15 Day Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari: Livingstone to Victoria…

Day 1: Livingstone, Victoria Falls - Zambia

Travel Highlights:

• Explore the mile-wide waterfall of Victoria Falls and the surrounding rainforest sustained by the spray.
• Optional Victoria Falls activities, including Zambezi River Sunset Cruise, Scenic flight over Victoria Falls, and more (if time allows; own expense)

Our Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari begins with incredible Victoria Falls, where the mighty Zambezi River plunges 110 meters into the gorge below. We spend the afternoon exploring the waterfall lookout points. Settle into camp in the late afternoon. Your guide will brief you on the adventures ahead before we head out for dinner (own expense) at a local restaurant in Livingstone.

• Meals Included: None
• Accommodation: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers, swimming pool, restaurant and bar
• Includes: Entrance to the Victoria Falls lookout in Zambia
• Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, scenic flights, and many more

Day 2: Kafue River - Zambia

Travel Highlights:

• Travel day across rural southern Zambia to our camp on the Kafue River, in the lower Zambezi River valley

Our Zambia and Zimbabwe Wildlife Safari departs from Livingstone early today, traveling across southern Zambia, passing through villages and stopping for sightseeing and lunch. By late afternoon, we reach our campsite on the Kafue River in the lower Zambezi Valley, where we prepare for our canoeing expedition on the Lower Zambezi River.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (provided by tour leaders with the help of the group)
• Accommodation: Campsite - featuring good ablution facilities, hot showers, a swimming pool, and a bar.
• Distance/time: ±510km, about 8 hrs driving time

Days 3 - 4: Lower Zambezi - Zambia

Travel Highlights:

• Canoe down the Zambezi River, where birdwatching and photographic opportunities abound
• Wild camping on the banks of the Zambezi River
• Spot hippos, elephants, and other wildlife alongside the river

A highlight of this Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari adventure begins today with a canoe safari on the mighty Zambezi River, sacred to the local people as home of the river god, Nyami Nyami. Paddle through peaceful waters, passing villages and enjoying the scenery that passes you by. Stop on the riverbank for lunch and camp wild alongside the river. The next morning, continue downstream into a wildlife-rich area before being picked up by motorboat and returning to the start.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (provided by tour leaders with the help of the group)
• Accommodation: Wild Camping (day 3) on the banks of the Zambezi River; Campsite (day 4) with good ablution facilities, hot showers, a swimming pool & bar. Please bring your own towel.
• Includes: 1½ day canoe safari on the Lower Zambezi with a local river guide.

Day 5: Chinhoyi Caves - Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Border Crossing into Zimbabwe
• Visit the Chinhoyi Caves and the stunning cobalt-blue water of the “pool of the fallen” at the base

Today, our excellent-value Zambia and Zimbabwe Camping Tour crosses into Zimbabwe at the Chirundu border. Travel through the Hurungwe Safari area to the historic Chinhoyi Caves, once a refuge for Mashona tribesmen fleeing Matabele raiders. At the heart of the Chinhoyi Caves is the Wonder Hole, a massive collapsed cavern leading 150 feet down to a crystal-clear, blue pool traditionally known as “Chirorodziva” or “Pool of the Fallen,” and steeped in legend.

• Meals Included: Breakfast & Lunch (provided by tour leaders with the help of the group); Dinner at own expense at the hotel restaurant.
• Accommodation: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers.
• Distance/time: 250km, 3.5 hrs actual drive time; ±6.5 hrs incl stops for border crossing, lunch, and scenery
• Includes: Entrance fee to the caves

Days 6 - 7: Nyanga National Park - Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Explore the diverse landscapes of Nyanga National Park, with Mount Nyangani, Zimbabwe’s highest point, at 2,592 metres above sea level
• Birding haven, including Blue Swallows in summer, Wattled Cranes breeding in winter, and a variety of raptors.

We spend the next two days of our Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari in the beautiful Nyanga Mountain National Park. Explore its trails and encounter lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and serene lakes. Stay in comfortable lodge accommodation and soak up the crisp air and peaceful atmosphere.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (provided by tour leaders with the assistance of the group).
• Accommodation: Lodge – twin en-suite, hot showers, bar & restaurant. Wifi in the main area
• Distance/time: 390km, 6 hrs drive time; ±7 hrs incl stops for lunch and scenery
• Includes: Entrance to Nyanga National Park

Days 8 - 9: Chimanimani National Park - Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Walks in Chimanimani National Park, including Bridal Veil Falls
• Trail in beautiful Honde Valley

Your Zambia and Zimbabwe Camping Safari heads to the mountains of Chimanimani National Park in Zimbabwe’s Eastern Highlands to set up camp for two nights. On day 9, we embark on a full-day hike through stunning landscapes, waterfalls and Afro-Montane forests, home to diverse wildlife and over 70 endemic bird species.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (provided by tour leaders with the help of the group)
• Accommodation: Campsite - good ablution facilities with hot showers.
• Distance/time: ±260km, 4 hrs drive time; ±5 hrs incl stops for scenery
• Includes: Entrance fees to Honde Valley and Chimanimani National Park.

Day 10: Great Zimbabwe Monuments - Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Explore the hill complex and valley ruins of Great Zimbabwe, a national monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site, on a guided walk.

Take a tour to learn about one of the most significant sites in ancient local history. Great Zimbabwe is a remarkable 11th-century site that was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe and home to up to 20,000 people who thrived on trade. Known for its intricate dry-stone walls, the site offers fascinating archaeological insights into one of Southern Africa’s oldest civilizations, set in beautiful surroundings.

• Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch (provided by tour leaders with the help of the group); Dinner at your own expense at the hotel restaurant.
• Accommodation: Campsite - basic ablution facilities with showers, a restaurant, and a bar.
• Distance/time: ±305km, 4 hrs drive time. Rolling hills, a few roadblocks, and a lunch stop should mean a travel day of ±5.5 hrs
• Includes: Entrance and guided tour of the Zimbabwe Ruins.

Days 11 - 12: Matobo National Park - Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Giant granite boulder landscapes and wildlife of the Matopo Hills
• Track the endangered white rhino on foot
• See ancient rock art and visit World's View, the gravesite of Cecil John Rhodes

The next destination on our Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari is Matobo National Park, where we arrive in the late afternoon and set up camp on its outskirts. The following day is spent exploring the park’s striking granite formations, Stone Age rock art, and diverse wildlife, including black eagles and both black and white rhinos. Highlights include a game drive, guided walk to track rhinos, a visit to bushman painting sites, and Cecil Rhodes’ grave at World’s View, before returning to camp for a relaxing evening around the campfire.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (provided by tour leaders with the help of the group); Day 12 lunch provided by the lodge.
• Accommodation: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers.
• Distance/time: ±340km, 5 hrs drive time; ±6.5 hrs incl rolling hills, a few roadblocks, and a lunch stop
• Includes: Entrance to Matobo National Park and game walks.

Day 13 - 14: Hwange National Park - Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Big Five Safari in one of the most famous wildlife reserves in Southern Africa, Hwange National Park

Our Zambia & Zimbabwe adventure heads to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve, where we camp on a nearby wildlife concession. Spend a full day on an open-vehicle game drive, seeking out large herds of elephants, buffalo, plains game, and possibly elusive predators for thrilling wildlife encounters. Excellent photographic and birdwatching opportunities abound. After a picnic lunch in the park, return to camp in the late afternoon for a final evening around the campfire.

• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner (provided by tour leaders with the assistance of the group).
• Accommodation: Campsite - good ablution facilities, hot showers & swimming pool.
• Distance/time: ±335km, 5 hrs drive time, with an early start and tarmac roads, we aim to arrive for lunchtime; ±5.5 hrs incl stops
• Includes: Entrance fees, full day game drive in an open 4-wheel drive game viewing vehicle

Day 15: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

Travel Highlights:

• Return to Victoria Falls for more adventure activities
• View the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls

On the final day of our Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari, we have a short transfer from our last camping site to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, where the tour ends around lunchtime. You can be dropped off at Victoria Falls airport to catch a flight out that day.

See Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, or Zambia? The Great Vic Falls Debate for a comparison between the Zambia and Zimbabwe sides of Victoria Falls.

• Meals Included: Breakfast only (provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group)
• Distance/time: ±200km, 3 hrs drive time; ±3.5 hrs incl stops

Zambia & Zimbabwe Wildlife Safari Accommodation

• Overnight Stays: 11 nights at designated campsites in national parks and towns
• Campsites include hot showers
• 1 night of wild camping on the Lower Zambezi River (unfenced wilderness)
• 2 nights in a lodge in Nyanga with en-suite rooms (midway through the trip)
• Participation Requirements: Limited participation is expected as part of the safari experience
• Guests assist with putting up tents and packing the truck in the mornings
• Tour leaders handle all meal preparation, and Guests help with washing up on a rotation basis
• Some days involve long travel and early starts, so teamwork is essential for smooth operation

Zambia & Zimbabwe Wildlife Safari Meals

• Three meals are provided per day, except where indicated in the itinerary.
• Tour leaders handle the shopping and meal planning for each group, sourcing fresh produce whenever possible.
• Sample Meals: Breakfast - cereals, coffee, and toast, or the occasional fried breakfast. Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls. Dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir-fries, etc.
• Regular plates, cups, and cutlery are provided.
• Group-shared meals are subject to the availability of produce, and the variety of ingredients is sometimes limited.
• Beverages: fruit squash served with breakfast, and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages are for your own expense. Bottled drinking water is not provided.