Back in May, I had the absolute pleasure (and nonstop laughter) of hosting a post-Indaba FAM trip through Zimbabwe and Botswana. I was joined by five fabulous ladies who brought the energy, the banter, and the best kind of curiosity: Eliane Barzilay, Jacky Van Laar, Cayleigh Brown, Shalene Cross, and Marlis Frohlich. In my opinion, we were a dream team! We covered a lot of ground, from riverside elegance to wild bush encounters, and somehow managed to laugh the entire way through.
The Palm River Hotel – Victoria Falls (1 night)
We kicked off our trip at the beautiful Palm River Hotel, set on open lawns that roll down to the Zambezi River. It’s such a peaceful spot and the perfect way to ease into the adventure.
That first evening, we went out on a sundowner cruise aboard the new Ra-Ikane boat. There’s something about being on the water at sunset that brings people together, and this group? We just clicked from the start. Laughs, drinks, and instant connections. I knew then it was going to be a great trip.
After the cruise, we headed to The Boma for dinner, where we enjoyed a lively evening of drumming, dancing, and delicious food. A fun, festive way to end our first night together.
Camp Kuzuma – Chobe (2 nights)
Before leaving Vic Falls, most of the group did the Tour of the Falls, which was in full flow at the time and absolutely roaring. Since Eli and I had already done it before, we decided to do the bridge slide instead, which is ziplining 250 metres from Zambia back to Zimbabwe!
Later that day, we crossed into Botswana for a Chobe lunch cruise, which was both scenic and delicious. Then we headed to Camp Kuzuma.
The setting is wild and wonderful, but the highlight for me has to be the watering hole. On our second evening, just after dinner, a herd of elephants gathered under the stars just metres away from us. We sat silently, just taking it all in. It was one of those moments where time stands still. You’ll know what I mean when you visit.
Nantwich – Hwange National Park (2 nights)
Where do I even begin?
Nantwich was simply unforgettable. The energy there is completely different than anywhere I have ever been before—the people, the setting, the way it all just comes together. As soon as we arrived, the banter began with Leeroy at the centre of it all (if you know, you know). Our guide was JC, and his knowledge and passion for the bush are next-level.
Shalene, Eliane, and I were lucky enough to be treated to massages by the lovely Daphne.
On our first evening, we had sunset drinks at Sunset Ridge, which offered us breathtaking views and golden skies. The next night was Leeroy’s birthday, and we celebrated with a boma dinner, music, and dancing. In fact, there was dancing when we arrived, dancing for the birthday, and dancing when we left — and when we did leave, it felt like saying goodbye to family. I still get goosebumps thinking about it.
Camp Mana – Mana Pools (2 nights)
At Camp Mana, we stepped into a different rhythm—more rustic, more remote, and quite soulful. The camp is a classic bush camp with bucket showers and tents that make you feel close to nature.
More than anything, this is where the magic of guiding really stood out. Steve Bolnick, our guide, is absolutely brilliant. His knowledge of the flora and fauna is encyclopedic, but he shares it in such an engaging and passionate way. I cannot emphasise enough how much Steve’s guiding made the experience more than worthwhile. I’d come back just to walk with him again.
Mhara River Camp – Mana Pools (2 nights)
We wrapped up the trip on an absolute high at Mhara River Camp — and I don’t say that lightly. The game viewing here was off-the-charts…some of the best sightings of the entire trip.
Liam, our unbelievably knowledgeable guide, completely blew us away. From the get-go, the sightings were next-level. On our first game drive, we watched as a group of elephants charged a lioness. The kind of sighting that makes your heart pound. The next day, just us and a pack of wild dogs, lounging in a dry riverbed—no other vehicles, no noise.
Driving along dry riverbeds was a first for me, and it’s something I’ll never forget. The setting alone was magical, and the sense of discovery around every bend was thrilling. On one morning drive, we stopped for coffee and our pro guide Derrison casually demonstrated how locals make fire using two sticks and dried elephant dung, he made it look so easy, and it was genuinely fascinating to watch. Afterward, we went on our gorge walk, which took us into a completely different landscape. Rugged, remote, and wildly beautiful. One word: amazing.
And then… the grand finale.
On our final night, we had a bush dinner under the stars. We were enjoying our meal, when a staff member quietly flicked on a torch, revealing an elephant in the distance. Moments later, lions start calling nearby. Naturally, we didn’t hesitate. We packed up, jumped into the game vehicle, and went tracking. We followed the calls, passing a herd of unsettled buffalo, before finally spotting two lions in the dark. But just as we settled in, we heard more roaring, close by. It’s a story you’ve got to hear in person, remind me and I’ll tell you every detail.
FAM trips like this remind me why we do what we do — it’s about the people, the places, the wildlife, and those unforgettable moments in between. Thanks again to Eliane, Jacky, Cayleigh, Shalene, and Marlis for making it a memorable trip. And to those reading this, if you’re ever lucky enough to visit these properties, trust me: you’re in for something special.
