Best of Zimbabwe Safari Tour - 12 Days

On arrival at the Victoria Falls Airport you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to the hotel. You will partake in our sunset cruise trip on the mighty Zambezi River with lots of complimentary drinks and snacks just to get you settled after the long flight. We will have our first meeting – trip briefing – at the hotel before dinner. The elegant lodge is set within the Stanley & Livingstone Private Game Reserve, just a ten minutes’ drive away from the world famous Victoria Falls. Representing the grandeur of a bygone era and catering for the most discerning guests, this boutique hotel allows you to experience one of Africa's great highlights and the fantastic adventures available around Victoria Falls, in the utmost glamour and style. Overnight at Stanley & Livingstone Hotel, Bed & Breakfast.

After breakfast, you will be picked from your hotel for a guided tour of the Victoria Falls. Victoria Falls are a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur on the Zambezi River, bordering Zambia and Zimbabwe. The Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. The Local people call it "Mosi-oa-Tunya" - the smoke that thunders and the Falls are remarkable. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk. The Victoria falls is 1 708 meters wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. You will have the remainder of the day at leisure or partake in many of our touring activities that Victoria Falls has to offer and these may include; Helicopter flips over the falls, elephant back safaris, walk with the lions just to mention a few. The tour lasts for about two to three hours. After the Victoria Falls, you will be taken to the Open Curio Market where you will have a chance to put your bargaining skills to the test. You will be amazed by these wonderful works of art and most of them at give away prices. Overnight at Stanley & Livingstone Hotel (BLD)

Arrive by light aircraft flight at Mana Pools National Park, here you will be met by your guide who will transfer you back to the lodge to settle in before your afternoon activity. Nyamatusi camp is a luxury tented camp, situated along the Zambezi River. Set under the shade of winter thorn and ebony trees, each tent has en suite bathroom facilities with hot bucket showers and the main area has charging facilities for your all-important cameras. With unique access to the Zambezi River, your days will be filled with adventurous canoeing safaris, tracking game along the shorelines by foot, and fishing for the iconic tiger fish. An absolute must, however, is a game drive in an open 4 x 4 along the flood plains and into the heart of the Mana Pools UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mana Pools is renowned for large numbers of elephant, buffalo, hippo and eland, especially in the winter when they congregate along the river. Today, accompanied by an expert guide embark on a game drive through the park in pursuit of its famed residents. Predators such as lion, leopard and wild dog are all found in the area. Bird life is superb, particularly for both mopane woodland and riverine species with numerous local favorites like collared palm thrush, racket-tailed roller, purple-banded sunbird and black-throated wattle-eyes. Other activities include guided walking safaris, canoeing safaris and game drives all led by our qualified and passionate guides who will share their knowledge and love of the bush with you. Overnight at Nyamatusi Camp (BLD)

Exciting wildlife sightings are an inseparable part of walking safaris. These bush hikes awaken your senses and fully expose them to Africa’s rich biodiversity. With its sparse vegetation providing for great visibility and an astounding variety of fauna, Mana Pools National Park is one of the continent’s best walking destinations. Your experienced guide makes sure that you can safely enjoy this mesmerizing natural habitat and points out species that you might not have been able to spot from a safari vehicle. Big game can also be seen, so have your eyes peeled and your camera ready! Today we see Mana Pools and its wild residents from a different perspective as you take a canoeing excursion down one of the park’s waterways. Translated from the Shona language, Mana means ‘four’ and it refers to the four large pools formed in the park by the middle Zambezi. Featuring a vast floodplain that transforms into series of expansive lakes after each rainy season, the park is a perfect spot for those seeking a canoeing adventure in Africa. Paddle through the tranquil waters and take in your pristine surroundings, all the while trying to spot game. Some of the most fascinating encounters may include hippos, crocodiles, elephants and countless birds. This activity provides you with a rare opportunity to combine a little bit of exercise with an unforgettable safari experience. All meals and overnight at Nyamatusi Camp (BLD)

Arrive by light aircraft flight at Hwange National Park, here you will be met by your guide who will transfer you back to the lodge to settle in before your afternoon activity. Capturing the ambiance of a mobile camp but with all the trimmings, Somalisa Camp offers with authenticity and comfort. Slightly more grounded with common areas on the land giving you a closer connection to the true wilderness experience, without sacrificing any luxury. The honest and genuine design of this camps truly grants you the space to explore Africa as it should be. Where guests make themselves at home in Serengeti-style tents with contemporary finishes. Set within a private concession in the Hwange National Park, you can expect flexibility in all your activities, including walking safaris and game drives. Here you will be accompanied by knowledgeable guides who possess a true passion for their trade. This afternoon head out into the park to explore the numerous wonders of Hwange. This national park is home to a wide variety of most sought-after African beasts and it is sure to satisfy all nature enthusiasts! There are thousands of elephants and buffalo. Lions are commonly seen, but the elusive leopard is always the biggest bonus to spot. With 100 recorded species there is plenty to see and you will not be bored. In the dry season (Apr-May, Jul-Oct) game-viewing is assisted by the shallow pans threaded throughout the park. Overnight at Somalisa Camp (BLD)

Each of the two days you have unique wildlife opportunities. Each day you embark on morning and afternoon game drives that will allow you to experience Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park at its finest. Hwange National Park has one of the highest animal diversity of any national park in the world and hosts Africa's Big Five. It is justifiably famous for its massive elephant herds (60,000+) and has one of Africa's largest sable antelope populations. Hwange National Park has an extensive network of loop roads and viewing platforms, ideal for game drives. Today you take a full day safari in the Hwange National park, depart at 0700hrs soon after breakfast and you will be back at the lodge at about 1800hrs. Picnic lunch will be served at any one of the many game viewing platforms dotted around the park. With lady luck on your side we will able to see the big five. After a sundowner we will return to the camp for a drink by the fire before having dinner and enjoying all the night sounds the bush has to offer. All meals and and Overnight at Somalisa Camp (BLD)

We will depart for Bulawayo soon after breakfast, a scenic journey of 240km which will take us approximately three hours of safe driving. After check in and lunch we will take a two hours tour to the Khami Ruins/Monuments. The Khami Ruins are located about 10km to the west Bulawayo. The site represents all that remains of the capital of one of southern Africa’s great empires which was at its peak from 1450-1650. Archaeological finds which include 16th century Rhineland stoneware, Ming porcelain pieces which date back to the reign of Wan-Li (1573-1691), Portuguese imitations of 17th-century Chinese porcelain, 17th-century Spanish silverware etc, indicate that Khami was a major centre of trade, presumably linked (like Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe before it) to the Swahili ports on the East Africa coast. Overnight at Holiday Inn Bulawayo (BLD)

Every day we have a day excursion from Bulawayo to Matobo National Park that is only half hour drive away. Every day will depart for the park at 07H30 and will be back at the hotel at about 18H00 with picnic lunches. This is a small park, full of our history as it is home to Cecil John Rhodes final resting place, offering visitors dramatic and panoramic landscape views and compelling cultural sites. The extraordinary Matopo Hills are full of hidden caves, sacred places and Bushman paintings. The park has more than 3000 rock art sites dating back from 320-500 AD, and other historical treasures such as 20,000-year-old stone toolsand; is home to both, Black and White Rhino. It has one of the highest concentrations of spotted hyenas within the country. Black eagles soar on thermals, and are one of the park's flagships. Colorful reptiles-lizards are found, dotting Matopo rock outcrops. Little furry creatures - Rock Hyraxes - can be spotted in many rock crevices or basking atop on outcrops; incredibly they're one of the closest elephant relatives. Overnights at Holiday Inn Bulawayo (BLD

This morning after breakfast, fly from Bulawayo to Johanesburg. Flight time is approximately 1.5 hours. Luggage restrictions applicable to this flight: 1 piece at a maximum of 20 kg (44 lb) per piece. Hand luggage: One bag allowed in addition to one slimline laptop bag. No bag should exceed 56cm x 36cm x 23cm (total dimensions of 115 cm including handles and wheels) weighing not more than 8Kgs. At no time may a bag be accepted heavier than 32kg, this must either be repacked or be shipped as Cargo. Depart from the International Airport. This marks the end of our services. (BL)

These items form the basic components of your tour / safari cost and MAY NOT be excluded / removed from the tour pacakge all-together. However, if you still like the tour without some of of the basic components, kindly request for customization of the tour. The tour cost includes;

· Airport Meet and Greet Services with assistance

· Complimentary baggage handling of two pieces per person

· Transport in a custom-built safari vehicle with window seat guarantee

· Express check-in with assistance in your city hotels and safari lodges

· 1 Meal a day / Bed and breakfast accommodation while in your City Hotels

· 3 meals a day / Full-Board accommodation whilst on Safari Hotels, lodges or Camps

· All parks and game reserve entry gate fees including vehicle & driver fees

· Services of an English - speaking and professional safari driver/guide

· WIFI Internet Access (Where Available in Hotels, Camps & Lodges) - Non-Guaranteed*

· Unlimited Supply of Complimentary Bottled Drinking Water on safari

· Charging ports in the car for your phone, camera battery, or laptop

· At least a pair of standard Binoculars in every safari vehicle

· Access to AfriChoice 'manned' Call-Centre 24hrs a day, 7 days a week

· Guaranteed Departures with a minimum of just 2 travellers!

· ALL Government taxes and levies

These items are excluded from your tour cost / package. You are therefore expected to make own arrangement for some such as your International Flight Tickets, Travel Insurance and so on. Others are available as 'add-ons' to your tour and we shall be glad to include any extras you like at a reasonable cost. The tour cost excludes;

· International Air Fares to and from Africa

· Travel Insurance Cover, Personal or Baggage (Highly Recommended)

· Cost of Tourist or Business Visa to the country you are visiting

· International airport(s) departures taxes (if not included in your ticket)

· Optional excursions not mentioned in the inclusions and/or quoted separately

· Expenses of personal nature such as phone calls, internet, laundry etc

· All soft and hard drinks (alcoholic drinks, wines and spirits)

· Tips and gratuities to driver guides/lodge/hotel staff

· Cultural Village Visits, Bush Lunches, Bush Dinners or Bush Breakfasts

· All other extras not mentioned in the 'included'

When you book a tour with us, we want always want you to fee special. That is why we go the extra mile not only to make you smile but to ensure that your are taking home only the fondest of memories from our trips. Below are some of the special treatments you are unlikely to find with other tour operators;

· Special 'Welcome Package' for you from our senior tours director upon arrival

· Free upgrade to a 4x4 Safari Vehicle with UNLIMITED game drives on safari

· One complimentary adrenalin activity at Victoria Falls not exceeding $500.

· Free supply of UNLIMITED bottled mineral water whilst on safari

· Complimentary 'AfriChoice!® Authentic African Safari Sun Hat

· Signed & Sealed 'Participation Certificate' (special adventure quests only*)