Page 14 - Dainfern Precinct Living Issue 11_2023

Travel
Initiative

A VISIT TO

MOSI-OA-TUNYA

The Smoke that Thunders
The Smoke t hat Thund ers

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ANTHONY CAVANAGH

The World Champions celebrate their win against the All Blacks after the final whistle in Paris

aving last been in Zimbabwe arriving at the lodge, we were greeted The Zambezi National Park is the smallest
over twenty years ago, Sue by many of the staff and after a brief national park in Zimbabwe and covers
and I decided on a holiday at introduction to the facilities offered, we an area of 56,000 hectares. It hosts lion,
Victoria Falls and our choice were shown to our very well-appointed leopard, elephant, buffalo, many of
Hof accommodation was the chalet. Each of the 14 chalets offer the other mammals commonly seen in
Old Drift Lodge. This is a new addition to spectacular views of the river, a plunge Southern Africa and over 400 bird species.
the Zambezi River front and is located in pool, comfortable patio and some even On our game drive the next morning,
Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park, some have a raised outdoor bedroom with an we observed a Tawny Eagle flying back
seven km upstream from the town of open roof for a night of stargazing. to its nest being harassed by a flock of
Victoria Falls. Pied Crows. Vusa, our excellent guide,
Residents can opt for the twice daily game explained that the crows have driven
The lodge is built on the site established drive or river cruise and we decided the away many of the raptors from the park
in 1898 that was the main crossing first afternoon to cruise the Zambezi. Our in this manner. Other sightings included
point on the Zambezi River above the companions on the cruise were a couple Double-banded Sandgrouse, Bradfield’s
falls for travellers and traders. The from Florida USA, who like us had a keen Hornbill, Marabou Stork, Scimitarbill, Red-
crossing became the focal point for interest in birds. Our boat pilot didn’t crested Korhaan and a Barred Owl.
the beginnings of a small European disappoint us and we had good sightings
community, before the arrival of the of African Skimmers, Water Thick-knee, The highlight of our trip was the “Flight of
railway and the opening of the Victoria African Reed-Warbler, Meve’s Starling, Angels” in a helicopter over the falls and
Falls Bridge in 1905 shifted the focus of Wire-tailed Swallows,White-crowned surrounding area, which was conveniently
activity downstream. Lapwing, numerous other water birds arranged by the staff at the lodge. At
as well as many hippos, elephants and the helicopter pad, two helicopters
We were collected at the very modern crocodiles. At dusk the setting sun cast an were landing and taking off every ten
Victoria Falls airport and driven in the orange glow over the river that was quite to twelve minutes. We were issued
lodge’s courtesy vehicle through the town magnificent. with headphones and duly escorted to
and into the Zambezi National Park. On the helicopter which could take four

14 DPL issue 11 2023
10 DPL issue 10 2023