Victoria Falls & Hwange Safari
10 Days Victoria Falls & Hwange Safari
Venture across the waterholes and grassy pans of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve brimming with spectacular wildlife. Head out for exciting bush walks, railway safaris, and mountain biking along elephant paths of Zambezi National Park. Visit local villages, spot elephant, gemsbok, lion, and beautiful bird variety on canoe rides and game drives. Experience the mist of the Victoria Falls, the world's largest sheet of cascading water — on your skin. End evenings with delicious campfire dinners and snuggle up in your "star bed" beneath the African sky.
Details Testimonials
Arrive: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe “I've taken six MTS trips and they have all exceeded my expectations. The staff, the food, the logistics and Depart: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe the communications have always been exceptional. Thank you for being my "go to" adventure travel Duration: 10 Days company!” Margaret I. Group Size: 1-16 Guests
Minimum Age: 10 Years Old “I have traveled extensively around the world. The experience with MTS was by far the best I have ever Activity Level: had. Thank you for such excellence.” Marianne W. . REASON #01 REASON #02 REASON #03 Fall asleep to the sounds Dynamic activities with unique Join conservation efforts by of hundreds of elephants ways to experience Africa's wild helping maintain borehole moving around the camp bush and epic animals by train, 4x4 pumps that support the wildlife in Hwange National Park. vehicle, hikes, and even by bike! of Hwange National Park.
ACTIVITIES LODGING CLIMATE Elephant encounters, game- Landscape-inspired campsites and The weather is pleasant watching, open-air rail safari and lodges mostly nestled in remote throughout the year - warm/ hikes. Guided bush walks, meeting wilderness, with opportunities hot days and cooler nights. locals, and canoeing down the to sleep beneath the African sky. May to August can be chilly at Zambezi River with picnics alfresco. night and in the early morning.
Tyron grew up outside Bulawayo city, Zimbabwe, in a rural Sibs – our Hwange head guide – has been guiding area where he spent many days outdoors with his older professionally for over 15 years. Zimbabwe has stringent guide brother, riding his bicycle, building forts and fishing. After licensing regulations and our pro-guides are widely recognized serving as an apprentice guide for several years in the Hwange as some of the best in Africa. Sibs has a world of experience in area, he began guiding professionally at 22. Since then, he has the region, having worked for several outfitters and operators. worked in the lower Zambezi valley, Hwange, and Matopos He also spent a year in Botswana, working as a cultural guide regions. Notably, Tyron developed his concern for protecting with the San people of the Kalahari Desert. Sibs’ passion and rhinos during his time in Matopos after becoming aware of the working knowledge of Western Zimbabwe’s people, parks and declining population, and began his conservationist efforts. He ecosystems adds great value to each MT Sobek adventure in is based at Nehimba Lodge in northern Hwange National Park. the region.
Tyron Hurst Ibahle Sibanda Itinerary DAY 1 WELCOME TO ZIMBABWE Arrive at Victoria Falls airport and transfer to the luxurious Gorges Lodge, perched on the Batoka Gorge overlooking the mighty Zambezi River. Use the afternoon to rest, swim, and take in the phenomenal views. Before the three-course dinner and traditional Zimbabwean dance show, enjoy happy hour cocktails.
Meals: L, D
DAY 2 VISIT THE MIGHTY VICTORIA FALLS & HWANGE NATIONAL PARK Set off for one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World — Victoria Falls, the world's largest sheet of cascading water. Enter Hwange National Park at Dete Railroad Station to board the Elephant Express for a 2.5-hour open-air rail safari to Bomani Tented Lodge, where a delicious three-course dinner awaits outdoors.
Activity: 2.5-hour rail safari
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 3 BUSH WALKS IN HWANGE NATIONAL PARK Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, back in the 19th century Hwange was a royal hunting ground of Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi; it became a national park in 1929. Head out for an easy walk through the park's native acacia forests, enjoy guided bush talks by licensed local experts, and look out for some of the area's 100 mammal and 400 bird species.
Activity: 2 guided bush walks/3-5 hours each
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 4 SPOT GAME AND MEET LOCAL VILLAGERS AT HWANGE After a sumptuous breakfast, hit the trail for thrilling game drives. Look out for elephants — Hwange National Park boasts one of the world's largest elephant populations, over 45,000 of these giants. Spot lions, cheetah, wild dogs, giraffe, and hippo. Meet locals at the nearby Ngamo village, tour the school, and check out the community projects. Come evening, relish in campfire dinners beneath the stars.
Activity: 2 game drives by open 4X4 vehicle/3-5 hours each
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 5 EMBARK ON FULL-DAY SAFARI TO JOZIBANINI CAMP Embark on a full-day safari for the trademark MTS "pump run," a one-of-a-kind experience that pairs remote- area game viewing with hands-on conservation fun. Take part in day-to-day maintenance at borehole pumps, the heartbeat of Hwange's wildlife. Enjoy a midday picnic and rest in Mfagazaan Pan's shade. End the long day by settling in at the rustic Jozibanini Camp.
Activity: Full day game drive by open 4X4 vehicle, 6–7 hours
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 6 SLOW DOWN AT SOUTHERN HWANGE Sleep in and enjoy an open-air champagne breakfast, relaxing in the isolation of the pristine African bush. Head out for an easy guided game walk through the camp area to see Hwange's magnificent elephants up close. Cocktails and snacks await by the waterhole before the alfresco dinner.
Activity: Bush walks & game drives by open 4X4 vehicle
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 7 MOUNTAIN BIKE ACROSS HWANGE Today get ready for a safari on two wheels. Grab a mountain bike to cycle along elephant paths. Fuel up for the ride back at a shaded picnic lunch, then enjoy game viewing and amazing photo opportunities at the camp. Fall asleep to the sounds of hundreds of elephants moving about in a "star bed" outdoors.
Activity: 3–4 hours biking & game drives by open 4X4 vehicle
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 8 EXPLORE ZAMBEZI NATIONAL PARK After breakfast, take a charter flight back to Victoria Falls airport, and look out for game from above. Shuttle over to the luxurious Zambezi Sands River Camp on the wild Zambezi River in the Zambezi National Park. Unwind with evening cocktails and game watching as the sun sets.
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 9 CANOE TO THE ZAMBEZI RIVER ISLANDS Hop into a canoe to explore Zambezi National Park's beautiful islands and inland riverbeds. Keep an eye out for game hanging out by the banks. Stop for an island picnic lunch and siesta, then continue back to camp to relax in private splash pools. End the day with a farewell dinner after the last game drive in the park.
Activity: 3-5 hours canoeing & 3 hours game drives by open 4X4 vehicle
Meals: B, L, D
DAY 10 DEPART ZIMBABWE Take in the final sights and sounds of the African bush over a hearty goodbye breakfast. Pack up and hit the road to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight home.
Meals: B
2019
$ 6,595 per person
Additional Cost $ 1,500 Single Supplement
PRICE INCLUDES PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE Expert leadership from experienced adventure International airfare, any airport taxes, or excess guides baggage charges Accommodations as noted in the itinerary Optional tips to your lead adventure guides Meals as noted in the daily itinerary Personal expenses such as medical immunizations, phone calls, laundry, or souvenirs Potable water and snacks throughout Airport transfers if arriving outside of Day 1 1 glass of wine or beer at dinner Optional travel protection All tips and gratuities for support staff with the exception of your lead adventure guide(s) All necessary biking gear on Day 7 All group entrance fees, activities, and ground transportation Arrival and departure day group airport transfers Basic medical and emergency evacuation insurance