9 Day Best of Zimbabwe Safari

Day 1

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls

You'll be met on arrival at Victoria Falls airport and transferred by road to the majestic Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, overlooking the Zambezi National Park. It's a mere 3 km from the world-famous Victoria Falls. You'll spend the first night of your Zimbabwean adventure here with breakfast included.

The views from the lodge are spectacular, and a great variety of wildlife can be spotted at and around the nearby waterhole, such as large herds of elephants, buffalo, kudu, waterbuck and other smaller animals.

Why not dine at the well-known The Boma – Place of Eating, an open-air restaurant where you'll be immersed in a cultural experience of note? After donning a traditional garment, you'll enjoy customary pre-dinner handwashing, taste the local beer and be entertained by traditional Ndebele dancers and singers.

Days 2 to 4

Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park

After a hearty breakfast at the hotel, you'll be transferred by road to Main Camp at Hwange National Park. On arrival, you'll be met by your guide from Somalisa and driven through the park to the camp, game viewing guaranteed along the way. You'll spend the next three nights at Somalisa Camp all-inclusive of meals, local beverages, laundry and two game activities daily.

Somalisa Camp is set in the heart of Hwange National Park, known as the 'land of giants' for its big elephant herds. It's an authentic bush camp, combining charming old African elegance with an exclusive safari experience.

Its stunning location, tucked away on an acacia island along the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain, gives it breathtaking views of the savannah plains.

There are only six elegantly furnished canvas tents, each with an en-suite bathroom, flush toilet and romantic alfresco bush shower. There's a welcoming main area with a pool deck where you can relax and enjoy a cup of tea or a refreshing cocktail – and look out over the pan where game congregates in large herds. Elephants drink from the pool almost daily, so you can expect close-up views of these gentle giants.

Gourmet meals are prepared with imagination, using fresh organic produce and complemented by a selection of South African and Australian wines. Solar lighting ensures your comfort without compromising the area's natural surroundings.

Activities include guided walks led by qualified, passionate guides who will share their knowledge and love of the bush with you, game drives in open safari vehicles (using a spotlight at night), as well as game viewing from hides.

On foot or game drives, you'll have the chance to spot lion, elephant, kudu and sable antelope, zebra, wildebeest, gemsbok, the rare and endangered roan antelope, buffalo, giraffe, white rhino, cheetah, leopard, hyena, and many other wildlife species.

Days 5 to 8

Kanga Camp, Mana Pools

After breakfast on your last morning at Somalisa, you'll be driven to the airstrip for your charter flight to Mana Pools National Park. A World Heritage site, Mana Pools offers a unique safari experience.

Each day at Kanga Camp, you'll explore different inland river beds, pans and open plains of the National Park by game drive and guided walks with your armed, professional guide, well off the beaten track. Your chances of encountering hippos, crocodiles, lions, wild dogs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffalo, waterbuck and many other antelope are good.