Image credit: Chantelle Melzer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe were fortunate to coincide our visit with that of two of Tsowa Safari Island\u2019s co-owners, Lucy Mavango and Duncan Elliot, both Zimbabwean, and both as committed to the ethos of sustainability and treading lightly as Brett and Paige.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDuncan Elliot<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nLucy Mavango<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDuncan tells us that he spent months camping on the island before its construction \u2013 he is a mechanical engineer specialising in the construction of lodges, walking every square metre of the island working out the best spot for each of the tents and for the main lodge area. The peaceful feel and privacy of each tent attests to his knowledge and attention to detail. And to the privilege of being awarded this pristine island as a concession.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt wasn\u2019t always this way though. Duncan tells us that bands of poachers used to come across from the Zambian side of the river, and had been doing so for years, to the point of almost claiming the island as their own. Thankfully sense prevailed. The gentle development and constant occupation has ensured that the island is no longer a drawcard for poachers, but rather an idyllic escape for discerning eco-travellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nA late afternoon sundowner cruise on the Zambezi is one of the must-do experiences when at Tsowa. It was bliss to feel the cool breeze on my face as we putter solely upstream, hear the tinkling of ice as our skipper expertly made us G&Ts, and drift slowly as the sun slipped behind the clouds robbing us of a breath-taking sunset. But later that evening the moon more than made up for it, gifting us with a spectacular moonrise, perfectly reflected as the river flowed by with barely a ripple.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe main living area is a delight to the senses, the river rippling through a grove of water pear, gigantic vines entwined around the branches of age-old trees, and the wonderfully curated selection of books and collectables reflecting the life of pioneering Zimbabwe.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Chantelle Melzer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe comfortable couches and armchairs the perfect spot to read a book or catch a quick a nap\u2026 or opt to cool off and relax at the nearby swimming pool, cocktail in hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nNature enthusiasts will enjoy a guided tour of the island\u2026 binocs and camera in hand we set off with Duncan and Lucy to discover more about this patch of paradise. Having spent so much time here Duncan seems to know every tree, and I\u2019m almost sure every blade of grass. We walk past the woody branches of an African mangosteen (Garcinia livingstonei<\/em>), whose fruits can be made into an alcoholic beverage and whose roots, when pulverised and powdered, are said to be used as an aphrodisiac.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe see old evidence of elephant, their dung now dry and scattered by the birds and other creatures seeking out nutrition from the undigested leftovers. The remains of a large elephant scull lies to one side of the path, Lucy touches it reverently, I feel sad at its loss, but grateful that poaching on the island is now a thing of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWe walk beneath a towering sausage tree (Kigelia Africana<\/em>), its mature seed pods, that weigh in at about 7kg, dangling from a dizzying height are enjoyed by baboons, elephants and even bush pigs. I gently touch the stem of a paperbark corkwood tree (Commiphora marlothii<\/em>), is papery flakes revealing a smooth green trunk and a fallen marula tree (Sclerocarya berrea<\/em>) offers the perfect refuge to a variety of critters. The highlight of my walk is the beautiful baobab trees (Adansonia digitata<\/em>), the huge ones, old and gnarled, others still young and spritely.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nButterflies flitted amongst the swathes of wildflowers, and saw birds in abundance, including an African golden oriole and a broad-billed roller, posing perfectly in a tree. Happy birding hubby!<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Daryl Buhrmann<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Daryl Buhrmann<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Daryl Buhrmann<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhat activities you choose at Tsowa are entirely up to you\u2026 wander along ancient trails on a guided wildlife walk or seek out herds of game on a safari drive in the Zambezi National Park, take a drive into town to see the magnificent Victoria Falls, or just, like us, choose to stay on the island and enjoy all she has to offer. Which included a wild and wonderful canoeing safari paddling downstream through a maze of channels and small islands on the mighty Zambezi River.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Chantelle Melzer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\u2018It\u2019s gentle\u2019, they said\u2026 and \u2018you won\u2019t get wet\u2019, we were told. I should have known when the \u2018please place your phones and cameras in this container for safe keeping\u2019 comment was made. It wasn\u2019t that gentle, and I certainly got wet, but it was the best fun I had had in ages!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a while for my hubby and I, to get used to negotiating the fast-flowing river \u2013 a few mis-paddles later and we had it sorted. Or so we thought. As that was before we got to the section of rapids. And did I mention the hippos in the distance? Thankfully they stayed where they were. We waved at kids playing on the riverbank on the Zambian side, worked our way past tall reed beds, that I was certain harboured a bunch of angry hippos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A couple of exciting hours later we hopped ashore to be greeted with fluffy towels, and a delicious spread of canap\u00e9s and choice of drink \u2013 sundowner in hand I watched the clouds darken and the sun slip below the horizon. Soon we were whisked off in the safari vehicle for the drive and boat-ride back to camp.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nTsowa is a place where one feels right at home, whether it be snoozing in a hammock, dining around the communal table, sharing tales around glowing embers on the fire-pit deck, or helping yourself to the perfect cup of tea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s a place where you can shower beneath the moonlight, before falling asleep to the gentle sound of crickets and the occasional hoot of an owl.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Tessa Buhrmann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s where you wake to the sound of distant call of hyena and lions, feeling refreshed, and more alive than you ever though possible. It\u2019s where you step out of your tent to greet the dawn and watch as the mist slowly rises off the Zambezi.<\/p>\n\n\n\nImage credit: Chantelle Melzer<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nIt\u2019s where each day brings on the adventure of your choice\u2026 and it\u2019s where you wish you could stay forever!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
by\u00a0Tessa Buhrmann\u00a0| September 28, 2022 | Responsible Traveller Magazine If you\u2019re looking to tap out of the hustle and bustle of life for a while, or for a restful break while on a busy safari holiday, then Tsowa Safari Island is just for you. Idyllically located within the island\u2019s riverine forest and overlooking the Zambezi River, this…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":13028,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[83,84,89,85,67,65,87,86,88],"yoast_head":"\n
Tsowa \u2013 an island style adventure - Tsowa Safari Island<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n