The Ultimate Zimbabwe Safari (11 Nights)
Hello and welcome to your fantastic Zimbabwe Luxury Safari. We have selected some of the best locations in Zimbabwe to give you a truly incredible and well rounded experience. You will fly into Victoria Falls and be transferred to the fabulous Ilala Lodge, home to the award winning Palms restaurant and it is one of the closest hotels to the falls itself. There is a huge array of activities to do in Victoria Falls- from game activities to high adrenaline things like bungee jumping- there is something for everyone!
Next
you will take a shared charter flight to Hwange National
Park and the gorgeous Somalisa Expeditions. Nestled amongst
a grove of acacia trees deep in Hwange National Park,
Somalisa Expeditions is a truly authentic way to experience
the African bush. The area of the park in which this camp is
set is known for excellent game and you can be sure your
experience guides will look after you.
From there you head toward the famous Mana Pools Floodplain and your camp Zambezi Expeditions which is set on the banks of the Zambezi River. Large walk in tents are your accommodation where you can relax on your private veranda and watch the world go by.
Finally you have three nights in Gonarezhou which offers the striking red Chilojo cliffs as a back drop, winding river beds that are either flowing or dry both of which are beautiful to see. This park is more remote so less trafficked which means you often feel as if you have the place to yourself. Game can be exceptional here but with the lovely views from the lodge you might also fancy a bit of chill time at the lodge enjoying the scenery.
Day 1 - Victoria Falls
You will be met at Victoria Falls Airport by the transfer company who will be waiting in arrivals with your name on a sign. You will be transferred to Ilala Lodge.
Ilala Lodge Hotel is ideally located only 8 minutes away from the spectacular Victoria Falls. A family run hotel, Ilala Lodge has 73 stylish, well-appointed spacious rooms, that offer the ultimate in comfort and luxury. As we are the closest hotel to the beautiful Victoria Falls, the spray makes for a perfect backdrop during your stay.
Experience a culinary journey at the award-winning Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge Hotel. Centrally located only minutes away from the Victoria Falls, The Palm Restaurant offers a magnificent à la carte menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can choose from an extensive list of South Africa’s finest wines, cocktails and artisan gins. We offer an unrivalled al-fresco dining experience under the starlit African sky, with the sound of the Falls in the background. The Palm Restaurant is an adventure for the appetite that is not to be missed.
Relive the historical journey embarked by David Livingstone exploring the mighty Zambezi River aboard the Ra-Ikane fleet. Named after his instrumental guide, the boats represent the grace of a bygone era honouring the rich history of Victoria Falls and its explorers, adventurers and heroes. The Ra-Ikane offers a variety of cruises, including breakfast, lunch and sunset, as well as private charters.
Day 2 - Victoria Falls
There are many activities available in Victoria Falls and we are happy to provide you with details and book these. We recommend a sunset river cruise, helicopter flight over the falls and of course seeing the falls themselves. You do not need a guide to do so as the paths are clear and well signposted but we are happy to arrange one for you, lunch at The Lookout Cafe is a great way to finish as it has spectacular views over the gorge.
Day 3 - Hwange National Park, Somalisa Camp
You will have a transfer to the domestic terminal where you will meet your charter flight to Hwange. There you will be met by your guide and transferred on a game drive of about 20 minutes to the camp.
Fully Inclusive - Bed, All Meals, Fees and Activities. All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Your activities here will include game drives and walks with the experienced guides. Somalisa is located on a private concession within Hwange and is part of an area known for its exceptional game viewing.
Hwange National Park is a land of contrasts from dense teak and acacia forest to vast open savannah, offering guests an exhibition of raw and diverse Africa. Somalisa Camp is a place where tranquillity meets adventure. Where one moment you are sipping on your gin and tonic, listening to the distant baritone roar of a lion coalition off on the hunt, and the next you are gazing over at a congregation of elephants at your doorstep, peacefully sharing a sundowner with you.
Every person is part of the community that helps create the magical and welcoming feeling you get when you visit Somalisa, you arrive as a guest, but you leave a part of the family.
Nature and luxury are in harmony at Somalisa Camp. With natural wood and copper finishes, the organic features of the bush fuse perfectly with the deluxe style. Kudhinda, the Zimbabwean national material, is paired with modern decor creating an authentic contemporary African fusion. At the edge of the expansive deck in the main area, sits an elephant pool which is frequented by elephant families, which is a true highlight at this beautiful camp.
Activities include guided walks lead by qualified and passionate guides who will share their knowledge and love of the bush with you, game drives and spot lighting as well as game viewing from hides.
Walking and game drives will allow you the opportunity to observe elephant, kudu and sable antelope, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, the rare and endangered roan antelope, buffalo, giraffe, white rhino, lion, leopard, hyena, and many other wildlife species.
3 Nights Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities. All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included
Day 6 - Zambezi Expeditions Camp, Mana Pools National Park
Today you will have a transfer to the airstrip and a flight to Mana Pools, there you will be met by your guide and transferred to the Zambezi Expeditions Camp.
An Exclusive Camp overlooking the majestic Zambezi River
The legendary Mana Pools is known for its wildlife rich flood plains and magnificent views of the Zambezi River. The river boasts of some of Africa’s most amazing tiger fishing and adventure canoeing safaris, creating the perfect combination of beauty and fun and making this World Heritage site a must-visit national park.
Accommodation
Zambezi Expeditions, situated at the Namyepi/Nkupi camping site, offers one of the best ways to experience Mana Pools on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. The 12-bedded luxury mobile camp is set up prior to your arrival near the Zambezi River, providing you with the opportunity to canoe and fish either from the banks or off an island in the middle of the river.
Days 7 and 8 - Zambezi Expeditions, Mana Pools
One of the main highlights is a game drive along the flood plain in an open 4 x 4 Land Cruiser that takes you into the heart of an Africa dream abounding with the continent’s unique animals − eland, elephant, African wild dogs, water buck, big herds of buffalo, kudu, lion and leopard.
With 6 twin-bedded tents and en-suite bathroom facilities that include flush toilets and an alfresco hot bucket shower, the camp gives “Glamping” a new definition by virtue of its detailed furnishings that include 12 volt lighting and charging facilities for cameras. A well serviced mess tent with a dining and seating area forms part of the camp.
The camp has a minimum stay of two nights for a minimum of two people and is the perfect combination to include with Kanga Camp to give you an overall experience of Mana Pools, both inland and riverside. Two night stays can be requested for larger groups of a minimum of ten people.
Location:
Mana Pools National Park along the Zambezi River
Access:
Dandawa airstrip or Mana Main airstrip – Self-drive only recommended for experienced 4x4 drivers
Flight Transfer Time:
2 hrs 30 mins (Vic Falls) and / or 1 hr 30 mins (Harare)
Number of Beds:
6 tents with a total of 12 beds for a minimum 2 nights
Number of Guides Rooms: 1
Facilities:
En-suite facilities with bucket showers and flushing toilet
Power Facilities:
Generator power, battery-charging facilities available in main area
Activities:
Game driving, walking, fishing and canoeing safaris
Day 9 - Chilo Gorge Lodge, Gonarezhou National Park
Today you will have a flight to Harare where you will them meet the 12:30 flight to Buffalo Range airport near Gonarezhou arriving at 14:00. You will be met there by the folks from Chilo Gorge and they will transfer you 1 hour 45 min to the safari lodge. Here you are able to go an game drives and walks on the concession or into the national park. You can also go on walks, have a community visit to the local village, enjoy sundowners on the river bed and have a trip to see the Chilojo Cliffs.
Days 10 and 11 - Chilo Gorge Lodge, Gonarezhou National Park
Chilo Gorge is a luxury safari lodge on the edge of the stunning wilderness of Gonarezhou National Park, in South-East Zimbabwe. We offer guests access to the pristine wilderness of Gonarezhou, with the authentic animal interaction which goes with a park which is rarely visited. Gonarezhou is a gem amongst African parks, and offers experienced safari travellers and increasingly rare ability to explore untouched Africa. In addition, through the work of Chilo director, Clive Stockil, there is a very powerful community and conservation story which is at the centre of how the lodge operates.
Chilo Gorge Tented Camp is a semi-luxury seasonal tented camp on the banks of the Runde River. This is an 'old Africa' camping experience, with a good standard of comfort, and a great place from which to explore Gonarezhou by vehicle and on foot. Ivory Trail Adventure is a mobile fly camping experience, allowing experienced safari travellers the ability to explore remote corners of this large park at a relaxed pace.
At over 5,000 km², Gonarezhou is the second largest National Park in Zimbabwe, cutting a swathe of sandstone cliffs, scrub and baobab trees along the country’s southeastern border with Mozambique. Largely undiscovered by the outside world, this striking land is one of the last great pristine wildernesses in Africa and takes in a huge diversity of habitats. Lions, cheetah, wild dogs, hyena, buffalo, hippo and giraffe can all be seen within the boundaries of Gonarezhou, but this country is known, first and foremost, as the Land of the Elephant. These massive, intelligent creatures are called Nzhou in Shona, and give their name to the National Park where they number in their thousands. Gonarezhou National Park is one of Africa's last remaining true pristine wilderness areas.
Morning, Afternoon and Full Day Games Drives into Gonarezhou National Park, with our resident Guides.
A full day excursion to the Red sandstone Chilojo Cliffs, situated in the heart of the Gonarezhou National Park on the banks of the Runde River. Visit the Tembahata and Machanu Water Pans offering unrivaled bird watching & view large herds of Elephant and Buffalo. A picnic lunch is served at the spectacular Chilojo Cliffs, followed by a sundowner game drive back to the lodge.
Available in the dry season: April to November, with the top of the Chilojo Cliffs normally only accessible between June/July to November when the Runde River is fordable.
For those with a penchant for something a bit more active, the 2.5km hiking trail from the lodge to the beautiful Chivalila Falls is a great way to start or end your day. Trekking through a rugged landscape will lead you to a view point overlooking the Falls. As the water cascades over age-old rocks, take in the sights and satisfy your thirst with some well deserved refreshments.
Day 12 - Departure
Sadly your final day has arrived and you will have a transfer to Buffalo range to meet the international flight to Johannesburg at 15:00 arriving 16:45.
Includes:
Transfer from Victoria Falls
Airport to Ilala Lodge
Ilala Lodge - 2 nights, deluxe
room, breakfast and first stock of mini bar
Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport
and Flight to Hwange
Somalisa Expeditions - 3 nights,
all meals, non premium drinks, scheduled activities,
national parks & conservation fees and laundry
Flight to
Mana Pools
Zambezi Expeditions - 3 nights,
all meals, non premium drinks, scheduled activities,
national parks & conservation fees and laundry
Flight to
Harare and on to Gonarezhou
Transfer to Chilo
Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge - 3
nights, all meals, non premium drinks, scheduled activities,
national parks fees and laundry
Transfer
to Buffalo range and Flight to Johannesburg, incl. departure
tax
Excludes:
Entry to Victoria Falls rain
forest of $30 per person
Any departure tax not specified
Any meals, drinks or activities
not specified
International flights
Visas
Travel Insurance
Tips and
items of a personal nature
Bank fees