The Sunday News
Rumbidzai Mbewe
@rumbie_mbewe
MIOMBO Safari Camp has the distinction of being the closest quality accommodation to Hwange National Park Main Gate and is located in the Dete annex, on a private concession within the eastern border of the Hwange National Park.
Heading southeast from Victoria Falls on the excellent A8 tar-sealed highway it is an easy two-hour drive either by transfer vehicle, or self-driving a rental car to access Miombo Safari Camp. Coming from Bulawayo, equally on the A8 northwest bound, it is an easy three-hour drive on an excellent tar-sealed highway.
Having undergone a total transformation, the camp has four brand-new boutiques raised above ground level platforms that are 75 sq m, atop of which are exquisite luxury 55 sq m safari suites, configured to accommodate two guests in a queen sized, double or twin-bed configuration.
The four raised platform guest suites are constructed on top of very strong poles and steel beams, with a sturdy light-coloured wooden floor, double canvas sides with large bug-screen covered windows. The forward facing folding doors that open out onto the verandah overlooking the waterhole have large bug-screens and roll down blinds.
One of the four raised platforms is our embellished honeymoon suite, equipped with a large bath tub as well as the private interior shower, additionally it has a private exterior shower. Each of the four raised platform guests suites are spaced well apart to ensure privacy, but while being positioned apart they all have commanding views over the perennial waterhole, which proves to be a magnet especially so during the dry season, for all manner of mammals, birds, large and small, seeking a life-giving drink.
The camp also has two standard tree houses. These accommodation units are rustic and not of the same standard as the new platform units. Instead they cater to safari lovers who may have been to Miombo Safari Camp prior to its transformation, or folks who are seeking a slightly less luxury and more “rustic” bush accommodation.
Miombo Safari Camp willingly caters to families with young children or teenagers and they can accommodate a family of four under the same roof. A large in-ground swimming pool on the sprawling lawn in front of main lodge is there for all guests to use, noting that children using the pool must be supervised by an adult.
There is a high degree of flexibility for guests to make their own choices in advance of placing their reservation, in regards to the program that best caters to their needs. The “All Inclusive” safari program includes your accommodation, all meals, twice daily morning and afternoon professionally guided safari game drives in Hwange National Park, morning tea in the bush and during the afternoon game drive, traditional bush setting ‘‘sundowners’’ drinks.
Guests on the ‘‘All Inclusive’’ safari programme will be woken just prior to the first rays of filtered sunlight cresting the eastern horizon, to be welcomed to the new African dawn with a tray of coffee, tea or hot chocolate and homemade cookies.
Then it is time to get dressed and equipped with camera, sun hat, binoculars and any specialist bird or animal guide books, you are ready to depart on morning game drive in a custom-designed safari vehicle in Hwange National Park with your assigned local professional safari guide, as the sun caresses the surrounding tree tops.
Miombo Safari Camp treats its guests with a hearty breakfast-brunch; afterwards you can spend time at the swimming pool, or in the privacy and restful peace of a lazy chair under the shade of your guest suite verandah, overlooking the waterhole.
Afternoon game drive commences with your choice of beverage and snacks mid-afternoon and it is once again, into Hwange National Park in search of new safari encounters. Miombo Safari Camp also offers our guest night game drives around the Miombo concession where you can experience the wild nocturnal activity. Guests can expect to see nocturnal game such as hyena, jackal, porcupine, civet, genet, white tail mongoose, and occasionally leopard and lion.
At an appropriate time and spot picked by your professional safari guide, just as the sun begins to sink on the western horizon, a stop will be made and traditional ‘‘sundowner’’ drinks will be served. This time is ‘‘Out of Africa’’ personified.
After dinner, you can take the opportunity to sit around a blazing camp fire with your choice of aperitif in hand and share tales of your day’s safari experiences with other guests.
On special request with a reservation made in advance a scintillating evening’s entertainment by the traditional African Ingonyama Dance Troupe from the nearby Dete community can be provided at Miombo Safari Lodge for a very affordable fee.
Their imitations of African wildlife and traditional African song renditions have impressed and enthralled audiences around Southern Africa. Miombo Safari Camp can also arrange an excursion for guests to the Dete Village which exposes visitors to the village lifestyle and to learn about local traditions. — Additional information from www.miombosafaricamp.com
