The ground drops rapidly from the town of Chipinge down to the Save River lowveld, with a significant rise in temperature and the occurrence of dry land vegetation, including baobabs. The impressive silver painted structure of Birchenough Bridge, modelled on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, provides access across the Save River to the Save Valley Conservancy.

The conservancy was established in the early 1990’s when a number of farmers agreed, after a severe drought, to diversify from cattle to game farming. Today it teems with game, including the Big 5.

Vegetation varies markedly in this area, with some of the most pleasing and evocative African bush.
Dense riverine growth occurs along the watercourses which often quickly transitions to small patches of bush interspersed with open areas where the soil has been trampled to dust by the passage of hooves. Mopane forest gives way towards the Save River to open veld with one of the largest forests of stately Ilala palms which are dotted amongst the baobabs and other hardy trees that surround the pans.

The Save Conservancy is sustained by hunting and photographic safaris but there is also substantial agricultural activity on Humani Ranch. There are a few accommodation options around the conservancy.

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