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

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

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 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

You will pack up camp and depart Livingstone for the long drive across southern Zambia to your camp on the Kafue River. You will pass small villages, and the rolling landscape offers interesting views before you drop down into the lower Zambezi River valley. You will spend the late afternoon in preparation for your 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, you will pack your 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, bird-watching and photographic opportunities abound. You'll 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. You will stop for a rest and lunch on the banks of the river before heading out again for the afternoon.

Your 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 to see hippos, elephants, and other wildlife. You will be collected by motorboat and make your way back to the starting campsite.

Main Destination:

Kafue River (Zambia)

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Chinhoyi Caves

You will 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 was used as a place of safety for the 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

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

The variety of ecosystems and climate in the area make it a birder haven. Interesting birdlife includes the blue swallows in summer, wattled cranes breeding 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, you will walk through Honda Valley before you make your way to Chimanimani National Park, where you will 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, you will embark on a full-day walk in Chimanimani National Park. The park offers breathtaking landscapes and abundant wildlife. The Afro-Montane forests are home to 74 species of endemic birds, elands, bushbucks, and blue duikers.

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 survived 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. You will 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

Matobo National Park

Bulawayo is your next destination and the Matobos National Park. Arriving in the late afternoon, you will set up camp on the outskirts of the park. You will 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. You will embark on an open game drive into the reserve, where you take a guided walk to get closer to nature and hopefully track the endangered white rhino. After lunch, you will learn about the bushman paintings that adorn some of the rock overhangs. You will visit the site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave and enjoy the magnificent sights from the world’s view.

You will return to your 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 your next stop. You will 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 you search for the large herds of elephants, buffalos and plains game that inhabit the park. Over 420 bird species are recorded in the park. If lucky, you might spot some of the elusive predators. The waterholes also offers good opportunities as the wildlife comes down to drink. You'll stop for a rest and lunch at a picnic site in the park before enjoying the afternoon sightings. You'll head back to camp in the late afternoon for your 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 your final day, you will have a short transfer from your 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.