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12-Day Ultimate Zimbabwe

Customisable Itinerary
5.0 • (1 review)

Trip Overview

These twelve days of adventurous Zimbabwe travel start off in Victoria Falls - one of the seven natural wonders of the world, also known as "The Smoke That Thunders!"

From here, you'll move onto Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest national park where you'll have ample opportunity to indulge in some of the best game viewing that this area has to offer.

Next, you'll travel to Lake Kariba, the largest man-made lake in Africa. With scenic sunsets and the cries of fish eagles, this is the spot to enjoy some fishing whilst sipping on a chilled beer or a gin and tonic.

The last leg of this epic journey is spent in Mana Pools National Park, where Zimbabwe's highest concentration of game is found.
Outdoors & Nature
Adventure

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Itinerary

Day 1

Welcome to Victoria Falls!

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Welcome to Victoria Falls!

Arriving in Victoria Falls, you will be met by your driver and transferred to Bayete Guest Lodge. You'll have the day free to enjoy exploring Victoria Falls Town and all it has to offer - from adrenaline activities to high tea at the infamous Victoria Falls Hotel, the options are endless. Alternatively, you can simply sit back and relax by your pool at the lodge after your long journey.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bayete Guest Lodge4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time at Bayete Guest LodgeOptional Activity

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Private Driver from Victoria Falls Airport to Bayete Guest Lodge

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Victoria Falls

    Hwange

Day 2

Free Day to Explore Victoria Falls

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Free Day to Explore Victoria Falls

Today is another day at leisure to explore Victoria Falls Town and enjoy some downtime or some fun activities. You can make your way down to the rainforest to explore "The Smoke that Thunders", take a leap of faith off the bridge with Shearwater Bungee or enjoy a scenic view over lunch at The Lookout Cafe. A great way to end the day is to watch the sunset whilst cruising the upper Zambezi River on a sunset cruise.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bayete Guest Lodge4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Free Time at Bayete Guest LodgeOptional Activity

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Bayete Guest LodgeOptional Activity

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Victoria Falls

    Hwange

Day 3

Fly to Hwange National Park & Game Viewing

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Fly to Hwange National Park & Game Viewing

This morning, after breakfast, you will be transferred by road back to Victoria Falls Airport, where you will catch a light aircraft for your flight to Hwange. You will be met at the airstrip by the Somalisa Expedition staff, who will transfer you by road to the camp. Fingers crossed you come across some game on your way to the camp!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Somalisa Expeditions4 star

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Somalisa Expeditions Restaurant

    Somalisa Expeditions Restaurant

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Bus from Bayete Guest Lodge to Victoria Falls Airport

    Plane from Victoria Falls Airport to Manga Pan 1 Waterhole

    Private Driver from Manga Pan 1 Waterhole to Somalisa Expeditions

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Victoria Falls

    Matabeleland North Province

    Hwange

Day 4

Hwange National Park Game Drive

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Hwange National Park Game Drive

You'll start the day off nice and early with a morning game drive through the national park. Back at the camp, you are likely to see elephants keeping cool at the waterhole. You'll enjoy lunch at the camp and the afternoon at leisure before your second game drive of the day! Here's hoping that you may spot some different animals from the morning game drive!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Somalisa Expeditions4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Somalisa Camp Guided Game Drive

    Somalisa Camp Guided Game Drive

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Somalisa Expeditions Restaurant

    Somalisa Expeditions Restaurant

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Matabeleland North Province

    Hwange

Day 5

Walking Safari & Game Drive

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Walking Safari & Game Drive

This morning, you will have the option to explore the park on foot on a guided walking safari. Here, with a professional ranger accompanying you, you will have the chance to discover and learn more about the birdlife and fauna of Hwange National Park, with the opportunity of tracking bigger game too. In the afternoon, after lunch, you'll head out on a game drive.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Somalisa Expeditions4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Somalisa Camp Game Walk

    Somalisa Camp Guided Game Drive

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Somalisa Expeditions Restaurant

    Somalisa Expeditions Restaurant

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Matabeleland North Province

    Hwange

Day 6

Fly to Lake Kariba & Afternoon of Fishing

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Fly to Lake Kariba & Afternoon of Fishing

This morning, you will fly northeast, over the great Lake Kariba to Bumi Hills. Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is set up on the hilltop, you will have an uninterrupted view of the lake in all its beauty. Lake Kariba offers great fishing and birding as well as land-based activities. In the afternoon, after settling in and enjoying lunch, you'll have the opportunity to head out with one of the rangers to try a spot of fishing.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Fishing at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Plane from Manga Pan 1 Waterhole to Bumi Hills

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Matabeleland North Province

    Kariba

    Mashonaland West Province

Day 7

Lake Kariba Game Drive & Fishing

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Lake Kariba Game Drive & Fishing

Today, after breakfast, you'll start the day off with a morning game drive through the Matusadona Mountains. Later on, back at the lodge, you can lie back and unwind at the crystal clear infinity pool, or relish in the relaxation of the Bumi Hills Spa. You'll have the afternoon free to continue relaxing before dinner or you can head out and try fishing again.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge Game Drive

    Fishing at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kariba

    Mashonaland West Province

Day 8

Another Day of Fishing & Game Drives on Lake Kariba

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Another Day of Fishing & Game Drives on Lake Kariba

Today, you'll spend the day fishing and on game drives. Tiger or bream fishing; the guides at Bumi Hills will take you to 'the spot' to try your luck at catching tonight's dinner. The sunsets over Lake Kariba are magical, with the historical Leadwood trees still standing their ground, creating a beautiful silhouette against the dramatic backdrop of the Matusadona Mountain Range.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Fishing at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge Game Drive

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

    Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kariba

    Mashonaland West Province

Day 9

Fly to Mana Pools & Afternoon Game Drive

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Fly to Mana Pools & Afternoon Game Drive

This morning, you will be flown from Bumi Hills to Mana Pools National Park on a small aircraft. Here, you will be met by the ever-friendly Zambezi Expedition staff who will transfer you back to their camp. Mana Pools is known for wildlife visibility beside the river and in the flood plains. Large populations of elephants, hippos and Nile crocodiles gather at sunrise in the Long Pool. You may be able to spot them from your camp!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Zambezi Expeditions 4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mana Pools National Park

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Zambezi Expeditions

    Zambezi Expeditions

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Plane from Bumi Hills to Mana Pools National Park

    Private Driver from Mana Pools National Park to Zambezi Expeditions

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Kariba

    Mashonaland West Province

    Hurungwe

Day 10

Mana Pools Exploration & Sunset Cruise on Lower Zambezi River

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Mana Pools Exploration & Sunset Cruise on Lower Zambezi River

Today, you'll start the day off with a guided game drive in the Mana Pools National Park. After lunch back at the camp, you'll enjoy the afternoon at leisure and end off your day with a sunset cruise on the Lower Zambezi River with a cocktail in hand. The evenings here are spent around the camp fire, listening to the days adventures and star gazing overhead.

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Zambezi Expeditions 4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mana Pools National Park

    Sunset Cruise on Lower Zambezi River

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Zambezi Expeditions

    Zambezi Expeditions

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mashonaland West Province

    Hurungwe

    Lusaka Province

Day 11

Mana Pools National Park Game Drives

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Mana Pools National Park Game Drives

Today, you'll start the day on foot and explore Mana Pools National Park from a different vantage point. With a local ranger, you'll wander through the fruiting baobabs, spot roaming herds, great beasts and the picturesque mountain tops looming above the river. In the afternoon, you'll have some free time before you head out on the final game drive of your trip!

  • accommodation icon
    Accommodation

    Zambezi Expeditions 4 star

  • activities icon
    Activities

    Mana Pools National Park

    Mana Pools National Park

  • restaurant icon
    Restaurants

    Zambezi Expeditions

    Zambezi Expeditions

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast, lunch and dinner

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mashonaland West Province

    Hurungwe

Day 12

Fly Back to Harare

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Fly Back to Harare

This is the final day of your Zimbabwe travels. Out of the bush and back to reality; today, you will fly South to the capital, Harare, where you will catch your outbound flight home.

  • transportations icon
    Transportations

    Plane from Mana Pools National Park to HRE

  • meals icon
    Meals

    Breakfast

  • destination icon
    Destinations

    Mashonaland West Province

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What’s included?

  • 11 nights accommodation
  • 14 activities
  • 11 breakfasts, 9 lunches and 9 dinners
  • Airport transfer
  • Domestic flights
  • Entrance fees
  • Ground transportation
  • Licensed English speaking guides

What’s not included?

  • Alcohol beverages
  • Entry visas / airport departure tax
  • Gratuities
  • International flights
  • Laundry
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Trekking permits

Inspiration for you

Explore the authentic activities in Zimbabwe and Zambia

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