Elephants Of Enormity
WANDERINGS WITH THE WORLD'S GREATEST LAND MAMMAL
"There is mystery behind that masked grey visage, and ancient life force, delicate and mighty, awesome and enchanted, commanding the silence ordinarily reserved for mountain peaks, great fires, great rivers and the sea." - Peter Matthiessen
Of one of the major destinations in this itinerary, Gonarezhou National Park:
"Gonarezhou National Park is on the cusp of a great adventure; it forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, an area the size of the Netherlands straddling Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique. This colossal tract of land encompasses three national parks including Kruger National Park and Limpopo National Park. As the fences come down, years of struggle and division will be forgotten as the animals of this vast land – above all Gonarezhou’s ubiquitous elephants – will once again be able to resume their ancient migratory routes." - Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge.
This itinerary idea isn't just about enjoying the company of these highly social creatures. Rather you'll get to do it in the select few national parks which we believe are the epitome of the wild, remote and natural. And the elephants here will reflect that. They have history, they don't see the volume of tourists of other national parks and they live in some of the most ancient of wilderness areas in Africa. We shouldn't say it, but this might just be our favourite itinerary and we hope that it'll become yours too.
SAMPLE ITINERARY - 12 DAYS
Day 1-3 - You'll be situated very near the Zambezi escarpment for your first three days of luxury camping at Chitake Spring, famed for both its elephant population density and predator population. In fact, smaller elephants are known to fall prey to the lions in this area from time to time. What makes this area so memorable is that the Chitake Spring is the sole major water source for 70km to the Zambezi River and the animals tend to come from all directions for water, especially as the dry season progresses. The diverse array of wildlife means that the predators really do come out to play and you can expect to see lion, leopard, wild dog and hyena. The greatest show however, is put on by the enormous grey herds of elephant and the black masses of buffalo.
Day 4&5 - After the wild and remote Chitake Spring, you'll transfer via light aircraft to the natural wonder of the Victoria Falls. Here you'll be based in one of Zimbabwe's tourism icons replete with its own activities desk. The Victoria Falls Safari Club is the premium property of Africa Albida Tourism, which is reflected in a personalised butler service and other premium inclusions such as three complimentary meals daily, cocktails, morning and afternoon teas and massage therapy. From helicopter flights, the Devil's Pool and white water rafting, to game drives in the Zambezi National Park, a drink at the Victoria Falls Hotel and a meal at the celebrated Boma - Place of Eating, your time in Victoria Falls will be action-packed and promises a lifetime of memories.
Day 6&7 - After the amazement of the Victoria Falls, you'll transfer by road to Zimbabwe's largest national park and home to the Presidential Elephant Herd, Hwange National Park. It's estimated that over 40,000 elephants reside here and the elephant population is certainly what the park is noted for. That said, Hwange is also home to over 100 other mammal species and 400 bird species making it an ideal inclusion in any African safari itinerary. Whilst here, you'll spend 2 nights in wild Africa at Khulu Ivory's luxury tented suites where you'll get to enjoy wildlife spectacles from your own private room. Other included activities are game drives, walking safaris, cultural visits and participation in the park's wild dog research program.
Day 8&9 - Next stop, Matobo National Park, one of Zimbabwe's Intensive Protection Zones for the critically endangered black and white rhinoceros. It goes without saying that rhino tracking is an included activity here and obviously it has been a perennial favourite with our guests. In addition to rhino tracking, you'll have the chance to explore ancient rock art sites, indulge in one of Camp Amalinda's renowned spa treatments or visit the burial place of Cecil Rhodes at World's View. The activity options aside, your accommodation is utterly breathtaking and amongst a prominent granite outcrop. The rooms will undoubtedly leave you speechless as they artfully and romantically blend with their environment.
Day 10-12 - You started your trip in one of Southern Africa's remotest locations, and you'll get to finish it with a place equally so. You may not have heard of Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe's extreme southeast, but that's because of its inaccessibility rather than its quality. The park lacks any volume of accommodation options and that has manifested itself in a destination unencumbered by the trappings of mass tourism - just the sort of place we try to always recommend to our guests. Regarding where we've chosen for you to stay, the sentiments of the founders at Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge are superbly reflected in the following quote:
"Any journey into the heart of Gonarezhou, place of the elephants, begins with the realisation that this is wild country. It is one of Africa's last remaining pristine wildernesses and we are all privileged to be a visitor here. The animals are in their most natural state in Gonarezhou; these are no lazy photographic models, hassled by a constant cavalcade of jeeps, radioing one another in their relentless pursuits. This is a country of red sandstone, thorny scrub and baobabs. The presence of elephants is everywhere; on the earth and the vegetation, as their families travel along routes passed from one matriarch to another in search of food, safety and water."
alternate namibian itinerary - 6 DAYS
Day 1-3 - You'll start your Namibian elephant safari near the Huab River Valley in central Damaraland. As expected, one of the highlights here is to go on a game drive to see desert-adapted elephants in addition to gemsbok, springbok and the rare bat-eared fox. Other options that we really appreciate include sleeping out under the stars on your private deck and visiting the Damara Living Museum which documents the traditional culture of the Damara people.
Day 4-6 - Time for the Ongava Game Reserve on the border of well-known Etosha National Park. A surprising mix of animals abound here in one of Namibia's largest private game reserves. You'll be staying in family-friendly elegance at Andersson's Camp and while the focus for you might be Etosha's white sand-stained elephants, during your walks and game drives you're also likely to come across lions, black and white rhinos, giraffe and several spectacular species of antelope such as the black-faced impala.
