Zimbabwe is a well-known safari destination in Africa. It offers many experiences in its natural areas, which travelers on this trip will fully explore.
Visitors on this adventure will tour some of the most popular national parks in the country, especially Hwange National Park, where they will see the Big Five animals and many others.
They will also visit Lake Kariba National Park for boat cruises on the large lake and later transfer to Mana Pools National Park for walking safaris in the wild.
During this safari, travelers will see many rare plant and animal species. Several game drives will be included to give guests more chances to see the animals that live in Zimbabwe.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, transfer to Hwange National Park & Evening game drive
After arriving at Victoria Falls Airport, you will be welcomed and briefed by a professional guide, who will then drive you to Hwange National Park. The journey takes about 1 hour and 41 minutes, covering 118 kilometers.
Drive slowly through the park to spot some of the famous animals, especially the Big Five. Check in at the lodge and enjoy lunch in the afternoon. Relax in your comfortable unit for the rest of the day.
In the evening, go on a game drive to see animals as the sun sets. You may spot cheetahs, hyenas, hartebeests, Defassa waterbucks, elands, genets, leopards, jackals, servals, hippos, and warthogs.
Return to the lodge at dusk for dinner and overnight.
Day 2: Game drives in Hwange National Park – Morning & afternoon
Wake up early and have breakfast at the lodge. Head out for a morning game drive in the park to look for various animals. Return to the lodge for lunch in the afternoon.
Later, go for another game drive to see more animals and birds.
Birds you may spot include Egyptian geese, secretary birds, turacos, ground hornbills, bee-eaters, egrets, hammerkops, fish eagles, flycatchers, darters, jacanas, and oxpeckers. Oxpeckers are often seen with animals as they feed on insects. Return to the lodge for dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Bird watching & local village tour
After breakfast, go on a bird watching tour to see some of the special birds of southern Africa. These may include African penguins, blue cranes, ostriches, Kori bustards, Egyptian geese, vultures, and marabou storks. Enjoy bird watching in the morning and return to the lodge by midday.
After lunch, visit a local village to learn about the culture, family life, and traditions of the people. Interact with the locals in the afternoon. Return to the lodge at sunset for dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Hwange to Lake Kariba & Evening game drive
Have breakfast and check out of the lodge for a journey to Lake Kariba in Matusadona National Park. The drive is about 3 hours and 20 minutes over 282 kilometers.
On arrival, check in at your lodge and relax while enjoying the views.
Lunch will be served in the afternoon. In the evening, go on a game drive to see animals living near Lake Kariba and in Matusadona. You might see elephants and hyenas.
If lucky, you could see hyenas hunting. Return to the lodge at sunset for dinner and overnight.
Day 5: Explore Lake Kariba – Morning game drive & fishing safari
After breakfast, go on a morning game drive to look for lions, leopards, hyenas, hartebeests, waterbucks, and cheetahs. Around mid-morning, join a fishing walk to see and possibly catch fish like African catfish and largemouth bass. Return to the lodge at midday for lunch.
In the afternoon, take a boat tour along the lake’s edge. This area is often visited by animals like buffaloes, zebras, springboks, meerkats, aardwolves, and hippos.
Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 6: Morning game drive & bird watching
Have breakfast and go on a morning game drive to see lions, leopards, hyenas, and other animals. Return to the lodge at midday for lunch.
In the afternoon, go on a bird watching tour. You may see secretary birds, fish eagles, turacos, ground hornbills, bee-eaters, egrets, hammerkops, falcons, blue cranes, ostriches, Kori bustards, and penguins.
Return to the lodge at sunset for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Lake Kariba to Mana Pools & Wilderness walk
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to Mana Pools National Park. The drive is about 2 hours and 45 minutes over 196 kilometers.
On arrival, check in and relax at the lodge while watching the animals nearby.
Lunch will be served in the afternoon. Later, go on a guided walk in the park to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 8: Explore Mana Pools National Park – Full day game drive
After breakfast, go on a full day game drive in Mana Pools National Park. You may see animals like wildebeests, white and black rhinos, springboks, genets, warthogs, foxes, kudus, bonteboks, nyalas, and leopards.
Enjoy wildlife viewing all morning, then return to the lodge for lunch. In the afternoon, continue the game drive to see more animals. Return to the lodge at sunset for dinner and overnight.
Day 9: Morning game drive & canoeing
Start the day with breakfast, then go on a morning game drive to see more animals. Return to the lodge at midday for lunch.
In the afternoon, go canoeing on the pools. This gives you another way to explore the park and see birds and animals like meerkats, fish eagles, hammerkops, Kori bustards, geese, darters, jacanas, ground hornbills, bee-eaters, egrets, flycatchers, and vultures. Return to the lodge in the evening for dinner and overnight.
Day 10: Mana Airstrip to Harare Airport & departure
After breakfast, check out of the lodge and transfer to Mana Airstrip. From there, fly to Harare International Airport to catch your flight back home.
