12 Days Zimbabwe Wildlife Safari | Victoria Falls, Hwange & Mana Pools

This 12-day Zimbabwe wildlife safari combines Victoria Falls with extended stays in Hwange National Park and Mana Pools, bringing together wildlife viewing, walking, river activities, and conservation experiences.

From the Zambezi River and Victoria Falls to the open plains of Hwange and the floodplains of Mana Pools, the itinerary moves through some of Zimbabwe’s most distinctive landscapes.

Trip Highlights

• Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River
• Elephant Express rail journey into Hwange
• Game drives in Hwange National Park
• Guided wildlife and nature experiences
• Rhino conservation and community initiatives
• Time with community wildlife protection scouts
• African wild dog and other Hwange wildlife viewing
• Guided exploration around Victoria Falls
• Zambezi sunset dinner cruise
• Flight into Mana Pools
• Morning and afternoon game drives
• Night game drives
• Nature walks
• River cruises
• Catch-and-release fishing
• Wildlife viewing along the Zambezi floodplain

Overview

The journey begins in Victoria Falls before continuing by the Elephant Express to Hwange National Park.

Here, several days are dedicated to game viewing alongside conservation and community experiences connected with local wildlife protection.

The route then returns to Victoria Falls for time around the falls and the Zambezi before flying east to Mana Pools National Park.

The final section focuses on game drives, walking, river activities and the wildlife of the Zambezi Valley.

Mana Pools forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage property known as Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas.

The property lies along the Zambezi and supports large concentrations of elephants, buffalo, hippos, zebras, antelope and predators including lions, leopards and cheetahs.

Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park, covering approximately 14,650 square kilometres.

Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority lists around 100 mammal species and nearly 400 bird species, including elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, roan and sable.

Victoria Falls is part of the transboundary Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls UNESCO World Heritage property.

The falls span about 1,708 metres across the Zambezi River and drop through a series of basalt gorges.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Victoria Falls

Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport where you will be met by a Petnah Africa Tours representative and transferred to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

The afternoon is free to settle in and enjoy the lodge. Depending on your interests and arrival time, you can relax around the pool or arrange an optional visit to Victoria Falls.

Overnight at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

The lodge sits on a plateau overlooking a waterhole and offers a range of en-suite rooms and suites.

Its dining facilities include the Boma, where guests can enjoy local dishes alongside traditional entertainment.

Day 2: Victoria Falls to Hwange by Elephant Express

After breakfast, transfer towards Dete and board the Elephant Express, Imvelo Safari’s safari train connecting the Victoria Falls area with Hwange.

The open-sided, canopied train provides views across the landscape as you travel through grasslands and woodland.

Depending on conditions and wildlife activity, there may be opportunities to see elephants, buffalo, giraffes, zebras and birds along the route.

Continue to Bomani Tented Lodge and settle into camp before heading out on an afternoon game drive with your guide.

Overnight at Bomani Tented Lodge

Bomani is situated near the Ngamo Plains on a private reserve bordering Hwange National Park.

The camp combines tented accommodation with an open-air main lodge, viewing decks and a waterhole.

Day 3-6: Hwange National Park

The next four days are dedicated to Hwange and its wildlife, with a combination of game drives, walking and conservation-focused experiences.

One of the highlights is an opportunity to spend time with the Cobras Community Wildlife Protection Scouts.

The experience can include a sunrise walk as protected rhinos are moved from their night enclosure into the bush, allowing visitors to learn about the practical work involved in their protection.

You can also accompany the scouts during elements of their anti-poaching dog training work and learn how community-based conservation contributes to wildlife protection.

A visit with children from Mlevu Village provides another perspective on the relationship between conservation, local communities and tourism.

Game drives take you into Hwange National Park in search of elephants, lions, African wild dogs, sable, cheetahs and other wildlife.

Zimbabwe Parks identifies Hwange as an important stronghold for elephants and African wild dogs, alongside a broad range of other mammals.

The exact sequence of activities will depend on camp arrangements, wildlife conditions and conservation programme availability.

Overnight at Bomani Tented Lodge

Day 7-8: Victoria Falls

Return to Victoria Falls for further exploration of the falls and surrounding area.

Victoria Falls is part of the Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls World Heritage property shared by Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The Zambezi plunges through a series of basalt gorges, creating the spray and mist for which the falls are known.

There is time to explore the falls and choose from activities available during your stay. The supplied itinerary includes a guided tour of Victoria Falls and an optional 13-minute helicopter flight over the falls.

You can also enjoy lunch at Lookout Café before an evening Zambezi dinner cruise aboard Zambezi Reflections. The cruise combines a meal with views of the river and sunset.

A visit to Giving Circle can also be arranged as part of the itinerary.

The organisation works with community changemakers supporting girls in Southern Africa through education, mentorship and related programmes.

Optional Victoria Falls activities

• Guided tour of Victoria Falls
• 13-minute helicopter flight over the falls

Overnight at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Day 9-11: Mana Pools National Park

Fly to Mana Pools National Park and continue to Zambezi Lifestyles Camp.

After arriving at the airstrip, meet your driver-guide and transfer to camp. The remainder of the arrival day can be used to settle in and enjoy the riverside setting.

The following days focus on Mana Pools through early morning and afternoon game drives, with opportunities to look for elephants, buffalo, lions, leopards, wild dogs, cheetahs, zebra, impala, waterbuck, kudu and warthogs.

Mana Pools is particularly associated with the Zambezi floodplain and the concentrations of wildlife that gather there, especially during the dry season.

UNESCO identifies elephants, buffalo, leopards, cheetahs, hippos and Nile crocodiles among the property’s notable wildlife.

Evening activities can include night game drives, using a red-filtered spotlight to look for nocturnal species.

Other activities include river cruises, catch-and-release fishing and guided nature walks.

Walking conditions and specific activities will depend on local conditions, guide availability, and camp arrangements.

Overnight at Zambezi Lifestyles Camp

The small, mobile-style camp is positioned along the Zambezi River and accommodates a limited number of guests, creating a more intimate base for exploring Mana Pools.

Day 12: Departure

After an early morning game experience, transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled light aircraft flight back towards Harare, where you will connect with your onward flight.

Your Zimbabwe wildlife safari ends with your departure from Zimbabwe.

What’s Included

• Park fees
• Conservation fees on safari
• Regional flights and transfers specified in the itinerary
• Private safari activities as specified
• Professional local staff and concierge service
• Accommodation as specified
• Meals as specified in the itinerary

What’s Not Included

• Meals, drinks and activities not specified in the itinerary
• Gratuities
• Personal expenses
• International flights
• Travel insurance
• Visa fees

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What wildlife can I see on this Zimbabwe safari?

The itinerary covers three very different wildlife areas.

Hwange is particularly known for elephants and African wild dogs, while Mana Pools supports large concentrations of elephants, buffalo, hippos and a range of predators. Sightings are never guaranteed.

2. Is Mana Pools a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. Mana Pools National Park forms part of the UNESCO-listed Mana Pools National Park, Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas World Heritage property, which was inscribed in 1984.

3. What makes Hwange different from Mana Pools?

Hwange is a large inland park characterised by savanna grasslands, teak and mopane woodland, and seasonal water sources.

Mana Pools sits along the Zambezi floodplain, giving the safari a stronger riverine character and different wildlife-viewing opportunities.

4. Can I walk in Mana Pools?

Walking is one of the experiences associated with Mana Pools, but walking activities depend on the camp, guide, conditions, and wildlife situation on the day.

The itinerary should therefore be treated as activity-based rather than guaranteeing a particular walking route or wildlife encounter.

5. Is Victoria Falls included in the safari?

Yes. The itinerary includes time in Victoria Falls at both the beginning and middle sections of the journey, with opportunities to visit the falls and take part in Zambezi activities.

Victoria Falls is part of a transboundary UNESCO World Heritage property.

Tell us what you want to see and experience, and we can help tailor the route, activities, and accommodation around your travel plans.

Plan My Zimbabwe Safari.
You can also WhatsApp Petnah Africa Tours on +256 705 161344.