A
semi-participation camping safari from / to Victoria Falls through
Zimbabwe
Highlights
Guided
Tour of the Victoria Falls, Painted Dogs Centre, Game Viewing in Hwange
National Park, Rhodes Grave and Matopos National Park, Visit to Great
Zimbabwe Ruins, Wildlife in Nyanga National Park, Harare city tour, Mana
Pools, and Lake Kariba
Group Size:
maximum 10 people
Type of Safari: Semi-participation camping safari
Tour Fare 2012
USD 2200 / EUR 1540
Single Supplement: EUR 105 / USD 135
Local Payment: USD 210
Included in the price: All transport in fully kitted 4x4 safari
vehicle, use of full camping equipment, game drives as mentioned, meals
(prepared by the guide) and activities as mentioned in itinerary, park
entrance fees, experienced local guide. 9 nights camping and 2 night in
fixed accommodation
Not included in the price: Travel insurance, flights, pre and post
tour accommodation, optional activities, all drinks, telephone calls,
gratuities, curios and all personal expenses.
DAY 1:
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe you will be met and
transferred to Amadeus Garden Guesthouse. This afternoon we
explore the mighty Victoria Falls on a guided tour.
Accommodation: Amadeus Garden Guesthouse or similar (rooms with en-suite
bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
DAY 2
& 3: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
BLD,BLD
After breakfast we depart Victoria Falls and make our way to Hwange
National Park. The afternoon is spent on a game drive with a visit
to the Painted Dogs Centre. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's
finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant,
buffalo, and zebra as well as a very large concentration of giraffe. It
is also home to many predators and endangered species plus very large
and varied birdlife. The whole of the next day is spent exploring
this magnificent area.
Accommodation: Camping in Hwange National Park or similar (Tents,
communal wash rooms with hot water)
DAY 4:
Hwange National Park to Matopos, Zimbabwe
BLD
We leave the beauty of the
Hwange National Park behind us and head to Big Cave Camp in the Matopos
area. The Matopos Hills comprise of an extraordinary collection of
huge bare granite hills with gravity-defying boulders scattered all over
the countryside to create a unique and rather mysterious landscape. The
national park is famous for its outstanding views, San (bushman) painted
caves, wildlife (especially the Black Eagle) and as the chosen burial
place of Cecil Rhodes who named this his favourite spot. We visit
the grave of Cecil John Rhodes on our way.
Accommodation: Camping at Big Cave Camp or similar (Tents, communal wash
rooms with hot water)
DAY 5:
Matopos to Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
BLD
This morning we drive to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins via Gweru.
According to an age-old legend the ruins were built to replicate the
palace of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem, and are a unique testimony to
the Bantu civilization of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries.
They cover an area of 1800 acres and are some of the oldest and largest
structures located in Southern Africa.
Accommodation: Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort Camping or similar
(Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar &
restaurant)
DAY 6
& 7: Great Zimbabwe to Nyanga National Park, Zimbabwe
BLD,BLD
Today we head off to the Nyanga National Park and have this afternoon
and the following day to spot the wildlife of the country on game
drives.. Nyanga National Park is situated in one of the most
scenic areas of Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands. Rolling green hills and
perennial rivers transverse the 47 000 hectare Park. Wildlife to
look out for are Wildebeest, kudu, zebra, waterbuck, impala, sable and
eland as well as smaller mammals.
Accommodation: Camping in Nyanga National Park or similar (Tents,
communal wash rooms with hot water)
DAY 8:
Nyanga National Park to Mbizi Game Park, Zimbabwe
BLD
We make our way towards the capital city of Zimbabwe, Harare.
The city is located high on the country’s central plateau and is a
beautiful light filled city, with modern buildings, wide thoroughfares,
numerous parks and gardens. On arrival we will embark on a short
orientation city tour before we proceed to our accommodation for the
night.
Accommodation: Mbizi Game Park or similar ( Tents, communal wash rooms
with hot water)
DAY 9
& 10: Mbizi Game Park to Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
BLD,BLD
We continue our journey to one of Zimbabwe’s greatest national
parks – Mana Pools, where we have this afternoon and the whole of the
next day available to search for African wildlife in the park.
En-route we stop at Chinoyi Caves for lunch. Mana Pools has the
country's biggest concentration of hippo and crocodiles and large dry
season mammal populations of elephant and buffalo. This really is as
wild a place as you will find in Zimbabwe.
Accommodation: Mana Pools Campsite (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot
water)
DAY 11
& 12: Mana Pools to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
BLD, BLD
A relatively short drive today (approximately 4 hours) brings us to
Lake Kariba. After lunch you have the afternoon to relax or take
an optional sunset cruise on the lake. Kariba is unique and a
place of outstanding beauty, a great inland sea, nested in mountains,
guarded by enormous reserves of game and made beautiful and savage by
sun and storm, and by earth and water.
Accommodation: Lake Kariba Campsite (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot
water)
DAY
13: Lake Kariba Ferry, Zimbabwe
BLD
After breakfast this morning we break down our camp and take a short
drive to Andora Harbour, where we board the “Sea Lion” Kariba ferry
that takes us from Kariba to Mlibizi. We spend the night on board
this ferry enjoying the magnificent scenery and wildlife that Lake
Kariba has to offer en route to Mlibizi.
Accommodation: Sea Lion Kariba Ferry (communal sleeping area with
mattresses, communal ablutions with hot water)
NOTE:
In the event that the ferry trip does not operate, this itinerary will
be amended to only spend one night camping at Lake Kariba, 2 nights at
Antelope Park and then drive back to Victoria Falls.
DAY
14: Mlibizi to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
BL
Early this morning we arrive at Mlibizi and make our way back to
where our adventure started – Victoria Falls. There will still
be time for optional activities like boat cruises, bungee jumping and
elephant back safaris (optional and for own expense).
Accommodation: Amadeus Garden Guesthouse or similar (rooms with en-suite
bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Day 15:
End of Tour
The tour ends this morning, when your guide will bid you farewell and
you will be transferred to the airport. We hope to welcome you on
one of our adventures again soon.
Gateway
Africa
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