This truly unique trip gives you the opportunity, led by Clive Stockil and Paul Hubbard, to visit Gonarezhou National Park, Machangana Culture and Arts Festival, Great Zimbabwe’s ruins and Matobo National Park. The Machangana (Shangaan) people of the South Eastern lowveld of Zimbabwe are the proud owners of a unique and vibrant social culture and each year they celebrate their culture at their Machangana Culture and Arts festival.
The Shangaan people are proud of their hunter/gatherer culture which recognises the importance of respecting the environment. They have long depended on sustainably utilizing the natural resources which are to be found in this diverse and remote part of Zimbabwe. In support of this event you will have the opportunity to interact in a very real experience with the Shangaan people at the festival.
After the festival you continue onto the Great Zimbabwe Ruins and the Matobo National Park which is another fascinating and truly rewarding area of Zimbabwe to visit.
Specialist Guide - Clive Stockil
Born and bred in the area and qualified as a Zimbabwean Professional Guide in 1973, Clive’s passion for the African bush began in childhood, when he often sought out adventures in the wilderness with his Shangaan friends.
He is universally renowned as an authority on the lowveld communities and their wildlife, and continues to build on his vast knowledge. Clive believes community led conservation is vital for the survival of African wildlife and has been at the forefront of this movement for four decades. His work with the Shangaan people in and around Mahenye village culminated in the first CAMPFIRE programme (Communal Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources), and its principles have since been replicated across Africa and the rest of the world. Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge was built as part of this programme in order to help the community benefit from wildlife tourism.
Clive is a board member of the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority as well as the recipient of numerous national and international awards including The Order of Merit for Conservation by the French Government in 2011 and the inaugural Prince William Award for Conservation in Africa in 2013.
Specialist Guide - Paul Hubbard
Born in Bulawayo, Paul has lived all over Zimbabwe both in town and in the wild - which he much prefers. He holds degrees in archaeology from the University of Zimbabwe and University College London.
Paul currently works around the country as a professional tour guide specialising in the culture and history of Zimbabwe, and spending most of his time in the majestic and marvellous Matobo Hills World heritage Site where he works exclusively from Camp Amalinda. He has been recently rated by Conde Nast Traveller (USA) as one of the top 25 guides in Africa and Vanity Fair (UK) magazine as one of the top 10 safari guides in Africa.
Working as an Associate Researcher at the Natural History Museum in Bulawayo, Paul continues with his archaeological and historical research as much as possible. He has published several papers, reviews and a few books on these subjects.
In his limited spare time, Paul enjoys hunting down obscure archaeological and historical sites in southern Africa and collecting books and memorabilia relating to the history of Zimbabwe.
day 0 |
The Peech Hotel | Johannesburg |
1 night |
B&B |
day 1 |
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge | Gonarezhou National Park |
4 nights |
FB+ |
day 5 |
Lodge at the Ancient City | Masvingo |
1 night |
D,B&B |
day 6 |
Amalinda Lodge | Matobo National Park |
2 nights |
FB+ |
B&B: Bed and Breakfast |
FB+: Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities |
D,B&B: Dinner, Bed and Breakfast |
|
9 Days / 8 Nights
Reference Number: African Sojourns - Zimbabwe - A feast of cultural festivals, safari and history - the Mahenye Festival