Intimate Zimbabwe - 15 days

15 Day Intimate Zimbabwe

From

$4140 USD

Safari summary

This intimate Zimbabwe Lodge Safari is a 15 day journey through the best areas and attractions that Zimbabwe has to offer! Travel around Zimbabwe while staying in the luxury of lodges in the evenings.

A small-group Lodge Safari, no participation, from/ to Victoria Falls through Zimbabwe

Highlights: Victoria Falls, Painted Dogs Conservation Centre, Hwange National Park, Rhodes Grave and Matobo National Park, Great Zimbabwe, Nyanga National Park, Mana Pools, Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park, Antelope Park

About this tour

	Tour type	Custom, tailor-made, private
	Main focus	Walking safari—with armed guard
	Activity level	Moderate activity
	Best months	May, June, July, August, September, October
	Countries	Zimbabwe
	Parks	Hwange Mana Pools Matobo Mosi oa Tunya Victoria Falls

Fine details

Safari highlights

Boat, canoe, dhow, kayak, mokoro safari
Cultural visits—orphanages, markets, schools

Itinerary

Day 1

Victoria Falls | Zambezi

Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe you will be met and transferred to your lodge. Meet your guide and the rest of the group at the hotel at 14h00 for a guided tour of the mighty Victoria Falls. Upon your return to the lodge a pre-departure meeting will be held at 18h00. Accommodation: A’Zambezi River Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant) Meals: Lunch: For your own account Dinner: For your own account

Day 2

Hwange | Victoria Falls

Day 2 & 3: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe [BLD], [BLD] After breakfast we depart Victoria Falls and make our way to Hwange National Park. The afternoon is spent with a visit to the Painted Dogs Conservation Centre to learn about the efforts made to protect these endangered species. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra as well as a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus very large and varied birdlife. The whole of the next day is spent exploring this magnificent area. Distance: 190 km Departure: 08h00 Accommodation: Sable Sands or similar (chalets with en-suite bathroom, swimming pool & bar area) Meals:

Day 2

Zambezi

Day 2 Breakfast: At A’Zambezi River Lodge or similar Lunch: Prepared by the guide Dinner: At Sable Sands or similar

Day 3

Day 3 Breakfast: At Sable Sands or similar Lunch: Lunch pack on game drive Dinner: At Sable Sands or similar

Day 4

Hwange | Matobo

Day 4: Hwange National Park to Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe [BLD] We leave the beauty of the Hwange National Park behind us and head to Camp Amalinda in the Matobo area. Matobo Hills is an area of exquisite beauty, steeped in tribal history, ancient mystery and dramatic rock landscapes. The national park has been given UNESCO World Heritage status and is home to both white and black rhinoceros, sable antelope and the world’s densest population of leopard. Birdlife is prolific and includes the highest concentration of black eagles in the world. Once the home of the San (Bushman), this area contains the richest source of the rock art found anywhere. Not only is it here that the Ndebele people buried their great king, Mzilikazi, but Cecil John Rhodes was also laid to rest on the “Hill of the Benevolent Spirit” or “World’s View” as named by him. We visit the National Park and Rhodes’ grave. Distance: 320 km Departure: 08h00 Accommodation: Camp Amalinda or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant, bar, & swimming pool) Meals: Breakfast: At Sable Sands or similar Lunch: Prepared by guide en-route Dinner: At Camp Amalinda or similar

Day 5

Matobo

Day 5: Matobo Hills to Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe [BLD] This morning we drive to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins located close to Masvingo. According to an age-old legend the ruins were built to replicate the palace of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem, and are a unique testimony to the Bantu civilization of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries. They cover an area of 1800 acres and are some of the oldest and largest structures located in Southern Africa. We have the opportunity to explore these ancient ruins, before checking in to our accommodation for the night, which overlooks Lake Mutirikwe. Distance: 420 km Departure: 07h00 Accommodation: Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant, & bar) Meals: Breakfast: At Camp Amalinda or similar Lunch: Prepared by guide en-route Dinner: At Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort or similar

Day 6

Day 6: Great Zimbabwe to Nyanga National Park, Zimbabwe [BLD] Today we head off to the Nyanga National Park and have this afternoon to enjoy nature drives in the area. Wildlife to look out for are wildebeest, kudu, zebra, waterbuck, impala, sable and eland as well as smaller mammals such as the blue duiker and Samango monkey, neither of which is found outside this area. Nyanga National Park is situated in one of the most scenic areas of Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands. Rolling green hills and perennial rivers transverse the 47 000 hectare park, which is also home to the country’s highest mountain – Mount Nyangani as well as Africa’s second highest waterfall, Mtarazi Falls. Distance: 395 km Departure: 08h00 Accommodation: Pine Tree Inn or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant & bar) Meals: Breakfast: At Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort or similar Lunch: Prepared by guide en-route Dinner: At Pine Tree Inn or similar

Day 7

Day 7: Nyanga National Park to Bushman Rock, Zimbabwe [BLD] We travel towards Harare to the Bushman Rock Estate, operational since the mid 1900’s it is one of the few estate wineries in the country. After we have settled into our rooms, we have the option to walk to the Bushman Rock, where we can explore the ancient art adorned caves and granite kopjies. After the walk high tea is served on the veranda. In the late afternoon we take a leisurely guided walk through the vineyards to the pontoon, for a sundowner cruise. Thereafter we get to sample up to nine of the estates private wines on a tutored wine tasting, followed by 3 course dinner. Distance: 260 km Departure: 08h00 Accommodation: Bushman Rock or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool and tea garden) Meals: Breakfast: At Pine Tree Inn or similar Lunch: Prepared by guide en-route Dinner: At Bushman Rock or similar

Day 8

Mana Pools | Zambezi

Day 8 & 9: Bushman Rock to Mana Pools, Zimbabwe [BLD], [BLD] An early wake-up call to continue our journey to one of Zimbabwe’s greatest national parks – Mana Pools, where we have the whole of the next day available to search for African wildlife on game drives and on canoe excursions. Mana means ‘four’ in Shona, in reference to the four large permanent pools formed by the meandering Zambezi River. This World Heritage site has the country's biggest concentration of hippos and crocodiles as well as large populations of elephant and buffalo. En-route we stop at Chinhoyi Caves for lunch. The caves are composed of limestone and dolomite and it is the most extensive cave system in Zimbabwe accessible to tourists. Distance: 385 km Departure: 07h00 Accommodation: Nyamepi Camp or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water)

Day 8

Day 8 Breakfast: Breakfast packs from Bushman Rock or similar Lunch: Prepared by guide en-route Dinner: At Nyamepi Camp or similar

Day 9

Day 9 Breakfast: At Nyamepi Camp or similar Lunch: At Nyamepi Camp or similar Dinner: At Nyamepi Camp or similar

Day 10

Mana Pools

Day 10 & 11: Mana Pools to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe [BLD], [BLD] Our journey today brings us to the shores of Lake Kariba. It is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes and a place of outstanding beauty. At over 220 km long and 30 km at its widest point it is no wonder it is referred to as an inland sea! The lake is nested in mountains, guarded by enormous reserves of game and made beautiful and savage by sun and storm, as well as by earth and water. After lunch and a one and a half hour speedboat trip across the lake we arrive at Rhino Camp, which lies on Elephant Point in the Matusadona National Park, which is home to the Big 5 and where we spend the next two nights. Distance: 170 km Departure: 07h00 Accommodation: Rhino Camp or similar (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar area) Meals:

Day 10

Day 10 Breakfast: At Nyamepi Camp or similar Lunch: Prepared by guide en-route Dinner: At Rhino Camp or similar

Day 11

Day 11 Breakfast: At Rhino Camp or similar Lunch: At Rhino Camp or similar Dinner: At Rhino Camp or similar

Day 12

Day 12 & 13: Lake Kariba to Antelope Park, Zimbabwe [BLD], [B] Today we have an early departure as it is one of the longest driving days on our safari. Another speedboat takes us back to Kariba where we meet our vehicle and continue to Antelope Park where we spend the next two nights. Antelope Park is home to the African Lion Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) and you will have the opportunity to partake in the numerous activities on offer, such as night encounters with lions and elephant swimming! (All optional and for own expense). Distance: 525 km Departure: 07h00 Accommodation: Antelope Park or similar (river tent with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar and restaurant area) Meals:

Day 12

Day 12 Breakfast: At Rhino Camp or similar Lunch: Prepared by guide en-route Dinner: At Antelope Park or similar

Day 13

Day 13 Breakfast: At Antelope Park or similar Lunch: For your own account Dinner: For your own account

Day 14

Victoria Falls | Zambezi

Day 14: Antelope Park to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe [BL] After breakfast we drive back to where our adventure started – Victoria Falls. Distance: 600 km Departure: 07h00 Accommodation: A’Zambezi River Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant) Meals: Breakfast: At Antelope Park or similar Lunch: Prepared by guide en-route Dinner: For your own account

Day 15

Victoria Falls | Zambezi

Day 15: End of tour [B] Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures. Meals: Breakfast: At A’Zambezi River Lodge or similar

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