Itinerary Highlights
- The abundance of game in Hwange National Park
- Authentic village visits in Hwange Conservancy
- Ox-bow lagoons, islands & channels of Mana Pools
- Trekking to the spectacular Chivilia Falls
- Learning Zimbabwe's history, depicted in stone art
What's Included
- Flights
- Accommodation Throughout
- Transfers
14 nights from £16,780 - £20,575 per person
Shelley Phillips
Travel Specialist
Experience Zimbabwe’s best safari destinations on this unbelievable wildlife tour.
Travel between each location on light aircraft flights, flying from one incredible safari destination to the next over Zimbabwe’s vast expanse of pristine wilderness untouched by huge numbers of tourists.
Begin in the luxurious Linkwasha Camp, found in the legendary Hwange National Park. During your safari activities across the Linkwasha Private Concession you will share the land with only the other guests of the nine tent camp and the abundance of wildlife.
Fly north to the river banks of the mighty Zambezi for a stay in Ruckomechi Camp. Enjoy the diverse safari activities across the wide flood plains of Mana Pools National Park, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO for its dramatic landscape filled with a remarkable concentration of animals.
The Chilo Lodge along the edge of Gonarezhou is your next destination. Meaning ‘Place of the Elephants’, Gonarezhou is home to eight thousands of them alongside buffalo, impala and big cats.
End your safari hidden away in the remote Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, the 150,000 acres supporting 38 different habitats. Hundreds of majestic baobab trees holding some of the 500 species of bird on the thick gnarled branches, flat-topped mountains covered in acacia woodlands, the perfect shade for the elusive leopard, and pods of hippo wallowing and wadding in the 1,500 acre lake.
Zimbabwean guides have a stellar reputation. They will overwhelm you with their knowledge of the wildlife, their skill at tracking animals and their passion for providing you with an excellent safari holiday.
Itinerary
Day 1 Leave London on your overnight flig...
Leave London on your overnight flight to Victoria Falls Airport.
Day 2
Upon landing, you’ll travel by light aircraft to Linkwasha airstrip and driven to Linkwasha Camp in the south-eastern part of Hwange National Park. Encapsulating the original style and spirit of safari, Linkwasha Camp overlooks a nearby pan and it’s flurry of animal activity. A stay here gives you easy and private access to many of the best locations within Hwange. Enjoy both day and night game drives across the Linkwasha Private Concession. With the maximum of only four vehicles at one time across the land, your classic game drive will be full of wildlife but practically devoid of other travellers. With fantastic game viewing all year round, during your three night stay you will enjoy two safari activities a day in this spectacular part of Hwange National Park.
Day 3 In the fresh early morning, drive a...
In the fresh early morning, drive across the savannah grassland approaching huge herds of elephant and buffalo, prides of lion and grazing giraffe, passing cantering zebra and antelope. Keep your eye out for the predators of cheetah, leopard and African wildcat, prowling in the distance waiting for the opportune moment to pounce.
To experience and view the wildlife from a different perspective, embark on a walking safari led by a knowledgeable guide. Exploring the land on foot out of the safari vehicle will take you closer to the wildlife, immersing you in the sights, sounds and smells of the landscape.
Day 4 Linkwasha Camp is greatly concerned...
Linkwasha Camp is greatly concerned with sustainable tourism and takes responsibility for many aspects for the Hwange’s conservation. Sit in on one of the regular presentations to learn about their work to protect the wildlife. Led by one of the local villagers, visit a nearby village with a tour of the school and meetings with the headman or headwoman of the community. This is an authentic insight into Zimbabwean way of life.
When the sun has set on your last day in Linkwasha Camp, stretch out and relax underneath a black sky dense with stars on the camps sleep-out deck. Surrounded by the intriguing sounds of the wildlife this is an exceptional end to your time in Hwange National Park.
Day 5
In the morning transfer to the elephant’s favourite camp, Ruckomechi Camp found along the western border of the Mana Pools. The beautifully decorated tents overlook the Zambezi River, the wooden deck is a peaceful and cosy place to watch the passing elephants shake the nearby albida trees for their tasty pods.
Over the years the Zambezi River has run over the floodplains of Zimbabwe, the flowing water creating islands, channels and ox-bows now known as Mana Pools National Park. Full of animals and birds, these pools and sandbanks are waiting to be explored.
With two safari activities a day, end your days in the ‘bath with a view’. A secluded tub encircled by stunning views, this is an idyllic place to enjoy a relaxing soak at the end of4 your exciting day.
Staying at
Ruckomechi
Day 6 Starting as a trickle in Zambia, th...
Starting as a trickle in Zambia, the Zambezi River grows into one of the lifelines of Africa, passing through six countries. Staying in Ruckomechi Camp gives you fantastic access to this colossal natural wonder and all the adventurous opportunities it holds.
Jump into a nine-seater pontoon to cruise down the Zambezi River. Sail past pods of hippo and crocodiles gliding through the water, with groups of hyena, zebra, buffalo and lion stopping for a drink along the shore. Another way to take to the water is by canoe, an exhilarating way to experience the water bound animals and waterbirds. For keen fishers there is the chance for catch–and–release fishing, casting your rod for Bream (tilapia), barbel (catfish) and tigerfish.
Day 7 On your last morning in Mana Pools ...
On your last morning in Mana Pools head out early on a game drive, watching the animal interactions between the Cape buffalo, elephant, lion, hyena, rare species of wild dog and cheetah and more. A thrilling experience of Mana’s beauty, head out on a nature walk, your guide pointing out the many exciting sights you’ll come across.
Day 8
Make the journey over to Gonarezhou National Park in southern Zimbabwe, transferring to the airstrip for your flight to Harara Airport. Gonarezhou merges across the borders with South Africa’s Kruger National Park and Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park, creating an unparalleled wildlife sanctuary.
Whilst here you will stay in the stylish and elegant Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge, named after the dramatic gorge it is located on. From the viewing deck watch your neighbours of hippo, elephant and crocodiles at the water’s edge going about their daily business. There is plenty for you to enjoy in this untouched wild country, one of the least visited parks of the country
Day 9 As well as exhilarating game drives...
As well as exhilarating game drives amongst the lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, hyenas, buffalos, hippos and giraffes in the national park, it is possible to experience a different side of this beautiful African landscape. Trek across the grasslands, through the forest of mahoganies, ironwoods and tall acacia trees to arrive at the dramatic Chivilia Falls, a spectacular waterfall overlooking the magnificent land.
Day 10
A private road transfer will take you to Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, a 130,000 acre spread of secluded land with high numbers of animals amongst the mopane forests, sandstone outcrops and majestic baobab trees.
Staying in Singita Pamushana, a lodge elevated onto a rocky headland, you will be able to observe panoramic views of the incredible area, the landscape stretching out in front of you for miles dotted with trees and movements of the wildlife you are soon to encounter. Overlooking the remote wilderness you may be able to identify some of the reserve’s 38 habitats, the hundreds of grand baobabs, mountain acacia woodlands and thickets of ironwoods.
The Malilangwe Trust was established with the aim to preserve and protect the wildlife in the extraordinary area next to Gonarezhou National Park. Not only benefitting the animals the private reserve is a great source of livelihood for the people of the region, creating sustainability in the local communities.
Staying at
Singita Pamushana
Day 11 Malilangwe is full of incredible th...
Malilangwe is full of incredible things to see, endangered species protected in the geological diversity and sites of rock art dating back thousands of years. The passionate guides will fill your last days in Zimbabwe with great memories, tracking the reserve’s 36 mammals and 125 bird species. Drive through the various geological areas in an open-top safari vehicle, following Sable antelope, Lichtenstein’s hartebeest, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest and lion
Day 12 Follow in the footsteps of San Bush...
Follow in the footsteps of San Bushman on a walking safari to the natural galleries amongst the forest and sandstone kopjessee. The scenes of rock art are etched into the stone walls depicting the everyday life and wildlife interaction of one of the oldest cultures on earth. Explained by your guide, it is a fascinating look at the rich heritage of Zimbabwe and the actions of the hunter gathers from 2,000 years ago.
Marvel at the light pollution free night sky on your last night. Appreciate the sky’s intense darkness covered with dazzling stars with an astronomy guide pointing out the constellations and planets.
Day 13 Leave Singita Pamushana for your fl...
Leave Singita Pamushana for your flight from Buffalo Range International Airport to South Africa and onwards over night to London Heathrow.
Day 14 Arrive back in London Heathrow in t...
Arrive back in London Heathrow in the early morning.
Shelley Phillips
Travel Specialist
Pricing Information & Dates
14 nights from £16,780 - £20,575 per person
Itinerary Dates
Pricing
1st Apr 2024 -
31st May 2024
31st May 2024
£16,780
1st Jun 2024 -
31st Oct 2024
31st Oct 2024
£20,575
Shelley Phillips
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
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