There is no electricity or generator power at Kopje Tops, all our lighting is supplied by slow burning oil lamps, candles and paraffin.

We are currently experimenting …

Continue reading »]]> This is a small and comfortable rustic bush camp. Accomadation (12 beds) at Kopje Tops is in lovely stone under thatch chalets. All the chalets have ensuite bathrooms.

There is no electricity or generator power at Kopje Tops, all our lighting is supplied by slow burning oil lamps, candles and paraffin.

We are currently experimenting with solar lighting in the rooms.

Continue reading »]]> We had a lovely 4 days of high expansive views across flatlands and mountain peaks and fun swimming at Otter Pools. We loved the horse riding to Raffia Palms Oasis and sundowners up the Mountain. Many thanks to Nesbit, as energetic as a teenager and always ready to share his knowledge of the bush. The kids felt they had entered paradise and indeed it is.

Continue reading »]]> This is a very special place run by very special people. Thanks James and Janine for a great stay. I sincerely hope I will be able to come back for much longer stay. Well done, for a well run and sustainable operation. All the best for the future and all your ideas and projects.

Kevan Zunckel Zunckel Ecological and Environmental Services Hilton South Africa.

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

Whether you want to come …

Continue reading »]]>

Out for a hack

Explore the wilderness from the comfort of Kopje Tops. Deep in the heart of the mountains, head out for a few hours or the whole day.

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

Whether you want to come for a couple of nights and go hacking, or stay for a week and really explore the mountains, this is the place to do it.

On the …

Continue reading »]]>

Sundown on Explorer Safari

If you want to experience what it was like for the early explorers sleeping on a mountaintop or on the sandy floor of a cave, this safari is a must for you. You will feel the wind in your face, the proximity of the bush and the calls of the wild all around.

On the Explorer safari we travel deeper in the heart of the wilderness and so for one or two nights we sleep out rough carrying our own food, water (wine for dinner), washing in rivers, a spade for a loo and sleeping on the ground with a mat or grass bed and sleeping bag.

This safari starts the same as the Tingwa Valley but we carry on from Bat Caves and the riding becomes progressively harder the elephant paths narrower and more precipitous as we climb higher into the mountains. We always end up somewhere spectacular to spend the evening: a cave, an ancient Monomatapa fortress, or perched above the world on a mountaintop to watch the moon set on one side and the sunrise on the other.

No set daily itinerary on this safari other than to say that the first and last nights will be spent back at Kopje Tops Lodge, two nights at Bat Caves and the remaining nights out rough deep into the Wilderness. Depending on guests we can either spend two consecutive nights out rough (or more) or head back to the comfort of Bat Caves for hot showers after one night rough. We can then proceed on in another direction the next day for another night out rough.

Covering up to 120 kilometres of challenging riding in 4/5 days this Explorers safari is only for experienced confident riders. The terrain is extremely rugged.

In 1991 …

Continue reading »]]> 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.

Some of our Partners

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.

www.elephantpepper.org The Mid Zambezi Elephant Project (MZEP) is an innovative programme that addresses conservation issues where humans and elephants coexist. MZEP aims to develop practical management strategies that advance our understanding of human-wildlife conflict, and will improve the management of elephants within a human-dominated landscape.

Our other partners include:

Zimbabwe Wildlife Fund supports conservation in Zimbabwe – working mainly in Hwange National Park ZWF are based in Perth Australia.

The Tikki Hywood Trust is a non-profit charitable organisation offering a fresh and positive contribution to Zimbabwean conservation. Their primary objective is to breed rare and endangered animals on the verge of extinction, concentrating on “lesser species”, such as the Lichtenstein’s Hartebeest (currently Zimbabwe’s rarest animal), pangolin, aardwolf, serval, civet and the Southern African Hedgehog. The Tikki Hywood Trust’s long-term goal is to assist in the relocation of endangered species into what was once their natural habitat.

The Zambezi Society is a local NGO concerned with enviromental matters that affect the biodiversity of the entire Zambezi River basin.

We start with leisurely breakfasts, stop in beautiful places for mid morning tea, followed by a longish lunch normally at …

Continue reading »]]>

Giraffe ahead

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.

Continue reading »]]> A more rustic yet very comfortable bush camp situated a day’s ride from Kopje Tops camp. 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.

Out on the trail