Our Africa Zimbabwe adventure

The end of our Zimbabwe adventure is drawing close and we are spending our last 2 nights at a lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River 50km upriver from Mana Pools and close to the Zambian border.

Rukuru Camp is another haven of tranquility set in lush green lawned gardens with singing birds, a swimming pool and spacious tents perched on the raised river bank overlooking the floodplain with river beyond.

We soon find out that behind our tents runs the favourite path of the elephants who roam peacefully past randomly during the day stopping for a leisurely drink in the pond, where a Giant Kingfisher also catches an occasional fish. It’s amazing that the elephants know they are safe here as on both side of Rukuru’s 8000km square concession hunting sadly takes place.

Our first morning we set off for a game drive which turns into a lion tracking walk with owner and head ranger Clyde. There is a baby elephant carcass where the lions have been feeding the previous day , a 1km drive from camp and Clyde wants to investigate closer. We hop out the vehicle and take a single file walk in the vicinity where Clyde tracks and spots a lioness sleeping and we quickly back up. She wakes when we are further away and runs off quite quickly. We then hear the Impala barking their alarm call in the direction of the riverfront and walk that way silently stopping to listen and scout every couple of meters. Helene spots another lion who has seen us at the same time and we manage to see her silhouette clearly against the morning light before she also heads off swiftly into the bush behind. Our adrenaline is pumping and we happily head back to the vehicle after all the excitement and continue on our drive back to the lodge stopping to see an elephant family with baby drinking from his mother and the cutest warthog family.

We end our stay at Rukuru with the most magical sunset over the Zambezi River having sundowners whilst watching flocks of ibises and geese flying by in the last rays of the sun. The hippo pod close by sets off floating downriver for the night guffawing melodiously as they go and we reflect on the amazing time we have all spent together in Zimbabwe, a country we would love to visit again.

Farewell. We love you Zimbabwe.Read more