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5 NIGHT HWANGE NATIONAL PARK AND VICTORIA FALLS PLATINUM (A) SAFARI 3 Nights Hwange National Park 2 Nights Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 6 Days / 5 Nights Reference: IP-5A Start Victoria Falls Airport / End Victoria Falls Airport
Total Price 5 Nights: US$ 3947 (high season) / US$ 2819 (low season) per person per night
Overview Experience great quality luxury accommodation while you enjoy some of the best of Zimbabwe in Hwange National Park and Victoria Falls. This safari takes you from one of the newest luxury camps and the most exclusive one in Hwange set in a great game area, and then off to a quality Victoria Falls establishment that overlooks a waterhole and the African bush - a base for you to enjoy awesome Victoria Falls activities.
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Inspired Journey Overview Accommodation Night 1 – 3 Luxurious safari tent at Linkwasha Camp Night 4 – 5 Standard suite at Victoria Falls Safari Club
Transfers Included Day 1 Road Transfer: Linkwasha Airstrip to Linkwasha Camp Day 4 Road Transfer: Linkwasha Camp to Linkwasha Airstrip Day 4 Road Transfer: Victoria Falls Airport to Victoria Falls Safari Club Day 7 Road Transfer: Victoria Falls Safari Club to Victoria Falls Airport
Flights Included Day 1 Victoria Falls Airport to Linkwasha Airstrip Day 4 Linkwasha Airstrip to Victoria Falls Airport
Highlights Day 1 Night game drive Day 2 Morning game drive, Local village tour
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Day 3 Nature walk, Afternoon game drive Day 4 Game viewing at the waterhole, sundowners Day 5 See Victoria Falls activities
Day 1 – 3
Hwange National Park Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s biggest reserve, home to a profusion of wildlife, including giraffe, lion, zebra and approximately 40 000 elephants. It provides sanctuary for all the country’s endangered species, including a population of wild dogs thought to be among the most sizeable surviving groups on the continent. Terrain ranges from desert dunes and savannah lands to rocky outcrops and sparse forests.
Overnight: Linkwasha Camp Linkwasha Camp is situated on a private concession in the best location in Hwange National Park. The camp is situated near the famed Ngamo Plains, which offers fantastic summer game viewing – to add to the already excellent winter viewing from the camp itself; Linkwasha overlooks a pan that is a magnet for game in the dry season.
The fresh, open and airy design of the camp is complemented by an eclectic mix of contemporary interiors. The nine luxurious en-suite tents (eight twin and one family) all offer uninterrupted views of the waterhole, while the main area includes various multi-level decks and a cosy winter lounge complete with fireplace and library. Shaded salas surround an inviting pool.
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Notes: Day 1, 2, 3 DAY 1 You will arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport, where you will be transferred via chartered flight to Hwange National Park. It is about a 1-hour flight to Linkwasha Airstrip, and then a short drive up to Linkwasha Camp. When you will arrive at camp and check into your room, take time to familiarise yourself with your surroundings, then have drinks and snacks while you relax watching the animals that come to the waterhole, from the comfort of your room or from the main deck. Dinner will be served at the main lodge dining area, after which you will be taken for a game drive where you can experience the nightlife of the wild. Head back to camp for more drinks at the camp fire or to retire to your room.
DAY 2 Wake up early in the morning for a game drive into Hwange National Park. Tea/coffee and snacks will be served during the game drive. You will return to camp for brunch and a rest. After lunch, go out on a tour of a local village and learn about the culture and ways of a true rural Zimbabwean community. Return to camp to freshen up and enjoy sundowners at the lounge. Dinner will be served and you can enjoy drinks by the camp fire afterward.
DAY 3 On this day, you will have breakfast and then go on a nature walk with an experienced guide. Return to camp for a rest and spend some time enjoying the camp facilities. Then you may go on a night game drive on the camp's private concession, watching the nocturnal animals in the wild. Return to camp for dinner and drinks under the stars.
Activities Info
Game Drives Hwange National Park is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe at 14 651 km² with varied habitats and vegetation types – meaning that game drives are exciting with always something new to be seen. (Wind-resistant ponchos are provided during winter months.)
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Walking safaris Hwange was proclaimed some 80 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the densest concentrations of game in Africa. There is no better way to experience this park than on foot with one of our experienced safari guides.
Evening Game Drives The Hwange ‘night-act’ includes nocturnal species such as lesser bushbaby, spotted hyena, leopard, lion, Selous mongoose, pangolin, caracal, porcupine, scrub hare, springhare and even honey badger.
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Village Visit An authentic village experience takes place in a manner that is respectful to all parties. Usually around four hours and guided by one of the local villagers or a Wilderness guide, it often includes a guided tour of the school, meeting the headman or headwoman and enjoying cultural exchanges with the villagers.
Day 4 - 6
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe One of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and an extremely popular tourism attraction. Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, this spectacle is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine a game viewing and water sports. There is excellent fishing, a terrifying bungee jump and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world.
Overnight: Victoria Falls Safari Club 4 kms from Victoria Falls and situated within the magnificent grounds of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge resort and overlooking a private waterhole, is the boutique Safari Club.
The Club comprises 16 Club Rooms & 4 Club Suites. The luxurious rooms have uninterrupted views of the unspoilt bushveld, spectacular sunsets and the waterhole. All beds are three quarter beds, which can be converted into king beds. There are 2 sets of inter-leading Club Rooms and 2 sets of Chub Suites inter-leading into Club Rooms. Room facilities include: fully stocked complimentary mini bars, digital safes large enough to hold laptop computers, international multi sockets, beverage station including espresso machine, LED lighting, sliding glass doors and gauze screens to balcony, complimentary Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. The Suites offer the same as the Club Rooms but include a spacious adjacent sitting room.
The Safari Club has its own Club Lounge with: separate welcome zone, butler service, seamless delivery, complimentary afternoon tea and pastries served 15h30 to 16h30, complimentary sundowners and snacks served from 17h00 to 18h00, complimentary shuttle service to the Victoria Falls and places of interest in Victoria Falls and the Boma Restaurant, light meals are available 11h00 to 14h30 (own cost) & bar service from 11h00 to late
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(own cost). All Safari Club Residents have access to all facilities at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge resort but no other resort residents have access to the Club wing ensuring total exclusivity.
Notes: Day 4, 5, 6 DAY 4 Wake up early and spend some time watching the early morning traffic at the waterhole. Head down to the main lodge for breakfast and then prepare for your transfer to Victoria Falls. You will be driven to the Linkwasha Airstrip and then fly to Victoria Falls Airport. Once there, you will be picked up and driven about 30 minutes to Victoria Falls Safari Club Once you arrive there, you will be checked in and introduced to the club facilities.
There are no scheduled activities in the part of your tour, so you are free to either enjoy the complimentary Safari Club facilities such as massages and sundowners, or you may take part in evening Victoria Falls activities.
DAY 5 Breakfast is served at the Club Lounge where you can mingle with the other guests before going out for Victoria Falls activities. Visit our activities page or ask us to arrange your activities for you.
DAY 6 After breakfast, check out of your room and you will be picked up for your transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight.
Activities Info Place activities descriptions here
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Price Total for 5 Nights: US$ 3947 (high season) / US$ 2819 (low season) Per person per night
Included LINKWASHA CAMP • Accommodation in a generous and luxurious tent with views of the waterhole • All meals and local drinks • Laundry • National Park Fees • Twice daily scheduled camp activities: Morning and evening game drives, Nature walks, Village visits
VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI CLUB • Accommodation in a spacious suite with views of the National Park • Breakfast, complimentary mini bar, afternoon teas and pastries, sundowner cocktails and canapés • Laundry • Access to the Vulture Culture and the Star Talk Experience • Head and shoulder or foot massage
TRANSFERS • All road transfers between hotels, from and to Victoria Falls Airport • One air transfer between Victoria Falls and Hwange
Excluded LINKWASHA CAMP • Premium imported brands and champagne
VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI CLUB • All meals and activities not specified
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Travel Information
A nation of spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and rich culture, Zimbabwe’s status as one of Africa’s leading safari destinations was dampened for years by its political instability. But now that the country is transcending its strife and returning to a state of equilibrium, it is once again emerging as a vacation highlight of the continent. Victoria Falls – known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive body of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge is awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Lake Kariba, with its game-rich shores and islands, is an idyllic safari spot featuring mind-blowing sunsets; Hwange National Park is known for its huge herds of elephants; and a kayak trip down the Zambezi through the Mana Pools National Park will appeal to the intrepid traveller, providing close encounters with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other wildlife.
Banking and Currency Currency
Zimbabwe uses US$ as its own unit of currency. South African Rands and Euros are also widely accepted. It is advised to carry small denominations of change with you. However, it is best to pay for as much as possible outside of the country.
South African Rands work well in supermarkets, while US$ are preferred for curios, accommodation and activities.
Banking
Banks in Zimbabwe are open for business Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 08h00 to 15h00, on Wednesdays from 08h00 to 13h00 and Fridays from 08h00 to 11h30. They are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.
Travel, Transport and Getting Around Taxis are safe and reliable, and can be booked through your hotel front desk. Taxis in cities travel within a 40km radius of the city. Always take a taxi at night.
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Major airlines fly into Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo. Charter flights are available to most attractions and camps.
Zimbabwe has a good road infrastructure, by African standards, although potholed. Between major towns, there are frequent road blocks. Traffic drives on the left side of the road.
Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice Zimbabwe's native cuisine is based on sadza, a cooked porridge made from ground maize which is normally be accompanied by some tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish. Safari camps will often prepare sadza if requested, and it is almost always available in small restaurants in the towns.
Camps, hotels and lodges that cater to overseas typically serve a variety international fare, and the quality of food prepared in the most remote bush camps is usually excellent.
If you are driving yourself around and plan to cook, then get most of your supplies in main towns.
Water in the main towns is usually purified. The locals drink it, and are used to the relatively innocuous bugs that it may harbour. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it. However, if you are in Zimbabwe for just a short period of time, then try to drink only bottled, boiled, or treated water available in towns and from all camps, lodges and hotels.
Clothing / Dress Recommendations When in Zimbabwe the cardinal rule is to wear casual, comfortable clothes during the day as temperatures can get very hot. It is advisable to wear light loose fitting clothing, such as cotton or linen, as they are cool and easy to wash. Warmer clothes are advised for the evenings and rainwear for the wet season.
A brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea year round. Long sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard against the scorching sun rays. It is recommended you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of walking.
For safaris, please remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Earth colour clothes, such as browns, greens and tans are advisable.
Electricity and Plug Standards Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. Both square and round plugs are used.