Tailormade Holidays in Zimbabwe

Tour Code: TZWE

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Sample Itineraries

Create your own Tailormade holiday to Zimbabwe with dates and an itinerary to suit you. Click one to scroll down and view more info.

When to Go

Good Time to Go

ALL YEAR ROUND

Best Time to Go

June to October

Speak to a travel expert

Georgie Dodds

Tailormade Manager

Email Call 1-844-433-9473

Where to Go

Hwange National Park
Mana Pools National Park
Victoria Falls

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Summary

Bordered by Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia, landlocked Zimbabwe is perfectly positioned for safari-focussed holidays, either alone or as a combination with a neighbouring country. Offering a wonderful combination of game (including all the ‘Big Five’), spectacular landscapes and culture, this lesser-visited country certainly has much to offer the travelling naturalist. Habitats range from mopane and teak woodlands, wetlands and riverine tracts, through to vast grasslands and semi-desert scrubland, interspersed by rocky hills and impressive ravines. This variety supports an exceptional array of wildlife, best viewed in the excellent range of national parks and private concessions. Big game including the rare White Rhino and an impressive range of plains grazers delights, and over 45,000 ‘tusker’ Elephants have been recorded at Hwange National Park, travelling in herds up to 100 strong along ancient migratory routes between Zimbabwe and Botswana. Prominent large predators include Lion and African Wild Dog, alongside Leopard, Cheetah and Spotted Hyena. Birding is excellent across Zimbabwe, however Mana Pools is particularly wonderful. Widely regarded as one of the finest African parks, Mana Pools offers 2,500 square kilometres of river frontage, home to some 380 bird species. May is a particularly exciting month, when resident species are augmented by a myriad migrants, and many of the weavers and widows are still in impressive breeding dress. Kingfishers, darters, herons and storks are in plentiful supply year-round, whilst other highlights include Nyasa Lovebird, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, White-collared Pratincole, Banded Snake-eagle, Collared Palm Thrush, Racket-tailed Roller, Yellow-spotted Nicator and perhaps even a Pel’s Fishing Owl. The presence of private concessions in Zimbabwe allows for exploration via a range of means, including both driven and walking safaris, boat trips and horse riding. Night drives, too, are also possible in some, allowing visitors to enjoy rarely-seen nocturnal mammals and birds as well as chances of hunting cats around regions such as Hwange. In the far west of Zimbabwe, the mighty Victoria Falls offers one of the world’s most impressive natural spectacles, and makes for an excellent first or final destination for a tour of the country. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘the smoke that thunders’), the falls are considered at their most spectacular from the Zimbabwe side, and a sunset cruise is an experience not to be forgotten.

Our Locations

Waterhole at Hwange Naitonal Park, Zimbabwe shutterstock_1288671088.jpg

Hwange is the oldest, and by far the largest, national park in Zimbabwe, covering an area the size of Belgium. This vast reserve supports an incredible diversity of wildlife including over 100 mammal species such as African Wild Dog, Aardwolf, Bat-eared Fox, Caracal, Cheetah and African Wildcat; in addition to Africa’s more famous ‘Big Five’. Hwange is perhaps most well-known, however, for its impressive ‘tusker’ Elephants. As many as 45,000 of these magnificent mammals have been recorded in the park, many of which live in herds of up to 100 individuals and continue to traverse their ancient migratory pathways between Zimbabwe and Botswana.

It is not just the mammal-life that is impressive in Hwange, birders too will delight in the wonderful variety of avifauna that lives here with over 400 species recorded. Some to look out for include Red-billed Spurfowl, Crimson-breasted Shrike, Southern Carmine Bee-eater, Broad-billed Roller, Kalahari Scrub-robin, Cut-throat Finch, Red-eyed Bulbul and Southern Pied Babbler, which complement a delightful assemblage of weavers, larks, woodpeckers, sunbirds and many others. The park is also recognised as being internationally important for a number of species including Bradfield’s Hornbill, Kori Bustard, Woolly-necked Stork, Maccoa Duck and Lesser Moorhen. Raptors too are well represented and a glance skyward may reveal a soaring African-Hawk Eagle, Martial Eagle, Tawny Eagle or Bateleur.

Game viewing is generally at its peak during the dry winter months when much of the wildlife relies on artificially-pumped waterholes, and so becomes somewhat easier to see. A mixture of mopane and teak woodland dominate the north of Hwange while grassland and semi-desert scrub predominate in the southern portion of the park which borders the Kalahari.

A number of the most prominent camps in Hwange are situated in the private concessions which edge the reserve. Within each sit between two and four camps which enjoy exclusive use of these wildlife-rich areas. Camps within the concessions also offer a greater variety of activities than those on offer within the national park itself, including walking safaris, boat trips (where possible) and even horseback safaris for the particularly adventurous. Night drives are also possible within a number of the private concessions, allowing visitors to enjoy the region’s rarely-seen nocturnal mammals and birds as well as the chance to see hunting cats.

Accommodation in Hwange National Park

Mana Pools is widely regarded as one of the finest national parks in all of Africa. The name, ‘Mana’, is the local word for ‘four’ and refers to the reserve’s four permanent pools, the remains of oxbow lakes formed by the ever-changing course of the Zambezi River. The 2,500 square kilometres of river frontage that make up the reserve is comprised of islands, sandbanks and pools, flanked by towering ebony and mahogany trees, wild figs, mopane and stately baobabs.

Hippopotamus and Nile Crocodile can be found in great abundance here throughout the year, whilst the dry season sees impressive gatherings of Cape Buffalo, Elephant and other plains grazers including Greater Kudu, Eland, Common Waterbuck, Impala and Burchell’s Zebra. Prominent large predators include Lion and African Wild Dog; with Leopard, Cheetah and Spotted Hyena also present, although generally harder to locate.

Over 380 bird species have been recorded in the park. Birding is excellent throughout the year, but is especially exciting in May – at the end of the ‘Green Season’ – when the resident birds are augmented by migrants heading back north and many of the weavers and widows are still in their breeding dress. Kingfishers, darters, herons and storks are in plentiful supply along the river year-round, whilst other highlights include Nyasa Lovebird, Livingstone’s Flycatcher, White-collared Pratincole, Banded Snake-eagle, Collared Palm Thrush, Racket-tailed Roller, Yellow-spotted Nicator and for the fortunate perhaps a Pel’s Fishing Owl.

The majority of camps can only be accessed during the dry season between May and November, and even then, locally-chartered flights are still the easiest way to access the reserve. This inaccessibility does have its advantages, however, for the area sees very few visitor, and so game drives are wonderfully private affairs. Walking safaris are also extremely popular, with the wildlife easy to approach having suffered little human-wildlife conflict over the years. Although the forests surrounding the rivers can be thick in places, the undergrowth is usually minimal allowing for easy and safe walking safaris which are always enjoyed in the company of one of the park’s highly-trained guides. The river edges can also be explored by canoe and peaceful half or full-day excursions can be taken from a number of the camps. Motorised boats are banned within the park, and so the waterways remain tranquil throughout the day with just the deep rumble of a pod of Hippos or the splash of an Elephant to break up the silence.

Accommodation in Mana Pools National Park

Ruckomechi Camp

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Chikwenya Camp

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Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia Border shutterstock_148399298.jpg

Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘the smoke that thunders’), the Victoria Falls are an astonishing natural phenomenon that many people choose to visit either at the start or the end of a holiday to Zimbabwe, Botswana or Zambia. The Falls themselves are certainly more spectacular from the Zimbabwe side, although it is easy to nip across the border to Zambia for those who wish. Quite apart from viewing the Falls, there is a great deal to do in the vicinity. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi is a favourite, whilst the more adventurous may choose a helicopter flight over the Falls or white-water rafting on the Zambezi. The small Victoria Falls National Park, and the riverine forest that lines the Zambezi, are also a great area for wildlife and worth a visit.

Accommodation in Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Hotel

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Ilala Lodge

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The Elephant Express (Imvelo Safari Lodges)

Running alongside a portion of Hwange National Park’s eastern boundary, one of Zimbabwe’s most enthralling experiences can be found – the Elephant Express! For those visiting the southern regions of the park around Bomani Tented Camp and Camelthorn Lodge (and, for some, then travelling onwards by road to Jozibanini), this offers a truly unique mode of transport. Sit back in the comfortable, open-sided railcar with a gin and tonic or refreshing soft drink and scan the surrounding landscape for the plethora of wildlife that roams this region, with the help of a specialist on-board wildlife guide. You might even like to try your hand at driving the train! Although particularly exciting for children, the Elephant Express is a truly wonderful experience for those of all ages, allowing a unique perspective from which to experience this magnificent area. The journey is relaxed, making stops for key wildlife sightings – particularly big cats, who use the raised, open railway line as a vantage point, or just somewhere to soak up the sun!

View Map

View key locations on the map.

Sample Itineraries

Day

Fly London to Victoria Falls

Days

2 - 3

Victoria Falls

Days

4 - 7

Hwange National Park

Day

Depart Victoria Falls

Day

Arrive London

9 Days (Flight Inclusive)

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Optionally Extend Your Holiday:

Spend time at Mana Pools National Park:

Days

8 - 10

Mana Pools

Day

Depart Harare

Day

Arrive London

Day

Fly London to Mana Pools

Days

2 - 4

Mana Pools National Park

Days

5 - 9

South Luangwa National Park

Days

10 - 13

Lake Malawi

Day

Depart Lilongwe; fly to London

Day

Arrive London

15 Days (Flight Inclusive)

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The Essentials

Wildlife Guides

High quality local naturalist and specialist birding guides are available at every lodge and camp that we use in Zimbabwe. However, should you require a dedicated expert naturalist guide to accompany you throughout your holiday we will be pleased to arrange this for you.

Getting Around

The majority of internal travel within Zimbabwe is made by road (we usually advise doing so with a guide/driver), and via a network of short domestic and charter flights.

Why Naturetrek Tailormade?

A Naturetrek Tailormade holiday allows you, with the benefit of our wildlife travel expertise and destination experience, to enjoy the perfect private wildlife holiday – one that truly matches your requirements, expectations and ambitions. We will ensure the most competitive prices, superb naturalist guides and seamless ground services.

Some of the benefits of Naturetrek Tailormade travel include:
• A bespoke itinerary which is crafted by experts and designed specifically for you
• Private guiding by the very best local naturalists
• Travel with people you know, at your own pace
• Incorporate as much culture, history or relaxation time as you wish
• Choose dates to suit you
• Select your preferred style of accommodation
• Travel with families and children of any age

Furthermore, our Tailormade team are always on hand to help and guide you along the way, with friendly advice, first-hand knowledge and inside information specific to your destination of choice. So if you have any queries about your holiday, we will be delighted to answer them. Please just give us a call!