![A group of 7 people seated in the valley in front of a herd of around 40 buffalo grazing in the middle of the valley](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/A-group-on-foot-observing-a-herd-of-buffalo-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
Morning safari at Tree Lodge at Sikumi, Hwange, Zimbabwe
Discovering Africa
Anytime is a good time for a safari drive![The thatched lodges of the camp, raised off the floor, built between the trees, with them growing through the structures.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-raised-tree-lodges-at-Sikumi-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
We were staying at the Tree Lodge at Sikumi on the edge of Hwange National Park, this was going to be our first-morning game drive since we arrived in Zimbabwe.
We were eager to get going, even at 6 am. The thrill of a safari drive never fails to put a smile on my face, it’s the unknown that I love.
Some days you’re lucky, and see some incredible wildlife passing through the bush, and other days the animals are deep in the undergrowth watching us instead, having the last laugh.
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Off into the sunrise
Zimbabwe at its best![Mist hangs over the valley that used to once be a river bed, with a golden sky, tinged with purples before the sun rises.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Morning-mist-over-the-dry-vlei-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
Good to know!
The best time to Explore Zimbabwe
The tranquillity of the morningEvery so often, Danny stops the truck and cuts the engine to preserve our presence to a minimum. Danny quietly chats to us about the surrounding environment and how the incredible landscape has evolved over thousands of years.
As we slowly progress bouncing over the mixed terrain and through the woodland, I have my expectations set too high, and my fingers are crossed for spotting elephants and lions.
Our first spot of the morning was a lone giraffe, well, I say lone, it had a couple of little feathered friends pecking at his neck for some breakfast.
![The head and shoulders of a giraffe feeding, with a pair of Ox-Pecker birds on the neck, catching a little bit of breakfast.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/A-lone-giraffe-feedingMorning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
![A full-length view of the giraffe who has now spotted us, and is looking straight at us.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/The-giraffe-has-spotted-us.-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
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A herd of buffalo
Will we, or won’t we?We’d been weaving our way through the bush for a couple of hours, and we really felt that our luck wasn’t in on this occasion. Although we had seen some beautiful birds.
We were on our return journey back to lodge, and as we crossed the vlei, Gary spotted a herd of buffalo. Danny headed over into the direction of the herd, and we cut the engine once again and stopped and sat watching peacefully from a distance.
![A group of 7 people seated in the valley in front of a herd of around 40 buffalo grazing in the middle of the valley](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/A-group-on-foot-observing-a-herd-of-buffalo-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
![A herd of buffalo grazing, with the ones on the periphery keeping a close eye on us watching them. There's a young calf laid between 2 of the 'guards'.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/A-cautious-herd-of-buffalo-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
Once the walking group had moved away, Danny manoeuvred the truck closer to the herd, still at a distance not to startle them.
They are very cautious animals, so they were quite wary of us, and the group didn’t come too close but looking at their horns I wasn’t too bothered. They apparently have a perfect sense of smell, so knew exactly where we were.
![An even closer view of the grazing herd of buffalo focused on the lookouts, who are watching us intently.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/A-bit-too-close-for-comfort-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
![A single buffalo, watching us.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Keeping-a-close-eye-on-us-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
Is Zimbabwe for you?
Take a peek at our Sundowner Cruise and our Morning safari posts on Lake Kariba and start creating your own adventure.
Search for your flights in one easy place with ebookers.com and open up a world of options. Over 400 airlines are scanned for your favoured routes and chosen dates.
The morning is not over yet
![Four Zebras looking at us across the grasslands of the view, in the background is one of the termite hills, standing approximately 2 meters tall, that pepper the base of the valley.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Zebra-along-the-valley-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
![A jackal is looking back over his shoulder, watching us, as he goes about his business.](https://www.ourworldforyou.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/A-Jackal-aware-of-our-presence-Morning-safari-Tree-Lodge-at-Sikumi-Hwange-Zimbabwe-R2.jpg)
A helpful guide
If you're considering an adventure around Zimbabwe, then your in for a holiday of a lifetime. I always find it incredibly useful to plan our trips with the help of a guide book.
Take a look at this informative Bradt guide, it will give you great tips and advice.
Getting to Hwange
Prior to arriving at Hwange, we’d visited Victoria Falls town for a couple of nights, after flying in from Harare. It goes without saying that a visit to the incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site of Victoria Falls is a must; however, I urge you to venture further afield. Hwange National Park is only around a 2-hour drive from Victoria Falls town, and there’s such incredible wildlife at your fingertips. Another location I highly recommend is Lake Kariba, this is truly an experience you’ll treasure for life.
Flight options from Harare to Victoria Falls are with either Air Zimbabwe or Fastjet airlines.
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Inspired to visit Hwange National Park?
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