Starting and ending in Johannesburg, this 9-Day safari begins with a visit to Victoria Falls on the Zambian side before continuing to a safari to three of Zimbabwe’s crown wildlife areas. These include the Hwange National Park, the vast Lake Kariba, and the Lower Zambezi’s Mana Pools National Park.

Itinerary at a Glance
2 Nights Thorn Tree Lodge, Victoria Falls on the Livingstone side, Zambia.
2 Nights on Safari at Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
2 Nights at Lake Kariba’s Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, Zimbabwe
2 Nights on Safari at Kanga Safari Camp, Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

 

Day 01 - Johannesburg to Livingstone, Zambia (Victoria Falls)

On arrival at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, you will board your early flight to the Livingstone Airport in Victoria Falls on the Zambian Side of the falls.  Here you will be met and transferred to the Thorntree River Lodge, where you will spend the next (2) nights of your 7-day safari on a fully inclusive basis, with a choice of guided activities which include: Game drives in Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, Rhino Tracking, Bush Walks, Sunrise & Sunset Boat Cruises, Simonga Village Visit, A Visit to Zambian Side of the Falls, A Visit to the Zimbabwean side of the Falls in low water season (excludes visa fees), Visit to the Livingstone Museum, Canoe Trips, Visit to Maramba & Makuni Markets, Catch & Release Shore Fishing and the services of professional ranger and camp staff.

Thorntree Lodge overlooks the Zambezi River
Thorntree Lodge, Zambia

Day 02 - Day to enjoy the Activities on offer at Thorntree Lodge

Today is spent at your own leisure whilst enjoying the many activities on offer at the Lodge. The Thorntree Lodge is located in the Mosi oa Tunya National Park on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls. Away from the bustling town of Livingstone, the lodge has a great safari style & feel with just twelve rooms each with its own small swimming pool and all overlooking the Zambezi River. A peaceful and ideal base from which to explore the Falls and experience the many other activities.

Thorntree Lodge just above the Victoria Falls, Zambia

Day 03 - Thorntree Lodge to Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park

After your breakfast, you will be transferred back to the Livingstone Airport, where you will board your light aircraft transfer to the Manga Airstrip in the Hwange National Park.  On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Somalisa Camp to spend the next (2) nights on a fully inclusive basis, which also includes twice daily guided safaris (game drives or walks) in this national park, one of the region’s premier game viewing destinations.

Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park
Somalisa Camp is a luxury tented camp in Hwange National Park

Day 04 - On Safari at Somalisa Camp, Hwange National Park

Today is spent on safari in the Hwange National Park. Established in the 1930’s this game reserve quickly developed into one of Zimbabwe’s wildlife jewels. The habitat at Hwange is diverse and varied and an abundance of wildlife roam the plains, vleis and Mopane forests including lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, wild dog and a range of other species like sable antelope, giraffe and more.

On Game Drive, Somalisa Camp, Hwange, Zimbabwe
Elephants are in abundance in the Hwange National Park

Day 05 - Hwange to Lake Kariba’s Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

After your safari and early breakfast, you will be transferred back to the Manga Airstrip, where you will board your light aircraft and transfer to the Bumi Hills Aistrip at Lake Kariba.  Here you will be met and transferred to the Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, spending the next (2) nights on a fully inclusive basis, which also includes twice daily guided game viewing activities such as Morning, Afternoon & Night Game Drives, Walking Safaris, Boating, Fishing, Village Visits and Sunset Cruises.

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge overlooks the vast Lake Kariba

Day 06 - On Safari at Lake Kariba’s Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

Today is spent on a safari at Kake Kariba. This giant man-made lake is in itself a feature in Zimbabwe’s wildlife & touring offering. The lake covers 5400 sq kilometres most of which laps the shores of wildlife areas and reserves, making it a great wildlife as well as a fishing destination.  Bumi Hills has been built on some high ground which offers wide and breathtaking views of the vast lake, and being located very close to the Matusadona National Park the game viewing in the area is also very good.

Room interior, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

Day 07 - Lake Kariba to Mana Pools (Lower Zambezi)

After your morning safari and early breakfast, you will be transferred back to the Airstrip, where you will board your light aircraft transfer to the Mana Pools National Park. On landing you will be met and transferred to the Kanga Safari Camp where you spend the next (2) nights on a fully inclusive basis. Included in your stay at Kanga Safari Camp are all meals, beverages, laundry, emergency medical evacuation insurance, National Parks Fees, and 2 shared safari activities per day.

Elephants near Kanga Safari Camp, Lower Zambezi, Zimbabwe

Day 08 - On Safari at Kanga Safari Camp

On safari at Kanga Safari Camp, Mana Pools. The Mana Pools National Park lies in the Zambezi Valley on Zimbabwe’s northern boundary. This conservation area covers about 219000 hectares of pristine bush dotted with baobabs trees, flood plains with magnificent trees and home to large populations of many different mammal species.

Kanga Safari Camp, Mana Pools
Lions are frequently seen on safari in the Lower Zambezi

Day 09 - Mana Pools to Johannesburg (via Victoria Falls)

This morning after your breakfast, you will board your early light aircraft transfer back to Victoria Falls, where you will connect with your outbound flight back to the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. 

Safari Cost

2024
$9,705 per person sharing (Apr - May & No)
$13,322 per person sharing (Jun - Oct)

2025
$9,545 per person sharing (Apr - May & Nov)
$13,130 per person sharing (Jun - Oct)

* Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar each year (wet season), Mana Pools is closed

Cost Includes
02 Night’s accommodation on a fully inclusive basis - Thorntree River Lodge only:  All meals, bar accounts (excluding premium imports), laundry, emergency medical evacuation insurance, park fees and twice daily activities.  Activities include a choice of:  Game drives in the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, Rhino Tracking, Bush Walks, Sunrise and sunset Boat Cruises, Simonga Village Viist, A Visit to the Zambian Side of the Falls, A Visit to the Zimbabwean Side of the Falls (in low water season),  Visit to the Livingstone Museum, Canoe Trips, Visit to the Maramba & Makuni Markets, Catch & Release Shore Fishing.

02 Night’s accommodation on a fully inclusive basis - Somalisa Camp Hwange:  All meals, bar accounts (excluding premium imports), laundry, emergency medical evacuation insurance, park fees and twice daily game viewing activities.  Activities include Morning and Afternoon Game Drives, Walking Safaris, Hwange Main Camp Village Visits and Conservation & Wildlife Fund.

02 Night’s accommodation on a fully inclusive basis - Bumi Hills Safari Lodge Lake Kariba:  All meals, bar accounts (excluding premium imports), laundry, emergency medical evacuation insurance, park fees and twice daily game viewing activities.  Activities include Morning, Afternoon and night Game Drives, Walking Safaris, Boating, Fishing, Village Visits, Sunset Cruises and Conservation Levy.

02 Night’s accommodation on a fully inclusive basis - Kanga Safari Camp, Mana Pools:  All meals, bar accounts (excluding premium imports), emergency medical evacuation insurance, park fees and twice daily game viewing activities.  Activities include Morning and Afternoon Game Drives, and Walking Safaris.

All road transfers as per itinerary
All light aircraft transfers as per itinerary
Services of professional rangers and camp staff at the safari camps
Tourism levy

Flights: Johannesburg - Livingstone, Victoria Falls - Johannesburg return way excl. taxes

Cost Excludes
Visas if required
Airport taxes
Personal items and gratuities
Additional activities/sightseeing/entry fees/park fees
Transfers to and from alternative/outside activities in Livingstone
Travel Insurance
Bar accounts not specified and Premium Imports
Laundry not specified
Meals not specified

Your Safari Planning starts here.

Learn from our experience.

Expert advice on safaris & logistics.

Supportive ‘one on one’ service.

Quick Enquiry