Zimbabwe Safari IP9A

Explore three of Zimbabwe’s best loved destinations - Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Mana Pools on this epic 9-night platinum safari. Accommodation is at the absolute top camps and lodges throughout, with charter flights included. If this safari fits within your budget, we highly recommend it as a great option.

3 Nights Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
3 Nights Hwange National Park
3 Nights Mana Pools National Park
10 Days / 9 Nights
Reference: IP-9A
Starts Victoria Falls Airport / Ends Harare International Airport

Total Price 9 Nights (2024): US$ 8872 (low season) | US$ 12358 (high season)
per person sharing

*This package is available between April and Mid November ONLY*

Safari Overview

Explore three of Zimbabwe’s best loved destinations - Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park and Mana Pools on this epic 9-night platinum safari. Accommodation is at the absolute top camps and lodges throughout, with charter flights included. If this safari fits within your budget, we highly recommend it as a great option.

Begin this adventure of a lifetime with three nights at Elephant Camp in Victoria Falls. Located 20 minutes out of town on a private wildlife estate, this camp is simply stunning in all aspects from location and accommodation to service and cuisine. From here get to see and experience all that Victoria Falls has to offer.

Next fly into a remote corner of Hwange National Park for three nights at Little Makalolo Camp, situated on an outstanding private wildlife concession, considered to be one of the best in the country. Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve and home to huge concentrations of the African elephant, and large varieties of other game and birdlife. This is real Africa and you get to experience an authentic safari with excellent guides.

Finally, fly to Ruckomechi Camp for three nights on this premiere and private wildlife concession situated on the Zambezi River in Mana Pools - an area of outstanding natural beauty and phenomenal wildlife. Water and land based activities offers a completely different perspective from Hwange, so overall this perfectly balanced safari is guaranteed not to disappoint you!

Zimbabwe Safari IP9A Inspired Journey Overview

Notes: Day 1, 2 & 3

DAY 1
You will be met at Victoria Falls airport by one of our representatives and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Elephant Camp arriving by mid-afternoon. This gives you time to settle in and relax or if you’ve had a relatively easy flight getting here, then we recommend a sunset cruise or helicopter flight on this first afternoon. Return to camp for a delicious dinner on the deck listening to the night sounds of Africa. Although activities in and around Victoria Falls are not included in this package, please have a look at the available Victoria Falls Activities and contact us to arrange a suitable itinerary, just for you.

DAY 2 & 3
You have two full days to soak up the wonderful atmosphere of Victoria Falls, it is the adventure capital of Africa and there are activities on offer to cater for everyone’s needs. View the mighty Falls, partake in the many activities on offer or wander around the streets to do a bit of curio shopping, then finish off at a café for refreshments and a bite to eat.

A popular, inclusive activity at Elephant Camp is meeting the Wild Horizon’s elephants down at the wallow on the lodge’s estate. Please see the activities info section below for details on what’s available at Elephant Camp and arrange these with the managers onsite.

Each luxurious suite at Elephant Camp is beautifully positioned with fantastic views and their own private deck and plunge pool. It’s a good idea to allocate some of your time just to relax and savour this special place.

Victoria Falls

One of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and an extremely popular tourism attraction. Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, this spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine a game viewing and water sports. There is excellent fishing, a terrifying bungee jump and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world.

Overnight: Elephant Camp

Situated on a private concession within and bounded by the Masuwe River and the Zambezi gorges, The Elephant Camp have breath-taking views of the Victoria Falls' spray and the spectacular gorges which separate Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Elephant Camp is a luxury, intimate lodge under canvas within easy reach of Victoria Falls (approximately 10km) and all its attractions and activities, yet secluded in its own private game reserve. The Elephant Camp offers exclusive suite accommodation for only 24 guests in 12 luxury tents.

The Elephant Camp West is an extension of The Elephant Camp, extending to the West of the current facility and catering to groups and families. The facility operates independently of the main camp ensuring a more intimate and serene experience for groups and guests. The Elephant Camp West offers exclusive suite accommodation for only 16 guests (8 adults and 8 children) in 4 luxury tents. Each suite in The Elephant Camp West can accommodate two adults and two children.

All suites are gorge facing and boast a private viewing deck and plunge pool, private lounge area, air-conditioning and fans, bath (with a view), inside and outside shower, mini bar and tea/coffee stations. The lounge, bar and dining area lead out to a sun kissed pool from where the roar of the water rushing over gorges becomes a constant beat and soon settles into the background like an old friend. It is calming and therapeutic to sit back, watch and listen to "the smoke that thunders"...

Select Spa Treatments are available in the privacy of your suite (subject to availability, on request at an additional charge). Access is by road transfer from Victoria Falls, Livingstone and Kasane.

Activities at Elephant Camp

Spa Treatments
Selected Spa Treatments are available in the privacy of your suite (subject to availability, on request at an additional charge).

Walking Safaris - Nature & Birding Walks
Explore our beautiful concession, part of the Victoria Falls National Park, with experienced guides who will bring the landscape to life. This activity is included in our rates but must be scheduled on arrival and is subject to availability.

Village Tour
Guests will be transferred to a rural village where they will see local villagers going about their daily tasks and interact with them. The tour enables them to see rural Zimbabwean life first hand.

Lunch at the Lookout Cafe
Embark on a trip to the one-of-a-kind Lookout Café, perched 120 meters above the turbulent rapids of the Zambezi River. This all-inclusive activity is set against the backdrop of the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge, which hangs over the spectacular chasm of the Batoka Gorge. During the rainy season, wisps of the spray from the rainforest curl around the edge of the rock face near the bridge. Creative cocktails and other beverages are included in the activity. From the vantage point of the café, guests can watch the bright rafts plummet through the rapids below, or adrenalin lovers soaring through the air on one of the exciting high wire activities.

Visiting the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
Guests visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFTW), a non-profit whose mission is to advance environmental conservation through hands-on wildlife research, the management of a veterinary laboratory and rehabilitation facility and the education of local peoples in the sustainable usage of natural resources. This activity is included but must be scheduled on arrival and is subject to availability.

Guided Tour of Victoria Falls
There is no finer ambience than the gentle roar of the waterfall. The trees grow so closely together that their branches entwine, and their soft, wet drip across the stone path that weaves through this natural wonder. Submerge yourself in the fragrance of the fauna and the playful fauna in this enchanting and awe-inspiring space. Satisfy your wanderlust by visiting the more beautiful of the Seven Wonders of the World.

Canopy Tour
The black basalt of the Batoka gorge stretches 100 meters skywards and is enrobed in thick vegetation, creating an idyllic space for zip lines to whizz through and unveil a stunning perspective of this breath-taking natural setting. Embark on a two-hour eco-adventure lead by two professional guides across nine unique slides. The adventure unfolds from the Wild Horizons Lookout Café, perched above the cove that forms at the first bend of the river below the waterfall. This is where your senses awaken to the excitement to come as the overwhelming view of this cavernous gorge rises to greet you. The turbulent rapids rage below, their steady roar climbing up the canyon creating an ambience of adventure. The awe-inspiring fauna and flora that sprouts across the lips of the gorge entice Trumpeter Hornbills, Schalow’s Turaco, Peregrine Falcons- and if you are extremely lucky, the rare Taita Falcon. The gentle nature and moderate speed of the slides entices those who want to experience an adrenaline rush minus the scare factor. This is the activity where tranquility meets titillation and can be enjoyed by nature lovers, families, thrill seekers and corporate team building groups. The canopy tour can even be appreciated by those who get sweaty palms and a tingle in their toes just thinking about heights, as the slides traverse over a thick tangle of trees and vegetation.

Zambezi Royal Sunset Cruise
The Zambezi Royal is a luxurious, 28 seater single level cruise boat, offering a unique and intimate way to view the Zambezi River. The boat is the first of its kind, custom built to maximize comfort, style, practicality and service. Guests relax in the lush furnishings of this modern and contemporary vessel, enjoying lavish snacks, wine, cocktails and sparkling wine, as they coast up-river taking in the stunning scenery and surrounds of the upper Zambezi River.

Notes: Day 4, 5 & 6

DAY 4
There is time for breakfast and an early morning activity before transferring to Victoria Falls airport around mid-morning for your charter flight to Little Makalolo Camp in Hwange National Park. This scenic flight takes about 50 minutes followed by a short game drive to camp. After settling into your room enjoy some lunch and then relax until the late afternoon activities begin. After your game drive, drinks and dinner will be served. Join the other guests for drinks and coffee around the campfire before retiring for the night.

DAY 5 & 6
Two full days of game viewing activities at Little Makalolo offers you the opportunity to enjoy this private wildlife concession, considered to be probably the best in the country. It’s real Africa and it’s exclusive to Wilderness Safari guests. There is an array of activities available, details of which can be seen below. Please arrange your day onsite directly with the camp managers, influenced by the season and recent wildlife sightings, tailor-made to suit your exact requirements. If you want to spend the night under the stars in the camp's "Star bed", a guide will take you there and then set you up with dinner and drinks while you enjoy the sights and sounds of the Hwange nightlife.

Meals consist of early morning tea / coffee and continental breakfast, followed by a big brunch after your morning activity. Prior to the afternoon activity high tea is served. Dinner is a delicious 3 course affair. Drinks and snacks are provided on all activities.

Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s biggest reserve, home to a profusion of wildlife, including giraffe, lion, zebra and approximately 40 000 elephants. It provides sanctuary for all the country’s endangered species, including a population of wild dogs thought to be among the most sizeable surviving groups on the continent. Terrain ranges from desert dunes and savannah lands to rocky outcrops and sparse forests.

Overnight: Little Makalolo Camp

Little Makalolo Camp lies in one of Hwange National Park’s best wildlife viewing areas. It offers privacy for guests who enjoy small camps and a sense of remoteness. The area is ecologically diverse, ensuring great numbers of animals year-round.

The camp’s six spacious en-suite tents, with both indoor and outdoor showers, are nestled in the tree line. Teak walkways lead to the main area where a false Mopane tree shades a separate dining and living area with views of the much-frequented waterhole. During siesta hours, guests can enjoy up-close and outstanding wildlife viewing at the log-pile hide that overlooks the waterhole in front of camp.

Activities centre on game drives in open 4x4 Land Rovers and guided walks. The area’s large number of waterholes attracts game in both quantity and variety, especially in winter when water sources become scarce and Wilderness Safaris takes responsibility for pumping 22 of Hwange’s boreholes in the Concession to sustain its wildlife. Guests are also able to visit the nearby village for authentic cultural interactions. A “pizza stop” and sleep-out option at the wildlife-rich Madison Pan completes the experience.

Activities at Little Makalolo

Game Drives
The private Wilderness Safaris concessions are situated in the most productive area of Hwange National Park. The varied habitats and vegetation types as well as countless waterholes mean that game drives are exciting with always something new to be seen.

Morning Walking Safaris
Hwange was proclaimed some 80 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the densest concentrations of game in Africa. There is no better way to experience this park than on foot with an experienced safari guide.

Log-pile Hide
This hide is beautifully placed at the camp’s productive waterhole and is the perfect place to spend your afternoon siesta hours. Elephants are often the star attraction at the hide; just watch out for the sprays of water propelled from their nearby trunks.

Evening Game Drives
The Hwange ‘night act’ includes species such as lesser bushbaby, spotted hyaena, leopard, lion, Selous mongoose, pangolin, caracal, porcupine, scrub hare, springhare and even honey badger.

Star Bed
Situated on a raised platform overlooking Madison Pan, the Star Bed is just a 20-minute drive away from camp and offers a truly secluded, remote wilderness experience – and the opportunity of sleeping under the stars.

Village Visits
An authentic village experience takes place in a manner that is respectful to all parties. Usually around four hours and lead by one of the local villagers or a Wilderness guide, it often includes a tour of the school, meeting the headman or headwoman and enjoying cultural exchanges with the villagers.

Notes: Day 7, 8, 9 & 10

DAY 7
Your very scenic 2-hour charter flight to Ruckomechi Camp in Mana Pools will leave around mid-morning so you have time for a lie in or to partake in another morning activity on this magnificent concession. You will arrive in camp around lunchtime so there’s plenty of time to settle in, relax and savour this wonderful spot on the banks of the Zambezi River before joining one of the afternoon activities like a game drive/walk or boat cruise. Dinner is served in the main dining area followed by drinks or coffee around the campfire to finish off a very eventful day.

DAY 8 & 9
Two full days of game viewing activities at Ruckomechi Camp, tailor-made to suit your needs and influenced by the seasons and recent wildlife sightings. Being on the river there are both land and water based activities which offers a great diversity. Please see below some of the activities on offer and then plan these with the camp managers onsite. Typically, guests partake in early morning and late afternoon activities and then relax during the heat of the day. Day trips into the central Mana Pools National Park are also possible by special arrangement (sometimes at an extra cost).

Meals consist of early morning tea / coffee and continental breakfast, followed by a big brunch after your activity. Afternoon tea consists of something savoury and something sweet as well as hot and iced tea and coffee to wash it all down with. Sometimes longer day trips include a packed lunch. Dinner is a delicious 3 course affair. Drinks and snacks are provided on all activities.

DAY 10
Sadly, this is the last day of your safari. There is time for one more early morning activity and breakfast. Around mid-morning you will be transferred to the airstrip for your charter flight to Harare airport and your onward arrangements.

Mana Pools National Park

The life-giving power of the Zambezi River makes Mana Pools National Park one of Zimbabwe’s most lush and flourishing regions, designated as the country’s second World Heritage Site and known as one of the continent’s premier game-viewing regions. Canoe trips are offered year round and provide a unique and memorable way for visitors to experience the area’s striking scenic beauty and diverse fauna, while guided walks are a great way to take its pristine riverside forests.

Overnight: Ruckomechi Camp

Ruckomechi Camp, situated in a private concession with access to the western areas of Mana Pools National Park, accommodates guests in ten spacious en-suite tented units, including a family unit, all of which overlook the wide Zambezi River. The camp is set amongst broad-canopied Ana trees, much loved by the elephants for their rich nutritious seeds. Each tent has both indoor and outdoor showers, and the camp boasts a favourite amongst guests: its outdoor “bath-with-a-view” in a secluded, scenic spot.

The central dining, bar, library and lounge areas face the majestic, evocative escarpment across the river in Zambia, and are connected to the rest of camp by low-level walkways. There is a separate deck with a pool and hammocks for swimming and sunbathing, and an inviting, cushion-strewn star-gazing deck. Wildlife viewing takes place in open 4x4 vehicles, on motorised pontoon boats or on canoes, on foot and in hides.

*NOTE: Ruckomechi is open seasonally between April and mid/late November each year.

Activities At Ruckomechi Camp

Game Drives
Game drives early in the morning or late afternoon take place in open Land Rovers, taking in a coffee break or a sundowner at a scenic spot; seven seats allows everyone a window seat. Your guide takes you through the private concession as well as the National Park, accessing a diversity of habitats, and therefore a wide range of wildlife.

River Cruises
Cruises down this stretch of the Zambezi River are in nine-seater pontoons or in a six-seater speed boat. Canoes are a more adventurous option to see the large numbers of water birds and other wildlife that are attracted to the river and seasonal pans.

Nature Walks
Mana Pools National Park is a remote, beautiful place that is best experienced on foot, led by a professional guide. This thrilling way of exploring the surrounding bush often heralds many exciting sightings.

Catch & release fishing *
Bream (tilapia), barbel (catfish) and tiger fish are the some of the more common fish found at Mana Pools. Keen fishermen are always encouraged to bring their own equipment as the camp only carries basic fishing tackle.
*This activity is subject to the availability of boats and is at an additional cost, per boat per hour payable direct

Star Bed
There is no better way of falling asleep than being serenaded by the sounds of nature while you gaze up at the starry skies of Africa. The romantic Star Bed is situated near a productive waterhole.

Fantastic Birding
The multiplicity of birdlife in the area includes three-banded courser, western banded snake-eagle, Arnot's chat, green-capped eremomela, African golden oriole, Lilian’s lovebird, Böhm's spinetail and Meve's starling.

Price

Total Price 9 Nights (2024): US$ 8872 (low season) | US$ 12358 (high season)
Per person sharing

Included in this safari

ELEPHANT CAMP
• Accommodation in a luxury tented room
• All meals, local brand drinks & house wines, complimentary mini bars in the rooms
• Laundry
• Emergency Medical Evacuation cover
• Activities: Meeting the Wild Horizons elephants; Sundowners at the Batoka Gorge; Birding & Nature walks on the concession; Lunch at the Lookout Cafe (Including drinks); Guided tour of Victoria Falls; Canopy Tour; Zambezi Royal sunset cruise

LITTLE MAKALOLO CAMP
• Accommodation in a comfortable safari tent, perfectly located for a spectacular view of the waterhole
• All meals and local beverages
• Laundry
• Hwange National Park Fees
• Twice daily scheduled camp activities: Morning and evening game drives, Nature walks, Game viewing (within a log hide), Sleeping under the stars, Cultural tours/Village visits

RUCKOMECHI CAMP
• Accommodation in a cool and spacious tented room
• All meals and local beverages
• Laundry
• Mana Pools National Park fees
• Twice daily scheduled camp activities: Game viewing from the deck; Birding safaris, Sleep-out, Catch and release fishing, River cruises, Guided walking safaris; Game drives; Canoeing

TRANSFERS
• Return Victoria Falls Airport transfers and between safari camps and air strips in Hwange and Mana Pools
• Two transfers to Victoria Falls town per day from Elephant Camp
• Air transfers between Victoria Falls, Hwange, Mana Pools and Harare

Excluded

• Premium imported brands and champagne
• All other meals, activities or transfers not mentioned above

More Travel Information

• Victoria Falls Travel Information
• Victoria Falls Activities
• Hwange National Park Information
• Mana Pools National Park Information

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