2023-11-04 13:10:00
All night long, the wind blew very hard around the Zimbabwean Dream. Upon arrival at Matusadona Park for a new safari, the guide, Maki, is worried: he fears that the frightened animals will remain invisible. His 4×4 plunges into the forest, follows the chaotic paths of earth and ocher sand, alongside the straight palm trees that gave their name to the place. He takes the “hippo highway,” their usual route to get food. But not today, none are there… Fortunately, the wait won’t last long.
Suddenly, warthogs, elephants, kudus, monkeys and zebras appear, scattered among the tall, thick grass. Then impalas, more than fifty of them, running, hopping, light as air. As if they had all spread the word. Maki is reassured, and his customers are over the moon. He also shows them the impressive termite mounds (up to 4 meters high!), and surprising birds: the fish eagles, experts in catching fish, the weavers, whose nests are meticulously woven, the terrestrial hornbills, on the way of disappearance, the egrets, which follow the flocks closely to catch the insects after their passage.
Back to the Zimbabwean Dream. The captain heads for Antelope Island, north of Lake Kariba, the next night’s stopover. After lunch, he offers his passengers a tour of the wheelhouse, which is also his cabin. He compares its instruments (speedometer, horn, etc.) to those of a car, explaining that the boat has two 500 HP engines, a third for maneuvering, and two generators, but no automatic piloting. Vimdoi, the hostess, then announces the departure of a last nautical safari. In a hazy sky, the annex heads towards Zebra Island. Here, no trees protrude above the surface of the water, the depth is too great. The wind has calmed, the lake is perfectly peaceful. On the island, Egyptian geese, pelicans and cormorants provide the welcoming committee. The fishermen place their nets with their feet in the water, despite the obvious presence of several crocodiles. Further on, as if for a final bouquet, dozens of zebras, antelopes and birds have gathered on the flooded banks of the island. On the way back, Vimdoi serves an aperitif facing the sunset: South African wines and biltong, marinated and then dried meat. This evening, the crew has another surprise in store for the passengers for their last evening: all together, from the captain to the assistant chef, they sing in chorus traditional tunes of thanks and goodbye, which they accompany with dances frenzied, to the sound of the tom-tom. Big atmosphere on the Zimbabwean Dream.
Signed by CroisiEurope, this safari-cruise from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls, between South Africa, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe, is an exclusive tour for very small groups (16 participants maximum) offered around premium lodges (Country Safari Lodge et Cascades Safari Lodge) and on board boats with 8 suites only (Zimbabwean Dream et African Dream). Its strong points: an original approach between land and water (on small flat-bottomed boats), a well-thought-out pace, flawless organization, new, high-end accommodation, very high-quality meals and French-speaking support. Departures all year round, except in January. 11 days, from €5,610/person. (double basis), flights, transfers, nights in a hotel, lodge and on board the boat, full board (drinks included), visits and excursions included. Tips, Botswana entry tax and Zimbabwean visa extra. Optional helicopter flight over Victoria Falls (€205/person). 0 825 333 777 and croisieurope.com READ ALSO Zimbabwe: five things to know about the former Southern Rhodesia
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