Painting with the Elephants

by Libby White

Wild Horizons and Art of Africa have teamed up to create a unique elephant experience that is brought to life with the swift strokes of your fingertips beneath the bright African sun. As someone who is remarkably inartistic, even among inartistic people, I was rather hesitant to try out 'Painting with the Elephants' (Wild Horizons Elephant Art), but the lure of spending a few hours with these majestic animals was enough to convince me. Accompanied by my equally inartistic son Josh, we eagerly joined the group of wannabe artists. We were met by Manda, manager at the Wallow, who chatted to us about the elephants and their history. After feeding and touching our ‘models’ we all made our way down to the adjacent waterhole surrounded by an enticing ring of sticky mud.

Under the shade of an enormous Mopane tree, 6 easels - each prepared with a fresh sheet of paper waited for us, along with chairs with brightly coloured aprons and two young and friendly artists eagerly inviting us to sit. Palettes with bright splotches of paint were handed out to us and under the expert tuition of KK and Tich, we were off! In a few moments, our white sheets of paper were transformed by a glorious blue sky, sunshine yellow grass and of course the elephants in front of us, using just our fingers.

It felt surreal to be sitting not twenty metres from these magnificent creatures as they frolicked and rolled in the chocolate mud and sprayed each other with water. Beautiful, individualistic scenes emerged from the other more talented artists in our group. Understanding our considerable limitations in the artistic arena KK and Tich were quick to come to our aid, encouraging us and giving us tips on how to transform our dubious brown splotches into realistic looking elephants.

With the pressure taken off us, Josh and I were able to relax and appreciate the experience for all that it is. We laughed constantly – not only at each other’s efforts to capture the warthogs that came down to join the elephants - but with the sheer pleasure of being out in the bush together sharing such a unique experience. Eventually, after several repeated pleas to finish up, we reluctantly left the elephants playing in the mud and went up for lunch.

A delicious two-course meal, accompanied by a crisp glass of white wine, rounded off our experience perfectly. Later, proudly clutching our ‘masterpieces’, we were driven back into town by Wild Horizons. 

An Amazing Afternoon on the Zambezi Royal

The Zambezi Royal, Cruise Vessel. Image Sarah Kerr.

We arrive at The Wild Horizons jetty to the mesmerising sound of African voices harmonising over water. A group of men, dressed in traditional skins are singing and dancing. The sound is beautiful as we make our way up the path and onto the jetty and boat. We are greeted by name and helped aboard where we are offered a glass of bubbly. The boat is a study in understated luxury. A open plan single-story it is decorated in tasteful neutrals, and has plush seating at intimate tables of four. My dining partner and I take a seat and begin to take in our surrounds. The Zambezi is beautiful. It stretches glass like in the evening light, with palm islands adorning it and the sounds of the singer’s voices carrying over the water.

We take off, soon after being seated, and are given a short introduction and safety briefing by our captain, Jeremiah. It is immediately apparent we are in knowledgeable hands, as he orients us to our surrounds and points out many facts about the Zambezi. He is a calmly capable man, quietly answering all the guests’ queries with a smile.

Guests Photograph a Crocodile on the Banks of the Zambezi. Image Sarah Kerr.

The first of many well-portioned hors-d’oeuvres arrives as we bask in our surrounds and we are offered a drink from the cocktail menu. The food and beverages flow faultlessly throughout the cruise- the service is such that you never feel crowded yet also never find yourself wanting. Plate after plate of delicacies arrive- from crocodile croquettes to cheese selections, and you are free to order from the generous bar selection and cocktail menu.

Friendly Service aboard the Zambezi Royal. Image Sarah Kerr.

As we cruise upstream Jeremiah points out the many birds to be seen along the river and turns out be the outstanding feature of the cruise. As we glide along we see Open billed stork’s dextrously removing snails from their shell, White backed vultures swirling overhead, Cormorants and Darters preening, Egyptian Geese honking obnoxiously, the predatory swoop of the African Harrier-Hawk, the whistling of White-Faced Ducks and so much more. The boat is effortlessly steered for the best sightings and all of this adds to the background ambience and the feel of the river.

We see larger creatures too. Hippopotami surface and crocodiles bask like oversized lizards on small islands, making for great photo opportunities. Then there is the special time we spend watching a family of elephants quietly come down to quench their thirst. They are unperturbed and we feel lucky to witness their interactions. Yet it is still the birds that most stand out; their abundance and variety is truly exceptional. As we make our way homeward, content and with sated bellies, Jeremiah mentions in his characteristically understand manner that there is an African fin foot up ahead and to our right.

Watching a herd of Elephants from the Zambezi Royal. Image Sarah Kerr.

You can hear the intake of breath by the two South African birders who accompany us. For them this bird is a ‘lifer’. A goal they have been seeking for years and never attained. Because these birds are so highly secretive they are rarely seen by even experienced ornithologists and little is known about their habits or even their conservation status. We all peer unconvinced at the spot Jeremiah has pointed out to us. Where a tree’s branches reach the water in a confused tangle approximately 200 metres ahead. As he steers us closer we all squint and murmur ‘to the right’, ‘no, that’s not it’, ‘is that a log?’, ‘there’s nothing there!’... Until finally a gap in the foliage provides the glimpse we have been seeking. A small, pretty bird peers back at us before erupting from the tree and taking off downstream. This provides us with a beautiful view of the characteristic orange feet and bill and leaves us all with a sense of awe and gratitude.

Our fellow passengers are beside themselves with joy and we make our way back with smiles on our faces, knowing we have seen something that few people ever get to.

What we saw: Reed Cormorant, African Darter, Green-Backed Heron, Hamerkop, African Open- Billed Storks, Hadeda Ibises, White Faced ‘Whistling’ Ducks, Egyptian Geese, Spur Winged Geese, White backed Vultures, African Harrier Hawk (Gymnogene), African Fin Foot, African Jacana, African Wattled Lapwing, Pied Kingfisher, Giant Kingfisher, Brown-Hooded Kingfisher, White fronted Bee-Eaters and African Pied Wagtail.

African Darter (Anhinga rufa). Image Jane Bettenay

Meet the Wild Horizons Lodge Management Team

The Elephant Camp

Bradley and Annie White

Brad & Annie

The Elephant Camp, General Managers  Brad and Annie are the new general managers of The Elephant Camp situated just outside of Victoria Falls. Together they have spent 7 years sculpting a successful career in the Hospitality and Tourism industry. Brad has an extensive background in hospitality management and Annie has a background in hospitality and beauty therapy. After completing various courses in South Africa, Brad and Annie worked their way upwards from working at South African game lodges and hotels, to running high end lodges in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. They joined Wild Horizons 3 years ago and managed Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge.  Brad grew up in Victoria Falls, so The Elephant Camp really is like home to him.
  

Hilda Ncube 

Hilda

The Elephant Camp, Assistant Manager
Hilda joined Wild Horizons 4 years ago as the Assistant Manager at 'The Elephant Camp'.  She has dedicated the past 10 years to the hospitality industry in Zimbabwe, and has worked in and around the Victoria Falls area for most of her time. She previously managed Matetsi Water Lodge. Her experience in managing 5 star lodges radiates through and shows off her capabilities, which seem unending. With a safari background and a hotel management qualification, she brings a strong understanding of customer care and attention to detail to the team.
 

The Elephant Camp West

 

Stacey Howland  

Stacey

The Elephant Camp West, Manager
Stacey joins Wild Horizons as Manager of The Elephant Camp West and we are eager to see her enthusiasm shine through in all that she does. She qualified in the hotel management industry in South Africa and has an advanced knowledge of catering and service brought about through her training at Silwood School of Cookery in Cape Town.  Stacey comes to us after spending the past 3 years managing Spurwing Island on Lake Kariba in the Matusadona National Park.
  

Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge 

 

Jon and Sarah Lucas  

Jon & Sarah

Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge, General Managers
Jon and Sarah are very much at home in the bush, and are passionate about sharing the splendours of Zimbabwe with visitors from far and wide.  They have both been in the tourism and hospitality industry since leaving school.  Jon went to the International Hotel School in Cape Town and Sarah studied Tourism Management in Pretoria. Sarah’s 10 years of experience have all been in Zimbabwe while Jon’s experience has taken him from top hotels in Cape Town, to a Villa in Italy, onto guiding overland trucks through Southern Africa and finally the opening and running of Chundu Island before they joined Wild Horizons to manage Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge.
  

Relief Management

 

Himal Nathoo 

Himal

Himal first joined the Wild Horizons team as a freelance fishing guide at Imbabala Safari Lodge , after which he then joined as part of the management team. He has grown grew up in Victoria Falls and as such a career in tourism was imminent. Himal studied Hotel Management and Hospitality, and enjoys working with people. He now provides relief management across all three Wild Horizons properties – The Elephant Camp, The Elephant Camp West, and Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge.

A Moonlit dinner at The Lookout Cafe 

Moon rise at The Lookout Cafe (Image by Gary Archer)

After visiting The Lookout Cafe to experience a Full Moon dinner I was left in awe of the meal as well as the scenery. The cafe, usually closed in the evenings, offers this full moon dining experience due to it’s prime position on the edge of the Zambezi Gorge allowing for diners to view the moonrise over a truly special scene.

The lookout clings to the edge of the Zambezi Gorge just downstream of the Victoria Falls. Below lies the Zambezi, a force you are aware of before you glimpse it as its low rumble emanates upward from the river below. The dining area faces the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge but it is the natural elements of the scene that strike me. The Lookout Cafe is cantilevered over the gorge so that you stand, insignificant in size when compared to the mighty chasm of the canyon dropping steeply away. A 120 metres below, the serpentine Zambezi - churns with incredible force and mellows into great, glasslike swathes that bely it’s power. The sun is setting and the moon has risen; a giant, yellow orb hung low over the mesmerising scene. 

I soak in the scene for a few minutes before becoming aware of the cafe behind me. The  warm glow of the lighting, the chatter of diners and the smell of  food cooking (don’t say steak, veggies will get cross!)reminds me of my hunger. A friendly waiter helps us to a table for two, warm and prompt in his service. I order the fish, local bream, caught in the Zambezi. It arrives quickly and doesn’t disappoint- flaky and succulent encased in crisp, beer batter and my partners’ steak is equally good, perfectly cooked to order and tender to the bite. We end the meal with fruit skewers and a cheese platter  Before departing, I return to the edge to soak in the scene one more time.

The light has changed; the myriad of ochres and rusts are gone and the bath of cool moonlight has turned the river into a band of silver. In the background the Victoria Falls Bridge  illuminated, beyond that the spray from the Falls reaches up to a sky now twinkling with stars. The view brings a sense of tranquility and it is this calm feeling I depart with. I go to sleep thinking of the onward rumble of the Zambezi, ever stretching forward, and how it was here before me and still will be long after.

Tips for a moonrise visit:

•       Look up the time of the moonrise and if not too late I suggest coming before sunset so you can experience the changing colours of the canyon walls and see the moon rising over the scene. Your best views will be whilst the moon is low to the Horizon.

•       Plan to dress warmly in the winter months as it is open air dining.

Full Moon Dinner Dates for 2015:

3rd July & 31st July

29th August

28th September 

27th October

26th November

25th December

Special Opening Hours: From 10:00 to 22:00 (last meal orders at 20:30)

Wi-Fi: Free

Cuisine: A’la Carte menu 

Free Shuttle transfers: Please call 013-42013 to arrange

Vic Falls Carnival!

  

Wild Horizons is pleased to report that the Jameson Vic Falls Carnival, with Wild Horizons as the official activity partner, brought in 2015 with a bang, attracting thousands of tourists to the town for the 3 day festival. The festivities commenced on December 29^th 2014, with the departure of the long-sold-out party-train journey to a secret bush location, where Capetonian ‘Toby2Shoes’, rocked the stage for the 500+ lucky ticket holders. 

The second day of the festival was themed around the world-famous ‘Holi One Colour Festival’. Festival-goers sport bags of multi-coloured powder paint to throw up into the air above the crowds at regular timed countdowns, creating a stunning eruption of multi-coloured haze above the jubilant crowd, which is a sight to behold! Local and International DJ’s, including Harare’s Rob Macson, kept the crowds bouncing throughout the afternoon and into the early evening, which led on to a host of various official after-parties at renowned locations in Victoria Falls town.

The final day of the festival was held on New Year’s Eve. The 5000+ crowd was undeterred by showers of warm rain as it glittered above the crowd in the foreground of an impressive lighting setup, which created a sublime electric atmosphere on a scale never before seen in Victoria Falls! 

 

 

Long-time Zimbabwean folk legend, Oliver 'Tuku' Mtukudzi, attracted thousands of followers to the Carnival to witness his truly original Zimbabwean sound. Oliver, at 62 years of age, had the entire crowd in the palm of his hand as fans sang along to every word of his set of well-known local hits. The festival headliners ‘Goldfish’, the vibrant band-come-DJ duo from Cape Town, brought in the New Year with their unique and classic sound of vintage fusion with modern electro beats. All had a fantastically unforgettable time, and we look forward to watching this Festival continue to grow from strength to strength in the years to come!

Wild Horizons - giving back to the community.

The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, a trust of which Wild Horizons is one of the founders and main sponsors, endeavours to educate the local community about wildlife conservation. One of the ways VFWT do this, is by having at least two, week-long, courses annually for children who are interested in wildlife and natural resource conservation. During the school holidays VFWT holds each course, which takes up to 20 participants. One course is for primary school children and the other is aimed for high school/senior school students. The participants are selected based on their interest and performance during the weekly interaction and awareness activity VFWT holds every Friday. 

The courses are provided through generous donor funding and are full scholarship to every participant, including room and board. Throughout the courses, experts in their respective fields are brought in to discuss and present some of their findings and the impact on conservation given their field of experience.

I was privileged to attend a VFWT awareness activity that takes place on a Friday, with a presentation about general wildlife conservation, and interaction with the Wild Horizons elephant and Sylvester cheetah ambassador. Here, kids from a local school, could safely interact with the animals and learn more about them and nature conservation. It was truly heart-warming to see the kids interact with the animals.

The children were also enthusiastically participating in presentations about the animals and wildlife conservation in the Vic Falls area. The kids also shared and discussed how they interact with wild animals on a daily basis, and how they deal with human-wildlife conflict, after which, they are taught how to safely deal with human-wildlife conflict (avoid the animal, and don’t antagonise it). They also learn more about the specific animals that they interacted with, like the cheetah, and for instance how to tell the difference between a cheetah and a leopard.

This is definitely a great initiative from the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, to include local school children in the surrounding wildlife conservation efforts and to introduce them to great career opportunities within wildlife and nature conservation. What an unforgettable morning! Fun was had by all!

Filming the Wild Horizons Gorge Swing Feature

Last week we asked some brave, (and some not-so-brave) souls to volunteer their services in the name of marketing to throw themselves off our infamous Gorge Swing platform, so that we could film their reactions and compile an acitivty feature video showcasing the swing, how it works, and the screams!

It was rather hilarious watching the fear on some of the first-time jumpers’ faces as they mounted the platform for the first time and start processing the sheer enormity of the
simple, yet terrifying task ahead of them – to jump!

The Gorge Swing is a giant, pendulum-type swing that launches the rider into a 90m wide swing across the chasm of the gorge – AFTER a 70m freefall! It is 110% pure adrenalin, and only for those with nerves of steel! Two of the jumpers could not keep sure footing once on the platform and ended up crawling right back off in disbelief and horror. After some coaxing and encouragement from the spectators though, they were able to pluck up the courage to try again and succeed.

After the swing, the feeling of conquering such an un-natural act simply has to be experienced to be believed. Check out the video below for the results of the shoot. You can book a Wild Horizons Gorge Swing by contacting us through our website here.