Awe-Inspiring Zimbabwe

Day 1-2: Victoria Falls

Arrival at Victoria Falls airport and transfer to your hotel located 5 minutes from the National Park.
Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is set high on a natural plateau, bordering the Zambezi National Park and is just four kilometers from the thundering Victoria Falls. With its fantastic location and setting you will enjoy uninterrupted views of spectacular African sunsets and year round game at its on-site waterhole. The lodge has recently been refurbished and now offers an exclusive Club Section for those wanting a bit more exclusivity. The Mukuyu-kuyu Restaurant is a great venue for your meals, with a local music group offering great entertainment in the evenings. Over the next day and a half you will have the chance to explore this area on a range of activities. Included in your stay is a Guided Tour of the Victoria Falls and a Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi Royal. Extra activities include helicopter flights over the Victoria Falls, elephant back safaris and a range of other activities. A dinner at the well-known Boma Place of Eating is included in your package and provides a unique cultural experience that bombards the senses with the tastes, sights, sounds & smells of Africa – together with the warmth and hospitality of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and its people. The restaurant is open for dinner 365 days of the year and is adjacent to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Accommodation at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
Bed and Breakfast – Activities Included: Airport transfer, Guided Tour of Victoria Falls, Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi Royal and Boma Dinner

Day 3-5: Hwange National Park

After breakfast you will be collected from Victoria Falls Safari Lodge and driven through to Hwange, the transfer takes two and a half to three hours. Hwange, known as the land of the Giant’s due to the large elephant herds, is Zimbabwe’s largest national park, accounting for an area of 14,651km2. The Park hosts over 100 mammal and 400 bird species, and protects populations of all of Zimbabwe’s endangered species, elephants numbering in excess of 20,000 (up from around 4,000 when the park was proclaimed), and what is thought to be one of the largest populations of African wild dog left in the world. Large prides of lion and buffalo are frequently seen here and you have a good chance of spotting leopard and rhino in addition to cheetah and spotted hyena. A significant feature of Hwange is the absence of permanent surface water. Animals rely heavily on a series of waterholes, many of which dry up completely during drought years. Many camps now help maintain a number of these waterholes throughout the year thereby ensuring the livelihoods of thousands of animals, and excellent game viewing as wildlife congregates at these points.
Accommodation for 3 nights at Khulu Ivory “Grandfather of Ivory”, located on a private concession of 6,000 acres. The beauty of this camp is that it combines luxurious and private accommodation with old world hospitality. Khulu overlooks an ancient riverbed, in today’s terms called a ‘vlei’ and the waterhole in this vlei is known to attract a variety of the greatest wildlife and bird life in Hwange National Park. This intimate camp comprises of three bespoke thatched safari style suites built onto platforms. The rooms are well appointed and each designed in a modern contemporary style. During your stay at Khulu Ivory Lodge you will have the chance to go out on half or full day game drives, night drives, visits to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre, walking safaris, pan/hide sits and game counts (on request). These can be done on the Private Concession as well as within the National Park.

Accommodation at Robins Camp
Full Board – Activities Included

Day 6-8: Matopos National Park

After breakfast you will be transferred by road from Khulu Ivory to Camp Amalinda in the Matopos. This transfer will take approximately 4 hours and half hours.
This exclusive, privately owned safari lodge is in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Matobo Hills, situated only 45kms from Bulawayo. The granite domes and castle kopjes of the Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe, are among the most spectacular rock sceneries in the world. Nestled in this unique range of hills is Camp Amalinda: it consists of nine individually thatched rooms including a trio of suites, ideal for honeymooners, all of which are set into the imposing boulders.
The granite domes and castle kopjes of the Matobo Hills echo the essence of tranquility and the majesty of untamed Africa, where mammal and bird species are prolific. Included here are the highest concentrations of Leopard and Black Eagle in the world, as well as a healthy population of the endangered black and white rhinos. Over the next two days there is a wide range of activities to keep you busy. Rhino tracking by vehicle or on foot, explore the hills where mysterious nomads once held their sacred ceremonies. The rocky granite topography boasts more than 2000 sites of the San (Bushman) tribes and is probably the richest source of San rock art known. Drive through the granite hills in the footsteps of Cecil John Rhodes and visit his world famous tomb known as “View of the World”. Take a tour to an African homestead and get down to earth with the local Matabele people. You can also visit a clinic, traditional healer and local primary school. Many projects at the school, clinic and orphanage have been completed, and some are ongoing, through the company’s social responsibility program, The Mother Africa Trust. You can also enjoy walks on the property and treat yourself to a treatment at the Bush Spa.

Accommodation at Camp Amalinda
Full Board – Activities Included

Day 9-11: Gonarezhou National Park

After breakfast you will depart Camp Amalinda for your drive to Chilo Gorge in the Gonarezhou National Park. This drive will take between 7 – 8 hours so will be a long travel day.
Chilo offers a wonderful base from which to explore the untouched Gonarezhou National Park. Each of the 10 lodges is light and spacious, simple and elegant, yet with all the comforts of home. The main lodge has everything you need; a shaded swimming pool, a sumptuous lounge, a library, a bar and dining room, all surrounded by beautifully tended gardens. Even here, at the heart of Chilo, the great African wilderness is never far away. You can watch elephants, hippos and crocodiles cooling off in the waters of the river from the viewing deck. There is a wide range of activities to enjoy over the next two days – game drives through the park, excursions to the epic Chilojo Cliffs, birdwatching or a cultural visit to the Mahenye Village.
The Gonarezhou National Park is located in southern Zimbabwe. This huge park borders Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park and South Africa’s Kruger National Park to make up a vast wilderness area called The Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. It is the biggest protected area in the world, covering over 100.000 square kilometres, but the project is a work in progress. The idea is to open up the whole area in order to allow animals to move freely between the sanctuaries, but the many kilometres of fences are still being torn down by the various parks. The vast size, rugged terrain and isolated location have allowed large tracts of this park to remain pristine and wild. The park is on a low veldt featuring baobabs, scrublands and sandstone cliffs.
One of the most prominent and enduring natural features of Gonarezhou National Park is the beautiful Chilojo Cliffs. These magnificent red sandstone cliffs have been formed through eons of erosion and overlook the scenic Runde River valley.
This remote undeveloped wilderness varies from open pans of tall grass to dense bush along the Runde, Mwenezi and Save Rivers, accounting for the presence of all the large safari animals, including the Big Five. The park has a healthy population of elephants, buffalo, all the big cats and a wide variety of antelope. Two very well organised and high level lodges are available inside the park, the positions of which are stunning and offer amazing views. Many activities are available such as game or walking safaris with expert guides.

Accommodation at Chilo Gorge Luxury Lodge
Full Board – Activities Included

Day 12

Today you will be transferred by charter flight back to Harare where you will connect onto your international flight back home or to your next destination.