🦏 Safaris! (3 of 4) | Zimbabwe & Zambia | Lodge Highlight - Wilderness Linkwasha

WHERE TO NEXT?

Dear Traveler,

I just finished reviewing my notes from the training session I attended in the Salamander Hotel in Washington DC yesterday.

Learning how to properly and effectively lobby Congress is important preparation so you don’t bring up the wrong things (off-topic issues, politics, campaign contributions).

Instead you focus on sharing the right things – connecting with them over mutual interests like promoting small business growth in our state, and sharing stories about how current and potential policies help or hurt entrenpreneurs in that regard.

I’ll be meeting with New Hampshire’s two senators, two representatives and their staffers. As this is all a first for me, and it is exciting to be small part of how our working democracy.

I arrived in DC after a completely different experience in Colorado. I scaled a 600 foot high cliff wall on Telluride’s famous via ferrata. This was the fifth via ferrata I’ve done and each one is completely different. This one had features I’d never done before and I was very outside of my comfort zone.

After that I reunited with our daughter, Allison, who is in college in Colorado and my husband, Jason. Allison has become quite the expert fly fisherman and fly tier. We spent beautiful Colorado blue sky days fly fishing on local rivers. Being outside in nature is one of my favorite places to be! I’ll share more in a few weeks.

Last week’s most popular article was Vogue’s The Best Celebrity Vacations of 2024, Ranked in Order of How Badly I Wish I’d Taken Them.

This week’s inspirational articles include 10 trips in the US everyone should add to their bucket list, cherrypicking the best elements of a luxury resort to create the ultimate fantasy hotel and how to make your best vacation memories last.

Also articles on Lake Garda, Japan, NY, Lima, Mendoza and the world’s most beautiful climbing destinations.

The informational articles include the exact hour you hit peak vacation happiness, issues with taking a laptop and an iPad to Mexico, outsmarting the weather and how moms can enjoy family vacations.

Tonight I arrive home around midnight and leave for Australia at 4:20am on Saturday. Lots to unpack and repack in a short amount of time!

Where to next for you?

Warmly,

Below:

This week’s Africa focus – Zimbabwe + Zambia
Where to Next? Wilderness Linkwasha
Articles to Inspire+Inform

ZIMBABWE + ZAMBIA

Are you are driven by adventure and open to new experiences? If you love to travel to off the beaten path places with fewer people around Zimbabwe or Zambia may be the right countries for your safari.

There is incredible variety in Zambia and Zimbabwe, from visiting Victoria Falls to walking safaris from lodge to lodge. The sundowners from a boat cruise on the Zambezi river with views of spectacular sunsets will take your breath away.

Zambia

Zambia, overall a bit more rustic and sparsely populated destination, is a great option for active travelers because it has the unique offering of being able to walk from lodge to lodge (with proper planning).

You can take your shoes and socks off and wade in the shallows of the Luangwa River in the dry season as you walk through a game rich area to your next lodge and then visit the mighty Zambezi River for a water based safari and fishing for tiger fish. The sunsets in Zambia will take your breath away.

Not every African safari country offers hot air balloning, but Zambia is one of them. Take a flight over the Busanga Plains to observe herds of antelope and buffalo, playful hippo pods, elephants and lion prides.

Zimbabwe

Stay at one of the luxury lodges that dot the Zambezi River. Crocs and hippos infest these waters and local elephants and other game are often seen drinking from the riverbanks. You can head out on a boat, or if very adventurous and in the right location, a canoe.

Hwange National Park is the place to go for elephants, as there are 20,000+ elephants in the park.

Zimbabwe affords a few other unique opportunities. Go rhino trekking by foot (with an experienced guide of course) or hop on the Elephant Express and enjoy a G&T as you meander by kudu, lion, wildebeest and of course elephants from the comfort of your open air train.

As a bonus to your safari experience, this area of the African continent gives you the most direct access to…

Victoria Falls

If your safari takes to you Zambia or Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is an easy add on. Regardless of which country you safari in, we recommend the Zimbabwe side for your Victoria Falls visit as it has a much longer waterfall frontage.

Victoria Falls is considered the adventure capital of Africa. Activities available include white water rafting, kayaking and helicoptering over the Falls.

For the very adventurous consider bungee jumping, take to the air in a Microlight flight or hop on the gorge swing – free falling 200+ feet before swinging in a 300+ feet pendulum. It is one of the most thrilling experiences of your life.

Of course you don’t have to do these things, but your teens or adult children might want to!

Zimbabwe has some of the most talented artists on the continent and for the less adventurous enjoy a stroll through the markets looking for those perfect gifts and souvenirs.

Although the centerpoint of this region is Victoria Falls, you will still enjoy a game drive along 7 miles of wild Zambezi riverfront seeing zebra, hippos, crocodiles and more – by vehicle or boat.

Your adventurous spirit will love the traditional and unique safari experiences Zambia and Zimbabwe offer.

Defining – sundowners

Our guide stopped the LandRover in a clearing – far from the oversized scrubby bushes that could be a hiding spot for predators.

In about 40 minutes the sun will set. By then we’ll want to be safely back in our vehicle headed to camp.

For now it’s sundowner time. He sets up the camping chairs and pops open the cooler. “What are you in the mood to drink this afternoon?”

I go with the quintessential safari cocktail, “I’d love a G&T please.” He’s also brought beer, wine and soft drinks for the kids.

It’s that time of day when we sit down together, basking in the orange-ish glow of the sun setting, recounting the wildlife we observed over the last couple of hours…

Two lions lounging in the warmth of the afternoon, wild dogs that spied a crocodile in the pond they were about to drink out of and galloping giraffes that make us all smile.

In fact, many of the giraffes are still off in the distance – giving us a perfect photo of their silhouette at sunset.

The official definition of a sundowner is “a drink taken at sundown.”

They are an integral part of your safari experience and one that just can not be replicated at home.

Which is another reason to go on safari!

Fill out your Safari Inquiry

HERE

🌟 Our clients, a family of four with two kids age 20 and 16 went on a multi country safari this summer to South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. During their time in Zimbabwe, they stayed at Wilderness Linkwasha, a lodge in the Hwange National Park.

Why is Wilderness Linkwasha so special?

The lodge has nine spacious, luxury tents, each with a large deck offering breathtaking views of the waterhole and expansive plains. The main area features multi-level decks, a dining room and bar, a pool, and a lounge complete with a library, ensuring a blend of comfort and elegance.
Nestled in the heart of the Linkwasha Concession, the lodge is located in a region renowned for its prolific wildlife. This area is home to an impressive variety of animals, including lions, elephants, and wild dogs. With 107 species identified, it surpasses any other park in the country for its biodiversity.
Guests can enjoy an unforgettable night under the stars on the lodge’s dedicated sleep-out deck, offering a truly immersive experience in the African wilderness.
The lodge features a sunken hide that allows guests to observe wildlife up close while remaining concealed. This unique vantage point enhances the viewing experience, often accompanied by a refreshing sundowner.

Do as much or as little as you like:

Embark on thrilling game drives and night drives with expert guides who will help you discover a variety of wildlife. Capture stunning images of animals and landscapes from your open vehicle.
Indulge in a bush breakfast or a sundowner right in the heart of the wilderness. These special moments let you fully immerse yourself in the natural surroundings while enjoying exquisite food and drinks.
Take a refreshing dip in the pool—often with a few curious animals nearby—or unwind with a massage. Simply relax on your deck and soak in the panoramic views of the land and its wildlife.

‼️ Don’t miss….a walking safari with Wilderness Linkwasha’s expert and highly skilled safari guides. This safari, which takes you between Davison’s Camp and Linkwasha Camp, traverses a diverse landscape—from dense teak forests to palm-studded plains. You’ll encounter an impressive array of wildlife, from vibrant birds like the crimson-breasted shrike to the iconic Big Five.