Eyes of the Elephant Safari to Zimbabwe by Shelley Saunders

Welcome to Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe!

Day 01: We had a very eventful first day! June and I had a warm welcome to Vundu Camp after that exciting charter flight, listen to the camp staff singing! I had some visitors right outside my tent on arrival, and then we were off on an exciting evening game drive! Stunning sunset views and then Nick Murray got us up close and personal with a male lion, and we followed him and the females while they were stalking buffalo! Lion 0 / Buffalo 1. They live to see another day. The lion also moved through the camp last night. Today we are on the hunt for Tusker! More news later!

Vundu Camp

Day 02 + 03: Walking with Nick has been an experience that is hard to put into words. It’s peaceful, exciting, and moving all at the same time. Experiencing elephants that close takes your breath away. You feel as if could stay in that moment indefinitely.

Sunset views from the pontoon!

Day 04: Update from Hwange Bush Camp with her guide Dave.

We had and exciting start today in the Cessna C206, a first for me! It was a very smooth ride into Hwange with Pilot James. We enjoyed lunch at camp and time to unpack and get our bearings. We went out on a game drive with Dave Carson and within 10 minutes from camp we found these beautiful lion, fat from a recent feed so very chilled and sitting around the vehicle as cats do. The waterhole had several visitors while we sat watching, lion, elephant, hyena, jackal and a few wary zebra and giraffe who were too nervous to come right up and drink. It was very busy so we sat and watched them until the sun was down. Very exciting first day at Hwange Bush Camp and Dave is just the best! The camp is great, food is delicious, beds are very comfortable and tents are spacious.

Day 05 +06 – A truly amazing time at Hwange Bush Camp with Dave and his team of guides. I can now fully appreciate why this trip is titled Legends of Zimbabwe, the guiding is top tier. I was lucky enough to have both Dave and Spike at Hwange Bush Camp. They are professional while still providing that warm and fuzzy feeling.