Day 1: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
Your value-for-money Zimbabwe Safari begins upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport. Here you will be greeted and transferred to Victoria Falls town. Settle into the wonderful Ilala Lodge for the night. The town is a vibrant hub where you can explore charming cafes and bustling markets. The hotel is a mere 8-minute walk to experience the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, feeling the cool mist and hearing the thunderous roar as thousands of litres of water plunge into the gorge below. For adventure seekers, optional activities include scenic helicopter flights, bungee jumping, zip-lining, and the thrilling gorge swing. Later, unwind on a serene Zambezi River sunset cruise, sipping a drink while watching wildlife along the riverbanks as the sun dips below the horizon.
- Included Activity: Road Transfer
- Optional Activities: Helicopter Flight, Flying Fox Cable Slide, Gorge Swing, Bungee Jump, Zip Lining, Bridge Slide, Canopy Tour, and more
- Meals Included: No Meals
About Ilala Lodge Hotel, Victoria Falls
This Zimbabwe Safari stays at Ilala Lodge Hotel, a family-run luxury retreat in the heart of Victoria Falls. Ilala Lodge Hotel is just an eight-minute walk from the iconic waterfall on the Zimbabwe side. Set in lush gardens, the hotel offers 73 well-appointed en-suite rooms, each designed for comfort and privacy, with balconies or garden access where guests can watch warthogs grazing. Conveniently located near historical sites, restaurants, and activities, Ilala Lodge provides an ideal base for exploring the area. Guests can enjoy gourmet dining at the award-winning Cassia Restaurant, which offers alfresco meals under the African sky with views of the falls’ mist and frequent wildlife sightings on the hotel lawns.
Day 2 to 4: Victoria Falls to Western Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe
Today, your Zimbabwe Safari will transfer by road to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, spanning 14,650 square kilometres. Located just two hours south of Victoria Falls, Hwange was once the royal hunting ground of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi before becoming a protected park in 1929. It is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, including over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species. Most famous are its 40,000 tusker elephants, which gather in large numbers at waterholes. The park also provides exceptional birdwatching opportunities, particularly during the migratory season when species from the Northern Hemisphere arrive.
Settle into Nantwich Lodge, your home for the next three nights, located in the northwest corner of Hwange with stunning views over a dam frequented by crocodiles and hippos. Spend your days exploring the vast wilderness, discovering hidden waterholes and secluded hides where wildlife roams undisturbed. For a unique perspective, embark on night-time game drives on the private concession, where expert guides will reveal the secrets of the elusive animals that come alive after dark.
- Included Activity: Road Transfer, Game Drives
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Nantwich Lodge, Hwange National Park
In Hwange, this Zimbabwe Safari stays at Nantwich Lodge. Nantwich is a unique and intimate safari retreat in Northern Hwange National Park offering a secluded, off-the-beaten-track experience for true wildlife enthusiasts. Originally built in 1961, the lodge has been thoughtfully refurbished while preserving its historic charm. It boasts one of the best views in Hwange, perched atop a hill overlooking a dam frequented by hippos, crocodiles, and large herds of buffalo. Just an hour from Victoria Falls, the lodge features en-suite rooms with outdoor baths, a swimming pool, and inviting lounge areas. With Hwange’s highest density of lions and abundant wildlife, Nantwich Lodge provides an unforgettable safari experience in a pristine wilderness setting.
Day 5 & 6: Hwange to Camp Mana, Mana Pools – Zimbabwe
After breakfast, your Zimbabwe Safari makes its way to Robins Airstrip, where you will embark on a flight to Mana Main/West Airstrip. Spend the next two nights at Camp Mana, an exclusive safari camp offering an authentic wilderness experience in Mana Pools National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The camp’s lush region along the Zambezi River is one of Africa’s premier game-viewing destinations. Floodplains, woodlands, and seasonal pools attract an abundance of wildlife. Here, you may witness elephants standing on their hind legs to reach high branches, large pods of hippos, Nile crocodiles, and apex predators like lions, leopards, and endangered wild dogs. With over 350 bird species, Mana Pools is also a birdwatcher’s paradise. Its remote nature makes it best explored on foot or by canoe, offering an immersive and intimate safari experience.
Camp Mana’s prime location near the park’s eastern boundary provides uninterrupted views of the vast floodplains, where game viewing is possible right from your tent. The camp is situated in a high-density wildlife area, where more animals are often seen on-site than during game drives. A resident wild dog pack frequently passes through, while iconic elephants are regular visitors. Lions, waterbuck, and eland also roam freely, and it’s not uncommon for elephants to gather around the dining area. Spend your days on safari in Mana Pools on game drives, walking safaris with expert guides, or canoeing along the Zambezi for a unique perspective. Or, you may just prefer to stay at camp to witness the constant stream of wildlife passing through.
- Included Activity: Air Transfer, Bush Walks, Game Drives, Canoeing Safaris
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Camp Mana, Mana Pools National Park
Our first accommodation at Mana Pools is at Camp Mana. This is an intimate, 12-bed tented camp located on a bend of the Zambezi River within Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Offering walk-in Meru-style tents with en-suite bathrooms, the camp features a communal lounge and dining area with stunning views of the river and northern escarpment. Operating mainly on solar power, it’s situated in a game-rich area where wildlife frequently roams the camp, making it an ideal location for walking safaris and renowned for its exceptional canoeing and photography opportunities.
Day 7 to 9: Mhara River Camp, Mana Pools – Zimbabwe
On Day 7 your Zimbabwe Safari departs Camp Mana, heading south by road to Mhara River Camp for a three-night stay. Keep a lookout for wildlife along the way.
Lying on the southern side of Mana Pools National Park with views of the Chitake River, the tented camp blends comfort with raw wilderness. Mornings begin with the sounds of nature and the chance to enjoy a coffee on your private patio, often with sightings of elephants or baboons walking below. The camp offers varied activities, including game drives through stunning landscapes, bush walks to explore the Chitake Gorge and visits to the riverine forests along the Chitake and Mhara rivers. Each day ends with a sunset drink, watching elephants and other wildlife pass by, followed by a thrilling night drive to encounter nocturnal animals like leopards, lions, and owls.
- Included Activity: Game Drives, Guided Bush Walks
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Mhara River Camp, Mana Pools National Park
The second Mana Pools camp on our Zimbabwe Safari is the Mhara River Camp. This is a secluded luxury retreat in the southern region of Mana Pools National Park, set just 50 meters above the Chitake River, where wildlife gathers in search of water. Hidden within a private concession, this exclusive tented camp accommodates only 12 guests, offering unparalleled privacy amidst breathtaking landscapes, including the renowned Chitake Springs and Chitake Gorge. Each of the six spacious, en-suite tents features large gauze windows for panoramic views and fresh airflow. The central deck overlooks the river, providing a serene space for dining and relaxation, complete with an upstairs platform for birdwatching, or yoga. Mhara River Camp is truly Mana Pools’ best-kept secret, offering an intimate safari experience in one of Africa’s most pristine wilderness areas.
Day 10: Mana Pools to Harare – Zimbabwe
Today, your affordable Victoria Falls, Hwange & Mana Pools Fly-In Zimbabwe Safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred by road to Ruckomechi Airstrip, to depart on a flight to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare.
- Included Activity: Air Transfer
- Meals Included: Breakfast
Zimbabwe Safari Tour Notes
This Zimbabwe Safari to Victoria Falls, Hwange & Mana Pools departs daily with a minimum of 2 people to guarantee departures.
The tour itinerary is a sample and can easily be tailored to suit your specific needs. Speak to our travel experts who are very happy to discuss your requirements and options.
Our friendly travel consultants are happy to arrange pre and post-tour accommodation and transfers should you wish to arrive the day before, or leave the day after your Zimbabwe Safari. Victoria Falls in particular has a host of activities to be experienced and it is advisable to spend more time to fully experience everything on offer. Speak to one of our travel consultants who will gladly assist you.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris.
