BULAWAYO poet, critic and writer John Eppel has teamed up with an agency, Safari Guide Afrika and a safari company Black Rhino Safaris to provide clients with a unique experience, combining arts and nature.
Eppel told Standard Style that they would call it a Writers’ Safari and they are hoping to start in April.
“The Writers’ Safari is a three night adventure package including game drives, hikes, rhino tracking, visiting cave paintings and World's View,” he said.
“Tourists will be accommodated at the Farmhouse and escorted by Black Rhino Safaris.
“In between experiencing the natural wonders of the Matobo Hills, visitors will attend creative writing workshops with me.
“In-between all these typical safari activities, I will add a new dimension to the experience by running a writers' workshop with a focus on poetry. In the evenings, sitting around a campfire, I might read some of my Matobo poems. Anybody in the world is welcome to take part.”
Eppel said the intersection of nature and art in such a beautiful and historically significant place, one that has inspired so many writers and artists over the years, was not something he envisioned on his own.
“This collaboration of nature and art in one of the most beautiful and historic places in the world, indeed, one of the most inspiring for writers, was not my idea,” he said.
“It was suggested by Nicholas Marillier, who runs Safari Guide Africa: info@safariguideafrika.com.
“We are hoping to start in April. Safari Guide Afrika is a guiding service for specialist private safari guides of different areas of expertise.
“Black Rhino Safaris is a photographic safari operator based out of Bulawayo and runs Bulawayo historical tours and rhino walks in the Matobo Hills.”
