Perched on a hill overlooking the magnificent Lake Kariba’s southern shores, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is the best mixture of land-and-water-based actions.
Beginning my journey at Cape City Worldwide Airport, the direct flight to Harare Worldwide Airport takes solely 3 hours and 10 minutes on Airlink’s beautiful Embraer 190. Ready on the tarmac, the beautiful new sunbird livery comes into view, setting Airlink aside in each appears to be like and distinctive service from different airways. With beneficiant legroom, no center seat, and a selection of aisle or window seat, passengers are in for a deal with with scrumptious onboard snacks and a selection of drinks.
Forming a part of the extraordinary African Bush Camps (ABC) portfolio, founder Beks Ndlovu has a ardour for preserving distant lands, and with the addition of Bumi Hills Safari Lodge in 2018, company can embark on sport drives that embrace the wildlife-rich Kariba shoreline with one in every of ABC’s skilled guides. Actions on Lake Kariba embrace fishing, sundown cruises, and guided stargazing. Viewing the solar rising from the sting of Lake Kariba is one thing that ought to positively be skilled throughout a keep at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge.
Flying over the expanse of Lake Kariba to land on the lodge’s airstrip, the magnitude of the most important man-made lake on the planet by quantity is a sight to behold. As pilot Godfrey from Halsted Aviation Company steers the Safari Logistics Cessna 206 over the shimmering water, he does so with nice experience, touchdown safely at Bumi Hills airstrip.
Discipline information Little Max collects me on the airstrip, and on the lodge, I’m welcomed by host Sheckie within the snug lounge space. The eating space has unbelievable views over the water, and waiter Tabs is at hand to serve my beverage of selection and an gratifying lunch, consisting of rooster kebab and salad.
Constructed within the early Nineteen Seventies, the lodge wanted a makeover, and given this challenge was multi-disciplinary design company Fox Browne Artistic, led by Debra Fox and Chris Browne. “The unique Bumi Hills was constructed about 5 many years again as a cabana-style lodge,” Chris tells me. “5 years in the past, we have been tasked to combine the 2 totally different architectural types with daring inside design. We needed to repurpose quite a lot of present furnishings! The hero of the primary visitor areas is the brand new bar, which has essentially the most spectacular views.”
Eradicating all of the outdated fussy Nineteen Seventies finishes, the Fox Browne Artistic staff stripped them again to the easy plaster and timber finishes which are seen within the lodge at this time. By no means one to draw back from a problem, they succeeded in maximizing the views and light-weight. Utilizing a distinct shade apart from the ‘secure’ coloration picks, the staff selected a impartial palette of stone and charcoal that wouldn’t date. “Typically the waters of Lake Kariba have a gray shimmer, relying on the season,” Debra discloses.
Maximizing the views, they imagine in ‘much less is extra’. Including the brand new bar tent and increasing the firepit deck to get company as near the vistas as potential actually labored effectively. It additionally occurs to be their favourite area at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge. “I really like the tented bar area,” Chris admits. “It’s open, cool, breezy and it looks like you’re floating above the lake.”
Staying in Room 8, my lodging is lush, with a stunning freestanding tub and beautiful views from my mattress and personal balcony. On the eating deck, Chef Chaita sees to everybody’s culinary delights. The pool appears to have a seamless reference to the lake, with elephants being common sightings on the water’s edge.
What would a go to to a safari lodge be with out a few sport drives? Little Max rounds us up for the afternoon sport drive, seeing what he is ready to discover out within the reserve. As he turns the nook, we see him quick asleep on the facet of the highway – the King of the Jungle, essentially the most stunning male lion. Patiently ready for him to wake from his slumber, he does so finally. “We name him Mambo, which implies The King or The Chief in our native Shona language,” Little Max tells us. Mambo stretches, lifts up his head, and begins roaring, calling to the remainder of his satisfaction. Because the solar begins setting, he offers a large yawn, proclaiming that it’s time to get energetic, as that’s what lions do between nightfall and daybreak.
For extra info, or to e-book, go to www.africanbushcamps.com
*Views expressed are the writer’s personal.
How one can Get There
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How To Get There: Airlink operates direct flights from Johannesburg and Cape City to Harare, Zimbabwe. https://www.flyairlink.com/locations/flights-to-harare
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