7 Days Zimbabwe Safari to Hwange Park and Mana Pools

Your Zimbabwe Safari begins with a morning pickup from your Victoria Falls accommodation, followed by a scenic 35-minute flight to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest wildlife sanctuary spanning 14,650 square kilometers. This Zimbabwe Safari day includes your first glimpse of Hwange's famous elephant herds from the air before landing at the airstrip near Deteema Springs, known locally as "Manzamnyama" (Water of Beasts). Your Zimbabwe Safari experience continues with a warm welcome at Deteema Springs Camp and an afternoon game drive through the northwestern sector of the park, where you'll encounter diverse wildlife against the backdrop of the changing light of the African sunset.

Day two of your Zimbabwe Safari starts with a dawn game drive through Hwange's Sinamatella region, approximately 25 kilometers from camp, where predators are most active. This Zimbabwe Safari Day focuses on tracking lions and wild dogs across the mixed mopane woodland and open vlei system unique to this area. Your Zimbabwe Safari continues with an afternoon walking safari led by an expert armed guide, offering intimate encounters with smaller creatures and an opportunity to approach larger game on foot, culminating in a sundowner at "Madundumela" viewpoint overlooking the ancient Kalahari sands.

Today's Zimbabwe Safari explores the permanent water sources around Deteema Springs, attracting abundant wildlife during the dry season from May to October. Your Zimbabwe Safari morning includes a visit to the famous "Little Toms" waterhole, located 18 kilometers east of camp, renowned for exceptional elephant and buffalo sightings. The afternoon Zimbabwe Safari activity features a thrilling night drive extending approximately 15 kilometers into the Robins area, offering rare glimpses of nocturnal species including civets, genets, and possibly the elusive aardvark in this diverse ecosystem.

Your Zimbabwe Safari transitions from Hwange to Mana Pools with a morning flight spanning approximately 320 kilometers and taking 2.5 hours across Zimbabwe's northern wilderness. This Zimbabwe Safari transfer offers spectacular aerial views of Lake Kariba and the dramatic Zambezi Valley escarpment before descending into UNESCO-listed Mana Pools National Park. Your Zimbabwe Safari experience continues with arrival at the intimate Mana River Camp, situated along the banks of the mighty Zambezi River in an area known as "Chitake" (Place of the Hippo), followed by an afternoon game drive to the famous Long Pool, located just 7 kilometers from camp.

This Zimbabwe Safari Day is dedicated to exploring the iconic floodplains of Mana Pools, known locally as "Mana Hupenyu" (Four Pools of Life). Your Zimbabwe Safari morning begins with a walking safari through the cathedral-like forests of ana trees where Mana's famous "standing" elephants perform their remarkable feeding behavior. The afternoon Zimbabwe Safari activity includes a game drive to Kanga Pan, situated 25 kilometers inland from the river, where diverse wildlife congregates during the dry season around this vital water source in an area the locals call "Dzivambiri" (Many Pools).

Day six of your Zimbabwe Safari offers a change of perspective with a half-day canoeing expedition along approximately 15 kilometers of the Zambezi River's shoreline. This Zimbabwe Safari experience provides unique opportunities to observe elephants crossing between Zimbabwe and Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park across the channel known as "Mupata" (Narrow Passage). Your Zimbabwe Safari continues in the afternoon with a game drive to explore the Nyamatusi area, located 20 kilometers east of camp, famous for its high concentration of lions and leopards that hunt along the river's edge.

The final day of your Zimbabwe Safari begins with a sunrise game drive near camp, offering last opportunities to connect with this remarkable ecosystem. Your transformative Zimbabwe Safari experience concludes with a hearty breakfast before your 9:00 AM flight to Harare, covering approximately 380 kilometers in just over an hour. Reflecting on your incredible Zimbabwe Safari adventure, you'll arrive at Harare International Airport with ample time for your onward international connections, carrying memories of Zimbabwe's magnificent landscapes and wildlife that will last a lifetime.