Zimbabwe

12 day ultimate Zimbabwe safari

Travel Logistics

Travel Logistics

Starts: 
Harare
Ends: 
Victoria Falls
Itinerary

Itinerary

Visits: Mana Pools, Matusadona, Hwange, Victoria Falls
Timing

Timing

Duration:
11 nights
Best times:
Apr, Nov 26
Price Guide

Price Guide

From USD $12650
per person
Hidden Africa | Safari Tour Ideas | 12 day ultimate Zimbabwe safari

Upper Zambezi, Lower Zambezi and everything in between 12 day ultimate Zimbabwe safari

Zim’s a bit of a charmer. 12 day ultimate Zimbabwe safari starts in the meandering stretches of the Lower Zambezi, you’ll spend 12 days exploring its hippo-filled rivers and lakes. You’ll head up stream to the foothills of the Matusadona on the elephant-lined shores of Lake Kariba, detouring to Hwange’s thronging waterholes, and then on to Zimbabwe’s true sweetheart: Victoria Falls.

In between all the game drives and walking safaris, there’s a ton to be done. You’ll spend your mornings on a game drive or paddling your way past hippos and flat dogs* in Mana Pools, while afternoons are perfect for a spot of catch-and-release tiger fishing. (Pack your muscles, these guys love a good fight.) Lake Kariba offers sunrise boat cruises and stunning views, and you’ll get up close and personal with Hwange’s elephants from the cover of the hide. To top it all off, you’ll get to gaze down on Victoria Falls on a thrilling helicopter flip. By the end of 12 day ultimate Zimbabwe safari you’ll be walking on water.

*Those are crocodiles, in layman’s terms.

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Highlights

  • Tracking elephants on foot in Mana Pools.
  • Canoeing down the Lower Zambezi, or trawling its waters for tiger fish (cold beer in hand).
  • Riviera living on the edge of Lake Kariba, listening to lions roar.
  • Hwange’s giant elephant herds – and the rest of the Big Five too.
  • Enjoy life on the Zambezi river at Victoria Falls River lodge.
  • Fuelling your inner adrenaline-junkie with all the daring activities Vic Falls has to offer.

Cool & Unusual

  • Book a scenic heli flip for an angel’s-eye view of Victoria Falls.

Break it down Itinerary overview

The adventure begins! You’ll catch a small bush plane in Victoria Falls and follow the Zambezi downstream, past Lake Kariba, and on to Nyamatusi in Mana Pools. Here’s where you’ll spend the next three nights, in one of just four luxury tents bang on the water’s edge. Talk about views! You’ll canoe on the Zambezi and game-view on a sunset booze cruise.

Today you’re up and away on your second charter flight. Next stop: Bumi Hills. On the shores of Lake Kariba, life slows down to a delicious hum. You’ll hear the heart-warming tale of Bumi’s most famous resident, Ben the elephant – prepare yourself – and you’ll drain your batteries taking photos of Kariba sunsets. And when you’re not out on a game-drive, fishing for bream or watching buffalo graze along the shoreline, there’s always time for a massage and a refreshing G&T.

It’s time to swap muddy red elephants for Hwange’s grey ones. You’ll board another tiny bush plane (the scenic transfers never get old) and scoot off to the award-winning Somalisa, with its golden grasslands and oversized copper bathtubs. Over the next three nights, you’ll head out in search of the Big Five, get swept away by some serious predator action, and peer out of the hide at the waterhole’s endless stream of visitors.

Leaving Somalisa won’t be easy, but at least you’ll do it Out of Africa-style. Your final bush plane hop brings you back to where it all began: Victoria Falls, where you’ll enjoy two romantic nights at the Victoria Falls River Lodge. You can opt to take a thrilling helicopter flip above the Falls and explore the area by boat and on a game drive.


Your stay Camps & lodges

3 Nights

Nyamatusi Camp

On either side of the Zambezi, an age-old debate rages: which of its banks is better. But when you’re staring out at the river from one of only four intimate suites at the tail end of the Great African Rift...

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3 Nights

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge

From their vantage point above the shores of Lake Kariba, Bumi’s ten spectacular suites take African riviera living to natural-fibred new heights. The views alone are worth the visit. At just the right angle, it’s impossible to tell where the...

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3 Nights

Somalisa Camp

Laden with copper bathtubs, beaten silverware and golden grasslands stretching as far as the eye can see, there’s an air of alchemy to this Hwange hideaway. Reclusively set in a private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park, you’ll...

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2 Nights

Victoria Falls River Lodge

Just a few kilometres upstream from the thundering Falls you’ll find Victoria Falls River Lodge. Here, from your private plunge pool on the banks of the Zambezi, a gentle river breeze – and a touch of smugness – washes over...

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Itinerary gallery

12 day ultimate Zimbabwe safari Dates & Rates

SeasonDatePrice Guide
Mid seasonApril & November 2026from $12,650 per person sharing

Pricing intended as a guideline. Subject to availability, airfare and rate of exchange fluctuations. E&OE

Bang for your buck What’s included

3 nights at Nyamatusi Camp including al meals

3 nights Bumi Hills Safari Lodge including all meals

3 nights Somalisa Camp including all meals

2 nights Victoria Falls River Lodge including all meals

All internal flights from Victoria Falls, airport and lodge transfers

All meals at safari lodges (typically brunch, high tea and dinner)

Local wines and beers, soft drinks and bottled water at meal times

All game drives and standard lodge activities

Experienced Safari Guides and Trackers on safari

Snacks and drinks during game drives

Conservation fees for game parks and reserves

Complimentary laundry service while on safari unless specified

Frequently Asked Questions

You’ll tick off Zimbabwe’s finest: Mana Pools National Park on the Lower Zambezi, Lake Kariba, Matusadona National Park, Hwange National Park, and Victoria Falls (one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World).

It’s the mix. You’ll experience river, lake, bush, and waterfall in one seamless journey! From canoeing past hippos in Mana Pools, to sipping sundowners on Lake Kariba, tracking big cats in Hwange, and flying over Victoria Falls. Every leg of the trip is chosen for variety, exclusivity, and wow factor.

A hand-picked blend. Think waterfront hideaways, and stylish tented camps that put you in the heart of the bush. Every stay offers comfort, drool-worthy food, and an incredible front-row seat to Zim’s wildlife.

Both! First-timers will love the variety and high standard of guiding. At the same time, seasoned safari-goers will appreciate the diversity of habitats, activities, and the chance to explore Zimbabwe’s less-travelled corners.

You can expect to see huge herds of elephants, big cats, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles, and over 400 species of birds. Each region brings something unique — like Mana Pools’ on-foot elephant encounters or Hwange’s predator action.

Absolutely! Mana Pools offers legendary guided walks and canoe trips, Lake Kariba is perfect for boat cruises and fishing, and you’ll explore the Vic Falls area on foot and by boat too!

The Winter (dry season) from June to October offers the best wildlife viewing, as the thicket thins out and animals gather around water sources. The Summer (green season) from November to April brings lush landscapes (making animal sightings a bit harder) but is excellent for birding, and makes for a beautiful photographic safari.

Your safari begins in Harare, which is easily accessible by direct flights from Johannesburg and other African hubs.

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