days before and do some hunting then meet up for the safari part.

 

[rinehart0050]

I liked the photo of the Kudu horns/carcass. A nice reminder that what may be a trophy to some is just dinner to others.

Thanks for sharing the photos!

 

[Witold Krzyżanowski]

Nice pictures UKHunter.
Thanks for sharing.