5-Days Hwange National Park and The Victoria Falls

Road Transfer

You will be picked by your driver for the journey approximately 3 hours and travels through Hwange, a rustic and charming town dotted with villages within rural Africa for a transfer by road from Victoria Falls International Airport via Hwange Town to Gwango Heritage Resort(or Ivory Lodge for luxury) where you will be welcomed to the lodge by game, which is unperturbed by the presence of human beings.

Evening Game Drive

You will be picked from your lodge for a game drive within an estate bordering Hwange National Park with great chances to see many nocturnal wild animals which includes lions, leopards, hyenas, genets, porcupines, civet cats, lesser bushbaby, mongoose, honey badger and maybe the ever-elusive pangolin, etc. No evening game drive is ever complete without a stop for snacks and drinks. Night time is hunting time for lions, and you may well see some action. If you are a keen astronomer, then the clear unpolluted skies are perfect for you. You will conclude the tour with dinner back at the lodge.

Today you witness and see the best of Hwange National Park as we take you out on a full day guided game drive. Spanning an area of roughly 14 650km², the Hwange National Park is the largest and oldest game reserve in Zimbabwe. You will be guided through an open game drive vehicle and escape into the Park for one of Zimbabwe’s amazing game viewing sites with premier wildlife through different routes. With a checklist approaching 500 species, Hwange National Park is a genuine birding hot spot. Fifty types of raptor have been recorded, notably the striking bateleur, which is often seen soaring overhead. Grassland heavyweights include ostrich, kori bustard, southern ground hornbill and secretary bird. Hwange is a stronghold for many species unique to the dry Kalahari region, including Bradfield’s hornbill, southern pied babbler and crimson-breasted shrike. Migratory birds flock here from November to April. As you proceed with the game drive within this massive park you will later enjoy a picnic lunch and ride back into these rolling plains and see the last great free ranging elephant population with nearly all major species and accompanying predators such as zebras, lion, hyenas, roan, sable, kudu; smaller mammals in residence include cheetah, jackal, wild dog, giraffe, wildebeest, impalas, zebra, a thrilling assortment of antelopes, and hippo, having the sun downer in nature and finishing the day with dinner at the lodge.

Early Morning Game Drive

Rise before dawn to embark on an exhilarating early morning game drive in Hwange National Park, the heart of Zimbabwe’s wildlife. Our experienced professional guides will navigate the park’s diverse landscapes, from vast Kalahari sands to acacia woodlands, in search of four of the iconic ‘Big Five’—lion, leopard, elephant, and buffalo. This is the optimal time for game viewing, as the cool, soft light of the sunrise provides the perfect backdrop for spotting nocturnal predators returning from their hunts and animals congregating for their first drink of the day.

Transfer to Telescope Boutique Lodge in Victoria Falls Town

Following your two-night safari adventure in Hwange National Park, you’ll be treated again to a scenic road transfer to Victoria Falls by our driver. This journey is more than just a commute; it’s a final opportunity to absorb the stunning Zimbabwean landscape and perhaps spot some final wildlife. Upon arrival in Victoria Falls, you will be transferred directly to your accommodation, allowing you to settle in and begin exploring the town at your leisure.

Sunset Dinner Cruise

From Telescope Boutique Lodge you are picked to enjoy the best of both worlds, a spectacular Sunset Cruise on the magnificent Zambezi River, followed by a three course meal, freshly prepared on-board by chefs, and served to you while cruising along the river with the sounds of the African bush with lush riverine vegetation, prolific birdlife and abundant game; providing you with background music. You will at most see hippos, crocs and many species of birdlife, but there is also the chance of spotting lots of other game including, elephant which cross the river to feed on the islands.

Prepare to be captivated by a guided walking tour of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Our expert local guides will lead you through the lush rainforest, a unique ecosystem sustained by the perpetual spray from the falls, known locally as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’—’The Smoke That Thunders.’ As you follow the well-maintained paths, you’ll feel the cool mist on your face and hear the thunderous roar of the Zambezi River cascading into the gorge. Your guide will take you to 16 key vantage points, each offering a distinct and breathtaking perspective of the falls, from the Devil’s Cataract to the Main Falls and beyond. Be sure to have your camera ready to capture the permanent rainbows that dance in the spray, creating an unforgettable spectacle of sight and sound.

Village Tour Experience

This afternoon from your lodge you are driven through Chinotimba, the largest and oldest township in Victoria Falls to get a glimpse of urban township life. From there it’s about 15 km out of town to the rural Monde Village, where you get to meet the local inhabitants, go through introductions and talk about their culture, customs, history and daily lives. You will be shown how their homestead is set up, the animals that they keep, what sort of equipment and utensils they use, the way their rooms are set up, the kind of food they eat, and so much more.

The Boma Dinner and Drum show

Enjoy an unforgettable African experience infused with Zimbabwean cuisine at The Boma that offers a four-course meal combining a mouth-watering choice of starters from the kitchen, soup from the campfire and a substantial barbeque buffet served on cast iron plates. A feast of nightly entertainment incorporates Amakwezi traditional dancers, singers, a local story teller and a traditional healer; later guests are invited to join in the drumming extravaganza.

Finally on your last day after an amazing trip in Victoria Falls and an adventurous stay in Hwange National Park where you board out on-to 4×4 game drives, with high chances to see endangered species such as black rhino, wild dog, roan and sable antelopes, along with elephant, buffalo, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and gemsbok; its time to head back to Victoria Falls International Airport by our driver to catch your flight.