Ultimate Zimbabwe Safari – 12-night Expedition

Day 1

The Hide Safari Camp - Hwange National Park

Take a two-hour 30-minute scenic road transfer from The Victoria Falls International Airport to The Hide Safari Camp in Hwange.

Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's largest national park at some 1.4 million hectares/3.4 million acres of sandy soils, grasslands, acacia woodlands and teak forests. It is known for one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa, especially elephant and buffalo, and for its yearround wildlife viewing.

The Hide sleeps up to 20 guests in ten comfortable and spacious deluxe tents. The tents have a myriad of different configurations with indoor and/or outdoor bathtubs and showers. They are fan cooled for your comfort in summer and have extra warm blankets and hot water bottles for the cool winter months. Each has a private veranda from where guests may be entertained by the comings and goings of a large variety of game at the waterhole.

Day 2

The Hide Safari Camp - Hwange National Park

Game Activities at the camp. Because The Hide is on its own private concession, a 5 km square area in Zimbabwe’s largest national park, the range of activities on offer is wider and more exciting than anywhere else. Go walking in the bush with your guide where you’ll discover it’s less about the Big Five and more about making a connection that’s personal. Drive at night after an unwinding sundowner and experience wild nocturnal activity that you don’t get the chance to see elsewhere.

Day 3

The Hide Safari Camp - Hwange National Park

Game activities at the camp. The rest of the day can be spent further afield on game drives in search of predators and prey alike. Here, they like to do things properly, so sundowners are an important part of the experience! Enjoy the natural beauty with a cold drink in hand. The guides at The Hide are very much part of the family and have been with us for many years. They have undergone some of the most rigorous training in Africa and their passion for and knowledge of the bush is often what makes a safari so special.

Day 4

Changa Safari Camp - Matusadona National Park

Enjoy a scenic 1 hour 30-minutes air transfer from Hwange to Fot hergrill private airstrip then enjoy a road or boat transfer to Changa Safari Camp.

Matusadona National Park gets its name from the rolling Matusadona hills that form part of its water rich landscape. It is flanked by Lake Kariba in the north and two perennial rivers, the Ume and the Sanyati. Matusadona National Park is a remote and beautiful wilderness area containing dense thickets, mopane woodlands and grasslands along the southern shore of Lake Kariba.

Changa’s unique and secluded setting opens many of Zimbabwe’s wild wonders. 8 luxury tents are set under sprawling Mopane woodland along Kariba’s shoreline and around a central pool, private beach and bar/dining area. With all this and endless views across the lake under the biggest, bluest skies. All tents are a classic safari olive canvas and have been mosquito proofed with specialised netting, allowing you to comfortably fall asleep with a gentle breeze and the distant call of the wild.

Day 5

Changa Safari Camp - Matusadona National Park

Game activities at the camp. Among the indulgences at this charming lakeside retreat, a sense of having all the time in the world is one of its most luxurious. The cool of the early mornings might see you setting out on a guided walk, where nature’s little details come into full focus. A game drive might be more your style and can take you further afield, round to the flood plain and the red sandy shoreline where the resident lion pride is known to hang out. Or if fishing is your thing, you can cast off from the bank or from a boat.

Day 6

Changa Safari Camp - Matusadona National Park

Game activities at the camp. Matusadona’s lakeshore is excellent for hippo, crocodile, elephant, and buffalo. Also look out for waterbuck, impala, kudu and occasionally zebra. You may be lucky enough to come across lion near Changa, while leopard, hyena and cheetah are rare but thrilling sightings. As the day ends, you can toast Kariba’s spectacular sunsets. The safari ritual of your favourite drink or cocktail at dusk in a breathtaking bush setting is a glorious experience.

Day 7

John’s Camp - Mana Pools

Embark on a light aircraft flight to Mana West Airstrip from where you’ll be transferred to to John’s Camp in Mana Pools National Park. Met and welcomed by the John’s Camp team. Mana Pools National Park is situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River where you will find John's Camp nestled amongst canopies of Trichelia and Mahogany trees, it is a truly natural wilderness. Across the vast floodplain one can walk with the giants - the African Bull elephants, dine amidst herds of buffalo, gaze upon prides of lion, enjoy sundowners with hippos on the banks of the Zambezi River and bird watch over 400 species of birds.

The camp comprises of 12 beds, made up of 6 twin or double en-suite Meru style tents, a common dining area and a star gazing sleep-out platform for the more adventurous safari traveller. Each tent has en-suite bathroom facilities with flush loo and overhanging safari-style bucket showers. Inside the tent is a lit changing area complete with a running water basin. With privacy in mind, the tents are generously spaced out along the floodplain adjacent to the Zambezi River. The dining area is centrally located between the tents, positioned in thick shade, and there is a campfire overlooking the floodplain for evening cocktails and snacks before dinner.

Day 8

John’s Camp - Mana Pools

Various activities to choose from. Game drives are all conducted from Toyota Landcruiser’s, 9seater bench arrangements on a 3-tier frame with an overhead shade for comfort. Walking safaris lead by professional armed licensed Guides. Bush lunch prepared in the main camp and served in a remote and beautiful part of the park overlooking the Zambezi River. Land based fishing, catch a variety of species from the great African Tiger Fish to the tasty Tilapia (bream).

Day 9

John’s Camp - Mana Pools

A typical day on safari has guests woken just before sunrise for a quick cup of tea or coffee, a bowl of porridge or a muffin. You will head out on either a game walk or drive returning to camp for a late morning brunch. Midday siesta time is spent in camp and afternoon tea is served at 3.30pm. Head out again for an afternoon of game viewing as the day cools. Fishing from the banks of the river is also an option. Sundowners can be enjoyed while out on your afternoon game drive or back in camp. All guests will be back in the camp by 6.30pm. Warm bucket showers will be ready on your return. Gather around the campfire to share your stories from the day before enjoying a three-course dinner.

Day 10

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge - Gonarezhou National Park

Road Transfer to Mana Pools airstrip. Depart on a scheduled charter flight to Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge via Harare/Marondera for fuel stop over. You will be welcomed by The Chilo Gorge team at Mahenye airstrip and take a 10-min road transfer to the Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge.

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge sits on the cliffs of the Save river with panoramic views over Gonarezhou National Park. The lodge was established by International Award-Winning Conservationist Clive Stockil, as part of his initiative in “Community Led Conservation”. Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge offers guests access to the pristine wilderness of Gonarezhou, with the authentic animal interaction which goes with a park which is rarely visited. Gonarezhou is a gem amongst African parks and offers safari travellers an increasingly rare ability to explore untouched Africa.

Each of Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge’s 10 chalets are spacious, simple, and elegant, 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.

Day 11

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge - Gonarezhou National Park

Morning game drive or game walk in Gonarezhou, including a visit to Tembwahata – the largest natural water pan in Zimbabwe, the Palm Forest and Machaniwa Pan.

Afternoon Cultural visit to the Mahenye community – the birthplace of the Community Led Conservation initiative started by Chilo founder Clive Stockil. This project is now widely known as CAMPFIRE and has been replicated thousands of times across Africa.

Sundowners overlooking the Chivilila Falls.

Day 12

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge - Gonarezhou National Park

Full day game drive safari in Gonarezhou National Park, including a visit to the iconic Chilojo cliffs. Finish the day with sundowners overlooking the Save River.

Day 13

After leisurely breakfast, 10min Road Transfer to Mahenye Airstrip for your ongoing travel plans.

End of Itinerary.

Ultimate Zimbabwe Free Flights Package with a SAVING OF US$1702 pp