by njf4a | Nov 26, 2023 | Team Building
Embark on an Unforgettable Wildlife Odyssey: Game Reserves Near Harare
Nestled amidst the vibrant tapestry of Zimbabwe’s history and culture lies Harare, the nation’s captivating capital city. Beyond its bustling urban core, a realm of untamed wilderness awaits, beckoning explorers to embark on unforgettable wildlife encounters. For those seeking an immersive experience into the heart of the African spirit, venturing out to one of the many game reserves near Harare is an absolute must.
Haká Game Park: A Haven of Wildlife and Luxury
In the picturesque embrace of the Mazowe Valley, Haká Game Park emerges as a sanctuary of wildlife and luxury, seamlessly blending opulent accommodations, exhilarating game drives, and an unwavering commitment to conservation. Here, guests are transported to the heart of the African wilderness, where every aspect of the experience exudes sophistication and respect for the natural world.
Luxurious Accommodations Amidst the African Wilderness
From the moment you arrive at Haká Game Park, the warmth of Zimbabwean hospitality envelops you, whisking you away to a realm of comfort and tranquility. The park’s opulent lodges epitomize refined elegance, with spacious rooms adorned with natural stone accents, thatched roofs, and expansive windows that frame breathtaking vistas of the African savannah. Each lodge is thoughtfully designed to harmonize with the surrounding environment, creating a harmonious fusion of man-made luxury and the untamed beauty of nature.
Exhilarating Game Drives: Witnessing the Majesty of the African Wilderness
Embark on exhilarating game drives led by Haká Game Park’s seasoned rangers, whose passion for the park’s fauna and flora is infectious. As you traverse the park’s vast expanse, expert guides will reveal the secrets of the African wilderness, sharing their intimate knowledge of animal behavior and the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Witness the majestic elephants traversing the plains, their colossal forms dwarfing the surrounding acacia trees. Observe the stealth of lions as they stalk their prey, their tawny coats blending seamlessly with the tall grasses. Marvel at the graceful movements of giraffes browsing on acacia trees, their long necks reaching for the highest leaves.
Culinary Delights and Tranquility: A Symphony of Senses
As the day draws to a close, unwind by the park’s shimmering pool, its refreshing waters offering a welcome respite from the African sun. Surrender to the pampering touch of the spa, where expert therapists employ traditional Zimbabwean techniques to rejuvenate your mind, body, and spirit. Indulge in a culinary journey at the restaurant, where traditional Zimbabwean cuisine awaits, tantalizing your taste buds with an explosion of flavors.
Haká Game Park: A Beacon of Conservation
Haká Game Park stands as a staunch advocate for conservation, playing a pivotal role in safeguarding the region’s precious wildlife heritage. The park actively engages in anti-poaching initiatives, working closely with local communities to combat poaching threats and raise awareness about the importance of protecting endangered species.
The park also supports research programs dedicated to preserving the delicate balance of the ecosystem, monitoring wildlife populations, and understanding the impact of human activities on the environment. Through these efforts, Haká Game Park contributes to the long-term sustainability of Zimbabwe’s natural heritage, ensuring that future generations can experience the wonders of the African wilderness.
Additional Game Reserves Near Harare: A Tapestry of Experiences
While Haká Game Park stands as a premier choice, a plethora of exceptional game reserves near Harare offer unique experiences and diverse wildlife encounters. Consider these options for your next adventure:
Imire Game Park: Just 90 minutes from Harare, Imire Game Park unveils a world of possibilities, including game drives, horseback riding, and exhilarating elephant encounters.
Bally Vaughan Bird and Game Sanctuary: This sanctuary is a haven for bird enthusiasts, as well as lions, leopards, and cheetahs. The park’s rehabilitation center provides care for injured and orphaned animals, offering visitors the opportunity to witness firsthand the inspiring work of conservationists.
Chengeta and Pamuzinda Safari Lodges: These luxury lodges offer a harmonious blend of game drives, spa treatments, and fine dining experiences. Each lodge boasts a unique architectural style, showcasing a fusion of traditional Zimbabwean design and modern amenities.
Thetford Game Reserve: Renowned for its flourishing populations of elephants, lions, and buffaloes, Thetford Game Reserve is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. The reserve’s diverse landscapes, ranging from open plains to dense woodlands, create a haven for a variety of wildlife species.
Stephen Margolis Resort: Immerse yourself in a diverse array of activities, including game drives, fishing expeditions, and bird watching adventures at Stephen Margolis Resort. The resort’s family-friendly atmosphere and comfortable accommodations make it an ideal choice for families seeking a memorable African experience.
**Embrace the Spirit of
by njf4a | Nov 24, 2022 | Team Building
Everyone has their first-time experience story with horses, despite the way it started for many it always ends with the love for horses. Horses are one of the most incredibly friendliest animals toward humans which makes it easy for horse-to-human interaction. If you haven’t had your first-time experience with horses yet, Haka Game Park is the perfect place to start.
Haka Game Park is one of the few places you can go horse riding in Harare. With a 2500 ha space, there is plenty of space to enjoy your horseback riding and connect with nature. Horse Riding has been proven to be one of the best ways to connect with nature and refresh. Done regularly, horseback riding can be used as a form of keeping fit.
Some proven facts about regular horse riding include
A Return to Nature
We get outside and are more in tune with nature when we ride horses. Our culture spends a lot of time inside and have lost touch of the positive effects nature has on humans. Every chance we get, we should go outside with one of our most beautiful animals to get some exercise and fresh air. In a survey conducted, the study shows that this is the reason many riders began riding. Contact with nature and scenery views were rated as “important,” “very important,” or “very significant” by 80% of respondents.
Relaxation
Riding a horse is soothing. In fact, therapeutic riding has been demonstrated to lessen muscle stiffness because the horse’s movements naturally stretch tight muscles. We are all aware of the calming effects of walking. The rider’s pelvis moves in the same manner as if they were walking when a horse is carrying them on his back. Riders can move more freely because riding has been shown to increase the range of motion in their joints.
Fun
Anyone who has ridden a horse before will attest to how much fun it is. Why else would horse riders devote such a large amount of their time and resources to their horses? because it’s worthwhile. Compared to other activities, riding will make you feel more alive. It exudes a sense of adventure. It allows for freedom of mobility and the execution of incredible athletic feats. Additionally, racing through an open field while in sync with your horse is a total thrill.
Physical Health
Horseback riding is physically demanding and can help you stay in shape. In a 2011 publication of a certain research commissioned by the British Horse Society (BHS) to examine the physical health, psychological benefits, and well-being advantages of recreational riding, horse riding is now considered a moderate-intensity exercise. For better results, researchers determined that riding must be done for at least half an hour or more, three times per week.
As they use their entire body to steer and urge the horse forward, riders can improve their reflexes, balance, and coordination. Additionally, riding has cardiac advantages. Muscles and physical strength are developed by riding, mounting saddles onto horses, mucking stalls, moving hay bales, and other activities.
Haka Game Park Horse Stables
Types of horse riding activities offered at Haka Game Park
Adult Horseback Rides
If you are an experienced rider, Haka Game Park is the best place to visit for long rides. Long rides are unsupervised and perfect for horse ride game viewing. You can also have long horse rides in teams. All you need to do is make a booking!
Children Guides Short Rides
We also offer, guided short rides for children. Horse riding for children can be your child’s highlight for visiting us at the Game Park. We have qualified guides who you can trust to handle your children and guarantee safety. Some of our pony’s are perfect for the children’s guided horse riding.
School Visits Short Rides
All work and no play makes john a dull boy right? In addition to the educational factor of visiting Haka. Don’t let your students miss a chance of a lifetime by not arranging a school visit horse riding session with us.
Horse Riding Lessons
Want to Perfect your horse riding skills? Or do you want your child to learn how to ride a horse at an early stage? We got you covered here at Haka Game Park. We have an on-the-ground horse riding trainer Miss Kelder who has experience in teaching children how to ride horses. Of course, lessons are not only reserved for children, adults are welcome as well.
Interested in regular horse riding? Contact Haka Game Park for bookings today!
by njf4a | Dec 20, 2021 | Haka Game Park
Haka Game Park Zimbabwe has been declared a Ramsar site along with other six Ramsar sites in Zimbabwe. A Ramsar Site is a wetland site designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention also known as the Convention on Wetlands. A wetland is an area where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and the associated plant and animal life. Wetlands are known as Matoro/mapani in Shone, Amaxhaphozi Ndebele. When an area has been declared a Ramsar site, it has to adhere to the Ramsar Convection strict guidelines. There are over 2 400 Ramsar sites in the world covering 2.5 million square kilometers. Ramsar aims to halt the worldwide loss of wetlands and to conserve through wise use and management of those that remain.
Designated Ramsar Protected Wetlands Sites in Zimbabwe.
- Cleveland Dam ( Haka Game Park Zimbabwe)
- Driefontein grasslands.
- Middle Zambezi/Mana Pools
- Lake Chivero
- Monavale Vlei (Harare)
- Chinhoyi Caves
How Human Activity is destroying Wetlands in Zimbabwe
Wetlands are under threat in most countries, worldwide. Human activity is the most dangerous to our natural environment. Our environment is meant to sustain us and we are meant to take care of it accordingly. The problem is humans exploit the environment without thinking of tomorrow. Some of the activities that are destroying wetlands;
- Resource extraction – Deforestation
- Farming activities
- Illegal waste disposal
- Road Construction
- Commercial and Residential Development.
How to take care of Our Ramsar sites.
- Avoid using them for farming activities.
- Remove litter around the wetland.
- Constantly Plant trees.
- Observe the rules for the wetland when you visit for recreational purposes.
by njf4a | Dec 19, 2021 | Haka Game Park
Pangolin/Haka/Inkhaka
The pangolin is one of the under-rated endangered species in Zimbabwe and beyond. The endangered mammal commonly known as Haka and Inkhaka in Ndebele receives more threats in Zimbabwe due to cultural beliefs centered around it. There is a strong need to protect the Haka species before it becomes one of the folktales we tell generations to come. Protecting the Haka (pangolin) was the sole reason why Haka Game Park was established. Across the world, it is recorded as the most trafficked mammal by the African Wildlife Foundation. We have to contribute to the protection of the Haka species.
HAKA
The average weight of the pangolin is twenty (20) kgs. It is a mammal, although often mistaken as a reptile because of its scales. Their scales make up to 20% of their total body weight. The scales are for defense mechanisms. When in danger, the pangolin rolls up, and the scales perform a cutting motion. When threatened, they can also emit a noxious-smelling acid from their glands, similar to skunks except there is no spraying. The pangolin is a toothless animal, its stomach is responsible for grinding food because of its gizzard-like structure. You might think its long tongue compensates for it is toothless. The tongue is said to be longer than its body. The length of its tongue helps it burrow the insects underground. During the day, the haka remains in its burrow and goes hunting at night.
Cultural beliefs about the pangolin
In Zimbabwe, the haka is believed to be a sacred animal meant to be gifted to chiefs and leaders. It is also believed that its scales, when mixed with bucks from other trees neutralize witchcraft powers and evil spirits. Their scales are made of keratin, which is the same substance that makes up human hair and nails. Some believe the scales have healing properties. It is said that the pangolin scales can heal cancer asthma amongst other things. This, however, has not been scientifically or medically proven to be correct. All these theories have contributed to the endangerment of the species.
How Can you help in Keeping the Pangolin safe?
The first step towards change is raising awareness. When people are conscious of their decisions they are likely to make better choices. Raise awareness by educating about this endangered species in schools. If we don’t take initiative in educating the younger generation, the myths about the mammal will be passed on from generation to generation and it will become extinct. Let us engage our communities in raising awareness and protecting the haka species.
World Pangolin Day 16 February
Pangolin/Haka/Inkhaka
