Annie, Thanks so much for booking our trip to Gweru, Zimbabwe. My daughter and I had an unforgettable 3 weeks staying at Antelope Park (an African Impact project) in Gweru and volunteering working with orphans and street youth during the week and lion rehabilitation on weekends.
We were able to help the local youth with reading, math, buying their groceries, cooking meals, playing soccer and letting them know how much we care about them. What wonderful young people who are smart, great kids who deserve warmth, love and hope for a better future. We raised some money and bought them blankets, pots and spoons and we have never witnessed such gratitude in our life! We were also able to interact with lions and cubs at Antelope Park, going on lion walks nearly every day! The food at Antelope Park was 5 star, absolutely delicious. The other volunteers we met were amazing, interesting people from around the world.
We took a 5 day trip to Victoria Falls, which were breathtaking. On the way we experienced the wonders of Hwange National Park where we saw elephants and other wildlife. A day trip to Botswana and Chobe National Park was incredible, just like National Geographic. We went on a Zambezi River cruise and saw herds of elephants up close and some took a bath beside us! I looked a large elephant in the eyes and told him that I love him and will save him. I will try to raise awareness of the terrible poaching that threatens them. It was incredibly moving! After seeing these magnificent creatures in the wild you feel compelled to help ensure their survival. We saw hippos, crocodiles, impalas, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, cape buffalos, wildebeests and much more. It was one of the best days of our lives!
That afternoon we went on a safari on land that was amazing. I was able to spend a day in Matapos National Park in Zimbabwe tracking wild rhinos on foot and we were thrilled to encounter a mother white rhino and her baby and take some great photos. Rhinos are endangered by poaching as well and we must put more effort into stopping this. All in all this trip was superb, the African people were so friendly and welcoming and we can hardly wait to go again. I think I will take my husband next time!
