12 Days / 11 Nights
Best of Zimbabwe
Duration
12 Days / 11 Nights
Journey
Signature Zimbabwe Journey
Group size
2–12 people
Pickup
Available
The journey
A journey built around the experience.
Discover the many sides of Zimbabwe on one memorable journey combining natural wonders, wildlife, ancient heritage and beautiful landscapes. Begin at Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River plunges into a dramatic gorge. Continue to Hwange National Park for classic African safari experiences and opportunities to observe elephants and other wildlife. Explore the remarkable stone architecture and history of Great Zimbabwe, then travel into the scenic Eastern Highlands for mountain views, forests and tranquil countryside. Finish beside Lake Kariba, where vast waters, sunsets and relaxing lake experiences offer a peaceful conclusion to your adventure. Designed for travellers who want a broad introduction to the country, this itinerary can be adapted for private holidays, couples, families and small groups. Accommodation, transport and activities can be tailored to your travel dates, interests and preferred level of comfort.
Package
Highlights
Experience Victoria Falls, one of Africa's most celebrated natural attractionsExplore Hwange National Park on guided wildlife drivesDiscover the historic stone structures of Great ZimbabweEnjoy the mountain scenery and cooler climate of the Eastern HighlandsRelax beside the expansive waters of Lake KaribaExperience Zimbabwe's diversity of wildlife, landscapes and heritageCombine safari, culture, scenic travel and relaxation in one itineraryEnjoy local guiding and carefully coordinated destination transfersCustomise accommodation and activities to suit your travel style
Plan your stay
Itinerary
12 Days / 11 Nights
Best of Zimbabwe
1
Day 1
Arrival in Victoria Falls
Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport or another agreed arrival point. Meet your representative and transfer to your selected hotel or lodge. After check-in, enjoy time to relax after your journey. Depending on your arrival time, you may explore Victoria Falls town or arrange an optional activity.
Morning / Afternoon
Arrival and transfer
Meet-and-greet service and transfer to your accommodation according to the confirmed booking.
Afternoon
Leisure time
Relax at your accommodation or explore the town and local craft markets.
Evening
Welcome evening
Enjoy dinner at your hotel or a recommended restaurant. Dinner is included only where stated in the final quotation.
2
Day 2
Victoria Falls and Zambezi Sunset Cruise
Take a guided tour of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side, exploring designated rainforest paths and viewpoints. Learn about the waterfall's geography, local history and surrounding environment. Later, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River near Victoria Falls, with opportunities for scenery, birdlife and wildlife viewing.
Morning
Guided Victoria Falls tour
Visit the main viewpoints with a local guide and allow time for photography.
Midday
Lunch and leisure
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or your accommodation. Lunch is at your own expense unless included in the confirmed package.
Late Afternoon
Zambezi sunset cruise
Enjoy river scenery and refreshments during a scheduled cruise. Wildlife sightings depend on conditions.
Evening
Return to accommodation
Return to your hotel or lodge for dinner and an overnight stay according to your meal plan.
3
Day 3
Transfer to Hwange National Park
After breakfast, travel from Victoria Falls to your selected accommodation in the Hwange area. On arrival, check in and receive an orientation about the safari programme. If arrival time, park access and lodge operations permit, enjoy an introductory afternoon game drive.
Morning
Breakfast and departure
Check out and begin the road transfer towards your Hwange accommodation.
Midday / Afternoon
Arrival and check-in
Arrive at your lodge or camp and settle in. Lunch depends on your selected meal plan.
Afternoon
Optional introductory game drive
Join a guided drive if available within the confirmed safari schedule.
Evening
Safari lodge evening
Enjoy dinner and overnight in the Hwange area according to your accommodation booking.
4
Day 4
Hwange National Park Safari
Spend the day exploring Hwange National Park with experienced safari guides. The park's diverse habitats support elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelope and a wide variety of birdlife. Depending on your lodge and safari arrangement, enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with time to relax between outings.
Early Morning
Morning game drive
Head out during the cooler hours to search for wildlife and learn about the park's ecosystems.
Late Morning
Breakfast and relaxation
Return to camp for breakfast and time to rest, according to the lodge's schedule.
Midday
Lunch and leisure
Enjoy lunch and relax at the lodge or camp.
Afternoon
Afternoon game drive
Continue wildlife viewing in the park or an authorised concession area.
Evening
Dinner and overnight
Return to your accommodation for dinner and an overnight stay.
5
Day 5
Travel to the Great Zimbabwe Area
After breakfast, leave Hwange and travel towards Masvingo, the gateway to Great Zimbabwe. This is a substantial overland journey, so an early departure and suitable rest stops should be planned. Depending on the exact route, accommodation location and road conditions, arrival may be later in the day. Settle into your accommodation and prepare for the heritage visit.
Early Morning
Breakfast and departure
Check out and begin the scheduled road transfer towards Masvingo.
Midday
Journey and rest stop
Take planned breaks during the drive. Lunch is at your own expense unless specified otherwise.
Afternoon / Evening
Arrival in Masvingo
Check in at your selected accommodation and relax after the journey.
Evening
Dinner and overnight
Enjoy dinner and overnight according to your accommodation and meal plan.
6
Day 6
Great Zimbabwe National Monument
Explore Great Zimbabwe, the celebrated archaeological site associated with a major medieval Shona civilisation and the origins of the country's name. Visit key stone-built areas with a guide and learn about the site's historical significance, architecture and role in regional trade and society. Allow time for walking, photographs and interpretation of the ruins before continuing to your next destination.
Morning
Guided heritage tour
Explore the monument's designated areas and learn about its history and stone architecture.
Midday
Lunch and relaxation
Enjoy lunch in the Masvingo area or at your accommodation, depending on the day's arrangements.
Afternoon
Further exploration
Continue visiting the site's accessible areas or enjoy time at leisure, subject to opening hours and the confirmed tour.
Evening
Return to accommodation
Relax and enjoy dinner according to your meal plan.
7
Day 7
Travel to the Eastern Highlands
After breakfast, depart Masvingo for the Eastern Highlands. The journey introduces a different side of Zimbabwe, with changing landscapes, rural communities and mountain scenery as you approach your selected base. Depending on your chosen accommodation, the destination may be in the Nyanga, Vumba or another Eastern Highlands area. Check in and enjoy the cooler highland atmosphere.
Morning
Breakfast and departure
Check out and begin the road journey to your selected Eastern Highlands destination.
Midday
Scenic journey
Travel through the countryside with suitable breaks along the way.
Afternoon
Arrival in the highlands
Check in at your hotel, lodge or guesthouse and enjoy the scenery.
Evening
Relaxation
Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay according to your selected meal plan.
8
Day 8
Explore the Eastern Highlands
Enjoy a full day discovering the natural beauty of the Eastern Highlands. Depending on your chosen base, activities may include viewpoints, forest walks, waterfalls, gardens or mountain scenery in areas such as Nyanga or the Vumba. The specific activities will be selected according to location, weather, access and your interests.
Morning
Highland nature excursion
Visit selected viewpoints, walking trails, gardens or natural attractions near your accommodation.
Midday
Lunch and leisure
Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or your accommodation.
Afternoon
Scenic exploration
Continue exploring the area's landscapes and attractions, with time for photographs and short walks.
Evening
Relax at your lodge
Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
9
Day 9
Transfer to Lake Kariba
After breakfast, leave the Eastern Highlands and travel towards your selected Lake Kariba destination. This is a long road journey, and the transfer route depends on whether you are staying in Kariba town, a lakeside lodge or another location. Plan for rest stops and confirm arrival timing before booking any evening activities. On arrival, settle in and enjoy your first views of the lake.
Early Morning
Breakfast and departure
Check out and begin the road transfer to the Lake Kariba area.
Midday
Journey and rest stop
Take scheduled breaks during the journey. Lunch is included only if stated in your quotation.
Afternoon / Evening
Arrival at Lake Kariba
Check in at your selected hotel or lakeside lodge and relax after the drive.
Evening
Sunset by the lake
Enjoy the lakeside scenery if arrival time and weather permit.
10
Day 10
Lake Kariba Experience
Spend a relaxing day enjoying Lake Kariba's expansive waters and scenic shoreline. Depending on your chosen accommodation and the activities available, you may join a boat excursion, sunset cruise, fishing trip or birdwatching outing. Lake conditions, boat operations, wildlife sightings and activity availability vary, so excursions must be confirmed in advance.
Morning
Lake excursion
Enjoy a pre-booked boat outing or another available lake activity.
Midday
Lunch and relaxation
Return to shore for lunch or enjoy a meal arranged through your accommodation.
Afternoon
Leisure and optional activities
Enjoy time at the lodge, birdwatching or an additional activity arranged in advance.
Late Afternoon
Sunset cruise or lakeside viewing
If booked and conditions permit, enjoy the changing colours of sunset over the lake.
Evening
Dinner and overnight
Return to your accommodation for dinner and overnight.
11
Day 11
Lake Kariba to Harare
After breakfast, depart Lake Kariba for Harare or another agreed final destination. This is a substantial road transfer, so an early start is recommended. If your international flight departs the same day, the connection must be carefully checked against the planned driving time and road conditions. An additional overnight in Harare may be the safer option for travellers with early departures.
Morning
Breakfast and check-out
Prepare for departure and settle any personal charges.
Morning / Afternoon
Transfer to Harare
Travel by the confirmed road route with planned breaks.
Afternoon / Evening
Arrival and accommodation
Arrive at your agreed destination. A Harare overnight can be arranged if required by your flight schedule.
12
Day 12
Departure from Zimbabwe
Enjoy breakfast if included and complete check-out. Transfer to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport or another agreed departure point according to the confirmed schedule. Your Shungu Africa representative can assist with coordinating the final transfer and any pre-arranged onward travel services.
Morning
Breakfast and check-out
Prepare for departure according to your accommodation's check-out time.
As scheduled
Departure transfer
Transfer to the airport or agreed departure point according to your confirmed booking.
Included
What's included
Eleven nights of accommodation distributed across the listed destinations
Meals specifically stated in the final accommodation and tour quotation
Arrival and departure transfers at agreed locations where included
Road transfers between destinations as expressly itemised in the quotation
Guided Victoria Falls tour where included
Zambezi sunset cruise where included
Hwange game drives and applicable safari services as confirmed
Guided Great Zimbabwe visit where included
Eastern Highlands excursions specifically listed in the confirmed itinerary
Lake Kariba boat excursion or cruise only where explicitly confirmed
Professional guiding for the included activities
Applicable taxes and service charges where stated in the final quotation
Not included
What's not included
International and domestic flights unless expressly quoted
Visa fees and travel-document costs
Travel insurance and personal medical expenses
Meals, drinks and snacks not specified as included
Tips and gratuities
Optional activities not listed in the confirmed package
Personal purchases, laundry and telephone charges
Park fees, monument fees, conservation levies and activity charges not expressly included
Private aircraft charters, vehicle upgrades or premium transfers unless quoted
Additional nights required because of flight schedules or long-distance transfers
Fishing equipment, licences or specialist equipment unless specified
Any other service not explicitly listed in the final booking confirmation
FAQs