Antelope Park — the heart of Africa

24 Apr, 2016 - 00:04 0 Views
Antelope Park — the heart of Africa Elephant ride at Antelope Park

The Sunday News

Elephant ride at Antelope Park

Elephant ride at Antelope Park

Roberta Katunga
LOCATED on a 3 000-acre private game park is a haven of tranquility where early starts are made much easier when you have such natural beauty on your doorstep. And they say there is something special about waking up to the distant sound of lions roaring.

Home to the renowned African lion and environmental research trust, Antelope Park is a hidden paradise situated just outside Gweru. Looking for the ideal stop over along Bulawayo, Hwange, Victoria Falls or Harare, then this park is the perfect spot to spend restful days.

“Book a River Tent and wake up to a beautiful view over-looking the water. There are also large safari-style self-catering lodges for big groups, as well as family lodges, that are comfortable and capture the essence of the safari home,” according to the owners.

Antelope Park is an eco-tourist dream and offers a stunning campsite, highly rated in Zimbabwe with every amenity catered for.

As a guest at Antelope Park, you will be sure to appreciate the relaxing environment as well as enjoy a vast selection of world-exclusive activities that are on offer.

A diverse selection of accommodation is available, from River Tents to Island Lodges as well as large self-catering lodges that epitomise the “safari home” experience.

To compliment your stay, safari-style, home-cooked meals are served from the kitchens and enjoyed in the large thatched dining hall.

The activities one can look forward to are lion walks, horse riding, elephant back rides and herding among others.

A lion walk through the bush is the perfect beginning or end to your day and will quickly become your favourite way to unwind. For full-on thrills, lion feeds are hard to beat. Watching adult males racing towards their food — and you — with only a fence in-between is unforgettable.

Word of advice — just make sure to keep your mouth closed when the meat starts to fly!

Night Encounters offer another thrilling experience; an often white-knuckle chase through the bush in an open-top safari vehicle in pursuit of a lion with only one thing on its mind. Even if you aren’t lucky enough to see a kill, the exhilaration of a lion racing past your vehicle in the darkness is spine-tingling enough.

The Park also has its own stables and an exhilarating canter through the bush on horseback takes some beating.

Even if you’ve never ridden before you can still saddle up with lessons available for every level. Antelope Park’s family of orphaned elephants will steal your heart. Elephant herding is a rewarding experience and a chance to interact with these magnificent animals up close and personal.

There are lazier ways to enjoy your leisure time too. Hop in a canoe to explore the river with its abundant birdlife and tree-climbing monkeys. A sundowner cruise in the evening is an unmissable opportunity to find out exactly why Africa is famous for her fiery sunsets and is perfect for unwinding at the end of a busy day.

If you’d rather stay on dry land, how about a horse-drawn carriage ride for an afternoon of relaxed game spotting?

A bar is also available selling alcoholic and soft drinks and snacks. A coffee shop serves light snacks and refreshments throughout the day, enjoying one of their waffles is a treat you must indulge in, and you can enjoy this sitting either outside or on the upstairs deck which offers a spectacular view of the grounds.

Antelope Park is an exceptional game reserve that offers the epitome of African hospitality. Be sure to make this your next stop in Zimbabwe.

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