Zimbabwe Safari Adventure
Zambezi, Victoria Falls, & Hwange National Parks
Explore 3 Magnificent Parks on 1 Awesome Safari!
Itinerary Overview:
9 Days / 8 Nights
Day 1
Arrive in Victoria Falls, Transfer to Old Drift Lodge, Zambezi National Park, Luxury Tented Suite, Fully Inclusive (FI)
Day 2
Old Drift Lodge Activities, Zambezi National Park, Luxury Tented Suite, FI
Day 3
Guided Tour of Victoria Falls, Flight of Angels Helicopter Ride, Lunch at Lookout Café
Transfer to Elephant Camp, Victoria Falls National Park, Luxury Tented Suite, Fully Inclusive (FI)
Day 4
Elephant Camp Activities, Victoria Falls National Park, Luxury Tented Suite, FI
Day 5
Transfer from Elephant Camp to The Hide, Hwange National Park, Deluxe Tent, Fully Inclusive (FI)
Day 6
Safari Hwange National Park, The Hide, Deluxe Tent, FI
Day 7
Safari Hwange National Park, The Hide, Deluxe Tent, FI
Day 8
Safari Hwange National Park, The Hide, Deluxe Tent, FI
Day 9
Departure Day, Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1
Welcome to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe! Upon arrival, you will be greeted and transported to your home for the next two nights, Old Drift Lodge in Zambezi National Park. Old Drift Lodge is set on the magnificent Zambezi River, which creates the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Zambezi National Park
Zambezi National Park conjoins Victoria Falls National Park, covering 56,000 hectares. With 40 km of Zambezi River frontage, the park is home to four of the "Big 5": Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, and the elusive Leopard. In addition to the herds of Sable, Kudu, Impala, Zebra, and Giraffe, there are over 400 Bird Species.
Old Drift Lodge offers the ultimate immersion experience under the blue of the sky and a ceiling of stars. The Luxury Tented Suites are resplendent with stylish furnishings and fittings, all have air conditioning, and are accentuated by an Indoor and Outdoor Shower and Star Bed. Each Suite has its very own viewing deck, with a private plunge pool. The Outdoor Bathtub allows you to submerge yourself in hot, bubbly water, while listening to the Zambezi River rush by, bathing you with a wave of calmness and tranquility.
Please note: You are on an All Inclusive Safari Experience. All Meals and Local Drinks, at all 3 Camps, are included. This includes All Inclusive Activities, as listed. In addition, Laundry, not including dry cleaning or special care items, is provided at all 3 Camps.
Lookout Café
At both Old Drift Lodge and Elephant Camp, you can enjoy Complimentary Transfers and the Fully Inclusive use of the Lookout Café. Perched 120 metres above the turbulent rapids of the Zambezi River, the Café overhangs the spectacular chasm of the Batoka Gorge, just down from the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, which forms part of its backdrop.
Day 2
Old Drift Lodge Activities, Zambezi National Park, Luxury Tented Suite, FI
Old Drift Lodge Included Activities:
Morning or Afternoon Game Drives in the Zambezi National Park
Morning or Afternoon River Safaris
Morning or Afternoon Guided Walking Safaris
A Lunch at the Lookout Café, Including Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Guided Tour of Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Bonus Activity Included with 2+2 night The Elephant Camp and Old Drift Lodge Combination:
12-13 minute Helicopter “Flight of Angels” over the Falls!
Day 3
Guided Tour of Victoria Falls, Flight of Angels Helicopter Ride, Lunch at Lookout Café
Transfer to Elephant Camp, Victoria Falls National Park, Luxury Tented Suite, Fully Inclusive (FI)
Victoria Falls National Park
Located in Northwestern Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls National Park, home to Victoria Falls, "The Smoke That Thunders". The mighty Zambezi River creates what is considered to be the World’s Widest Waterfalls. Measuring 1,708 Metres in Width, Victoria Falls is one of the most iconic, sought after experiences in Africa. The park has dense Rainforest, with water spray from the Falls. The park is mainly populated by Baboons, Warthogs, and Monkeys. The Flora includes Ferns, Palms, Liana Vines, and Mahogany.
Overlooking the gorges, Elephant Camp offers exceptional Victoria Falls experiences. At Elephant Camp you will be enticed with sweeping views of Victoria Falls and the gaping crater of the Batoka Gorge.
Your Luxury Tented Suite is equipped with Air Conditioners and Ceiling Fans, which are a welcome comfort after a day spent under the blazing African Sun. There is a tea and coffee station as well as a well-stocked, complimentary mini bar, with non-alcoholic options as well, both of which are replenished daily. All Suites are gorge facing, and during sunrise and sunset, the cloud of mist that hangs over the Rainforest is illuminated by an array of deep colours that merge between red and orange.
Day 4
Begin your day with a delicious African Breakfast. Eat well, for you have a full day of Activities ahead.
Elephant Camp Included Activities:
Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
Elephant Conservation Experience
Cocktails & Canapés at the Batoka Gorge
Birding & Nature Walks
Lunch at the Lookout Café - Including Alcoholic and Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Village Tour
Guided Tour of the Falls – Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls Canopy Tour
Please find more in-depth descriptions of all activities here.
Day 5
Transfer from Elephant Camp to The Hide, Hwange National Park, Deluxe Tent, Fully Inclusive (FI)
Welcome to The Hide, your Safari home for the next four nights. After settling in and light refreshments, head off for your first Game Drive in Hwange National Park.
Hwange National Park
Zimbabwe's largest national park, Hwange, covers over 14,650 square kilometers, mostly Savanna Grasslands. The park is home to the largest Elephant population in Zimbabwe and has the largest population of Wild Dog in all of Africa. With nearly 100 Mammal and 420 Bird Species, the park is home to four of the "Big 5": Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, and the elusive Leopard.
The Deluxe Tents have a myriad of different configurations with Indoor and/or Outdoor Bathtubs and Showers. The tents are Fan Cooled for your comfort in Summer and have extra warm Blankets and Hot Water Bottles for the cool Winter months. Each has a private veranda from where you may be entertained by the comings and goings of a large variety of Game at the Waterhole.
The Hide & Wine Cellar
The Wine Cellar and Underground Hide were planned, designed, and created for adventure-takers, thrill-makers and pleasure-seekers. Steps away from the Main Lodge area, you can, without the need for a Guide or Host, go directly from the deck into the underground Hide. Just step off the deck and slip down the steps into a whole new world. Along the tunnel, you’ll walk for about 10 metres under the surface of the earth – and then emerge into a “Window on the Waterhole”.
Along the Waterhole Hide tunnel, you will find, hidden away in the wall, a real Wine Cellar. Perfectly cooled at a steady 17 degrees Celsius, ambient-lit ,and stocked with a selection of fine Wines from around the world. This is a welcome addition to an already all-sensory experience at The Hide.
Days 6 through 8
Safari Hwange National Park, The Hide, Deluxe Tent, FI
The Hide Included Activities:
Morning, Afternoon, and Night Game Drives
Game Viewing from the Underground Waterhole Hide
Bush Walks
During your stay at The Hide, Morning, Afternoon and Evening/Night Game Drives will normally head out for 2-3 hours through a variety of Eco-Systems and Habitats. You will stop for coffee or tea and biscuits, in a lovely spot, and see what might happen past. In the late Afternoon, your Guide will find a place to pull out the Coolers and watch the Sunset with due reverence, Every Safari Game Drive is different.
What makes Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park so special?
• With 14,651 square kilometres of Wilderness to explore, Hwange is almost the same size as the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania.
• Hwange has about 43,000 visitors per year, a density of 3 people per square kilometre (km2) per year. Compare this to Serengeti with 23 people per km2 per year, Kruger with 85, and Maasai Mara with 192. It’s possible you will spend most of your Safari without seeing other vehicles, except those from The Hide, making it a very exclusive experience!
• Hwange National Park is easy to reach from Victoria Falls Road Transfer.
• Hwange is home to approximately 46,000 Elephants, compared with Maasai Mara at 3,700, Kruger at 13,750 and Serengeti at 2,100. In the Dry Season* in Hwange it is likely you will see Elephants numbering in the hundreds congregating at water points. Amazingly there are more Elephants than guests visiting Hwange National Park in a year!
• Hwange National Park offers exceptional game viewing year-round and can compete with the best parks in Africa for diversity of Wildlife, with great populations of Sable, Cheetah, Wild Dog, and Lion.
• Hwange’s Professional Guides serve Apprenticeships lasting between 5 and 10 years. Their skills are recognized as among the best in Africa. Your Professional Guide will take you on Bush Walks inside Hwange, showing you how to approach Game on foot, read Animal Tracks, and learn the intimacies of the Ecosystem around you, all adding to a wonderful Safari experience.
• You’ll find great value for money by choosing Hwange – the prices are very competitive with other African National Parks, without compromising on the overall experience.
*When to Visit?
Mid to High Season: April through October (Winter) are the coldest months. We suggest for this Safari, June, July, August, or September. You can find here more detailed information about Hwange National Park’s Weather and Seasons.
Day 9
Departure Day, Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport
After an al fresco Breakfast under the Acacia Trees at The Hide, prepare for your transfer to Victoria Falls Airport.
