Hi All

It is debatable whether one should be buried or cremated when your earthly days are done and dusted. My late brother, Roy, chose cremation and it was his expressed desire to have his immediate family to have a memorial for him somewhere near the Hwange National Park. So, last weekend three of us went off to camp at Tuskers campsite (Ivory Lodge) located some 3km off the main Vic Falls Road just before the turnoff to Main Camp. 

In my opinion, Tuskers ranks amongst the best campsites in Zimbabwe. We were welcomed by a charming, young camp manager, Tinashe, who went out of his way to help us set things up. The facilities are first class with showers and toilets set up in small, thatched rondavels. Solar power is used to bring in water to fill the water tanks and give enough power for ample lighting plus plug points to charge your phones.

A water hole has been set up in the Vlei that one overlooks with water being pumped in using the solar panels. We were witness to several herds of elephant ambling down to the water hole – such fun to see the babies sprint the last few metres excited about the impending chance to splash around in the mud and water. There is a resident group of three giraffes that slowly slipped out of the bush ever glancing around looking for any danger. These were followed by a few Side-Striped Jackal and Impala. Lots of Spring Hares bounding around in the evening with a few duiker eyes reflecting the light from our powerful torches in the evening.

Camping is, to me a far better way to enjoy our spectacular outdoors sleeping under the stars; breathing that fresh air; listening out for that recognisable mix between a roar and a growl of a lion somewhere out there in the dark of night. Places like Tuskers are ideal for introducing young children to the true outdoors – so much better than being cooped up in a fancy room with prepared meals and air conditioning. Nothing quite like sitting around a campfire in the early evening enjoying the sounds of silence

The National Park is just 25 km away, so we spent a day travelling slowly around the various pans – our best sightings were at the Dom and Makwa pans – both within 20km of the Main Camp entrance – Vultures galore, giraffe, Kudu, Zebra and a special sighting of seven Sable. I’m sure Roy would have appreciated our trip.  Ciao Mike G.