Zimbabwe: The Best of the West

This evening you will fly from London to Victoria Falls, changing aircraft in Johannesburg along the way.

Landing in to Victoria Falls airport at lunchtime you will be met and taken on the short transfer in to town where you will be staying at the lovely Victoria Falls Safari Club for the next 2 nights. After settling in you can head down to The Falls to marvel as the Zambezi River crashes over the edge and in to Batonka Gorge. As the sun starts to set you may wish to take this opportunity to enjoy a cruise along the Zambezi River – a perfect way to end your first day in Africa.

With so many activities on offer, you will be spoilt for choice on what to do today. Am early morning helicopter ride is always a good way to get things going, before descending to terra firma for some time exploring Victoria Falls town – home to a thriving art scene and some excellent restaurants. If you are feeling adventurous there are plenty of activities for you to enjoy around the Victoria Falls Bridge, including bungee jumps, gorge swings and zip lining. For something altogether more sedate, head to the Victoria Falls Hotel for afternoon tea.

After breakfast you will be collected from the hotel and taken on a scenic road transfer to the Hwange National Park, a drive of approximately 2.5 hours. You will be staying at the fantastic Khulu Bush Camp for the next 2 nights and after lunch will head out for an afternoon game drive to explore their concession and enjoy the outstanding big game viewing for which Hwange is so renowned. Return to camp for drinks around the campfire before dinner.

This morning you will be up early so as to enjoy a full day exploring the Hwange National Park with your guide. The activities programme includes game drives, guided walks, visits to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre, village tours and the chance to sit by a water pan and watch animals come to drink. With so much to do this will doubtless be a busy but exhilarating day, with lion, leopard, cheetah, elephant, buffalo and wild dog all among the common sightings in Hwange.

After enjoy a morning safari and breakfast by the campfire your adventure will continue as you head down to the stunning Matobos National Park, a real hidden gem of a place to visit. The drive takes approximately 4 hours meaning you will arrive at Amalinda Lodge in time for lunch. For your afternoon activity to can choose to go on a game drive with a big focus on seeing rhino and perhaps combine this with a walk to see some of the bushman rock art sites dotted around the reserve.

Whilst good wildlife spotting can be enjoyed in Matobos, it isn’t on a par with Hwange so your full day here is a chance to enjoy some alternative activities. Biking trails can be enjoyed and combined with a visit to local villages which is always a great way to start the day. For those looking to be a little more active the camp can organise afternoon hikes to some stunning viewpoints, including to “The View of the World” – the final resting place of the great Imperialist Cecil Rhodes.

You will be able to enjoy a leisurely morning relaxing in the lodge and taking in the stunning views before being collected for the short transfer to Bulawayo Airport from which you will be flying to Johannesburg and then overnight back to London.

Early morning arrival in to London Heathrow.