This is a customized itinerary that we will experience the cultural, wild, and scenic beauty of the country of Zimbabwe. To bask in the peaceful tranquillity of this stunning Zimbabwe is the ideal destination for any discerning traveller. The country is enriched in history, with ancient city ruins and fascinating rock art, while it is also a place of incredible wildlife and natural beauty. Arguably the most famous attraction in Zimbabwe is the world heritage site that is Victoria Falls; in full flood, it forms the largest sheet of falling water in the world and has been declared a world heritage site. Without a doubt, it has earned itself credibility as offering some of the best guiding in Africa, due to its strict training regime, and for this reason, guests are guaranteed an unforgettable holiday. Experience Botswana’s abundant wildlife alongside the water-rich systems and experiencing Africa’s biggest herds of elephants, huge concentrations of buffalo and thousands of hippos residing around the Chobe River.
Detailed Itinerary Daily Information
Salibonani! Our adventure safari starts when we touch down at Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport and after we have collected our baggage, you will meet African Bushwalker Tours driver-guide at the arrival hall with our name on a signboard, so we must keep our eyes peeled and then we will be escorted and transferred to our hotel for check-in.
Accommodation At: Matobo Hills Lodge or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
Today we do Matopos National park. This popular trip takes you into the game park section of the Matopos National Park. Game viewing is done by open safari vehicles, whilst looking for fresh rhino tracks. We follow the spoors with a chance to approach the rhino on foot. We continue the tour with a visit to some of the historical sites in the park. We stop at one of the cave sites, where thousands of years ago the San bushman left their life’s story on the stone walls. Later we climb Worlds View where Rhodes grave and the Shangani memorial give an insight into the more recent history of Zimbabwe. A great trip which gives you the best of Matopos. Pitstop a typical rural setting, where we will walk and take part in a cultural tour to learn about the spiritual significance of Matobo to the local Ndebele People, the park is considered a sacred site and is still used for traditional ceremonies. Visit the Amagugu International Heritage Centre to learn about Ndebele Culture, including traditional music, dance, and crafts.
Excursions & Visits: Matopos game drive and game viewings & Amagugu Heritage People
Accommodation At: Matobo Hill Lodge or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
After a delicious breakfast, we will pitstop in Bulawayo, visit the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, home to an extensive collection of archaeological and ethnographical artefacts. Explore the Bulawayo Railway Museum to learn about the city’s important role in Zimbabwe’s railway history. Take a walking tour of Bulawayo’s city centre, known for its wide streets and well-preserved colonial architecture and proceed to Great Zimbabwe Monuments. The home of the famous Great Zimbabwe Ruins, on a quiet road with great landscapes. Zimbabwe meaning big house made of stone derived its name from the massive stones at Great Zimbabwe. Historians and archaeologists are still excited about this place. They are surrounded by unanswered questions: Who built them? Where are the graves of the deceased leaders? Why was it abandoned? We advise you to take at least 2 to 3 hours for your visit, guided by one of the excellent local guides.
Excursions & Visits: Tour of the Ruins & Natural History Museum, Railway Museum
Accommodation At: Lodge at Ancient City or Romelda Lake Retreat
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
After a satisfying breakfast, we depart to Antelope Park, where your dream African adventure comes to life. Whether you’re seeking thrilling wildlife encounters, intimate moments with nature, or a unique getaway with purpose, our wide range of exclusive experiences offers something truly special for every guest.
This day features optional activities include canoeing, game drives, horseback game viewing, and elephant interaction. Antelope Park is a unique game reserve and home to the ALERT lion rehabilitation program, a significant conservation initiative.
Optional Activities: Canoeing, horseback game viewing, game drives, elephant interaction, Rhino Encounters
Accommodation At: Antelope Park
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch and dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
After a hearty breakfast, we leave the Antelope Park and head for the world-famous adrenaline Victoria Falls. A pitstop at Hwange Painted Dog Conservation Project. Hwange Painted Dog Conservation Project rehabilitates, and releases injured and orphaned wild dogs, as well as guiding the local communities in guardianship. This is extremely valuable work to preserve an endangered species thought to number a mere 3000 remaining individuals in all of Africa. Later we proceed to Victoria Falls and check in at the lodge for overnight.
The Boma dinner at Victoria Falls is an enchanting culinary experience that tantalizes the senses and celebrates the rich traditions of Zimbabwean culture. As guests enter the open-air Boma, they are greeted with the rhythmic beats of traditional music and the warm glow of crackling fires. The atmosphere is vibrant and inviting, with the scent of grilled meats wafting through the air. Seated around a central fire pit, adorned with tribal artefacts and decor, diners are treated to a feast for both the palate and the soul.
Excursions & Visits: Painted Dog Conservation Project
Accommodation At: Victoria Falls Oasis or Similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, Boma Dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
After scrumptious breakfast, we will visit the famous Big Tree and then proceed to Victoria Falls Rainforest on a guided tour of Victoria Falls Rainforest, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, with a width of 1.7kms. The Victoria Falls have the capacity to push 550 000m3 of water per minute over the basalt cliff into the Zambezi River Gorge. The cliff over which the falls thunder, transforms the Zambezi from a placid river into a ferocious torrent, cutting through a series of dramatic gorges.
Later afternoon at 16h20 you will be picked from our Lodge and we will enjoy the best of Victoria Falls, on a spectacular Zambezi Sunset Dinner Cruise with a four-course meal, freshly prepared on-board, and served to us while cruising along the Zambezi River with the melody sounds of birds and wildlife from the African bush providing a background lyrics music, as the light fades over the untouched landscape, and keep our camera close by to capture the incredible view.
Optional Excursions: Bungee Jump, Canopy Tour, Zipline, Flying Fox, Gorge Swing, Helicopter Flight above the falls
Excursions & Visits: Tour the spectacular Victoria Falls
Accommodation At: Victoria Falls Oasis or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast & Sunset Dinner Cruise with beverages provided (lunch own guest account)
After a hearty breakfast, we depart for Chobe National Park, through the Kazungula border and we will stop-over for immigration formalities (visa requirement depends on your nationality) and then we will proceed to Lodge for check-in. After checking in, enjoy a relaxing lunch before heading out on your first game. This magical experience offers the chance to spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a wide array of birdlife as the sun sets over the water. Upon arrival at the park, you will go for an afternoon game drive. Big cats and wild canines are more likely to be sighted around this time of day because they are still active and out and about. After the game drive, we return to the lodge for relaxation, an overnight stay, and dinner.
Excursions & Visits: Enjoy one guided game activities
Accommodation At: Tlou Safari Lodge or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, lunch, Dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
Distance and Travel Time: 1 to 2 hours (90km)
Awake to the serenity of the African bush and enjoy an early morning cup of coffee or tea before embarking on your chosen first game activity of the day. You will start the half day game drive with the use of open 4X4 vehicles that have been carefully modified. Game drives are the best way to explore a vast area in search for a variety of wildlife as well as enjoy the scenery of the park and they almost always yield unexpected sightings. Elephants, buffaloes, and eland are among the species that are frequently seen. With one of the highest concentrations of elephants in Africa and diverse ecosystems along the Chobe Riverfront, your chances of witnessing unforgettable wildlife encounters are high. Return to the lodge for delicious hot lunch meal and time to unwind between activities.
Later day, we will proceed to the safari cruise on the Chobe River. Experience quintessential Chobe! Our expertly-guided riverboat cruise gently navigates these lively waters to sail past the hippos that leave the water to feed during the day, witness the large herds of buffalo and pause for elephants crossing. Our favourite has to be when they comically use their trunks as a snorkel! Our boat cruise provides delectable snacks and some drinks to this outstanding wildlife experience. (Cash bar on board for your drinks and snacks purchase).
By the way, the Chobe River is one of the only rivers in the world that flows in two directions. In the dry season the river flows East, but in the rainy season, the Zambezi River pushes upstream to reverse the flow of the river towards the West.
Excursions & Visits: Enjoy two guided game activities
Accommodation At: Tlou Safari Lodge or similar
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner provided (drinks own guest account)
After some days in Zimbabwe and Chobe National Park of Botswana, you have explored some of their most enticing, evocative, and unforgettable landscapes. Today, you commit them to memory and your driver-guide will transfer you to Victoria Falls International Airport, in time to connect with your international departure flight and the friendly reservation team from our office waiting to hear all about your past journey experience through their incredible package by filling their feedback form handed to you.
Meal Plan & Drinks: Breakfast served at Lodge (lunch, dinner, and drinks own guest account)
Trip Information
In a Nutshell
– A true African experience (wild and free)
– All detailed inclusive Itinerary with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
Trip Rating & Style – Easy and Moderate and cater to adventure enthusiasts seeking authentic experiences.
Countries visited – Zimbabwe.
Highlights – Bulawayo | Matopos National Park | Great Zimbabwe Monuments | Antelope Park | Victoria Falls | Chobe National Park
Activities – Animal Tracking | Cultural Mozaic Experience | Scenic Drive | Game drive
Transportations – transport for most of this safari you will travel in air-conditioning minibus. Seats in the 12-seater minibuses can be compared in size to an airplane seat – if that setup is uncomfortable for you then please enquire about a private tour where different vehicles can be used. Some game safaris may be carried out using 4×4 jeeps/safari vehicles – see your tour itinerary for details. These may be open-roofed or enclosed. You must not leave the vehicle or lean out through windows without express permission from the guide.
Our “luggage trailer” is specifically designed for each passenger to have one suitcase and one carry-on sized piece of luggage – a laptop bag, backpack, or similar. Suitcase size is limited to the dimension of 67 cm (26 in) by 45 cm (18 in), and carry on is limited to the dimension of 48 cm (19 in) by 32 cm (13 in). There are generally no porters or staff available to assist with luggage – luggage should be of a size and weight you can comfortably manage yourself. Hard or soft suitcases are fine.
Accommodation Considerations – while we make every effort to stick to the accommodations listed, please note that they serve as guidelines, and adjustments may occur. We recommend obtaining the latest version of the itinerary at least one week before departure to stay informed of any changes.
Tour leaders – a fully qualified driver/guide will run the tour and do both the driving and guiding. The guides have a wealth of knowledge about the places you will be visiting and travelling past, and many travellers note them as one of the highlights of their tour.
Travelling Responsibility – remember you are more than a tourist in this place. You are part of the team of global citizens, embracing diversity and committed to lifelong learning. Stay open to opportunities, contribute where you can, and connect with the many people you meet along the road.
Plan Ahead – now your chance to book any optional activities, chat with the reservation team and get planning
Life on Land – contribute to any initiative that aims to halt biodiversity loss and promote the sustainable use of ecosystems
Experience – we have more than 23 years’ experience touring throughout East and Southern Africa. As such, our itineraries and routes have been perfected over many years ensuring that your tour will run smoothly. We visit the highlights of East and Southern Africa but ensure that you do not follow the well-trodden tourist track. All of us at African Bushwalker Tours have extensive travel experience in Africa, and throughout the world. Being adventure travellers ourselves, we know how to plan trips that give you a broad experience of the countries that you will visit.
Credit Card Payments:
– Credit card payments will attract a 3% handling fee of the value of the transaction.
Based in Africa – probably the most important part of an African Bushwalker Tours is that we are an African company with offices in Tanzania and Zimbabwe. We live in Africa; we travel in Africa and it is our passion for this amazing continent that makes African Bushwalker your best travel option.
Age Policy – on all small group scheduled tours, we accept children 12-17 with accompanying adult and tailor-made tours, we accept children 5 – 17 with accompanying adult. We have no upper age limit. Clients older than 65 years of age at the time of travel require a medical certificate stating the client is fit and healthy to join an adventure travel group tour. We have many clients over 65 years of age, who are perfectly capable of enjoying every aspect of African Bushwalker Tour.
Weather – this Africa overland tour spans half a continent and you can expect it to be warm for the duration of the trip with minimal rainfall. Be prepared for the warm weather and you will enjoy this trip.
Drugs & Alcohol – please be aware that drugs such as marijuana and cocaine are illegal in most countries in Africa and they could enforce severe punishment for being caught in possession. NEVER carry illegal drugs on your person or on the vehicle during this tour as you would not only jeopardise your own freedom but also the well-being of the entire group if you are caught in possession. If you are caught in possession of illegal drugs on this tour you will be asked to leave the tour immediately and no refund will be given. Any such inconsideration can lead to the tour being cancelled and innocent people arrested. We will not hesitate to remove someone if we have to. Aggressive or abusive drunk behaviour will not be tolerated during this tour and if anyone is constantly abusing alcohol and causing trouble we will not hesitate to remove them from the tour and no refund will be given.
Travel Insurance – it is compulsory that every person who travels with African Bushwalker Tours obtain travel insurance for the complete duration of the tour. Proof of travel insurance must be shown before joining a tour.
Visas and Passports – please ensure you have 6 blank pages in your passport in order to accommodate all the visas and stamps, and ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your tour end date.
Common questions about this trip
– Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended.
– What do I need to bring? – Please keep all your luggage for the Safari to a maximum of 15kgs per person packed in a soft duffel bag, not big suitcase.
We recommend you pack the following for your Safari – comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, headtorch, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, first aid kit, personal toiletries, jackets or sweaters for the evenings, yellow fever vaccination certificate, a small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly – a sense of adventure!
About Drones – Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) or “drone” technology has quickly become affordable and is increasingly popular with recreational users. While some countries have clear, established drone laws, others do not, or existing regulations are undergoing review and change. Travelers who wish to bring a drone on their trip are responsible to research and abide by the laws and regulations of the countries they are visiting, as well as to check with their airline(s) regarding their rules for transporting drones. Please note that tours are unable to extend the length of scheduled visits and stops to accommodate use of drones.
Suggested Tipping
Gratuities – Tipping is always a matter of personal discretion. For your convenience, please refer to the summary below as a guideline for recommended gratuity amounts. Gratuities may be paid in local currency or US dollar equivalent where accepted. On some itineraries, you may encounter multiple drivers and local guides throughout. We recommend keeping small bills on hand for tipping.
Please be aware that many locals consider tipping to be a customary part of their compensation, and some may approach you for additional “compensation.” There is no need to feel intimidated by these requests, nor should you feel pressured to tip beyond the suggested amounts. If you become uncomfortable by any behaviour you encounter, please advise your tour manager, or contact our office (numbers are provided in your documents).
Tour Manager/Driver: US $5 per person per day
Note: Tips for hotel porters, wait staff, and for activities on your own, gratuities are appreciated and expected for good service in restaurants and other places that cater to tourists, as well as on safaris. Hotels and restaurants that are frequented mostly by tourists will often add a gratuity to your bill and additional tipping is at your discretion.
BOOKING – To make your booking, please make sure you have the correct names, nationalities and date of birth of all travelers – as per their passport. African Bushwalker Tours will hold an option of 14 days from the time African Bushwalker Tours have confirmed a tour, before the cancellation rules apply. If our service or a tour is booked less than 14 days prior to the service is rendered or the tour commences, cancellation rules will apply immediately. If you need longer time, please let us know. If a tour or hotel is fully booked African Bushwalker Tours will try to offer you an alternative property of a similar standard and location.
PRICES – All prices are based on costs at the time of publication. African Bushwalker Tours reserves the right to change the prices, in reasonable circumstances, at any time before a booking is made. African Bushwalker Tours will confirm price changes, if any, together with our confirmation of your booking.
For trips in Namibia & South Africa rates given in a currency other than respectively NAD (Namibian Dollar) and ZAR (South African Rand) are subject to change in case of substantial variation of the exchange rate. For trips in Kenya & Tanzania rates given in a currency other than in USD (American Dollars) are subject to change in case of substantial variation of the exchange rate.
PAYMENTS – 30% of the total booking value within 14 days of African Bushwalker Tour’s confirmation of the booking. The remaining 70% no later than 60 days from the trip starting date.
CANCELLATION – If the customer cancels a tour up to 61 days prior to departure the deposit will be lost. If cancellation is made within 60-31 days prior to departure, a penalty fee of 65% of the total price of the tour will be levied. For any cancellation made within 30-16 days before departure, a penalty fee of 85% will apply. In the case of cancellations made less than 16 days before the start of the tour we are unable to offer any reimbursement. No refunds will be given by African Bushwalker Tours for no-shows.
The payment of bank fees for bank transfers are the responsibility of the customer and are strictly non-refundable.
The trip may be cancelled with no penalty charge should war, a life-threatening epidemic, or any other natural catastrophe or similar event occur within 14 days prior to departure. This will however be on the condition that your government advises against travelling to the specific area, and that the situation in question has arisen after the booking of the tour was made.
Cancellations must be made in writing and delivered either by hand, post, fax or electronic mail.
In the case of death or serious illness, of the person for whose benefit the tour has been arranged, no cancellation fee will be charged if African Bushwalker Tours is presented with an officially-approved death/sickness certificate.
What’s Included
- Transfers and ground transportation mentioned in the itinerary
- 8 Nights’ accommodation on comfort accommodation and meals as per program as per itinerary
- Enjoy activities as per program
- Entry/admission as per activities as per program
- Meet & greet services at the Airports
- Drinking water during safari drives and, on the bus, (Guest will receive a reusable steel water bottle (supporting “TOSCO” – Tourism supporting Conservation)
What’s Excluded
- Gratuities, Baggage Handling
- Personal, Medical and Travel Insurance
- All airline tickets and applicable airport fees and taxes
- Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
- Visa fees if applicable to Botswana and Zimbabwe
- Extra Entrance fees to tourist attractions, activities or attractions not mentioned in itinerary
- Extra optional activities while in the game reserves
- All costs of a personal nature: Telephone calls, bar bills, drinks, room service, laundry, refreshments, snacks, curios, gifts, etc. unless otherwise stated as included in the daily itinerary
- All levy/fee increases (Conservation, Bed, gate etc...) Our Company reserves the right to pass along these increases from quoted costs if they occur