Wild Africa
ZIMBABWE Despite its ongoing political and economic turmoil, its safari proposition is regaining momentum thanks to pent-up demand for its stunning landscapes and game-viewing opportunities. Big selling points include watery habitats such as Lake Kariba, elephant-rich Mana Pools National Park and Victoria Falls. Hwange, to the west, is an excellent spot to view big game and is within easy reach of Victoria Falls
— where the recent growth in demand is being backed by investment in the recently overhauled airport and lodges such as andBeyond’s Matetsi River Lodge, which completed its impressive refurbishment last September. Moreover, Singita Pamushana Lodge has a new seasonal, weekly flight option from Harare to Victoria Falls. Another must-see area for big game is the Mana
Pools National Park, by the lower Zambezi River, to the north.
RWANDA Volcanoes National Park has become the continent’s go-to place for gorilla trekking; the contrast between the habitat and wildlife here and that offered by the likes of Kenya or Tanzania make Rwanda an increasingly common feature in a twin or multi-centre African safari experience. This year’s big news is the June opening of Wilderness Safaris’ 12-room Bisate Lodge — the first of its two planned new lodges for the park. Other big draws include Akagera National
Park to the east, which offers birding in its beautiful lakeland and wetland habitat, while Nyungwe Forest National Park to the south offers monkey and birdwatching plus rainforest hikes. Another hotspot for primate treks (including chimps) is Nyungwe Forest Reserve, in the south west, with trails and canopy walks through the mountain rainforest. Good times for Rwandan wildlife trips are June to September and December to February.
FURTHER INTO THE WILD…
UGANDA is another hotspot for treks to see mountain gorillas, centred on Bwindi Impenetrable National Park in the south west of the country, where Mahogany Springs has opened a new honeymoon suite. Big draws over at Kibale Forest National Park include chimpanzee trekking, while options for big cat spotting include the biodiverse Queen Elizabeth Park.
MADAGASCAR is described by Original Travel as ‘Africa’s quirkiest country’ and it’s said that around three quarters of its species are found nowhere else on Earth. This spectacularly biodiverse island exudes adventure, from raſting down the Mangoky River to hiking its dry deciduous forests.
MOZAMBIQUE’S beach retreats, such as the high-end Vamizi Island Lodge and andBeyond Benguerra Island, are growing in popularity for safari extensions, and new services such as SA Airlink’s service from Phinda in South Africa to Vilanculos are making them more accessible.
MALAWI staying options include Tongole Wilderness Lodge, with its new pool; Ntchisi Forest Lodge, which features regular special weekends, focused on subjects including birding and mindfulness; and Nkwichi, with its romantic Lake of Stars Bed. Meanwhile, new products, such as the luxurious 14-room Limalimo Lodge, in the north, are fuelling interest in Ethiopia.
countrybycountry.com | ABTA Magazine 61
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