Day 1: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
Your Zimbabwe Safari begins on your arrival at Victoria Falls Airport. You will be greeted and transferred by road to your hotel, the wonderful Ilala Lodge, for your first night.
The rest of your day is devoted to exploring Victoria Falls, one of the 7 Natural Wonders of the World. Known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders“) by the local Lozi people, the falls were first seen by European explorer David Livingstone in 1855 and have since become a major tourism hub. Straddling the Zimbabwe-Zambia border, the Zambezi River plunges 108 meters (354 feet) into the Batoka Gorge, creating a lush rainforest ecosystem filled with diverse wildlife and bird species.
The lively town of Victoria Falls serves as the perfect gateway to adventure. Stroll through bustling markets and charming cafes and witness the mighty waterfall’s thunderous roar and fine mist rising above the gorge, just 8 8-minute walk from your hotel. For thrill-seekers, a range of adrenaline-pumping activities await, including helicopter flights, bungee jumping, zip-lining, and the famous gorge swing.
- Included Activity: Road Transfer
- Optional Activities: Scenic Helicopter Flight, Flying Fox Cable Slide, Gorge Swing, Bungee Jump, Ziplining, Canopy Tour, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, and more
- Meals Included: None
About Ilala Lodge Hotel, Victoria Falls
This Zimbabwe Safari stays at Ilala Lodge Hotel, the closest hotel to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side. Ilala Lodge Hotel offers 73 stylish rooms with stunning views of the falls and the surrounding National Park. Guests can enjoy the sight of wild animals grazing on the lawn and even feel the waterfall’s powerful force through the rising mist that it creates. Each room features an en suite bathroom, air conditioning, satellite TV, free WiFi, and a private patio or seating area. The hotel’s main facilities include a pool, spa, and the renowned Cassia Restaurant, which serves gourmet meals in a scenic, open-air setting. For a unique experience, guests can explore the Zambezi River aboard the Ra-Ikane riverboat fleet, offering a range of cruises, including birdwatching, sunset, and private charters.
Day 2 to 4: Camp Mana, Mana Pools National Park – Zimbabwe
After breakfast, your Zimbabwe Safari departs for Victoria Falls Airport to board your flight to Mana Main/West Airstrip, for your three-night stay at the beautiful Camp Mana. Nestled near the eastern boundary of Mana Pools National Park, this luxury tented camp offers uninterrupted views of the sweeping floodplains, allowing for exceptional game viewing from the comfort of your tent.
Mana Pools is a remote and untouched setting renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. “Mana” means “four” in the local Shona language, referring to the four permanent pools formed by the meandering Zambezi River. The park is famous for its seasonal pools, which attract large concentrations of wildlife, particularly in the dry season. It is home to an incredible diversity of wildlife, from large elephant herds, hippos, and crocodiles, to predators such as lions, leopards, and wild dogs. It is also a birdwatcher’s paradise with over 350 species. Mana Pools National Park attained UNESCO recognition in 1984 due to its exceptional biodiversity and untouched wilderness.
Camp Mana offers stunning views of the floodplains and is located in a wildlife-rich area, where animals like wild dogs, elephants, lions, and waterbuck frequently pass through the camp. Explore the area on game drives, walking safaris, or canoe trips along the Zambezi, or simply relax and enjoy the constant parade of wildlife right at camp.
- Included Activity: Air Transfer, Game Drives, Canoeing, Fishing, Guided Walks
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Camp Mana, Mana Pools
Our first Mana Pools accommodation is at Camp Mana which offers unpretentious luxury in the heart of the wilderness. The camp combines old-world elegance with a minimal environmental footprint. This solar-powered tented camp provides spacious walk-in tents with en-suite bathrooms, fine linen, bedside tables, and private porches overlooking the Zambezi River. A communal Bedouin-style dining and lounge area offers all-day tea, coffee, and bar service, with spotting scopes and binoculars for wildlife viewing. Guests can enjoy guided bush walks, game drives, and canoeing safaris, or simply relax and observe the constant stream of animals and birds passing through camp. The all-inclusive experience covers meals, guided activities, select beverages, and eco-friendly amenities for an unforgettable stay in Mana Pools.
Day 5 to 7: Mhara River Camp, Mana Pools National Park – Zimbabwe
This morning, your Zimbabwe Safari will depart Camp Mana and head south through the park by road, keeping a lookout for wildlife on the way. Settle into the beautiful Mhara River Camp for a three-night stay. Nestled on the southern side of Mana Pools National Park, the camp overlooks the Chitake River, a prime wildlife area fed by a perennial spring in the foothills of the Zambezi escarpment. The eco-friendly camp blends comfort with nature, offering guided walks, game-viewing excursions, and thrilling night safaris, ensuring an immersive wildlife experience in this extraordinary landscape.
- Included Activity: Game Drives, Guided Walks, Night Drives, Game Viewing Hide
- Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
About Mhara River Camp, Mana Pools
The second camp on our Mana Pools Safari is Mhara River Camp. This is a luxury tented retreat set among shady trees, just 50 meters above the wildlife-rich Chitake River in Mana Pools National Park. The secluded private camp offers an untouched wilderness experience. Each of the six spacious tents features en-suite bathrooms, crisp cotton linen and large gauze windows for panoramic views while letting in the natural airflow. Guests can enjoy immersive wildlife experiences, including guided game walks, a game-viewing hide, and close encounters with the diverse animals drawn to the river location.
Day 8: Ruckomechi Airstrip, Mana Pools to Harare – Zimbabwe
Your affordable Zimbabwe Safari from Victoria Falls to Mana Pools ends after breakfast. You will be transferred by road to Ruckomechi Airstrip, where you will depart on a flight to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport [HRE] in Harare.
- Included Activity: Road Transfer, Air Transfer
- Meals Included: Breakfast
Mana Pools Fly-In Safari Tour Notes
This Victoria Falls and Fly-In Mana Pools Safari departs daily with a minimum of 2 people to guarantee departures.
Optional Add-On: Chitake Springs Safari (3 nights)
Enhance your excellent-value Zimbabwe Safari with a 3-night stay at Chitake Springs Camp, a fly-in camp in a secluded area of Mana Pools, renowned for its natural springs that draw abundant wildlife. Experience the thrill of lions strolling past your tent at night and large herds of buffalo gathering to drink. With no fences, you’ll immerse yourself in the untamed beauty of Africa. Located within Mana Pools National Park, the Chitake River originates from a perennial spring in the Zambezi Escarpment, flowing through a scenic canyon before joining the Rukomechi River. This add-on offers an authentic adventure safari, perfect for nature enthusiasts.
This safari itinerary is just 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 Mana Pools Fly-In 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. Talk to a consultant who will gladly assist you.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris.
