The Road Less Travelled

The safari explores the country often referred to as “Zimbabwe the beautiful”. It takes its wild and seldom trodden paths that offer exciting and unique experiences in remote Africa. From the world heritage site of Victoria Falls to the wildlife rich Hwange national park and onto the Zambezi flood plain of Mana pools, you will experience unparalleled close encounters with wildlife be it on game drives, walking or canoeing safari.

 

Safari operates: from June to October included (dry season)

Safari duration: 11 days

 

Safari covers:

 

• Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)

• Kanga Pan in Mana Pools National Park (Zimbabwe)

• The Zambezi River & Mana Pools National Park (Zimbabwe)

• Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

 

Accomodation:Safari Lodge & Tented Bush Camps

Safari Style:

 

Access

 

• Safari starts in: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and ends in Harare (Zimbabwe) both locations have international airports with numerous connections. Check out our detailed map with regional access information.

• Safari Duration: 11 days

• Safari operates: from June to October included (dry season)

• Group size: Minimum 2 persons sharing, maximum 8 to 10 persons per group.

• Children: Age restriction is 12 years, although specialised family and children's safaris can be arranged on request. Please contact us.

 

Safari Itinerary

 

Itinerary at a glance:

 

• Day 1 – 3: Victoria Falls - Ilala Lodge (2 nights)

• Day 3 – 6: Hwange National Park - Somalisa Camp (3 nights)

• Day 6 – 8: Kanga Pan in Mana Pools National Park - Kanga Camp (2 nights)

• Day 8 – 11: The Zambezi River & Mana Pools National Park - Zambezi Life Styles Camp (3 nights)

 

Detailed safari Itinerary:

 

Day 1 – 3: Victoria Falls - Ilala lodge (2 nights)

 

On your arrival at Victoria Falls Airport you will be met by an African Bush Camps representative and transferred by road to Ilala Lodge where you will spend your first two nights.

 

The lodge: Ilala Lodge offers distinguished yet affordable accommodation in warm elegant surroundings. The décor evokes an era of early adventure and the quest for discovery in Africa. The hotel is ideally situated, being the closest to the mighty Victoria Falls as well as the town centre. The Victoria Falls National Park borders the front of the property and wild animals often graze on the hotel lawns with the spray of the falls in the background. The rooms are spacious with railway sleeper teak furnishings and patio doors leading onto either open lawn or a balcony. All rooms have en-suite bathroom facilities with a separate shower, air conditioning and overhead fan, satellite TV, hair dryer, tea & coffee making facilities and a safe to store your valuable items. 

 

A warm welcome awaits you at the world class a la Carte ‘Palm Restaurant’. It offers superb cuisine while you relax and enjoy the atmosphere of the gracious surroundings. Dining outside under the African night sky amidst the sound of the mighty waterfall makes for a romantic evening to be remembered.

 

The Falls: you will have two days to discover and enjoy Zimbabwe’s foremost attraction, Victoria Falls. “The smoke that thunders” remains one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world. In addition, the area offers a variety of activities for adventure seekers and safari lovers alike. Read More »

 

Day 3 – 6: Hwange National Park - Somalisa Camp (3 nights)

 

After breakfast on your last morning in Victoria Falls you will be transferred by road to Hwange Main Camp passing through traditional Ndebele villages on your way. You will be met by your guide at Hwange Main Camp and transferred by game drive to Somalisa Camp in Hwange National Park where you will spend three nights.

 

The camp: Somalisa Camp is set in the heart of Hwange National Park, known as the land of the giants for its big elephant herds. Somalisa is an authentic luxury tented bush camp, offering guests a blend of old African charm and elegance together with an exclusive safari experience. Only six elegantly furnished canvas tents make up this camp. All tents come with en suite bathrooms, flush toilet and a romantic alfresco bush shower. Your senses will be awakened as you feast on our sumptuous cuisine, a balance of organic produce and innovative gourmet meals complemented by a choice of South African and Australian wines. The lounge and dining area is at the forefront of the camp, tucked under a canopy of trees. Wide and well-traversed Elephant paths make up the pathway connecting your room to the main area. Read More »

 

The wildlife & activities: activities include guided walks lead by qualified and passionate guides who will share their knowledge and love of the bush with you, game drives and spot lighting as well as game viewing from hides in Hwange National Park. These activities will allow you the opportunity to observe elephant, kudu, sable antelope, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, the rare and endangered roan antelope, buffalo, giraffe, white rhino, lion, leopard, hyena, and many other wildlife species. The Kennedy vlei is littered with flamboyant colours from seasonal wild flowers that emerge as the first rains begin, and as the grass dries out, the large herds of buffalo, zebra and elephant are in abundance. Read More »

 

Day 6 – 8: Kanga Pan in Mana Pools National Park - Kanga Camp (2 nights)

 

After your last morning activity at Somalisa Camp a light air charter will transfer you to Mana Pools. Here you will stay for the first two nights of your safari in Mana Pools, exploring the inland river beds, pans and open plains of the National Park by game drive and guided walks with an armed professional guide.

 

The camp: Kanga Bush Camp has six tents set in the heart of Mana Pools National Park. The main area of the camp is built on decking overlooking the pan and encompasses a relaxing lounge area under the shade of large trees surrounding the pan. Read More »

 

The wildlife & activities: There is the choice of taking game drives in an open-top four-wheel drive vehicle or walking with a professional guide. Mana Pools is one of the few National Parks in Africa that allows visitors to leave the vehicle and track game on foot. Other activities include night drives as well as canoeing which is organised on request. Game abounds on the flood plains and in the Mopane woodlands of Mana Pools. Kanga Pan particularly attracts great game in big concentrations, as it is the only water found in the floodplain above the river. The predators, including lion, wild dog and leopard are often sighted. Large concentrations of buffalo, kudu, zebra, impala and waterbuck can be found in the Mopane woodland and open plains that are idyllically studded with Ilala Palms. Elephants take advantage of the plentiful “albida” trees in the area. Bird watching is also a great attraction of the area. Read More »

 

Day 8 – 11: The Zambezi River & Mana Pools National Park - Zambezi Life Styles Camp (3 nights).

 

After your last morning activity at Kanga Camp, you will begin your three night along the Zambezi River camping at Zambezi Life Styles.

 

Come on the adventure of a lifetime for an experience like no other. This safari takes you to several prime spots of this World Heritage site allowing you to explore new territory every day.

 

The camp: Each night you will end up back at Zambezi Life Styles, a comfortable 12 bedded camp on the banks of the Zambezi that is set up for the season each year. Each tent is a spacious meru-style tent with en-suite bathroom, flush toilet and outdoor bucket shower. Read More »

 

The walking: There are plenty of opportunities to walk the famous floodplain of the Zambezi valley, exploring the Mana Pools wilderness areas well off the beaten track. Wildlife to be seen includes hippos, crocodiles, lions, wild dogs, leopard, hyenas, elephant, buffalo, waterbuck and many other antelope.

 

The canoeing: it is an optional activity which will probably see you doing about 8 hours of light paddling each day in a steady current of about five kilometres an hour. The whole trip will be along the shoreline in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park covering a total distance of about 50 kilometres, where you’ll enjoy viewing of wildlife from a totally different perspective.

 

Day 11: Mana Pools – Harare Airport

 

After your last morning in Mana Pools a light air charter will transfer you to Harare Airport and your onward travel arrangements.