Classic Zimbabwe Safari

After breakfast, your driver guide will accompany you to your first stop – Victoria Falls, listed as one of the world’s Seven Natural Wonders by American traveler Lowell Thomas (1892 - 1981). It is said that the Falls’ thunder and smoke spreading for dozens of miles once scared away a tribe nearby, while another tribe regarded it as God’s dwelling and the frequent rainbows as manifestation of God, and even sacrificed black oxen to God at the Eastern Cataract. This story embodies the Falls’ paradoxical features – beautiful yet mightily intimidating.

Together with your guide, you will stop by 16 viewpoints in a rainforest hike of 3 km (1.9 miles). Along the way, you could witness the exquisite Devil’s Cataract, magnificent Main Falls, then stroll through the mist of Horseshoe Falls, and embrace the appealing rainbow at Rainbow Falls…

► Packing Tips for Victoria Falls
Due to long-time covering of mist, the paths in the park tend to be slippery; at certain locations, you could be drenched in waterfall spray. Therefore, no matter you visit in dry or wet season, it is better to mind your steps, prepare disposable raincoats or another suit of clothes for change during sightseeing, especially from No.8 to No.13 viewpoints. Also, special attention should be paid to prevent spray getting inside your phones and cameras. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of drinking water since there sees no shop in the park other than the entrance.

► Optional Activities (at your own expense)：
Tourist activities like bungee and zip line are available at the last view point of Victoria Falls Railway Bridge. From here, you can cross the border to experience the thrilling Devil's Pool on the Zambia side, but it is open only for visitors in guided tours during dry season from May to October. Moreover, flying over the sky by helicopter to overlook the whole waterfalls and landscapes is also a popular choice. 

In the late afternoon, you’ll take a boat to start your relaxing Zambezi River sunset cruise in changing scenery. During the trip, we provide you with beverages and appetizers for free. With a cup of orange drink like holding the setting sun, you could immerse yourself in the background music and the vague thunder of falls. It feels like sitting in a natural but moving cafe. Or, you can walk onto the top deck to embrace the gentle winds, and appreciate romantic sunset and red glow over the sky in a broader field of vision. Furthermore, you might see a variety of wild animals: hippos swimming up and down in the river, wandering elephants along river banks, as well as flying birds. In the end, your driver guide will escort you back to your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bayete Guest Lodge, Victoria Falls (4 stars) or similar

After breakfast, we will drive south for about 2.5 hours to Hwange. On the way, you’ll pass the rural areas of Zimbabwe including vast farmlands and coal mines. No one could expect that this country known as “Bread Basket” of Africa in the 1970s now has to maintain the basic necessities by importing grains. Then, we will arrive at the hotel close to Hwange National Park.

After lunch and a brief rest, an afternoon game drive will begin at around 3:00 PM. In this drive crossing the African grassland, you could embrace wild winds, encounter zebras passing by, and watch a herd of antelopes in the bush, thereby feeling the primitive pulse of this land. In this park, the home to one of the largest elephant herds in the world, it is quite possible to see hundreds of elephants drinking by lakeside. With the biggest brain among land mammals, elephants have strong memory, complex emotions and such a gentle temperament that they rarely attack human beings which seem like ants to them. When it turns dark, we will drive back to enjoy dinner in your camp.

► Hwange National Park and Cecil the Lion
Hwange National Park, the largest park in Zimbabwe, used to be a royal hunting ground and now turns to be a natural reserve where hunting is prohibited. However, wild animals there still face certain risks of being hunted, partly because no fencing around the park’s border allows the wildlife to come out freely and partly because paid hunting is legal in areas beyond the reserve. In 2015, the world-renowned Cecil the Lion that was born and grew up in Hwange National Park was lured out of the park and killed mercilessly, and even his fur and head were cut off for sales. This brutal killing triggered strong public protests and heated discussions in the world. Cecil the Lion evoked global attention on African lions’ conservation but at the cost of his life. During this tour, a portion of your hotel fees goes directly to the fund “The Mother of Africa Trust”, which means your every booking contributes to save an African lion and prevent other similar tragedies. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Khulu Bush Camp, Hwange or similar

To ensure that you are able to watch wild animals as various as possible in Hwange National Park, we’ll arrange two game drives in the early morning and late afternoon when they are more active.

After a cup of coffee or tea as refreshments, you’ll begin the first safari at around 6:30 AM. We specially choose an open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle to offer you a broad view and keep appropriate excitement in the wild. Meanwhile, our experienced driver guide will ensure your safety. As many animals find food around daybreak, you might see carnivores like lions, leopards and African Wild Dogs chasing preys across the savanna shrouded in morning mist and sunlight, as well as herbivores including wildebeests and rhinos peacefully grazing in the woods or by lakeside. This morning trip ends at 9:30 AM when you return to your hotel to have breakfast. If you remain energetic enough, it is advisable to conduct a walking safari with the camp guide to interact with some docile animals like monkeys and giraffes in a close distance. Or, you can relax in the swimming pool of the camp.

Lunch is served at 1:00 PM, and then the journey of tracing animals continues at about 3:00 PM. As the sunlight becomes less scorching, elephants, warthogs, hippos, zebras and other wild animals come out to search for food and water. African buffalo, one of the “Big Five”, seems simple and honest because of their horns like handlebar mustache and skull like thick bangs. The two act as strong defense so that the bullet can hardly penetrate through. Contrary to the appearance, they are actually revengeful; if one annoys them, then it follows relentless attack even at the cost of their lives. After the three game drives during two days, it is highly possible that you have seen all of the “Big Five” including buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino. With the setting sun, you’ll head back to your camp to have dinner. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Khulu Bush Camp, Hwange or similar

After breakfast, your driver guide will wait at your hotel lobby at appointed time. In 4 hours of private car transfer, you will arrive at your new hotel in the downtown of Bulawayo. 

► Free-time Inspiration:
The afternoon is at your disposal. You can conduct a city walk in Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. Different from the wilderness in the past several days, it is like stepping back into Britain of the last century. Along the Leopold Takawira Avenue, you’ll see the landmark of Bulawayo - Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Statue standing right in the middle of crossroads. Be sure to mind vehicles passing by when taking photos. What’s more, a lot of cultural and historical attractions lie aside this street, of which Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe is most recommended since it is large enough for you to spend hours. Numerous specimens of various African animals, a steam car exhibition and the simulated mining environment in the museum are quite fascinating.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel (3 stars) or similar

Today, your driver guide will escort you to Matobo National Park with 1-hour drive after breakfast. Due to its unique granite landscape and abundant prehistoric rock paintings, this park was listed as the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. It is also one of the main habitats of dark and white rhinos.

During the 20-km (12-mi) drive from the entrance to the main scenic spots, you may see endangered white rhinos in the woods. Then, the hike starts and your guide will accompany you to find ancient rock paintings that visitors could easily miss if without a guide. You may notice that legs of figures in the paintings are quite long, one of the prominent features of black people in southern Africa. However, the San People, also called Bushmen People, who painted the rock art thousands of years ago, were actually about 1 meter tall and unlikely to have such long legs.

Next, the representative landform of balancing rocks comes into your sight. The giant granite rock in reddish brown is dotted with yellow speckles like flowers, giving you the illusion of being in an unknown planet. Supporting a giant ball rock on the slope with hands to cosplay Sisyphus who repeatedly rolls a heavy rock up a hill could bring you a special picture recording both scenery and yourself. Besides, the Mother and Child Balancing Rock formed naturally after erosion for millions of years is another unique highlight here. As its name implies, from certain perspectives, it looks like a mother surrounded by several little kids, probably arranged by God in purpose.

► For Your Information
Tomb of Cecil Rhodes (1853 - 1902) is also located in this park, but it charges an extra entrance fee of USD 14. If interested in this controversial British colonist, you can choose to visit. It is believed that the reason why he decided to bury himself in this park not only lies in the peace agreement made here but also the magnificent views.

In the end, we’ll drive back to your hotel. 

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel (3 stars) or similar

When finishing breakfast, we will drive 4 hours to your hotel in Masvingo and help you to check in. 

By afternoon, your driver guide will accompany you to visit the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, a large and complete historic site hardly seen in southern Africa. The word “Zimbabwe” means “city of stone” and it is the only country named after an archaeological site in the world. The symbolic Zimbabwean bird applied on its national emblem, flag and banknotes was right unearthed in the ruins. Besides, there found a quantity of foreign artifacts, such as pieces of Chinese pottery, Arabian currency and Persian glass beads, which implies the prosperity of maritime trade in ancient Zimbabwe. This city piled up by large granite rocks without using any binders was constructed in 11 to 15th century and stays solid until now, manifesting the builders’ wisdom and exquisite craftsmanship. However, this splendid civilization was not recognized as the achievement of southern Africa until the 1950s, since archaeologists at that time, out of bias, thought that the buildings were too great to be made by the indigenous black people.

Then, you’ll visit three main areas of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins - the Hill Complex, the Great Enclosure, and the Valley Complex one by one. Entering the tall wall, the single-person-wide passage may cause some troubles, while this deliberate design once served to better control the number of passing people so as to safeguard the king’s safety. Do you see the tall and large solid stone tower in cylinder? Someone regards it as the manifestation of reproduction worship in old time, and now, it has been known as the symbol of Zimbabwe’s great ancient culture.

When the sightseeing today ends, your driver guide will escort you back to your hotel to enjoy dinner. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Great Zimbabwe Hotel, Masvingo (3 stars) or similar

Today, after breakfast, we will spend about 5 hours on the way to Eastern Highlands and finally arrive at your well-equipped hotel in mountains. 

In the afternoon, you could have a good rest first and then explore the surrounding natural environment freely on your own. For example, have a leisure afternoon tea in the garden nearby or visit Leopard Rock Castle. For family with kids, zoo attached to your hotel allows you to watch and feed animals closely. If you are vigorous, a light mountain hike is suggested and the panorama at the peak unfolds before your eyes; on clear days, even Lake Chicamba in the neighboring country Mozambique is visible.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Leopard Rock Hotel, Eastern Highlands or similar

This morning, we will head north and after 2.5-hour scenic drive, arrive at Nyanga known as the “Little Switzerland of Zimbabwe”. Your hotel nestled in the tourist resort provides a swimming pool and a golf course for your entertainment. If you prefer outdoor activities, the World’s View about a 20-minute drive away from your hotel is a good place to appreciate natural views, take photos or have a picnic. Besides, you can follow the resort guide to wander along the Mist Walk Trail by lakeside, or go fishing, pedal boating, or canoeing on the lake. It is said that there exists a fireplace in the resort that keeps burning for over 70 years. Why not try to find it? 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Troutbeck Resort, Nyanga or similar

Today, according to personal interests and physical condition, you can explore Nyanga National Park in your own way, or ask your driver guide or the resort staff for help to tailor a plan suiting you most.

► For a Leisurely Trip: Admire Nyangombe Falls cascading down up close, and swim and play in the cool, shallow pools. Visit the nearby Rhodes Nyanga Museum to learn about Cecil Rhodes’ life stories from a sickly child of a British priest to a miner, financier, and empire builder of British South Africa. Also, venture into the underground pit structures here to explore the local dwellings of Stone Age.

► For an In-depth Exploration: If you are physically fit, Mount Nyangani, Zimbabwe’s highest sacred mountain, is well worth a visit. Hike through its diverse landforms - rolling hills, verdant grasslands, lush forests, and winding streams. You’ll be surprised to find a tableland on the summit which is perfect for a break, but don’t expect to stay overnight, as those who ignore this warning are said to vanish without a trace. What’s more, Mutarazi Falls, the highest in Zimbabwe and second highest in Africa, is recommended. Though not as wide as Victoria Falls, it offers a visual shock when the roaring milky falls plunge down from the sheer cliffs. Here, enjoy a sweeping view overlooking the Honde Valley. Adventurers can try the skywalk or zipline through the canyon for a thrilling new perspective.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Troutbeck Resort, Nyanga or similar

After breakfast, your driver guide will escort you to leave for Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe. 4 hours later, you’ll arrive at the hotel in urban Harare. The rest time of the day is at your disposal.

We specially choose the hotel in several minutes’ walk to popular landmarks, convenient for you to travel around on your own. You can visit National Gallery of Zimbabwe to enjoy contemporary creative paintings and rustic stone sculptures. Walking through Africa Unity Square built in colonial period which resembles British flag seen from high, you’ll come to the characteristic landmark of Harare – Eastgate Market, a distinctive mall designed like an ants’ nest, with compact layout but pleasant constant temperature. If you are a nature enthusiast, Mukuvisi Woodlands in urban area and Lion & Cheetah Park in the suburb are good destinations to watch and interact with animals.

► Insider Tips for Harare
1. Do you want to be a billionaire? This dream can be easily realized in Harare! At Avondale Flea Market and Eastgate Market, with 1 US dollar, you can buy old ZiG notes with denominations from 1 to 50 billion. The balancing rocks printed on the front, as well as wild animals and attractions on the back make the notes souvenirs bearing distinctive historical meanings.
2. When you come across an overpass at a crossroad where stands a statue of Mbuya Nehanda (1840 - 1898), an anti-colonial hero in Zimbabwe, avoid walking on it, or you would be fined. This aims to prevent the statue from being damaged.

Meal: Breakfast
Accommodation: New Ambassador Hotel, Harare or similar

When you finish breakfast and packing up, your driver guide will escort you to Harare Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport at appointed time. 

The transfer takes only 30 minutes’ drive, so if your flight is in the late afternoon, you can go to Joina City near your hotel to have lunch by yourself. Besides, there are attractions around the airport like Wild Is Life & ZEN and Epworth Balancing Rocks which take a dozen of minutes to drive there. 

So glad to be with you! Wish you a pleasant return journey!

Meal: Breakfast