Accommodated Tours
13-Day Best of Zimbabwe Safari
Details:
This is your invitation to a land that awakens the senses. Feel the rhythm of the African drum, witness a sunrise that paints the sky in fiery hues, and listen for the distant roar of a lion under a canopy of stars. We’ve meticulously crafted this itinerary to not just show you Zimbabwe, but to let you feel its spirit, connecting you with its majestic wildlife and the heart of its people.
Departures:
Any day of the week.
Price:
Price On Request
Includes:
- Accommodation as specified in this itinerary and subject to availability at the time of reservation
- Meals as indicated on this itinerary
- Air-conditioned SUV/Dual Cab vehicle & fuel
- All vehicle insurance – tyres and glass
- Zambezi Dinner Cruise in Victoria Falls
- Hwange National Park entrance & park fees
- Full Day Game Drive in Hwange National Park
- Matobo National Park entrance & park fees
- Matobo National Park Day Trip
- Great Zimbabwe Ruins
- Gonarezhou National Park entrance & park fees
- Full Day Game Viewing in Gonarezhou National Park
- Tea Plantation Tour, Honde Valley
- Chinhoyi Caves, Chinhoyi Caves Excursion
- Airport transfers
- Administration fees, Roadbook and Maps
- Professional English-Speaking Guide/Driver
Excludes:
- International flights
- Regional and Domestic flights
- Insurance for lost luggage, cancellation, medical repatriation, visas…
- Extra activities not displaying in this quotation or marked by the symbol “Not Incl.”
- Drinks, tips, curios etc.
Itinerary Details
Day 1: Victoria Falls
Your Zimbabwean safari starts now. This country has so much to offer when it comes to wildlife, people and southern African landscapes, and after a few brief introductions, we’ll have your safari underway in no time, starting with a visit to the majestic Victoria Falls.
Victoria Falls will leave you spellbound with its scale and majesty: it really is one of the most remarkable natural scenes in Africa. It’s not hard to see why locals call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, or the ‘smoke that thunders’.
Whether you’re a lover of fine dining or someone seeking an authentic African experience, the Dinner Cruise combines the best of both worlds — culinary excellence and breathtaking scenery. You will be picked from your lodge to enjoy the best of both worlds, a spectacular Sunset Cruise on the magnificent Zambezi River, followed by a three course meal, freshly prepared on-board by chefs, and served to you while cruising along the river with the wildlife sounds from the African bush with lush riverine vegetation, prolific birdlife and abundant game; providing you with background music.
Day 2: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park - 183km (114miles) - ±3H00min
Situated in western Zimbabwe, the Hwange National Park is the country’s biggest reserve, home to a profusion of wildlife, including giraffe, lion, zebra and approximately 40 000 elephants. It provides a sanctuary for all the country’s endangered species, including a population of wild dogs thought to be among the most sizeable surviving groups on the continent.
The park’s magnificent terrain ranges from desert dunes, savannah lands and mopane woodlands to rocky outcrops and sparse forests. Visitors can look forward to game drives, guided walks or horse riding safaris. Other highlights include: the Bumbusi National Monument and the Nyamandhlovu Pan.
You will be picked from your lodge this afternoon and head to an estate with great chances to see many nocturnal wild animals which includes lions, leopards, hyenas, genets, porcupines, civet cats, lesser bushbaby, mongoose, honey badger and maybe the ever- elusive pangolin, etc.
A wonderful sunset and dinner is something to look forward to this evening.
Day 3: Hwange National Park
Today you witness and see the best of Hwange National Park as we take you out on a full day guided game drive. Spanning an area of roughly 14 650km2, the Hwange National Park is the largest and oldest game reserve in Zimbabwe. You will be guided through an open game drive vehicle and escape into the Park for one of Zimbabwe’s amazing game viewing sites with premier wildlife through different routes.
With a checklist approaching 500 species, Hwange National Park is a genuine birding hot spot. Fifty types of raptor have been recorded, notably the striking bateleur, which is often seen soaring overhead. Grassland heavyweights include ostrich, kori bustard, southern ground hornbill and secretary bird.
As you proceed with the game drive within this massive park you will later enjoy a picnic lunch and ride back into these rolling plains and see the last great free ranging elephant population with nearly all major species and accompanying predators such as zebras, lion, hyenas, roan, sable, kudu; smaller mammals in residence include cheetah, jackal, wild dog, giraffe, wildebeest, impalas, zebra, a thrilling assortment of antelopes, and hippo, having the sun downer in nature and finishing the day with dinner at the lodge.
Day 4: Hwange National Park to Matobo National Park - 326km (203miles) - ±5H45min
It may be less well known than some other Zimbabwean parks, but Unesco World Heritage–listed Matobo National Park is a real gem. The scenery here is incredible, whether from one of the high-altitude lookouts that survey the countryside or when gazing upon the eye-catching and vast granite boulders (known as kopjes) that are so distinctive of the landscape here in Matobo.
You can also see soulful San rock art and the burial site of Cecil Rhodes, and then combine all of this sightseeing with encounters with rhinos.
Towards sun-downer you can either chose to hike the rocky hill near the lodge to enjoy an amazing sunset view of the Matobo National Park or just relax by the pool side whilst your dinner will be being prepared.
Day 5: Matobo National Park
Today after breakfast expect to take away new insights for an appreciation of Africa and her people on an unforgettable experience of the Matobo Day Trip by visiting one of Africa’s hidden gems for its impressive scenery, huge granite boulders (balanced precariously on one another) and a variety of animal species.
This day trip tour into Matobo National Park you will Track Rhino on foot and take you to ancient bushmen paintings then in the afternoon you will be treated by a three course meal lunch by your guide before you head for the Rhodes Grave site accompanied by a beautiful scenery of the sunset along the way.
Day 6: Matobo National Park to Masvingo - 355km (321miles) - ±5H15min
We embark on a drive to Great Zimbabwe passing through Masvingo a town with palm-lined, wide streets lined and rather shabby buildings; it is 27 km away from the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The Lodge at the Ancient City is a unique hotel built around a granite outcrop in the same style as Great Zimbabwe, providing stunning views across the valley of Msasa towards the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe.
The ruined city of Great Zimbabwe is one of the most important historical sites in southern Africa. A visit here transports you back to medieval times, when the city’s Shona constructors formed part of an international trade network focused on the export of locally mined gold to the East African coast.
Among the many highlights of these mortar-free stone ruins are the 11m/36ft-high Great Enclosure and the Hill Complex, while the museum has some of the soapstone bird carvings for which the site is famous.
Masvingo serves as an excellent base from which to explore the attractions in the surrounding region including Lake Mutirikwi Recreational Park, the Kyle Dam and the Kyle National Reserve, home to abundant wildlife. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the nearby Mushandike National Park, known for its natural landscapes.
If time permits after check-in at your lodge we may visit the historical lake Mutirikwi which is a major source of irrigation in Masvingo. Lake Mutirikwe, also known as Lake Kyle (formerly Kyle Dam), lies in south eastern Zimbabwe, south east of Masvingo and was formed by the construction of the Kyle Dam between 1958 & 1960.
Dinner will be at our lodge this evening.
Day 7: Masvingo to Chiredzi - 222km (138miles) - ±3H15min
After breakfast you will check-out from the lodge then visit the greatest medieval city in sub- Saharan Africa, the World Heritage–listed Great Zimbabwe which is one of the nation’s most treasured sights, so much so that the country was named after it. Your guide will tour with you in the ruins of this ancient place for almost 3 hours giving you an insight view of these old grandeur ruins of Great Zimbabwe.
Once Zimbabwe’s capital, the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe is the biggest and most significant stone archaeological complex in sub Saharan Africa. It is also one of its oldest – thought to date back to the 11th century and second only to South Africa’s Mapungubwe.
Composed entirely of rectangular granite blocks stacked on top of one another without the use of mortar, the walls and towers of the city measure up to 12 metres in places, and it is unsurprising that Great Zimbabwe was designated a World Heritage Site in 1986.
After the tour you will leave Masvingo and head to Chiredzi.
Day 8: Gonarezhou National Park
Gonarezhou Day Trip, Gonarezhou National Park “Gonarezhou” means “Place of Many Elephants” and it is also a birder’s paradise. You will set off for the Gonarezhou day trip in the morning armed with a packed lunch to experience this unique ecosystem and its astonishing flora and fauna.
You will journey through Chipanda pools, the Runde river home to aquatic wildlife such as the Zambezi shark, freshwater goby, black bream and the unique turquoise killifish. After a picnic lunch get to witness one of the most prominent and enduring natural features of Gonarezhou which are majestic Chilojo Cliffs, striated red Jurassic/Cretaceous sandstone cliffs formed through eons of erosion and rise 180 metres above the river course.
You’re in for a treat when you visit Gonarezhou National Park. There’s lots of fantastic wildlife to see here. This includes predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs and hyenas, as well as plenty of zebras, buffaloes, giraffes, elephants and antelopes such as the prized nyala.
But the scenery here is also among the most varied and dramatic in southern Africa. The Chilojo Cliffs is the top sight, with its fabulous views and red-and-white sandstone stripes. You’ll also find yourself among mopane woodlands, rivers, floodplains, palm forests and baobab trees.
Day 9 Chiredzi to Nyanga National Park - 445km (277miles) - ±5H55min
It’s not hard to imagine why people from Harare like to come to the Eastern Highlands for weekend escapes, with its forests and summits hidden behind the clouds. The highlands now provide the backdrop to Chimanimani and Nyanga National Parks.
The rolling hills of the 47 000-hectare Park Nyanga National Park, on Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands, are home to a multitude of scenic rivers, refreshing streams and breathtaking waterfalls. The park boasts both Zimbabwe’s highest mountain peak and its highest waterfall and the elevated altitude provides a cool and pleasant climate and fresh mountain air, perfect for rest, relaxation and plenty of outdoor adventures.
The mountainous terrain and its sparkling fresh water sources offer excellent opportunities for fly fishing, sailing, canoeing, swimming, and hiking.
Day 10: Nyanga National Park
Today, the morning is yours to explore the natural wonders of the Eastern Highlands. After a hearty breakfast, you can choose to embark on a guided expedition with a local expert to discover the extraordinary birdlife that makes this region a true haven for bird watchers. If your interests lie elsewhere, a world of adventure awaits.
You can opt for a thrilling tree canopy tour, soaring through the forest for a unique aerial perspective, or explore the area’s scenic trails on a mountain biking excursion. Alternatively, simply enjoy the serene beauty of a nearby waterfall. Whichever you choose, your day is set to be filled with unforgettable experiences tailored just for you.
Tea Plantation Tour, Honde Valley. For a true taste of the Eastern Highlands, you will be invited to join an insightful tour of a local tea plantation this afternoon. This unique experience is designed to immerse you in the region’s vibrant culture and breathtaking scenery. Your expert guide will take you on a fascinating journey from “crop to cup,” starting with a walk through the endless rows of emerald-green tea bushes.
You’ll learn firsthand about the delicate art of tea picking, the intricate processing methods, and how the fresh leaves are transformed into the world-class tea for which this valley is famous. It is an opportunity to not only learn about a thriving industry but also to be surrounded by the majestic, terraced landscapes of the Honde Valley.
Day 11: Nyanga National Park to Harare - 339km (211miles) - ±5H15min
We head to the capital city of Harare this morning, with an optional stopover at Mutaradzi Falls Tour for the Far & Wide Skywalk Activity, if the road conditions allow.
Harare is one of the most appealing cities anywhere in southern Africa, and you’ll enjoy spending some time here. There’s so much to see and do in town, with the city’s attractions including a fantastic dining and nightlife scene, as well as plenty of museums, galleries, and other attractions as well. Even with all of this, your main highlight is likely to be Harare’s people.
If having ample time before your last night in Zimbabwe, you made decide optionally to embark on a city tour. Enjoy a City Tour of Harare and a visit to one of the biggest and oldest markets in Zimbabwe, Mbare Musika and you might need to do some shopping for some African souvenirs then visit Zimbabwe’s heroes acre. You’ll have an unrivalled chance to get to know all that Harare has to offer as you go sightseeing this afternoon.
Day 12: Harare, Chinhoyi Caves
You will rejoin the main road known as the B1 when heading south to the Okonjima Game Reserve, the home of the AfriCat Foundation, an organization responsible for the rehabilitation of endangered large cats.
An early departure this morning from the Onguma Game Reserve is recommended in order to arrive in time for an afternoon drive to see the cheetahs and learn about these and other large cats at the AfriCat Foundation, and why the cheetahs are indeed special to Namibia. Your final night at this magical place will definitely leave you with food for thought regarding the conservation work that these very extraordinary men and women do here.
A nature trail is a great leg stretcher to end your wonderful journey. Enjoy your last dinner in the Okonjima Game Reserve.
Day 13: Harare to Robert Gabriel Mugabe Int. Airport - 16km (10miles) - ±0H25min
Finally, after an interesting trip driving through in some of Zimbabwe’s best visiting sites you grab your breakfast to prepare for the last transfer with your driver and head to Harare International Airport depending on your flight time.
Programme Overview
| Day | Location | Accommodation | Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Victoria Falls | Lodge★★★ | – |
| Day 2 | Hwange National Park | Lodge★★★ | HB+ |
| Day 3 | Hwange National Park | Lodge★★★ | HB+ |
| Day 4 | Matobo National Park | Lodge★★★ | HB+ |
| Day 5 | Matobo National Park | Lodge★★★ | HB+ |
| Day 6 | Masvingo | Lodge★★★ | HB+ |
| Day 7 | Chiredzi | Lodge★★★ | HB |
| Day 8 | Chiredzi | Lodge★★★ | HB |
| Day 9 | Nyanga National Park | Lodge★★★ | HB |
| Day 10 | Nyanga National Park | Lodge★★★ | HB+ |
| Day 11 | Harare | Hotel★★★★ | B |
| Day 12 | Harare | Hotel★★★★ | B |
| Day 13 | Harare | – | B |
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
SC – Self Catering
FB – Full Board (All meals)
FB+ – Full Board Plus (All meals & Activities)
HB – Half Board (Breakfast & Dinner)
HB+ – Half Board Plus (Dinner, Breakfast & Activities)
Price Per Person
Per Person Sharing: Price On Request
Solo travellers and groups welcomed
Prices Effective From:
Jan 1, 2025 – Dec 31, 2026
