From Falls to Footprints: How Shalene Got Schooled by Elephants, Laughed at Hwange, and Nerded Out on Trees in Mana Pools
16 -25 May 2025
This May, I traded my desk for dust, data sheets for dung beetles, and emails for elephant sightings. The mission? A fam trip to Zimbabwe and Botswana with Hideaways – and I took it very seriously.
First Stop, Palm River Hotel, Victoria Falls – Where Style Meets Spray
We kicked off at the Palm River Hotel, a riverside stunner perched neatly on the banks of the Zambezi. Think crisp linen, colonial charm, and a view that makes you want to take up journaling. It’s minutes from Victoria Falls, so naturally, I played tourist with a tour of the falls (highly recommended if you enjoy gasping out loud) and a sunset cruise where I may or may not have mistaken a hippo for a rock. Twice.
Stop 2: Camp Kuzuma – Elephants, Elegance & Earthy Bliss
Next, we bounced over to the Kazuma Forest Reserve to Camp Kuzuma. Now, imagine sipping your coffee while a herd of elephants casually rolls through camp like they own the place. Spoiler: they do. The waterhole is practically a wildlife parade – lions, buffalo, and birds showing off like they know they’re being watched. It’s remote, it’s rugged, and it’s where your phone signal goes to die – and thank goodness for that.
Stop 3: Nantwich, Hwange – Game Drives, Giggling & Giraffes
By Day 3, I thought I’d seen it all. Then Nantwich happened. Nestled in a private concession in Hwange National Park, this lodge surprised me with how alive it felt. Not just from the animal action at the waterhole or that magical game-viewing hide – but the staff. I laughed until I cried. Not even the hyenas could match their sense of humour. The setting is intimate, the wildlife is bold, and the vibe? Think safari chic meets stand-up comedy.
Stop 4: Camp Mana, Mana Pools – Wild Walks & Tree Talks
Then it was off to the iconic Mana Pools, where the wilderness isn’t just wild – it’s unfenced. At Camp Mana, the walking safaris are next level. Our guide Steve (aka The Tree Whisperer) taught us more about flora and fauna than a semester of biology ever did. We tracked a wild dog den on foot – yes, on foot – and I learned just how many clumsy sounds a human can make when nervous. Pure magic.
Stop 5: Mhara River Camp – Birders, Bring Binoculars!
Final stop: Hideaways Mhara River Camp, still within Mana Pools but with a totally different feel. Tucked along the riverbank, this spot is birding heaven. Every tree had wings. From bee-eaters to fish eagles, it was a symphony of calls and colours. I may not be a seasoned birder, but even I got caught up in the excitement (and possibly made up a few bird names for fun).
So, What Did I Learn?
The Zambezi has moods (some misty, some majestic).
Elephants will always have right of way.
You can learn a lot from a guide named Steve.
Hwange staff deserve their own Netflix special.
And most importantly: you can’t sell a safari until you’ve felt it in your bones.
This trip wasn’t just about ticking off lodges – it was about falling in love with each one’s quirks, character, and incredible conservation efforts. I came back not just better equipped to sell them, but obsessed with sharing their stories.
