9 Days Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa

Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa begins with arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport, where your expert guide welcomes you for the scenic 190 km (approximately 2.5 hours) drive southwest to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest wildlife sanctuary known locally as "Wange." This exciting Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa day includes passing through rural villages and changing landscapes before arriving at your luxury safari lodge situated in the northern sector of the 14,650 km² park. Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa experience commences with an afternoon game drive introducing you to Hwange's diverse ecosystems, home to over 100 mammal species including the presidential elephants, before returning to your lodge for a welcome dinner under the African stars.

Today your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa adventure deepens with a full-day exploration of Hwange's varied habitats, from dense teak forests to open vleis (grasslands) and ancient fossil lakebeds known as "Dzivanini" in the local Ndebele language. This immersive Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa day takes you through the park's central region, approximately 50 km from your lodge, where you'll track lions, leopards, and the park's famous elephant herds that can number in the hundreds. Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa continues with lunch at a scenic waterhole, offering excellent wildlife viewing opportunities during the heat of the day, before returning to your lodge via different game routes to maximize wildlife encounters in this remarkable wilderness.

Dawn breaks on your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa with an exhilarating walking safari through Hwange's pristine wilderness led by an armed professional guide, offering intimate insights into the ecosystem while tracking wildlife on foot in the area known locally as "Inhlosi" (Buffalo Springs). Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa journey continues with a mid-morning departure for the 190 km (2.5-hour) drive northeast to Victoria Falls, watching for roadside wildlife and stopping at the Painted Dog Conservation Center en route. Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa experience is enhanced upon arrival at Victoria Falls with check-in at your river-view hotel, followed by a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River approximately 4 km upstream from the falls, where hippos, crocodiles, and elephants are frequently spotted.

Today your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa showcases the breathtaking Victoria Falls, known locally as "Mosi-oa-Tunya" (The Smoke That Thunders), with a guided morning tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site that spans 1.7 km wide and plunges 108 meters into the gorge below. This highlight of your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa includes exploring multiple viewpoints along the 2 km rainforest pathway, where you'll feel the spray and witness the raw power of the world's largest sheet of falling water. Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa continues in the afternoon with a cultural visit to a local Ndebele village located 15 km from town, where you'll learn about traditional customs and daily life, followed by an evening performance and dinner at The Boma Restaurant for an authentic taste of Zimbabwean cuisine and entertainment.

Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa transitions today as you bid farewell to Zimbabwe and fly to Johannesburg (flight time approximately 1 hour 40 minutes), where you'll be met by your South African guide for the 390 km (4-hour) drive east to the spectacular Panorama Route. This scenic portion of your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa traverses the northern Drakensberg Mountains region, known locally as "Motse Modimo" (Mountain of the Gods), featuring dramatic landscapes and viewpoints. Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa journey includes stops at the breathtaking Blyde River Canyon (the world's third-largest canyon), God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, and the Three Rondavels, before arriving at your boutique lodge in the historic gold mining town of Graskop for overnight accommodation.

The South African chapter of your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa continues with a morning departure from Graskop and a 150 km (2-hour) drive to the exclusive Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, which shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park. Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa experience is elevated as you arrive at your luxury safari lodge located in the heart of this 65,000-hectare wildlife paradise, known locally as "Ingwe" (Leopard) territory due to its remarkable big cat populations. Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa day includes settling into your luxurious accommodation before embarking on your first afternoon game drive in open 4x4 vehicles with expert trackers and guides who specialize in finding the reserve's famous leopards and other members of the Big Five.

Today your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa offers the ultimate wildlife experience with morning and afternoon game drives in the premier Sabi Sands Reserve, where off-road driving permits unparalleled close encounters with the Big Five and other iconic African wildlife. This remarkable Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa day begins with an early morning game drive through areas known locally as "Madlala" (Place of Fire), where you'll track nocturnal predators returning from their night hunts across territories spanning approximately 20-30 km². Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa continues with leisure time at the lodge during midday heat, enjoying the swimming pool or wildlife viewing deck, before a late afternoon drive focusing on different habitats within the reserve, culminating in a memorable sunset stop with drinks in the African bush.

Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa journey shifts from wilderness to urban elegance as you depart Sabi Sands after a final morning game drive and transfer approximately 500 km (combination of road transfer and 2-hour flight) to Cape Town, South Africa's stunning coastal metropolis nestled between mountains and ocean. This exciting Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa day includes arrival in the "Mother City" and transfer to your waterfront hotel situated just 25 minutes (22 km) from the airport. Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa experience continues with an afternoon orientation tour including a cable car ride up Table Mountain (weather permitting) for panoramic views of the city and coastline, followed by a stroll through the historic Company's Gardens and vibrant Bo-Kaap neighborhood with its colorful houses and Cape Malay culture.

The final day of your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa showcases the spectacular Cape Peninsula with a 150 km scenic coastal drive along the Atlantic Seaboard through upscale Camps Bay and Hout Bay to Cape Point Nature Reserve, known locally as "Hoerikwaggo" (Mountain in the Sea). This memorable Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa day includes visiting the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach in Simon's Town and exploring the southwestern tip of Africa where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. Your Zimbabwe Vacation and Safari in South Africa concludes with a drive back to Cape Town via the picturesque Chapman's Peak Drive and through the historic naval village of Simon's Town, with a final transfer to Cape Town International Airport for your departure flight, carrying unforgettable memories of two remarkable African nations.