Affordable Zimbabwe Camping Safari

The 15-day Affordable Zimbabwe Camping Safari visits Zimbabwe's top game parks, historic sites and cultural highlights offering a unique and rewarding budget trip through this beautiful African country. Highlights on this camping safari include:

• Guided tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the world's Seven Natural Wonders.
• Game viewing in wildlife-rich Hwange National Park and visit the Painted Dog Centre.
• Visit the unique landscape of Matopos famous for its San (bushman) paintings, wildlife and as the burial place of Cecil John Rhodes.
• Visit the historic Great Zimbabwe Ruins of the Shona’s Bantu civilization.
• Wildlife viewing in the lush Nyanga National Park, rich in wildlife.
• Tour Harare, Zimbabwe’s beautiful capital city.
• Game viewing in Mana Pools National Park, home to numerous hippos and crocodiles.
• Stop at scenic lake Kariba and take an overnight Kariba Ferry.

The Affordable Zimbabwe Camping Safari is an excellent way to explore Zimbabwe cheaply, visiting top game parks and cultural highlights.

DAY 1:  Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

The Affordable Zimbabwe Camping Safari starts in Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe, a hub of activity at the mighty Victoria Falls. You will be collected from the Victoria Falls Airport and taken to Lokuthula Lodges upon your arrival in Zimbabwe.

On the first afternoon of the camping safari we explore the famous Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. We will take a guided tour at the Vic Falls, the largest falling sheet of water in the world. Witness the mighty waterfall plummeting 108 m (360 ft) into the Zambezi below and sending a spray of water high into the air.  Hear “the Mist that Thunders” which is what the local name “Mosi-oa-Tunya” means.

Accommodation: Lokuthula Lodges (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant)

DAY 2 & 3:  Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe          

On day two we leave the magnificent Victoria Falls behind, making our way to our first game park on this Zimbabwe safari, Hwange National Park. Hwange is one of Zimbabwe's top game parks, known for its elephants and host to all of the protected animal species found in Zimbabwe.

It is the only protected area inhabited by fair numbers of gemsbok and brown hyena and its endangered African Wild Dog population is considered one of the largest groups in Africa today. In the afternoon we take our first game drive and visit the Painted Dogs Centre, for the conservation of African Wild Dogs. Hwange National Park is home to a variety of predators and vast herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra, as well as an impressive concentration of giraffe.

Day three of the camping safari is a full day of game viewing and exploring in the Hwange reserve. Hwange National Park, the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe, is home an abundance of Africa’s Big Five and boasts more than 100 mammal species and around 400 bird species. Hwange National Park is famous for its elephant population, as it is one of the largest populations in the world.

Distance: 294 km / Departure: 08h00
Lunch: picnic spot en route
Accommodation: Camping in Hwange National Park (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

DAY 4:  Hwange National Park to Matopos – Zimbabwe       

Today we drive to Big Cave Camp in the Matopos Hills area, saying goodbye to the wildlife haven of Hwange National Park. Matopos Hills, meaning “Bald Heads” is a geographically unique area of huge granite hills, scattered with boulders and interspersed with thickets of vegetation. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, this area of granite hills and wooded valleys was formed over 2000 million years ago. The hills of Matopos are significant in Zimbabwean folklore and tradition, with some of them being venerated as sites where the spirits of deceased Ndebele chiefs dwell.

The striking landscape of the Matopos area boasts spectacular scenery and is host to numerous wildlife species. The Matopos national park is famous for the San bushman paintings found in its caves and as the burial place of Cecil John Rhodes. We stop at the grave of Cecil John Rhodes on our visit to the mysterious Matopos Hills area.

Distance: 312 km / Departure: 08h00
Lunch: picnic spot en route
Accommodation: Camping at Big Cave Camp (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5:  Matopos to Great Zimbabwe Ruins – Zimbabwe                   

After breakfast on day five of the Zimbabwe camping safari we head for the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, one of Zimbabwe's cultural highlights. We visit the historic ruins, before checking into our accommodation for the evening.

The country of Zimbabwe is named after the remarkable ruins, which according to age-old legend were built to replicate the palace of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem. The ancestors of modern Zimbabweans, the Shona people, built these majestic stone structures between the 11th and 15th centuries. The Great Zimbabwe Ruins, covering an area of 1800 acres, stand testimony to the Bantu civilization in the timelessness and craftsmanship of these “buildings”. The ruins are among the oldest and largest structures in Southern Africa, with nothing comparing to these ancient structures in the region.

Distance: 410 km / Departure: 08h00
Lunch: picnic spot en route
Accommodation: Inn on Great Zimbabwe Camping (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6 & 7:  Great Zimbabwe Ruins to Nyanga National Park – Zimbabwe

We head off to another of Zimbabwe's top game parks, Nyanga National Park, after breakfast.  The afternoon of day six and the whole of day seven are spent on game viewing drives in the reserve.

Nyanga National Park situated in the scenic northern part Zimbabwe’s Eastern highlands, an area of unique flora and fauna consisting of lush green hills and perennial rivers. Nyanga is one of Zimbabwe’s oldest national parks and covers the highest land in Zimbabwe, lying between 1 800 and 2 593 m (6 560 and 7 544 ft) in altitude. The 47 000 hectare game park is home to a variety of wildlife including, wildebeest, kudu, zebra, waterbuck, impala, sable, eland and smaller mammals. This wilderness area offers spectacular views, flowing waterfalls, pleasant walks and game viewing in a stunning mountainous setting. 

Distance: 427 km / Departure: 08h00
Lunch: picnic spot en route
Accommodation: Camping in Nyanga National Park (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

DAY 8:  Nyanga National Park to Harare – Zimbabwe                 

On day eight of our safari we make our way to Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city. Harare, although a more modern cultural highlight than the Zimbabwe Ruins, holds cultural and historical heritage in its numerous  older buildings.

Harare contains a mix of modern and old buildings with wide, tree-lined main roads and lots of parks and gardens. This beautiful city has an open feeling, set high up on the central plateau of Zimbabwe. Upon our arrival in Harare, we embark on a  brief orientation tour of the city.

Distance: 260 km / Departure: 08h00
Lunch: picnic spot en route
Accommodation: Harare Campsite (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 9 & 10:  Harare to Mana Pools – Zimbabwe                

Today we leave the bustle of Harare city behind, travelling to one of Zimbabwe’s most popular national parks – Mana Pools. We stop at Chinhoyi Caves for lunch along the way. The afternoon and the following day are spent game viewing in Mana Pools.

The park, situated in the lower Zambezi River region, is a World Heritage Site, as a particularly wild and scenic area. The waters of Mana Pools attract numerous big animals, making this one of Africa's most famous game-viewing regions. The game park is home to Zimbabwe’s biggest concentration of hippos and crocodiles as well as large populations of elephant and buffalo in the dry season. In addition to the variety of large mammals Mana Pools also hosts over 350 bird species and varied aquatic wildlife.

Distance: 309 km / Departure: 08h00
Lunch:    Chinhoyi Caves
Accommodation:    Mana Pools Campsite (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

DAY 11 & 12:  Mana Pools to Lake Kariba – Zimbabwe         

On day 11 we take a relatively short drive of about 4 hours to our next stop, Lake Kariba. Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, formed by the damming of the Zambezi River.

This unique inland sea is a place of particular beauty, set among mountains and game reserves. Kariba is the third largest lake in Africa, built to produce hydroelectricity. The afternoon is free for relaxing and taking in the wilderness of Kariba or you can take an optional sunset cruise on the lake.

Distance: 169 km / Departure: 08h00
Lunch: picnic spot en route
Accommodation: Lake Kariba Campsite (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

DAY 13:  Lake Kariba Ferry – Zimbabwe                      

We break up camp after breakfast and transfer to Andora Harbour, on Lake Kariba. Here we board the “Sea Lion” Kariba ferry setting off for Mlibizi on water. En route to Mlibizi we stay on the ferry overnight, spotting wildlife and soaking up superb scenery of Lake Kariba.

Distance: 280 km (ferry trip) / Departure: 09h00
Lunch: on board the Sea Lion
Accommodation: Sea Lion Kariba Ferry (communal sleeping area with mattresses, communal ablutions with hot water)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

NOTE:  If the ferry trip is cancelled, due to weather or unexpected circumstances, this itinerary will be amended so that one night is spent camping at Lake Kariba followed by a drive back to Victoria Falls where we will spend two nights at Antelope Park.

DAY 14:  Mlibizi to Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe                    

We get to Mlibizi early on day 14 of the Affordable Zimbabwe Camping Safari and make our way back to the starting point of our journey – the mighty Victoria Falls.

Distance: 250 km / Departure: 07h00
Lunch: picnic spot en route
Accommodation: Lokuthula Lodges (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant)
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 15: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe               

The Affordable Zimbabwe Camping Safari ends this morning, when your guide bids you farewell and you are transferred to the airport. We hope to welcome you on one of our adventure-filled African safaris again soon.

Note: African Budget Safaris also offers a 15-day Zimbabwe Lodge Safari if you prefer an accommodated safari to the budget camping safari option.