When you travel, what do you travel for? Most of my travel is for entertainment and discovery. but what if we were to travel for service, or for growth?
I meat a friend who recently returned from this places. She goes here once a year to work with Mothers with out Borders. To build help build schools, and many other humanitarian acts . She travels with a purpose.
Travel here is rough these days. Security remains uncertain. In spite of an improving political situation, this area continues to make headlines for all the wrong reasons. A power-sharing government and Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) have pledged to improve the lives of citizens. Even though the economy is slowly improving, millions are still dependent on food aid and disease outbreaks only compound the situation. Behind this grim lies a beautiful country, and despite the sacrifice the locals hold on to their humor and resolve. This means that if you do chose to visit, you will receive the royal treatment.
Mana here means Four, at this national park in the northern area, where the flood plain, from the rive turns into a broad expanse of lakes after each rainy season. As the lakes gradually dry up and recede, the region attracts many large animals in search of water, making it one of worlds most renowned game-viewing regions. You will find Hippos, Crocs, Elephants and much more. Take a camping or canoeing tour, and your life may never be the same. But that is not all this river has to offer. The fourth largest on the Continent, it has no reason to be shy. Three notable falls flow from these waters, but one is so famous you would be hard pressed to find someone who has never heard of them. Sometimes called 'the smoke that thunders'. While it is neither the highest nor the widest waterfall in the world, it is claimed to be the largest. Big enough to be one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. And if you are like me and one of the items on your 'list' is to bungee jump off a bridge..... I don't think you can find one better than here.
And situated on the river, is one of the largest dams in the world. It is so big that in March of this year, due to rising levels of the river, let to the opening of the floodgates, requiring the evacuation of 130,000 people from their homes on the flood plains. That is so many people it makes me wonder how many would have been effected if the flood gates had not been released!
There are some places near us famous for rock formations, National Bridges, Rainbow Bridge, Chimney rock. In this beautiful country they have BALANCING rocks. Near one of the largest game reserves, with over 100 animal species, and more that 400 types of birds. In this vast game reserve are some of the largest herds of the huge elephant and buffalo on the continent. Other animals in the park include lion, eland, giraffe, rhino, zebra, sable, kudu, and waterbuck.
Hunting is not only a popular sport, but it also helps to manage surplus game population. In some areas, controlled hunting is essential to proper wildlife management. There are several safari areas in the Valley below the Dam, where elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, and all species of antelope are to be found. Many of these may be hunted by arrangement with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management. These are normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September, and cater for approximately 200 hunters a year. Wow. I think I'll just take the safari.
About an hour and a half away from there are the Sleeping pool and the Dark Cave, a cave system with deep blue pools and fascinating history.
So if you come for humanitarian reasons, or to simply enjoy the spectacular views and wildlife, You will not leave unmoved.