Hwange National Park Safari, Victoria Falls, and Spectacular Lodges
Wild Zimbabwe
Overview
Zimbabwe, one of the world's least-touristed safari destinations, just happens to be one of the best. About the same size as South Africa's vast Kruger National Park, Zimbabwe welcomes just a fraction of the visitors and offers an intimate safari rarely found in other parks. We're unlikely even to see other safari vehicles as we explore Hwange's famed Ngamo Plains, and in Zambezi National Park, we explore by canoe from our riverside camp. We'll safari among Hwange National Park's great elephant herds and big numbers of lion, leopard, and cheetah, all the while enjoying exquisite boutique lodges with superb access to wildlife. Your participation helps support innovative local community conservation projects.
Arrive: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Depart: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Highlights
- Magnificent Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world
- Authentic game walks, open vehicles, game drives, night drives
- Beautifully situated lodges with amazing access to wildlife
- Walk with rhinos in the rhino sanctuary
- Special “look-up” blind for incredible wildlife photography
- Support the best community conservation projects in the country
Itinerary
Mile-wide Victoria Falls plunges 400 feet into the Zambezi River, creating an otherworldly spectacle of swirling mists visible for miles.
After touring the falls, we fly by to the Giraffe Springs airstrip and head to dreamy Nehimba Lodge, surrounded by rock outcrops in northern Hwange's mopane woodland and sand river environment. Our chalets encircle a waterhole beloved by throngs of elephant—we'll see the “ellies” right from the dining deck during meals—it's a thrilling sight!
A private open-air railway car called The Elephant Express brings us to Hwange. At 5,657 square miles, Hwange has a level of biodiversity matched only by the Serengeti in Tanzania. Elephants in Hwange actually outnumber visitors! On game drives and game walks at Camelthorn, expect great sightings of lion, zebra, giraffe, and the local cheetah duo known as the “Bomani brothers.” On a village visit, we walk to school with the local children--and see how we do at learning Ndebele, their “click” language. We'll visit the rhino sanctuary built on village land and guarded by the village conservation team. WT is proud to have helped sponsor this community-led project.
In Zambezi National Park, our riverside camp positions us for canoeing along the Siansimba Islands and a private Zambezi cruise at sunset as crimson colors reflect off the tranquil waters. Depart on Day 10 via Victoria Falls or join one of our extensions.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is Level 2+ (Easy to Moderate) according to our trip grading system. It can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonably good health. Optional game walks are available. While we do not see major elevation gain or loss, you need to be able to walk on uneven surfaces and feel comfortable on your feet for up to 2 hours a day.
Review Trip Level Details
Average Walking Day
- 1-2 hours
- 1-2 miles
- Flat terrain
Generally, Zimbabwe has a mild climate because of its altitude (about 3,000 feet above sea level). In the months of June, July, and August, temperatures are colder (75-85°F during the day, 45-60°F at night) so warm jackets and insulating layers are necessary on early morning game drives. In the months of September and October, temperatures are warmer (80-95°F during the day, 60-77°F at night), so you can pack lighter clothing.
Each of our safari lodges and camps has been meticulously designed to offer all your home comforts, a splash of luxury and an exciting dash of African charm. On top of this, our locations have been carefully selected for two vital reasons; the local communities' dedication to our conservation partnership and their proximity to some of nature's most impressive wonders, from the famous Victoria Falls, to the mighty Zambezi River and Hwange National Park, famed for its thousands of elephants.
While on safari, breakfasts and evening meals are served at the lodge you are staying in. Lunches while traveling between destinations will be served picnic-style en route. Bottled water, soft drinks, juice, house wine, and beer are included throughout the trip. All vehicles are equipped with a fridge or cool box stocked with bottled water. Tea and coffee are offered by all accommodations free of charge with meals and at afternoon teatime.
On safari, there are long driving days over rugged dirt tracks, we can be in and out of the vehicles all day long, usually only driving approximately 2 hours at a time. We will be in a 7-seat open sided 4WD vehicle with a roof for sun protection. We sit 6 people max per vehicle to optimize everyone's view and provide wool blankets for early morning and evening game drives.
This is a truly unique safari in that we will be traveling by many different forms of transportation—we will take a vintage train car on safari for 2 hours, a sunset boat cruise for 2 hours, and an optional canoe ride for 2 hours.
During drives and game walks, we can get quite close to wild animals at times. Being very quiet improves everybody's chances of observation. In the interest of safety, your Trip Leader explains limitations on movement while on game drives, on walks, and around camp. Incidents with wild animals are extremely rare on safaris, but no safari can guarantee immunity from such incidents. Wilderness Travel is not to be held responsible for incidents involving the behavior of wildlife.
Client Testimonials
"This trip delivered an experience beyond my expectations. The guide, the lodges, meals, community school and village visits, transportation, and the wildlife in the park. Loved the train experience. It was nice to take a charter flight at the end so we spent less time driving."
Catherine E.
Stamford, CT
"Stunningly good trip. Great guides, food, lodges, and total experience. We were very impressed by the organization—the way it works with the community and its commitment to conservation."
David L.
Palo Alto, CA
"This was my third trip to an African country and it exceeded all others. The game viewing, the fabulous lodges and the amazing knowledge, passion, and experience of our guide, Mark Butcher, made this one of the most unforgettable travel experiences I have had to date. All personnel on this trip get five stars!"
Deborah S.
Hermosa Beach, CA
"Everyone in our travel group agreed that this was the BEST trip we've ever experienced! Sibs was an amazing guide—wonderful sense of humor, amazing depth of knowledge regarding all wildlife we encountered, uncanny ability to spot every type of wild creature well before we could even make them out! And a genuinely warm, welcoming host at meals, snacks, and sundowners! He became a friend, not just a guide. The lodges were gorgeous, the food, outstanding, and everyone was friendly and eager to meet our every need. I cannot praise our experience enough—I've become a WT ambassador!"
Jane D.
Apple Valley, MN
"Everything about this trip was fantastic—can't think of any way to improve it. In particular, our Trip Leader's tracking skills, knowledge, and friendliness were outstanding."
Kurt B.
Irvine, CA
"The attention to detail, the quality of the accommodations and cuisine, the attentiveness of all staff, and the five-star quality of Mark Butcher himself combined to create a trip that exceeded all expectations."
Linda G.
Copiague, NY
"The hotels were superb! The best part of trip was the guides who were informed, interesting, organized, and kind; they were also great drivers."
Margaret F.
Bend, OR
"The accommodations were all spectacular. The staff at each of the lodges was incredibly helpful and friendly. We felt extremely welcome at each location. This was our fourth Wilderness Trip and it stood out as definitely one of the best. We were very impressed with the local outfitter is supporting the local communities near their lodges."
Patricia E.
Pasadena, CA
"Attention to detail at every level, consideration of the location of each lodging in relationship to the total trip experience, anticipation of the client's needs as to meals—it was perfection in itself!"
Peggy H.
Empire, CO
"Absolutely loved traveling on the Elephant Train, absolutely in awe every day of what we saw literally in the first few hours of each day! Absolutely blown away by our sundowner locations, every night a different theme and entirely different location! Absolutely in love with the lifestyle of incredibly hard-working people in Zimbabwe!"
Peggy H.
Empire, CO
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.