Summary

The web content describes a visit to the Haka Game Park in Harare, Zimbabwe, where the author encounters a variety of wildlife and flora within the city's limits.

Abstract

The author recounts a day spent at the Haka Game Park in Harare, Zimbabwe, where they observe a diverse array of wildlife, including antelopes, zebras, giraffes, and an abundance of bird species, in a natural setting within the city. Despite unexpected heavy rain, the group enjoys easy hikes through the park, marveling at the blooming water and fire lilies, various mushrooms, and the vibrant birdlife, including a juvenile kingfisher and an African Sacred Ibis. The park's tranquility and the undisturbed behavior of the animals, such as the impala antelopes and the Eland antelopes, are highlighted, with the author's friend showcasing unexpected expertise in birding. The day concludes with the group returning to their friend's jungle-like cottage and reflecting on the paradise-like conditions for the wildlife in the park, devoid of predators.

Opinions

The author expresses admiration for the lush, jungle-like environment of their friend's property in Harare.
The unexpected rainfall is presented as an adventurous element of the trip, adding to the excitement rather than detracting from it.
The friend's knowledge of birds, despite his initial modesty, is portrayed with surprise and appreciation.
The author is captivated by the park's natural beauty, particularly the flowers and the clear, turquoise waters.
The wildlife's ability to coexist in the park without predators is seen as an ideal, almost paradise-like, scenario.
The author's enthusiasm for the diverse birdlife is evident, with mentions of the Bee-Eater, kingfisher, and African Sacred Ibis.
The park is described as an "oasis" and a "wilderness retreat," suggesting a peaceful and restorative atmosphere.
The author's excitement for the ongoing road trip and the anticipation for the next day's adventure is palpable at the end of the article.

SOUTHERN AFRICA 2023: Day 21 — ZIMBABWE

Wildlife in the City

Or what do you call it when you see antelopes, zebra, giraffes and a ton of birds in a park in the capital of Zimbabwe?

A zebra laying on his back filled with joy next to other wildlife. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

46 millimeters of rain in less than 3 hours. That is what we received this evening even though our friend told us earlier he didn’t expect any rain today. Now imagine how we are surviving when even the locals can’t read the weather.

We’re in Harare staying at a friend’s house that reminds me more of a cottage in the jungle than a townhouse. He bought it 30 years ago including the large property. Not chopping down trees but planting more and more every day, he did create his own little forest inside the city. It’s a lovely oasis.

But we didn't just come to visit him but to get some stuff done on our car. Once the vehicle was handed over to the mechanic, we had a day to fill and our friend took us to another gem of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

Haka Game Park is a wilderness retreat in the Southeast of Harare. Where antelopes are grazing peacefully and giraffes are feeding from the tallest trees, you can go on short or long hikes listening to the birds singing all around you.

Heading out on the trail. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

We had just entered the park when we saw the giraffes already. They were in the open feeding on some lone-standing trees.

Giraffes in the field. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

Water lilies were in full bloom and so are the fire lilies, the national flower of Zimbabwe.

Water lilies to the left, fire lilies to the right. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

The park was overall flat with very few inclines which makes hiking rather easy. We can go on like this for hours without any sign of tiredness.

Another pretty flower. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

We were told to see countless different mushrooms and that was indeed true. Small ones and big ones. White, brown and black ones.

Mushrooms in the woods. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

But the ones that stood out to me the most were these tiny red fungi. Seeing from above it almost looked like someone dropped red paint on the forest floor.

Some very interesting-looking fungi. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

Did I mention the birds yet? Not only but especially at this time of the year, the trees are filled with migratory and exotic birds. They are singing, they are dancing, and filling the sky with life.

A Southern Red Bishop in the reeds. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

Our friend said he’s not really into birding and only knows the basic birds but I take that as a lie. He knew not only their names but also their calls. With his binoculars, he spotted them from far and wide.

This little Bee-Eater just flew up from the thicket below where he clearly had found a feast. A bee it must be as that is his favorite meal.

A little Bee-Eater and his meal. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

I still yearn to get a close-up of a colorful kingfisher but this one was only a juvenile with not much color in the plumage and he was far on a branch on the other side of the river.

A juvenile kingfisher. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

Before I bore you too much with birds please come walk with me across this bridge. It didn't look very stable but held our weight. The water before was shining in turquoise blue and green colors.

Beautiful turquoise blue water in the forest. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

Back on the other side, we got again out of the forest and into an open field. Flowers were blooming on the sides, soaking in the bit of sunshine.

Some pretty flower. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

And just as I want to stop taking pictures of birds as there are just too many, these bright yellow friends catch my attention. If it’s yellow, I can’t hesitate.

Gray-headed Bushshrikes on the hunt. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

We’re coming past another crystal-clear water. It could be the same river or another one. I have lost orientation a long time ago. I just follow our friend around with my eyes open for any movement in the bush.

More of that crystal-clear water. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

Back in the forest again some impala antelopes are gracefully gracing in between the trees. They don't get disturbed by our presence. They lift their heads but don't move away.

Impala antelopes in the forest. We could get very close to them. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

Once we're around the corner, the antelopes go back to their business. Feeding in the forest.

The smiling self in the park. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

We're coming back around where we've started the trip. The giraffes haven't moved, they are still there.

They didn't move. At least not much. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

And so are the antelopes and zebras. These Eland antelopes are decent-sized and certainly healthy. With no predators inside this park, they live in paradise.

So much wildlife all around. Springbok and impala antelopes mixed with zebras. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

But whilst everyone is watching the game, just another bird is steeling the show as he is walking on the water's edge carrying some shrub for his nest. The African Sacred Ibis is one of the larger birds we saw today.

An African Sacred Ibis on a mission. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

And here I am ending this report as we got to the gate and then headed back to collect our car from the mechanic. That evening we received the above-mentioned load of rain and fell asleep with excitement for the next day’s drive and adventure ahead.

The trail through the forest. | Credit: Anne Bonfert

Watch the full video of our three weeks spent in Zimbabwe:

We’re currently touring southern Africa and if you’d like to follow, go through this list of stories from our road trip:

Southern Africa Road Trip 2023

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