The Hide - Hwange, Zimbabwe

August 1999 News Letter - published quarterly

(courtesy of Tracy Duvenhage, Lorraine Preston and the gang from The Hide!)

The most exciting news is that once again we are a Big Five game viewing camp, as rhino have been reintroduced into the Hwange National park and much to our delight have decided to mark their territory on our concession and set up residence, they are daily visitors at the water hole having a drink and relaxing by the waters edge, affording amazing photographic opportunities. Animal sightings at our water hole have been exceptional lately due to the dry conditions as most of the natural water holes have dried up already, by the looks of things the Hwange region is going to be very dry this year, which is fantastic for our overseas guests who want to see a variety of large and small game, but for the animals it is quite a stressful period of waiting for the first rains.

• Guests were lucky enough to watch from start to finish two lion kills, close enough for excellent video footage and photographs.
• Two adult cheetah stalked and killed a fully grown wildebeest just 10 meters from the road, again in full view and right on the concession.
• We only had three leopard sightings in July, hopefully we will spot a few more this month.
• Large herds of elephants and buffalo are seen daily at the water hole, mainly due to the dryness at present. The populations are also on the increase as we see more and more new young appearing on the scene.
• We also have a resident aardvark on the concession, and know where its den is, so we are often able to see one on our evening spotlight drives.

Our stunning new guest shop, so cleverly designed by our camp manager Bruce, using local logs and thatch from the surrounding area, will be opening during the month of August. Hide shirts, shorts, caps and jackets will be available as well as many other unique Zimbabwean products for guests to choose from.

We are now on Z.E.S.A. power, this means that the lighting in the tents has been improved, as well as being brighter along the footpaths. Due to the power we also have a toaster ready and waiting to give guests piping hot toast at breakfast time.

As we are aware, Air Zimbabwe is no longer flying direct to Hwange, but we have done a little research into ways and means of reaching The Hide from various points, here are a few suggestions:-

• Harare to Victoria Falls on Air Zimbabwe, with connection flights on Air Zambezi daily as well - Harare, Kariba, Hwange.
• Blue Arrow luxury coach from Bulawayo or Victoria Falls.
• Air charters on Sefofane, United Air Service, Migration Air and Southern Cross.
• Road transfers by U.T.C. and Mapopoma.
• Zimbabwe Express Coach Service from Victoria Falls daily.

Leezyl is still with us as our central cog in the wheel, communications with you on a daily basis, juggling the bookings and transfer details, keep up the good work Leezyl, you are much appreciated.

That's it for now, we look forward to keeping in touch with you until our next newsletter.

Kind regards : From all at the Hide

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The Zambezi Safari and Travel Co. Ltd

PO Box 158 Kariba, Zimbabwe
Tel: +263 61 2532 Fax: +263 61 2291

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