African Wildlife Experience

Location

Hippo Haven, Turgwe Hippo Trust is within an area where wildlife can be seen. Like in all wild situations where the animals are not regularly coming into contact with humans you need to be patient and not expect the animal to be used to a human presence.  The area within the Conservancy is home to rhino, hyena, hippo, buffalo, lion and leopard and many species of antelope, zebra, giraffe, wildebeest and the endangered painted wild dog.  There are baboons, monkeys, warthogs and bush pigs which share their lives with us at our riverside home and if you are lucky while staying with us you will see some of the other wildlife. Hearing calls of hippos, hyena and sometimes lion or leopard is a wonderful way to go to sleep in the safety of one of the two cottages we have for you.  You will definitely see hippo.

We are in a very remote area,  deep in the bush, our nearest neighbours are nineteen kilometres away, the next are over fifty kilometres and there are no trips to “civilization” during the period that you pay your donation to stay here with us and the animals. We can also take you to the amazingly wild and untamed National Park Gona-re-Zhou, the place of the elephants, during your stay here. Staying for three nights at an extra cost payable to National Parks, and if you pay the fuel for the vehicle we can drive you there and cater for you during that period. Your stay with us is an exclusive stay in that if you book to come to us it is only you and whoever accompanies you that will be staying with us during those ten days.

The Experience

The Turgwe Hippo Trust is obviously about hippos but when you make the donation to stay you will have the unique opportunity of living with us as we do in the bush.  It is our home and so you are not coming on a safari or to a business, as this is a charity for the hippos and all the other animals.  If you are exceedingly lucky you may meet our house hippo young Max.  He is a juvenile who comes to the house for extra food and company of the other wild animals. 

If you are lucky the resident herd of elephants will be down in the riverbed below the house and you can watch at close proximity over 25 elephants sometimes even  more feeding while you sit in the comfort of a thatched gazebo.  People tell us that the scenic views and the extraordinary relationships that have been developed over the years with the wild animals, is an experience that is one of the most memorable events in their lives.  They tell us that in some ways those that have visited zoos that we are in the cage or paddock, and the animals who are all wild and free are actually viewing us. This homestead is first and foremost the animals home and we are the onlookers.

You can help us if you would like to with some of the work that we do here like snare patrols alongside the Trust’s Rangers, which if we find snares you are saving an animals life, in fact many animals lives. The poachers use the same snare over and over again. We destroy the snares. You can come with us when we collect our drinking water which entails a trip of thirty eight kilometres there and back, and you never know what wild animal you will meet on the drive.

Simple things like picking up firewood, which is wood from fallen trees  in order to heat the home made boiler, so that you have a nice hot shower, or road repairs or cutting fire breaks if you are in need of some muscle power exercise. Or you can just chill with a book and enjoy the animals and the views. Once you have paid the donation which covers transport from Harare to us, food, and accommodation.

You will be actively helping the Turgwe Hippo Trust operate and save lives of not just hippos but many of the animals that we share our lives with your donation. I am told we are an artist paradise so if you just want to come here to paint this is the place to be.  It is a place where you can refresh and restore energies and feel the pulse of a natural life.  If you are allergic to pussycats then please be advised that we have six rescue pussycats who live in the main house and the cottages so please bring necessary medicines if you are allergic to cats.

Our Program

We welcome people from April through to end of September.  The following months are exceedingly hot and temperatures can go up to 45 degrees Celsius. From late April to August are our cooler, dryer months, so the weather is ideal during the daytime with the chance of rain occasionally.  The temperatures during the day are normally between 21 and 30 degrees Celsius. At night during June and July it can be very cold and the temperature can drop to 4 degrees Celsius.

Accommodation

People come here normally for 10 days and on the tenth day driving back up to Harare and on arrival you need an extra day as well.  We do not drive at night in Zimbabwe.

We can accommodate four people at one time as we have two cottages.

The wood cabin has a main bedroom with either one double bed or one double and one single.  En suite bathroom with shower, and hot and cold running water and flush toilet.  The lighting is by battery powered lights.  We cook for you in the main house and you have meals with us there.  You must like pussycats as there are cats in both cottages and they often sleep on your bed. 

The rock cottage has a double bed and  can sleep one couple or we can add a single bed for two people  to share. Same bathroom with flush toilet and shower with hot and cold water.

The lightening is also by battery powered lights.

SAFETY

The Savé Valley Conservancy is home to dangerous game including lion, buffalo  and elephants, therefore it is important to be aware of this and respectful that this is their environment. Karen Paolillo gained her professional guides license many years ago and has an extensive knowledge of the bush. People will not go unaccompanied in the bush for their own safety and should follow instructions at all times.

We live in a malaria area and suggest everyone consult their own doctor before traveling to Zimbabwe for the appropriate vaccinations and prophylactics. You are advised to get  your own travel insurance. Please contact us for details with regards to your stay, using the contact form.

FEES

The donation you give for your stay here enables us to continue the Turgwe Hippo Trust’s work, which is dependent entirely on donations. You are responsible for getting to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, and from there we will arrange for your transport to us, an approximate six hour journey by car.  We can also suggest guest lodges in Harare to use for arrival and departure.

CONTACT US

If you are interested in a totally unique experience, with the only place  helping hippos in Southern Africa, and you want to learn a lot more, not only about hippos but also about being in the bush with wild life in a home rather than on safari, then this is for you. Come and see us at Hippo Haven! Fill a contact-us form.