So, we jump in the open truck, breath the morning African air and embark on the adventure. We leave our lodge across the bouncy tracks and head in the direction of Matusadona National Park, weaving our way through the bush, spotting impala, and colourful birds along the way. 

We head across the dry causeway, which in previous years has had water over it. Unfortunately, not this year, as the water levels across Lake Kariba have dropped.

We sit and watch the elephant for a while, all the time our guide Mark, in a whisper, is sharing his incredible knowledge about these magnificent creatures. We move on a bit more stopping and starting when we see more animals, tracks and birds, big and small. 

Often you are just so unaware what is going on around you, and beneath you, there are some amazing termite hills here.  

Who knew how these little mites created their own colony, with workers, soldiers and protectors of the queen? And if their worker or soldier numbers dwindled in any way, they would only produce that particular type of mite. 

Off on our way again we really can’t believe how special this place feels, we’d visited other safari camps, but Rhino Island felt unique.

We continue down the track, and Mark spots a cheetah jump up ahead of us, firstly, with initial trepidation it walks across the track about 25 metres in front of us. Gary incredibly manages to get a photo. Mark is just as excited as we are, as cheetahs are very rare, the owner of the lodge has only seen them on three occasions in 17 years. 

Mark proceeds a bit quicker down the track to see where it headed off to, as it has picked up a bit of a stride now. As the cheetah got deeper into the bush, it stopped by a tree and turned around and just stared at us for about 5 seconds, and as quick as it appeared, it was gone. 

Etched in our minds forever, as this is a rare occurrence around here, how special a moment was that. 

This safari drive is becoming such an education, in this region of Zimbabwe, there are some incredible fossils, from fallen trees. They initially appear to still look like wood but are actually as hard as a stone. Mark explains that from research there was a catastrophe many, many years ago as it seems that it was a sudden impact on the landscape and the trees collapsed and preserved where they landed. It’s estimated this happened between 200 & 300 million years ago.

Continuing on we smile at each other in disbelief; we head further along, and a plain opens out before us. I know it sounds corny, but it is like a scene from Jurassic Park. With dead trees protruding from the earth, lush green pastures and animals grazing in the distance all around, it’s beautiful. 

Although, we are constantly well aware that there could be lions lurking under trees by the bushland edge. Who knows whether they have had breakfast or not?

Not that I want to dilute the importance of impala’s but, Zimbabwe certainly doesn’t appear to be short of this species.

However, you can’t tire of looking at them, they are perfectly manicured and not a hair out of place (unlike me, where’s my Frizz-ease?)

Mark drives us to a higher point on the plain, and we jump out of the truck, to enjoy the view and the surroundings and take on some refreshments. The morning sun is gradually starting to become more intense, and a hat is a must.

All too often we are looking out for the larger wildlife; however, the birdlife here is equally fascinating. Although Gary and I can spot birds, the names are far from our minds. Mark points out African Fish Eagles, Goliath Herons, Secretarybirds and Hornbills, to name a few. Saying that we have become familiar with the Guinea Fowl, there’s no mistaking their distinctive look.

We chatted to Mark about our previous trip to Lake Kariba and how we visited a couple of large protected Rhino pens.  Also, a rhino out in the bush with its own 24-hour armed guard. Mark explained to us that Rhino Safari Camp had had something similar, so he took us to the now derelict pens that they used to use to adapt the rhinos to their surroundings, prior to releasing them. 

Two mornings later we headed out for another AM safari drive, this time with the guide Tatendah. We were hoping to see the herd of buffalo we had come across on our bush walk the previous day. Not too lucky on seeing the buffalo, but we came across a beautiful herd of elephant, complete with their own little “eleies”.

What a magical sight, we sat and watched them for about 10 minutes, although I could have sat and watched them all day. I felt really safe in the truck, they knew we were there, and if they chose to come closer, it was them being inquisitive about us rather than us approaching them.

I know I am repeating myself slightly, but these kinds of moments do not come along every day. 

On Rhino Safari Island, it is quite a common occurrence to see hippo sauntering by the water’s edge, but for a girl from Kent, it truly isn’t. And as hippos are one of my favourite African mammals, I couldn’t have been happier than seeing them wallowing in pods by the lakeside. 

And giving us the evil eye from a distance.

We’d been informed how the wildlife within the lake had changed over the years, and there are a lot more crocodiles lurking within the shores. Although this was the case, they are pretty shy, so as soon as we spotted one and slowed down, they shot off into the water. 

They were not up for posing for the camera.

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