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Zimbabwe – The Path to the Smoke that Thunders

£5,495.00

Soaking up the tranquillity of Lake Kariba aboard an exclusive boat. Watching the sun rise from aboard a vintage safari tram.

Wild Zimbabwe surrounds you on this small-group tour, where you&ll stay in safari lodges and on a small, exclusive cruise vessel. There’ll be little to disturb the peace of Lake Kariba and the great wildlife reserves along its shores – havens for crocodiles and hippos, herons and fish eagles, lions, and more. Further along, the Zambezi River plunges over the thunderous Victoria Falls. An evening Zambezi River dinner cruise will be an impressive end to your unforgettable Zimbabwe holiday.

  • 19 excursions & visits
  • 32 meals
  • Group size up to 16
  • Active traveller pace
Category:

Your itinerary

Day 1 – In flight

Our door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Harare.

In flight

Day 2 – Harare – Pamuzinda

On arrival, we transfer to Pamuzinda, where we stay in a lodge set in wilderness along the banks of the Serui River. Africa tours are all about wildlife experiences – and this afternoon, enjoy the heart-thumping anticipation of our first game drive together. Perhaps we’ll spot a lumbering elephant, an elegant giraffe or hear the distinctive bark of the jackal. This evening, sample the local culture with a traditional barbecue dinner and dance show.

Pamuzinda Safari Lodge (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Game drive (evening)

Dinner

Male Sable Antelope standing in Little Makololo camp

Day 3 – Pamuzinda

There is a selection of morning activities available today, including a walking safari, horse riding, canoeing and fishing. This afternoon, we’ve arranged a visit to a school. After, look forward to another game drive, looking for wildlife. We finish at Ayre’s Rock for a tipple as the sun sets, and then a Mongolian braai (barbecue) under the stars.

Pamuzinda Safari Lodge (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Choice of activities (morning)Visit to a local school (afternoon)Game drive (evening)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Free time

African jacana - a colourful african wader with long toes next to violet water lily in shallow water of seasonal lagoon, Botswana,Okavango delta.

Day 4 – Kariba

We leave our enchanting lodge behind and make tracks for the shores of Lake Kariba, via the Chinhoyi Caves. Sacred spirits are said to watch over ‘The Wonder Hole’, a spectacular cavern with a 150ft vertical drop into a cobalt-blue pool. Arriving at our next lodge, relax before an evening sundowner on the viewing deck, watching one of the famous Kariba sunsets.

Crowned Eagle Boutique Hotel, Kariba (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Visit the Chinhoyi Caves (morning)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Huge Cave with big rocks and stones, Chinhoyi Caves (Chinoi Cave), Zimabwe, Africa

Day 5 – Kariba

Our tour of Kariba includes the massive dam across the Zambezi River, and the beautiful little church of St Barbara. The dam’s assembly was set back several times by floods, said to be the work of an angered mythical creature – Nyami Nyami. Throughout the town, you’ll find art depicting the half-serpent, half-fish spirit. Spend the afternoon relaxing in your tranquil surroundings, or join us for a guided nature walk in the local forest. We’ll head to the beach at sunset, drinks in hand and toes in the sand.

Crowned Eagle Boutique Hotel, Kariba (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Tour of Kariba (morning)Guided nature walk (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Parade of elephants walking in Matusadona National Park, on the edge of Lake Kariba with a mountain and blue sky backdrop - Zimbabwe, Southern Africa

Day 6 – Kariba – Lake Kariba

We board our ship and cruise across the lake to Matusadona National Park, one of the last wild sanctuaries of the Zambezi River. We’ll have exciting opportunities to go fishing or cruising in game viewing tender boats, heading along the rivers and inlets looking for wild inhabitants. It’s a great place for spotting lions and elephants.

Zambezi Cruise Boat, Lake Kariba (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Choice of game viewing and fishing activities (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

A Black Rhino kicks up dust near Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe

Day 7 – Lake Kariba

After a morning of game viewing in our water wonderland, relax and enjoy the views as we cruise along Lake Kariba. We moor again late afternoon and take another tender boat excursion to hopefully spot some lion and hippos emerging from the water, ready for an evening grazing on the grassy banks.

Zambezi Cruise Boat, Lake Kariba (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Game viewing by tender boat (morning)Game viewing by tender boat (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Kariba Dam, Zimbabwe

Day 8 – Lake Kariba

Enjoy a morning of game viewing before we cruise to our final mooring spot. We’ll hop into tender boats this afternoon for more wildlife viewing or fishing, followed by a barbecue either on the beach or back on board our boat.

Zambezi Cruise Boat, Lake Kariba (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Game viewing by tender boat (morning)Game viewing by tender boat (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Giraffe spotted in the trees at Kariega River, South Africa

Day 9 – Kariba – Hwange National Park

A short flight will take us to Hwange National Park. The park is home to a diverse roll-call of animals, including lions, elephants and the unusual black sable antelope. We take a safari to see what we can find. Back at our tented camp, we’ll enjoy dinner and a Boma fire, keeping an eye out for the elephants who come here for their evening drink.

Iganyana Tented Camp (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Game drive (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Large group of elephants and zebras come to drink at the waterhole in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe with a natural tree and bush background and a clear blue sky

Day 10 – Hwange National Park

We have a full-day safari in Hwange National Park, with a picnic lunch in the bush. With over 100 mammal species roaming through vast areas of forests, semi desert scrub, granite hills and water holes, there’s a lot to see today. Will you tick off all of the Big Five? Will you spot a cheetah chasing its prey?

Iganyana Tented Camp (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Game drive (morning)Game drive (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Cheetah cubs on termite mount in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Day 11 – Hwange National Park – Victoria Falls

We journey by road to our final lodge, on the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls. We head into Victoria Falls Town for lunch and time to explore and reconvene later for a Boma dinner.

Pioneers Lodge, Victoria Falls (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Visit Victoria Falls Town (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The view of Victoria Falls  at Zambia side, one of most iconic African natural landmarks Livingstone, Zambia

Day 12 – Victoria Falls

Early this morning, we board the Bamba Tram, an authentically styled 19th-century tram which follows tracks out into the wilderness. We’ll watch the sun rise, whilst enjoying interesting details about the area’s history. We’ll get breathtaking views of the falls from the bridge before heading back to the lodge for breakfast. Visiting Victoria Falls is a true highlight of holidays in Africa. Every minute, millions of gallons of water plunge over the edge of the world’s largest waterfall. The constant rush of the Zambezi River has carved out a series of precipices stretching over a mile. Later this morning, experience the great roar when we view Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side (often considered the best side), and admire Victoria Falls Rainforest, soaked by the Falls’ tremendous spray. This afternoon we’ll take to the waters of the Zambezi River to enjoy a dinner cruise as the sun sets on our final night in Zimbabwe.

Pioneers Lodge, Victoria Falls (4-star)

Today includes…

Excursions & visits: Sunrise journey on the Bamba Tram (morning)Visit Victoria Falls and Victoria Falls Rainforest (morning)Dinner cruise on Zambezi River (afternoon)

Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Day 13 – Victoria Falls – In flight

We travel to the airport for the return flight.

Victoria Falls – In flight

Today includes…

Breakfast

Victoria Falls, located on the Zambezi River on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Day 14 – Departure

Upon arrival, our vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.