Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe you will be met and transferred to Ilala Lodge.  This afternoon we explore the mighty Victoria Falls on a guided tour.

Accommodation: Ilala Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 2 & 3: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
After breakfast we depart Victoria Falls and make our way to Hwange National Park. The afternoon is spent on a game drive with a visit to the Painted Dogs Conservation Centre. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra as well as a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus very large and varied birdlife.  The whole of the next day is spent exploring this magnificent area. [BLD, BLD]

Accommodation: Ivory Lodge or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar area)

Day 4: Hwange National Park to Matopos, Zimbabwe
We leave the beauty of the Hwange National Park behind us and head to Camp Amalinda in the Matobo area.  Matobo Hills is an area of exquisite beauty, steeped in tribal history, ancient mystery and dramatic rock landscapes.  The national park has been given UNESCO World Heritage status and is home to both white and black rhinoceros, sable antelope and the world’s densest population of leopard.  Birdlife is prolific and includes the highest concentration of black eagles in the world.   Once the home of the San (Bushman), this area contains the richest source of the rock art found anywhere.  Not only is it here that the Ndebele people buried their great king, Mzilikazi, but Cecil John Rhodes was also laid to rest on the “Hill of the Benevolent Spirit” or “Worlds View” as named by him.   We visit the National Park and Rhodes grave. [BLD]

Accommodation: Camp Amalinda or similar  (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant, bar, & swimming pool)

Day 5: Matobo Hills to Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
This morning we drive to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins located close to Masvingo.  According to an age-old legend the ruins were built to replicate the palace of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem, and are a unique testimony to the Bantu civilization of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries. They cover an area of 1800 acres and are some of the oldest and largest structures located in Southern Africa.  We have the opportunity to explore these ancient ruins, before checking in to our accommodation for the night, which overlooks Lake Mutirikwe. [BLD]

Accommodation: Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant, bar, & swimming pool)

Day 6 & 7: Great Zimbabwe to Nyanga National Park, Zimbabwe
Today we head off to the Nyanga National Park and have this afternoon and the following day to enjoy nature drives in the area. Wildlife to look out for are wildebeest, kudu, zebra, waterbuck, impala, sable and eland as well as smaller mammals such as the blue duiker and Samango monkey, neither of which is found outside this area. Nyanga National Park is situated in one of the most scenic areas of Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands.  Rolling green hills and perennial rivers transverse the 47 000 hectare park, which is also home to the country’s highest mountain – Mount Nyangani as well as Africa’s second highest waterfall, Mtarazi Falls. [BLD, BLD]

Accommodation: Pine Tree Inn or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 8:  Nyanga National Park to Bushman Rock, Zimbabwe
We travel towards Harare to the Bushman Rock Estate, operational since the mid 1900’s it is one of the few estate wineries in the country.  After we have settled in to our rooms, high tea is served on the veranda.  We take a leisurely guided walk through the vineyards to the pontoon, for a sundowner cruise.  Thereafter we get to sample up to 9 of the estates private wines on a tutored wine tasting, followed by 3 course dinner. [BLD]

Accommodation: Bushman Rock or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool and tea garden)

Day 9 & 10:  Bushman Rock to Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
An early wake up call, leads us on a walk to the Bushman Rock, where we explore the ancient art adorned caves and granite kopjies.  After breakfast at the lodge we continue our journey to one of Zimbabwe’s greatest national parks – Mana Pools, where we have the afternoon and the whole of the next day available to search for African wildlife in the park on game drives and on canoe excursions.  Mana means ‘four’ in Shona, in reference to the four large permanent pools formed by the meandering Zambezi River. This World Heritage site has the country's biggest concentration of hippos and crocodiles as well as large populations of elephant and buffalo. En-route we stop at Chinhoyi Caves for lunch.  The caves are composed of limestone and dolomite and are the most extensive cave system in Zimbabwe that is accessible to tourists. [BLD, BLD]

Accommodation: Nyamepi Camp or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water)

Day 11 & 12: Mana Pools to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Our journey today brings us to the shores of Lake Kariba.  It is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes and a place of outstanding beauty.  At over 220 km long and 30 km at its widest point it is no wonder it is referred to as an inland sea!  The lake is nested in mountains, guarded by enormous reserves of game and made beautiful and savage by sun and storm, as well as by earth and water.   After lunch a one and a half hour speedboat trip across the lake we arrive at Rhino Camp, which lies on Elephant Point in the Matusadona National Park, which is home to the Big 5 and where we spend the next two nights. [BLD, BLD]

Accommodation: Rhino Camp or similar (chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar area)

Day 13: Lake Kariba to Chizarira National Park
After breakfast another speedboat takes us to Rukari where we meet our vehicle and continue to Chizarira National Park.  Once we have checked in at Chizarira Lodge, we take a drive through the third largest park in Zimbabwe, to see what this true wilderness has to offer.  With 192 000 hectares of untouched flora and fauna, magnificent gorges, plateaus and flood plains, this pristine park is a spectacular destination for any visitor. Because of its wild and remote nature, the tranquility and rugged beauty of Chizarira National Pak is indeed unequalled. [BLD]

Accommodation: Chizarira Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms)

Day 14: Chizarira National Park to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe After breakfast we drive back to where our adventure started – Victoria Falls.  There will still be time for optional activities such as boat cruises on the Zambezi River, bungee jumping and elephant back safaris (all for own expense). [BL]

Accommodation: Ilala Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms,   swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 15: End of tour
Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures. [B]