AROUND ZIMBABWE

Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – Bulawayo   

Leaving from Victoria Falls on our first day of travel, we journey south to the second city of Zimbabwe, Bulawayo. The afternoon is free, giving you time to wander about the area and do some of your own exploration. Bulawayo is a charming city, filled with wide tree-lined areas and vast, open spaces. There is an interesting National History Museum here that you are free to visit, which displays much of Zimbabwe’s colonial heritage, providing you with insight into this glorious region. There is also a colourful curio market nearby the Old Town Hall where you can try your hand at the art of bartering with shop vendors. It is at this market that a large assortment of handicraft and artworks are showcased, made by expert local craftsmen and women.

Trip Highlights: Victoria Falls, Bulawayo
Accommodation: Camping Bulawayo
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: +/- 450kms
Approximate Driving Time: Half a day  

Day 2: Bulawayo – Matopos National Park, Bulawayo   

Situated just a brief distance outside of Bulawayo is the Matopos National Park where you will be led through the stunning reserve by an expert guide. The Matobo Hills are sculpted by the strong winds in the area and are the site of various intriguing Bushman paintings. This Park contains an exceptional cultural and spiritual significance to the indigenous people populating this region. The reserve contains the highest population of leopard and black eagle in the world, so we make sure to keep our eyes peeled for these magnificent animals. We also seek out giraffe, zebra, and ostrich, as well as a wide assortment of antelope and buck species. Later in the day we make our way back to Bulawayo where we have the chance to head into town to enjoy the fantastic nightlife.  

Trip Highlights: Motopos National Park, Game drives, Rhino tracking
Accommodation: Comping in Bulawayo
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: +/- 200kms
Approximate Driving Time:  game driving  

Day 3: Bulawayo – Great Zimbabwe National Monument   

Departing from Bulawayo, we make our way toward the east of the country, to the tiny town of Masvingo. Close by is one of the most crucial archaeological sites in the whole of Southern Africa: the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, which ages back to 1200AD as once the home of around 10,000 indigenous people. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this area has exceptional importance to the country which took its name. Legend has it that this was indeed the very first city in which the famous Queen of Sheeba lived, and fantastic archaeological discoveries have since unearthed gold, coins and porcelain from places as far as Persia and China, thus highlighting the significance the city once had as a trading post. We camp near to this area in order to gain easy access, as well as to give you plenty of time to explore the ruins at your own pace. If you find yourself with some energy to spare, you are more than welcome to partake in a hike to the top of the Hill Enclosure, where you can delight in a marvelous  African sunset.

Trip Highlights: Masvingo, Great Zimbabwe National Monument
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: +/- 350kms
Approximate Driving Time: Half a day

Day 4: Great Zimbabwe National Monument – Antelope Park   

Situated on the main highland of Zimbabwe, we pass through the town of Gweru and set up camp at the Antelope Park Private Game Reserve. This area is home to countless antelope, as well as the gorgeous zebra and giraffe. Here, you will have the chance to try out a wide range of optional activities that include horse riding, game drives, game walks, elephant back riding and river cruises. You can also participate in the ‘Walking with Lions’ trek, during which you are given the opportunity to join the pride and roam into the bush with a couple of beautiful 6-18 month old lion cubs. You can follow them through the grass and spend time simply observing as they frolic in their surrounds playfully, discovering new things about their environment. This is a marvellous, authentic African experience that is not to be missed.  

Trip Highlights: Antelope Park, optional activities
Accommodation: Permanent /Pre erected Tents
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: +/- 250kms
Approximate Driving Time: 4hrs

Day 5: Antelope Park – Hwange National Park   

We awake early today in order to partake in some more optional activities prior to departing from the Antelope Park, after which we make our way to the renowned Hwange National Park. This reserve is Zimbabwe’s biggest and most famous, established in the early 19thcentury as the royal hunting grounds of Mzilikazi - the Ndebele warrior-king. In 1929, however, it was declared a National Park, which now spreads over 14,600 square kilometres and is extremely well-known for its large elephant concentration. We embark on a game drive in the night through a game concession region that neighbours the National Park, during which we seek out an assortment of nocturnal animals, including the ever-evasive leopard.

Trip Highlights: Antelope Park optional activities, Hwange National Park, Evening game drive
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Distance Covered: +/- 450kms
Approximate Driving Time: Half a day  

Day 6: Hwange National Park   

We swap to open safari vehicles today and make our way into the famed Hwange National Park. Situated in the far west of the country, Hwange lies in the incredible belt of Africa, spreading out into neighbouring Botswana, permitting animals (elephants in particular) to wander freely between Hwange and Chobe National Parks. Aside from elephants, this Park is home to more than 100 mammal species, including Africa’s Big 5 (made up of leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo), as well as plenty of giraffe, cheetah, gemsbok and the brown hyena. The reserve is also famous for its high concentration of Wild (painted) Dog. Sadly, the numbers of these creatures are decreasing, but recently conservation efforts have been made a much higher priority - we will visit the main conservation project the following day. We embark on a game drive in the morning and head back to camp later in the day to enjoy a delicious lunch and to unwind beneath the shade, escaping the sun’s harsh rays. In the late afternoon, we embark on yet another game drive in search of wildlife not previously spotted. In the evening we make our way back to camp, where we will overnight.

Trip Highlights:  Hwange National Park, Morning and afternoon game drives
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance Covered: +/- 0kms
Approximate Driving Time: Morning and afternoon game drives  

Day 7: Hwange National Park – Victoria Falls   

Our last day is devoted to travelling back to Victoria Falls. On the way, we pay a visit to the Hwange Painted Dog Conservation project. Here, you will be able to see the hard work and passion put into rehabilitating these wounded and orphaned Wild Dogs. This is an extremely worthy project to support, as it protects a species of which only around 3000 remain in all of Africa. We carry on through to the Falls, keeping our eyes peeled to catch some glimpses of wildlife alongside the road. Our tour comes to an end upon our arrival at the Falls, but you are encouraged to spend some extra time here in order to fully enjoy your surrounds and the Falls themselves, as well as the spectacular Zambezi River.  

Trip Highlights:  Painted Dog Research Project, Roaming wildlife, Victoria Falls
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast
Distance Covered: +/- 200kms
Approximate Driving Time: Half a day