A Great Walking safari
Walking amongs wildlife in the bush with the iconic guide Stretch Ferreira
"A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE"
A Walking Safari like no other!
Stretch Ferreira Safaris is owned and run by Stretch Ferreira – a professional safari guide who has over 35 years of experience, and a reputation as one of the finest guides in Africa. Described as a “living legend” Stretch has been guiding walking safaris in Mana Pools for most of his life, and has a special affinity with the animals of the area. As in nature, seasons change, and Stretch has started a new season re-branding Goliath Safaris as Stretch Ferreira Safaris. He continues to conduct walking safaris from the same spot in Mana Pools called Goliath Camp, along with his team of highly experienced professional guides.
Stretch’s priority is first and foremost the safety of his guests. With his decades of experience, he is able to judge how close he can bring them to watch the animals of Mana Pools. Each and every day is different, and each animal is different, and the utmost care and respect are always shown to the wildlife on his walks. Stretch is described as an “elephant whisperer” and has personally named many of the elephant bulls of Mana Pools.
Just one of the many bull elephants that approached to within feet of us.
There are some givens when you come on an African safari with Stretch Ferreira: there will be magical encounters with wildlife that you didn’t believe was possible; the phenomenal colours and light of Mana Pools that you can’t see anywhere else, there will be many miles of walking and evenings filled with banter and campfire stories. However, what is not a given is the structure of each day. This is dependent on what each guest would like to do on the day as well as the weather and the wildlife. Each day is a unique adventure!
You'll meet SCAR FACE later
Kate takes a series of photographs of a large bull elephant strolling between us as it feeds on pods scattered from the trees around us.
Simon sits motionless as a large bull elephant approaches him
A DAYS WALKING WITH STRETCH
Rise & Shine
The camp wakes early to the sounds of the camp drums and the smell of brewing coffee. There is no time to waste when you are on a safari of a lifetime! Tea and coffee, rusks and porridge are served on the river bank to start the day.
Guys, Let’s Get Serious
Stretch’s standard greeting sets the day into motion, and his guests assemble in the game vehicle and off out at first light looking for tracks. Stretch leads the walks by finding and following tracks on an exciting walk through the bush. Each and every day is a different walk in a different area. Kate and Stretch begin the slow approach towards a feeding bull elephant.
Walking in single file with Stretch taking the lead.
Kate took the photographs in this sequence of images..
Stretch steps in front of Simon as he stops a mock charge from a familiar old bull elephant by using a raised hand and some reassuring words. This amazing experience resulted in Simon later sketching an image of this particular bull elephant which can be viewed on the website titled 'An unfamiliar scent'.
Bush Tea
By mid-morning Stretch stops following animal tracks, and starts tracking down some delicious treats instead! Found in a different “bush” tea room every day, a table of assorted pastries, cakes and toasties with fresh coffee and tea are served by a member of the Stretch Safaris team.
Kate photographing some wild dogs we had been following for a number of hours.
Never one to miss a photographic opportunity, after tea, there is some more walking with Stretch to enjoy all the magic that Mana Pools offers.
A wild dog feasting on a baboon kill that we witnessed
Lunch Is Served
Back at camp, a delicious lunch is served overlooking a spectacular view of the Zambezi River. Much of the producBack at camp, a delicious lunch is served overlooking a spectacular view of the Zambezi River. Much of the produce is from Stretch’s own organically inspired market garden aptly named “Organically Stretched”. We were in for a treat – the chefs are renowned for their beautifully freshly baked breads!
Siestas
Guests could either have a well earned afternoon siesta or just sit in the lounge area watching the hippos in the river, or the elephants coming to visit whereas we chose to have a dip in the Zambezi to cool off after a long walk.
Cooling Siesta in the Zambezi... What you don't see is the armed guard keeping an eye out for lurking crocs and Hippos
A paddle up the river to a sandbar just after lunch.
A female elephant and her calf stroll through camp past our tent..
Afternoon Adventures
The camp drums signal cake being served, before we set off on an afternoon game drive and more walking. We enjoyed taking photographs of an elephant bull stand on his back legs to feed on acacia, then we watched a pack of wild dogs resting after a successful hunt. Later we tracked on foot a pride of lions with the local Alpha male called Scar Face, he didn't disappoint and gave us a mock charge.
Scar Face gives us a mock charge just to keep us on our toes.
Sundowners At Sunset
Each of our afternoons ended with a spectacular sunset spot on the Zambezi River for sundowners – here we had the ubiquitous gin & tonic and local beer that have never tasted quite so good!
Dinner Under the Stars
Then it’s time to head back to the camp at last light, sometimes we were lucky and spotted nocturnal birds and animals. After a quick shower we headed over to the dining area where awaiting us was a 3-course dinner under the stars on the edge of the Zambezi River. We sat around a large table where wine and tales of the day and stories flowed to the sound of an African nightlife.
If you are able and this experience appeals to you, we recommend you do it!!
Press on the above link to go to Stretch Ferreira's website