15-Day Zimbabwe & Zambia Ancient Pathways

• A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Livingstone - Tour Starts

Our journey begins at Victoria Falls Waterfront campsite. We witness the incredible views as the mighty Zambezi River plunges 110 meters over the Victoria Falls. We spend the afternoon exploring the mile wide waterfall and the surrounding rainforest that is created by the spray. We settle into camp in the late afternoon with the guides briefing before having dinner (own expense) at a local restaurant. Optional activity of a flight over the falls or a sunset river cruise may be possible (own expense).

Limited participation An essential part of your safari is participation. From putting up your tent to packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure. Your tour leaders will do all the meal preparation but we do ask the clients to help (on rotation) with the washing up. There are some long travel days which means early morning starts so we all need to get involved to make the day run efficiently.

Note: There is a USD300 local payment for this tour.

Main Destination:

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Kafue River

We pack up camp and depart Livingstone for the long drive across southern Zambia to our camp on the Kafue River. We pass small villages, and the rolling landscape offers interesting views before we drop down into the lower Zambezi River valley. We spend the late afternoon in preparation for our canoeing expedition down the lower Zambezi River.

Main Destination:

Kafue River (Zambia)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Lower Zambezi Canoeing

True adventure begins. This morning we pack our canoes and head out onto the Zambezi River. Home of the mythical god – Nyami Nyami. The River is lined with small villages and diverse scenery. For the entire day birdwatching and photographic opportunities abound. We paddle with the river current and take time to enjoy the calm and serenity, new views are offered as the river snakes its way through the valley, and the sound of the African fish eagle can be heard as it calls from the tree tops. We stop for a rest and lunch on the banks of the river before heading out again for the afternoon.

Our camp is wild on the riverbank in the heart of untamed Africa. The following morning we canoe further downstream into a wildlife rich area with opportunities of seeing hippos, elephants and other wildlife. Before we are collected by motorboat and make our way back to the starting campsite.

Main Destination:

Kafue River (Zambia)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Chinhoyi

We cross into Zimbabwe at the Chirundu border post and traverse the Hurungwe Safari area to our next stop at Chinhoyi Caves. Crystal clear, cobalt blue water lies at the bottom of the “pool of the fallen”. The extensive system of caves and tunnels were used as a place of safety for Mashona people against the Matabele raiders.

Main Destination:

Chinhoyi Caves (Highlight, Zimbabwe)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Nyanga National Park

We spend two days exploring Nyanga Mountain National Park. The park offers breath taking vistas and diverse landscapes with Mount Nyangani, Zimbabwe’s highest point at 2592m above sea level. As we explore its trails, you’ll encounter lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and serene lakes. The air is crisp, and the sounds of nature surround us, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

The variety of ecosystems and climate in the area make it a birders haven. Interesting birdlife includes the Blue Swallows in summer and Wattled Cranes breed in the area during the winter months, and a variety of raptors.

Main Destination:

Nyanga National Park (Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe)

Best Time To Go November to April (Birding and scenery)

High Season Never (The park is little visited)

Best Weather April to September (It hardly ever rains)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Nyanga NP (Eastern Highlands, Zimbabwe)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Chimanimani National Park

In the morning we walk through Honda Valley before we make our way to Chimanimani National Park, were we make camp for the next two nights. The scent of wildflowers fills the air as you explore the winding trails, immersing yourself in nature's beauty.

On day 9, we embark on a full day walk in Chimanimani National Park. The park offers breath taking landscapes and abundant wildlife. The Afro-Montane forests are home to 74 species of endemic birds, eland, bushbuck and blue duiker.

Main Destination:

Chimanimani National Park (Zimbabwe)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Inside Chimanimani NP (Zimbabwe)

Meals & Drinks:

• Meals at own expense
• Drinks not included

Great Zimbabwe Monuments

Dating back to the 11th century, Great Zimbabwe was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. These are some of the oldest stone structures in Southern Africa. The remnants of a civilization of up to 20,000 people surviving on trade in gold, cattle and crops. The word Zimbabwe means “houses of stone”. The complex drystone walls and ruins leave archeological clues as to the lifestyle of the people of the area. We explore this national monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site on foot with a guided walk through the hill complex and valley ruins.

Main Destination:

Great Zimbabwe (Ruins, Zimbabwe)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Matopos

Bulawayo is our next destination and the Matobos National Park. Arriving in the late afternoon, we set up camp on the outskirts of the park. We spend the following day exploring the park.

Matobos National Parks’ giant granite boulder landscapes, ancient rock art and surrounding wildlife make this a highlight of the tour. We embark on an open game drive into the reserve, where we take a guided walk to get closer to nature and hopefully track the endangered white rhino. After lunch we learn about the bushman paintings that adorn some of the rock overhangs. We visit the site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave and enjoy the magnificent sights from World’s View.

We return to our camp in the late afternoon and enjoy a sundowner and evening around the campfire.

Main Destination:

Matobo National Park (Zimbabwe)

Best Time To Visit June to October (Middle to end of the Dry season)

High Season July to September (Matobo doesn't get too busy)

Best Weather April to September (Rains are a rarity)

Wildlife in Matobo NP

GiraffeOccasional

White RhinoOccasional

ZebraOccasional

WildebeestOccasional

HippoOccasional

HyenaOccasional

Show more

Black RhinoRare

LeopardRare

ElephantNone

LionNone

CheetahNone

BuffaloNone

Wild DogNone

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Just outside Matobo NP (Zimbabwe)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Hwange National Park

One of the most famous wildlife reserves in Southern Africa, Hwange National Park, the biggest game reserve in Zimbabwe, is our next stop. We camp on a wildlife concession bordering the park and spend the following full day in search of big game on an open vehicle game drive.

Proclaimed in 1928 this reserve forms an important conservation area along the Zimbabwe and Botswana Border. Photographic opportunities abound, as we search for the large herds of elephant, buffalo and plains game that inhabit the park. Great birdwatching with 420 species recorded in the park, and if we are lucky, we might spot some of the elusive predators. The waterholes also offer good opportunities as the wildlife comes down to drink. We stop for a rest and lunch at a picnic site in the park before enjoying the afternoons sightings. We head back to camp in the late afternoon for our final night around the campfire.

Main Destination:

Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)

Best Time To Visit July to October (Middle and end of the Dry season)

High Season June to October (Hwange’s main area can become busy)

Best Weather April to September (It hardly ever rains)

Wildlife in Hwange NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

Show more

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

CheetahOccasional

Wild DogOccasional

White RhinoVery Rare

Black RhinoVery Rare

LeopardRare

Accommodation:

Budget camping

• Just outside Hwange NP (Zimbabwe)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Victoria Falls - Tour Ends

On our final day we have a short transfer from our last camping site to Victoria Falls Airport, Zimbabwe where the tour ends around lunchtime.

Main Destination:

Victoria Falls Town (Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe)

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.