Geologically the Wilderness is at the head of the Great Dyke Complex. This is a rugged, unique and distinct line of hills that cuts through the granite shield of Zimbabwe, 760 km north to south. The Great Dyke is possibly part of the same geographical fault line as the Great Rift Valley and is composed of ancient rock solidified from molten magma deep within the Earth.

Due to the ruggedness and remoteness of the Mavuradonhas, there is only one road into the Wilderness, which terminates at Kopje Tops Lodge - the only way to get around is on horse back or foot. No electricity and throbbing generators to disturb the peace, you will feel you are truly away from it all and may never want to leave .

Primarily focusing on horse riding safaris there are a multitude of safari options to take depending on your riding ability. All safaris are lead by fully licensed professional guides with many years experience in the area and they will help you make the most of the safari.

Option One - Tingwa Valley Safari (maximum 6 guests)
Good food, comfort, not too much hard riding (suitable for novice riders) and the opportunity to learn about the unique flora and fauna of the mountains from your professional guide are highlights of this safari.

The Tingwa Valley Safari is more a concept than a fixed itinerary. It means you stay at Kopje Tops Lodge or Bat Caves Camp and do not camp out in the wilds of the bush as on an Explorer Safari. The riding also tends to be a bit easier than on the Explorer. All our safaris are extremely flexible and we try to make the daily itinerary fit around guests preferences. So instead of a fixed itinerary we like to list the Tingwa, Mavare, Rwazi, Dateema, Mashonjeri, Buro, Musengezi, Mananuku, Fundumwe Rivers, just to name a few, to explore. There is also the McGrath, Rusty and Schellenberger waterfalls, Dead Elephant Gorge, Incognito, Bat Caves, The Roof of the World, Makura spilling tables and ancient fortresses of the Monomatapa Empire and a thousand other as yet unexplored places.

Even a week's safari is too short to explore all of the above. You will return to Kopje Tops Lodge amazed by the diversity and magnificence of the Mavuradonha. You will have stepped back into the past, experiencing the thrill of exploring a virgin wilderness area far from the maddening crowd.

Option Two - Explorer Safari (maximum 6 guests) Experienced riders only
If you want to experience what it was like for the early explorers sleeping on a mountaintop or on the sandy floor of a cave, this safari is a must for you. You will feel the wind in your face, the proximity of the bush and the calls of the wild all around. On the Explorer safari we travel deeper in the heart of the Wilderness and so for one or two nights we sleep out rough carrying our own food, water (wine for dinner), washing in rivers, a spade for a loo and sleeping on the ground with a mat or grass bed and sleeping bag.

This safari starts the same as the Tingwa Valley but we carry on from Bat Caves and the riding becomes progressively harder, the elephant paths narrower and more precipitous as we climb higher into the mountains. We always end up somewhere spectacular to spend the evening: a cave, an ancient Monomatapa fortress, or perched above the world on a mountaintop to watch the moon set on one side and the sunrise on the other.

No set daily itinerary on this safari other than to say that the first and last nights will be spent back at Kopje Tops Lodge, two nights at Bat Caves and the remaining nights out rough deep into the Wilderness. Depending on guests we can either spend two consecutive nights out rough (or more) or head back to the comfort of Bat Caves for hot showers after one night rough. We can then proceed on in another direction the next day for another night out rough.

Covering many kilometres of challenging riding in 4/5 days this Explorer Safari is only for experienced, confident riders. The terrain is extremely rugged.

Fact File

Type of Horses: Ex-Polo ponies, Arabs, Quarter horse-cross and Thoroughbreds. All sure footed, experienced and very well schooled by our talented grooms. The horses are all conditioned to seeing game. Between 14 and 16 hh in size.

Weight Limit: Maximum weight 210 lbs if experienced riders, 180 lbs if novice.

Tack: Mostly English style leather and Wintecs, some stock/McClennon saddles.

Other Activities: We welcome non-riders at Kopje Tops. Both the Tingwa Valley and Explorer Safaris can be done on foot. We also specialise in fully guided birding safaris. With over 300 species in the area it's a birders paradise. We can arrange walks and rides out of the Wilderness into the adjacent communal lands to learn about rural African farming techniques and experience the local culture. The famous Tengenenge sculpture community is only a 40 minute drive away from Kopje Tops - home to many sculptors including several internationally famous artists. Not to mention exploring on foot the many rock cave paintings that surround Kopje Tops combined with refreshing swims in the nearby waterfalls, returning to Kopje Tops to experience the wonderful food produced by our experienced chefs - enough to keep any non-rider busy for days!

Conservation: The Mavuradonha Wilderness is part of Zimbabwe's successful Campfire project set up to ensure that the local community derive direct benefit from tourism in their area and therefore recognise the value of wildlife. We pay an annual lease fee to the rural district council and employ locally as the land we are on is State land that is set aside for the protection of wildlife and local heritage.

Includes: Airfare Johannesburg-Harare-Johannesburg on South African Airways, road transfer to/from the Mavuradonhas, accommodation including all meals throughout, all safari activities including riding, walking, birding, services of a fully-licensed professional guide and experienced groom, all local drinks (soft & alcohol), conservation fees for Mavuradonha Wilderness.

Excludes: Departure tax from Zimbabwe (USD 20 per person), park fees for Mana Pools (currently USD 10 per person for the 4 day canoe trip), visas (if required), health requirements, travel insurance, gratuities, all items of a personal nature and any service not specified.

Please Note:
There is a maximum luggage limit of 10kgs per person on the canoe safari and on the charter flights. Soft bags only.
Prices are subject to change without notice due to airfare increases or any other unforeseen circumstance.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - (Daily departures) Depart Johannesburg on South African Airways to Harare. On arrival you will be met and transferred by road to the Mavuradonha Mountains, a 3 hour drive. (There is the option to air charter from Harare to the airstrip situated 12 km from camp at an extra charge). Relax in the comfort of Kopje Tops Lodge or get to know your horse with an afternoon ride before drinks and dinner.

Day 2 - Early morning tea/coffee is served in your room before either an early morning walk or a relaxed lie-in before a full cooked breakfast to stand you in good stead for your day in the saddle. Our route takes us roughly in the direction that the Tingwa River flows but with tracking elephant and other game, visiting cave paintings, swimming in waterfalls and natural pools and having 600 sq kms of mountainous wilderness to explore means that we hardly ever take the same route twice. We lunch normally where we can swim and sunbathe a little, reaching Bat Caves in time to witness the evening flight of the Egyptian fruit bats whose numbers have been estimated at up to 20 000 and are the largest known colony south of the equator.

Day 3 - Breakfast before setting off for a day tracking game through the tributaries of the lower Tingwa, Dateema and Mashonjeri Rivers. There is nothing like catching up with a herd of elephant you've been tracking for hours. No guarantees of finding them but that is part of the fun and experience of learning about the bush. Return to Bat Caves for a second night.

Day 4 - Breakfast at about 07h30 before heading out for the return journey. You can decide on the type of terrain you want to ride and how hard or easy it should be. The professional guide will then work out the route with you. Some are mountainous with precipitous paths, some quick and relatively easy. Some are best for cave paintings, others meander along rivers lined with tall waterberries and through open vleis. There are at least ten different ways back through eight different valleys ensuring you never take the same path home. Arrive back into Kopje Tops at approx 16h30.

Day 5 - A full days ride out from Kopje Tops with a second night at the lodge. A very popular ride, this day takes you through the Shona villages to the west of the Mavuradonhas. Guided by members of our staff who live there you will gain a fascinating insight into the ways of the rural African peoples and get a glimpse of their culture and beliefs. As our area is not on the well tramped tourist route, one will find villages and people living unaffected by the scourge of uncontrolled tourism. There will also be the chance to further explore either on horseback or by foot.

Day 6 - Today will be more riding, this time through the Raphia Palm area. This is a declared National Park Botanical Reserve within our area and is to protect the magnificent palms Raphia Farinifera. Lunch will be at the Siya Lima house and this is also where this night will be spent. The house is a superb hand built creation of Italian, Moroccan, Spanish and Zimbabwean influenced style. The area here is the natural bush section of a previous farm and is adjacent to the Wilderness Area. There are several very large granite hills to explore and open tracks and vleis to do faster riding. Birding is once again very good here and some game such as impala, kudu, duiker, klipspringer, baboons and bushpig may be seen. Also rock paintings and ancient living places can be seen.

Day 7 - There is a chance of an early morning short walk or ride before breakfast. Then transfer by road from Siya Lima to Harare in time to catch the South African Airways flight to Johannesburg.
 

 
Includes: Airfare Johannesburg-Harare and Victoria Falls-Johannesburg on South African Airways, light aircraft transfers Harare-Kariba-Victoria Falls on Sefofane Air, road transfers, bed and breakfast accommodation at the Caribbea Bay Resort, all meals, teas and snacks aboard the houseboat, room only tented accommodation at the Waterfront (optional upgrade to rooms on request).

Excludes: Visas for Zimbabwe and Zambia (if required), Zimbabwe departure tax on domestic flights (USD 5 per person), travel insurance, health requirements, park fees (currently charged at USD 10 per person for a stay on the lake of 2-7 days), fuel for the houseboat, all items of a personal nature and any service not specified.

Please Note:
Beer, local wines and minerals on the houseboat can be ordered on a sale and return basis. Please bring your own wine and spirits. A 15% handling surcharge will be charged on drinks returned.
There is a limited supply of fuel included n the costs for the main vessel but not for the tender boats. Tender boat fuel can be purchased directly from the harbour before boarding.
There is a 12 kg per person luggage restriction on light aircraft transfers Harare-Kariba-Victoria Falls on Sefofane Air. Soft bags only.
Extensions to this trip to include other parts of Zimbabwe or Botswana, or alternative houseboats, are possible. Please contact us for a tailormade quotation.
Prices are subject to change due to airfare increases or any other unforeseen circumstance.

ITINERARY:

Day 1 - (Daily departures) Morning departure from Johannesburg to Harare on South African Airways. Onward light aircraft transfer with Sefofane Air from Harare to Kariba. On arrival at Kariba airport you will be met and transferred to your lakeshore hotel. Accommodation for 1 night at Caribbea Bay Resort on a bed and breakfast basis. This Mediterranean-style resort which comprises 41 individual casitas and 39 deluxe rooms, all with air-conditioning, is situated right on the shoreline of Lake Kariba. Caribbea Bay provides the opportunity to experience the thrill of tiger fishing and game viewing during the day and at night the intimate casino comes alive adding to the holiday spirit of the resort. The two swimming pools overlook the lake and for children there is a playground, a small sandy beach and waterslide. Tennis is also available.

Day 2-3 - This morning you will be transferred to your houseboat, Storm Vogel. Life aboard is relaxed and undemanding - sunbathing, afternoon siestas, evening parties; with fishing, exploring, game- and bird-spotting. Spend 2 nights on board with all meals included. Storm Vogel, a 48ft cruiser, has been designed and fitted to make her the perfect family boat. She has one of the most outstanding crew on the lake with both her captain and chef/deckhand being knowledgeable fishermen and excellent hosts for game viewing expeditions in her tender boats. Her railings have been meshed in order that her safety level be raised for smaller children, but we still emphasise that children must be watched at all times. She is undoubtedly one of the best boats in her class and a trip aboard this wonderful boat will not easily be forgotten. Facilities comprise: 2 twin cabins fitted with mosquito nets and fans, 2 bathrooms (shower, toilet and handbasin in each), mattresses for those who wish to sleep on the top deck, dining/kitchenette area, partly covered top deck, 2 tender boats for game viewing, fishing and sunset cruises and 2 crew (captain & chef/deckhand).

Day 4-6 - Depart the houseboat after breakfast and transfer to Kariba airport for your light aircraft flight on Sefofane Air to Victoria Falls. On arrival you will be met by a representative from the Zambezi Waterfront who will transfer you across the border to this Zambian riverside resort. Tented accommodation for 3 nights on a room only basis. Time at leisure to enjoy optional activities. The Zambezi Waterfront is Zambia's unique riverside adventure village. Here you will stay in well-appointed and furnished twin-bedded tents on wooden decks. There are communal bathroom facilities. Stunning sunsets can be enjoyed from the main entertainment complex, bar and restaurant area with views both up and down the river. 2 swimming pools.

Day 7 - Transfer from the village to Victoria Falls airport. Fly South African Airways from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg.