Page 12 - Kyalami Estates Issue 4_2023

Kyalami Estates Corporate Brand Bible Design 26
3.0 Folder (Inner)
TRAVEL

A VISIT TO

MOSI-OA-TUNYA

THE SMOKE THAT

THUNDERS

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY ANTHONY CAVANAGH

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

10 Kyalami Estates • CONNECT • Issue 4 • 2023