Itinerary Highlights
- Explore three diverse, game-rich areas throughout Hwange National Park
- Ride the iconic Elephant Express railway through Hwange’s spectacular wilderness
- Learn about the Imvelo Ngamo rhino sanctuary and its conservation/community work
- Enjoy incredible wildlife sightings from the park’s carefully maintained waterholes
- Visit Victoria Falls and marvel at the power and beauty of this natural wonder
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Travel Guide
- Transfers
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Step into the heart of Zimbabwe on this ten-day safari and experience Hwange National Park, a vast wilderness brimming with wildlife and wonder. Here, nature’s drama unfolds daily, from herds of elephant and buffalo to the stealthy predators that roam this remarkable landscape.
Your safari adventure takes place in Hwange National Park, the largest and oldest game reserve in Zimbabwe.
Hwange is slightly larger than the Bahamas, a colossal 14,651 km², and home to a spectacular range of habitats and landscapes. The arid semi-desert, lush teak forests, rocky outcrops, grasslands and scrub areas are alive with animals and birds. The diverse wilderness supports large numbers of elephant, buffalo, antelope, giraffe, warthog and zebra – a plethora of prey attracting the hungry eye of predators. Lion, cheetah, wild dog, spotted hyena and leopard thrive amongst this rich source of food.
Filled with many remarkable and wonderful qualities, one of the unique features of Hwange is the lack of major national water sources, with a network of artificially pumped waterholes maintained by the people of the park to ensure the livelihood of the animals.
Your first three nights are spent at Bomani, which is located on the south-eastern corner of Hwange. Imvelo have partnered with the Ngamo Community to work together in looking after rhino. Your stay at Bomani includes a visit to this rhino sanctuary to learn more about the conservation work that is happening here.
Next, you'll travel to Jozibanini Tented Camp, a renovated rangers station from the 1970s. Found within a truly wild place, you'll enjoy a unique and exciting experience in the secluded southern section of the park. It's the perfect wilderness bolthole for adventures off the beaten track. Your two days will include twice daily safari activities led by the Zimbabwean pro-guides, amongst some of the best in Africa, offering an exceptional quality of knowledge.
From here, you'll drive through the park to Nehimba Lodge. Your days will be filled with exciting activities for an authentic insight into the animals, culture and history of Hwange and Zimbabwe. Along with the traditional game drives, all lodges offer bush walks, birdwatching, visits to the local villages and schools and - a unique activity to Hwange National Park - the ‘pump run’ available from mid-May to mid November.
No trip to Zimbabwe would be complete without a visit to Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Fly to the town of Victoria Falls located on the southern bank of the Zambezi River, an iconic place filled with a rich and romantic history.
Walk through the surrounding rainforest along the network of trails leading to 16 different viewpoints, all dazzling you with stunning and impressive scenes of this powerful and enormous curtain of water.
Called Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’, the dense plume of water spray which rises from the waterfall reaches up to 500m into the air and can be seen from as far as 20km away. Making the most of the magnificent waterfall, Vic Falls has an endless list of activities, including white water rafting, canoeing, helicopter rides, canopy tours and, of course for the thrill seekers, bungee jumping. Your one night stay will be in the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, placed just four kilometres away from the immense waterfall.
Spread along the plateau overlooking an active waterhole, your bedroom’s small private deck is an excellent place to appreciate the beauty of the African landscape.
Please note, this is an example tour. To create your own tailor-made itinerary, speak with our Travel Specialists by calling us today.
Itinerary
Day 2 | Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, South East Corner
Upon landing in Victoria Falls Airport, you'll transfer to the airstrip for a light aircraft flight to Hwange National Park (time permitting, you may need a night in Victoria Falls depending on flight times). Then you'll be met and driven to Bomani Tented Camp for a three-night stay with all meals, local brand drinks, two daily safari activities and Hwange National Park fees included.
Upon arrival, settle into your tent and freshen up with a shower in your tent’s en-suite bathroom before heading out for your intrepid safari adventure. Let your expert Zimbabwean safari guide lead the way, tracking down a significant number of elephants, buffalo, lions and antelopes.
Day 3 | Hwange National Park, South East Corner
Day 4 | Hwange National Park, South East Corner
Day 6 | Hwange National Park, South West
If your stay is from mid-May to mid-November, you can participate in the exclusive activity of a ‘pump run’. Spend a full day in the park delivering diesel drums and rations to the pump attendants. Leave early in the morning for your journey, travelling from waterhole to waterhole. You can either help out with the chores or explore the flora and fauna around the waterhole before stopping for a delicious and leisurely picnic lunch.
The pumps support nearly 40,000 elephants and many other animals; watch over the waterhole as they enjoy their lunchtime drink. Finish the day with a sundowner at one of the waterholes close to the camp; the perfect end to a different, interesting and rewarding day in the Zimbabwe wilderness.
Day 7 - 8 | Hwange National Park, Northern Sector
Today, you'll transfer to Nehimba Lodge, where you'll spend the next two nights, with all meals, local drinks and game activities included.
Nehimba Lodge was designed around a waterhole providing mineral-rich water favoured by wildlife, especially the elephants, which travel miles in the dry season. Game viewing from here is particularly spectacular.
Day 9 | Hwange National Park to Victoria Falls
Travel from Hwange National Park to the welcoming town of Vic Falls for your day in the heart of this natural splendour. Check into Pioneers Victoria Falls Lodge, your stay including breakfast and transfers to the town and the entrance of the Falls.
During your day, there's the option to enjoy the additional activities of a fascinating tour of the falls or a wonderful sunset cruise.
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
30th Apr 2026
31st Oct 2026
30th Apr 2026
31st Oct 2027
Craig Kaufman
Travel Specialist
Price Includes
- Return International Flights as per the itinerary
- All airport taxes and security charges
- Accommodation and meals as specified
- Transfers as specified
- Activities and excursions as specified
- All entrace fees on sightseeing tours as specified
Price Excludes
- Travel Insurance
- Any meals not specified in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional excursions
Why Choose Us?
Passionate travel experts
- We've been leading wildlife travel since our first South Africa tours over 25 years ago
- Our Travel Specialists have lived in their specialist area for years
- We work with local guides to immerse you deeper in our diverse range of experiences
Personal & tailor-made
- You'll speak to your own expert who'll share their first-hand knowledge
- We'll make your itinerary seamless with 24/7 emergency contact available
- Your Travel Specialist will listen to ensure you have the best chance of seeing the wildlife you love
Responsible by nature
- We take care to actively contribute to the conservation of environments we visit
- For select countries, we make a charitable donation on your behalf when you make your booking
- We've partnered with conservation experts and NGOs to curate responsible tours
For the latest travel advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office check www.gov.uk/travelaware