Things to do in Zimbabwe

A school run like no other

It’s a great way of making a positive impact while having lots of fun too…

By Mark Butcher

Managing Director of Imvelo Safari Lodges

If you’re looking for enriching experiences while on safari in Zimbabwe then visiting the local villages and their schools is a great way of making a positive impact while having lots of fun too. For us at Bomani Tented Lodge, unorchestrated, authentic interactions with the community are somewhat of a speciality.

When choosing the location of the lodge in the remote south-east of Hwange National Park, it was crucial that the camp was situated near our neighbours in rural Matabeleland in order to involve them in the benefits of safari tourism. We pride ourselves on this proximity to what I call the front-line villages where guests of Bomani can fully immerse themselves in local life.

One of the most enjoyable activities is to join the children on their commute to school – a cool two-to-three-mile walk. That’s plenty of time to lose the formalities and learn about the students’ aspirations (these days Covid protocols are in place).

At the school you’ll be welcomed with warm smiles and high fives. Guided around by the headmaster you’ll get to join the enthusiastic singing of traditional songs and chat to all the children eager to talk to you. Your guide, a local of course and often a former student of this very school, will then accompany you around the village introducing you to our neighbours as if you were an old friend visiting for the first time. Nothing forges deeper connections than breaching different cultures. You’ll no doubt learn something new.

Available in these itineraries…

Itinerary

Essential Zimbabwe
by Pam James

Length8 Days

Price range£3,225 - £3,760pp

Alfred & Mark Butcher

Mark Butcher is an eco-tourism professional with a passion for linking local communities directly to wildlife conservation. In the 80s, he was a ranger for the Zimbabwe Department of National Parks and Wildlife and later, the Provincial Wildlife Officer in the Matabeleland North Province adjacent to Hwange National Park. Mark is now the Managing Director of Imvelo Safari Lodges, a selection of properties that directly benefit disenfranchised communities around Hwange.

Alfred&

Your journey will start with one of our UK team – someone like Andy, who's travelled extensively in Zimbabwe. They’ll shape your ideas into the trip of a lifetime. But they won't do it alone. They'll draw on the expertise of our contacts on the ground, connecting you to the people who'll make your holiday one you'll always remember – the ranger who can show you the best game viewing and fishing spots on the Zambezi, the guide who’ll introduce you to ‘moonbows’ at Victoria Falls and the locals who’ll invite you in for dinner.

Andy Fulker

Africa Travel Expert for Alfred&

Andy is a big fan of Africa and has spent the last seven years travelling there. He loves the variety on offer, from the history, gastronomy and adventure activities in South Africa, to the incredible wildlife and diverse cultures of East Africa. As an expert in South Africa, Kenya, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Rwanda, and Tanzania, Andy has some great recommendations to share. The personal nature of his first sighting of a leopard cub in the wild is an experience that still lives particularly strong in his memory.
Cloud Magondo

Professional Guide at Nyamatusi Camp

Cloud joined African Bush Camps after five years of experience working as a professional river guide. He has also recently achieved his Professional Guide licence, a highly regarded achievement within the safari industry. His passions are canoeing, star gazing, animal behaviour and birds while also recognising the importance of the smaller things like insects and flora. As a guide who canoes the Zambezi, he has plenty of respect for the resident hippo and crocodiles.
Mark Butcher

Managing Director of Imvelo Safari Lodges

Mark Butcher is an eco-tourism professional with a passion for linking local communities directly to wildlife conservation. In the 80s, he was a ranger for the Zimbabwe Department of National Parks and Wildlife and later, the Provincial Wildlife Officer in the Matabeleland North Province adjacent to Hwange National Park. Mark is now the Managing Director of Imvelo Safari Lodges, a selection of properties that directly benefit disenfranchised communities around Hwange.
Tich Tandi

Sales and marketing manager at Wild Horizons, Alfred&’s partner in Zimbabwe

During more than three decades in the hospitality industry, Tich Tandi has been everything from a waiter to a tours coordinator in a five-star hotel. Originally from Rusape in the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe, he now works for Wild Horizons in Victoria Falls as part of the sales and marketing team, a role he thoroughly enjoys.
Jane Msamba

Deputy General Manager, Ilala Lodge Hotel

Born in Zimbabwe, Jane began working with Ilala Lodge Hotel as a senior cashier in 1995. She has worked her way through the ranks from Junior Tours Consultant to Tours Manager and this year took up the role of Deputy General Manager of the hotel. Happily married with three children, Jane has recently become a proud grandmother. She lives in Victoria Falls with her husband and the couple is passionate about wildlife.
Francis Nyabadza

Guide at Wild Horizons, Alfred&’s partner in Zimbabwe

Francis Nyabadza grew up hearing the roar of the Victoria Falls, and familiarity has done nothing to diminish his sense of awe every time he takes guests to experience this natural wonder for themselves – something he’s been doing for Wild Horizons since 1997. When not at the Falls, his favourite place to take visitors is the village that hosts the company’s Meet the People cultural activity.