Sango Wildlife Conservancy ZIMBABWE

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2 Sango Wildlife Conservancy ZIMBABWE

3 In the shadows of wise baobabs Sango is a world class destination in the heart of Zimbabwe

4 Situated in the largest private owned wildlife conservancy in the world Sango stretches from the Bikita Hills in the West, across nine major habitat zones, to the Save River in the East

5 Where animals are allowed to roam free Sango is rich with wildlife and boasts Africa s Big 5

6 Adventure pursuits are the order of the day and night A variety of activities including game drives, game viewing on horseback and guided bush walks are available

7 Protection of ecological integrity Sound wildlife management encourages the growth of viable populations of many different species

8 An avian paradise One of the most diverse raptor populations in Southern Africa, and many other rare species just waiting to be spotted by ornithological aficionados

9 Personalised service and impeccable attention to detail Enjoy superb rustic cuisine served in unique settings under the stars of the breathtaking Southern Skies

10 A serene sanctuary awaits your arrival Sango Lodge is constructed from natural materials and is ingeniously placed amongst baobabs and granite hills

11 Combining the romance of the 1920s with contemporary African design Four exclusive private eco-suites, each with their own private patio, offer guests uncomplicated luxury

12 Under the brilliant African sun Guests at Sango can enjoy modern amenities while civilisation becomes a distant memory

13 Moroccan nights Syringa Cottage offers total privacy and will steal guests to a far away land

14 I dreamed of Africa Suni Cottage overlooks the Mokore River and is conducive to focused thought and inspired reflection

15 Passionate sunsets Chinga Cottage offers panoramic views and breathtaking sunsets from the private patio

16 In harmony with nature Boabab Cottage is unobtrusively constructed around a baobab and granite rocks

17 Impressive local architecture frames the landscape Our renowned open-air lapa adds to the sense of adventure

18 On the rocks Time spent on Sundowner Rock will be quiet and tranquil

19 Inspiring the pioneering spirit Four luxury en-suite tents are nestled within the heart of the evergreen riverine forest that stretches along the Msaize River

20 Combining the adventure of a tent with the sophistication of a permanent structure Each tent is comprised of a bedroom, en-suite bathroom and private deck

21 Sango s location within Zimbabwe Location Sango is situated in the South East of Zimbabwe, one of six countries at the Southern tip of Africa, which is bordered by Zambia (North), Mozambique (East), South Africa (South) and Botswana (West). Sango s lodge a is a jewel in the crown of the conservancy. Sango lies in the heart of the Save Valley Conservancy, the largest privately owned wildlife conservancy in the world, which is situated within the extension of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Stretching from the Bikita Hills in the West, across nine major habitat zones to the Save River in the East, Sango provides guests with hectares (600 km2) of untamed Africa. Major tourism destinations such as the Gonarezhou National Park, Kruger National Park, Okavango Delta, Portuguese Islands of Mozambique and Victoria Falls are also easily accessible. GPS Coordinates for Sango Landing Strip S 20, E 032, GPS Coordinates Sango HQ S 20, E 032, Access Sango is approximately 440 kilometres south east of Harare, Zimbabwe and can be accessed by air or road. By Air Fly with a commercial airline to Johannesburg, South Africa and charter a private flight to Buffalo Range Airport, Zimbabwe, clear immigration and customs and continue with your charter flight to Sango Airstrip for collection. Approximate journey time from Johannesburg to Sango is hours. Fly with a commercial airline to Harare Airport, Zimbabwe, clear immigration and customs and charter a private flight to Sango Airstrip. Approximate journey time from Harare to Sango is 1 hour. Fly with a commercial airline to Harare Airport, Zimbabwe, clear immigration and customs and be collected by our Airport Transfer for the journey by road to Sango. Approximate journey time from Harare to Sango is 4-5 hours. By Road Drive with your own vehicle using directions from your point of entry into Zimbabwe which we will provide with pleasure. Please note that the last 50 kilometres are unpaved dirt road. Air and/or road transfers to Sango as well as hotel accommodation before and/or after your stay at Sango can be arranged by our efficient staff upon request.

22 Our Vision Our vision at Sango is to restore and maintain the natural biodiversity of the Save Valley Conservancy on a sustainable basis for the socio-economic benefit of the region using best practice and ethical business principles that derive no benefits for anyone at the expense of our fauna and flora. Conservation Sango forms part of the Save Valley Conservancy, an area of some hectares (3 000 km 2 ) with no internal fences, where animals are allowed to roam free and exercise their natural movement patterns. Sango stretches across nine major habitat zones, and boasts diverse fauna, flora and topography, which has seen Sango become a popular destination since the lodge opened its doors to guests in Ecological Mission Nature is at the heart of Sango, which is why we established a wildlife conservation area where we aim to maintain the natural resources of the Save Valley Conservancy, through the application of sound ecological management practices, for use and enjoyment by future generations. Relief Most of the Conservancy falls between the 400 and 600 meter contours. Topography is variable between isolated granite inselbergs in the west to evergreen riverine forests in the east. The landscape is further complemented by extended alluvial plains, large natural pans surrounded by fever trees and sandstone hills. Water a formidable river up to 1.8 km wide. This meanders through floodplains along the eastern boundary of Sango and is punctuated by many densely forested islands. cuts through granite cliffs and hills in the south west of the property. which end in large pans holding water for up to 10 months of the year. Vegetation of various types. grasslands.

23 Wildlife Selective Results of the latest Total Aerial and Ground Surveys Species Quantity Species Quantity Baboon Troops 30 Black Rhinoceros 20 Buffalo 400 Bushbuck 450 Bush Pig 400 Cheetah 5 Crocodile 150 Duiker 80 Eland 760 Elephant 570 Giraffe 350 Honey Badger 55 Hyena (Spotted) Hyena (Brown) 5-10 Impala (Southern) Jackal (Black-backed) 70 Jackal (Side striped) 10 Kudu 620 Klipspringer 50 Leopard Lion Nyala 20 Sable Antelope 120 Sharpe s Grysbok 50 Warthog 440 Waterbuck 250 White Rhinoceros 15 Vervet Monkey Troops 35 Wild Dog 50 Wildebeast (Blue) Zebra (Burchell s) The information obtained from surveys, studies and observations allows Sango to develop and implement sound ecological management strategies.

24 Birding at the Sango Conservancy Sango is one of those rare locations where a visit endures in the memory way above the ordinary or usual. From the luxurious lodge to the wide vistas dotted with granite boulder koppies (inselbergs), woodlands of tall trees, and broad rivers with wide expanses of water and sand fringed with tropical riverine vegetation. Against this rich canvas one can experience the many species of birds and other wildlife that the Sango conservancy has to offer. Sango s very diverse landscape sets the stage for an impressive avifauna, with more than 300 species regularly recorded on the property. Year-round, it is a birder s paradise, with bird diversity in the summer months augmented by the arrival of many migrant species, while in the latter part of summer and early winter, when the seasonal pans are inundated, a host of water birds arrive to take advantage of the breeding conditions. Sango is situated on the western bank of the broad sandy Save River, a mass of water nearly two kilometres wide with many islands obscuring the opposite bank. These islands are covered with tall Albizia (Albizia glaberrima) trees and wild figs. The vegetation on the riverbank abounds with these wonderful tall trees and, in some places, forests of Umbrella Thorn (Acacia tortilis) form a cool canopy overhead. On Sango s ground the river runs for 24 kilometres from north to south, and on the eastern horizon behind these islands the alluring high ground of the Chimanimani Mountains can be seen - another mecca for birders close enough to be experienced when visiting Sango. The western part of Sango consists mainly of undulating granitic terrain. The granites support tall tree habitats, mostly dominated by Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) and the graceful White Syringa (Kirkia acuminata). Beautiful boulder koppies are common and are often associated with magnificent old Baobabs (Adansonia digitata). The landscape grades eastward to flat alluvial plains and it is here where the majority of the game is to be found. The wildlife at Sango stands back for no other reserve. Zebra, wildebeest, eland, giraffe and impala are common. Sango is home to the Big 6 (elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and both black and white rhinos), as well as wild dog, cheetah and hippo. Sango also boasts a full suite of the smaller predators and all the antelopes historically known to have inhabited the area. The wildlife occurs in relatively high densities allowing for regular sightings and exciting game drives. With a current bird list of around 330 species, the rich diversity is a birder s dream. While most birders will know many of these species, it is Sango s specials that will ensure an unforgettable experience. Birding starts right in the lodge where Boulder Chats and Mocking Cliff-chats are much in evidence. Boulder Chats are near endemics to Zimbabwe, extending only narrowly into neighbouring countries, and they are much sought after by South African and other international birders. From the lodge, both Verreaux s and Crowned eagles can be seen soaring or displaying. A short walk from the lodge allows a view on a Crowned Eagle s nest in a Baobab. Grey-headed Parrots are often spotted from the deck of the lodge as they make their way noisily up and down the river.

25 Game drives usually focus on either the granites where the tall tree habitats are found or on the plains. These woodlands attract some of the specials and are especially favoured by the three oriole species. Black-headeds are generally abundant and present year-round, whereas the other two are summer visitors, the African Golden being confiding and generally easy to see, and the Eurasian Golden being rather shy but nevertheless often to be seen in close proximity to the lodge s lapa. White-breasted Cuckooshrike also favour these habitats, as does the much sought-after Racket-tailed Roller, which occurs on Sango in small numbers. Broadbilled Rollers are quite common and Dickinson s Kestrel is regularly spotted. The unmistakable tricky dick, tricky dick, tricky dick of the Stierling s Wren-Warbler makes it easy to locate. Certain parts of the reserve contain some totally homogeneous stands of tall Mopane trees. These are strangely quiet and mysterious places due to the absence of other trees, and even though the homogeneous nature probably discourages some bird species, this is the favoured habitat of Arnot s Chats. Being rather vociferous, a few moments of quiet observation will often reveal their presence to the keen birder. Once out of the tall trees, the alluvial plains also have their own special birds. One of the more sought after of these is the Three-banded Courser. In South Africa this bird is restricted to the Pafuri area and further west along the Limpopo River. They are very rare and difficult to see there, but in Sango they are fairly common and a night drive through these plains will usually prove fruitful. Meve s Starling has a similar distribution to the courser in South Africa, but in Sango it is abundant and conspicuous. Another special bird that can be found here in summer is the Grey-headed Kingfisher and on occasion the Pennant-winged Nightjar. Senegal Coucal, a slightly smaller bird than Burchell s Coucal and perhaps appearing to be a bit scruffier, is often seen out on the plains.

26 The vegetation of the riverine areas is an experience on its own, but is also habitat to some of the other special birds. These include the African Yellow White-eye, Eastern Saw-wing, Cuckoo Hawk and Eastern Nicator. White-crowned Lapwings are common on the sandbars, while in the forest patches Narina Trogon occurs. More interestingly, palm groves offer habitat to Collared Palm-Thrush, and in the southern reaches of the Save River on Sango, Mottled spinetails can be seen. The Eastern Saw-wings seem to be altitudinal migrants from the Chimanimani Mountains to the east and are present only in winter. The best time of the year to come birding at Sango is between November and March. In November, the migrants have all arrived and the woodland birds are at their best; in March the woodland has become quieter and the focal birds become those that have arrived to take advantage of the seasonal wetlands. Sango has a few large pans that fill up during seasons of good rainfall and become covered with a profusion of water lilies and other aquatic plants.. These attract many water birds such as Lesser Moorhen, Allen s Gallinule, Lesser Jacana, Dwarf Bittern and Pygmy Goose. Many other herons, storks, ducks and waders also move in to capitalise on the conditions and Openbills nest colonially in the trees over the water. Standing out above the abundance of special birds, Sango s star attractions must be the majestic birds of prey. Tall trees provide the perfect habitat for most of these and all of the resident African eagles are present. Sparrowhawks, Goshawks and Snake-eagles are well represented. Thirtyfour species of vultures, hawks and eagles can be found on Sango, and eight species of owls. The property supports about a dozen pairs each of African Crowned Eagle and African Hawk Eagle, six pairs of Bataleur, and twentytwo pairs of Wahlberg s Eagle. Rarities such as Bat Hawks and Dickinson s Kestrel are also found here. Sango routinely monitors the numbers of birds of prey as part of Zimbabwe s SE Lowveld Bird Atlassing Project and is involved with the Endangered Wildlife Trust s Ground Hornbill Working Group in monitoring the local population of this endangered species (five groups of these hornbills breed on Sango). Access to other birding areas Some of the more important birding areas in Southern Africa are easily accessible from Sango and Sango Management would be happy to arrange outings to these areas. These areas are in the Eastern Highlands and include Nyanga, Bvumba, Seldom Seen, Chirinda Forest, Leopard Rock, the Honde Valley and the Haroni-Rusitu confluence. The bird specials in these areas are legendary to South African birders. It is near impossible to list them all, but to whet the appetite, these include Eastern Bronzenaped Pigeon, Pallid Honeyguide, Scarce and Mottled swifts, Green-backed Woodpecker, Ayre s Hawk-Eagle, Silvery-cheeked Hornbill, Swynnerton s Robin, Stripe-cheeked and Tiny greenbuls, Red-faced Crimsonwing, Blue-spotted Wood-dove, Cinnamonbreasted Tit, Moustached Grass Warbler, Red-winged Warbler, Anchieta s Tchagra, Chirinda Apalis, Roberts s Warbler, Blue Swallow, Lesser Seedcracker, Black-andwhite Crested Flycatcher and many species of sunbirds. On the pass up to the highlands a few Miombo specials such as Cabanis s Bunting and Miombo Rock Thrush can be found. The Sango team can tailor tours to these areas to allow the keen birder the best chance of achieving his particular hit list. A summer visit of a few days to Sango could yield upward of 200 species, while another more could be added on the Eastern Highland leg.

27 Among the species that can be seen on Sango, depending on season, the following are of special interest:

28 Activities Sango offers a variety of activities that will allow guests to fill their days from sunrise to sunset including abseiling, archery, canoeing, cultural walks, falconry, game drives, game viewing on horseback, guided bush walks, mountain biking, rhino tracking and wild dog denning views. Sango has attracted and retained the services of skilled and qualified staff which also allows us to offer unique and tailor-made hunting, bird watching and photographic safari packages for our guests. Sango Lodge also offers small group incentives and is best-suited for the top management of your company. The remoteness of the African bush is the perfect setting in which executives can relax, clear their minds, gain a fresh perspective and solve the real issues at hand or plan for the future. Accommodation One of the features of Sango is its exclusivity. While you and your group are there, the lodge and its hectares (600km 2 ) conservation area is yours. Sango combines the romance of the 1920s with contemporary African design for the epitome in opulent indulgence. Sango Lodge Four exclusive private eco-suites, constructed of stone, wood and glass, are ingeniously placed amongst Baobabs and boulders and can accommodate 14 guests. Tented Safari Camp Four luxury en-suite tents are nestled within the heart of the evergreen riverine forest that stretches along the Msaize River and can accommodate six guests and one guide.

29 Climate Warm day-time temperatures are experienced throughout summer and winter and allow Sango to welcome guests throughout the year. In summer (October to April), daytime temperatures range from C ( F), while the evenings are warm but pleasant. In winter (May to September), daytime temperatures range from C (65-85 F) while the evenings and early mornings are cold with temperatures falling as low as 1 C on occasion. The rain season commences in mid to late November and lasts to the end of March and rainfall varies from 350 mm to 650 mm per annum. Infrastructure Roads The Conservancy is served by an extensive network of graded roads and cleared tracks, attempting least disturbance of habitats. All-weather crossings, weirs and bridges have been constructed only where necessary. Airfield Sango is served by a single grass runway 900 min length, about five minutes away from the Lodge. Management Complexes Management and staff housing Offices Workshops, stores Coldrooms Skinning sheds Trophy handling facilities In Conclusion Climate is moderate, unlike other lowveld areas. Whilst summer humidity supports malaria this is normally not an issue in winter. However, visitors are encouraged to take malaria prophylactics. Sango is easily accessible from South Africa (by road and air). Close proximity and ease of links with the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Other major tourism destinations such as Victoria Falls, the Okavango Delta, Kruger National Park and the islands of southern Mozambique are equally accessible. Unlike most other competing wildlife areas, this is freehold land. Landowners have a great deal of flexibility in management and utilisation activities. Winding Down Sango is a unique concept which achieves the perfect balance between the riches of Africa and uncomplicated luxury. We invite you to live your own dream of Africa and make new memories under the brilliant African sun.

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