10 Days Victoria Falls, Hwange and Fly-In Mana Pools Safari
Embark on an incredible safari journey to one of Africa’s best kept safari secrets, this 10 Days Victoria Falls, Hwange and Fly-In Mana Pools Safari allows you a chance to travel through some of Zimbabwe’s most diverse and best safari locations including Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba. Matusadona National Park, Mana Pools and Victoria Falls.
Highlights of 10 Days Victoria Falls, Hwange and Fly-In Mana Pools Safari
Day 1 – Arrive in Zimbabwe and connect to Hwange National Park
Days 2 & 3: Safari in Hwange National Park
Day 4: Fly to Lake Kariba
Days 5 & 6: Explore Matusadona National Park & Lake Kariba
Day 7: Transfer to Mana Pools
Days 8 & 9: Safari in Mana Pools National Park
Day 10: Fly to Victoria Falls
Days 11 & 12: Explore with Matetsi
Day 13: Return to Victoria Falls for flights
Detailed Itinerary of 10 Days Victoria Falls, Hwange and Fly-In Mana Pools Safari
Day 1 – Arrive in Zimbabwe and connect to Hwange National Park
Arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport, and connect through to your light aircraft flight to Hwange National Park, the most famous park in Zimbabwe. This beautiful park is known for its large population of elephants and one of the largest wild dog numbers globally.
On arrival you will be warmly welcomed by our guide and transfer you to your camp where you will spend the 3 nights. In the afternoon, you will go for your first game viewing experience in the Hwange.
Main Destination: Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Somalisa Camp
Days 2 & 3: Safari in Hwange National Park
Spend these two days exploring Hwange National Park, this incredible safari destination is famous for its variety of wildlife including elephants, lion, leopard and wild dog population. Have an early start to the day will enable you to go out on either a game drive or a guided walk with your expert guide.
The area surrounding your lodge offers a variety of large and small game since you will have access to open land as well as woodland where different species prefer to graze for protection from the wandering lions and leopards. Cheetahs are also prevalent in the wilder open areas nearby and watching a hunt is always an exhilarating experience.
Hwange National Park, bordering Botswana is the largest national park in the country with an area of 14,600km². its sheer size means that its scenery, vegetation and game vary hugely, ranging from the semi desert scrub on the edge of the Kalahari in the south, to forests, granite hills and valleys of mopane woodlands in the north.
Hwange is very accessible and all the safari camps here offer day and night game drives and most also offer walking safaris. The highest numbers of animals here are spotted in the dry season (August to October) when the wildlife congregates around the remaining water holes.
Spend the midday back at the camp, relaxing in the pools or enjoying an armchair safari either on your own private verandah or on the elevated main area lounge. The waterhole close by is usually busy with elephants and antelope throughout the day.
Main Destination: Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Somalisa Camp
Day 4: Fly to Lake Kariba
After breakfast and your morning activity, you will be taken to the local bush airstrip. You will fly to Lake Kariba, situated in the north of Zimbabwe. You will fly directly to your lodge, Bumi Hills Lodge which is located on the top of a range of hills overlooking the man-made lake. The views from here are undeniably the best in the region and you will often see local fishing boats out in the distance while hearing the roar of lions in the hills around the lodge.
After landing at the Bumi Hills Airstrip, you will be met by your driver guide who will take you directly to the lodge. As soon as you enter the lodge you will see the jaw dropping view.
After a delicious lunch and settling into the lodge, you will be taken down the hill to the local jetty where you will board a safari boat to enjoy a sunset cruise on the lake. Sunsets on Lake Kariba are rumored to be the very best in Africa by all the visitors who travel there.
Return to your lodge for dinner and enjoy the lovely viewing deck overlooking the lake which is stunning as you can normally see the twinkling lights of the local Kapenta fishing rings out on the water.
Main Destination: Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Bumi Hills Lodge
Days 5 & 6: Explore Matusadona National Park & Lake Kariba
You have two full days to explore this beautiful area. There are several activities you can enjoy from the lodge. Game drives with your expert local guide are always a must and can be experienced in the morning as well as afternoon.
Balancing a day’s activities between the land and water is always recommended if you are looking to get the very best out of the region. After lunch, a popular activity you could include is an afternoon Tiger fishing experience followed by a sunset cruise or you can go out on a boat safari ending with the sunset drinks either on the boat or on shore.
In the late 1950s, the Kariba Dam flooded much of the muddle Zambezi Valley, creating one of the world’s greatest man-made lakes: Lake Kariba. The valley’s prolific game was concentrated on its islands and southern shore, where Matusadona National Park was created. Around this shoreline are some excellent safari lodges, offering walks and drives, as well as boat and canoe trips to explore the lakes inlets and creeks. The lake is superb place to watch the sunset, with the Matusadona Mountains in the background making for an excellent photo opportunity.
Main Destination: Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Bumi Hills Lodge
Day 7: Transfer to Mana Pools
After breakfast, fly to the Mana Pools by light aircraft. Mana Pools is the mecca for all authentic safari in southern Africa, a magical region where the African wildlife rules and humans really do feel like guests. The remoteness of these vast lands enables the wildlife to thrive in the untouched environment, making Mana Pools a favorite among wildlife photographers and film makers.
Main Destination: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Ruckomechi Camp
Days 8 & 9: Safari in Mana Pools National Park
You have these two days to explore Mana Pools National Park, this beautiful park lies at the heart of the Zambezi Valley, a remote, beautiful place with spectacular views. The area offers large concentrations of buffalo and elephant, while predators such as lion, wild dog, leopard and cheetah are often sighted. Birdlife in this region are superb with numerous local species like collared palm-thrush and racket tailed roller.
Covering under 40km2, the concession is bisected by the Ruckomechi River, with the eastern half within Mana Pools National Park, and the Western side in Hurungwe Safari Area. It is an area of varied habitat, from mopane woodland and scrubland to open grassland, attracting high concentrations of wildlife. The private concession not only allows for greater flexibility of activities than is possible within the national park itself, but also helps to provide a more exclusive game-viewing experience.
On these two days, enjoy game drives, river cruises, nature walks, catch and release fishing and bird watching whilst here.
Main Destination: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Ruckomechi Camp
Day 10: Fly to Victoria Falls
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your final light aircraft flight back to Victoria Falls. On arrival, you will be met by your driver who will take you on a scenic drive to Matetsi, your oasis on the banks of the Zambezi River, surrounded by wild bush land offering fantastic safari experiences and game viewing.
Being further downstream means you will be able to enjoy the quietness of the open African bushland, having access to great safari game drives all around you, and being only 45 minutes away from the Victoria Falls themselves, this is a great location to explore the region. Matetsi offers spacious suites that boast contemporary yet authentic finishes that showcase the country’s rich heritage.
Main Destination: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Mbano Manor Hotel
Days 11 & 12: Explore with Matetsi
On these two days you will enjoy your stay in a luxury property and stunning location. Matetsi is located on its own private wildlife reserve, so there is an opportunity to continue your safari experience by heading out on game drives, walks or river activities.
However, you are only just upstream from a wonder of the world, the great Victoria Falls. A day out exploring the falls by foot or air is a fantastic way to visit this area. If you are looking to just tale these final days to relax, check on the onsite spa or take some time in the gym or infinity pool as you watch animals pass by.
If you are interested in more safari, the region boasts a wide selection of wild African wildlife such as lion, leopard, elephant and buffaloes. Your experienced guide will tack and follow game through the surrounding bush and woodland, while educating you on the intricate connections each creature has with one another.
Enjoy dinner and have some time relaxing around the fire, enjoying stories and tales shared by the guides and other travelers, while gazing at the bright starry night, unaffected by the any city lights.
Main Destination: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Mbano Manor Hotel
Day 13: Return to Victoria Falls for flights
Today your journey comes to an end. Depending on the time of your flight, take today to relax or head out on one final excursion before being transferred back to Victoria Falls International Airport to catch your flights home.
End of 10 Days Victoria Falls, Hwange and Fly-In Mana Pools Safari
