6 Day best of Zimbabwe Tour, From $1,965

This tour features the main highlights of Zimbabwe comprising the majestic Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Matopos National Park, Great Zimbabwe ruins and finally Antelope Park. If you are keen to see the best of Zimbabwe, then this tour is ideal for you.

Day 1- Hwange National Park

This morning, you will first visit the rumbling and adventurous Victoria Falls National Park (the smoke that thunders). Then, you will make the journey south to Hwange National Park. Hwange is the largest of Zimbabwe’s national parks and offers excellent opportunities for viewing the diversity of wildlife that calls the park home.

Day 2- Hwange National Park

Home to the Big Five, Hwange National Park also offers a wide variety of plains, game and birdlife. You will swap to open safari vehicles today and make your way into the famed Hwange National Park which is situated in the far west of the country. Hwange lies in the incredible belt of Africa, spreading out into the neighbouring Botswana hence permitting animals (elephants in particular) to wander freely between Hwange and Chobe National Parks. Aside from elephants, this park is home to more than 100 mammal species including Africa’s Big Five (leopards, lions, elephants, rhinos and buffalos), as well as plenty of giraffes, cheetahs and brown hyenas. The reserve is also famous for its high concentration of wild dogs. Sadly, the numbers of these creatures are decreasing but recently conservation efforts have been made a much higher priority.

Day 3- Matobo National Park

After breakfast, you will continue south toward Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe. Your afternoon will be spent exploring the Matobo National Park with a local guide. The Matobo Hills are sculpted by the strong winds in the area and are the site of various intriguing bushman paintings. This park contains an exceptional cultural and spiritual significance to the indigenous people populating this region. The reserve contains the highest population of leopards and black eagles in the world, so make sure to keep your eyes open for these magnificent animals. The park received recognition as a UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site in 2003 and includes an intensive protection zone that is home to both black and white rhinoceros. It is named after the Ndebele word “Matobo, “ meaning “bald heads” referring to the rounded granite hills that surround it. You will return to Bulawayo for your overnight stop for the night.

Day 4- Great Zimbabwe Ruins (Masvingo)

You will leave Bulawayo and make your way towards the east of the country to the tiny town of Masvingo. Close-by to the town of Masvingo is one of the most crucial archaeological sites in the whole of Southern Africa. The Great Zimbabwe monument which ages back to 1200AD was once the home of around 10,000 indigenous people, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This area has exceptional importance to the country which took its name. Legend has it that this was indeed the very first city in which the famous Queen of Sheba lived and fantastic archaeological discoveries have since unearthed gold coins and porcelain from places as far as Persia and China thus highlighting the significance that the city once had as a trading post.

Day 5- Bulawayo

You will depart at leisure from Great Zimbabwe Ruins in Masvingo going to Bulawayo which is the second largest city in Zimbabwe and is also called the City of Kings. On arrival, you will check in at your accommodation and spend the afternoon at leisure. A visit to the museum is part of your included activities of the day.

Day 6- Victoria Falls

Your last day is devoted to travelling back to Victoria Falls. While on your way there, you will visit the Hwange Painted Dog Conservation Project. Here, you will be able to see the hard work and passion put into rehabilitating these wounded and orphaned wild dogs. This is an extremely worthy project to support as it protects a rare species of which only around 3,000 remain in Africa. You will then proceed with your journey back to Victoria Falls, keeping your eyes peeled to catch some glimpses of wildlife alongside the road. Your tour comes to an end upon arrival at Victoria Falls. Accommodation will be arranged at your request.