Overview
For wildlife experiences, this Zimbabwe package is hard to beat. The diverse habitats and abundant wildlife in Hwange and Mana Pools National Parks makes for some of the best gameviewing in Africa. In addition, the walking and canoeing safaris in Mana Pools are the finest you will find in Africa. The combination of excellent gameviewing and the magnificence of the Victoria Falls will make your journey one you will never forget.
Spend 2 nights in Victoria Falls at Ilala Lodge, well located close to the Falls and all amenities, with activities that include a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, a Sunset Cruise on the Ra-Ikane and an Elephant Encounter where you will meet some of Africa’s gentle giants and learn about their extraordinary intelligence, sensitivity and behaviour.
You will then be transferred by road to Bomani Tented Lodge in Hwange National Park where you spend 3 nights in this wonderful savanna region to enjoy the abundance and diverse wildlife on game drives and bush walks.
Now to Mana Pools National Park on a charter flight where you spend 4 nights at Camp Mana. Here you will experience some of the best guided gameviewing activities on game drives, walking safaris and canoeing on the Zambezi River. Mana Pools is a remarkable area for wildlife and will leave eternal memories.
Your safari ends with an air transfer back to Victoria Falls for your outbound flight.
Highlights
- Guided Tour of the magnificent Victoria Falls
- Zambezi Sunset Cruise on the Ra-Ikane
- Elephant Interaction – meet the gentle giants
- Awesome wildlife of Hwange & Mana Pools National Parks
- Walking & Canoe Safaris in Mana Pools National Park
- Beautifully located Hotels and Lodges
Itinerary
DAYS 1 & 2
ILALA LODGE, VICTORIA FALLS
Standard Room – Bed & Breakfast
On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport you will be met by a driver from Wild Horizons who will display a Welcome Board with your names on it. You will then be transferred to your hotel.
Ilala Lodge is well located in the small town of Victoria Falls, the closest hotel to the The Falls, a mere 8 minute walk, and close to all amenities, restaurants and markets. Animals such as warthog and impala often graze on the hotel lawns and entertain guests during mealtimes.
Your accommodation is in a Standard Room with facilities that include ensuite bathroom, air conditioning, overhead fan, television, tea/coffee station, room fridge, safe, free wifi and a sliding door opening onto a lush garden.
Hotel facilities include The Palm Restaurant and a swimming pool.
Included : Bed and Breakfast, Free Wifi
DAY 1 – ACTIVITY
ZAMBEZI SUNSET CRUISE ON THE RA-IKANE
This afternoon you will be collected and transferred to the Zambezi River for your Sunset Cruise on the Ra-Ikane. Sit back, relax and take in the surrounding views. With a maximum of 16 seats available, the Ra-Ikane offers a unique vantage point for viewing birdlife and wildlife up-close on the islands along the river. The boat takes a circular route around the islands to provide guests with a panoramic view of the upper and lower Zambezi River and the wildlife and birdlife it offers. The crew, made up of a friendly and knowledgeable captain, guide and waiter, will ensure a most enjoyable ride.
What to Wear : Comfortable attire, warm clothing in winter (June to August)
Things to Bring : Mosquito repellent, camera, binoculars
Included : Unlimited premium brand drinks, gourmet snacks, an abundance of wildlife and bird sightings, return transfers, Park Fees.
DAY 2 – ACTIVITIES
GUIDED TOUR OF THE VICTORIA FALLS
Today you have two activities included on your itinerary. You will be collected by Wild Horizons at 08:15 for your Guided Tour of the Falls. En route you may be taken past the ‘Big Tree’ where you can stop and take photos. Then on to the magnificent Victoria Falls where you will be accompanied through the Rainforest on a 2 hour tour by a qualified guide who will give a brief history of the Falls as well as detailing the flora, fauna, bird & wildlife and other points of interest. Guides are also happy to assist clients with photographs whilst visiting this most spectacular of waterfalls. Raincoats are provided when needed.
What to Wear : Comfortable attire that provides sun protection, hiking/running shoes, warm clothing in winter (Apr to Aug)
Things to Bring : Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, camera
Included : Guided tour of the Falls, return transfers, Rainforest Entrance Fee, raincoats
ELEPHANT ENCOUNTER
This afternoon you will be collected at 15:00 by Wild Horizons for your Elephant Encounter activity. You will have the opportunity to unobtrusively interact with some of the biggest personalities in Africa in a pristine wilderness environment overflowing with raw natural beauty. You can spend time and connect with elephants in the most positive and natural way possible.
An open-design thatch Boma gives you an uninterrupted view of the beautiful Masuwe River and against this breathtaking back drop, you will be given an insightful and educational presentation on the Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage. The sanctuary was founded on the principle of conservation, and one of the most effective ways to evoke a sense of environmental responsibility is to show what stands to be lost.
You will have an opportunity to talk to guides that have journeyed, physically and metaphorically, incredible distances with these elephants and learn more about the complexities of the individuals and the herd structures. You will learn about the elephant as well as their history and the threats facing elephant populations today, in an interesting and informative talk.
You will venture out into the bush to spend time with the elephant and the sight of the gentle grey mammals up close and personal will be imprinted on your mind long after you have returned home. Witness the special relationship the elephant keepers share with the animals and become a part of it. You will have the opportunity to take photographs with the elephants, marvel at their size and watch them behaving normally; browsing and interacting with one another.
After the encounter with these amazing creatures you will be offered a selection of refreshments in the cool of the Wild Horizons Elephant Wallow. A transfer back to your lodge concludes the experience.
What to Wear : Comfortable attire that provides sun protection, hiking/running shoes, warm clothing in winter (April to August)
Things to Bring : Sunscreen, mosquito repellent, sun hat, camera, binoculars
Included : Return transfers, Elephant Encounter, soft drinks, local beer, wine, water, coffee, tea and a selection of hot & cold canapés.
DAYS 3 – 6
BOMANI TENTED LODGE, HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Saddlebill Tent – Full Board
This morning you will be collected by Imvelo Safaris and transferred by road (4 hours) to the luxurious Bomani Tented Lodge, situated in a private concession on the edge of the magnificent Ngamo Plain in the remote and unspoilt south-eastern corner of Hwange National Park. Bomani is famous for its unique scenery, large herds of elephant and diversity of wildlife and birds.
Your accommodation is in a Saddlebill Tent, raised a metre above the ground on a wooden deck and overlooking the Ngamo Plain. Tent facilities include ceiling or standing fan, mosquito repellant, ensuite bathroom and a safe for your valuables.
The main lodge overlooks Bomani Pan and is comprised of an open dining room, bar area and lounge, built on a spectacular viewing platform. There is free wifi in the main lodge area.
Activities include morning and afternoon game drives, full day game drives, night drives, game walks, gameviewing hides, horse safaris and village visits.
Hwange is renowned for its incredible diversity of wildlife, and boasts more varieties of mammal and bird species than any other Zimbabwean National Park. There are over 100 species of mammals, including 19 large herbivores such as buffalo, eland, sable and wildebeest, and over 400 bird species. The area is also particularly famous for its population of elephant, some 44,000 strong – based on the latest aerial survey – and combined with the elephants of northern Botswana, this is the world’s largest contiguous elephant population and a flagship for the Kavango Zambezi Trans Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA).
Bomani has a mix of open grasslands and woodlands that provide the perfect mosaic of habitats for the full spectrum of both grazing and browsing herbivores resident in Hwange and the carnivores that prey on them – Lion, Leopard, Painted dog and both species of Hyena – Spotted and the seldom seen Brown. This abundance of wildlife set in both woodlands and open grasslands provides some of the best year-round game viewing to be found anywhere in Zimbabwe.
Included : Accommodation, all meals, soft drinks, beers, wines and local spirits, laundry, game drives, bush walks, all day drives, hide sits, night drives, Park Fees, road transfer from Victoria Falls, airstrip transfer and local village visits.
DAYS 6 – 10
CAMP MANA, MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK
Safari Tent – Full Board
Today you have a charter flight to Mana Pools National Park where you will be met by your guide and transferred to Camp Mana, situated inside the Park with sweeping views across the Zambezi River and mountains of the northern escarpment.
Mana Pools is a world heritage site that is rated amongst the best wildlife destinations in Africa. The fertile floodplains support enormous concentrations of game and the area is renowned for its large numbers of elephants, buffalo, lions and especially painted dogs. This is undoubtedly the best destination for a walking safari. It also has a special status amongst wildlife photographers and is arguably the best place in Africa for canoeing safaris.
Accommodation is in a large Meru Tent with ensuite bathroom and a veranda.
Activities include game drives, walking safaris, canoeing, fishing, bush breakfasts and lunches. Multi-day excursions to Chitake Springs can be arranged.
Included : Accommodation, all meals, drinks (excluding premium brands), limited laundry, guided safari activities, Park Fees, return airstrip transfers
DAY 10
END OF SAFARI
This morning you will be transferred by light aircraft charter to Victoria Falls Airport for your outbound flight home.
We wish you a safe and thrilling journey that will leave lasting memories and a desire to return.
Rates
- Jul – Oct 2024 – USD 5,760 per person sharing
- Nov 2024 – USD 5,040 per person sharing
- Apr – Jun & Nov 2025 – USD 5,400 per person sharing
- Jul – Oct 2025 – USD 6,175 per person sharing
Rates exclude flights – see regional flight costs below
Rates based on 2 people sharing
Single supplements may apply
Accommodation subject to availability
COST OF REGIONAL FLIGHTS 2025
Hwange – Mana Pools – USD 700 per person
Mana Pools – Victoria Falls – USD 700 per person
Mana Pools – Harare – USD 530 per person
Inclusions
- ILALA LODGE – Dinner, Bed & breakfast, Zambezi sunset cruise on the Ra-Ikane, guided tour of the Victoria Falls, Elephant encounter
- BOMANI TENTED LODGE – Accommodation, all meals, soft drinks, beers, wines and local spirits, laundry, game drives, bush walks, all day drives, hide sits, night drives, Park Fees, road transfer from Victoria Falls, airstrip transfer and local village visits
- CAMP MANA – Accommodation, all meals, drinks (excluding premium brands), limited laundry, guided safari activities, Park Fees, return airstrip transfers