camp amalinda, bulawayo a wilderness of granite
It is difficult to imagine a more spectacular setting for a lodge than this – tucked away in an ancient bushman
shelter on the edge of a granite kopje overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matobo Hills. This area is
world-renowned amongst historians and intrepid travellers who come in search of those uncharted bushmen paintings,
the solitary leopard and to visit Cecil John Rhodes’ grave at View of the World. Camp Amalinda’s spiritual charm
captures your soul, alluring you back to experience more.Between definitive wildlife and cultural encounters, you
can take sundowner cocktails atop a picturesque, whale-back dwala or spend contemplative hours in the intimate,
open air library lounge. A natural rock pool with comfortable loungers overlooks a waterhole, and a resident
masseuse is on hand for hot stone therapy massages and energising facials. Spa treatments take on a whole new
perspective under this canopy of lichen-covered rocks. Luxury safaris are not the only activity on offer in the
backdrop of the Matobo Hills.
A new type of eco-tourism is actively involved in the region, helping to develop
and empower local communities as well as contributing to wildlife conservation and research. All this work is
being co-der our banner Mother Africa, working in partnership with Camp Amalinda and Ivory Safari Lodge
on the border of Hwange National Park. Mother Africa hosts eco-tourists from every part of the world who choose
to take a holiday with a difference and make a positive contribution to local communities and wildlife, in a
hands-on and constructive way and staying at Camp Amalinda itself. At Mother Africa our project efforts and the
majority of a volunteer’s time is spent working with local communities. These are people who eke out a living from
the land through subsistence farming, and often have to contend with marauding wildlife – ironically the same wildlife
tourists flock to see. At Mother Africa we are working towards distributing some of the financial benefits from
tourism to those communities that could really benefit from it.
In addition to the community aspect, volunteers contribute first-hand to the long-term conservation of a variety of
different African species. There is no conservation without the cooperation of the community and there is no conservation
without education. We work side by side with Zimbabwean locals from varying backgrounds and beliefs. Our eco-tourists
gain skills in scientific research with the guidance of our on-site scientists. Zimbabwe is heavily dependent on tourism
for economic benefits and the foreign currency it brings to the economy. However, the current structure of tourism is
highly consumptive with only two winners: the tourists themselves and the safari companies. Local communities and
wildlife, generally, come a distant second when it comes to benefits. Mother Africa hopes to change this situation
and volunteer eco-tourism is one way we will achieve this. It brings acceptance of our local Zimbabweans’ culture and
beliefs and the lives they lead. It’s people such as you, the one taking the time to read this story, who can truly
make a difference.
By getting involved you bring value to local people’s lives and with that, the chance to improve
their situation. Funding and donations are important to Mother Africa and local communities. However, this is a
short-term solution and certainly not sustainable. By integrating local communities into tourism, by giving their
lives value, we can empower these people more thoroughly today and for the future; more so than any amount of money
donated can provide. This enchanting and exclusive safari lodge accommodates only 18 guests and is ideally situated an
hour’s drive from Bulawayo’s International Airport. It is an owner-run property and one of the most innovative
architecturally designed safari lodges ever built. Condé Naste Traveller voted Camp Amalinda one of the top ten boutique
lodges in southern Africa (1999). There is more here than meets the eye; come see for yourself.
Contact : Sharon Stead on +263 9 243954, e-mail: Sharon@amalindacollection.co.zw
or visit www.campamalinda.com.
For more information on Mother Africa or to book a place on our exciting, hands-on community and wildlife conservation project,
visit our website: www.mother-africa.org, e-mail us on
mark@mother-africa.org or call Mark on (+263)11 438 161. For more information on
Ivory Safari Lodge visit the website at: www.ivorysafarilodge.com.
klaserie private nature reserve
Ross in the bush is a classic safari bush camp situated in the heart of the Klaserie Private Game Reserve. The camp is rustic
and has all the charms of a traditional farm-style bush lodge. There are eight rooms in total, in the form of traditional
thatched rondawels transporting you back to the roots of safari in Africa. The décor is a mixture of contemporary African and
African colonial, giving the interiors of the rooms a unique and colourful feeling. Dining alternates between the open-air boma
and the thatched lapa, with the food served being homely-style. The swimming pool is set up on a wooden deck platform with a
great vantage point over the vast savannah mixed bushveld plains, allowing a sense of true space and freedom and perhaps, if
lucky, the opportunity to see an ancient elephant bull stroll by en route to quench his thirst at one of the nearby waterholes.
There are no fences separating the Kruger National Park and The Klaserie Private Game Reserve placing Ross in the Bush within
the 5.5 million acre greater Kruger National Park wilderness area. Ross in the Bush is therefore home to the Big Five, the Little
Five and everything in-between. The camp nestles among majestic Mopani forests and tall Knob Thorn Acacia trees, which seem to
be the firm favourite of journeys of giraffe, which frequent the camp in search of the sweet knob thorn leaves. There are two
tree-houses situated on the camp perimeter, each set above a watering hole, where game abounds in the dry Limpopo African heat.
The bush camp has no electricity but has plenty of hot water supplied by the bush furnace or ‘donkey’ and light is provided by
paraffin filled hurricane lamps – adding ambient charm to your bush experience.
The safari experience
Ross in the Bush is a unique way to experience Africa in all its amazing beauty, allowing you to interact with the wonders of the savannah close-up. Conventional safari experiences concentrate on game viewing from a vehicle only, which never really allows you to truly connect with your surroundings. Here, time is taken to ensure that each individual on safari interacts personally with their surroundings, off the vehicle and on foot in nature. Touch, smell, feel, see and taste the surrounding savannah, so to speak. Highly experienced and knowledgeable guides lead the way through the terrain, allowing you to truly appreciate the bush. Guests are introduced to the massive variety of animals, plants, insect and bird life during their stay. A wealth of knowledge is imparted with the safari-goers by the passionate guides ensuring that you leave with a feeling that everything makes perfect sense in this dog-eat-dog or more appropriately lion-eat-impala type of environment. Both walking safaris and open vehicle game drives are offered, which ensures the most diverse safari experience within this majestic bushveld environment. The guides are not restricted to the roads for game drives and the animals are often followed off-road giving true insight into the day-to-day behaviour of Africa’s most interesting and prized animals in their natural environment. This is one of the few truly unique safari destinations left in Africa. Service is personal and intimate and the staff go out of their way to ensure that your dreams of safari are fulfilled and that all expectations are truly surpassed. It is a place so undisturbed and ancient that you will find your soul there if you are prepared to find it. Other things to do, all within an hour of Ross in the Bush: Panorama Tour Hot-air ballooning Elephant Back Safaris Kruger Park Tours.