Chilojo Bush Camp

Fly-camping is a term used by early campers in Africa who would sleep in the bush under nothing more than a flysheet - the camping tradition before the advent of luxury ‘glamping’. Now, fly-camping in Gonarezhou involves a mobile camp that is moved each day to give you the best possible exposure to different parts of the reserve. Once at camp, guest erect their own tents while the rest of the site is created by the team, food is prepared, and then it's time to relax and enjoy the sunset. Breakfasts and dinners are usually eaten around the campfire, whilst lunch is almost always a picnic in the bush.

Fly camps use tight mesh netted dome tents, making a sealed cocoon which keeps out any crawlies that might disturb your snooze. The green mesh makes the tents virtually transparent at night, so once you’re snugly in bed you’ll have a front row view into the centre of the universe. Beds consist of comfortable bedrolls with 100% cotton linen, duvets and feather pillows. Ablution facilities are a simple affair, and either consist of bathing in the river or having a bucket shower. Loos are shared short drops.

On the trail, it's up at sunrise and, after a light breakfast, straight off on foot into the bush with a small pack containing lunch and water for the day. Most of the walking is limited to the cooler hours of the day, aiming to be at the next camp in the mid to late afternoon, ensuring lots of time to relax (and bathe) before sunset. Really, this is the ultimate 'slow safari' to really take in all the sights and sounds of the bush.