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August 13, 2017

One Amazing Morning in Zimbabwe

Africa Community & Conservation Safaris

WT Trip Leader Reports From the Field About the Amazing Wildlife they Encountered in Hwange National Park.

Our Trip Leader, Mark Butcher, just sent in a report from the field during our first Zimbabwe! safari of 2017, where our group encountered some of Hwange National Park’s incredible wildlife in action! Our adventure had them canoeing the Zambezi, walking among elephants, and even enjoying dinner with these giants just a few feet away! Here is a taste of what the group experienced on our Zimbabwe! adventure.

This marks the first Wilderness Travel safari of the season—and another incredible safari! On the morning of Day 5, we spent 30 minutes following wild dogs hunting across the plains, where they surrounded a group of pelicans in an effort to snatch one. A pack of wild dogs has begun denning near Camelthorn Lodge, giving us tremendous sightings of these elusive predators. Afterwards, as we made our way across the Bomani Concession in picturesque golden light, we spent nearly an hour watching three lionesses and eight cubs working on a wildebeest kill—they even pulled the carcass across the railway track right in front of us. It was a thrill, to say the least. We talked about these sightings during our Elephant Express ride to Nehimba, and were delightfully welcomed back to camp for dinner with the sight of nearly 20 elephants at the waterhole right below our dinner table. Cheers, and good night!

In an amazing morning in Zimbabwe, a pelican spreads its wings near a waterhole as four wild dogs observe it in a grassy landscape.
A pack of “painted” wild dogs giving a pelican a flight for its life.
On an amazing morning in Zimbabwe, a lioness and her cub walk along a railway track with grass and trees in the background.
A lioness and her cub making their way across the Elephant Express train tracks.
Two lions feeding on prey by a railway track in Zimbabwe while a man in an open jeep watches nearby. The background features trees and dry grass, creating a scene reminiscent of One Amazing Morning.
Pulling the wildebeest across the tracks right in front of one of our vehicles.
On an amazing morning in Zimbabwe, a safari vehicle with tourists observes a lion resting in tall grass in a savanna setting.
Taking one final look back before she joins the rest of the pride.
A pride of lions walks through a dry, grassy landscape dotted with trees on an amazing morning in Zimbabwe.
Pride of lion crossing the golden plains of Bomani Concession.
A group of six people poses for a photo in the wilderness of Zimbabwe, with elephants grazing in the background. One Amazing Morning, one person holds a rifle. The scene is set in a grassy area with trees.
An afternoon game walk brought us straight to this heard of elephant. There are more than 40,000 elephants in Hwange National Park.
Two people in life jackets paddle a raft labeled "Imvelo Safari Lodges" through whitewater rapids in amazing morning light, capturing the adventurous spirit of Zimbabwe.
Canoeing the mighty Zambezi
A group of five people dine outdoors at night with an elephant visible in the background, perhaps reminiscing about an amazing morning in Zimbabwe.
Dinner at one of our lodges, with a “special guest”

Beyond the wildlife, my favorite aspect of safari in Zimbabwe is the connection to the communities surrounding the park. Our safari dollars here have brought supplies to nearby schools, and we often bring our safari guests to visit the young students. Safari travel in this area has also helped build more than 80 new wells for villages and one for the local hospital! At the lodges, our staff and local guides are from neighboring villages, and they are committed to protecting the wildlife throughout the country. It’s a fun and enriching experience, and WT is a vital part of it all.

—Text and photos by Trip Leader Mark Butcher, Zimbabwe!

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