Activities at Bumi Hills or near Lake Kariba
Wildlife Drives
Bumi is unique among luxury safari lodges because of the exquisite added dimension of the water - Lake Kariba is among the worlds largest man-made lakes and a genuine African wilderness with far more animals than people. This allows for glorious game viwing 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.
Bumi is unique among luxury safari lodges because of the exquisite added dimension of the water - Lake Kariba is among the worlds largest man-made lakes and a genuine African wilderness with far more animals than people. This allows for glorious game viwing 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.
For more information and images on Bumi Hills birdlife click here.
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.
For more information and images on Bumi Hills birdlife click here.
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 ecstacy 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.
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 ecstacy 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 Africas Top 20 adventures. Youll thrill to catching the razortoothed 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.
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 Africas Top 20 adventures. Youll thrill to catching the razortoothed 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.
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 the hidden bays and secret creeks of the lake from an opulent cruise boat. The Bumi Hills airstrip is 5 minutes from a natural harbour 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.
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 the hidden bays and secret creeks of the lake from an opulent cruise boat. The Bumi Hills airstrip is 5 minutes from a natural harbour 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 tantalising activities that rank it among the finest Africa wilderness and adventure experiences that touch the soul. A gentle evening cocktail cruise is a big favourite because of the high percentage of glorious sunsets with wildlife, such as elephants, as your backdrop. You may care to sit quietly in the undergroud 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 mountians or visit the nearby crocodile farm, Africa\s largest.
Bumi is far more than a mere safari experience on land and water. It also offers an array of other tantalising activities that rank it among the finest Africa wilderness and adventure experiences that touch the soul. A gentle evening cocktail cruise is a big favourite because of the high percentage of glorious sunsets with wildlife, such as elephants, as your backdrop. You may care to sit quietly in the undergroud 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 mountians or visit the nearby crocodile farm, Africa\s largest.
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is AA Quality Assured
I have just spent a great weekend at Bumi Hills with 11 other friends from Lusaka Zambia.
