9 Days Best of Zimbabwe Safari : This 9-day safari showcases the best of Zimbabwe, featuring the stunning highlights of Victoria Falls, the wildlife of Hwange National Park, and the breathtaking sunsets at Lake Kariba. Zimbabwe boasts a diverse array of national parks and is home to the globally celebrated natural wonder, Victoria Falls. This country is a paradise for safari enthusiasts and deserves a spot on your bucket list. It provides outstanding opportunities for wildlife viewing, canoeing, and walking safaris, making it an essential destination to explore. This Zimbabwe safari itinerary provides an authentic and immersive experience in abundance.
Your Zimbabwe Safari expedition is carefully crafted to highlight the country’s extraordinary diversity, featuring thundering waterfalls, verdant riverine forests, and vast savanna plains brimming with wildlife. Every meticulously chosen luxury accommodation provides a genuine link to Zimbabwe’s breathtaking natural beauty, all while ensuring outstanding comfort and service during your travels.
This detailed Zimbabwe Safari itinerary harmonizes exciting wildlife experiences with serene moments of contemplation, offering an ideal mix of adventure and leisure. Guides with deep understanding of the land will elevate your Zimbabwe Safari experience, illuminating the captivating ecosystems and imparting the rich cultural heritage of this remarkable destination.
Tour highlights
Guided tour of the majestic Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
Luxury sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River
Traditional Boma dinner and drum show experience
Three days of game drives in wildlife-rich Hwange National Park
Guided walking safari alongside expert local trackers
Scenic light aircraft flights between destinations
Exclusive lakeside safari experience at Lake Kariba
Water-based game viewing activities in Matusadona
Accommodation at premium safari lodges with spectacular views
Diverse wildlife viewing opportunities including elephants, lions, and leopards
Day 1: Arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport
Your Zimbabwe Safari commences with a friendly greeting at Victoria Falls International Airport from your dedicated Safari365 representative, who will escort you to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, situated just 4km (a 20-minute drive) from town. Your Zimbabwe Safari adventure unfolds as you take a moment to relax in your accommodation before venturing out to discover the lively local village market via a complimentary shuttle. Your Zimbabwe Safari adventure begins with the celebrated Boma dinner and drum show in the evening, allowing you to experience local culture through authentic cuisine and mesmerizing performances.
Meal Plan: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2 : Guided tour to Victoria Falls
On the second day of your Zimbabwe Safari, enjoy a guided exploration of the breathtaking Victoria Falls following a satisfying breakfast at your lodge. Your Zimbabwe Safari today features a delightful lunch at the MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant, which overlooks an active waterhole, allowing for wildlife viewing while you dine. The highlight of the evening Zimbabwe Safari is a luxurious sunset cruise on the Zambezi Explorer, lasting approximately 2 hours. Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of wildlife along the riverbanks, complemented by premium beverages and gourmet snacks.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3 : Transfer to Hwange National Park
Today, your Zimbabwe Safari journey progresses with a brief transfer back to Victoria Falls Airport, followed by a picturesque 45-minute light aircraft flight to Hwange National Park, where you will land at Manga Airstrip near Makona headquarters. Your transfer to the luxurious Somalisa Camp, your base for exploring Zimbabwe’s premier wildlife sanctuary, features a scenic 30-minute drive. Your experience in Zimbabwe is elevated with an afternoon game drive through the varied landscapes of Hwange, which hosts one of Africa’s richest wildlife populations, before heading back to camp for a gourmet dinner beneath the stars.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Game Drive in Hwange National Park
Awaken to the melodies of the African bush during your Zimbabwe Safari as you get ready for an entire day of wildlife observation in the core of Hwange National Park. Today’s Zimbabwe Safari activities feature morning and afternoon game drives, expertly guided by enthusiastic locals who are well-versed in locating elephants, lions, leopards, and a variety of antelope species. Your Zimbabwe Safari experience is enhanced by leisure time at Somalisa’s sophisticated tented camp, where you can relax by the swimming pool or watch wildlife as it visits the waterhole right in front of the camp.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Walking Safari in Hwange
Discover a unique viewpoint of your Zimbabwe Safari through a guided walking safari along Hwange’s seasonal flood plains, providing close encounters with the smaller marvels of the ecosystem. The Zimbabwe Safari adventure carries on with afternoon game viewing opportunities focused on the “Big Five” and the park’s remarkable variety of wildlife. Your Zimbabwe Safari Day wraps up with an unforgettable dinner showcasing locally-inspired dishes, as you gather around the campfire to share stories of your wildlife adventures beneath the expansive African sky.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 6: Get ready to Matusadona National Park and Lake Kariba
After breakfast, your Zimbabwe Safari continues with a transfer to the airstrip for a light aircraft flight to Lake Kariba, referred to locally as “Kariva” (little trap). Your Zimbabwe Safari journey takes you to the breathtaking Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, situated on a hill that offers sweeping views of Lake Kariba and the Zambezi Valley, just about 40 minutes from the airstrip. In the afternoon, you can choose from a variety of Zimbabwe Safari activities, including game drives, boat safaris, or fishing excursions in the wildlife-rich Matusadona region.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 7: Safari at Matusadona National Park
Today’s Zimbabwe Safari highlights the exploration of the diverse landscapes within Matusadona National Park, where land and water converge to offer exceptional wildlife viewing experiences. Your guide for the Zimbabwe Safari will navigate you through this remarkable ecosystem on game drives along the lakeshore, where elephants and buffalo gather to drink. The Zimbabwe Safari experience unfolds further with water-based activities on Lake Kariba, offering remarkable views of crocodiles, hippos, and the rich birdlife that flourishes in this aquatic haven.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 8 : Another tour in Matusadona National Park
Your Zimbabwe Safari adventure unfolds with a full day dedicated to delving deeper into the untouched beauty of Matusadona, affectionately referred to by locals as “Matuzviadonha” (falling dung), a name inspired by the elephant droppings that cascade down the steep hills. Today’s Zimbabwe Safari activities may involve tracking a lion pride that has adjusted to hunting in this distinctive environment, where water meets woodland. Your last night on this Zimbabwe Safari presents a unique farewell dinner at Bumi Hills, featuring the breathtaking view of Lake Kariba’s glistening waters as the sun dips below Zimbabwe’s wild landscape.
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Departure
The last morning of your Zimbabwe Safari starts with a relaxed breakfast and maybe one final chance to view wildlife from your private deck at Bumi Hills. Your Zimbabwe Safari wraps up with a scenic light aircraft flight back to Victoria Falls International Airport, taking about 1 hour and 30 minutes as you traverse Zimbabwe’s varied landscapes. As your unforgettable Zimbabwe Safari comes to an end, you will leave with remarkable memories of roaring waterfalls, diverse wildlife, and the welcoming hospitality that characterizes this extraordinary country.
Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch
End of 9 Days Best of Zimbabwe Safari
9 Days Best of Zimbabwe Safari Includes:
Park fees and conservation levies for all national parks
All activities as specified in the itinerary
Ground transport in custom 4WD safari vehicles
Bottled water during all safari activities
Full board accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
Services of professional English-speaking driver-guides
Driver allowances and park entry fees
All mentioned activities (excluding optional experiences)
Light aircraft flights between destinations as specified
9 Days Best of Zimbabwe Safari Excludes:
Zimbabwe Visa (obtainable on arrival)
International and Internal Flights not specified
Personal needs such as gratuities and souvenirs
Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
Laundry fees (available at lodges at additional cost)
Tips for guides and lodge staff
Travel and medical insurance
Alcoholic beverages and drinks other than water
