Zimbabwe Classic De Luxe Safari Tour

Overview

Visit one of southern Africa's most enchanting countries Zimbabwe, a country of stunning beauty and culture with superb wildlife viewing, fascinating historical past, and breathtaking landscapes. From the power and majesty of the spectacular Victoria Falls, 'discovered' and named by David Livingstone in 1855 to the verdant wilderness of Hwange National Park, the largest wildlife reserve in the country Zimbabwe offers an exotic contrast of landscapes and activities.

Known for having some of the most renowned and qualified safari guides in southern Africa there are excellent wildlife densities in the national parks throughout the country. Many of Zimbabwe's big animals are also accustomed to vehicles and can be observed and photographed from close quarters. This eleven-night private journey samples some of the country's best sites and activities, a taste of the best the country has to offer.

Seasons

Ruckomechi Camp is operational from 1 April to 20 November.

Days 1,2,3: Arrive in Falls; Fly to Hwange National Park

Upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe, depart with Wilderness Air for Little Makalolo Camp in Hwange National Park. Located on the border with Botswana, Hwange was proclaimed some 75 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the densest concentrations of game in Africa. Hwange further has some of the highest mammal diversity in the world, with over 100 recorded species. This is greatly due to the varied habitats and vegetation types.

Activities: Morning, afternoon-into-evening game drives together with guided walks through the concession maximize wildlife-viewing opportunities here.Area and Location: Little Makalolo Camp is located in the southeastern corner of the Park – an exclusive concession area of about 500 km2.

The Makalolo Concession, in which this camp is found, is ecologically diverse, with large flat grasslands, vast palm-spotted plains, acacia woodlands, and teak forests. This lends itself well to the vast number of plains game that move in the area together with attendant predators.

Overnight Comfortable Camp Including meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner.

Day 4,5 & 6: Fly to Ruckomechi Camp, Mana Pools National Park.

Wilderness Air flight from Little Makalolo to Mana West Airstrip. Upon arrival, a short road transfer to Ruckomechi Camp. This camp is idyllically located, overlooking the Zambezi River in Mana Pools National Park and the imposing Great African Rift Valley. Comprising 14,600 km2 (5,600 sq. miles) this park is located in the heart of the Zambezi Valley and is famed for the rich and varied mammal life.

Area and Location: Ruckomechi Camp is situated in an exclusive concession of Mana Pools, nestled amongst a large grove of acacia and ebony trees. This wondrous setting in allows for exploration of the National Park in total seclusion.

Wildlife: An intoxicating blend of wildlife and bird species abound. The dry season sees large herds of elephants and buffalo together with hippos, waterbuck, kudu, nyala, and eland all seeking to slake their thirst along the banks of this mighty river. Predators follow with lions frequenting the floodplains and adjacent woodland, while leopards stalk the thickets, and cheetahs and endangered wild dogs are also often seen. The area is equally famous for its superb birdlife offering over 350 species including the Collared Palm-Thrush, African Skimmer, Racket-tailed Roller, Purple-banded Sunbird, and Western Banded Snake-eagle.

Activities: Early morning walks with an experienced guide, morning and afternoon game drives, night drives, canoeing, and catch-and-release fishing.

Overnight Camfratble Camp Including Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 2 7,8,9: Road transfer Kariba, fly to Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, Matusadona National Park.

Boat transfer to Chirundu, followed by road transfer to Kariba connected with flight onto Bumi Hills Safari Lodge in the Matusadona National Park. The Bumi area is a thrilling location for scenic and wildlife photography. The lodge stretches out towards the lake, where elephants and buffalo graze on the shoreline below with zebra, waterbuck, and impala.

Activities on offer include game-viewing, sunset cruises, sailing, and the chance to challenge the lake’s fierce fighting tigerfish. The lodge has a spa offering hot stone massages, a sauna, a private plunge pool, and a health bar - all with strolling elephants and soaring fish eagles in your view! Cultural encounters can be arranged in neighboring villages for insight into the rich, ancient culture of the Tonga people.

Overnight Comfortable Lodge Including meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Location: In Matusadona National Park nearby, one might spot black rhinos, shy leopards, or lions on the prowl as well as hundreds of species of birds. Explore Matusadona National Park. It was in Matusadona where most of the animals were restored to safety during the building of the Kariba Dam – and freedom.

The bird life of Matusadona is one of its outstanding features and for the fish eagle in particular, the remnants of the drowned forests of Kariba provide an abundant bonus of nesting sites.

Day 10,11 Fly to Victoria Falls

Today, you will fly to Victoria Falls Airport by a light aircraft, and on arrival, you will be met and transferred to Ilala Lodge. The Lodge is ideally located as the closest hotel to the Victoria Falls. Ilala Lodge offers 32 standard rooms and 2 deluxe suites, each with patio doors leading onto the open lawn or a balcony with views of the spray of the falls. The hotel features a restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, a pool, and a bar.

Activities: You start the day off with a safari which you can enjoy from the vantage point of an elephant’s back. After your safari, we take to the sky for a bird’s eye view over magnificent Victoria Falls. The aerial view is unforgettable and is the only viewpoint from where you can visually take in all of Victoria Falls.

After lunch, we explored the falls on foot. Feel the thunder, be touched by the mist, and enjoy endless great views as you walk the path hovering up close to the falls. Our late afternoon activities are filled with cultural highlights from a market and village tour.

Overnight Luxury Lodge Including meals: breakfast

Day 12: Tour ends

Today your tour ends and you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport where you will catch an onward flight back home.

Tour Package Includes:

Accommodation on a per person sharing basis, all meals at Little Makalolo Camp and Ruckomechi and breakfast elsewhere to the end of the scheduled safari, a reasonable amount of soft drinks, mineral water, fruit juice, house wine and beer, as well as local spirits such as gin and Amarula while on safari, National Park fees, scheduled activities, guided and aerial tour of The Victoria Falls and all internal charters on a seat-rate basis.

Tour Package Excludes:

Flights (other than specified in the detailed safari itinerary), visas, compulsory comprehensive insurance, all relevant entry and departure Government taxes, all personal purchases (including curios, spirit liquors, telephone calls, etc.), gratuities, laundry, optional extra activities, pre and post safari tours, all other travel arrangements pre and post the safari and any new Government taxes, levies, fuel or industry increases which are beyond our control.

Important Information:

1. FI rate includes accommodation, all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, all local drinks, and laundry - excludes premium imported brands and champagne.

2. The rates quoted above are on a fly-in basis. If on a self-drive basis, different rates will apply as park fees are excluded. The park entry fee for Hwange National Park is US$ 20.00 per person and for Mana Pools National Park, US$ 30.00 per person. There is an additional fee charged for vehicles, which may vary between US$ 10.00 to US$ 30.00 per vehicle per entry, subject to vehicle type and individual park regulations. (Park Fees may be subject to change)

3. Park fees are subject to increase at Park Authorities discretion.

4. Transfers to/from the camps are excluded from the above nightly rates. Please contact us for further details.