As any successful businessman/woman will tell you, in order to be good at your job, you need to really know the product that you are selling, whether this is potatoes or package holidays. One of the things I pride myself on with my company, is that I make sure I investigate all the products that I am selling MYSELF and I don’t just take someone else’s word for it. I check out the houseboats, participate in the activities and stay in the lodges – not a bad job if you ask me!
So, Woody and I set off a few weeks ago across the lake, to stay at a lodge called Musango Safari Camp, it was a big first for us as we were taking a borrowed boat all the way to the Bumi Bay area. Neither of us had ever done this before but it’s a lake … how lost could we really get, we thought? Haa! Famous last words. After being on the water for about two and a half hours we knew we had to be close, but alas, we could not spot the camp. Luckily for us we ended up in the Bumi Hills Harbour, and their staff very quickly pointed out our destination, which wasn’t actually that far off. Although a little late, we arrived safely at Musango Safari Camp and were in time for Woody to head off with the owner, Steve, on a Sundowner Cruise with some newly arrived biker guests who had ridden all the way up from South Africa on the back roads!
I enjoyed my sundowner at the camp with snacks, while Steve’s wife Wendy and I got to know each other. She recounted some of the stories of their very interesting lives so far, including the one when Steve was attacked by a hippo – and ended up in it’s mouth! I am not going to be a spoilsport, if you want to hear the entire story, you are going to have to go to Musango yourself and hear it directly from Steve and Wendy.
After a shower and change, it was time for a very festive evening around the dinner table with a delicious meal served under the stars overlooking the lake. The bikers had come up with Khwela Adventures, and they kept us entertained for hours with all their travel stories, what a great bunch of guys.
The next morning coffee was delivered bright and early to our room. What a beautiful way to greet the new day, – coffee on a cold morning watching the sun rise over Lake Kariba. We had been in a bit of a rush the previous evening with our late arrival, so had not had time to really appreciate the beautiful setting of the rooms. They are situated right on a beach on the shores of the lake, and the 2 honeymoon suites have their very own private plunge pools! To get to the rooms, you walk on paths through the bush, right past a bird hide, with bushbuck grazing, there is a resident semi-tame female bushbuck who you are able to feed by hand under the watchful eye of Steve.
After a hearty breakfast, it was time for the bikers to head off on the next stage of their adventure, while Steve took us on the pontoon to show us parts of the lake around the camp. This is the area where they like to take their guests on the fishing or game viewing excursions. What a beautiful and not often viewed part of the lake, the bird and animal life is amazing. We enjoyed a good few hours just soaking up the solitude and quietness, while Steve expertly pointed out various bird species.
All too soon, it was time to jump back on the boat and head for home, before it got too late. The return trip was a lot less eventful than the outbound one – thank goodness. We arrived home feeling nicely relaxed and very spoilt with our new life in the tourism industry and can highly recommend Musango Safari Camp.