Zimbabwe | Wild Paradise of Africa

We meet in the early afternoon at the Plumtree border post between Botswana and Zimbabwe, just north of Francistown.  We will be on hand to help with border post procedures and from there it is a short one hour journey to our campsite for the next two nights overlooking the majestic Motopos.

As the group will not arrive together, the guide will remain at the border post until everyone is safely in Zimbabwe. That evening, while enjoying a delicious dinner, the guide will explain the rest of the tour and the itinerary to you.

Today we are joined by a Zimbabwean tour operator and specialist tour guide who will accompany us into the majestic Motopos National Park.  The day will be spent game viewing in the park, enjoying its incredible scenery and the highlight of the day is a visit to the last resting place of Cecil John Rhodes, one of Africa’s legends.

Today we leave the national park and make our way via Bulawayo town to the little town of Masvingo to restock and refuel around lunchtime.  Our afternoon is spent at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.  We will be privileged to spend the night camping here in this tranquil setting, so close to where our predecessors built this great walled city.

(Included: Tour to Great Zimbabwe Ruins)

(Kuimba Shiri Bird Park)

Today we head north, our route takes us to the shores of Lake Chivero and our camp for the night at Kuimba Shiri Bird Park.

Today after shopping in Chinhoyi and a visit to Chinhoyi Caves - we continue towards Mana Pools

Included: Visit to Chinhoyi Caves

(Nyamepi Camp, Mana Pools)

Mana Pools is hard to beat and for the next 3 nights we will be camping on the banks of the Zambezi River. We will be serenaded to sleep by the grunts of hippo and will be visited daily by the giant elephant bulls that frequent the camp. At night we will need to be on the alert for the curious lions and wandering buffalo.

We have two full days of game drives in Mana Pools and, as mentioned before, finding any viewpoint that overlooks the Zambezi floodplain is bound to be as rewarding as any game drive. For the birders and photographers, there is no place better or more rewarding.

Named after it's four large pools (Green Pool, Chisasiko, Chine and Long Pool), the Park is a network of waterways and sandbanks, surrounded by lush vegetation, stands of mahogany trees and a healthy population of wildlife, including elephants, buffalo, lion, leopard and wild dogs and various aquatic birds.

Birding enthusiasts will be in birders paradise where the diverse habitats and pristine environment of Mana Pools provide the perfect setting for birdwatching. From the riverine forests along the Chitake and Mhara rivers to the tall Rain Trees and ancient Baobabs, the varied landscapes provide a collection of habitats that attract a wide range of bird species. 

Mana Pools National Park also has a very interesting policy. One may leave your vehicle and walk around, although this is not advisable. There is, however, the opportunity to do guided walks.

Mana-Pool.BirdLife-Zim-Checklist.docx

Today is our final day in one of Earth's most beautiful and authentic wildlife destinations.

After breakfast, everyone heads off on their last day of exploring, photographing, scanning for wildlife and revelling at the astonishing birdlife to be found in the floodplains and woodlands.  

Our last evening is enjoyed on the Zambezi River at Sunset.  Dusk in Mana Pools is like a watercolor shroud. As the sun sets into purple, blue, and gold, the warble of a fish eagle gives way to the piping call of a fiery-necked nightjar, the whoop of a hyena, and the eerily childlike cry of a bush baby.  We have been treated to sights that seemed impossible anywhere else - elephant's balancing on their hind feet stretching their trunks to pluck the last remaining dry-season leaves from massive trees, the sound of yips, yelps, screams and squabbles of one of the most endangered animals in Africa, the African Wild Dog with their large mickey mouse ears - this is Africa's final stronghold for wildlife  

After leaving Mana we head in the direction of Lake Kariba where our tents are set on the green lawns under shady trees on the lakeshore in the little tourist town of Kariba.

The property is fenced and so safe for children during the day, but extreme caution should be exercised at night when hippos emerge from the lake to graze on the lawns.  In spite of the electric fencing, the hippo's wander around the entire site every evening while grazing on the beautifully kept green lawns. 

Tonight we enjoy dinner in the camps restaurant feasting on Kariba Bream.

(Kariba Ferry)

This morning we pack up camp and drive to Andora Harbour where our vehicles are loaded onto the Kariba Ferry  setting off for Milibizi.  An early departure at around 08h30 so there is less rush especially if it is windy is recommended.

The Ferry travels the length of Kariba which makes it a real highlight on this tour and so much nicer than roughing it on the roads.

Accommodation for the night is on communal chair beds in the lounge area or on deck under the stars.  Mattresses and all bedding is provided but you can bring your own sleeping bag and mattresses which you will have with you. These can be taken outside onto the deck where you can also spend the night under your blanket stargazing.

The Ferry ride from Andora Harbour to Milibizi is approx. 22hours

(Tuskers Camp & Hwange National Park)

Following arrival at Milibizi the next morning, after the vehicles have been off loaded which should be at approximately 10h00  and provided we have been sailing with little to no wind, the drive to Tuskers camp at Hwange will be a relatively easy one so that everyone arrives well rested.

Hwange town provides another opportunity to refuel and restock before arriving at Tuskers, a few kilometres off the main Bulawayo to Vic Falls road. 

(Although not actually in the Hwange National Park, the campsite is a mere 40minute drive to the Main Gate entrance). This is where we will spend the next two nights.

(Tuskers Camp & Hwange National Park)

As Hwange is the largest national park in Zimbabwe, and one of the largest in Southern Africa, there is no time to be wasted, and we spend the whole day game viewing on the park’s good road network. There are numerous hides and, at certain times of the year, Hwange boasts the world’s largest elephant population, with up to 70 000 elephants in the park.

Please note that we will not be game viewing in a convoy but rather everyone will go their own way on the good road network. It would be advisable to have a GPS with Tracks 4 Africa as park maps are not available.

We return to camp in the evening for a nightcap around the fire and one of our last bushveld dinners together.

(Lodge accommodation at Vic Falls)

After an early breakfast at 07h00 we head towards the magnificent Victoria Falls and our lodge conveniently located within walking distance of the Falls and the curio markets.

After taking in the wonders of the Falls, you can enjoy a superb lunch at LOOKOUT POINT restaurant situated just above the Zambezi Gorge, or head over to Vic Falls Hotel and enjoy their High Tea.

(Lunches, teas and all activities at Vic Falls are not included in the tour cost and are for your own cost)

Optional Activities:  adventure activities such as bungy jumping and helicopter flights over the Falls (not included in the tour price).  Speak to your guide who will make all the necessary arrangements on your behalf.

This evening, we enjoy our last sunset on the Zambezi River above Vic Falls.  There’s plenty of time for final group photos of the wildlife, and the people that made this adventure unforgettable.

Dinner this evening will be at one of the local restaurants in Vic Falls (Not included)

Included:

Sundowner Cruise on Zambezi

Vic Falls entrance

After a hearty breakfast, we say our goodbyes and begin the journey home