7 Days Hwange National Park and Mana Pools Zimbabwe Safari
Our 7 Days Hwange National Park and Mana Pools Zimbabwe Safari is a great add-on to a stay in Victoria Falls or Livingstone. Discover the wonderful wildlife of Zimbabwe with a combination stay at Hwange National Park, which is known for its large herds of elephants and population of wild dogs, and Mana Pools National Park, one of Zimbabwe's most lush and flourishing regions, where you can enjoy canoe trips and guided walks. Staying 3 nights at each camp allows for enough time to experience superb wildlife sightings and relax at camp, without being too rushed.
Your Zimbabwe Safari adventure combines luxurious accommodations with thrilling wildlife encounters, creating the perfect balance of comfort and authenticity. From tracking mighty elephant herds across Hwange's savannah to canoeing along the life-giving Zambezi River in Mana Pools, each day presents discoveries and unforgettable moments in these UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Zimbabwe Safari experience is enhanced by expert guides who share their profound knowledge of the land and its inhabitants, while exclusive camps provide unmatched hospitality. Journey through these pristine wilderness areas and witness the remarkable biodiversity that makes Zimbabwe one of Africa's premier safari destinations, with special focus on the big game that roams these ancient landscapes.
Tour highlights
Scenic charter flights between destinations
Expert-guided game drives in Hwange National Park
Walking safaris with professional guides
Canoeing adventures on the mighty Zambezi River
Night drives to observe nocturnal wildlife
Cultural visits to local communities
Fishing opportunities in Mana Pools (catch and release)
Abundant bird watching in diverse ecosystems
Close encounters with Zimbabwe's impressive elephant populations
Price Includes:
- Park fees and conservation levies
- All scheduled activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- Ground transport in custom 4x4 safari vehicles
- Bottled water during game drives and activities
- Full board accommodation
- Services of professional English-speaking safari guides
- Driver allowances and entry fees
- Scheduled charter flights between destinations (Victoria Falls-Hwange-Mana Pools-Harare)
- Laundry services at both camps
Price Excludes:
- Zimbabwe Visa (obtainable on arrival)
- International and connecting flights are not specified
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Optional activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Premium alcoholic beverages
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips for camp staff and guides
- Curio shop purchases
- Other drinks apart from water
Itinary in details
- Day1Fly from Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park
Your Zimbabwe Safari begins with a spectacular 45-minute charter flight from Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve spanning over 14,600 square kilometers. This Zimbabwe Safari adventure continues with a 30-minute road transfer to the luxurious Somalisa Camp, nestled in a private concession within the park's eastern section known locally as "Sikumi" plain. Your afternoon Zimbabwe Safari activity introduces you to Hwange's diverse landscapes, from dense teak forests to open savannah, while tracking the park's famous elephant herds that gather around the camp's waterhole at sunset.
- Day2Game Drives in Hwange National Park
Rise early for your Zimbabwe Safari morning game drive through Hwange's diverse ecosystems, where your expert guide will track the park's renowned predators, including the Cecil's pride descendants. This full-day Zimbabwe Safari experience includes visiting the Ngweshla Pan area, approximately 2 hours from camp, known for its remarkable concentration of wildlife. Your evening Zimbabwe Safari continues with a night drive through Kennedy vlei, offering rare glimpses of nocturnal creatures including serval cats, civets, and possibly the elusive aardvark.
- Day3Game Viewing in Hwange National Park
Today's Zimbabwe Safari focuses on exploring the remote southern sections of Hwange, where ancient elephant migration paths known as "mtshipe" by local Ndebele people crisscross the landscape. Your Zimbabwe Safari guide will take you on a 3-hour morning walking safari, following fresh tracks of buffalo and lion while learning about the park's smaller ecosystems. The afternoon Zimbabwe Safari activity offers a visit to a nearby village (approximately 40 minutes from camp) to experience local Nambya culture, followed by sundowners at Dom Pan while watching herds converge for their evening drink.
- Day4Fly to Mana Pools National Park
Your Zimbabwe Safari journey continues with a morning charter flight from Hwange to Mana Pools National Park, a scenic 1.5-hour journey over the Zambezi escarpment. This Zimbabwe Safari transition takes you to the luxurious Nyamatusi Camp, situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River in an area the local Shona people call "Chitake" (place of plenty). Your afternoon Zimbabwe Safari experience begins with a gentle exploration of the riverine forests surrounding camp, where massive albida trees attract elephants that stand on their hind legs to reach the nutritious pods – a behavior unique to Mana Pools.
- Day5Game Drives in Mana Pools National Park
Begin your Zimbabwe Safari Day with a sunrise canoe excursion along the Zambezi River, silently gliding past bathing elephants and watchful crocodiles during this 3-hour adventure. Your Zimbabwe Safari continues with a midday siesta at camp before an afternoon game drive to the famous "Long Pool" area, roughly 45 minutes away, where large concentrations of wildlife gather. The evening Zimbabwe Safari activity focuses on tracking the renowned painted wolves (wild dogs) that have made Mana Pools famous, possibly encountering the Nyakasanga pack known for their exceptional hunting skills.
- Day6Game Viewing in Mana Pools National Park
Today's Zimbabwe Safari explores the interior floodplains of Mana Pools, visiting the four permanent pools ("mana" means four in Shona) that give the park its name, located approximately 1 hour from camp. This immersive Zimbabwe Safari Day includes a catch-and-release fishing expedition for the mighty tigerfish in the Zambezi's productive waters. Your final evening Zimbabwe Safari drive takes you to Trichelia Forest, where bull elephants perform their acrobatic feeding displays while leopards lurk in the shadows, followed by a spectacular starlit dinner in the bush.
- Day7Farewell
Conclude your Zimbabwe Safari with an optional early morning game drive to bid farewell to this pristine wilderness. Your unforgettable Zimbabwe Safari experience ends with a hearty breakfast at Nyamatusi Camp before a 20-minute transfer to the airstrip. The final leg of your Zimbabwe Safari journey is a 1-hour charter flight to Harare International Airport, carrying memories of Zimbabwe's unmatched wildlife encounters and the warm hospitality that defines this remarkable safari destination.