11 day Zimbabwe and Zambia safari

You’ll catch a small bush plane from Victoria Falls airport for a short flight to Hwange National Park, home to the Big Five and the knock-out that is Somalisa Lodge. Here, you’ll spend three nights in one of just seven elegant sail tents, surrounded by an endless stream of wildlife. You’ll have your fill of predators and pachyderms, get up close and personal with big game at the waterhole hide, and explore the grasslands on foot. And you’ll wonder if you really have to leave.

Hop on another plane and head north for three nights at Victoria Falls River Lodge. You can opt to take a scenic helicopter flip over the Falls, tour its rainforests with a local guide, and generally fall in love with this natural wonder. When you’re not tearing off on a game-drive or sipping a sundowner on a famous Zambezi “booze cruise”, your private plunge pool beckons.

Sayonara, Zim. It’s time to clear customs and catch a charter flight to the Lower Zambezi National Park. Here, two unhurried nights await you at Chiawa. (It sounds short but don’t worry, we’ll explain.) On the banks of the river’s quieter stretches, you won’t have to travel far to find wildlife. You’ll watch elephants, buffalo, hippos and giant crocs, right from your bubble bath. Or head off further afield in search of lions, leopards and wild dogs. And there’s canoeing and catch-and-release fishing on offer too.

Two nights in the Lower Zambezi is never enough. That’s why we give you another two, taking authenticity up another notch at Old Mondoro, just a 90-minute boat journey away. Here, the experience continues beneath a canopy of elephant-luring winterthorn trees. There will be boat rides, walking safaris, red-light night drives and bush dinners under the stars. And when you climb back onto your bush plane on your final day, Vic Falls bound, your heart (and your memory card) will be full.