9 Days Luxury Zimbabwe Safari Holiday

A landlocked country in the heart of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe is defined by its game-rich national parks, fascinating cultural history, and some of Africa’s most beautiful and dramatic landscapes. Zimbabwe is perhaps best known for being home to Victoria Falls – the largest waterfall in the world and a playground for adventurers, with white water rafting, helicopter tours and bungee jumping. In the southwest of the country, Hwange National Park is the obvious choice for a Big Five safari, with one of highest animal diversities in world as well as one of the largest elephant populations on the planet. In the north, Mana Pools National Park is especially good for an active combination of walking and canoe safaris.

Safari highlights

Hiking to Victoria Falls
Game drives in Hwange national park
Game viewing in Mana pools

Detailed safari itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Victoria Falls international airport and transfer to your lodge for relaxation

Upon arrival at the Victoria Falls national park, you will be received by our guide and transferred to your lodge for relaxation and overnight.

Day 2: Visit Victoria falls for a hike

Your guide will meet you at the lodge reception at 0900hrs and take you to the main falls entry via the Big Tree for a 2-3 hour guided tour of the majestic Victoria Falls. With the expert knowledge of your guide you will go through all the viewpoints inside the rain-forest. The tour will end back at the entrance by 1200hrs. You can have lunch at the Rain-forest cafe (lunch is at clients own expense). Your guide will transfer you back to the lodge.

Day 3: Flight from Victoria falls to Hwange national park

You’ll be transferred to Victoria Falls airport, where you will connect with your scheduled charter flight to Hwange National Park, spending the next three nights in one of the best game viewing areas in the heart of the park. Enjoy an afternoon game drive and look out for Hwange’s roan and sable antelope. The park also offers good elephant sightings.

Day 4: Full day game drives in Hwange national park

We recommend that you make the most of the early morning before breakfast to look for cats. Then enjoy a late breakfast and perhaps a walk before or after lunch to experience the finer details of the bush. There are many sought-after bird species here, such as Arnot’s chat, Dickinson’s kestrel and Bradfield’s hornbill.

Day 5: Full day game drives in Hwange national park

This is the ideal opportunity to see Africa’s key species up close from the safety of Makalolo’s wooden hide at the waterhole. Wildlife you may encounter here or on your drives include large herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as lion, leopard, spotted hyena, giraffe, roan and sable antelope.

Day 6: Flight from Hwange to Mana pools national park

After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the airstrip to connect with the scheduled flight (included) to Mana Pools National Park, which is well known for its remoteness and wildlife. You can spend the next three days exploring it on bush walks, game drives or the popular canoeing.

Day 7: Full day game drives and boat cruise

Take in the views of Africa’s Great Rift Valley Mountains across the river in Zambia; go on a game drive in an open safari vehicle or cruise along the Zambezi River on the lookout for grunting hippo and other wildlife. See how many birds you can spot; there are numerous local specials like collared palm-thrush and racket-tailed roller.

Day 8: Full day walking safari and game drives

Morning walking safari to watch how the elephant come to enjoy the tasty pods of the Acacia albida (Ana) trees dotted all over the camp. You’re welcome to join an early morning drive followed by breakfast and to go out again in the afternoon to search for more wildlife and birds.

Day 9: Flight from Mana pools to Victoria Falls airport for your flight

You’ll fly to Victoria Falls airport to connect with your flight home. If you prefer, we can arrange for you to fly to Livingstone in Zambia to catch your connecting flight home from there. Note that if you choose to fly to Livingstone, you’ll need a multiple entry visa for Zambia.

Trip includes

Domestic flights
Accommodation
Vehicle, guide and fuel
Park entrance fees
All activities included on your final itinerary
Enroute meals and drinking water
Airport transfers

Trip excludes

International flights
Travel insurance
Zimbabwe tourist visa
Alcoholic drinks
Tips for guides and hotels

When to book this safari package

We recommend booking this safari package 9 months to 1 year in advance.

Best time to visit Zimbabwe for a safari

Zimbabwe is a fantastic safari destination at any time in the year, but the best times to visit are from June through September. This coincides with the dry season, which makes it an excellent time to see animals congregating around water holes.

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