Luxury Zimbabwe and Zambia

Itinerary Highlights

Experience the best of Zimbabwe and Zambia and indulge in your ultimate African fantasy on a luxury safari.

Discover some of the most pristine wildlife areas and witness the drama and magic of Earth’s greatest wildlife show. These intimate camps set the scene for both exploration and relaxation and bring a touch of luxury to the natural world. From Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, gaze in wonder over the incredible panoramic vista of the game-rich shoreline below and the seemingly infinite Lake Kariba. Let the splendor of Somalisa and Hwange National Park captivate your heart and soul and spend your days spotting wildlife on the boundless, gilded savannahs. Bask on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River at Thorntree River Lodge, Zambia, and follow in the footsteps of David Livingstone to the spectacle of Victoria Falls.

A luxury safari with African Bush Camps’ signature properties strikes the perfect balance between luxury and authenticity. The safari offers you a chance to truly experience Africa with sumptuous accommodation, premium views, expert professional guidance and a wilderness adventure that exceeds your dreams.

Lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.

See “Expert Notes & Customization” section below.

Detailed Itinerary

Welcome to Zimbabwe! At Harare International Airport (HRE), board a 40-minute charter flight to Lake Kariba Airstrip. Upon arrival you'll be met by a lodge representative who will escort you on the 15-minute drive to Bumi Hills Safari Lodge where your new African adventure begins. There is no better place to relax after your long journey become acclimated to the southern African experience than at Bumi Hills.

Bumi Hills Safari Lodge boasts one of Africa’s finest wilderness locations with an elevated position on a range of remote hills overlooking the vastness of Lake Kariba, the world’s largest man-made lake. The safari lodge has a total of ten luxury chalets, all with breathtaking and unobstructed views of Lake Kariba. Taking centre stage is the beautiful infinity pool that seems to blend endlessly into the lake horizon.

The lodge, impeccably decorated in a fusion of western and African styles, is situated on an extensive wildlife conservation area. Bumi Hills is home to lion, leopard, big herds of elephant and buffalo, as well as a multitude of different plains game. Guests can indulge in superb fishing in the lake waters surrounding the safari lodge with bream and the fighting tiger fish in abundance. Birding and cultural experiences (with the rich local Tonga culture) also abound.

Enjoy lunch upon arrival before heading for your first afternoon safari.

Overnight at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge (Lunch & Dinner)

Spend your day at the lodge. Your stay includes all meals and activities as follows: game drives, walking safaris, night drives, visits to local villages, fishing and lake safaris with sundowners. All activities are included. Treatments at the lodge’s spa can be arranged at an additional cost.

Overnight at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Today, after breakfast and your final morning activity, transfer back to Lake Kariba Airstrip for your 35 minute flight to Hwange Airstrip. You'll then arrive at stunning Somalisa Camp, just in time for lunch.

Somalisa Camp is set in the heart of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest reserve known for its thriving population of 40,000 elephants. Hwange home to a profusion of wildlife, including giraffe, lion and zebra; perhaps the reserve’s most notable residents are the surviving sons of Cecil the Lion and their growing pride. Nestled in a stunning location tucked away on an acacia island along the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain, Somalisa provides guests with breathtaking views of the savanna plains across the famous Kennedy Vlei line. Recently renovated, Somalisa consists of seven elegantly furnished Sail Tents with gauze sliding doors, a glass wood-burner fireplace for the cold winter nights, and an overhead fan for the hot summer days. Each tent has en suite bathroom facilities including flush toilets, an indoor and outdoor shower, as well as a copper slipper-style bathtub. The main decking area includes a splash pool for guests overlooking the famous “Elephant Pool” and a natural waterhole where herds of game congregate to drink and where guests can relax whilst soaking in the African bush.

After lunch and tea time, embark on an afternoon safari.

Overnight at Somalisa Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Enjoy morning and afternoon safaris during your stay at Somalisa. Terrain ranges from desert dunes and savanna lands to rocky outcrops and sparse forests, and visitors have the choice of game drives, guided walks or horseback safaris as a means of experiencing the park and its creatures. This tented camp gives you an amazing opportunity to embark on thrilling night game drives, often not permitted in national parks.

Overnight at Somalisa Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Today after your morning activity, it's time to say goodbye to Zimbabwe. You'll head back to the Hwange Airstrip take the short flight to Victoria Falls Airport. Depending on the time of year, you may remain on the Zimbabwe side to enter the National Park and see the world’s most magical and thunderous waterfalls.

Upon departing the town of Victoria Falls, you will cross the border into Zambia for a quick drive to your final destination where you will unwind from your fast-paced savanna plains safari experience (or perhaps re-charge before extending your adventure further into Zambia or other parts of southern Africa!).

Set in Zambia’s Mosi-Oa- Tunya National Park, Thorntree River Lodge just a short distance from epic Victoria Falls, known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. Thorntree boasts a modern contemporary design with ten chalets, each with its own indoor and outdoor bathrooms and luxury private plunge pools overlooking the Zambezi.

After tea time and with the help of your guide you’ll choose one of the lodge’s many excursions for your afternoon.

Overnight at Thorntree River Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Enjoy your time at the lodge. Your stay includes game drives in Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park, rhino tracking, bush walks, sunrise and sunset boat cruises, Simoonga Village visits, a visit to Zambian side of the Falls, a visit to the Zimbabwean side of the Falls in the dry season, visit to the Livingstone Museum, canoe trips with picnic lunch, visit to Maramba and Makuni Markets, catch and release shore fishing.

For an additional cost, indulge and treat yourself to a luxurious onsite spa treatment.

*Note: Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park requires a US$ 10 per person admission and the Livingstone Museum's entrance fee is US$ 5 per person. Visa fees to enter Zimbabwe are also not included.

Overnight at Thorntree River Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Enjoy your final morning activity and breakfast. At the scheduled time, you'll be transferred out to the Livingstone Airport (LVI) for your departing flight to your final destination. For a small additional cost, a transfer can be arranged to nearby Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) across the border in Zimbabwe.

(Breakfast)

• 8 nights accommodation in double/twin occupancy

• Full board

• All internal flights and ground transfers between lodges (flights into Zimbabwe and out of Zambia are not included)

• Twice daily game drives with English speaking naturalist guide at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge and Somalisa Camp

• Additional guided activities as described at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, Somalisa Camp and Thorntree River Lodge

• Drinks as specified by each camp (water, soft drinks, local branded spirits and beers, house wines)

• Laundry service

• All entrance fees as described

• *Not included: gratuities, visas to Zimbabwe or Zambia, international or flights not listed, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature

With this particular itinerary, for safari enthusiasts we love the idea of spending a few additional days in Zimbabwe at Mana Pools National Park along the Zambezi River for the most authentic safari experience in southern Africa with lots of adventure like canoeing alongside hippos. You can also get a similar experience on the Zambian side of the Lower Zambezi and then extend afterward to South Luangwa National Park, the home of walking safari. For those interested in culture, action or wine, a few days in the Cape Town and Winelands region would be ideal. And for those looking to end their adventure with some relaxing beach time (honeymooners perhaps?) we’d suggest some time in magical Mozambique.