Montana-sized Zimbabwe’s 96 million acres are rich in classic sceneries and a full complement of Africa’s charismatic animals—350 mammal species alone—who roam its beautiful savannahs and forests. Though it’s had more than its share of troubles, the country seems on a road to recovery now that its longtime dictator is gone and 100 billion dollar banknotes no longer flutter about uselessly.
Micato’s Zimbabwean focus is largely on two of its, and all of Africa’s jewels: Victoria Falls, where we enjoy afternoon tea at the grand old colonial Victoria Falls Hotel, within easy ambling distance of the astounding cataract, and nearby Hwange National Park, a place of great pride for the country since its founding in 1928. In addition to an exceptionally large elephant population, Hwange is home to all the major predators, including one of the continent’s largest contingents of wild dogs, Lycaon pictus, who are as subtly charismatic and fascinating as any of Africa’s creatures.