WORDS SARAH LANGERMAN
BEYOND THE BEAUTIFUL AND VIBRANT VICTORIA FALLS TOWN, AWAY FROM THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF TOURIST CROWDS LIES ELEPHANT CAMP
A LUXURY tented affair nestled in the Victoria Falls National Park, it is close enough to visit the attractions of the town during the day, and yet return to the serenity that is the hallmark of this Camp.
It seems to me, this is the place for an ideal romantic getaway (I’m sure Granny would love to have the kids for a few days).
From the well appointed tents, secluded in their careful placement, to private plunge pools and outdoor showers, this beautiful camp needs to be shared with a loved one. In fact, one is tempted to not leave the luxurious tents, and spend an entirely languid day around the pool and tent.
But eat, you must! And in this regard Elephant Camp does not disappoint. Fresh and scrumptious meals are served on the shady verandah, overlooking the mopane trees. Mornings are started with
a sumptuous buffet of fresh fruit, yoghurt, muesli, and pastries, followed by a cooked breakfast to your liking. Lunch and dinner are served a-la-carte and have some delicious options from which to choose.
Between bouts of indulgence and sloth, you may feel the urge to do something energetic. Included in your stay, you could have a guided tour of the Falls, have lunch at The Lookout Café, have cocktails and canapés at the Batoka Gorge, visit The Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, go on a village tour, take a birding and nature walk on the concession, do a Victoria Falls canopy tour, mountain bike through The Victoria Falls National Park, or have an elephant encounter with some of the orphaned elephants which are semi-independent, but still very friendly. I must admit, although reassured that these gentle giants were quite happy being around people, there is a deep-seated wariness when standing next to a four tonne pachyderm.
During my stay, I met Sylvester the cheetah ambassador who arrived as an orphan from the Bubye Valley Conservancy. Sylvester raises awareness of the peril of his species by meeting guests and school children. Despite efforts to make him independent, he gives off the impression that he is a very large house cat. I am told he does occasionally chase down prey, but then has no idea what to do next, and consequently has not been able to fend for himself. Instead, his food arrives chilled, plucked, dressed, and on time.
Split into two sections, Elephant Camp Main boasts 12 suites, with Elephant Camp West consisting of four suites, more suited to small parties. As with much of the Victoria Falls surrounds, the camp looks over flat mopane scrub and Kalahari sands towards the near-constant spray from the falls. Amidst the heat of the bush, the camp is a cool respite. The camp is fenced off for guests to walk around safely. Built on cement floors, khaki canvas tents are set in the bush with private wooden decks and plunge pools. The tents are fully air conditioned, with the option of an overhead fan. The bathrooms are luxurious and have wonderful views of the trees, complete with an additional outside shower under the stars. In my mind, the friendliness and helpfulness of staff are the defining factor of a lodge or camp, and in this, the camp excelled. From the shuttle driver who collected me from the airport, to the welcome committee and everyone thereafter, the staff were superb.
