From the family behind Africa’s iconic silverware brand Patrick Mavros, comes Mavros Safaris.
As fifth-generation Zimbabweans, the Mavros family has tapped into their extensive contacts to offer unrivalled access to the country’s most beautiful private homes and the best safari guides on the continent. They and their closest friends are passionate experts on Zimbabwean art and culture, wildlife and communities. They know their homeland inside out, and want to share their love and knowledge with the rest of the world.
Alexander Mavros, the eldest of four Mavros brothers, and his wife Alexandra have spent years curating the kind of unique experiences and itineraries that will show Zimbabwe in an entirely new light. They will take their guests to parts of the country visited by very few in recent years, from the extraordinary conical towers of the lost city of Great Zimbabwe to the trout-filled lakes of the Eastern Highlands and the misty mountains of Chimanimani on the Mozambique border, as well as the country’s classic sites.
Mavros Safaris has a dedicated team based in Harare and are on hand 24 hours a day, from the moment of arrival to departure and beyond. Mavros Safaris prides itself on its service and considers nothing as trivial: they want to welcome guests as they would new members of their own family.
The aim is for guests to get a real taste of Africa at its most authentic, delivering once-in-a-lifetime safaris that deliver positive changes for local communities, as well as benefiting the Zimbabwean environment and its wildlife.
The family has a lifetime of stories to tell, about the country’s fascinating history, its deep and profoundly held cultures, its breathtaking natural beauty and of course its precious wildlife. This is not about packaging up a predictable circuit, it is all about exploring the unexpected, and leaving at the end of it with a real appreciation for the country and its people, and a longing to return.
Every journey created by Mavros Safaris is personalised. With access to private concessions within the country’s most famous game reserves, there are no time restrictions or schedules. Guests are in charge of where the day leads, whether it’s tracking big cats, resting by a river listening to an enthralling bush story, or watching aardvarks by moonlight. Canoe safaris, river-boat safaris and cultural retreats are all on the cards, and Mavros Safaris can arrange fully serviced stays in unique private homes in extraordinary locations across Zimbabwe.
The Mavros family brand is built on heritage, exceptional service and a passion to explore beyond the boundaries. Now is the time to join them on a Zimbabwean adventure like no other…
2018 NEWS
The Zimbabwean Government are currently reviewing the country’s VISA requirements to help boost tourism and attract foreign direct investment.
Imvelo Safaris is to launch a new overnight sleeper train from Victoria Falls to Hwange. Sleeping up to 24, travel in comfort and style with a specialist guide on-board ‘The Stimela Star’, before arriving in time for a full day’s safari in Hwange.
For the first time Great Plains is launching two camps in Zimbabwe; the Mpala Jena Concession within the Zambezi National Park and the private Sapi Reserve in the Zambezi Valley. The Sapi Reserve forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and borders the well-known Mana Pools Reserve, as well as forming the core area of the middle-Zambezi biosphere reserve.
The iconic Singita Pamushana lodge on the 130,000-acre Malilangwe Reserve will re-open in May after a significant design transformation. Two new two-bedroom suites will be added to the lodge, offering 8 suites in total and an exclusive-use 5-bedroom villa. New Federal Air scheduled flights to Buffalo Range and Victoria Falls have made this remote lodge easier to access and include as part of an incredible circuit of the country.
Introducing Mavros Safari’s exclusive ‘Safari Butler’ – explore the far reaches of Zimbabwe on an off-road foodie adventure with Dean Dowdney as the Safari Butler. Accompanied by his gourmet bush kitchen and craft gin bar on the back of his 4×4, travel through rural communities, meet locals and picnic at places no person has ever dined at before. His passion for Zimbabwe and bush fire cuisine, will see guests enjoy entertaining stories around the campfire, while dining on delicious dishes such as thick rump steaks cooked on mopani wood kindling, freshly caught bream and traditional sadza and stew.
AFRICA’S FINEST GUIDES
Elevate every experience with access to some of the most legendary guides and resident experts in Africa. From walking in the Mana Pools with Stretch Ferriera, hearing about wildlife conservation from Tusk award-winner Clive Stockhill, to being guided by Ant Kashula, one of the next generation of talented safari guides. Africa’s most coveted guiding team, Jonathan Francis and Gary Douglas are available by special request through Mavros Safaris.
Specialist archaeological and leading authors such as Paul Hubbard and Jono Waters are also available to share their knowledge and experiences with guests.
ADVENTURE BY FOOT, CANOE OR ON HORSEBACK…beyond the Big Five
Daredevils can walk the world’s tallest zip line at 762 metres or do the sky walk at Mutarazi Falls.
Canoe the Zambezi through Mana Pools or camp under the stars on the sleep out deck at Ruckomechi camp.
For those who wish to experience the incredible landscape on foot, discover the five-day hiking trail from Nyanga to Honde Valley, saddle up on a pack trip in Chimanimani or track elephants on the Ivory Trail in Gonareazhou.
Learn a new skill on a photographic safari, ride with giants where no car can take you, join a yoga and art retreat in the East Highlands, scuba dive in Chinoyi caves or learn to sail on Lake Kariba.
CULTURE LIKE NO OTHER IN AFRICA
Visit the annual Machangana Culture & Arts Festival, an authentic Shanaan village festival outside Gonarezhou, where guests of Chilo Gorge are honoured guests. A highlight spectacle is the ‘fish run’ where the adventurous participants brave the crocodiles in a village fishing tradition.
Visit over 500 ancient cave art sites and have a fascinating insight ancient tribal culture in Matobo National Park and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins – one of Africa’s best preserved archaeological sites.
AN OFF-ROAD FOODIE ADVENTURE WITH THE SAFARI BUTLER
Explore the far reaches of Zimbabwe on an off-road foodie adventure with Dean Dowdney as the Safari Butler
Accompanied by his gourmet bush kitchen and craft gin bar on the back of his 4×4, travel through rural communities, meet locals and picnic at places no person has ever dined at before
Dean’s passion for Zimbabwe and bush fire cuisine, will see guests enjoy entertaining stories around the campfire, while dining on delicious dishes such as thick rump steaks cooked on mopani wood kindling, freshly caught bream and traditional sadza and stew.
COMMUNITY & CRAFTMANSHIP
Visit the Tengenenge Sculpture Village, the home of Shona Sculpture, a village only two hours’ drive from Harare where every resident is an artist and every generation is devoted to the craft.
Combine a visit with the Tengenenge Sculpture Village with a hosted lunch with a local fourth generation Zimbabwean farmer and an exclusive safari in Mavuradona (with no other tourists in the park) and enjoy hiking, visiting waterfalls and game viewing.
A FAMILY ADVENTURE
Play football on the riverbed beneath the Chilojo Cliffs at Ant Kashula’s exclusive tented camp before going on a spoor safari and sharing stories around the campfire.
Learn and have fun on a dinosaur footprint safari after viewing Steve Edward’s own collection of dinosaur artefacts at Lake Kariba.
In the Eastern Highlands, have fun as a family on a waterfall safari, go tubing, kayaking, do canopy tours and rope courses.
WILDLIFE IN LESSER KNOWN REGIONS
THE MALILANGWE RESERVE – renowned for its assortment of game, including species such as Lichtenstein hartebeest, sable, nyala, klipspringer, cheetah, wild dog, lion and leopard. It’s well-known for a healthy population of endangered black and white rhinoceros, elephant and buffalo herds. Birds are also a huge part of the ecosystem here – there are over 400 different bird species in the area with 60 different types of raptors and 40 types of eagle.
THE MANA POOLS – famous for its elephants that stand on their hind feet to reach high fruit, hippos and crocodiles that swim alongside your canoe.
MATOBO NATIONAL PARK – an enclave of naturally occurring black and white rhino reside within these sacred granite kopjes
THE ULTIMATE MAVROS ZIMBABWE ITINERARY
Arrive in the capital Harare, and receive a warm welcome at the Patrick Mavros homestead. Visit the famous workshop, explore nearby ancient cave art with a local historian and learn more about the history of this fascinating country.
Fly into the Mana Pools for a walking safari with the legendary guide Stretch Ferriera
Cruise round Lake Kariba on one of the best houseboats in the country to enjoy fishing, game viewing and legendary sunsets with sundowners.
After two nights at the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel to witness the ‘the Smoke that thunders’, travel to the ultimate in luxury, Singita Pamushana and the Malilangwe reserve – one of Africa’s most successful conservation success stories.
HOW TO GET TO ZIMBABWE
Harare airport is directly connected to Johannesburg, Nairobi, Kigali and beautiful beach destinations.
Victoria Falls International airport opened in 2016 after a $150 million upgrade, enabling 1.2 million passengers to travel through it annually. British Airways flies direct from the UK and Emirates via Dubai.
Kenya Airways now fly on from Victoria Falls to Cape Town, creating a route linking the three iconic African destinations of Cape Town, Victoria Falls and Kilimanjaro.
The latest arrivals into Victoria Falls Airport are SA Airlink, offering the Cape Town to Victoria Falls route six days a week, and Fastjet, which has now added Johannesburg to Victoria Falls three times a week.
Federal Airlines now fly twice-weekly between Johannesburg and Buffalo Range Airport.
In May 2018, RwandaAir will launch flights from Kigali – Harare – Cape Town.
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