Bumi Hills Safari Lodge (Matusadona National Park / Lake Kariba) Zimbabwe
Location:
Bumi is a famous and beloved Lake Kariba Accommodation brand and has been since first opening in 1975. The panoramic vista from the pool, bar, dining deck, spa and all premium rooms is simply astonishing and would be difficult to surpass by any safari lodge on earth.
After some years of neglect this Lake Kariba Safari Lodge has been totally revitalized to luxury levels never seen before, including a breathtaking signature infinity pool. Bumi Hills Safari Lodge re-opened in September 2009 and offers 10 Premium and 10 Standard rooms and so many awe-inspiring experiences in an authentic African eco-wilderness.
One guest wrote with passion: "Few things in life
transcend your expectations, but to step out on the Bumi
deck high above this awe-inspiring lake is genuinely one of
them".
Accommodation:
Bumi has 20 front-facing rooms (10 Premium and 10
Standard), all with bath/shower, overhead fan, air
conditioning, mini-bar, tea-coffee station and balcony or
veranda.
All rooms have a view over the lake but the 10 Premiums are sublime with awe-inspiring sunrise-and-sunset vistas over the lake, historic Starvation Island and game-rich shoreline.
Larger groups may relish the adventure of additional "elephant territory" accommodation aboard luxury houseboats, just a two-minute transfer from the lodge.
Facilities:
Apart from safaris and other activities, Bumi Hills offers an array of facilities that delight our guests. At centre stage are the infinity swimming pool, terrace cocktail bar and the wellness spa, each with awe-inspiring vistas over the lake and the game-rich shoreline.
The elegant main lounge is equipped with guest internet, wildlife DVD's, reference books, card and board games and there's also a comfortable TV lounge with full bouquet of satellite channels and a full-sized snooker table.
A fully-equipped boardroom for 10 and a conference room
for 60 are both air conditioned. There's a fine dining room
and al fresco dining overlooking the lake. Laundry is done
on a daily basis.
Activities:
Wildlife Drives
Bumi is unique among luxury safari lodges because of the exquisite added dimension of the water - Lake Kariba is among the world\s largest man-made lakes and a genuine African wilderness with far more animals than people. This allows for glorious game viewing by boat as well as the traditional open 4 x 4 vehicles and walking in the wilds with an armed professional guide.
You may also drive and walk to track rhino in the nearby
Matusadona National Park. Among the species that may be seen
at Bumi are many elephants and buffalo, massive Nile
crocodiles, lions, many hippo, the elusive leopard, kudu,
water buck, impala, warthog, monkeys, baboons, sable, zebra.
Birding at Lake Kariba
The Bumi area offers truly incredible birdlife, especially water birds, and hundreds of species have been recorded. It is a thrilling location for photography of the majestic scenery and wildlife, but also the prolific bird life for enthusiasts.
Commanding most attention always seems to be the African
fish eagle with its haunting cry, but among other species
you may spot are the harrier-hawk, martial eagle, Bateleur
eagle, grey heron, open-billed stork, saddle-billed stork,
sacred ibis, malachite kingfisher, lilac breasted roller,
red-billed hornbill and many, many others in an
awe-inspiring setting.
The Bumi Hills Spa
Such is the awesome vista at the Bumi Hills massage sanctuary that eagles soar... below you! Surely when it comes to ambiance and superior location this is the ultimate on our planet. Its pure ecstasy as you enjoy your massage while overlooking the massive lake and the game-rich shoreline.
Guests cant resist this heavenly place where treatments
include a hot stone massage to melt away the tensions.
Facilities include a sauna, private plunge pool and health
bar ... and strolling elephants in your vision.
Lake Kariba Fishing
Look at the famous face ... its the ex World Cup-winning
Springbok rugby coach Jake White and wife Lindy on the Bumi
deck with 3.5 kg and 3.0 kg tigerfish.
Bumi is the prime fishing region of Kariba and is a major
attraction that sets Bumi apart from any traditional luxury
safari lodge. Here it is rated one of Africa's Top 20
adventures. You'll thrill to catching the razor toothed
tiger, pound-for-pound one of the worlds most powerful
freshwater species.
Every October since 1962 game fishermen from all over the world converge for the Kariba International Tiger Fishing Tournament (www.kitft.co.zw) and the record is an awesome 15.5kg. Fishing is year-round and you may also catch bream, tilapia, Vundu, chessa and cornish jack.
Cultural Excursions
The Bumi Hills Wildlife Area is bordered in the north west by the Chalala and Mola communities, which are home to the Tonga, a delightful and very spiritual people who have resided in this area and along the length of the Zambezi river for centuries.
They have preserved ancient traditions and still live a largely subsistence lifestyle that is reliant on fishing, livestock and small scale farming. In the village of Chalala these customs have melted together with the inevitable infiltration of modern ways of life. However the luxuries of a permanent electricity and water supply to homes are still absent, leaving the communities still largely reliant on the surrounding environment for their livelihood.
Our staff at Bumi Hills are predominantly Tongan and have
their homes in these surrounding areas. They are always more
than happy to share their stories and experiences, many of
these often fascinating legends or narratives that have been
passed down through the generations by way of oral
tradition. Join one of our guides and explore Chalala,
interact with the community and learn about their way of
life. Bumi Hills works closely with these communities and
apart from providing employment the lodge also commits
financial and supplies assistance to the council, schools
and health clinics that support the people.
House Boats on Lake Kariba
Lake Kariba is renowned as a paradise destination for house boat seekers. The Kariba basin lies in the east end of the lake and this is the area most frequented by house boats that are based at Kariba town. As a result this area can get a little congested. Bumi Hills lies on the western side of the Kariba basin, close to the Matusadona National park and the beautiful Namenbere and Honeymoon Bay Island archipelagos. Bumi is also not far from the Kota Kota narrows and the start of the Sengwa basin. These waters remain almost entirely free of house boat traffic and the shorelines are often teeming with wildlife.
Fishing is also excellent here. Bumi Hills partners with only the finest house boats on the lake. One can experience the contrast of a land based, luxurious setting at Bumi and then explore the hidden bays and secret creeks of the lake from an opulent cruise boat. The Bumi Hills airstrip is 5 minutes from a natural harbor where safe mooring of house boats is possible. Why not fly in and out and combine a houseboat experience before or after your stay at Bumi.
Other Activities in and around Lake Kariba
Bumi is far more than a mere safari experience on land and water. It also offers an array of other tantalizing activities that rank it among the finest Africa wilderness and adventure experiences that touch the soul. A gentle evening cocktail cruise is a big favorite because of the high percentage of glorious sunsets with wildlife, such as elephants, as your backdrop.
You may care to sit quietly in the underground Hide near our waterhole, sipping wine, while elephants are trunk-touching distance away ... or relax on the platform near the shoreline for a few hours. Perhaps take a scenic flight over the massive dam wall and Matusadona mountains or visit the nearby crocodile farm, Africa's largest.
Accommodation Rates:- Please contact us for a quote and suggested itinerary.