Explore the wildlife in Hwange and Nyanga National
Park and see what the legendary Mana Pools is really all
about. Combine your safari with some history and visit
the Great Zimbabwe Ruins!
Overall operator rating 9.7/10 from 24 trip reviews
Our unique relationship with our tour operators ensures only people who have participated in a trip after making an enquiry for it at The Africa Guide can leave a review.
The email we send you when you make an enquiry has full instructions for registering a booking and leaving a review - both are free services.
Feel free to read through the reviews for any trip you like the look of.
Trips with no reviews are usually new to the The Africa Guide but are normally operated by a tour operator who is established here. Most tour operators listing here will usually have gained reviews about other trips they have listed here.
Thanks for visiting, happy travels and don't forget to send us your reviews...
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.
123Next
Itinerary
Days 1 - 3: Mana Pools, Zimbabwe On arrival into Mana Pools, you will be met and transferred to Nyamepi Camp where we spend the next three nights. We have the afternoon and the whole of the next two days available to search for African wildlife in the park on game drives, bush and canoe excursions on the Zambezi River. Canoeing is a wonderful way to take in the tranquillity of the bush, gliding past herds of animals often unaware of uncaring of your presence. 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. [D, BLD, BLD]
Accommodation: Nyamepi Camp or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water)
Days 4 & 5:Mana Pools to Antelope Park, Zimbabwe Today we have an early departure as it is one of the longest driving days on our safari. Our lunch stop is at the spectacular Chinoyi Caves which we also have time to explore. The caves are composed of limestone and dolomite and are the most extensive cave system in Zimbabwe that is accessible to tourists. We continue our journey to Antelope Park where we spend the next two nights. Antelope Park is home to the African Lion Environmental Research Trust (ALERT) and you will have the opportunity to partake in the numerous activities on offer, such as lion walks, night encounters with lions and elephant swimming! (All optional and for own expense). [BLD]
Accommodation: Camping at Antelope Park or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool and restaurant area)
Day 6: Antelope Park to Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe After breakfast we bid farewell to Antelope Park and travel in a south easterly direction towards Masvingo. This afternoon we get to explore the magnificent ruined city of Great Zimbabwe, the largest stone structure ever built south of the Sahara. It was the base for a succession of kings and rulers spanning four centuries. We then check into our accommodation for the night, which overlooks the peaceful Lake Mutirikwe. [BLD]
Accommodation: Camping at Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, restaurant & bar).
Day 7:Great Zimbabwe to Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe This morning we head head to Big Cave Camp 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: Camping at Big Cave Camp or similar (tents, communal ablutions bathrooms)
Days 8 and 9: Matobo Hills to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe We leave the beauty of Matobo Hills and make our way Hwange National Park. This afternoon we pay 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: Camping at Ivory Lodge or similar (tents, communal ablutions with hot water, swimming pool & bar area)
Days 10 and 11:Hwange National Park to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe The last two days of our safari are spent in Victoria Falls. We visit these impressive falls on a guided tour through the Victoria Falls National Park, you will experience why they have been appropriately named “the Smoke that Thunders”! There is time to partake in one of the numerous activities on offer, do some last minute curio shopping, or simply relax at the lodge , a perfect ending to an adventure filled safari. [BLD, BLD]
Accommodation: Lokuthula Lodges or similar (chalets with shared bathrooms, swimming pool & bar)
Day 12: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Our safari ends after breakfast. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures. [BLD, BLD]
Highlights: Mana Pools, Chinoyi Caves, Antelope Park, Great Zimbabwe, Rhodes Grave and Matobo National Park, game drive in Hwange National Park , Painted Dogs Centre, Victoria Falls
Included in the price: 9 nights camping and 2 night in fixed accommodation, all transport in fully kitted 4x4 safari vehicle, use of full camping equipment, game drives as mentioned, meals (prepared by the guide) and activities as mentioned in itinerary, park entrance fees, experienced local guide.
Not included in the price: Travel insurance, international flights, pre and post tour accommodation, optional activities, all drinks, telephone calls, gratuities, curios and all personal expenses.
Price per person 2012: USD 2200 Single supplement: USD 135 Local payment: USD 210
Upgrade your safari: Our Fully Accommodated Option includes the luxury of spending every night in fixed accommodation. USD 2815 Local payment: ZAR 240 Single supplement: USD 210
