Zimbabwe Safari Tours

Hello and welcome to your introduction to the beautiful Zimbabwe, we have selected two of the top locations in Zimbabwe; Hwange National Park and the iconic Victoria Falls. We hope that this will wet your appetite for this diverse country and make you want to come back for more.

You will begin with two nights in Victoria Falls so that you might acclimatize and catch your breath, you can be as busy or relaxed here as there is plenty to do and of course it is your chance to see this wonder of the world. Your accommodation is one of our favorite hotels located centrally, in fact the closest property to the falls themselves. A lovely hotel with a range of rooming options to suit all tastes and it's restaurant is known to be one of the best in Victoria Falls.

From there it is a short flight to Hwange National Park and your Somalisa Camp. Located within the park in a premium wildlife area, the camp has the feel of a traditional safari camp but with luxurious finishes. Tented rooms on slightly raised platforms, en-suite bathrooms with roll top bath, outdoor and indoor shower, private veranda and even a fireplace in the room for those cold winter nights. The main area offers a swimming pool and looks onto a waterhole that is popular with game.

Day 1 - Victoria Falls

You will be met at Victoria Falls Airport by the transfer company who will be waiting in arrivals with your name on a sign. You will be transferred to Ilala Lodge.

Ilala Lodge Hotel is ideally located only 8 minutes away from the spectacular Victoria Falls. A family run hotel, Ilala Lodge has 73 stylish, well-appointed spacious rooms, that offer the ultimate in comfort and luxury. As we are the closest hotel to the beautiful Victoria Falls, the spray makes for a perfect backdrop during your stay.

Experience a culinary journey at the award-winning Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge Hotel. Centrally located only minutes away from the Victoria Falls, The Palm Restaurant offers a magnificent à la carte menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can choose from an extensive list of South Africa’s finest wines, cocktails and artisan gins. We offer an unrivalled al-fresco dining experience under the starlit African sky, with the sound of the Falls in the background. The Palm Restaurant is an adventure for the appetite that is not to be missed.

Relive the historical journey embarked by David Livingstone exploring the mighty Zambezi River aboard the Ra-Ikane fleet. Named after his instrumental guide, the boats represent the grace of a bygone era honouring the rich history of Victoria Falls and its explorers, adventurers and heroes. The Ra-Ikane offers a variety of cruises, including breakfast, lunch and sunset, as well as private charters.

Day 2 - Victoria Falls

There are many activities available in Victoria Falls and we are happy to provide you with details and book these. We recommend a sunset river cruise, helicopter flight over the falls and of course seeing the falls themselves. You do not need a guide to do so as the paths are clear and well signposted but we are happy to arrange one for you, lunch at The Lookout Cafe is a great way to finish as it has spectacular views over the gorge.

Day 3 - Hwange National Park, Verney's Camp

Today you will have a transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight to Hwange where you will be met and transferred on a short game drive to camp. Hwange is a unique national park offering diverse environments which in turn bring a variety of wildlife and bird life. You are able to explore this park by game vehicle or on foot with expert guides.

Verney’s is a private concession area in a typically un-used part of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. It is a beautiful amphitheater fringed by teak forest that opens up onto an impressive waterhole that is a playground to the famous elephant herds of Hwange. Verney’s joined the Machaba Safaris group in 2017 with a totally clean piece of unspoilt wilderness.

Days 4 and 5 - Verney's Camp, Hwange National Park

Verney’s Camp is being built in keeping with Machaba Safaris’ winning recipe that matches the timeless wonder of a classic safari to Africa, aimed at the affordable luxury travel markets worldwide for both the novice and the well seasoned safari traveller.

Situated on the central side of the popular south eastern part of Hwange National Park, Verney’s Camp is a private concession of 10 000 heactares.

Ten tents are tucked perfectly under the shady arms of the teak trees bordering the open waterhole in front of camp. Each tent has been carefully positioned to ensure the best serenity and privacy so that guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Each room is comfortably appointed and has en suite shower, flush toilet, double vanity, all beautifully designed to retain the authenticity and magical feeling of being on safari. Verney’s Camp has eight double/twin rooms and two family rooms, all of which sit at ground level and are connected by natural pathways.

3 Nights Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities. All Local Brands (Spirits, Wine and Beers) Included

Day 6 - Ruckomechi Camp, Mana Pools National Park

Today you will have a transfer to the airstrip and a flight to Mana Pools, there you will be met by your guide and transferred to the camp. Situated in a large private concession in the heart of the Zambezi Valley’s Mana Pools National Park, Ruckomechi looks out from the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. It is a remote, beautiful place with spectacular views of the broad flowing river, the adjacent woodland and the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment.

Ten spacious and beautifully decorated en-suite tents, including two family rooms, lie beneath the ana trees, best-beloved of local elephant for their nutritious seeds. The camp's central living space includes an inviting firepit for pleasant evenings beneath the African night skies. Other unique features include a pool which overlooks a broad sweep of river, an outdoor “bath with a view” in a secluded, scenic spot, and a romantic Star Bed by a busy waterhole.

Days 7 and 8 - Ruckomechi Camp, Mana Pools

Ruckomechi offers a diversity of activities. Game drives are conducted in specially-adapted open safari vehicles. Game-viewing is also conducted from motorized pontoons which glide quietly down the river, passing hippos, crocodiles, and an array of terrestrial mammals that come down to the life-giving waters of the Zambezi to quench their thirst. The area is also home to a very rich diversity of bird-life. This is one of the best areas along the Zambezi for fishing for the feisty Tiger Fish.

Of all the activities at Ruckomechi, the two most special are canoeing and walking. For the most silent and intimate way of experiencing the magic of the Zambezi, and exploring the many diverse life-forms that are dependent on it, paddle a canoe downstream under the watchful eye of your professional guide.

For a different perspective on the animals and the landscape, take a guided walk through the African bush, tracking big game and taking time to stop and appreciate all the smaller components of this amazing ecosystem. Zimbabwe's guides are among the best in Africa, and must pass through a rigorous training and apprenticeship program (taking up to five years to complete) before they are qualified to lead guests on foot or in canoes through the National Parks.

Day 9 - Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, Lake Kariba

Today you will have a short flight to Lake Kariba where you will be met and transferred to Bumi Hills Safari Lodge.

Day 10 - Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, Lake Kariba

Bumi is a famous and beloved Lake Kariba Accommodation brand and has been since first opening in 1975. The panoramic vista from the pool, bar, dining deck, spa and all premium rooms is simply astonishing and would be difficult to surpass by any safari lodge on earth.

After some years of neglect this Lake Kariba Safari Lodge has been totally revitalized to luxury levels never seen before, including a breathtaking signature infinity pool. Bumi Hills Safari Lodge re-opened in September 2009 and offers 10 Premium and 10 Standard rooms and so many awe-inspiring experiences in an authentic African eco-wilderness.

One guest wrote with passion: "Few things in life transcend your expectations, but to step out on the Bumi deck high above this awe-inspiring lake is genuinely one of them".

Accommodation:

Bumi has 20 front-facing rooms (10 Premium and 10 Standard), all with bath/shower, overhead fan, air conditioning, mini-bar, tea-coffee station and balcony or veranda. 

All rooms have a view over the lake but the 10 Premiums are sublime with awe-inspiring sunrise-and-sunset vistas over the lake, historic Starvation Island and game-rich shoreline.

Larger groups may relish the adventure of additional "elephant territory" accommodation aboard luxury houseboats, just a two-minute transfer from the lodge.

Facilities:

Apart from safaris and other activities, Bumi Hills offers an array of facilities that delight our guests. At centre stage are the infinity swimming pool, terrace cocktail bar and the wellness spa, each with awe-inspiring vistas over the lake and the game-rich shoreline.

The elegant main lounge is equipped with guest internet, wildlife DVD's, reference books, card and board games and there's also a comfortable TV lounge with full bouquet of satellite channels and a full-sized snooker table.

A fully-equipped boardroom for 10 and a conference room for 60 are both air conditioned. There's a fine dining room and al fresco dining overlooking the lake. Laundry is done on a daily basis.

Activities:
Wildlife Drives

Bumi is unique among luxury safari lodges because of the exquisite added dimension of the water - Lake Kariba is among the world\s largest man-made lakes and a genuine African wilderness with far more animals than people. This allows for glorious game viewing by boat as well as the traditional open 4 x 4 vehicles and walking in the wilds with an armed professional guide.

You may also drive and walk to track rhino in the nearby Matusadona National Park. Among the species that may be seen at Bumi are many elephants and buffalo, massive Nile crocodiles, lions, many hippo, the elusive leopard, kudu, water buck, impala, warthog, monkeys, baboons, sable, zebra. 

Birding at Lake Kariba

The Bumi area offers truly incredible birdlife, especially water birds, and hundreds of species have been recorded. It is a thrilling location for photography of the majestic scenery and wildlife, but also the prolific bird life for enthusiasts.

Commanding most attention always seems to be the African fish eagle with its haunting cry, but among other species you may spot are the harrier-hawk, martial eagle, Bateleur eagle, grey heron, open-billed stork, saddle-billed stork, sacred ibis, malachite kingfisher, lilac breasted roller, red-billed hornbill and many, many others in an awe-inspiring setting. 

The Bumi Hills Spa

Such is the awesome vista at the Bumi Hills massage sanctuary that eagles soar... below you! Surely when it comes to ambiance and superior location this is the ultimate on our planet. Its pure ecstasy as you enjoy your massage while overlooking the massive lake and the game-rich shoreline.

Guests cant resist this heavenly place where treatments include a hot stone massage to melt away the tensions. Facilities include a sauna, private plunge pool and health bar ... and strolling elephants in your vision.

Lake Kariba Fishing

Look at the famous face ... its the ex World Cup-winning Springbok rugby coach Jake White and wife Lindy on the Bumi deck with 3.5 kg and 3.0 kg tigerfish. 

Bumi is the prime fishing region of Kariba and is a major attraction that sets Bumi apart from any traditional luxury safari lodge. Here it is rated one of Africa's Top 20 adventures. You'll thrill to catching the razor toothed tiger, pound-for-pound one of the worlds most powerful freshwater species. 

Every October since 1962 game fishermen from all over the world converge for the Kariba International Tiger Fishing Tournament (www.kitft.co.zw) and the record is an awesome 15.5kg. Fishing is year-round and you may also catch bream, tilapia, Vundu, chessa and cornish jack.

Day 11 - Depart

At a time to be advised by the camp, transfer ro the Binga Airstrip for you onward flight to Vic Falls Airport, in time to connect with your onward international departure.

Includes:

Transfer from Victoria Falls Airport to Accommodation
Ilala Lodge - Standard Room, 2 nights, breakfast
Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport and flight to Hwange
Verneys Camp - 3 nights, all meals, non premium drinks, scheduled activities, conservation fees and laundry
Flight to Mana Pools
Ruckomechi - 3 nights, all meals, non premium drinks, scheduled activities, national parks fees and laundry
Flight to Kariba and Bumi Hills
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge - 2 nights, all meals, non premium drinks, scheduled activities, community fees and laundry
Flight to Victoria Falls Airport

Excludes:

Entry to Victoria Falls rain forest of $30 per person
Any additional meals, drinks, activities or fees
National park fees at Verney's
Fishing at Ruckomechi
Airport departure fees
International flights
Visas
Travel Insurance
Tips and items of a personal nature
Bank fees

  From $8,550 per person sharing accommdation.