Zimbabwe Victoria Falls & Hwange Multi-Adventure Safari

Itinerary

• Day01

  Arrive in Victoria Falls

  Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport and transfer to the luxurious Gorges Lodge, perched on the Batoka Gorge overlooking the mighty Zambezi River. Use the afternoon to rest, swim in the pool, and take in the phenomenal views. Before the three-course dinner and traditional Zimbabwean dance show, enjoy happy hour cocktails and mocktails.

  • Accommodation: Gorges Lodge
  • Transportation: 45-minute private van transfer
  • Meals: Dinner
• Day02

  Marvel at Victoria Falls & Meet Local Villagers

  After breakfast, set off for an immersive cultural experience at Chisuma village near the Gorges Lodge, the first lodge in Zimbabwe to be built on community land. Enjoy a traditional lunch, meet the local families and learn about their daily lives. Hike back to the Lodge, an easy hour-long walk. In the afternoon, head out for a guided tour of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World - Victoria Falls, the world's largest sheet of cascading water.

  • Accommodation: Gorges Lodge
  • Activity: Cultural encounter and optional zip-lining
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day03

  Scenic Flight to Hwange National Park

  After breakfast, transfer to Victoria Falls airport for a 1.5-hour scenic flight into the most remote corner of Hwange National Park, in its far southwest. Upon arrival, receive a debriefing on the fascinating Jozibanini story and then settle into the tent before venturing out for a game drive and picnic lunch overlooking the Jozi waterhole. In the afternoon, join a guided walking safari, exploring the region around camp, and tracking elephants and other game which frequent the waterhole. Savor dinner under the stars before settling in your tent.

  • Accommodation: Jozibanini Camp
  • Activity: Bush walks and game drives
  • Transportation: 1.5-hour private flight transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day04

  Mountain Bike in Hwange

  Today get ready for a safari on two wheels. After breakfast, grab a mountain bike to cycle along elephant paths. (If you want to skip biking, head out for a bush walk or a game drive instead.) Fuel up for the ride back at a shaded picnic lunch, then enjoy game viewing and amazing photo opportunities of the wildlife at the camp's waterhole. Fall asleep to the sounds of hundreds of elephants moving about in a "star bed" outdoors.

  • Accommodation: Jozibanini Camp
  • Activity: 3-4 hours biking or game drives
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day05

  Explore Hwange by Foot or Bike

  Today depart Jozibanini Camp and head out to explore the far-flung southern corner of Hwange National Park on foot. Walk and/or bike approximately 6 to 12 miles, with a siesta in the middle to gather up energy. Join the Cobras anti-poaching team on patrol and visit their camp for lunch, learning firsthand about their role on the front lines. Sleep under the blanket of bright stars in a fly camp, with a comfortable setup of beds under mosquito nets, around a big crackling campfire - harkening back to the early days of safaris.

  • Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp - Zimbabwe
  • Activity: 3-6 hours/6-12 miles walking, biking, or driving
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day06

  Take Part in a Pump Run at Southern Hwange

  Embark on another full-day walking safari for the trademark MT Sobek "pump run," a one-of-a-kind experience that pairs remote-area game viewing with hands-on conservation fun. Take part in day-to-day maintenance at borehole pumps, the heartbeat of Hwange's wildlife, and meet the pump attendants, who are the unsung of wildlife conservation. Enjoy a midday picnic and end the long day by settling in another cozy fly camp.

  • Accommodation: MT Sobek Camp - Zimbabwe
  • Activity: 3-6 hours/6-12 miles walking, biking, or driving
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day07

  Discover More of Hwange

  Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, back in the 19th century Hwange was a royal hunting ground of Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi; it became a national park in 1929. Head out for an easy walk through the park's native acacia forests, enjoy guided bush talks by licensed local experts, and look out for some of the area's 100 mammal and 400 bird species. Check in to Bomani Tented Camp, home for the next three nights.

  • Accommodation: Bomani Tented Lodge
  • Activity: Game drives by open 4X4 vehicle
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day08

  Visit Local Villages Bordering Hwange

  Today explore community-based tourism on a tour of several front-line villages located directly on the border of Hwange National Park. Meet with local leaders, including the village headman and school headmasters, to learn more about typical Zimbabwean village life. Take part in community activities such as painting murals in a classroom, collecting firewood and water to drop off with elderly village widows/widowers, helping local mothers prepare and serve school lunch, or playing soccer with the school kids.

  • Accommodation: Bomani Tented Lodge
  • Activity: Tour villages and participate in community activities
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day09

  Spot Game at Hwange

  After a sumptuous breakfast, hit the trail for thrilling game drives or explore by horseback. Look out for elephants - Hwange National Park boasts one of the world's largest elephant populations, over 45,000 of these giants. Spot lions, cheetah, wild dogs, giraffe, and hippo. Come evening, relish in campfire dinners beneath the stars.

  • Accommodation: Bomani Tented Lodge
  • Activity: Game drives by open 4X4 vehicle
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day10

  Reach Zambezi National Park via Elephant Express Rail Safari

  Enjoy the final early-morning bush walk in Hwange before boarding the Elephant Express for a 2-hour open-air rail safari to Dete Railroad Station. Shuttle over to the luxurious Zambezi Sands River Camp on the wild Zambezi River in the Zambezi National Park, a 3-hour ride away. Settle into a lavish tent and after a tasty snack head out for an afternoon game drive. Unwind with evening sundowner cocktails and game watching as the sun sets. This evening, savor a superb 3-course meal under the stars.

  • Accommodation: Zambezi Sands River Camp
  • Activity: Game drives by open 4X4 vehicle
  • Transportation: 2-hour train ride
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day11

  Canoe to the Zambezi River Islands

  This morning head out to explore Zambezi National Park's spectacular shoreline on foot, learning how to spot signs of poaching activity from the park rangers. Return to camp for lunch, a dip in private splash pools, and a siesta. In the late afternoon, hop into a canoe to explore Zambezi National Park's islands and inland riverbeds. Keep an eye out for game hanging out by the banks. Take in the sunset from a sand bar and end the day with a farewell dinner after the last game drive in the park.

  • Accommodation: Zambezi Sands River Camp
  • Activity: 2-3 hours walking and game drives by open 4X4 vehicle
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Day12

  Depart from Zimbabwe

  Take in the final sights and sounds of the African bush over a hearty goodbye breakfast. Pack up and hit the road to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight home.

  • Transportation: 1-hour private flight transfer
  • Meals: Breakfast