WESTERN ZIMBABWE SAFARI

Day 1 Arrive Bulawayo

Arrive and take in the main sights of Bulawayo, including its fine colonial architecture, the Railway Museum and the National Art Gallery. Transfer by road to your camp in the Matopos Hills. Not far from the city of Bulawayo, this unique Safari lodge is tucked away in an ancient Bushman's shelter within the granite domes of the Matopo Hills. Accommodation comprises nine thatched rooms all individually set within the huge boulders. In some cases the surrounding boulders have been used in the design process in order to act as walls or screens between some of the bedrooms and bathrooms. The king and twin beds come draped in mosquito netting and luxury linen and each bedroom comes complete with a private viewing deck and en-suite bathroom. There are also two honeymoon suites known as the Lobengula Suite and the Rhodes Suite, suitably named after these famous men who once walked these very rocks.

Overnight: Camp Amalinda

Day 2 - 3 Matopos National Park

Enjoy a host of activities, such as rhino tracking on foot, game drives in the Matopos National Park and walks to the numerous rock formations. Sundowners may be taken amongst the giant boulders or around a warm fire in the boma. A highlight of your trip may also be a walk to the grave of John Cecil Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia and an important colonial figure. The grave site itself also boasts some of the most spectacular views of this National Park.

Overnight: Camp Amalinda

Day 4 Mana Pools National Park

Fly from Bulawayo to your camp within Mana Pools National Park, via Harare. Ruckomechi Camp lies on the banks of the Lower Zambezi below the Kariba Dam wall. This remote camp, shaded by a large grove of mahogany and acacia trees offers breath-taking views of the Great Rift Valley across the river and into Zambia. The open-sided canvas structures of the central dining, bar, library and lounge areas are interconnected with the rest of the camp via a set of low-level walkways, which in turn helps to minimise the impact on the environment. These social areas are connected to a wide pole-shaded decking comprising of two sections, one leading off to the infinity pool, and the other boasting an inviting cushion strewn star gazing deck jutting out over the water. Accommodation consists of ten spacious tented units all privately located with views of the Zambezi River. The bedrooms have king or twin beds, en-suite bathrooms with unique copper basins and indoor and outdoor showers. Another highlight of the camp is the privately secluded outdoor bath located at the end of a walkway and totally open to the river.

Overnight: Ruckomechi Camp

Day 5 - 7 Mana Pools

View the passing game from your suite or from the decks and pool while you relax with a cocktail. Venture into the park in open 4x4 vehicles or on foot with a qualified guide. Alternatively spend time in one of the various hides and view game from the water in canoes or on motorised pontoon boats.

Overnight: Ruckomechi Camp

Day 8 Hwange National Park

Transfer by light aircraft to your camp in the Hwange National Park. Little Makololo Camp is one of the few camps situated within the colossal Hwange National Park. This secluded camp is positioned with a prime view of a neighbouring waterhole. The lounge and bar area are set within an open-sided canvas structure filled with sofas. The dining area, located within a separate canvas structure is also positioned with the same idyllic views of the nearby waterhole. Accommodation consists of six tented rooms, each with wide wood framed gauze windows and double doors opening out onto pole shaded verandas. The bedrooms are all en-suite with double copper vanities and include minimalistic raw wood furnishings. Set quite apart from each other the rooms offer a sense of seclusion and privacy.

Overnight: Little Makalolo Camp

Day 9 - 10 Hwangwe National Park

Enjoy game viewing in Hwange National Park, home to countless elephant, numerous lion prides and rare antelope such as sable and roan. Alternatively you can also escape to a secluded hide on ground level right at the edge of the waterhole, with just dry tree trunks and branches protecting its back and sides.

Overnight: Little Makalolo Camp

Day 11 Hwange - Victoria Falls

After this morning's game drive, transfer by light aircraft to Victoria Falls, one of nature's natural wonders. Continue to Elephant Camp before departing on a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River. Elephant camp is located a mere 10 kilometres from Victoria Falls town. This tented camp is set in its own wildlife sanctuary and overlooks a waterhole fed by natural streams during the rainy season. The warm colonial decor comes from the deep sofas, dark wood and wing-backed chairs. Accommodation comprises of nine luxurious tented suites. Each suite comes equipped with twin or king beds draped in mosquito netting, stylish en-suite bathrooms featuring huge baths, indoor and outdoor showers, private viewing decks and a plunge pool.

Overnight: Elephant Camp

Day 12 Victoria Falls & Wild Horizons Elephants

Follow in the footsteps of Livingstone and observe the Victoria Falls. Spend the afternoon birding in the Wildlife Sanctuary or interact with the Wild Horizons elephants.

Overnight: Elephant Camp

Day 13 Depart

Transfer by road to Victoria Falls airport. Fly to Johannesburg. Connect to your onward international flight home. Go rhino tracking in the Matopos National Park - Walking gives an entirely different perspective. Zimbabwean professional guides undergo an extremely arduous examination procedure. Their understanding of animal behaviour allows you to get up close on foot to both white and black rhino.