The Ultimate Zimbabwe Safari: Falls, Hwange & Mana Pools
Victoria Falls, Hwange & Mana Pools, Zimbabwe
9 Days · 8 Nights
Journey Overview
This nine-day safari is how we show you the absolute best of Zimbabwe, connecting three completely different wilderness areas. You start at Victoria Falls, watching the Zambezi plunge into the gorge, before flying south to the deep teak forests and open plains of Hwange National Park. You finish on the floodplains of Mana Pools, a wild stretch of the Zambezi River famous for walking safaris.
Because we live and work in Victoria Falls, we are on the ground with you. We are not a faceless booking site half a world away. We personally coordinate every detail of your trip, from your arrival to the light aircraft flights that connect these remote camps. If a flight is delayed or a plan needs to change, we handle it directly so you can focus on the wildlife.
We have hand-picked these camps because they are small, personal, and run by people we know. They are home to some of the finest guides in Africa. These are professionals who can read the morning tracks in the sand, explain the complex life of the bush, and make you feel entirely safe and welcome from your very first day.
Itinerary At A Glance
Your Day-by-Day Journey
This is a sample itinerary to get you inspired — not a fixed, off-the-shelf trip. Use it as a starting point: we tailor the route, lodges, dates and pace to you, and confirm the final details based on availability when we plan your journey together.
Day 1
Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA)
Welcome to Zimbabwe. The moment you clear customs and step into the arrivals hall at Victoria Falls Airport, you will see us waiting to greet you. We will handle your bags and lead you to your private, air-conditioned vehicle. The drive to your lodge takes about twenty minutes, often offering your first glimpse of wildlife along the way. We will get you checked in and settled so you can simply unpack, unwind, and ease into the rhythm of the bush.
Featured Highlights
Personal meet-and-greet at the airport
Hassle-free, private transfer to your lodge
Day 1
The Palm River Hotel
After the long flights to Zimbabwe, the Palm River Hotel is a beautifully soft place to land. It sits right on the banks of the Zambezi, just upstream from the spray of the Falls. Settle into your room, step out onto your veranda, and just watch the water. It is quiet here. Under the shade of the old mahogany trees, you can finally shake off the jet lag and ease into the local pace.
The late afternoon is yours to ease into the rhythm of the river. Take a swim, sit out on your veranda, or simply walk down to the water's edge. As the heat leaves the day and the sky begins to soften, find a spot on the deck with a cold drink. Watching the Zambezi slide past, thick and silent, is usually the exact moment it sinks in: you are finally in Africa.
After a long day of travel, tonight is all about shaking off the flights and easing in. Dinner is a relaxed, à la carte meal at the hotel. We highly recommend grabbing a table out on the terrace, where you can choose from a menu of fresh local dishes and familiar classics as the air cools and the evening quiet settles in.
Peak wildlife viewing. Animals gather around rivers & waterholes. Best time for the full itinerary.
Nov – Dec
Hot Spring (30°C – 35°C) • Humid, first rains
Antelope birthing season. Great birding. Devil's Pool is open. Excellent Batoka gorge white-water.
Jan – Apr
Wet Summer (26°C – 31°C) • Lush, green landscapes
"Green Season". Spectacular high water spray at Victoria Falls. Quiet camps, lower rates.
Before You Travel
Planning Your Safari
Climate, packing, and logistics shape every great safari. Here is what to expect before you depart.
Weather & Seasons
Northern Zimbabwe has a pleasant climate with a dry season from May to October offering superb game viewing, and a warm, wet green season from November to April.
Packing Essentials
Pack lightweight neutral-coloured clothing in layers, a warm jacket for early mornings, sun protection, and a quality camera with extra batteries.
When to Go
May – Aug
25°C / 77°FLow
Dry Winter
Days are warm and sunny, nights are cool; vegetation thins out, making wildlife easier to spot near water sources.
Sep – Oct
35°C / 95°FLow
Hot, Dry Season
The hottest time of year, offering peak game viewing as animals congregate around the last remaining water.
Nov – Apr
30°C / 86°FHigh
Green Season
Warm temperatures with dramatic afternoon thunderstorms. The bush is lush and green, fantastic for birding and newborn animals.
Visas & Travel Notes
KAZA Univisa covering Zimbabwe/Zambia for 30 days is $50.
