ZIMBABWE 9 Days
This itinerary covers the "Golden Triangle" of Zimbabwe: Victoria Falls National Park, Hwange, and Mana Pools National Park.
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa known for its dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife. It is a land of magnificence, home to Victoria Falls (the world's largest waterfall) and Lake Kariba (the world's largest man-made lake by volume). The combination of Hwange and Mana Pools—both swarming with wildlife—down-to-earth people, and gorgeous accommodations makes Zimbabwe one of the continent's premier safari destinations.
Before you go:
For your safari, Travelwildnow.com recommends a reputable tour operator. They make personalized itineraries, accompany you during the entire trip, and tailor plans to your preferences.
To find a reliable tour operator, we recommend using trusted sources such as Bradt travel guides and
Lonely Planet. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations for choosing the right tour operator for your safari adventure.
A tourist Visa is required for visiting Zimbabwe. This can be done online or purchased upon arrival.
Before departing check for vaccine recommendations including malaria prophylaxis.
Type of travel adaptor used in Zimbabwe: Type D and Type G.
The US dollar is accepted in Zimbabwe. ⚠️ ATMs in Zimbabwe are unreliable, so bring US dollars.
Travel to Zimbabwe is safe, and it's rare for foreign visitors to be the victims of crime.
Best time to visit: late July to October are by far the best months.
Below we have outlined a blueprint for what your safari adventure might entail.
<Kindly note: The Photo Gallery can be found at the bottom of this page>
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The View Points on the trail:
1. Devil's Cataract & Livingstone's Statue – Dr. David Livingstone is reputed to be the first European to see the Victoria Falls.
2. The “Chain Walk” – this leads down into the gorge where one gets an excellent view of Devils Cataract and Cataract Island.
3. to 7. Devil's Cataract & Main Falls – you will find many types of bird life as well as flora and fauna.
6. Viewpoint 6 – best spot for views of Devil's Cataract.
7. Viewpoint 7 – provides the best views of the Main falls.
8. Main Falls – when the river is in flood there is very little to see but torrents of spray.
9. to 12. – Main Falls/Livingstone Island/Horseshoe Falls.
11. Viewpoint 11 – provides wet views of Livingstone Island and Rainbow Falls.
14. Rainbow Falls – here is the highest point of the Falls.
15. Danger Point — this part of the trail leads along the cliff edge.
16. Boiling Pot – here one can look down into the turbulent waters.
Bridge Viewpoint – here you can view the Victoria Falls Bridge, linking Zimbabwe and Zambia.
DAY 1
Arrive at Victoria Falls airport, Zimbabwe and transfer to your hotel.
Most hotels in Victoria Falls are within walking distance of the mighty Falls.
The Victoria Falls Hotel and Ilala Lodge are the closest hotels.
If time permits, walk over to Victoria Falls from your hotel for a quick view.
It is a 10-minute walk from town.
There is a easy trail that runs along the Falls. You don’t need a guide.
Overnight: Victoria Falls.
DAY 2
Following breakfast, walk the trail at Victoria Falls with its 16 viewpoints.
At various times of the day, the sunlight will change the appearance of the Falls.
The flat trail can be enjoyed in a 2 to 3-hours’ time frame. Great photo opportunities!
Victoria Falls is on the Zambezi River. The Falls are 1,708 meters wide and 108 meters high.
The Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The others are the Great Barrier Reef, the Grand Canyon,
Northern Lights-Aurora Borealis, Paricutin volcano, the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro and Mount Everest.Adventure activities include bungee jumping and the best white water rafting in the world.
For the brave, Microlight flights of approximately 15-minutes, circle Victoria Falls.
Depart in afternoon from Victoria Falls to Hwange Park.
Transfer by way of 4WD safari to Hwange National Park.
The drive takes about four (4) hours because of frequent stops to photograph wildlife.
Always keep your camera in a dust-free, high-quality bag. You’ll be driving on unpaved roads, so dust can get into your jeep and harm your camera.
We suggest to fly from Victoria Falls to your Hwange camp on a small plane arranged by your tour operator.
<Read more below> The charter flight will last about 30 minutes..
Overnight: Hwange National Park (3 nights)
Distance: Victoria Falls —> Hwange camp, 3-4 hrs.
DAY 3 and 4
Explore two (2) full days in Hwange National Park.
Hwange Park is Zimbabwe’s largest and most popular park. It’s great for seeing wildlife, including the Big Five.
The park, about the size of Belgium, hosts roughly 50,000 elephants and often has cheetahs, leopards, and lions, plus one of Africa’s largest groups of endangered wild dogs. Birdwatchers can spot around 500 species here.
Throughout all the Zimbabwe Parks, game drives are typically scheduled:
Early Morning: Departing at sunrise when predators are most active.
Late Afternoon: Often including a "Sundowner" stop to watch the sunset over the savannah.
Evening: Night drives (available in private concessions) to spot nocturnal species like honey badgers and porcupines.
💡 Pro-Tip: Bring binoculars — with 500+ bird species and wide open plains, you’ll want to see distant details.
A favorite tour operator that runs luxury tented camps and offers top wildlife and safari experiences in some of Africa’s most pristine areas.
About your accommodations while on safari :
Many visitors ask what is the difference between a tented camp and a lodge? —A lodge has concrete structures, walls made of stone or wood.
—A tented camp consists of large safari tents. Don’t think of the small tents you pitch in your backyard or on a campsite. These safari tents are spacious sleeping-living tents with en-suite bathrooms.
View—a typical 4-star tent.
Getting to your camps:
Most Hwange camps are reached by small planes from Victoria Falls, Harare, or other Zimbabwean parks.
These small-plane flights are usually reliable, but delays can occur. Check with your tour operator.
⚠️ Important! These small planes usually have total weight restrictions of 15 kg for luggage and carry-on combined. (No hard frames or wheels — the plane’s small pods cannot fit hard suitcases)
Make sure you check with your airline / tour operator. <Learn more>
Favorite Tour Operators:
Where to stay at Hwange Park:
The camp provides guests with breathtaking views of the golden savannah plains of Hwange.
Located in the private Linkwasha Concession – one of the most prolific wildlife areas in the Park.
The camp looks out across a pan with a permanent waterhole that attracts wildlife year-round.
Located on a private concession, the camp is on a open floodplain near mopane & teak forests.
Set beside a waterhole, The camp is a relatively simple facility, with accommodation in just 3 tents.
Hwange’s original intimate bush camp, the camp offers privacy, relaxation, and remoteness.
DAY 5
Depart Hwange to Mana Pools by light aircraft and 4WD.
The flight by small plane to Mana Pools takes about two(2) to three(3) hours, perhaps stopping for other passengers.
Overnight: Mana Pools camps, (3 nights)
DAY 6 and 7
Mana Pools National Park is in the far north of Zimbabwe. Enjoy two (2) full days.
The park is famous for wildlife along the river and in the floodplains. Large groups of elephants, hippos, and Nile crocodiles gather at sunrise at the Long Pool. In the south, lions wait for prey around the Chitake Spring waterhole..
Giraffe & Wildebeest are absent from the park due to the steep escarpment which rises to over 1,000 m from the valley floor.
Mana Pools is blessed with outstanding scenic, riverine beauty and is relatively little visited, when compared with Hwange Nat. Park.
The majority of visitors associate the Zambezi River with Victoria Falls. Many people do not realize the mighty Zambezi—
the fourth-largest river in Africa—borders Mana Pools National Park.Canoe safaris are highly popular adventures because the river is full of crocodiles and hippos. Paddling there mixes calm and thrill: one moment you float through peaceful channels, the next you can be very close to a hippo.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: THE MANA EXPERIENCE, Mana Pools is one of the only places in Africa where you can track wildlife on foot with a professional guide. This is a "walking" park, offering a visceral connection to the bush that you won't get from a vehicle.
Camp locations at Mana Pools <map>
Mana Pools Camps:
All of the camps are closed for the rainy season. January – March and the whole of December, except for Nyamatusi which remains open during December.
One of the best luxury camps is Ruckomechi Camp on the banks of the Zambezi River.
The camp is positioned on arguably the best wildlife concession in Zimbabwe, managed by Wilderness Safaris.
Other Mana Pool camps to strongly consider fitting your budget:
Mana Pools camps are almost exclusively accessed by small aircraft from Victoria Falls, Harare or the other parks within Zimbabwe.
The network of these small aircraft flights is usually dependable but delays do happen at times. Enquire with your tour operator.
The small planes usually have total weight restrictions of 15 kg for luggage & carry-on combined.
Make sure you check with your airline or tour operator. <Learn more>
DAY 8
After a morning game drive, depart Mana Pools to Harare by air.
Most international flights (i.e. London, Johannesburg, or Dubai) can be caught easily from Harare.
Overnight: Harare.
DAY 9
End of your safari adventure. Return home or extend your trip to another African destination.
🌤️ Climate:
The best time to visit Zimbabwe is from June to September.
Victoria Falls is best now, with great chances to see animals gathering near rivers and waterholes. The average high temperature is 70-80°F, and the average low is 40-50°F.
Nights and mornings are cold; wear warm clothes.
Almost no rain, clear blue skies, and sunshine; fewer mosquitoes.
The wet season (Summer) is November to March.
The scenery is greener and short afternoon showers.
Wildlife viewing is more difficult since there is more vegetation and animals no longer rely on waterholes.
The humidity combined with the higher temperatures in the low-lying parks can make it feel uncomfortably hot.
From October to December, the flow of the Zambezi river is at its lowest and Victoria Falls isn't at its best.
Average cost:
(EXCLUDING AIRFARE)
$$$ USD per person:
Budget: $3500
Moderate: $4800
Luxury: $6000 +
Zimbabwe Gallery
🎬 Video
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