Zimbabwe Uncovered: Falls, Hwange & the Zambezi

Days 1-2: Arrive in Johannesburg and receive VIP-style airside assistance for a smooth, stress-free welcome to Africa. Spend the night at a stylish airport hotel, where you can unwind after your international journey with a gourmet dinner or a glass of Cape wine. It's the perfect transition — a soft landing that prepares you for the wilderness ahead. Whether you choose to rest or take a quiet stroll around the hotel grounds, tomorrow the real adventure begins. 1 night at InterContinental Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport, breakfast included

Days 2-4: Your journey begins in earnest as you fly north to Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world. You’ll be welcomed to Shongwe Lookout, an intimate lodge with sweeping views and a relaxed, elegant atmosphere. On your first evening, step aboard the Malachite Dinner Cruise, where you’ll dine on gourmet cuisine as you drift along the Zambezi River, surrounded by hippos, crocodiles, and the golden hues of the African sunset. The next day, feel the power of the Falls up close during a private guided tour — hearing the roar, feeling the mist, and watching rainbows arc over the gorge. You’ll follow it with lunch at the iconic Lookout Café, perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, where the view is almost as thrilling as the adventure itself. 2 nights at Shongwe Lookout, breakfast included

Days 4-7: Travel to Hwange in unforgettable fashion aboard the Elephant Express, a custom-built open-air rail car that takes you deep into Zimbabwe’s largest national park. Watch giraffe, elephant, and antelope wander past as you enjoy drinks and stories along the way. Your home for the next three nights is Bomani Tented Camp, tucked into a private concession where wildlife roams freely. Hwange is famous for its elephant herds, but your expert guides will take you in search of lions, painted dogs, and more on game drives, night drives, and walking safaris. You’ll visit local communities to learn how tourism supports conservation, and even have the rare chance to track endangered rhino on foot — a powerful, humbling experience that connects you directly to one of Africa’s most important conservation stories. 3 nights at Bomani Tented Camp, all meals included

Days 7-9: A short flight takes you to Lake Kariba, where water, sky, and wilderness meet in a dreamlike panorama. At Changa Safari Camp, you’ll find yourself surrounded by remote beauty and total tranquility. Here, safari takes on a different rhythm: float silently on a sunset cruise as elephants drink at the water’s edge, try your hand at tiger fishing, or explore the lakeshore on game drives and guided walks through the rugged terrain of Matusadona National Park. Whether you’re on the water or on land, Kariba offers an unexpected blend of serenity and adventure — a hidden gem many travelers never get to see. 2 nights at Changa Safari Camp, all meals included

Days 9-12: End your journey in the legendary wilds of Mana Pools, a place so pristine and alive it almost feels untouched by time. At Mana River Camp, your tent is set along the banks of the Zambezi River, where hippos grunt, elephants wander through camp, and sunsets glow in fiery color. Here, you’ll truly disconnect from the outside world and dive into a deeply immersive safari. Spend your days on walking safaris led by some of Africa’s best-trained guides, canoe down the Zambezi drifting past pods of hippo, or explore floodplains and hidden channels in search of rare birds and big cats. With game drives, fishing, and extraordinary up-close wildlife encounters, Mana Pools is the grand finale — raw, wild, and unforgettable. After three nights of safari magic, you’ll fly back to Johannesburg, taking home a piece of Zimbabwe’s soul with you. 3 nights at Mana River Camp, all meals included