Gathering of Beasts

Animals often wander from one place to the other in search of “flora and fauna” depending on whether the animal is a carnivore, herbivore or simply an omnivore. It is a very rare to see animals gathered in one place without the sole intention of feasting on each other and Zimbabwe has a few places where beasts can be viewed together.

The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is one such place which is built in a caved design to give guests a perfect view of the waterhole. The waterhole is centrally located within the lodge and animals of different shapes and sizes, right from the tall giraffes, the big elephants and even the small wild dogs all gather there in the morning and evening. They seem to put their “differences aside” when it comes to matters of refreshment and thirst.

With the movement of the animals, it can be enticing for a tourist to view different animals coming together in the evening as the sun is setting. Since other tourists might want to see the animals at an up close angle, the “Siduli Height” which is an anthill situated a few kilometres away from the waterhole was reconstructed to accommodate people. Because of this, tourists can hide in the anthill and be able to view and admire the beautiful animals such as the zebra, antelopes and impalas, just to mention a few.

Another place where tourists can view different animals coming together is in Kazingula which is situated 70km away from Victoria Falls near the border of Botswana. Kazingula is just next to the Caprivi Strip. Beasts such as rhinos and buffalos come in their herds to “mingle” and “interact” with other beasts. Cheetahs and leopards from the cat family also lie along the banks of the Mighty Zambezi as kudus and wildebeests come out of their hiding places to follow the trend.

Also on the menu at Kazingula are hippos which can be seen surfacing ashore as they lazily open their mouths while emerging from the river banks. Feeling the challenge as it were, one can also witness the crocodiles exposing their big vicious teeth with their mouths wide open while warming themselves in the sun.

Because there is no park at Kazingula, people do not have to pay a fee to view the animals. It sure is a wonderful experience to see all genres of animals that is carnivores, omnivores and herbivores all gathered together in one space.