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Africa:Zimbabwe:Mavuradonha Wilderness Rides |
| What: |
After Harare transfers you enter the rugged isolated wilderness of Mavuradonha Mountain Wilderness where after recommended stays of six to nine nights you will be transferred back to civilization. The Mavuradonha wilderness is part of Zimbabwe’s successful CAMPFIRE project set up to ensure that the local community derive direct benefit from tourism in their area and therefore recognize the value of wildlife. Our outfitter James and Jenine Varden make annual lease payments directly to rural councils and these funds are used by the local councils for the local projects. They also employ locally and have a very minimal environmental impact on the area. By only using horses and foot, there is no need to make roads or tracks that may damage the area. Firewood used in the boilers is from dead fall trees that have mostly been pushed over by elephant herds passing through the area. No pollutants go into the rivers and therefore all water in the springs and rivers are absolutely pure and need no filtration before drinking. We also have a small anti-poaching team who patrol the area and we are working with some local schools to create a better understanding of wildlife and resource conservation with the children. |
| Dates and Rates: |
Rates: $250 per night for horse safaris, per person, based on double occupancy. Two person minimum.
Single supplement
Includes: All meals, accommodations and riding.
Not included: Harare transfers: $180 per person, minimum of 2. |
| Horsesense: |
The six hundred sq km that constitute the Maruaradonha Wilderness are assessable only on foot and or by horseback. Our horses in Zimbabwe are ex-polo ponies, Arabs, Quarter horse-cross and Thoroughbreds. All sure footed, experienced and very well schooled by our talented grooms. They are between 14 and 16 hands and can accept weights up to 210 lbs if experienced. The tack is English style leather, and Wintecs, some stock and McClellan saddles. Professional guide and groom and will accompany you on every ride. We can adjust the riding level of experience required for a single group, but the area has rough terrain to ride through and experienced and fit riders will thrive the best. |
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| WHAT TO EXPECT: |
| Getting There : |
Zimbabwe is a land locked country in Southern Africa. Easily accessible with direct flights from UK into Harare or via a short flight from Johannesburg airport South Africa into Harare or Victoria Falls transfers to and from Harare International Airport which is 180 km from ride center are included. |
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| Room and Board : |
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The accommodations provided range from remote African lodges, with stone and thatched roofs comfort and ensuite facilities with hot showers to sleeping in the bush if you choose. The various version of the ride offers flexibility for whether you wish to maximize the “off campus experience” and or prefer indoor plumbing. The various locations are all within Marvuradonha Wilderness and not accessible by car as there are no roads. We recommend the ultimate bush experience, tent accommodations only for fit and experienced riders. |
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| Weather : |
March to October produces the least amount of rain and moderate temperatures. |
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| ITINERARY |
| Since all rides occur in a wilderness where there are no roads, your home base within this remote world is all important. Instead of our regular presentation of one or another ride we are presenting the itineraries first as a choice of based locations. |
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SIYA LIMA HOUSE:
This is an incredible house built with an imagination for the very unusual. Built by Mike McGrath, a one time farmer, the house is an eclectic mix of various Mediterranean styles with a definite Zimbabwe twist to it! The Vardens, having known the McGrath’s for a few years now, use the house and its splendid stables as their base and also invite guests to come and stay. At present we are able to take 3 couples. It is also ideal for faster rides, walking and birding, and spending time at the local primary school. |
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT:
We do not charge a single supplement normally unless at peak times i.e. Easter, Christmas or other busy periods like the peak season. |
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| KOPJE TOPS LODGE |
A magnificent stone and thatch structure sitting high amongst the trees. This 3 level lodge is where we meet for meals and drinks. Level one consists of dining room and bar area – level 2 is the library and level 3 is a flat viewing platform to give you your first views of the amazing expanse of the wilderness.
Accommodation is in 6 stone under thatch chalets scattered at the base of Kopje Tops Lodge, sleeping up to 12 guests all with full ensuite and hot showers. There is bath in the double room. |
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BAT CAVES CAMP:
A more rustic yet very comfortable bush camp situated a day’s ride from Kopje Tops Lodge. After a long day in the saddle you will appreciate the hot bucket showers, comfy beds and wholesome, freshly prepared meals. Our staff will take care of your every need. Set above the Tingwa River, Bat Caves is as remote camp deep into the Wilderness and all our supplies will be brought in via porter or packhorse as there are no roads. In the evening we usually watch the flight of the giant Egyptian Fruit Bats who’s numbers have been estimated at up to 20,000 and are the largest known colony south of the equator. For the more adventurous your guide may take you deep into the caves to explore the bats habitat. |
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Here are two are the safaris that relate to these camps.
TINGWA VALLEY SAFARI:
MAX 6 GUESTS 4 – 6 NIGHTS
The Tingwa Valley safari is more a concept than a fixed itinerary. It means you stay at Kopje Tops Lodge or Bat Caves camp and do not camp out in the wilds of the bush as on an explorer safari. The riding also tends to be a bit easier than on the Explorer. All our safaris are extremely flexible and we try to make the daily itinerary fit around guest’s preferences. So instead of a fixed itinerary we like to list the Tingwa, Mavare, Rwazi, Dateema, Mashonjeri, Buro, Musengezi, Mananuku, Fundumwe Rivers, just to name a few, to explore . There is also the McGrath, Rusty and Schellenberger waterfalls, Dead Elephant gorge, Incognito, Bat Caves, The Roof of the World, Makura Spilling tables and ancient fortresses of the Monomatapa Empire and a thousand other as yet unexplored places.Even a week’s safari is too short to explore all of the above. You will return to Kopje Tops Lodge amazed by the diversity and magnificence of the Mavuradonha. You will have stepped back into the past, experiencing the thrill of exploring a virgin wilderness area far from the maddening crowd. |
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| SAMPLE ITINERARY FOR A TINGWA VALLEY SAFARI: |
You are on a fine steed amidst spectacular mountain scenery, surrounded by the wild without another tourist in sight or sign of civilization. Most people say it’s the best trip they have ever been on.
We start with leisurely breakfasts, stop in beautiful places for mid morning tea, followed by a longish lunch normally at a spectacular swimming hole to rest the horses and ourselves. We like to arrive into Bat Caves Camp in time for sundowners and a hot shower before dinner. Good food, comfort, not too much hard riding and the opportunity to learn about the unique flora and fauna of the Mountains from your professional guide are highlights of this safari. |
| Day1: |
Transfer to the Mavuradonha Wilderness normally arriving before lunch. Relax in the comfort of Kopje Tops Lodge or get to know your horse with a sundowner ride before dinner |
| Day2: |
Early morning tea/coffee is served in your room before proceeding to Kopje Tops Lodge for a full cooked breakfast to stand you in good stead for your day in the saddle. Our route takes us roughly in the direction that the Tingwa River flows but with tracking Elephant and other game, visiting cave paintings swimming in waterfalls and natural pools and having 600 square kilometers to mountainous wilderness to explore means that we hardly ever take the same route twice.
We normally lunch somewhere we can swim and sunbathe a little, reaching Bat Caves in time to witness the evening flight of the Bats. |
| Day3: |
Breakfast early before setting off for a day tracking game through the tributaries of the lower Tingwa, Dateema and Mashonjeri Rivers. There is nothing like catching up with a herd of elephant you have been tracking for hours. No guarantee of finding them but that is half the fun and experience of learning about the bush. Return to Bat Caves for a second night. |
| Day4: |
Breakfast at about 7.30 before heading out for the return journey. You can decide on the type of terrain you want to ride and how hard or easy it should be. The professional guide will then work out the route with you. Some are mountainous with precipitous paths, some quick and relatively easy. Some are best for Cave Paintings, others meander along rivers lined with tall waterberries beside open vleis. There are many different ways back through the different Valleys ensuring you never take the same path home. Arrive back into Kopje Tops approx 1630. |
| Day5: |
The five-day safari includes a full days ride out from Kopje Tops with a second night at the lodge. A very popular ride, this day takes you through the African Villages to the West of the Mavuradonhas. Guided by members of our staff who live there you will gain a fascinating insight into the ways of the rural African peoples and get a glimpse of their culture and beliefs. |
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| EXPLORER SAFARI: EXPERINCED RIDERS ONLY |
5- 9 NIGHTS MAX 6 GUESTS
If you want to experience what it was like for the early explorers sleeping on a mountaintop or on the sandy floor of a cave, this safari is a must for you. You will feel the wind in your face, the proximity of the bush and the calls of the wild all around.
On the Explorer safari we travel deeper in the heart of the wilderness and so for one or two nights we sleep out rough carrying our own food, water (wine for dinner), washing in rivers, a spade for a loo and sleeping on the ground with a mat or grass bed and sleeping bag.
This safari starts the same as the Tingwa Valley but we carry on from Bat Caves and the riding becomes progressively harder the elephant paths narrower and more precipitous as we climb higher into the mountains. We always end up somewhere spectacular to spend the evening: a cave, an ancient Monomatapa fortress, or perched above the world on a mountaintop to watch the moon rise on one side and the sun set on the other.
No set daily itinerary on this safari other than to say that the first and last nights will be spent back at Kopje Tops Lodge, two nights at Bat Caves and the remaining nights out rough, deep into the Wilderness. Depending on guests we can either spend two consecutive nights out rough (or more) or head back to the comfort of Bat Caves for hot showers after one night rough. We can then proceed on in another direction the next day for another night out rough.
Covering as many kilometers as possible of challenging riding in 4/5 days this Explorers safari is only for experienced confident riders. The terrain is extremely rugged and we also like to get some walking in to stretch the legs and discover more of what the area has to offer. |
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