What a great place, from the hosts to the scenery we had a great time

Well I’m back … after 3 absolutely amazing days in the company of Wilderness and travel journalist and avid birder, Kate Turkington!

I am delighted to advise that the trip was a wonderful success. Kate just LOVED her visit to Livingstone including both River Club which she described as’ like being at her uncle’s house’, as well as the superb Toka Leya just 6Km upstream from the Falls on the 'mighty' Zambezi.

Concession Manager Solly and his team run a very professional operation, but which at the same time is extremely personal. Naturally we spent a lot of time with guests and all raved about their experiences, not just in Livingstone but with Wilderness in general.

From cruising lazily on the Zambezi, and finding not only rock pratincols but also Finfoot(male & female); to watching the hippos (from a safe distance) as we passed by; to a visit to the Falls themselves; but not forgetting an early drive through the Mosi oa Tunya park to look for even more birds, eventually our quota reached a total of 49 different species.

If that was the activities, it would be amiss not to include reference to the back of house tour, including the water recirculation plant, as well as the nursery and worm farm. Congratulations to both Histon and Donald for their commitment and enthusiasm to the project, hence Donald’s recent environmental award and which has resulted in a further request for 2000 trees to be planted in Livingstone by May. What a story!

So in conclusion … Thank You … not only for a really enjoyable trip but more so the opportunity to re-connect with my own love of wilderness areas, to cruise on the mighty Zambezi once again but even more to be reminded through Wilderness’ philosophies, the importance of protecting our natural resources.

Over this last Christmas my family and I had the privlige of visting Pafuri Camp. The Biodiversity was incredible. Wildlife amazing and accommodation was great. I do belive that the designers did make one mistake in allowing a curtain to seperate the toilet from the rest of the room but the sheer surroundings just took our breath away. Our guide was also amazing with a wide knowldge of all Flora and Fauna and as a family adventure camp my two kids fell in love with him due to his sense of humour and time that he gave them (a seven and a nine year old).
I do recommend this camp for all.

Back at home after a marvellous trip to Duma Tau, Banoka, Xigera. Head is filled with impressions - so is camera memorycards, I wonder which will be in order first.
Highlights - almost everything:
Big five - within three days (just for the scorecard)
Emmanuel Ndjoze - BIG man in every way, warm, friendly, social. Animal and nature knowledge to match his size.
Following two wild dog chases at Duma Tau.
There is a lot more positive things to say about logistics, camps, staff, food, environmental consideration, but that would be to long.
All in all, we expected a lot, but our expectations were exceeded.
We will almost certainly be back

Marie and Bengt

Just home from a fantastic month in Namibia where we included a stay at PALMWAG LODGE. We spent one night out at a 'Sleep Out' followed by another at the lodge itself. The stay was enjoyable but the amount of toilet paper and other unmentionalbes strewn about the camp site was disgusting. How Wilderness can talk about sustainable tourism and pristine areas whilst they don't even have an installed loo is quite a surprise.
Wilderness - please install a proper facility and clear the site of this disgusting mess.

This was our second visit to the Shire River and Mvuu. We both felt it exceeded our first visit in 2009. The wildlife and bird life is phenomenal and this camp has the added luxury of a River Safari, one of the best in all our Wilderness Holidays.
The staff are great, as always, and Sarah, the camp manager, has put her stamp on the catering to great effect!
We fulfilled one of our safari ambitions to see an African Skimmer - not just one but an estimated 150 on one of our boat trips! (see my gallery piks)
There are no large predators there so it makes bush-walking a very relaxed affair both for us and the animals.
Dinner on the balcony of your tent overlooking the lagoon is a real treat and to be recommended.

What a fabulous setting - in the wilderness of the Nyika National Park!
When you fly in, at 2000m above sea level, the first impression is what on earth can there be in this place! WRONG! There was a surprise every day!
Although in early September the temperatures are low overnight the hospitality, log fires, great food, wonderful game viewing and the welcome of the Chelinda "Family" left us with a warm glow as we departed.
We saw Serval, herds of Eland and Roan, Crawshay Zebras, Mountain Reed Buck, Bush Buck many birds and a myriad of wild flowers just starting to sprout in Spring.
A vast place with stunning scenery.

Just back from Ruckomechi and three days on the Mana Pools Canoe Trip which were fantastic. Ruckomechi was full of game with the highlight being the elephants which wandered through the camp and drank from the swimming pool. If the Elephants weren't around then the Water Buck and the Impalas were only yards away. A lovely camp with excellent food, which is served constantly! Do enjoy the boat rides on the Zambezi, wonderful views of the Carmine Bee Eaters and of the sunsets whilst having a drink.

What a fantastic camp! From the moment we landed on the airstrip, we were greeted with warmth by our guide Makumbi. I was immediatly blown away by the scenery and landscape. The camp is built in such a way that it blends perfectly into the desert environment, adding to the true wilderness experience.

Another thing that surprised me was the amount of wild life, especially considering the harsh environment which these animals need to live in. Makumbi was very knowledgeable and fed us info on the fauna and flora in the perfect balance.

Tracking the rhino definitely ranks on my top 10 list - it is amazing how the guide and trackers are able to find the desert rhino in such a huge area. The thing that stood out the most for me was the way in which tourism has been integrated in a very subtle manner with research and conservation being the main point of operation.
Keep up the great work!

Banoka Bush Camp is a wonderful camp with friendly staff and fantastic views over the lagoon. The water level was high in July and we enjoyed the beautiful landscape with Mopani trees surrounded by water. We saw many elephant, giraffe, zebra and had a glimpse of a hyena before it disappeared into the Mopani thicket. We also had some great bird sightings in the area.