Victoria Falls, Hwange, Lake Kariba Cruise (Matusadonha Game Park), Kariba, Mana Pools Tour: Natural Wonders, Wildlife and Cruising

• 2 Night Victoria Falls,
• 2 Nights Iganyana Camp – Hwange
• 3 Nights Lake Kariba cruise
• 1 Night Crowned Eagle Boutique Hotel
• 3 Nights Mana Pools National Park

Zimbabwe Safari Tour Travel Itinerary: Day-by-Day Summary

Day 1: Arrival in Victoria Falls

Guests arrive in the majestic city of Victoria Falls where our local guide welcomes them. After arrival, we transfer to our Vic Falls accommodation. Once at the lodge, we check into our accommodation and unpack as we prepare for our Zimbabwe Safari Tour activities in Victoria Falls.

In the afternoon, our local guide collects guests from their accommodation for their tour of Vic Falls. This excursion refreshes guests with the spray from Mosi-Oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders). Our tour of Vic Falls ends with a transfer to the lodge where we refresh and await the evening activities.

In the evening guests are treated to a Boma dinner and a drum show. This activity allows visitors to connect with the traditions and culture of Zimbabwe. 

• Town tour of Vic Falls
• Visit to the Falls
• Walk through the rainforest
• Boma Dinner and Drum Show

• Accommodation
• Transfers
• Activities
• Meals

*Guests are advised to get the KAZA visa upon arrival. This visa allows them to cross into Botswana for Chobe activity.

Day 2: Victoria Falls

Day 3: Victoria Falls – Hwange

After breakfast is served guests get a chance to do a bit of shopping in Victoria Falls before we leave for Hwange.

We transfer to Hwange National Park’s beautiful Iganyana Tented Camp. The drive to the camp gives a preview of what a game drive in this park has to offer. Upon arrival at the lodge, welcome drinks are served as we check-in. A delicious lunch quickly follows the welcome drinks.

Hwange is famous for its elephant and lion sightings. This is why it is referred to as the land of giants. And, after lunch, we go out searching for these giants and other members of the park’s wild population. The day ends with sundowner drinks and dinner at the lodge.

Day 4: Hwange

The second morning in Hwange starts with breakfast before we set out on our full-day game drive in Hwange. We carry a packed lunch for this excursion. This allows us to maximise the time available for game viewing.

We end the day back at the lodge. At the lodge, guests can relax before returning to the dining for another delicious lodge dinner.

• Full-day game drive

• Accommodation
• Filtered water/coffee/teas
• Activities
• Meals

Day 5: Hwange – Lake Kariba Cruise boat

Day 5 of our Zimbabwe Safari Tour starts with an early morning game drive in the concession. After the morning excursion, guests return to the lodge for brunch. This is our last meal in Hwange.

When done with brunch guests are transferred to Hwange Airport for their charter flight to Kariba. Upon arrival in Kariba, we transfer to the harbour to begin the cruising leg of our African wildlife safari.

Lunch is served as the houseboat departs from the harbour. This is another day filled with excitement. Lake Kariba is the largest lake in Zimbabwe and as a result, offers great wildlife experiences. In the afternoon, guests go on tender boats for their Lake Kariba activity. The afternoon ends with sundowner drinks as we return to the boat for our first dinner on the lake.

• Game viewing by tender boat (afternoon)
• Sundowner activities (evening)

• Accommodation on our luxurious cruise boat
• Filtered water/coffee/teas
• Water-based Activities
• Meals

Day 6: Lake Kariba Cruise

The second morning on the lake starts with another hearty breakfast. This morning is spent exploring our current water wonderland. After the morning excursion, we set sail to our next mooring.

We spend the day enjoying the views offered as we sail on Lake Kariba. Our next mooring leads us to the Matusadonha National Park where we go on shore to enjoy a game drive in this rich safari area. Matusadonha is famous for its hippo and elephant populations. As the sun sets we return to our boat for dinner.

• Game drive in the Matusadonha game park
• Sundowner activities

• Accommodation
• Filtered water/coffee/teas
• Activities
• Meals

Day 7: Lake Kariba Cruise

We start the third day of our Lake Kariba cruise with morning tender boat activities before we set sail to our last night’s mooring. This day is a day to enjoy the best that Kariba has to offer in terms of water-based wildlife excursions.

We spend the day fishing for the fighting tiger fish or the abundant bream. During the tender boat activities, guests can also enjoy birding as well as viewing wildlife from the safety of the water.

The day ends with a beach barbeque, however, due to security reasons, sometimes the barbeque dinner is held on the boat. 

• Full-day game drive
• Barbeque dinner

• Accommodation
• Filtered water/coffee/teas
• Activities
• Meals

Day 8:

Lake Kariba Cruise – Kariba (Crowned Eagle Boutique Hotel)

Day 8 starts with a delicious farewell breakfast as we prepare for the next stage of our Zimbabwe safari tour. The luxury houseboat cruises into the harbour as the African sun begins to warm up this majestic wilderness. At the harbour, we disembark and transfer to the Crowned Eagle Boutique Hotel.

Staff at the excellently perched boutique hotel in Kariba greets guests with welcome drinks as they check in.

After lunch, we drive to Kariba Dam, a historical landmark! The 13-metre-wide and 579-metre-long dam wall holds back the force of the mighty Zambezi, nearly 200 cubic kilometres of water.

We continue with our appreciation of great craftsmanship with a visit to Kariba’s Santa Barbara Church. This church was built by the same construction workers who had built the dam wall. Besides the intelligent architecture, there are a lot of fascinating stories about the little chapel on top of a hill in Kariba.

The excursion ends with sundowner drinks at the Kariba Heights View Point. Here we take in the full grandeur of Lake Kariba as we enjoy that iconic sunset, drink in hand. We end the day back at the lodge where a delicious dinner is served on the deck offering fantastic lake views.

• Kariba Dam wall tour 
• Tour of Santa Barbara Chapel
• Visit to the Kariba crafts market

• Accommodation
• Filtered water/coffee/teas
• Transfers
• Activities
• Meals

Day 9: Kariba – Mana Pools National Park

Our tour of the mighty Zambezi River and its wonders, both man-made and natural continues as we journey to Mana Pools National Park.

After breakfast on day 9, we say goodbye to Kariba and head for Mana Pools National Park. The transfer to Mana Pools is done by road to Chirundu and then a boat ride to the lodge or by private charter aircraft.

At the lodge in Mana Pools, we are greeted by warm smiles and refreshing drinks. Welcome drinks are accompanied by the checking-in process which is quickly followed by delectable lunch.

We waste no time getting the Mana Pools experience as we head out after lunch for our afternoon game drive. This safari excursion ends with sundowner drinks before returning to the lodge for rest and dinner.

• Game drive in Mana Pools National Park
• Sundowner activities

• Accommodation
• Filtered water/coffee/teas
• Transfers
• Activities
• Meals

Day 10: Mana Pools National Park

The second morning in Mana Pools starts with an early morning day game drive. Mornings in Mana present great wildlife viewing opportunities. Also, morning game drives are more comfortable as it is generally cooler in the mornings.

The morning of exploring wild Mana creates an appetite and a hearty brunch awaits guests at the lodge. We spend midday and early afternoon relaxing at the lodge.

Later in the afternoon, we head out again on another Mana Pools game drive. The afternoon game drive is concluded with drinks in hand as we enjoy that iconic Zambezi Sunset. After sundown drinks, we return to the lodge for fine dining and quality sleep.

•  Early morning game drive in Mana Pools
• Afternoon game drive in Mana Pools National Park
• Sundowner activities

• Accommodation
• Filtered water/coffee/teas
• Activities
• Meals

Day 11: Mana Pools National Park

Day 3 in Mana Pools offers another opportunity to enjoy the “magic” of Mana. This day starts with an early morning excursion into wild Mana. The rising African sun adds an amazing touch to any wilderness excursion.

We break from our safari adventures to escape the midday sun. At the lodge, a nutritious brunch, the perfect meal to rejuvenate us, is served.

After refreshing drinks or a dip in the lodge pool, we head off on another Mana Pools safari activity. As the atmosphere cools, the wildlife becomes more active hence the opportunity to witness jaw-dropping wildlife scenes increases.

Drinks while watching the Zambezi sunset are the ideal ingredient to end another thrilling day in Mana Pools before we end the day back at the lodge.

• Early morning game drive in Mana Pools
• Afternoon game drive in Mana Pools National Park
• Sundowner activities

• Accommodation
• Filtered water/coffee/teas
• Activities
• Meals

Day 12: Depart Mana Pools – The End of our Zimbabwe Safari Tour

We prepare to depart Mana Pools on day 12 of our tour. Depending on the departure times, we might still have time for another Mana excursion before breakfast and transfers to the Mana Main airstrip. 

We say goodbye and end our Zimbabwe safari tour with an aerial view of Mana Pools, a truly magical wilderness.

See you again on your next land and lake wilderness safari.