About

In 1988 the Wilderness, at the instigation of the Muzarabani Rural District Council, was gazetted by an act of parliament into a concession, granting the area the same protection as National Parks, with the idea to develop tourism in the area through the CAMPFIRE (Community Areas Management Programme for Indigenous Resources) conservation project.

In 1991 Geoffrey and Max Carew successfully tendered to council for the right to operate photographic safaris in the area in a joint venture with council with the ultimate aim for the local community to benefit from tourism in the area.

Against many odds, not least the remoteness and inaccessibility of the area, lack of big game, heavy poaching activity and many leading Zimbabwe tourism authorities believing the area was not viable for tourism, the Carews pressed ahead and created what is now recognised as one of the best safari experiences to be had in Africa.

Now in 2002, James and Janine Varden have taken over operations of the area. Well known already in the Zimbabwe tourism industry through their involvement with Natureways, James and Janine look forward to expanding upon the safari and cultural experiences to be had in the Mavuradonha Wilderness.

Originally from Australia, Janine has been living in ZImbabwe for seven years after meeting James in Melbourne. Prior to moving to Zimbabwe, Janine worked for six years as a Jillaroo on a cattle-station in Victoria. She then worked for another six years as a zoo-keeper at Werribee's open-range zoo, specialising in African mammals.

Janine's animal-husbandry background is well-utilised in the wilderness area, and the care and upkeep of the horses is her responsibilty. Janine also has a strong interest in conservation and rural community issues in Zimbabwe.

James Varden is well known as one of Zimbabwe's top professional guides and safari operators. James started his career as a learner guide in Hwange National Park. In 1991 James moved to Mana Pools National Park, working with Natureways Canoe and Walking Safaris. It was with Natureways that James attained his canoe license and full professional guides license.  

At the end of 1997, James bought Natureways, and continues to run the operation. The Mavuradonha and the Mana Pools (Natureways) safaris are two of the most diverse adventures one can experience in Africa. James has been a professional guide for over sixteen years, and his experience benefits every safari. James special interests are birding and photography. James is recognised as one of the top five ornithologists in the country.

Varden Safaris, through its involvement with CAMPFIRE, is linked to various conservation projects in the area, one of them being MZEP.

Safari Options

Kopjetops Lodge

A magnificent stone and thatch structure sitting high amongst the trees. This 3 level lodge is where we meet for meals and drinks. Level one consists of dining room and bar area - level 2 is the library and level 3 is a flat viewing platform to give you your first views of the amazing expanse of the wilderness.

Accommodation is in 6 chalets scattered at the base of Kopje Tops, sleeping up to 12 guests all with full ensuite and hot showers. There is a bath in the double room.

Bat Caves Camp

A more rustic yet very comfortable bush camp situated a day's ride from Kopje Tops Lodge. After a long day in the saddle you will appreciate the hot bucket showers, comfy beds and wholesome, freshly prepared meals. Our staff will take care of your every need. Set above the Tingwa River Bat Caves is a remote camp deep into the Wilderness. All our supplies are brought in via porter or packhorse as there are no roads.
   
In the evening we usually watch the flight of the giant Egyptian Fruit Bats whose numbers have been estimated at up to 20,000 and are the largest known colony south of the equator. For the more adventurous your guide may take you deep into the caves to explore the bats habitat.

Tingwa Valley

The Tingwa Valley safari is more a concept than a fixed itinerary. It means you stay at Kopje Tops Lodge or Bat Caves camp and do not camp out in the wilds of the bush as on an explorer safari. The riding also tends to be a bit easier than on the Explorer.
All our safaris are extremely flexible and we try to make the daily itinerary fit around guests preferences. So instead of a fixed itinerary we like to list the Tingwa, Mavare, Rwazi, Dateema, Mashonjeri, Buro, Musengezi, Mananuku, Fundumwe Rivers, just to name a few, to explore. There is also the McGrath, Rusty and Schellenberger waterfalls, Dead Elephant gorge, Incognito, Bat Caves, The Roof of the World, Makura Spilling tables and ancient fortresses of the Monomatapa Empire and a thousand other as yet unexplored places.
   
Even a week's safari is too short to explore all of the above. You will return to Kopje Tops Lodge amazed by the diversity and magnificence of the Mavuradonha. You will have stepped back into the past, experiencing the thrill of exploring a virgin wilderness area far from the madding crowd.

Sample Itinerary

You are on a fine steed amidst spectacular mountain scenery, surrounded by the wild without another tourist in sight or sign of civilisation. Most people say it's the best trip they have ever been on.

We start with leisurely breakfasts, stop in beautiful places for mid morning tea, followed by a longish lunch normally at a spectacular swimming hole to rest the horses and ourselves. We like to arrive into Bat Caves Camp in time for sundowners and a hot shower before dinner. Good food, comfort, not too much hard riding and the opportunity to learn about the unique flora and fauna of the Mountains from your professional guide are highlights of this safari.

DAY 1: Transfer to the Mavuradonha Wilderness normally arriving before lunch. Relax in the comfort of Kopje Tops Lodge or get to know your horse with a sundowner ride before dinner.

DAY 2: Early morning tea/coffee is served in your room before proceeding to Kopje Tops Lodge for a full cooked breakfast to stand you in good stead for your day in the saddle. Our route takes us roughly in the direction that the Tingwa river flows but with tracking Elephant and other game, visiting cave paintings swimming in waterfalls and natural pools and having 600 square kilometres of mountainous wilderness to explore means that we hardly ever take the same route twice.
We lunch normally somewhere we can swim and sunbathe a little, reaching Bat Caves in time to witness the evening flight of the Bats.

DAY 3: Breakfast when you want before setting off for a day tracking game through the tributaries of the lower Tingwa, Dateema and Mashonjeri Rivers. There is nothing like catching up with a herd of elephant you have been tracking for hours. No guarantees of finding them but that is half the fun and experience of learning about the bush. Return to Bat Caves for a second night.

DAY 4: Breakfast at about 7.30 before heading out for the return journey. You can decide on the type of terrain you want to ride and how hard or easy it should be. The professional guide will then work out the route with you. Some are mountainous with precipitous paths, some quick and relatively easy. Some are best for Cave Paintings, others meander along rivers lined with tall waterberries beside open vleis. There are at least ten different ways back through eight different Valleys ensuring you never take the same path home. Arrive back into Kopje Tops approx 1630.

DAY 5: The five day safari includes a full days ride out from Kopje Tops with a second night at the lodge. A very popular ride, this day takes you through the African Villages to the West of the Mavuradonhas. Guided by members of our staff who live there you will gain a fascinating insight into the ways of the rural African peoples and get a glimpse of their culture and beliefs.

Fact File

Type of horses:	Ex-Polo ponies, Arabs, Quarter horse-cross and Thoroughbreds. All sure footed, experienced and very well schooled by our talented grooms. The horses are all conditioned to seeing game. Between 14 and 16 hh in size.
Weight limit:	Maximum weight 210lbs if experienced riders, 180lbs if novice.
Tack:	Mostly English style leather and Wintecs, some stock/McClennon saddles.
Kopje Tops Lodge:	Can accommodate up to 12 guests in six chalets, with full ensuite facilities.
Bat Caves Camp:	Up to 8 guests. Rustic bush camp, a day's ride from Kopjetops Lodge. Four rooms, each with own longdrop loo and hot-bucket shower offsuite
Tingwa Valley Safari:	Max 6 guests
Explorer Safari:	Max 6 guests - experienced and competent riders only. Minimum of six nights. Parts of this safari involve sleeping out "rough". Minimal equipment, porterage by packhorse.
Special note:	Due to the situation in Zimbabwe it is not likely that any safari will be full unless a group booking.
Min. number of Guests:	Two (2). We shall consider single guests on request min. 4 nights. Children on request.
Guides:	Every safari is accompanied by a fully licensed professional guide.
Grooms:	An experienced groom accompanies each safari as well as your professional guide. The groom will tend to the horses during the day and nights as well as tacking on any shoes that should come off.
Group bookings:	Please contact us for bookings over twelve guests. Extra accomodation is available in the five-bedroomed main house. Also available for private house parties.
Single Supplement:	We do not charge a single supplement.
Safety and first aid:	Your guide will give you a comprehensive safety talk prior to each safari. Guides also carry fully-equipped first aid kits. Hard hats available.
Other activities:	We welcome non-riders at Kopje Tops. Price for non-riders on application.
Food:	Fresh bush cuisine is prepared every day by our experienced chefs. Specific dietary requirements can be catered for on request.
How to get there:	Two and half hours drive north of Harare (180km), the last 20km on dirt roads. We can transfer clients by road from Harare or use the airstrip-situated 12km from camp. Light aircraft charters can be arrange to any destination in Zimbabwe from the Mavuradonha's.
Rates:	Please contact us for rates and availability. Varden Safaris operates all year round.
Weather:	December to early March is rainy season (summer), with heavy showers usually in the mornings and afternoons. March to November usually dry. May to end July is winter season - can get chilly in the mornings and evenings, however the days are normally very mild, with daily temperatures averaging 26 degrees C.