| D1: Johannesburg OR Tambo - Victoria Falls |
| Meet and Greet • Transfer • Falls: Zimbabwe Side |
| 10:50 | - | Flight SA41 Arr 12:35 Johannesburg - Victoria Falls (Eco Class) One way (Optional rates: D1/D8Flight Johannesburg/Victoria Falls/Johannesburg) |
| | - | Meet and greet at Victoria Falls Airport. Our guide will be waiting for you in the arrival hall carrying a branded sign board. |
| | - | Transfer |
| | - | Arrival at Victoria Falls, one of the most famous landmarks in the world and visited by thousands of tourists every year, yet the town of the same name remains small and filled with plenty of old-world frontier charm. Victoria Falls town is bright and friendly and a great place to browse craft markets and collect souvenirs of your African travels as you take some time to absorb the atmosphere and pick up a greater sense of the African cultures and the rich history that have shaped the Victoria Falls over time. Wildlife lovers may need to look no further than right in front of them as animals are known to roam the streets with cheeky baboons hanging around in the trees and occasionally even an elephant or two strolling across the road to the nearby Zambezi River. (Suggestion not included in rates) |
| | - | View one of the world’s natural wonders on a visit to the Zimbabwe side of the Victoria Falls. This enormous sheet of falling water was first discovered by David Livingstone in 1855, although it had been known to the local people for much longer than that. It is shared by two countries, Zambia to the north and Zimbabwe to the south. Around two thirds of the falls are located on the Zimbabwe side and this country is also considered to have more classical views of the mains falls with footpaths leading you to breathtaking viewpoints such as Devils Cataract, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls and the very popular Rainbow Falls. The sights from here are considered some of the best on the planet while the sheer force of the tumbling water is a sensory treat as water plunges and tumbles, sending sprays of mist up into the skies. |
| | - | Dinner: AZambezi River Lodge |
| | - | Overnight: AZambezi River Lodge (Standard Garden Room - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D2: Victoria Falls - Bulawayo |
| Bulawayo City Tour • Bulawayo Museum: Rail |
| | - | Breakfast |
| 07:00 | - | Embark on your guided tour aboard your minibus: He will accompany you all along your circuit from Victoria Falls (Day 2) to Victoria Falls (Day 6) |
| | - | Travel to Bulawayo |
| | - | Lunch: Cresta Churchill Hotel |
| | - | Trace Zimbabwe’s history and culture along the bustling streets of Bulawayo on a city tour. Bulawayo is the second largest city in Zimbabwe and also one of the oldest, carrying with it a rich and sometimes bloody history. It was the site of numerous executions by Chief Lobengula, son of Mzilikazi, during the formation of the Ndebele state in the 1830s, and blood flowed once again in the 1890s when British colonialists seized the city and announced the successful conclusion of the Matabele War. Today colonial influence can still be seen in buildings such as the town hall and the station, once a central hub of trading activity. The Natural History Museum is considered amongst the best in the country with a vast collection of gemstones showcasing Zimbabwe’s astounding natural wealth, and the Railway Museum houses an interesting collection of steam locomotives, beautiful buildings and a private coach that once belonged to the famous Cecil John Rhodes. |
| | - | Steam along with a visit to the Bulawayo Railway Museum. The history of Bulawayo’s rail system dates back to the late 1800s when a need arose to link the fast-developing and landlocked mining towns in Zimbabwe with the ports in Mozambique and South Africa. The open air museum is situated behind the Bulawayo Railway Station in an area that was previously a workshop used for the maintenance of refrigeration wagons. It displays a variety of small exhibits and models as well as steam and diesel electric locomotives. Highlights include the Jack Tar, one of the best known and most popular steam locomotives to have worked in Rhodesia, and the coach car used to transport the remains of Cecil John Rhodes from Cape Town to his final resting place in the Matopos Hills just south of Bulawayo. This grand, private saloon includes a kitchen, lounge and bathroom and was originally purchased by the De Beers mining company which was founded by Rhodes. |
| | - | Dinner: Cresta Churchill Hotel |
| | - | Overnight: Cresta Churchill Hotel (Standard Room - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D3: Bulawayo - Great Zimbabwe |
| Great Zimbabwe Ruins |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Great Zimbabwe |
| | - | Lunch: Great Zimbabwe Hotel |
| | - | Roam ancient architectural remains with a visit to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. Originally discovered in 1868, these ruins are the largest in Africa south of the Sahara and stand as testament to the great architectural skill of the early Zimbabwean people. Built between the 11th and 15th centuries, the ruins are a collection of granite walls embellished with turrets, towers, platforms and elegantly sculpted stairways that have been called ‘unparalleled elsewhere in Africa and beyond’. Although still a source of much mystery as to its function, it is known that the ruins stand in a location that was once the epicentre of an industrious southern African empire, with trading links stretching as far away as India, Persia and China. The site also includes a small museum that displays shards of Persian pottery, a Chinese writing set and brass ornaments from Assam in India, all unearthed amid or near the ruins and all extremely old. |
| | - | Dinner: Great Zimbabwe Hotel |
| | - | Overnight: Great Zimbabwe Hotel (Standard Room - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast (Groups/Series)) |
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| D4: Great Zimbabwe - Bulawayo |
| Matopo Hils Safari Picnic Game Drive Full Day |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Bulawayo |
| | - | Discover the essence of Zimbabwe on a full day safari with picnic in Matopos National Park. Embark when the first rays of the sun spread over the pink rocks and the peaceful nature of the park. During this day, explore ancient caves housing San rock art (Bushmen), stop at the graves of eminent historical leaders and enjoy the African wildlife, by car and on foot. Matopos is undoubtedly one of Zimbabwe's most special national parks, offering culture, history, scenic landscapes, incredible wildlife including the black rhino and the white rhino, both protected, as well as a multitude of wild birds. Your guided safari includes a picnic lunch of cold meats and salad.
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| | - | Dinner: Cresta Churchill Hotel |
| | - | Overnight: Cresta Churchill Hotel (Standard Room - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D5: Bulawayo - Hwange |
| 4x4 Afternoon Game Drive |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Hwange |
| | - | Arrival in Hwange National Park. The largest national park in Zimbabwe covers an area of more than 14 000 km², south of Victoria Falls. The area was declared a game reserve in 1972, by which time its game population had been nearly wiped out by hunters and settlers. Now the park can boast as being one of the most pristine and well-managed areas in Zimbabwe, with the abundant numbers of wildlife as testimony to this fact. The park has about 90 species of animals, 413 species of birds and approximately a 1000 species of trees and shrubs. To the South East, the savanna is populated with a dense fauna : antilopes, zebras, buffalos, elephants, and baboons. To the West, the rolling hills are inhabitated by lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas and jackals. |
| | - | Lunch: Bomani Tented Lodge |
| | - | 4X4 Game Drive in Hwange National Park |
| | - | Dinner: Bomani Tented Lodge |
| | - | Overnight at the Camp: Bomani Tented Lodge (Hornbill Luxury(Saddlebill)Tents - Fully Inclusive) |
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| D6: Hwange - Victoria Falls |
| 4x4 Morning Game Drive • Mpisi Village • Cruise: Sunset |
| | - | 4x4 Game drive in Hwange National Park |
| | - | Breakfast |
| | - | Travel to Victoria Falls |
| | - | Lunch: The Lookout Cafe |
| | - | Depart from your hotel for a tour of Mpisi Village where you can try your hand at traditional chores. This rural village is situated approximately 13 km from Victoria Falls town and is the traditional home of the Matabele people. Here you will be able to observe the villagers going about their everyday lives as you watch agricultural fields being tended to and possibly give a helping hand with daily tasks. You will also be invited into the homes of the local villagers where you will have an opportunity to learn more about the Matabele culture and traditions with everything from farming to important ceremonies and child rearing up for discussion. For many this will be the first introduction to authentic African culture and the informal and informative tour offers a fun-filled and enlightening day before returning to the westernised world. |
| | - | Soak up the beauty of Africa on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. The immense, calm waters of the Zambezi River lend themselves to leisurely boat cruises amongst the peace and tranquillity of the surrounding wilderness. From your lodge you will be taken to the jetty and begin your sailing journey upstream from the Victoria Falls. As you peacefully drift along the river you can admire the splashes of colour that the setting sun paints in the sky as well as watch the wildlife that congregates along the river banks in the coolness of the evening. Your wondrous cruise is rounded off with aperitifs and snacks served on board the boat. |
| | - | Dinner: AZambezi River Lodge |
| | - | Overnight: AZambezi River Lodge (Standard Garden Room - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast) |
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| D7: Victoria Falls - Chobe |
| Transfer • Chobe National Park(n) • • Afternoon Activity |
| | - | Breakfast |
| 12:00 | - | Transfer from Victoria Falls to Chobe |
| | - | Chobe National Park is one of the largest in Botswana, famed not only for the highest concentration of elephants found anywhere in Africa but also for having the densest population of game on the continent. This, together with its reputation of offering superb wildlife viewing all year round, makes it a highly popular travel destination. The park lies along the Chobe River and is comprised of four distinct ecosystem – the lush plains and forests of the Chobe river front attracting elephant and vast herds of buffalo; the rich grasslands and savannahs of the Savuti Marsh; the Linyanti Swamps, renowned for prowling predators and large herds of game; and the hot and dry hinterland of Nogatsaa and Tchinga, holding water well into the dry season and attracting a profusion of game between August and October. A high density of predators and the occurrence of many rare antelope species rounds off this spectacular game park. (Not included) |
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| | - | Lunch: Chobe Marina Lodge |
| | - | Afternoon activity. |
| | - | Dinner: Chobe Marina Lodge |
| | - | Overnight: Chobe Marina Lodge (Standard Suite - Fully Inclusive) |
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| D8: Chobe - Johannesburg OR Tambo |
| Morning Activity • Transfer |
| | - | Morning activity. |
| | - | Breakfast |
| 10:00 | - | Transfer from Chobe to Victoria Falls |
| 13:25 | - | Flight SA40 Arr 15:35 Victoria Falls - Johannesburg (Economy Class) (Optional rates: D1/D8Flight Johannesburg/Victoria Falls/Johannesburg) |
