Epic Zimbabwe
Mana Pools, Lake Kariba, & Hwange National ParkMake the most of Zimbabwe's diversity, from big game safaris in Mana Pool and Hwange National Park, fishing on Lake Kariba and enjoying the spectacle of the Victoria Falls on this luxury safari. A perfect blend of dramatic landscapes, wildlife and genuine Zimbabwe hospitality.
At a glance
A perfect balance of relaxation with activity; from walking safaris, game drives, canoe excursions and fishing
Watch elephants walking along the shore of Lake Kariba before taking an afternoon swim
Visit the raging Victoria Falls
Try your hand at catching one of the famed tiger fish on Lake Kariba
Journey highlights
-
A perfect balance of relaxation with activity; from walking safaris, game drives, canoe excursions and fishing
-
Watch elephants walking along the shore of Lake Kariba before taking an afternoon swim
-
Visit the raging Victoria Falls
-
Try your hand at catching one of the famed tiger fish on Lake Kariba
Our tailor made journeys include:
- Your dedicated Travel Consultant who will take care of arrangements
- Private international airport transfers in destination
- Your own private, English-speaking local guides
- Unique experiences, hand-picked by our Journeys team
- Entrance to must-see local sites
- Dedicated 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- Complimentary access to My Scott Dunn – industry-leading travel app providing pre-departure information and in-journey support
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
From mid May through to early August the days are warm and clear but the night time temperatures can drop below freezing. September through to May is generally hot in the day and warm at night, Hwange sees rain from late November to April.
The best time for game viewing is from August to October, water is scarce, the bush has died back and game congregates around the pumped waterholes. Birdlife is prolific during the rainy season, and although the game has dispersed due to readily available surface water, this is still a great time to experience game viewing in the National Parks as they hum with life.
There are two very distinct seasons at the Victoria Falls, the wet/flood season and the dry season. These seasons do not reflect the quantity of rain, rather reflect the volume of flow of the Zambezi River. From around March through to July the river surges in size as the rainfall in Angola and Zambia from months before swells the current. The falls are at their most dramatic at this time of year with huge columns of spray. The nights are cold and the days warm at this time of year. From around September to January the water levels drop, the falls are more accessible and views are clearer as the flow can drop in volume by 90%. It is worth noting that the rains come from late October through to February, this combined with high heat, 40 celsius or more, in October and November, causes high levels of humidity.
Price Guide: (per person based on double occupancy and excludes international flights)
| Departing |
Price from*
|
Deposit from * | Enquire |
|---|---|---|---|
| April | $11,000 | $2,800 | plan your trip |
| May | $11,000 | $2,800 | plan your trip |
| June | $16,500 | $4,100 | plan your trip |
| July | $16,500 | $4,100 | plan your trip |
| August | $16,500 | $4,100 | plan your trip |
| September | $16,500 | $4,100 | plan your trip |
| October | $16,500 | $4,100 | plan your trip |
| November | $11,000 | $2,800 | plan your trip |
-
April
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$11,000
Deposit from*$2,800
-
May
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$11,000
Deposit from*$2,800
-
June
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$16,500
Deposit from*$4,100
-
July
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$16,500
Deposit from*$4,100
-
August
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$16,500
Deposit from*$4,100
-
September
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$16,500
Deposit from*$4,100
-
October
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$16,500
Deposit from*$4,100
-
November
Price from *
- Pricing is a guideline only, is based on two people sharing and excludes special offers.
- Travel over peak periods (e.g. Christmas, New Year, festivals and other public vacations) can affect prices considerably, as can exchange rates, flight class and room type.
- Solo traveler pricing is available upon request.
$11,000
Deposit from*$2,800
- plan your trip
Itinerary
Fly into Harare
Mana Pools National Park
Fly into Harare International Airport and take a light charter to Mana Pools National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, for an adventure-filled safari staying on the banks of the Zambezi River. Spend your days here exploring on foot through the shade of the sprawling mahogany trees, or in a vehicle allowing you to traverse further afield. The area is wild and unspoiled, and the only water source for quite a distance, making it a magnet for wildlife. Sightings of leopard, lion and hyena are excellent here, as well as plentiful plains game, elephants and some wonderful birdlife. Other activities during your three-night stay include canoe trips on the mighty Zambezi or perhaps try your hand at fishing.
Accommodation: Nyamatusi Camp ( 3 nights )
Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park
From here you'll fly to Lake Kariba, where you will spend the next three nights on the border of Matusadona National Park at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge. This beautiful lodge offers a range of experiences to fill your days with - from walking safaris and boat safaris, bird-watching from the pontoon or trips out fishing in search of the famed tiger fish that are found in these waters. The lake itself is enchanting, with a ghostly forest of petrified and partially submerged trees providing a perfect roosting spot for fish eagles, the rolling Matusadona hills behind, and sandy shores where it's not uncommon to spot a hippo. The wildlife here includes lion and leopard and there are plenty of elephants who love to take a dip in the lake in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Bumi Hills Safari Lodge ( 3 nights )
Hwange National Park
From Bumi Hills you will head to Hwange National Park and Somalisa Camp for an experience like no other. Hwange is famous for its elephant, when competition at the waterholes gets too intense, these magnificent animals make their way to Somalisa’s swimming pool to quench their thirst. Sit within yards of this breath-taking spectacle, you’ll have to be persuaded to go out on the afternoon game-drive, but it will be worth it. The area is known for its high densities of big cat and the sightings are truly out of this world. Enjoy some exceptional guiding over your three-night stay and learn everything there is to know about the fauna and flora of Zimbabwe.
Accommodation: Somalisa Camp ( 3 nights )
Victoria Falls - the Zambia side
The final stop on your Zimbabwe adventure is at the Victoria Falls, known in the local language as Mosi oa Tunya, or "The smoke that thunders" - if you're here when the water is high, you'll soon see why. You are staying at the stunning Thorntree River Lodge, located upstream from the falls, with exceptional views in a truly luxurious setting. Here you can unwind and relax after your safari, indulge in some great food and of course explore the Falls on foot or from the air (by helicopter or microlight, the choice is yours). If adrenaline is something you're not short of, you can also go bungee jumping or white-water rafting here, too. Back at the lodge, things unfold at a more leisurely pace, with relaxing sunset boat cruises looking for birdlife in the waterberry trees, followed by sundowner drinks and delicious dinners served beside the river.
Accommodation: Thorntree River Lodge ( 2 nights )
Fly from Livingstone
Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your holiday.
Experiences included in this itinerary
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![Walking Safari]()
Read moreWalking Safari
Zimbabwe is one of the best places in Africa to experience walking in the bush. The guides are of the highest quality, the game is fantastic and the different environments, throughout the country, are well suited for exploring on foot.
Your Hotels
When to visit
- J
- F
- M
- A
- M
- J
- J
- A
- S
- O
- N
- D
From mid May through to early August the days are warm and clear but the night time temperatures can drop below freezing. September through to May is generally hot in the day and warm at night, Hwange sees rain from late November to April.
The best time for game viewing is from August to October, water is scarce, the bush has died back and game congregates around the pumped waterholes. Birdlife is prolific during the rainy season, and although the game has dispersed due to readily available surface water, this is still a great time to experience game viewing in the National Parks as they hum with life.
There are two very distinct seasons at the Victoria Falls, the wet/flood season and the dry season. These seasons do not reflect the quantity of rain, rather reflect the volume of flow of the Zambezi River. From around March through to July the river surges in size as the rainfall in Angola and Zambia from months before swells the current. The falls are at their most dramatic at this time of year with huge columns of spray. The nights are cold and the days warm at this time of year. From around September to January the water levels drop, the falls are more accessible and views are clearer as the flow can drop in volume by 90%. It is worth noting that the rains come from late October through to February, this combined with high heat, 40 celsius or more, in October and November, causes high levels of humidity.
We design each itinerary around you, so this suggested itineraryis a starting point that we can tweak or transform into something completely bespoke to you. Call us on 858 523 9000 to start planning your vacation.
Why Scott Dunn?
At Scott Dunn, we live and breathe travel. An insatiable appetite to discover the world runs through everything we do. We relish the planning and revel in the detail. We know it’s the smallest touches that make the biggest difference, and we stop at nothing to make every trip not only exceptional but totally unique.
- Every itinerary is crafted from scratch, based around exactly what’s important to you
- Packed full of unique experiences, hand-picked by our journeys team
- Expert local guides enrich your experience in every destination
- Your own dedicated Travel Specialist who will take care of every detail of your trip
- We have a 24/7 team providing in-country support and guidance
- We offer flexibility and financial protection to give you total peace of mind