Day 1: Arrive Victoria Falls
Met on arrival and taken to Old Drift Lodge. The afternoon stays loose: settle in, then a sunset cruise on the Zambezi above the lip of the Falls if the light is worth it.
Private Tour 12 days New
Best of the Zambezi, Hwange & Mana Pools
River, elephants and rock art — the Zambezi arc
Duration12 Days
Regions4
Max guests8
Activity levelEasy to moderate
Priced per personFrom $10,850per person
Best monthsMay to October (dry season best; tailor-made year-round)
Overview
Three of the Zambezi's great chapters, then the one that has nothing to do with the river. Three nights at Old Drift to open, on the bank of the Zambezi inside Zambezi National Park rather than in town, so the game comes to you and the Falls are still a short drive. Three nights at Wilderness Little Makalolo next, deep in Hwange on a private concession, where the pans in front of camp do most of the work in the dry months. Then Mana Pools, three nights at Wilderness Ruckomechi, which is where the trip changes gear. Walking among elephant in the winterthorn forest, canoeing the channels, and the Zambezi escarpment behind it all. The granite finishes it. Two nights at Matobo Hills Lodge, ours, tracking white rhino on foot and reading San rock art with a guide who grew up here, with a private morning at the UNESCO-listed Khami Ruins outside Bulawayo. Private throughout, maximum eight guests. When to go: April to early November, while the Mana Pools camps are open. July to October is strongest.
Why book direct with ZimTravellers?
Owner-plannedYou deal with Josh, directly
Generations deepFive generations in Zimbabwe
Private by defaultYour guide, your vehicle
A direct lineMessages answered by Josh himself
Best of the Zambezi, Hwange & Mana PoolsThe route, day by day
Itinerary
Day by day.
VICTORIA FALLS
Day 2: Victoria Falls
The rainforest walk along the rim, timed for the light and the spray, with a guide who can read the geology as well as the view. The afternoon is yours.
Day 3: Victoria Falls
A second day at the Falls, which is what turns a stop into a stay. The gorge below the bridge is where the adrenaline lives, and the quieter options on the upper river are just as good.
HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Day 4: On to Hwange National Park
Into Hwange and Wilderness Little Makalolo, with time for an afternoon game drive before dark. The waterhole in front of camp usually does the rest.
Day 5: Hwange National Park
A full day in the park. Out early while it is cool, back through the heat of the middle of the day, out again into the evening.
Day 6: Hwange National Park
A second full day, which is where the difference shows. Hwange holds one of the largest elephant populations in Africa and in the dry months they come to the pans in numbers that are hard to describe.
MANA POOLS
Day 7: On to Mana Pools
North into Mana Pools and Wilderness Ruckomechi. The floodplain is the point here: winterthorn forest, dust and low light, with a first drive before dark.
Day 8: Mana Pools
A walking morning, which is when Mana is at its best. Few African parks put you on foot among elephant the way this one does.
Day 9: Mana Pools
Canoeing the Zambezi channels if the level suits, drifting past elephant on the bank. Afternoons are for the river, or for sitting still.
MATOBO HILLS
Day 10: On to Matobo Hills
South into the Matobo Hills and Matobo Hills Lodge. Settle in, then sundowners from the granite with the whole valley below you.
Day 11: Matobo Hills
On foot at first light, tracking white rhino with a ranger. Later, San paintings read off a cave wall by a guide who grew up in these hills.
Where you will stay
Hand-picked, night by night.
Victoria Falls · ZimbabweOld Drift LodgeView the lodge →
Hwange · ZimbabweWilderness Little MakaloloDetails in your proposalMana Pools · ZimbabweWilderness RuckomechiView the lodge →
Matobo Hills · ZimbabweMatobo Hills LodgeView the lodge →Things to know
Cancellation policy
25% charge (deposit) — 90+ days out.
50% charge — 61–90 days.
75% charge — 31–60 days.
A 25% deposit confirms your itinerary.
Booking basics
Requested and confirmed within one working day.
Prices per person, based on two travelling together.
Private (max 8 guests).
Operated by ZimTravellers (own itinerary; partner lodges as listed).
Participation & safety
Physical level: Easy to moderate.
Private and tailor-made journey cancellation
- A 25% deposit is required to confirm your itinerary and is non-refundable.
- If we receive your written cancellation more than 90 days before departure, the cancellation charge is 25% of the total booking price.
- For cancellations received 61-90 days before departure, the charge is 50%.
- For cancellations received 31-60 days before departure, the charge is 75%.
- For cancellations received 30 days or fewer before departure, or in the event of a no-show, the charge is 100%.
- Certain camps, lodges, private vehicles, permits and special arrangements may impose earlier or higher non-refundable charges. Any such condition will be itemised and disclosed before you pay your deposit and will apply only to the affected component.
- Changes requested after services have been confirmed are subject to availability, supplier charges and repricing. A reduction in the number of travellers may increase the per-person price for those who continue to travel.
How booking works
- Send your dates and party size — we confirm availability within one working day, usually sooner.
- Nothing is charged until your booking is confirmed.
What’s included
Included
- Accommodation as listed or similar
- Meals and activities as per lodge package
- Private/arranged transfers where specified
- ZimTravellers itinerary support
- Matobo/Khami guided component where included.
- Direct WhatsApp line to Josh — before, during and after the tour
Not included
- International flights unless stated
- Visas
- Travel insurance
- Premium drinks unless included by lodge
- Optional activities
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature.
Practical
Best timeMay to October (dry season best; tailor-made year-round)
PaceEasy to moderate
StartsVictoria Falls
Group sizePrivate (max 8 guests)
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