{"id":3768,"date":"2021-07-24T10:29:02","date_gmt":"2021-07-24T08:29:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/?p=3768"},"modified":"2022-07-22T16:23:20","modified_gmt":"2022-07-22T14:23:20","slug":"the-smoke-that-thunders","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/?p=3768","title":{"rendered":"The smoke that thunders"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Hello, Bonjour and Salibonani <\/strong>from Iganyana tented Camp at Hwange National Park, Matabeleland in Northern Zimbabwe. I am on leave for some days and have the possibility to reunite with Ride Zimbabwe<\/a>, for whom I have worked for 3 months back in 2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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James Varden from Ride Zimbabwe leading us through the bush<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Early morning, we took the game drive vehicle<\/strong> once more to head out and find the buffaloes as well as hopefully the lions. On our way we spotted impalas, zebras, an elephant cow and kudus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Morning drive<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A lonesome elephant cow enjoying the waterhole<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Impala gathering<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The big herd of buffaloes was to be found <\/strong>at a waterhole, calmly drinking and relaxing. We spotted lots of lion and hyena tracks but no lions to be found. However we knew they must have been around, probably hiding in the bushes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Buffaloes spotted<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A curious cow inspecting the intruders <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

During the afternoon we went out for another lovely ride<\/strong> through the bush. We spotted the herd of sable antelopes between the trees and just enjoyed the sun setting in the vlei, while the fire place was lit up in camp and waited for our return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Exploring the vlei<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Golden hour in the bush<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Baboons looking for trouble<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Fire place to enjoy the cold nights<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sunday was reserved for another conversation project<\/strong>, we visited the donkeys sanctuary build up in the small village of Dete by the help of MARESZim<\/a> and Ride Zimbabwe. Any sick donkey of the village shall be brought to the Chief and he will then together with his son take care of the injured animals until they have recovered. The support, lots of hard work, medication, education and funding comes from the NGO, MARESZim with the support of Ride Zimbabwe. Your donation via MARESZim<\/a> will save animal lives and support poorer communities in Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The community village of Dete<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Donkeys at the sanctuary in Dete<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Curious little piglets of the village<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

On our way we shortly stopped at Hwange main camp <\/strong>to look after Nugget and Skanky, 2 horses from Ride Zimbabwe. Not far away we spotted about 6 – 7 old buffalo males. They were grazing just next to the main road.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nugget and Skanky enjoying main camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Big boys at the main road<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dinner time<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The end of the holidays is coming closer<\/strong> and Monday morning started with the last ride through the vlei. We were lucky enough to see 2 secretary birds, tall birds that you will usually spot walking on the ground on the hunt for some food such as snakes, frogs, lizards and other small animals. The ride was fabulous and I enjoyed it a lot, still not wanting to believe that the 8 nights holiday in the bush will come to its end already.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Wildebeest spotted<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Enjoying a good drink<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Clearly for some the grass is just more interesting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Zebras are always a special sighting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The last afternoon was reserved for a game drive <\/strong>within Hwange National Park. When you enter these days your tires will be desinfected as well as yourself. After paying the fees you can drive through the boom and enjoy nature\u2018s beauty. The aim was to drive to Nyamandlovu pan that has a little hide lookout with lovely views on a waterhole. It\u2019s an epic place for a perfect last night sundowner!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Welcome to the roads of Hwange<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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It is elephant time<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Nyamandlovu waterhole with a hippo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A yellow hornbill enjoying the last rays of sunshine<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the last day of my bush adventure had arrived <\/strong>and I packed my bags to hop on my transfer back to Vic Falls where I headed straight to PSMI for my COVID-19 PCR test. The results were ready within 2 hours, very efficient work. Afterwards, I enjoyed the vulture feeding at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge before I ventured off to see the mighty thundering smoke, the Vic Falls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Enjoying the last bush breakfast<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Hello new home, Vic Falls Safari Club<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Vulture feeding time<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This time I was almost alone with the falls, <\/strong>due to COVID there aren\u2019t many tourists around which makes the sighting very special and unique but of course the harder it is for the locals to keep their business up and running. It\u2019s hard to see all the people that were depending on tourism and now have no jobs anymore. I so wish this will soon come to an end and change as yet again it\u2019s the poorest of the poor that suffer the most! On the other side almost everyone has received their vaccine in this town and people are hopeful for the tourists to come visit their beautiful home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Victoria Falls, always a special sighting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Rainbow views<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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View from viewing point 7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The last night in Zim has arrived <\/strong>and I enjoyed my stay at Victoria Falls Safari Club<\/a> that offers beautiful views into the bush and a waterhole where the baboons like to gather. During the evening hours there was also an elephant coming for its good night drink. Thanks Zimbabwe, for yet another unforgettable, peaceful holiday. It’s always special to visit and reconnect with nature. Happy to return soon!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sunset time at the lodge <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Views of the waterhole <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Dinner is waiting<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

My newest lessons learned<\/strong> in Northern Zimbabwe and Victoria Falls:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Melting shoes – If you are smelling rubber at the fire place, your shoes might well be melting away already;<\/li>
  2. Sunset views – Nyamandlovu platform is an epic place to enjoy a sundowner & <\/li>
  3. Fast testing – At PSMI in Victoria Falls you can get your PCR test results within 2 hours!<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Cheers to wandering the world <\/strong>and exploring Northern Zimbabwe \u2013 bye bye, salut and lisale kuhle \u221e<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    See you at the next adventure <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hello, Bonjour and Salibonani from Iganyana tented Camp at Hwange National Park, Matabeleland in Northern Zimbabwe. I am on leave for some days and have the possibility to reunite with Ride Zimbabwe, for whom I have worked for 3 months back in 2019. Early morning, we took the game drive vehicle once more to head … <\/p>\n

    \u201eThe smoke that thunders\u201c <\/span>weiterlesen<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4019,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[7,112,106,33,34,105,104,113,31,89,88,90,91,103,108,107,117,8,116,111,109,110,50,115,17,114,5],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3768"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3768"}],"version-history":[{"count":71,"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3768\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4758,"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3768\/revisions\/4758"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4019"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3768"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3768"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wander-world.de\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3768"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}