Zambezi Valley Expedition

[Happy Myles]

Great stories,keep going! Sometime back in the late 1980s i had occasion to be the only hunter (incognito) of a luxurious tour group traveling Botswana and Zimbabwe, a wonderful trip of three weeks, scenery, animals and no rushing around meeting deadlines. One luxurious campi as I recall near Mana Pools, a drum sounded to alert guests an armed guide in safari attire accompanied by a warrior with lantern and spear would come by our swanky huts and escort us to sundowners and dinner. The area was stiff with wild creatures. My wife refused to let me go it alone as i was anxious to have a gin and tonic. The young fellow dressed in safari attire with rifle on shoulder took his job very seriously. Later in the evening headlights appeared the vehicle had a very famous professional hunter at the wheel dropping by for a couple drinks on his way to his hunting camp. He was surprised to see me there and we had a fun hour swapping tales. The young fellow in our camp was impressed i knew the PH. Later he pulled me aside and expressed his desire to be a real professional someday and asked if i would secretly look at his rifle. It would not chamber a round. We found a private spot and a quick look at his 375 Sako disclosed the extractor was broken. I promised not to tell any guests but he should ask his boss for a different rifle immediately. I still chuckle remembering our guard/escort. He was a nice kid, hope he made the grade. It was a wonderful trip and my wife has gone with me ever since on countless adventures.

 

[BourbonTrail]

What a grand little adventure. I enjoyed the “hunt” the most, and I can definitely say that I would do the same.

 

[Ravensview]

Awesome road trip, thank you for bringing us along it.

 

[Rare Breed]

Great stories,keep going! Sometime back in the late 1980s i had occasion to be the only hunter (incognito) of a luxurious tour group traveling Botswana and Zimbabwe, a wonderful trip of three weeks, scenery, animals and no rushing around meeting deadlines. One luxurious campi as I recall near Mana Pools, a drum sounded to alert guests an armed guide in safari attire accompanied by a warrior with lantern and spear would come by our swanky huts and escort us to sundowners and dinner. The area was stiff with wild creatures. My wife refused to let me go it alone as i was anxious to have a gin and tonic. The young fellow dressed in safari attire with rifle on shoulder took his job very seriously. Later in the evening headlights appeared the vehicle had a very famous professional hunter at the wheel dropping by for a couple drinks on his way to his hunting camp. He was surprised to see me there and we had a fun hour swapping tales. The young fellow in our camp was impressed i knew the PH. Later he pulled me aside and expressed his desire to be a real professional someday and asked if i would secretly look at his rifle. It would not chamber a round. We found a private spot and a quick look at his 375 Sako disclosed the extractor was broken. I promised not to tell any guests but he should ask his boss for a different rifle immediately. I still chuckle remembering our guard/escort. He was a nice kid, hope he made the grade. It was a wonderful trip and my wife has gone with me ever since on countless adventures.

Kevin in the US when we see a beautiful wife versus her husband we use an American football metaphor “you have out kicked your coverage”. I so enjoy you and your story!!!!

 

[VertigoBE]

Thank you so much for taking us along this intimate and fabulous trip! I echo @Tundra Tiger ‘s sentiment, you are truly a blessing for this forum and it would a be great honour one day to make your acquaintance. I would say you are a romantic at heart, in the original sense of the word. Take care of your lovely wife!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Thank you so much for taking us along this intimate and fabulous trip! I echo @Tundra Tiger ‘s sentiment, you are truly a blessing for this forum and it would a be great honour one day to make your acquaintance. I would say you are a romantic at heart, in the original sense of the word. Take care of your lovely wife!

Thank you Vertigo BE, it would be great to meet you too.

 

[spike.t]

Those adventures sound terrific WAB, why don't you write them up? Thinking of going either to Maun or to Luangwa in the Landy, mabe both!

All the way to the luangwa in that.....wow....

 

[Frederik]

Book a trip here Frederik, either a hunting trip or a safari adventure. It is an incredible bargain right now.

Kevin, showed my wife your adventure and it brought back memories we were far from getting married or engaged for that matter. But back in 1997 she was was to leave to AUPAIR for family in AUS for 11 months leaving Jan 1998 so end of October '97 we headed to visit my father in Phalapey Bots were he managed the power station at that stage. From there we headed to Nata slept over for the night and then Vic Falls. This was just before the Zim Dollar crashed and we paid R1.00 for 2 Zim dollar and Vic Falls wasnt cheap for us back then. It was extremely hot just before the first rains and we spent one day driving to Hwange and taking photos and back. Took a booz cruize on the Zambezi and just enjoying Vic Falls it was magic.

Think your trip made the list since I have never been to the Valley or western side of Zim.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The final leg

Not to draw this out, but there was one interesting bit more to share with anyone else attempting this safari. The final leg took us out of Kanga on a misrouting through the bush all the way back to Nyamepi office, but in no time we were on the magnificent escarpment road that the Japanese have just completed, thank you Japan! The plan was to spend the night in Karoi as that is as far as we would get before sundown. Now anyone who has passed through Karoi recently will understand my anxiety about the proposed accommodation we might find there, let's say it is local Africa. Well the Bliss Lodge sign came up and we proceeded down a pot-holed road, through their gates and into what resembled a construction site. What have we done? Oh well too late now, in we went to be greeted by a very pleasant lady who checked us in, took the US$80 for us both for DB&B and showed us to our room. It was large, spotless, the wifi worked, the water was hot and soon the kettle was on for a cup of Tanganda. Dinner was delicious, chicken stew and rice with a hot chilli sauce. But the cherry on the cake was that huge comfortable bed. Breakfast was excellent too, porridge followed by a full grill. I recommend this place to anyone wanting to break their trip rather than face the Kariba road at night - a real death trap.
The final leg to Harare was uneventful and relaxing, I just tucked inbetween some big trucks and proceeded leisurely at their pace.

Thank you all for coming along on this adventure, the only question now is, where to next?
The farewell on leaving Kanga:

 

[IvW]

Thanks so much for sharing....brings back memories of our honeymoon 26 years ago.....
I will dig out the album and post a picture of our route....fantastic adventure.....

 

[IvW]

We swopped our axe for this one on that trip....I just took it out next to my barbeque for the picture.....

 

[IvW]

Here is the route of our 2 week trip, we went anti clock wise...

 

[spike.t]

@Kevin Peacocke is the twin still going in Karoi, or gone?

 

[IvW]

Yip...

 

[spike.t]

Yip...

Any idea if run down or still ok ?

 

[cls]

Thanks for taking us along for your trip, sounds amazing.

 

[IvW]

Ratings are down but still ok 2.8 out of 5...not what it use to be but then again it is a motel.....with a bar

 

[Wheels]

Here is the route of our 2 week trip, we went anti clock wise...
View attachment 419367

I did most of this same circuit back before the names were changed. It was a good time.

Great honeymoon trip!

 

[Wheels]

Kevin,

Thanks for taking us on your safari. I certainly enjoyed the trip from your perspective.

Looking forward to reading about your next adventure!

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Any idea if run down or still ok ?

It is open, but looks pretty run down. I will pop in there on my next Kariba trip to see.