A true intimate experience awaits you on this 15 day
Lodge Safari as ypu venture through Zimbabwe's most
famous National Parks such as Hwange, Nyanga, Lake
Kariba, Mana Pools and Chizarira
Overall operator rating 9.7/10 from 24 trip reviews
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They did a great job setting up our safari - which had very specific time guidelines as I had to fit it into school holidays.
The operator made sure we were picked up at every airport and at every lodge to be taken to the next event. We had the most marvelous time at Camp Dizhana (about 1 1/2 hours north of Maun), where we were given the most comfortable tent and the most individual and professional attention.
I must have exchanged about 30 e-mails with my contact (Tanya) prior to the trip, where she answered my questions, suggested specific activities and lodges or camps, and ultimately came up with an internerary tailored to my needs.
Everything worked our perfectly! I have no problem highly recommending their service.
We took the 14 day Botswana mobile safari (camping only) from J'burg to Victoria Falls. Our guide, Blessed, was very personable, knowledgeable, and hardworking, as was the driver we had for most of the trip, Sage. He basically doubled as another guide. Also, both were very environmentally-conscious, showing a great appreciation for the animals and landscape, and ensuring that we left "only footprints".
In Africa, you have to take what it gives you. For us, the rainy season basically went a month longer than usual, which made it impossible to get to two of our destinations. We missed Kubu Island, but the operator compensated for this by putting us up in a very nice lodge in Maun (the Thamalakane River Lodge). Also, because the roads were flooded and impassable, we were not able to get to the mokoro rides in the Okavongo Delta, but again they compensated with a cruise on the Zambesi that included all food and beverages (including alcohol). That was very generous of them.
The camping and campsites were excellent, as was the food. The lodge we stayed at in Victoria Falls (the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge) exceeded my expectations - very nice. The group of 8 was the right size, and the vehicles were great for the roads and for game viewing. We saw all of the big 5 and just about every other animal we could think of. My favorite Park was Chobe, which is extremely dense with animals. The Chobe River is beautiful and also had a very nice cruise.
After this trip we took another 6 day safari in Kruger with a different outfit, and this one was clearly the better of the two.
this was a terific trip for cost. The guide (Garland) was excetional, the accomodations were good to great, the front office of the agency was always courteous and professional, the itineray was rich, the activites all doable, the group (whild divided) ended up with great cohesion.
it has opend my thinking to a new way to travel-overland journeys. compiments to the operator.
The Safari I experienced through Botswana, Namibia and into SA was very enjoyable indeed.
The lodges I stayed were very comfortable, the people that ran the smaller lodges were very welcoming and kind. the food was plentiful with lots of choices.
I travelled in a group of 8 which was a perfect amount for our size of vehicle as well it was a good size for organizing and group decisions.
And for myself the high light would be all the big animals we were able to observe and photograph. Overall the trip was a wonderful experience with lots of memories and new friends to have for a long time.
I am pleased to say that my safari/holiday was wonderful.
I delt with Nadia for everything except my hotel reservations. She was quite helpful and took care of all my needs. We communicated through emails and I called her once I had arrived in South Africa. The service was second to none.
She booked me with a 5 day walking safari. The safari group consisted of myself and 7 others with 2 guides. I was apprehensive at first traveling alone, but I could not have emagined that I would meet such wonderful people. Also the guides were very knowledgable and went the extra mile to insure that we all had a memerable experience.
The camp was more that i expected and I could not have been more comfortable. Although I have never been on a safari before this trip and have nothing to compare it too I give it a 10 out of 10. I would recomend this package to anyone, weither they are traveling alone or as a family. The 5 to 6 hour hikes in the morning were pleasant and gave me the opportunity to see the small details of the bush, and the afternoon and evening drives were amazing as we were able to get close to lots of game.
Unfortunately we did not see and of the big cats but a 30 minute encounter with a male elephant at less than 20 meters made up for anything I didn't see.
My daughter and I recently completed a 21 day trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
It was an amazing and beautiful experience that exceeded all of our expectations and cannot be easily described. Our 8 travel companions were fantastic, there was not one day when we did not laugh and truly enjoyed ourselves, and we are already making plans for future travel with these newly made friends.
Everything was extremely well organized and things went as planned along our long route, with great selection of campsites and lodges and delicious meals that one could not have imagined could be prepared by a campfire.
Of course, having a great guide is what made a difference. Mike is extremely knowledgeable and has a love for the area that is contagious.
Thumbs up for keeping their groups small, for a well-planned route, for carefully selected sites, and for all the people who work there. Working with them was a pleasure, they were extremely helpful from the minute we started planning our trip, with all our questions, getting birthday’s organized and all their extraordinary efforts in helping us with visas, logistics, etc. We would highly recommend them
The tour I have recently taken part in was absolutely stunning:rich in emotions, colours and sounds which are still in my heart.
A special thank to Amina, who saved my life by promptly warning me the carrier I booked the flight with (by my own), went bankrupt in the meatime, and to Chantel, whose superb "lasagne" I will never forget...
I recently returned from the 14 day Upgraded Botswana Wildlife Breakaway Safari.
We were a great group of 10 - 2 Irish, 5 Americans and 3 Australians and were fortunate to have the services of driver/ guide Mike Miles.
He really made our trip special, sharing his extensive knowledge of the wildlife, customs, history and politics of the countries we visited during the drives and around the campfires as we ate the delicious meals he prepared. He left no stone unturned to maximise our enjoyment of the safari. In the main our lodges were good. The itinerary was well thought out and we saw lots of animals but alas no cheetah, leopard or rhino. A pleasant surprise for me was the amazing variety of birdlife we encountered. The mokoro trip through the Okavango Delta was magical.
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Itinerary
Special Offer for the 6th of May Travel with your friend or partner and you will both save on this special -10% off the first traveller and 20% off the second traveller.... ! Special for the following departure dates only: 6th of May Terms and Conditions Apply
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Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe you will be met and transferred to Amadeus Garden Guesthouse. This afternoon we explore the mighty Victoria Falls on a guided tour.
Accommodation: Ilala Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Day 2 & 3: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe After breakfast we depart Victoria Falls and make our way to Hwange National Park. The afternoon is spent on a game drive with a visit to the Painted Dogs Conservation Centre. Hwange National Park is one of Africa\'s finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra as well as a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus very large and varied birdlife. The whole of the next day is spent exploring this magnificent area. [BLD, BLD]
Accommodation: Ivory Lodge or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Day 4: Hwange National Park to Matopos, Zimbabwe We leave the beauty of the Hwange National Park behind us and head to Camp Amalinda in the Matobo area. Matobo Hills is an area of exquisite beauty, steeped in tribal history, ancient mystery and dramatic rock landscapes. The national park has been given UNESCO World Heritage status and is home to both white and black rhinoceros, sable antelope and the world’s densest population of leopard. Birdlife is prolific and includes the highest concentration of black eagles in the world. Once the home of the San (Bushman), this area contains the richest source of the rock art found anywhere. Not only is it here that the Ndebele people buried their great king, Mzilikazi, but Cecil John Rhodes was also laid to rest on the “Hill of the Benevolent Spirit” or “Worlds View” as named by him. We visit the National Park and Rhodes grave. [BLD]
Accommodation: Camp Amalinda or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant, bar, & swimming pool)
Day 5: Matopos to Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe This morning we drive to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins located close to Masvingo. According to an age-old legend the ruins were built to replicate the palace of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem, and are a unique testimony to the Bantu civilization of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries. They cover an area of 1800 acres and are some of the oldest and largest structures located in Southern Africa. We have the opportunity to explore these ancient ruins, before checking in to our accommodation for the night, which overlooks Lake Mutirikwe. [BLD]
Accommodation: Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Day 6 & 7: Great Zimbabwe to Nyanga National Park, Zimbabwe Today we head off to the Nyanga National Park and have this afternoon and the following day to enjoy nature drives in the area. Wildlife to look out for are wildebeest, kudu, zebra, waterbuck, impala, sable and eland as well as smaller mammals such as the blue duiker and Samango monkey, neither of which is found outside this area. Nyanga National Park is situated in one of the most scenic areas of Zimbabwe's Eastern Highlands. Rolling green hills and perennial rivers transverse the 47 000 hectare park, which is also home to the country’s highest mountain – Mount Nyangani as well as Africa’s second highest waterfall, Mtarazi Falls. [BLD, BLD]
Accommodation: Pine Tree Inn or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Day 8: Nyanga National Park to Bushman Rock, Zimbabwe We travel towards Harare to the Bushman Rock Estate, operational since the mid 1900’s it is one of the few estate wineries in the country. After we have settled in to our rooms, high tea is served on the veranda. We take a leisurely guided walk through the vineyards to the pontoon, for a sundowner cruise. Thereafter we get to sample up to 9 of the estates private wines on a tutored wine tasting, followed by 3 course dinner. [BLD]
Accommodation: Bushman Rock or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool and tea garden)
Day 9 & 10: Bushman Rock to Mana Pools, Zimbabwe An early wake up call, leads us on a walk to the Bushman Rock, where we explore the ancient art adorned caves and granite kopjies. After breakfast at the lodge we continue our journey to one of Zimbabwe’s greatest national parks – Mana Pools, where we have the afternoon and the whole of the next day available to search for African wildlife in the park on game drives and on canoe excursions. Mana means ‘four’ in Shona, in reference to the four large permanent pools formed by the meandering Zambezi River. This World Heritage site has the country's biggest concentration of hippos and crocodiles as well as large populations of elephant and buffalo. En-route we stop at Chinhoyi Caves for lunch. The caves are composed of limestone and dolomite and are the most extensive cave system in Zimbabwe that is accessible to tourists. [BLD, BLD]
Accommodation: Nyamepi Camp or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water)
Day 11 & 12: Mana Pools to Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe Our journey today brings us to the shores of Lake Kariba. It is one of the world’s largest man-made lakes and a place of outstanding beauty. At over 220 km long and 30 km at its widest point it is no wonder it is referred to as an inland sea! The lake is nested in mountains, guarded by enormous reserves of game and made beautiful and savage by sun and storm, as well as by earth and water. After lunch a one and a half hour speedboat trip across the lake we arrive at Rhino Camp, which lies on Elephant Point in the Matusadona National Park, which is home to the Big 5 and where we spend the next two nights. [BLD, BLD]
Accommodation: Rhino Camp or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms)
Day 13: Lake Kariba to Chizarira National Park After breakfast the speedboat takes us back to the Kariba mainland and our journey continues to Chizarira National Park. Once we have checked in at Chizarira Lodge, we take a drive through the park to see what this unique piece of Zimbabwe has to offer. This large remote area of 192 000 hectares of wild, untouched flora and fauna is endowed with magnificent gorges, plateaus and flood plains, which make this pristine park a spectacular destination for any visitor. Because of its wild and remote nature, the tranquility and rugged beauty of Chizarira National Pak is indeed unequalled. [BLD]
Accommodation: Chizarira Lodge or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms)
Day 14: Chizarira National Park to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe After breakfast we drive back to where our adventure started – Victoria Falls. There will still be time for optional activities such as boat cruises on the Zambezi River, bungee jumping and elephant back safaris (all for own expense). [BL]
Accommodation: Ilala Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Day 15: End of tour Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures.
Highlights: Victoria Falls, Painted Dogs Centre, Hwange National Park, Rhodes Grave and Matobo National Park, Great Zimbabwe, Nyanga National Park, Mana Pools, Lake Kariba and Matusadona National Park, Chizarira National Park.
Included in the price: Accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary, all transport in fully kitted 4x4 safari vehicle, game drives as mentioned, meals and activities as mentioned in itinerary, park entrance fees, experienced local guide.
Not included in the price: Travel insurance, flights, pre and post tour accommodation, optional activities, all drinks, tips and curios, all personal expenses.
Price per person 2012: USD 3515 Single supplement: USD 275 Local payment: USD 250
