13-Day Best of Zimbabwe Safari
13-Day Best of Zimbabwe Safari
From: US$6,993 per person
Accommodation: Comfortable mid-range lodges and camps with en-suite facilities
Accommodation
Days 1–2
Ilala Lodge (or similar)
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Days 3–5
Hideaways Nantwich Lodge (or similar)
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Days 6–8
Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp (or similar)
Northern Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Days 9–12
Hideaways Mhara River Camp (or similar)
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
13-Day Best of Zimbabwe Safari
Experience Zimbabwe‘s most iconic wilderness destinations on this remarkable 13-day safari, combining the thundering Victoria Falls with the wildlife-rich plains of Hwange National Park and the untouched landscapes of Mana Pools National Park. Created for travellers looking to experience Zimbabwe’s finest natural attractions, this itinerary blends exceptional game viewing, guided bush walks, scenic flights, and unforgettable safari experiences across three of the country’s premier wildlife regions.
Begin your adventure at the spectacular Victoria Falls, where rainforest pathways and panoramic viewpoints reveal one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. Continue into Hwange National Park, home to Africa’s largest elephant population, impressive predator sightings, and vast open savannahs teeming with wildlife.
Your safari concludes in the remote wilderness of Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its walking safaris, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking scenery along the mighty Zambezi River. Together, these extraordinary destinations deliver the ultimate Zimbabwe safari experience.
Safari Highlights
Victoria Falls
Witness the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, where the mighty Zambezi River crashes into a dramatic series of gorges below. Known as Mosi-oa-Tunya—”The Smoke That Thunders”—this natural wonder creates an enormous curtain of spray visible for kilometres. Stroll through the lush rainforest, admire spectacular viewpoints, or enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise along the Zambezi River.
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe’s largest national park offers an incredible diversity of habitats, from open grasslands and mopane woodland to sweeping plains dotted with waterholes. Hwange is famous for its enormous elephant herds, thriving lion population, buffalo, leopard, African wild dog, and an impressive variety of antelope and birdlife.
Northern Hwange
Explore one of Hwange’s most secluded regions, where rugged hills, sandstone formations, and seasonal rivers create a striking wilderness landscape. Guided game drives and walking safaris reveal wildlife gathering around natural springs, while ancient stone ruins and San rock art offer a fascinating glimpse into Zimbabwe’s rich cultural heritage.
Mana Pools National Park
Stretching along the banks of the Zambezi River, Mana Pools is one of Africa’s premier safari destinations. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its floodplains, towering winterthorn forests, abundant wildlife, and exceptional walking safaris. Encounters with elephants, buffalo, lions, and prolific birdlife make every day unforgettable.
Chitake Escarpment
The dramatic Chitake Escarpment offers a remote and rugged safari experience unlike anywhere else in Zimbabwe. Seasonal riverbeds and towering cliffs attract an abundance of wildlife to the area’s limited water sources, creating outstanding opportunities to observe predators and plains game on game drives, guided walks, and seasonal night drives.
Included in the Package:
12 breakfasts
10 lunches
10 dinners
Three shared light aircraft flights
All road transfers as per the itinerary
Scheduled safari activities
Selected local beverages
Professional English-speaking safari guides
National park entrance fees, river usage fees, and Grow Africa levies (unless otherwise stated)
Excluded from the Package:
International and domestic flights
Accommodation before and after the safari
Optional excursions and activities
Premium and imported beverages
Personal expenses, including gratuities, curios, telephone calls, and travel insurance
Day 1–2 | Victoria Falls
Upon arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport, you will be welcomed and transferred to Ilala Lodge for a two-night stay. Ideally positioned within walking distance of Victoria Falls, the lodge provides a comfortable retreat with elegant rooms overlooking landscaped gardens and distant views of the spray rising above the Falls.
Included during your stay is a guided tour of Victoria Falls, allowing you to experience the breathtaking viewpoints along the rainforest trails, followed by a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
There is also time to explore the vibrant town of Victoria Falls, browse local craft markets, or enjoy one of the many cafés and restaurants. Optional activities include helicopter and microlight flights over the Falls, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, the Gorge Swing, and wildlife excursions in nearby reserves.
Day 3–5 | Hwange National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your scheduled light aircraft flight to Robins Airstrip. On arrival, enjoy a game drive en route to Hideaways Nantwich Lodge, where you’ll spend the next three nights.
Set in a remote area overlooking a busy waterhole, Nantwich Lodge offers an intimate safari experience with beautifully appointed suites, panoramic viewing decks, a swimming pool, and an underground hide that brings guests remarkably close to visiting wildlife.
Daily game drives explore one of Zimbabwe’s richest wildlife regions, where elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, hyenas, African wild dogs, and numerous antelope species roam freely across the plains and woodlands. Guided bush walks may also be offered, providing fascinating insight into the smaller details of the African wilderness.
After sunset, optional night drives within the private concession offer opportunities to encounter elusive nocturnal animals before returning to camp for dinner beneath the stars.
Day 6–8 | Northern Hwange National Park
Following an early breakfast, continue north on a leisurely game drive towards Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp.
Hidden among rocky hills and sandstone outcrops, Bumbusi enjoys an idyllic location close to a permanent natural spring that attracts wildlife throughout the year. With only a handful of charming stone-and-canvas chalets, the camp offers an authentic safari experience in one of Hwange’s quietest regions.
Game drives and guided walks explore the surrounding wilderness, including the Deka River, Bumbusi Gorge, and nearby woodlands. Visits to the historic Bumbusi National Monument and ancient San rock engravings provide an added cultural dimension to your safari.
Relax on the viewing deck as elephants wander past camp before gathering around the fire for dinner beneath the African night sky.
Day 9–12 | Mana Pools National Park
After breakfast, transfer to Robins Airstrip for your scenic flight over Lake Kariba to Ruckomechi Airstrip. From here, continue to Hideaways Mhara River Camp, your home for the next four nights.
Located within a private concession bordering Mana Pools National Park, the camp overlooks the Chitake River beneath a canopy of mature riverine trees. Spacious safari tents provide a comfortable base while wildlife frequently passes through camp.
Each day offers exciting opportunities to explore this remarkable wilderness through guided game drives and walking safaris. Search for lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and an incredible diversity of birdlife while discovering the spectacular scenery of the Chitake Gorge.
Seasonal night drives provide an entirely different perspective of the bush, with chances to encounter elusive nocturnal wildlife. Evenings are spent sharing stories around the campfire before retiring beneath Africa’s star-filled skies.
Day 13 | Departure
After breakfast, transfer by road to Ruckomechi Airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft flight to Robert Mugabe International Airport in Harare, arriving in time to connect with your onward international flight.
Depart with unforgettable memories of Zimbabwe’s magnificent wildlife, dramatic landscapes, and world-class safari experiences.
Lodges in Zimbabwe:
https://www.south-african-lodges.com/country/zimbabwe/lodges
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