Close encounters of the wild kind are almost guaranteed at Old Mondoro, a classic, easy-going camp located by the Zambezi river, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Guests report seeing elephant drinking from their plunge pools, and buffalo, baboon and waterbuck walking through camp. In fact, elephant numbers can be so high especially in October, that the team in camp lay on ‘elephant taxis’ to get guests to and from their rooms.
That’s how open and informal things are around here. Small wonder, then, that this remote destination is regarded as one of the last true bush camps in Africa, a place where wildlife and humankind mingle.
There are just 5 places to stay here. Simple chalets each with a king bed or two singles with views through large windows that let you admire the Zambezi River or the lagoon filled with hyacinth that wends its way through camp. The ensuite has a WC and brass sink and leads out to an open air shower and stone bath tub which doubles as your private plunge pool. It’s private in the sense that other guests staying in camp can’t see it. But that won’t necessarily stop an elephant from wandering in and grabbing a drink if it’s thirsty.
Polished stone floors give the communal central area of Old Mondoro a classic feel. You’ll take your meals with other guests at a shared table in an open-sided dining area overlooking a river where hippo often bathe and elephants cross. Also in this central zone, a lounge, small library and a bar. Outside, a camp fire is lit every evening so guests can swap stories and make plans for tomorrow.
Walking, fishing and safari-ing. Walking safaris take place in the mornings, and take in hippo, elephant, and any other wildlife and bird species that happen to be in the area at the time. The camp lays on traditional safari trips aboard a 4WD vehicle with a ranger/tracker at the helm. These leave twice daily in the mornings and late afternoons, and former guests report seeing leopard (particularly prolific in this area), lion, zebra, hyena and wild dog during the daytime, and aardvark at night.
The rivers and lagoons in the area are put to good use too, with canoe trips and boat cruises at sunset on the menu, all under the guidance of experts who know how to keep you safe and where to look for animal sightings with the wow factor. You can also fish the waters, though purely on a catch and release basis, and only at certain times of year. The chance to land a tiger fish or two ought to prove too good to resist for experienced anglers. All water-based activities are provided subject to levels of the wet stuff being high enough.
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