Zimbabwe Safari IB7D

Spend 7 nights starting with a few days in the wild, then venture in a canoe on the mighty Zambezi River before a few days in Africa's adventure capital - Victoria Falls

3 nights Hwange National Park
2 nights Zambezi National Park, Canoe safari
2 nights Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
8 Days / 7 Nights
Reference: IB-7D
Starts Victoria Falls Airport / Ends Victoria Falls Airport

Total Price 7 nights (2024): US$ 1834 (low season) | US$ 1855 (high season)
per person sharing

Safari Overview

This trip combines a three-night safari in the game-rich Hwange National Park, arguably one of the best Game Parks in southern Africa with a tranquil yet exciting upper Zambezi River two-night canoe and camping safari which includes a game drive through the Zambezi National Park. Finish off with two nights in Victoria Falls town to see the mighty Victoria Falls and enjoy some of the multitude of activities on offer.

Zimbabwe Safari IB7D Inspired Journey Overview

Notes: Day 1, 2 & 3

DAY 1
You will be met at Victoria Falls International Airport by one of our representatives and transferred by air-conditioned minibus to Hwange Safari Lodge. This is a 185km/115mile drive which takes about 2.5 hours and you will arrive by late afternoon. After check in, you are free to explore the hotel and make use of facilities such as the tennis court or swimming pool, or watch the animals at the waterhole while having some refreshments. The lodge has an elevated viewing platform which overlooks the nearby waterhole.

DAY 2 & 3
These two full days in Hwange offer you a great opportunity to view some of the best wildlife available in Africa. Arrange with the lodge which activities you would like to do. One activity per day is included but you can always pay for additional activities if you wish. Activities on offer include game drives around the private concession or into the National Park, cultural village tours, visits to the painted dog conservancy, walking safaris and bush dinners.

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, and visitors have the choice of game drives, guided walks or horseback safaris as a means of experiencing the park and its creatures.

Overnight: Hwange Safari Lodge

Hwange Safari Lodge caters for a diverse range of individuals and groups from the lone adventurer to couples, families and tour groups. It offers comfort, modern conveniences and the opportunity to experience the real African wild. Guests soon learn that this is the home of the wildlife they have come to see but that they, and the Lodge, are guests of the real owners of the land, the elephants, rhino, lions and giraffes.

Notes: Day 4, 5 & 6

DAY 4
It’s a good idea, although not compulsory to wake up early and go for another early morning game drive In Hwange National Park. Predators like lions are the most active in the early mornings and you have a good chance of spotting them. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and around lunchtime you will be picked up from Hwange Safari Lodge and transferred by air-conditioned mini-bus to Victoria falls town where you will meet your game viewing vehicle, which will transfer you to Kalai camp on the Zambezi river for the beginning of your canoe adventure. The total drive takes about 3.5 hours, of which 1.5hrs is a game drive through the Zambezi National park but is only a distance of 25km. Arriving at your first evenings camp, relax and savour the stunning scenery of the Zambezi River. Enjoy some sundowners and dinner before retiring to bed to listen to the nights sounds of Africa and the Zambezi river gently flowing by. *Note there is no canoeing on this day.

DAY 5
A full English breakfast is served in the morning before an hour game drive upstream to the launch point. The guide will give a thorough briefing, which will cover; conditions of the river and rapids, canoeing instruction, safety and general information. Clients will be asked to sign an indemnity form. This day is spent canoeing 18kms downstream, running small grade one and two rapids, exploring channels and bird and game viewing. This includes the Sansimba rapids. A picnic lunch is served on the mainland or an island. You will arrive in camp on the afternoon of the second day for tea.

DAY 6
In the morning a full English breakfast is served after which you will board your canoe and the second day is spent canoeing another 18kms downstream to the Falls including the Kandahar Rapids. The scenery, channels and the rapids on this day is very different. Cold soft-drinks, mineral water & beers are served at the end of the day. You will be transferred the short distance back to Victoria Falls and arrive at Explorers Village in the afternoon. From this point on, your activities are at your own leisure.

Zambezi National Park

Zambezi National Park together with Victoria Falls National Park cover an area of 56,000 hectares. The northern border of the Park is formed by the great Zambezi River which also forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia for much of its length. A wide variety of larger mammals may be found within the Zambezi National Park including elephant, lion, buffalo and leopard. In addition, herds of sable antelope, eland, zebra, giraffe, kudu, waterbuck and impala as well as many of the smaller species of game can be viewed. The Zambezi River is home to over is 75 species of fish and is famous for its bream and fighting tiger fish.

Overnight: Upper Zambezi Canoe Safari

Take a canoe safari with Wild Horizons and experience everything the stunning and charming Upper Zambezi River has to offer. Depending on the choice of trip, you can get to experience some small but exciting rapids, lunches taken on remote sandbanks, spending the night in the pristine Zambezi National Park, drifting down seldom seen channels and all the excitement of the great African outdoors with its rich diversity of mammal, bird, fish and reptile life.

Overnight canoe safaris offer guests an authentic “camping” experience. Kalai River Camp is situated approximately 25kms upstream from Victoria Falls in the Zambezi National Park and is a mobile rustic bush camp. It is important to note that it is not a “luxury permanent lodge”! The camp is fully backed up by a team of staff that set up camp in preparation for client’s arrival. The camp comprises of large walk in tents, equipped with camp beds, mattresses, sheets, pillows and duvets, camping water basin (which are filled with hot water each morning), a paraffin lantern, a bedside table and hand towels. There is a portable toilet and hot shower in camp. The camp and dining table are set up under the stars on the riverbank with stunning views of the river.

On all overnight trips limited beers and soft-drinks and mineral water are provided (approximately 2 per person per night); wine (1 bottle per 2 guests). If clients require other alcoholic or imported drinks they must supply their own. During winter months (April, May, June, July and August), the evenings, nights and early mornings will be very cold. Clients must bring their own warm clothing. Space is limited; we suggest one carry bag per person.

Notes: Day 7 & 8

DAY 7
You have one full day 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. Please have a look at the available Victoria Falls Activities and contact us to arrange a suitable itinerary just for you.

DAY 8
Sadly, this is the last day of this trip. You have time to enjoy one last activity before transferring mid-morning to the Victoria Falls airport to catch your connecting flight.

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: Explorers Village

Close to Elephant’s Walk, a popular shopping centre in Victoria Falls town is the “Explorers Village”. Being only a few minutes’ walk from the town centre, with its interesting curio shops and lively cafes and a ten-minute walk to the entrance of Victoria Falls, the ‘Village’ boasts a great location, while still remaining quiet and secluded on the edge of the National Park. Completed in late 2016, the Village is modern and stylish. Aiming to mix budget accommodation with a comfortable and elegant experience - the 16 twin chalets are all en-suite, very clean with all the basic luxuries a traveller would need, including air-conditioning and a room safe.

Price

Total Price for 7 Nights (2024): US$ 1834 (low season) | US$ 1855 (high season)
Per person sharing

Included in this safari

HWANGE SAFARI LODGE
• Accommodation in a standard en-suite room
• All meals, drinks during lunch and dinner
• One activity per day (game drive or visit to the painted dog conservancy) at Hwange Safari Lodge

CANOE & CAMPING SAFARI
• Accommodation in a tent
• All meals and drinks
• Use of camping and canoe equipment
• Use of a qualified guide

EXPLORERS VILLAGE
• Accommodation in a en-suite chalet
• Daily breakfast

TRANSFERS
• All road transfers between Victoria Falls town, Zambezi National Park and Hwange (Hwange transfer based on a minimum of 2 people)
• Return Victoria Falls Airport transfers

Excluded

• All park entrance fees (Hwange National Park, Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls rainforest) are to be paid on arrival

More Travel Information

• Victoria Falls Travel Information
• Victoria Falls Activities
• Hwange National Park Information
• Zambezi National Park Information

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