Is the Hwange Experiential Safari and Victoria Falls for Me?

This trip takes you to two different sections of Hwange National Park and a short stay by the river in Victoria Falls.

Hwange National Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe, covering an impressive 14,650 sq km. As you’d expect from a park of this size, the breadth of wildlife species is astounding. Over 100 species of mammals reside here, whilst almost 400 species of birds. Without forgetting the 40,000-strong population of elephants.

This trip can work well on its own or combined with a stay in South Africa, or a combination with Zambia.

Your 9-Day Itinerary

Lion cub in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. One of the best national parks in Africa.

The trip starts at Victoria Falls International Airport where you connect for the local flight to Shumba Airstrip in Hwange National Park. On arrival, you will be met by your guide for a short road transfer to Nehimba Safari Lodge where you will spend the next three nights. Enjoy your first night with a sundowner on the Nehimba Deck overlooking the waterhole. Enjoy dinner under the stars tonight, and overnight.

Nehimba Safari Lodge

Includes & excludes

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Drinks: (Local Brands) Included

Activities: Included

Transport: Included

Nehimba sits firmly on the edge of the mopane woodlands associated with the north of the park and the kalahari sandveld of the south and west. All the diversity of Hwange's fauna and flora is within easy reach. No two days are the same at Nehimba and game viewing experiences are tailor-made to your preferences, including game drives, walking safaris and night game drives on the private concession in search of nocturnal species of wildlife. Not to be missed is a visit to the Nehimba Seeps, an ancient source of surface water, frequented by elephants, who can be found digging for minerals as well as enjoying the water

Whether you choose to track a herd of elephant on foot with your highly trained guide at dawn or spend the afternoon relaxing overlooking the waterhole on the deck by the pool, this wild and unspoilt bush paradise will guarantee you leave with memories to last a lifetime!

Nehimba Safari Lodge

Includes & excludes

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Drinks: (Local Brands) Included

Activities: Included

Transport: Included

Breakfast at camp before the transfer to the railway for the rail car journey to Bomani . The rail-car does not run from Jan to April, the transfer is done via a short fly hop. Arrive Bomani, enjoy a lovely sundowner and relax at camp, before dinner and night.

Here you will notice a mix of open grasslands and woodlands that provides the perfect mosaic of habitats for the full spectrum of both grazing and browsing herbivores  resident in Hwange and then of course the carnivores that prey on them - Lion, Leopard, Painted dog and both species of Hyaena - Spotted and the seldom seen Brown.

This abundance of wildlife set in both woodlands and open grasslands provides some of the best year-round game viewing to be found anywhere in Zimbabwe.

Bomani Tented Lodge

Includes & excludes

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Drinks: (Local Brands) Included

Activities: Included

Transport: Included

Your time at Bomani will be spent enjoying game drives and walks in the well-known Ngamo Plains or you can choose to enjoy some time in the spacious underground hide capturing some up close and personal moments. Night drives also add to your experience at this lodge. Chat to your guide to customize your stay as per your preferences. Choose to be woken with coffee in bed, before joining your guide on a sunrise game drive inside the Park or, opt for a relaxing lie-in before visiting the nearby village and school for insight into the daily lives of the local people. You can visit the rhino sanctuary and spend 2-hours either walking, driving or sitting and observing the white rhino which has been brought back to Hwange, and learn all about this incredible conservation project from the anti poaching unit. There is always something to do, and see.

Bomani Tented Lodge

Includes & excludes

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Drinks: (Local Brands) Included

Activities: Included

Transport: Included

View of the Zambezi River from the deck at Victoria Falls River Lodge, Zimbabwe.

After an incredible six-night safari adventure in Hwange, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight back to Victoria Falls and onward to your final destinations on the banks of the Zambezi River for two nights at Victoria Falls River Lodge. Your stay here includes your meals, selected beverages and some set activities. Chat to the camp manager on arrival and schedule your days. Note that the park fees are not included and will need to be paid directly ($50 pp for the Falls entry for example). Choose to relax and unwind or to seek out adventure.

Victoria Falls River Lodge

Includes & excludes

Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner included

Drinks: (Local Brands) Included

Activities: Included

Transport: Included

Breakfast at the lodge and pack your bags before the transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight, or contact us to extend your trip.

Every itinerary can be crafted to your needs, from adjusting the length of your stay to including different accommodation and refining the route. Your safari is yours, shaped around your idea of a dream experience.

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This was a holiday of 3 attempts.

Matthys clearly extremely knowledgable, and from experience, about the areas/lodges we visited. The transfers, flights and accommodations were all top notch and nothing went by the wayside.

The trip moved seamlessly from SA, through Kruger, Zimbabwe, 3 Botswana lodges and back to Jo’burg.

Value for money?

Definitely really good quality accommodations and the safari guides were brilliant. We were never crowded into any vehicle we always had plenty of space. The food was amazing and the staff at all establishments were incredibly friendly and accommodating.

Nothing was too much trouble and they went far and above than they needed too.

We loved it so much we are planning to come back in 2024 and do the garden route and some different safari experiences. Missed the Rhino but saw all the other top 4 plus 5 puppy wild dogs/5 adults and 3 leopards. Loads of lions and huge amounts of elephant, bison, water buffalo and numerous other animals.

As Annie once said “I’ll be back!”

"We had an absolutely amazing experience with this travel agency! Cayleigh was incredibly professional, friendly, and organized every detail of our trip flawlessly. All the transfers were perfectly arranged — we didn’t have to worry or struggle with anything from..."

Alex Kohli, United Arab Emirates · 21 Jul 2025 ·

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"From start to finish, our experience with Discover Africa Safaris was exceptional. The communication throughout the planning stage was prompt, clear, and incredibly thoughtful. We felt truly listened to, and the itinerary was tailored exactly to what we wanted –..."

Renae, Australia · 8 Jul 2025 ·

"Even superlatives fail when trying to describe the sheer joy of our multigenerational trip to Sabi Sabi in South Africa, and The Elephant Camp in Zimbabwe! It was SUPERB IN EVERY WAY, from game drives (we saw everything and then..."

Gayle, United States · 5 Jul 2025 ·

"My husband and I had an unforgettable trip to South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, expertly planned by Susan based on our preferences. The accommodations she selected in Cape Town, Zimbabwe, and Botswana were among the best we've experienced, with Sabi..."

Neeraja Saldi, United States · 16 Jun 2025 ·

"This was a holiday of 3 attempts. Matthys clearly extremely knowledgable, and from experience, about the areas/lodges we visited. The transfers, flights and accommodations were all top notch and nothing went by the wayside. The trip moved seamlessly from SA,..."

Ian & Elaine Fursland, United Kingdom · 28 Sep 2022 ·