Classic Zimbabwe

Trip Itinerary

DAYS 1 - 3: VICTORIA FALLS

Day 1 – Arrival in Victoria Falls and transfer to Batonka

On arrival in Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA), you’ll be met your private driver who will transfer you through to your first accommodation. This is around a 20 minutes transfer into town and the lovely Batonka Guest Lodge.

This boutique hotel is a great place to set yourself up to explore Victoria Falls town and of course all the wonders nearby. Situated in the quiet residential suburb of Victoria Falls. With 27 rooms on offer, each with bathroom en-suite and a balcony, all on ground level and overlooking a beautiful garden. Facilities include indoor and outdoor dining, a bar, a comfortable lounge and swimming pool.

Days 2-3 - Tarangire National Park

Day 2 & 3 - Exploring Victoria Falls

You have two full days to relax after your long flight in and take this time to explore your first stop in Zimbabwe. The vibrant town of Victoria Falls is known as the adventure capital of the world, and if your eyes light up at the thought of conquering the “Stairway to Heaven” or “The Terminator” in a raft, then this is the place for you. While the notorious Nyaminyami (Zambezi River God) watches from its mythical depths, and the majestic basalt cliffs allow your passage through the canyon’s exquisite landscape, adventure seekers are assured of a good time. From Grade 5 white-water rafting, bungee jumping and abseiling the amusement never ends.

All activities can be pre-booked ahead of time or through your accommodation on arrival. With so much on offer we advise you chat with your Africa Specialist beforehand to see what activities will best suit you and get these organised.

If you would rather explore at leisure, take the time to enjoy the Batonka gardens and pool before you stroll into town to visit the markets and of course view the thunderous Victoria Falls in all their glory.

DAYS 4 - 6 HWANGE NATIONAL PARK

Day 4 – Drive to Hwange National Park

This morning you begin the next part of your adventure! After breakfast you leave the hustle and bustle of the town behind and head into the wilderness. It’s a short 2 hour drive where you’ll start to take in some of rural Zimbabwe and the scenes around you.

Your destination is the famous Hwange National Park for your first amazing safari location! You’ll be staying at The Hide, a fantastic classic safari camp situated in its own private concession bordering Hwange.

You stay at The Hide for 3 nights in a Deluxe Tent. This is great camp offering luxury accommodation, all with fantastic views of the pumped waterhole out front offering great animal viewing year-round. However dry season always attracts more visitors as it is a well-known water source by the animals. Unique to this area, the sandy soil is too soft for Hyena’s to den meaning the lions are prolific! Enjoy the main viewing area and plunge pool in the heat of the day and of course visit the underground hide giving you an up-close and unique view of the animal visitors!

To make your stay extra special why not chat to your specialist about including a night in the ‘Dove’s Nest’ a brilliant sleep out experience offered by The Hide.

Day 5 & 6 – Explore Hwange National Park

You have two full days to explore the wonders of Hwange NP, The Hide is perfectly located to allow you to really get out and explore. Activities are all inclusive and being situated on their own concession means you can get a bit more variety, head out on bush walks to get up close and personal or take a night drive to see what comes out after dark!

For the main part of your day you will head out on game drives further afield. Your days can be organised as you like with no limit on your activities – chat to the manage the night before to see how to make the most of your stay at this amazing location.

Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest National Park, accounting for an area of 14,651km² being approximately half the size of Belgium. Hwange National Park is a haven for over 100 mammal and 400 bird species, the park protects populations of all of Zimbabwe’s endangered species, elephants numbering in excess of 20,000 (up from around 4,000 when the park was proclaimed), and what is thought to be one of the largest populations of African wild dog left in the world. Large prides of lion and buffalo are frequently seen here and you have a good chance of spotting leopard in addition to cheetah and spotted hyena. The wild and woolly brown hyena also occurs here and is something of a rarity.

DAYS 7 - 10 MATUSADONA NP & LAKE KARIBA

Day 7 – Fly through to Matusandona NP & Lake Kariba

Today you leave Hwange behind for your final destination. Catch a light aircraft through to Lake Kariba and the beautiful Changa Camp. On arrival you will take about a 30 minute road transfer through to your accommodation.

Your stay at Changa Camp is your final 3 nights in beautiful Zimbabwe. Set under the shade of the Mopane trees, offering a unique bush and beach experience of Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park, Changa Camp is a hidden gem in Zimbabwe’s wilderness. Built with wood and thatch this lovely camp has been designed to blend seamlessly into its surroundings.

Just eight tents are spread out along the treeline, two of which are family units offering joined rooms for privacy. Each luxurious tent offers large space all with views across the lake, the best part is the large outdoor decking complete with hammock and chairs to enjoy a great book as you listen to the lake lap the shores. A lovely addition is also the outdoor bathtubs – do take a soak under the stars to complete your perfect day.

This is the perfect final destination to any adventure, offering a peaceful area to relax and soak up the beauty. Or get out and explore with some fishing, boat cruises, walks or game drives to fill your time.

Day 8 & 9 – Exploring Matusadona NP & Lake Kariba

You have two final full days to soak up the Zimbabwean sun and enjoy your surroundings.

Enjoy vehicle safaris and boat trips offering good wildlife viewing and some great fishing in Lake Kariba. Keen bird watchers will have a great chance of ticking of many species right from the comfort of camp of head out on foot or by boat to get up close and try see the 350 species that make this area home! Tracking is also a popular activity, get out the vehicle and on your feet for that unique on the ground experience.

This rich wilderness area offers exceptional game drives as well as walking and fishing safaris, all in the company of highly trained professional guides. Healthy populations of predators, including lion, leopard, hyena, and cheetah as well as elephant, buffalo, and antelope frequent the shoreline. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant in the cool waters.

Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake, covering almost 5,600 square kilometres and this vast expanse of fresh water is home to some fantastic fish species including the famous Tiger fish, Tilapia bream, Catfish and the mighty Vundu. For most of the year, Lake Kariba is truly one of the greatest places in Africa for fishing.

Day 10 – Return to Victoria Falls for flights home

It is time to say farewell this morning as you check out of Changa Camp. You catch your final light aircraft flight back to Victoria Falls. Here you connect through to your international flights home bringing this amazing Zimbabwean holiday to an end.

Although your incredible Classic Zimbabwe Safari has come to an end, we hope you’ll be leaving with many special memories and stories to tell. After 10 days of amazing wildlife, spectacular natural wonders, and some of the country’s best safari lodgings, we’re sure you’ll be hooked on Zimbabwe and the African continent. Where will you explore next?