Zimbabwe

arrive johannesburg, south africa

Arrive in Johannesburg, where you are met by your A&K representative and transferred to your hotel. Set in the northeastern quarter of the country, the former mining town of Johannesburg is undergoing a renaissance, with theaters, restaurants, cafés and museums popping up throughout the city. The balance of the day is yours to spend at leisure or begin exploring.

Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa

victoria falls | thundering cascades

Fly to Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your hotel on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Referred to locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (“The Smoke That Thunders”), spectacular Victoria Falls drops a staggering 1.2-mile-wide curtain of water, sending up plumes of mist and rainbows. In the late afternoon, take a leisurely sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. The following day, take a guided walking tour of the breathtaking falls and through the surrounding forest, keeping watch for abundant bird life, as well as bushbucks, monkeys, baboons and families of mongoose. Afterward, cycle along the Zambezi River, seeing the ancient, 3,500-year-old baobab tree; taking in spectacular views of the Batoka Gorge below the Falls; and crossing Victoria Falls Bridge.

Victoria Falls River Lodge | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

hwange national park, zimbabwe | thrilling safaris on foot

Fly to Hwange National Park. Located an hour south of Victoria Falls in the northwest corner of Zimbabwe, it is the largest park in the country, with more than 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds and one of the largest populations of elephants in the world. All of Zimbabwe’s specially protected animals — including a bevy of predators — call the vast, palm-fringed plains, grasslands and mopane forests home. Spend the remainder of the day, as well as two that follow, game viewing in this magnificent region. Opt to explore by open safari vehicle or set out on a walking safari through the concession’s savanna grassland habitat. Somalisa Camp | Meals: Meals: B D (Day 4); B L D (Days 5 and 6)

lake kariba | fiery sunsets

This morning, fly to Bumi Hills, set on hilly ground overlooking Lake Kariba. Fill your stay here with adventure, embarking on game drives, safari cruises and fishing expeditions. Alternatively, set out on walks in nearby Matusadona National Park. Bounded on the west by the Ume River on the west and the Sanyati River on the east, the park is marked by “drowned forests” populated by large buffalo herds. It’s also home to a small but significant number of endangered black rhinos; keep watch for them along the foot of the escarpment. You may also spot elephant herds along the lakeshore, as well as roaming lions, hippos and crocodiles as well as 200 species of birds. The sunsets here are often fiery red, so keep your camera handy as the sun dips below the petrified trees and shimmering waters.

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge and Spa | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

mana pools national | river-dwelling wildlife

This morning, fly to Mana Pools National Park, where you are met and transferred to your intimate camp. Situated in the far northern corner of Zimbabwe on the banks of the Zambezi River, the wildlife-rich, waterfowl-populated park is a haven for large populations of elephants, hippos and Nile crocodiles, the latter of which gather at sunrise at Long Pool. Meanwhile, in the park’s south, lions wait for prey near the waterhole at Chitake Spring. During your stay, choose from a diverse range of game activities. You can take game drives in 4x4 vehicles in search of lions and leopards, enjoy walking safaris and canoe trips, or go fishing. Beyond the park’s large concentrations of buffalo, you may observe kudus, zebras, impalas, elephants and waterbucks.

Nyamatusi Camp | Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

depart harare

Fly to Harare International Airport and connect with your homebound flight.

Meals: Breakfast