Hi gang -
We are heading to Zimbabwe for two weeks in July. It will be our first Zim trip, and I was hoping to tap into your collective knowledge!
We'll be in Vic Falls, Hwange, and Matopos Hills.
1. I've heard horror stories of the cold - that nights can be below freezing, and that it is only warm for a few hours in the day. How bad is it, really? How does it work, if you're staying in tents or huts with only screens - do you bring industrial grade long underwear? (Its about 30 degrees right now where I live, and I cannot imagine camping or wanting to spend more than half an hour outside) Are you just constantly cold?
2. What is the safari experience in Hwange like in July? We've been told we're unlikely to see another vehicle while we're there, and that the game viewing will be abundant. Is this true? (I'd much rather match my expectations with reality, than go with false ideas and be disappointed).
3. Can anyone talk about the differences between Big Cave Camp and Amalinda in Matopos?
Thank you so much for any info you can share.
Zimbabwe in July
Recent Activity
View all Africa & the Middle East activity »
- 1 Budget Safari options in Botswana?
- 2
Mozambique 1 - 13 June 2013.
- 3 Cross Egypt Challenge and 4 extra days
- 4
Tanzania Feb 2013 -- my first but not last safari!
- 5
Our best trip ever - in Morocco
- 6 Morocco Tour Operators: Morocco Expert Tours
- 7 Yellow Fevor innoculation revisited
- 8 Most Romantic Places in Marrakech or Essaouira?
- 9 2 weeks in South Africa with teens
- 10 Help with Zambia itinerary? Victoria's Fall, South Luwangha NP
- 11 Africa Safari
- 12 Morocco - private tour operators
- 13 Questions re Gorillas in Rwanda and money in both Rwanda and Tanzania
- 14
Morocco . . . Rough Around the Edges
- 15 Kruger Park trip
- 16 First time in Zimbawbe, SA, Safari, etc. Really need your help.
- 17 Exclusie use vehicles at Mala Mala and Londolozi
- 18 phone service
- 19 how to join a Kenya safari once in country
- 20 Qatar - Doha my photos
- 21 The Grace Hotel (Johannesburg) is closing
- 22 Kenya + Ngorongoro or Serengeti?
- 23 Ashdod to Jaffa and Tel Aviv
- 24 Haifa - Acre & the Baha'i Gardens
- 25 Marrakesh and Fez w/ side trip
I've been in August and it should be about the same as July. The nights will be cold, but most camps provide nice, warm blankets on their game drive vehicles for the night drives or for the early mornings. The days are usually warm, so bring layers and add or subtract as needed. There are plenty of blankets on the beds, as well. I get cold easily, but didn't find it to be too cold for me.
At Hwange, the game viewing may depend on whether it's windy, or not. If it is, that can cut down on the game you see. Because it will be the dry season, the game should be heading for the waterholes. Where are you staying? I was at Somalisa in September 2010... great place!
I can't speak to the differences between Big Cave and Amalinda but I stayed at the latter in 2010. Amalinda is a beautiful and unique camp. I even had some rock art in my room. We hiked to a fabulous cave with dozens of rock art paintings one morning. In Matabo Hills NP, we saw a couple of rhinos, black and white.
1. "I get cold easily, but didn't find it to be too cold for me." Ditto for me and I bet I get even colder than ShayTay.
Layers always work. It is not true that it is warm only a few hours a day. You'll be very hot midday in July.
2. At the pans at sunset you might see a couple of vehicles gathering, but I cannot imagine a crowd anywhere. July is good time with abundant game, that is correct.
3."Amalinda is a beautiful and unique camp. I even had some rock art in my room. We hiked to a fabulous cave with dozens of rock art paintings one morning. In Matabo Hills NP, we saw a couple of rhinos, black and white."
Ditto for me. I spent 4 nights and did black and white rhino extensive tracking on foot and found them. Very exciting and rewarding.
You've got yourself a nice trip! If there is any more time, include Mana Pool.
Thank you both! You've put my mind at east. We are staying at Somalisa - would love to hear more about your stay there.
Dudley (actually Dardley) is the camp manager and a great guide, as well. The Ngweshla Pan area produced some great sightings, including rhino and roan antelope. Eles are everywhere. Each afternoon, several groups would arrive at the camp's swimming pool for a drink. I sat on a lounge chair across the pool from them, only 10 feet away. One night, I heard a brushing sound while in my tent. It turns out the an ele was running its trunk along the top of the tent, looking for acacia seed pods. Then, it moved to the bath area and drank out of my shower bucket. Very cool!