Best of Zimbabwe • 13 Days

Map-Best-of-Zimbabwe-2027-13-Days

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From

$ 6,993.00

per person

All our guided group tours can be offered on a private basis, and all our packages can be customized. Our experienced destination experts will design itineraries tailored to your needs and budget.

Experience the best of Botswana on this 13-day Zimbabwe safari that brings together some of the country’s most remarkable wilderness areas, combining the spectacle of Victoria Falls with the vast landscapes of Hwange National Park and the remote beauty of Mana Pools. Designed for travellers seeking both iconic sights and quieter wilderness experiences, the journey offers a balanced mix of game drives, walking safaris, and time to explore Zimbabwe’s diverse ecosystems.

Your adventure begins at Victoria Falls, where rainforest trails lead to viewpoints overlooking one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. From here, the safari continues into Hwange National Park, known for its large elephant herds, rich predator populations, and wide-open plains.

The journey concludes in Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its walking safaris and dramatic river landscapes along the Zambezi. Together, these regions showcase Zimbabwe’s exceptional wildlife, natural beauty, and sense of remote wilderness.

Highlights of the tour

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is one of Africa’s most iconic natural landmarks, where the Zambezi River plunges dramatically into a series of deep gorges below. Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or “The Smoke That Thunders,” the Falls create a spectacular curtain of mist visible from miles away. Visitors can explore rainforest trails along the edge of the falls, take in panoramic viewpoints, and enjoy activities such as sunset cruises along the Zambezi River.

Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest and most diverse wildlife reserve, covering vast savannahs, woodland, and open grasslands. Often referred to as “lion country,” the park supports strong predator populations alongside large herds of elephant and buffalo. Waterholes scattered throughout the park attract a wide variety of wildlife, creating excellent opportunities for game viewing throughout the year.

Northern Hwange

The northern region of Hwange offers a quieter and more remote safari experience. Rugged landscapes of rocky hills and dry riverbeds create a striking contrast to the open plains of the south. Walking safaris and guided game drives reveal wildlife gathering at natural springs and waterholes, while ancient ruins and San rock engravings provide insight into the region’s long cultural history.

Mana Pools National Park

Mana Pools National Park is one of Africa’s most celebrated wilderness areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located along the banks of the Zambezi River, the park is known for its floodplains, towering winterthorn trees, and exceptional wildlife encounters. Walking safaris allow visitors to explore the landscape on foot with experienced guides, offering a closer look at the park’s elephants, lions, buffalo, and diverse birdlife.

Chitake Escarpment

The Chitake Escarpment, located within Mana Pools National Park, offers a more remote and dramatic safari setting. Here, seasonal riverbeds and steep cliffs create a unique environment where wildlife gathers around scarce water sources. Game drives, walking safaris, and occasional night drives reveal predators and plains game moving through this rugged and less-visited part of the park.

Accommodation

We make use of mid-range, en-suite accommodation on the Best of Zimbabwe safari.

Day 1 & 2 

Ilala Lodge (or similar)
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Days 3 – 5

Hideaways Nantwich Lodge (or similar)
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Days 6 – 8

Hideaways Bumbusi Wilderness Camp (or similar)
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Days 9 -12

Hideaways Mhara River Camp (or similar)
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Included

  • 12 x breakfasts
  • 10 x lunches
  • 10 x dinners
  • 3 Shared Light Aircraft Flights
  • Road Transfers as specified in the itinerary
  • Activities as specified in the itinerary
  • Selected drinks
  • Services of an English-speaking driver guide on the excursions specified
  • Park entrance, river usage fees, and Grow Africa levies, unless specified otherwise

Excluded

  • International & domestic flights
  • Pre & post tour accommodation
  • Optional activities
  • Imported and premium brand drinks
  • Personal expenses such as gratuities, telephone calls, curios, travel insurance, etc.

Pre-Tour Information

Departure

The tour departs from Victoria Falls Airport. Whilst it is our every intention to adhere to the above-mentioned itinerary, there may on occasion be a necessity to make alterations in order to make the tour more enjoyable or practical. Therefore please treat the itinerary as a guide only.

Meals

Meals included will be taken in the restaurants at the various accommodation establishments. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.

Visas

The onus is on the client to organize all visas required to visit the countries stated on the itinerary.

Travel Insurance

Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling with JENMAN African Safaris. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance.

Add-on Safari

2 nights at Camp Kuzuma, Chobe Enclave from
USD 1 266.00 per person sharing

Arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport, where you will be welcomed and transferred by road to Ilala Lodge, your accommodation for the next two nights. Located just minutes from the world-famous Victoria Falls, Ilala Lodge offers a comfortable and welcoming base to experience one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders. Each room is designed for relaxation, with views over the gardens and, in the near distance, the mist of the “Smoke that Thunders”, making it the perfect retreat after a day of exploration. During your stay, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the iconic Victoria Falls as well as a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, two unmissable highlights of the region. Beyond these, you can also explore Victoria Falls town, browsing its charming cafés, bustling markets, and local craft shops. For those seeking even more adventure, optional activities include scenic helicopter or microlight flights over the falls, white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and the Gorge Swing. Wildlife experiences in nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park add another layer to your stay, ensuring there is something for every kind of traveler.

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight to Robins Airstrip. On arrival, your guide will meet you for a short game drive through Hwange National Park as you make your way to Nantwich Lodge, where you will spend the next three nights.

Set overlooking a busy waterhole in a remote corner of Hwange, Nantwich Lodge offers a peaceful and intimate safari setting with only a handful of suites. From the main deck, it is common to see hippos, crocodiles, and elephants gathering at the water’s edge. The lodge also features a swimming pool with views across the surrounding plains, as well as an underground hide that provides a unique, ground-level perspective of wildlife visiting the waterhole.

During your stay, guided game drives explore this part of Hwange, often referred to as “Lion Country,” where open savannah and woodland attract elephants, buffalo, lions, and other predators. Seasonal bush walks may also be available, allowing you to experience the landscape on foot while learning about the smaller details of the ecosystem from your guide.

Between activities, there is time to relax back at camp. Guests can cool off in the pool, watch wildlife from the deck, or spend quiet moments in the hide waiting for animals to approach the waterhole. In the evenings, night drives within the private concession offer the chance to spot nocturnal species such as hyena, leopards, and other creatures rarely seen during the day. Dinner is served back at the lodge, with the sounds of the surrounding bush completing the experience.

After coffee and a light breakfast, you will set out on a game drive through Hwange National Park as you make your way toward Bumbusi Wilderness Camp, where you will spend the next three nights.

Located in a remote section of northern Hwange, the camp is surrounded by rocky hills and sandstone outcrops that give the landscape a distinctive character. A nearby natural spring attracts wildlife throughout the year, and elephants are often seen moving through the area below the main deck. With only a small number of stone-and-canvas chalets, the camp offers a quiet and secluded stay away from the busier regions of the park.

During your stay, activities combine wildlife viewing with opportunities to learn about the cultural history of the area. Guided game drives and bush walks explore the surrounding terrain, including sections of the Deka River and the dramatic Bumbusi Gorge. Visits to nearby historical sites such as the Bumbusi National Monument and ancient rock engravings provide insight into the long human presence in this part of Hwange.

Life at camp moves at a relaxed pace. You may choose to spend time on the deck watching wildlife pass through the area or enjoy tea prepared over the fire while taking in the surrounding wilderness. Evenings are simple and unhurried, with dinner followed by time around the campfire under the night sky.

After breakfast, you will transfer back to Robins Airstrip for your flight across Lake Kariba to Ruckomechi Airstrip in Mana Pools. On arrival, your guide will meet you and transfer you to Mhara River Camp, where you will spend the next four nights.

Situated inland from Mana Pools National Park on a private concession along the Chitake River, the camp offers an intimate wilderness setting. A small number of canvas tents are positioned beneath the shade of mature trees, overlooking the riverbed and surrounding cliffs. Wildlife moves freely through the area, with elephants often passing quietly through camp and a variety of birdlife active throughout the day.

During your stay, activities focus on exploring the region both by vehicle and on foot. Game drives follow river loops and dry riverbeds, venturing into the surrounding bush where sightings may include lions, leopards, elephants, and a wide range of bird species. Guided walks provide another way to experience the landscape, whether tracking wildlife through the hills or exploring the rugged scenery of the Chitake Gorge.

Night drives are also possible in this area, offering a chance to encounter nocturnal wildlife and predators rarely seen during the day. Back at camp, the pace slows. Meals are often enjoyed outdoors, and evenings are spent around the fire while the sounds of the surrounding bush settle in for the night.

After breakfast at Mhara River Camp, you will be transferred by road to Ruckomechi Airstrip, where you will board your flight back to Robert Mugabe International Airport, arriving in time for your departure flight.

Ready to Plan Your Next African Safari?

Enquire with one of our destination experts, and we will get back to you.

JENMAN

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