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A proud WINNER of the Zimbabwe Achievers Tourism Award!
We promote travel opportunities to the wild areas of the Zambezi Valley
WILD ZAMBEZI invites you to a world of nature where the pace is slow, the sun is warm, the sky is huge and the people are friendly.  Our travel promotion focus is the Zambezi River and its iconic wildernesses, including the Victoria Falls & Zambezi National Parks, Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park and Mana Pools National Park & World Heritage Site.  We provide web-based, up-to-date information on operators, activities, accommodation choices, tours and services in this magnificent area, and offer a reliable, independent travel advisory service.

WILD ZAMBEZI NEWS - FEBRUARY 2016


Explore our travel listings & share your own experiences on our website Wild Zambezi.com

PLEASE FORWARD THIS E-NEWSLETTER!
ZIMBABWE RELAXES ITS VISA REGIME
Zimbabwe has relaxed its visa regime for 37 countries including China while removing visa requirements for all SADC (Southern African Development Community) countries.

The Zimbabwe government has published a new table of Visa Categories showing the latest changes effective 3rd March 2016.
You can see the table and find out more about Visa requirements for entry into Zimbabwe on our website at this link:  Zimbabwe Visa Information 

WILD ZAMBEZI WILL MEET YOU AT INDABA 2016 - STAND DEC2B19 
WILD ZAMBEZI is once again exhibiting at this year's INDABA - the International showcase for travel to Southern Africa -  which is held at the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Durban, South Africa 7th-9th May 2016.    

We will be representing our entire travel network which consists of a wide variety of companies offering different travel opportunities and services within the wild areas of the Zambezi River within Zimbabwe.

Please contact us on info@wildzambezi.com to arrange an appointment to meet.

The following WILD ZAMBEZI network partners will have their own specific representatives on the stand (in addition to Wild Zambezi's presence). Meetings can also be arranged with any of them :-
Dzimbabwe Lodge & houseboats - Kariba self-catering or full board accommodation and houseboats
Executive Air - private, professional air charters and medical rescue in remote areas
Experience Africa Safaris - specialist operator for exclusive tailor-made safaris
Kavinga Safari Camp - new 16-bed wilderness camp in southern Mana Pools
Musango Island Safari Camp -  owner-operated safari camp on its own island on Lake Kariba with top professional guiding
Natureways - guided canoe and walking safaris with mobile tented camps along the Zambezi River and in Mana Pools
Rhino Safari Camp -  authentic, natural, unfenced bush camp in the Matusadona National Park on the shores of Lake Kariba.
Safaris 4 Africa - experienced tour company for intimate, personalized holidays & safaris.
Tafika Zambezispecialised, luxury fishing camps on the Zambezi River downstream from Mana Pools
Zambezi Cruise Safaris - luxury houseboat cruises on Lake Kariba combined with various land-based safari lodge options.

We look forward very much to meeting representatives of the international and regional travel trade and travel media at this important show.  

LOW COST FLIGHTS NOW LINK JOHANNESBURG, HARARE & VICTORIA FALLS 
On 25th March 2016, low cost airline Fastjet launches a new twice weekly service between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg  on Fridays and Sundays.  The airline also runs flights between Harare and Victoria Falls three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and has increased its daily flights between Harare and Johannesburg to twice daily on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. 

You can book online via  www.fastjet.com/zw   Tel:  Harare: +263 864 4556677 or Johnnesburg +27 11 7220226
Fastjet also has a booking office in Harare at 180 Fife Ave near Greenwood Park and in Victoria Falls at Shearwater Aviation next to the cafe.

Here are the latest schedules:-
VIC-FALLS - JOHANNESBURG ( Fri & Sun)
Depart Vic Falls 12.40
Arrive Johannesburg 14.15
Depart Johannesburg 14.50
Arrive Vic Falls 16.30

HARARE-VIC FALLS (Wed, Fri, Sun)
Depart Harare 15.00
Arrive Vic Falls 16.10
Depart Vic Falls 16.40
Arrive Harare 17.45

HARARE - JOHANNESBURG (daily)
Mon-Fri  
Depart Harare 6.15
Arrive Jhb  7.55
Depart Jhb 8.40
Arrive Harare 10.15
Mon. Wed & Fri - ( 2nd Flight in evening)
Depart Harare 18.50
Arrive Jhb 20.30
Depart Jhb 21.15
Arrive Harare 22.50
Saturdays & Sundays
Depart Harare 7.00
Arrive Jhb 8.40
Depart Jhb 9.25
Arrive Harare 11.00
Sundays (2nd Flight in evening)
Depart Harare 18.50
Arrive Jhb 20.30
Depart Jhb 21.15
Arrive Harare 22.50

Note that, like all low-cost airlines, taxes have to be added to Fastjet's advertised fares and, although one carry-on bag is allowed, you have to pay extra for checked-in baggage and on-board refreshments.

COLLABORATIVE BLITZ ON POACHING PRODUCES RESULTS

In the past few months a series of collaborative anti-poaching strike operations carried out throughout the entire Zambezi Valley in Zimbabwe has resulted in successful arrests and court sentences of 9 years or more for numerous individuals and syndicates poaching elephants, pangolin and other wildlife.  

This is excellent news at a time when wildlife poaching and dealing in illegal wildlife products in the region is at an all time high.  

What is particularly gratifying is that these successes are as a direct result of strong co-ordination between private sector conservation and anti-poaching groups, the tourism industry and public sector law-enforcement agencies such as the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZPWMA), Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), the Minerals Border Control Unit and Lake Navigation (Kariba).

At the forefront of this collaborative war against poaching are the following hard-working and dedicated locally-based private units and teams of dedicated scouts, who show incredible courage and determination in very dangerous and mosquito-infested conditions with very little sleep and no comfort:-

- The Victoria Falls  Anti-Poaching Unit (VFAPU) - headed up by local conservationist and safari operator, Charles Brightman (pictured above left)
- The Matusadona Anti-Poaching Project (MAPP) - operating in the Lake Kariba/Matusadona/"Middle-Zambezi" area (pictured above right)
- Bumi Hills Anti Poaching Unit (BHAPU) - operating in the Bumi Hills/Omay areas west of the Matusadona National Park
- The Black Mambas - a well trained and experienced collaborative law enforcement team dedicated to destroying poacher networks and operations in the Zambezi Valley
- Resource Protection Services  
- Gache Gache Wilderness Area Anti-Poaching Unit (WEPU) operating at the south-eastern end of Lake Kariba
- Kariba  Animal Welfare Fund Trust (KAWFT) - operating in and around Kariba town.
- Bushlife/Romara Anti-Poaching Unit (BAPU) - operating in the Mana Pools area
- Dande Anti-Poaching Unit - operating in the Dande Safari Area in the "Lower Zambezi" region
- Phundundu Wildlife & Security Patrol (WASP) - operating south of Mana Pools

These groups are assisted and supported by Zimbabwe-based conservation entities such as :-
- The Zambezi Society
- The Tashinga Initiative
- The Tikki Hywood Trust 
- The Zambezi Elephant Fund
-  Carbon Green Africa's "Kariba REDD+ Project"
-  Flying for Wildlife - volunteers involved with aerial survey of the Zambezi Valley areas
-  Mana Pools Voluntary anti-poaching unit

All of these need the financial and material support of the public and the international community in order to be able to continue their efforts.   If you can assist, please be in touch with any of them direct.

LATEST TRAVEL REVIEWS WILDZAMBEZI.COM    February 2016  
Take a look at what people are saying about their travel experiences at these latest Travel Review postings on WildZambezi.com.  
Follow the links (scroll down to the bottom of each page for the Review section):-
Baobab Bookings – agency for accommodation, houseboats, transfers and activities throughout Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba specialists.

Have something to say about a place you have visited or a service you have experienced?  Tell others about it by submitting a Travel Review on the relevant page on Wild Zambezi.com.
CHECK OUT THESE TRAVEL SPECIALS ON WILDZAMBEZI.COM 
Don’t forget the great SPECIALS on offer from some of Wild Zambezi’s network partners.  
Check them out on each of these page links (scroll down and to the right):-
African Bush Camps (Mana Pools, Hwange):  AUGUST FAMILY SPECIAL - Stay 3 nights or more and the 5th family member stays free (valid August 2016).   MANA MADNESS SPECIAL – stay min 3 nights at one of these properties (6 nights altogether at African Bush Camps facilities) and get FREE flights in and out of Mana Pools. (Valid 1 April – 30 June 2016)    LONG STAY SPECIAL – at any combo of African Bush Camps – 5% discount for 6+ nights; 10% discount for 9+ nights. 
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge & Spa (Lake Kariba):  3-4 night fly-in package from Vic Falls or Harare  Valid until 1 April 2016
Caribbea Bay Resort (Kariba): Easter Special - pay for 2 x nights get a 3rd night free.  Valid March-April 2016
Changa Safari Camp (Lake Kariba/Matusadona):  Various Specials for Internationals.  Special local residents rates until end April 2016 
Dunhu Ramambo - Umbozha Houseboats (Lake Kariba): Reduced rates on all the Lake Kariba houseboats in this luxury fleet (until end March) 
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge (Zambezi River upstream from Victoria Falls):  Imbabala-Elephant Camp combo special.  3 nights Imbabala, 1 night The Elephant Camp. Includes tour of Vic Falls.
Musango Island Safari Camp (Lake Kariba):  Cool Waters Package (Vic Falls/Kariba/Mana Pools) and Get a Night on Us (Stay for 4 nights, pay for 3)
Rhino Safari Camp (Lake Kariba/Matusadona) – Green Season Specials for locals and internationals.  Easter Holidays Half-price Special for Teenagers (12 - 18 years) travelling with Parents.
Ruckomechi Camp (Wilderness Safaris) (Mana Pools/Hwange):  Special rates for local residents until end June 2016.
Victoria Falls River Lodge (Victoria Falls):  Family value Special - stay in a Family Suite with 2 or more kids and the youngest child stays for free.  Valid   Nov & 20 Dec 2016 and 7 Jan - 31 March 2017 
Wild Dog Tours (Kariba) - Various discount specials on Kariba houseboat charters and self-catering accommodation. 
Wild Horizons (Victoria Falls) - 2016 lodge combo special - 3 x nights Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge, Vic Falls tour & 1 x night  Elephant Camp.  Also "Zim Rates Specials"  for Zimbabwean residents.  

For more information and contact details click on the above links. 
KARIBA
WILD ZAMBEZI WELCOMES A NEW NETWORK PARTNER: TAMARIND LODGES

This month we welcome the newly upgraded and refurbished Tamarind Lodges in Kariba town to our travel network.  

These self-catering, en-suite lodges are set in approximately 3 hectares of attractive lawned gardens underneath shady trees, and can accommodate a total number of 250 guests at basic, standard or executive levels of accommodation.  

The chalet rooms can be hired either individually by families or collectively by large groups e.g. educational, team-building, corporate or sports teams, conferences, weddings or church groups.    There is a central, large dining room and conference/meeting hall and recreational facilities for swimming, beach volleyball and football.

A separate, fully-equipped cottage with a pool is also available for families who would like more privacy.

For more information and contact details, see Tamarind Lodges


If you have stayed at the new Tamarind Lodges and would like to tell us about your experience, please submit a Wild Zambezi Travel  Review at the above link (scroll down the page to the Reviews Section).
KITFT - TEST OF THE BEST - FEB 2016
The results of this year's "Test of the Best" Tigerfishing tournament  which features the top 10 winning teams from last year's Kariba Invitation Tigerfishing Tournament were interesting in comparison to those of the year before.

This year there were 112 fish with the total weight of 207.60kgs caught, as compared with last year's 286 fish with a total weight of 579.34kgs!    This year's average fish weight was 1.85kgs, while last year it was 2.03kgs.   Of the 38 anglers taking part this year, 32  caught fish this year (last year 39 out of 40 caught).  

In mid-February, at the time of the tournament, there had still been very little rain in the Kariba area.  The lake levels this year are extremely low, and it certainly seems as though these circumstances affected this year's catch.   Fortunately late February saw some decent rainfall in the catchment area and it is to be hoped that this will improve the fishing as the lake levels begin to rise.

Here are this year's scores for the Test of the Best angling teams:-
1st - TEAM HILUX   (32.97)   
2nd - CHICAGO (30.69)   
3rd - ULTC KARIBA FERRIES  (30.05)   
4th -  BUMI HILLS ANTI POACHING (26.03)   
5th - CHARTER TREK (25.28)   
6th - REMINGTON GOLD (23.15)   
7th - MARINE CENTRE YAMAHA  (13.80)   
8th - FINS FISHING  (13.28)   
9th - LAC TREK (12.35)   
10th - JAGERMEISTER (0.00)     

Largest Fish  - 8.67kgs - Mark Futter  
Second Largest - 7.90 kgs - Adam Hack  
Third Largest  - 4.36kgs - Doug Campbell  
   
The dates for this year's Kariba Invitation Tigerfishing Tournament are 26th, 27th and 28th October 2016.   Find out more via www.kitft.co.zw

CHANGA NOW OFFERING KARIBA FERRY LINK WITH VIC FALLS 
Changa Safari Camp in the Matusadona National Park on the shores of Lake Kariba is this year offering a new holiday package which allows visitors to link with the Victoria Falls using the Kariba Ferry service.  This is particularly useful for self-drive visitors, as the ferry takes vehicles as well as passengers.

The 2016 Changa Ferry Package offers a 3-night stay at Changa Safari  Camp with an overnight ferry trip along Lake Kariba at either end of their stay.   Guests can either start in Victoria Falls and board the ferry in Mlibizi en route for Kariba and Changa, or board in Kariba for a visit to Victoria Falls after their Changa experience.   An extra overnight stay in Harare at the Bronte Hotel can be included in the package if required.

Changa Safari Camp sleeps up to 20 people in spacious and luxurious East-African-style tented suites, each with their own private deck and outdoor shower and bath.  Set into the natural mopane woodland, the suites, central guest area and pool look out over Lake Kariba towards the mountains of the Matusadona range.  Activities are wilderness and wildlife-orientated and include guided walking, fishing or game drives.  

For more information and contact details, see Changa Safari Camp

If you have stayed at this camp and would like to tell us about your experience, please submit a Wild Zambezi Travel  Review at the above link (scroll down the page to the Reviews Section).
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH WILDLIFE AT RHINO SAFARI CAMP
Jenny Nobes of Rhino Safari Camp tells of a recent extraordinary  and unusual wildlife experience enjoyed by guests to this authentic bush camp located on the shores of Lake Kariba in the Matusadona National Park.


"During a morning game drive with guide Steve Chinoyi, a group of guests had an excellent  sighting of three adult lionesses and four sub-adult  cubs resting up during the heat of the day in the Mopane scrub belt on the camp's concession.  This was a great photographic opportunity. 

Moving slowly away from the sighting a guest jokingly said to Steve - "Leopard now!" - and as they drove out onto the shoreline there it was - a leopard - stretched out on its side in a deep sleep.  As they approached closer,  the leopard did not jump to its feet and run off.  A chill of anticipation ran through the group....this leopard was dead! 

It would seem that the leopard had ventured too close to the lionesses and their cubs, and in a display of territorial defence the lionesses had killed it!   This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a unique close-up encounter with an animal which is normally very elusive and seldom seen.   It was an amazing opportunity to take a really close look at the size of the paws, the structure of claws, the size of teeth, and the intense colouring of this leopard's coat!"

For more information and contact details - see Rhino Safari Camp

If you have stayed at this camp and would like to tell us about your experience, please submit a Wild Zambezi Travel  Review at the above link (scroll down the page to the Reviews Section).
ZAMBEZI VALLEY
"CATCH & RELEASE" FISHING FUN AT TIGER SAFARIS
At Tiger Safaris on the Zambezi River at Chirundu, 2016 started off with screaming reels, big fish and happy guests.
" We have had fantastic fishing here at Tiger Safaris. There have been some big Tigers caught, and all released to fight another day. An average afternoon of fishing has been seeing 3 clients, catching 18 fish in one afternoon all weighing in at around 4kgs and over…. As you will see by the pictures, there were a fair share caught by the girls!".

There are all sorts of fish to catch on the river…. Not just the Tigerfish… Catches have also included Vundu, Cornish Jack (see middle picture) and some serious pan-size Chessa. 

Tiger Safaris are pushing their 100% Catch and Release Policy and are persevering to get all the camps along the Zimbabwean side of the Zambezi River to join them.   They feel that the fishing is as good as it is because  “Catch and Release” protects fish stocks and allows fish sizes to increase.
 
A word of warning, though...  With Lake Kariba's low water levels and restrictions on water release through the dam, the river has changed drastically, with sandbanks, rocks and stumps appearing in places they were never thought to exist before.  So Tiger Safaris warns all boat drivers to be very careful navigating the river under these new conditions.  

"If you’re thinking of getting away for the weekend, we are only a 4 hour drive from Harare … The perfect getaway weekend for you and the kids. As this is peak Tiger fishing time please book soon…. The bookings are filling quickly and we would hate to disappoint you."

For more information and contact details, see this link: Tiger Safaris

If you have stayed at Tiger Safaris, submit a Wild Zambezi Travel  Review at the above link (scroll down the page to the Reviews Section).
EAGLE’S-EYE VIEW OF JECHA FISHING CAMP, CHIRUNDU
This lovely aerial picture of the Zambezi River shows the location of Jecha Point Fishing Lodge & Camp just downstream of the border town of Chirundu, with Chirundu Hill in the background. 

Conveniently located only a short off-tar drive from the main Harare-Chirundu highway, Jecha offers simple, but comfortable stone-under-thatch chalet accommodation on a self-catering, semi-self-catering and fully-catered basis.  There is also a spacious and attractive campsite set on grassy lawns under shady trees with spotless ablution facilities. 

You can bring your own boat or hire one with a driver who is very familiar with the river channels and can put you on the fish and get you home safely at the end of the day. There are also pontoons available for groups of fishermen or family cruises. All are equipped with safety jackets, rod holders and live wells. 

For more information and contact details, see this link:  Jecha Point Fishing Lodge & Camp

If you have stayed here, submit a Wild Zambezi Travel  Review at the above link (scroll down the page to the Reviews Section).
MEANDERING IN MAGICAL MANA POOLS

Jo Brown from VictoriaFalls24.com and her family took time out to visit Mana Pools National Park in February this year.  Since very little rain had yet fallen in the Park, the grass was still sparse and they had excellent game viewing, including sightings of leopard and wild dog!  They stayed in one of the simple, self-catering lodges managed by ZimParks.  
Jo has shared her experience in a guest blog on WildZambezi.com.  You can read it at this link:  Meandering in Magical Mana .

VICTORIA FALLS
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE ELEPHANT CAMP!  

- 4th in the top 25 Luxury Hotels in Africa!
- Silver Green Tourism Award! 


For the 5th consecutive year, The Elephant Camp in Victoria Falls has been awarded a spot in the TripAdvisor Top 25 Luxury Hotels in Africa accolade.   This year, the achievement of this beautiful camp was the greatest to date - a fabulous 4th place in the rankings for these annual Travelers' Choice Awards!
 
"This is of course credited not only to the hardworking staff and management of the camp, but to our supporters and agents."  said a statement from managers, Wild Horizons.

The Elephant Camp also recently received a Silver Award from Green Tourism, the largest and most established sustainable certification programme in the world.   A Green Tourism Award means that a business works responsibly, ethically and sustainably, contributes to their community, is reducing their impact on the environment and aims to be accessible and inclusive to all visitors and staff.
 
To achieve accreditation, The Elephant Camp was graded on-site by a qualified Assessor against a rigorous set of criteria, covering a range of areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste management, biodiversity and social involvement and communication.
 
Green Tourism particularly noted the ethical practice employed by  Wild Horizons in regards to the elephant back safaris at The Elephant Camp and the animals in their care saying: "These safaris and the elephants they work with are kept to a high standard of animal husbandry and really lead the way in working sustainably with elephants."

For more information and contact details see this link:  The Elephant Camp

If you have stayed at this camp and would like to tell us about your experience, please submit a Wild Zambezi Travel  Review at the above link (scroll down the page to the Reviews Section).
TAIL ENDER....

Thanks to the folk at Jecha Point Fishing Camp for these lovely photos of two of the numerous butterfly species to be found in the Zambezi Valley at the moment.  Feb-March is butterfly season. Now that the rains have finally come, these gorgeous jewels can be found flitting about flowering shrubs and plants and gathering in large numbers around elephant dung and the damp soil around water puddles and pools.

Left:  Veined SwallowtailGraphium leonidas
"These beautiful butterflies are all over the valley at the moment, literally in their thousands. Its is just wonderful to stop for a few minutes and watch them. Did you know there are approx. 527 recorded species of butterflies in Zimbabwe?!  
If you are a keen entomologist or a lepidopterist then NOW is the time to visit Jecha! 

Right:  Yellow Pansy: Junonia hierta cebrene 
This gorgeous butterfly is very common around the camp & all across Africa as a whole. It prefers the drier savannah areas, spending much time on the ground. The undersides of its wings are a brown colour so that they are a little more camouflaged when they land.

If you'd like to help record and map butterflies across Zimbabwe, submit your pics to the Virtual Museum  at  http://vmus.adu.org.za

Have a pictorial advert relevant to travel in the Zambezi Valley?  Like to distribute it through our mailing list?  Advertise on our shared advertising platform, the BULLETIN BOARD.  
Contact us on info@wildzambezi.com
WILD ZAMBEZI TRAVEL ASSOCIATES :-      

THERE'S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE ON THE BANKS OF THE
ZAMBEZI!  
PLEASE PASS ON THIS NEWSLETTER! 
Copyright © 2016 Wild Zambezi, All rights reserved.


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