Following on from our last blog, when we described the start of our 3 week trip around Zimbabwe, we began by visiting the Italian church near Masvingo, then Birchenough Bridge followed by spending a few days at Humani Ranch – Turgwe River Lodge in the Save Conservancy. From Humani we travelled down through the Conservancy to exit at the southern gate, which leads to the A10 road from Chiredzi to Chisimbanje. From here it was a hop, skip and a jump to Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge. In total it took us about 3.5 hours from Humani to Chilo.
Chilo Gorge Lodge is located on the northern boundary of Gonarezhou National Park and Chilo’s motto of “Inhabit the Edge of Serenity,” most certainly describes this stunning lodge. We hadn’t been to Chilo ourselves and therefore had not seen the different types of accommodation on offer, being the luxury lodge, the tented camp located inside the park, as well as the self-catering lodge adjacent to the luxury lodge itself. So there really is something for everyone’s budget.
For our trip, as it was a special occasion, we were booked in to Chilo Luxury Lodge itself for 2 nights, and boy we were not disappointed. We were greeted upon arrival by the newly hired Lorraine from reception. All COVID protocols were in place, and after the formalities of these, we were shown to our gorgeous room overlooking the Save River. We were on the sunset facing side of the lodge and were therefore witness to the beautiful colours across the river in the evening. Every day we watched as the same two elephants (we are guessing) crossing back and forth across the river below our room. It seemed like they were nervous of something in the water and we hazarded a guess that maybe they have had an incident or two with the many crocodiles that call the river their home! Entertaining sport to watch them playing in the river when they weren’t as nervous.
After a very good night’s sleep we had planned on being up early for a game drive, luckily, as there was no chance of a lie in when the resident flock of hadeda ibis (Bostrychia hagedash), flew up river from their roosting site, calling all the way! We were very proud to have beaten them awake! Our leaner guide Tor, and his assistant for the day, Raj (who is in charge of Food and Beverages, but was learning the ropes of out of camp catering for the day) ensured we had a most memorable gave drive. Unfortunately the weather had taken a turn for the worse and was a bit windy, with a slight drizzle on and off, which kept alot of the animals hidden for the day. But Tor did a good job pointing out and teaching us about a wide variety of birds we were unfamiliar with, which we were then able to add to our Birding Checklist.
Lunch back at the lodge was a noteworthy spread and we had a most enjoyable lunch on the patio, looking out over the river. After a short siesta Lorraine took us on a familiarization tour of the whole lodge, including the self-catering lodge, which we found very interesting. We are already planning a follow up trip with friends to ensure we get to stay the Nhambo self-catering lodge next door.
Following the tour we loaded up for a sundowner trip to the Chivirira Falls, which was a short 10 minute drive away. Due to the time of year the falls were not flowing as much as normal, but it was still something to see, and we can only imagine how impressive it must be when the river comes down in flood! Tor and Lorraine were great company for our final evening, and Raj had gone out of his way to organise a special treat for our last dinner, complete with a huge chocolate birthday cake. Chilo Gorge Lodge is very unique and will hold extra special memories for us, we do plan on a return visit in the not too distant future.
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