Zimbabwe: world of wonders

Explore the country over 13 days

Self-drive / Self-catering around the country

Affordable Zimbabwe

A self-drive or guided safari for individual travellers and groups
This affordable safari takes you all over Zimbabwe using self-catering lodges

13

Days

Route

Harare > Nyanga > Chimanimani > Masvingo > Matopos > Hwange > Victoria Falls

Itinerary

001

You will be met upon arrival at the Harare International Airport, from where you will be transferred to a very comfortable lodge in the suburb of Greendale on a Bed and Breakfast basis.

One of our experienced travel consultants will meet you, to advise you on everything you want to know about your trip.

You will receive all your travel documents, i.e. vouchers for accommodation, a road map, a detailed itinerary, a list of phone numbers and contact details of all service providers.

Depending on your time of arrival there may be some time to visit Harare. It has some interesting historical sites like the Parliament Building in the centre, the so-called Kopje, from which you have a magnificent view over the city. The Botanical gardens are beautiful during any time of the year. The Domboshava rock paintings are well known for its quality and its stunning surroundings. There are various markets and shopping centres to be visited.

Harare has a vibrant night life with life performances of all sorts of art forms (music, arts, theatre).

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Nyanga-signAn easy drive of about 4 hours takes you to Nyanga National Park. Nyanga is known for its spectacular views with wonderful names: Worlds View, Honde View, Pungwe View and Mutarazi View. In Nyanga National Parks there is Mount Inyangani: the highest mountain in Zimbabwe, with a fairly easy climb, except when it rains.

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History left its marks in the whole area. There are remnants of early settlers: forts, the so-called pit structures, all quite well documented in the Ziwa museum. Near Rhodes Nyanga Hotel there is another museum, telling the stories of Cecil Rhodes who left part of his legacy in Nyanga.
You would like to have tea and scones at one of the resorts, and warm yourself at the cosy fireplace, or something more challenging: try trout fishing in the crystal waters.

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Chimanimani is a paradise for hikers! The views are different than those in Nyanga. This is raw nature. Nothing rolls here, things peak right up to heaven so it seems. A hidden gem is The Corner, ask the locals how to get there, it is on the access road to the Cashew valley road. Haroni and Rusitu Forest reserves are worth visiting as well, especially for birders.
We love Chimanimani, its skies, its peaks, its trails and its independent people.

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For those who are fit a daytrip from Base Camp is a must. First a 20 minute drive to the entrance point, then a chim_fallsfabulous hike to the Hut, a great climb, which takes about 2 hours.
For the less adventurous we advise the 1-hour easy walk to the Bridal Veil Waterfalls, a small but
impressive waterfall which has lots of stories to tell you!

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After breakfast you depart for Masvingo, the home of the famous Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The drive is about 350 km, and takes about 4 to 5 hours, on a quiet road with great landscapes.
Zimbabwe – meaning big house made of stone – derived its name from the massive stonewalls found at Great Zimbabwe. Historians and archaeologists are still excited about this place. The ruins 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.

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Day_7-matopos

You depart for Bulawayo, the second city of Zimbabwe; a drive of about 4 to 5 hours. You can do a short walk in the city centre, which has a great variety of historical buildings, one of them the famous national gallery. A visit to the Natural History Museum is an attractive option. The drive to Matopos National Park from Bulawayo centre takes about 45 minutes.

Once you have seen the landscapes In Matopos you will understand why John Cecil Rhodes wanted to be buried in its granite rocks. Worlds View offers views you have never seen before.

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Day_8-rhino

You can spend a full day exploring Matopos National Park. Another must is to go on foot, with a guide, to trace the White Rhino. It is as exciting as looking for gold or diamonds. Experiencing the expertise and passion of the local guides simply adds joy and awe to your memories. This can be pre-booked at time of booking.
The rock paintings tell you stories of the far behind past.
We can assure you that whatever you do this will be an awesome day you won’t forget!

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Day_9-ele

After breakfast you will depart for Hwange National Park which will take about 4 hours.
This is Big 5 country!
Hwange National Park is the largest national park of Zimbabwe (1.5 million hectares). It has a great diversity of wildlife, and has more than 200 bird species.
It is this unique wildlife experience which will make you come back to the magic of Africa!

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Hwange_NPAnother day with wildlife activities. Experience the thrill of big game and plains game sightings. We still have to encounter someone who got too much of it!

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After breakfast you depart for the journey of about 2 hours to the Victoria Falls.
The Victoria Falls don’t need much introduction, they are known all over the world.
This is adrenaline territory: rafting, kayaking, canoeing, horse riding, and other exciting activities with weird names: Bungi Jump, Zip Line, Cable Slide and the Gorge Swing.
For the less adventurous there are boat cruises, game drives in Zambezia National Park, interaction with elephants and lions, and helicopter rides over the falls. There is simply too much to mention all.
All activities can be booked at tour operators in town, you can also pre-book activities at time of booking this tour.

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Day_12-vf

Today you can explore the Victoria Falls and participate in a wide choice of activities.
All activities can be booked at tour operators in town, you can also pre-book activities at time of booking this tour.

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Day_13-vf

From here you can start your extensions. If you are not extending your stay you will be collected for your transfer to the airport for your flight.
Your visit to Zimbabwe will undoubtedly have made lasting memories! Share them with others!

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Your choices

You can choose between a self-drive car and a car with our driver/guide

  • Self-Drive
    Our prices for car hire are based on using our own fleet, consisting of good and reliable cars which are very competitively priced, because they are not brand new.

    In case you want to upgrade your car we can provide you with options using the fleets if our trading partners Europcar and Avis.

    Includes:  standard car, Nissan Patrol 4 x 4 Station-Wagon or similar, day 2 – day 11, unlimited mileage, one-way fee, fully comprehensive insurance

    Excludes: fuel, toll – fees, fromUS$ 500

  • With Experienced Driver/Guide
    We will be using our own cars as described above. Driven by an excellent driver who is also your guide. The feedback we get from our clients about our drivers/guide has been excellent.

    Includes:  standard car, Nissan Patrol 4 x 4 Station-Wagon or similar day 2 – day 7, unlimited mileage, fuel, one-way fee, fully comprehensive insurance, all costs for driver (accommodation, meals, wages, overtime), toll fees

Price list

  • prices per person, based on 2 people sharing.
  • all prices are indicative prices, depending on availability of accommodation.

Extensions

to Lake Kariba and Chobe National Park, Botwana

US$ 710 p.p. sharing*
*US$ 595 single supplement

Chobe is surely the best place in Africa to see elephants, particularly in the water. Individual herds sometimes number in the hundreds and there are an estimated 120,000 elephants in total in the park. There are equally large herds of buffalo to be found. In fact, both can often be seen outside the park boundaries wandering around the outskirts of Kasane itself, unperturbed by traffic or people. The park also offers great lion and leopard sightings, while the river has an unbelievable abundance of hippos and crocodiles and an almost inconceivable wealth of birdlife, including a number of particularly rare species that are highly sought after by top wildlife photographers. This is just a small glimpse of what Chobe has to offer
A trip to Chobe is not complete without a boat trip on the beautiful river itself. Floating along this incredible body of water allows you to see most of the park’s interesting wildlife and birdlife from a completely different perspective. Aside from the allure for birders, being on the river is the best place for budding photographers to take spectacular images of the vast herds of elephants on the river’s lush green banks and islands or even crossing the river. The river also lends itself to iconic images of the African sky at sunset, and to a nice cold sundowner or two as you take in all the wonders of this unique and rich region.
You will be booked on a bed and breakfast rate. At the lodge you can book a variety of activities, including game drives and boat cruises. The lodges has restaurant facilities offering a variety of menus.

Day 1 Chobe National Park – Kasane – In the heart of Africa

You will be picked for your transfer to the lodge, situated in Kasane on the shores of the Chobe River, the transfer takes about 1.5 hours, including the smooth cross border facilities.

Included:

  • Road transfer Victoria Falls – Kasane
  • Breakfast
  • Overnight in lodge on the shores of the Chobe River with en-suit facilities

Day 2 and Day 3 Chobe National Park – Kasane – In the heart of Africa

Two full days to explore Chobe National Park.

Included:

  • Breakfast
  • Overnight in lodge on the shores of the Chobe River with en-suit facilities

Day 4 departure to Victoria Falls

After breakfast you will be transferred by road to Victoria Falls

Included:

  • Breakfast
  • Road transfer to Victoria Falls Airport

Cost per person sharing: US$ 340

Single supplement: US$ 230

Indicative Price list of meals and activities

  • Lunch: buffet from US$ 14 p.p.
  • Dinner: buffet from US$ 32 p.p.
  • Game drive: US$ 38 p.p. (3 hours)
  • Boat cruise: USD 32 p.p. (3 hours)
  • Park fees: US$ 15 p.p. per day

Notes

  • On arrival at Harare airport ask for a double entry visa for Zimbabwe, since you will enter Zimbabwe twice.

US$ 1760 p.p. sharing*
* US$ 585 single supplement

Lake Kariba

Lake Kariba – Matusadonha National Park

Man created Lake Kariba, and the animals took it over. Set against the Zambezi Escarpment, various lodges were built in the vicinity of the National Park of Matusadonha. These are the places were the mountains meet the waters, creating a unique eco –system, which once seen will never be forgotten.

This is untamed remote wilderness at its best.

Lake Kariba is a massive man-made lake formed by the damming of the mighty Zambezi River in the late 1950’s.

Wildlife is prolific. The big five: black rhino, elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo are all found here. Hippo and crocodile and a wide variety of water birds make use of the lake. There are numerous antelope species as well as over 350 documented bird species are also here. Once you have heard he call of the African Fish Eagle you will never forget it!

This life-changing experience will make you come back to Africa!

You will be booked on a full board rate. At the lodge you can book a variety of activities, including game drives and boat cruises.

Day 1 Lake Kariba – Access to Untamed Wilderness

A driver will transfer you from your hotel to Vic Falls Airport for the flight to Lake Kariba. Upon arrival at the airstrip you will be transferred by boat to a luxury lodge near Matusadonha on the shores of Lake Kariba.

Included:

  • Airport transfer in Victoria Falls
  • charter flight Victoria Falls – Kariba
  • road transfer to harbour in Kariba
  • boat transfer harbour to lodge
  • breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • overnight with en-suite facilities in luxury lodge

Day 2 Matusadonha – Untamed Wilderness

gache_gacheGuests wake up to long list of activities that is in stock for them. Game drives in open side 4×4 safari vehicles as well as combined game walks and tracking of the big five. All these activities are undertaken under the assistance of passionate professional guides

It is simply best way to get close to the world’s endangered species as well as getting to know other living organisms and their ecosystem.

The neighborhood also has good spots for bird watching where guest can enjoy the Fish eagle and other species in a fitting posture or experience the legendary sunsets of the Kariba with an African Sundowner. After a long day of activities guests return to lodge for an outdoor dinner and drinks by the fire gazing at the stars.

Included:

  • all meals
  • overnight with en-suite facilities in luxury lodge

Day 3 Matusadonha – Untamed Wilderness

Another day full of activities around Lake Kariba and inside Matusadonha National Park

Included:

  • all meals
  • overnight with en-suite facilities in luxury lodge

Day 4 Farewell to Untamed Wilderness

After breakfast you will be transferred again by a speed boat from the lodge to the airstrip for an onward flight to Victoria Falls.

Included:

  • breakfast
  • boat transfer to Kariba harbour
  • road transfer to Kariba airport
  • charter flight Kariba to Victoria Falls

Cost per person sharing: US$ 1360
Single supplement: US$ 135

Note

Depending on your return flight to your final destination it may be more convenient to fly to either Livingstone, Lusaka or Harare. Our office will be happy to advise you on the best options.

Indicative Price list of activities

Activities per person
Boat Hire (Pontoon) 1-5 pax (US$ 10 p.p. thereafter)US$ 70half day
Boat Hire (Speed Boat)US$ 90half day
SundownerUS$ 25
Game DriveUS$ 30
Game WalkUS$ 40
Clay Pigeon ShootingUS$ 60box of 25 Shots

Excluding National Park fees of US$ 15 p.p. per day

from $1650
per person*

* based on per-person sharing. Roughly $475 supplement for driver/guide. Excludes international flights.

Why book this Safari

  • This affordable safari covers the most popular destinations of Zimbabwe
  • A tour designed by a Zimbabwean Operator with 24 years of experience
  • Maximum travel distance 300 km per day, about 4 to 5 hours
  • The best of Zimbabwe: wildlife, activities, arts and culture, landscapes and the Victoria Falls
  • Carefully selected self-catering accommodation based on location and value-for-money

Includes

  • Accommodation: 13 nights in self-catering lodges
  • Transport: 4 x 4 self-drive or tour with one of our excellent guides/drivers
  • 1 breakfast

Excludes

  • Entrance fees to national parks
  • Meals
  • Optional activities

The trip was absolutely fantastic. Herbert is an excellent driver and a very nice person, too. He definitely contributed to making this tour a tremendous success.

Yes, Woow Alec is a wonderful person. We are at a loss of words to describe him. What a careful, defensive and helpful driver, very friendly and patient gentleman. He is one out of a million. Thank you for giving us Alec for that trip.

Thank you so much for sending us John and for the amazing city tour he took us on! He seems to know Harare like the back of his hand and took us to see the market at Mbare with many interesting sights in between. One thing we certainly have learned from that whirlwind tour: We must come back and see more!

Many thanks again and I will keep in touch!

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