Plan an Adventurous Honeymoon in Zimbabwe

-AS SEEN IN BRIDAL GUIDE MAGAZINE-

Photo: Wilderness Safaris

A herd of impala is grazing a couple of hundred yards from us, when they suddenly look up simultaneously. A hundred yards past the antelopes, I point out an elephant emerging from a grove of trees. Our guide, Mike Nyoni, says he has an idea and we speed off in the eight-seat Land Runner down a dirt road, pulling off and parking on a quiet grassy area near a watering hole. Mike mixes us some gin and tonics and says, “Just wait.” Sure enough, 10 minutes later, the elephant we saw comes meandering past our jeep on the way to getting its own refreshment. And by “past our jeep,” I mean, literally, 10 feet in front of our truck. The smile didn't leave my face for hours. This is what it's like on safari in Zimbabwe. Every day is an up-close view into a world only before seen on television. My wife and I recently visited the east African country that’s home to the storied Zambezi River, the epic Victoria Falls and plains packed with endless wild animals. Here are just a few highlights from this trip of a lifetime.

Camp Life

Photo: Wilderness Safaris

During our stay, we booked into a trio of all-inclusive safari camps run by Wilderness Safaris. All three are smack dab in the middle of wild animal habitats, but also full of the modern amenities one might want while on a honeymoon — posh accommodations, pools and WiFi. Our first stop was Linkwasha in Hwange National Park, the country’s largest game preserve. Open year-round (many safari accommodations are seasonal due to animal migration patterns and weather), this outpost has nine spectacular tents.

Photo: Wilderness Safaris

There’s a multi-level main area with magnificent views, a pool, and a lounge with a library. It was here where our guide Mike gave us the up-close view of that thirsty elephant. Plenty of buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, impala and elephants in addition to the occasional cheetah or giraffe can be seen here.

Photo: Barry Rosenbloom

The next stop was Ruckomechi, located in the Zambezi Valley’s Mana Pools National Park. Perched on the banks of the Zambezi River, this property encompasses 10 tents with outdoor baths, a pool and a central living area with a firepit — it’s the best spot for spying the Southern Cross at night. Along with game drives and walking safaris, you can go canoeing or take a river cruise; both offer opportunities to see hippos and elephants.

Photo: Barry Rosenbloom

At Mana Pools, we saw lions, crocodiles and hippos. Lions were tough to find in Linkwasha, but in Ruckomechi? No problem: We spied them on the way from the airstrip, the next morning, and then — the coup de grace — later that second day. The first viewing was just a couple of females lying in the sun. Morning brought them back but this time they were watching over their cubs playing with each other (aww!). 

Photo: Barry Rosenbloom

I guess they got hungry, though, because that night we saw the females feasting on their prey 10 yards from our jeep (eww, but awesome).

The newly reopened Chikwenya, a collection of seven tents set on low wooden decks, is set further north on the Zambezi River and was our final camp.

Photo: Wilderness Safaris

A main gathering area with a dining room and a bar, pool deck and replace, beckons for kicking back and taking in the view. Activities here include both day and night game drives, walking tours, canoeing, kayaking, sunset cruises and catch-and-release shing.

Photo: Wilderness Safaris

This camp, like Ruckomechi, is open from April to November. Romance bonus: Linkwasha and Ruckomechi feature honeymoon-perfect beds set outdoors for sleeping under the starry skies (room rates start at $523 per person, per night and are all inclusive.

Photo: Wilderness Safaris

All in a Day

As much as you are here to see the animals, there’s a lot of (excellent) eating each day. A typical safari schedule finds you waking up before the sun, having a breakfast (eggs to order, pancakes, fruit salad and more) then hitting the road for a game drive until lunchtime. Mid-morning, there’s a stop for a coffee break. A hearty lunch waits back at camp — the pan-fried bream (sea bass) was great. Then it’s time for a siesta or a dip in the pool until it cools off in the late afternoon when you’ll head out again, fresh from high tea, for a few more hours of animal viewing. At some camps, if you don't want to do two drives in one day, you can opt for a walking safari or cruise the river if you're in the Mana Pools area. Usually, you’re back at seven p.m. to get ready for a gourmet dinner: The sweet potato and coconut soup led perfectly into barbecue steak and chicken. The days were busy, but relaxing. I mean, how taxing can it be to look at wild animals all day?

After Dark

There’s no question that you'll see and hear animals all day — and all night. Elephants wandering through camp? Check. Hippos fifty feet away chewing and chatting? Yup, that too. Sounds range from peaceful animals grazing to birds aplenty (the birders in our group spotted over 200 species on their first day!) to the louder animals talking to each other (Google “hippos talking.” I’ll wait). No need to be nervous at night, however: The camp team escorts guests around the property after dark.

Photo: Barry Rosenbloom

Falling Water

We started our trip the way most of the couples we encountered ended theirs: Spending a night in Victoria Falls, home of the wondrous eponymous waterfalls. Impressive is one word to characterize the mammoth system where the Zambezi River rushes over towering cliffs. Truly awesome are two more apt descriptors, yet words escape the emotional reaction to viewing such a magnificent sight. A night at the grand Victoria Falls Hotel is a perfect way to cap off (or launch) a safari vacation. Traditional with offerings like high tea, it's within walking distance to the falls (room rates start at $339 a night).

Photo: Barry Rosenbloom