HIGHLIGHTS OF ZIMBABWE - 9 DAYS

Experience gourmet dining in Victoria Falls at the top-rated Cassia Restaurant. Centrally located only minutes from the Victoria Falls at Ilala Lodge Hotel, the newly-renamed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast buffet, lunch and al fresco evening dining under the starry African sky.

The Cassia Restaurant delivers an unmatched menu, paired with an extensive wine list comprised of carefully selected wines from South Africa’s top vineyards. The calming and tranquil ambience is further complemented by the gentle rumble of Victoria Falls in the background. A truly unforgettable dining experience not to be missed.

You know what they say about the early bird? If you are a passionate birdwatcher, don’t miss out on this river cruise! Keen bird lovers will delight in marking off their sightings in the birding booklet provided on board while enjoying a delicious continental breakfast including fruit platters, fresh pastries and a variety of cheeses and biscuits. Rare birds such as the African Pitta and the Narina Trogon have been sighted here, as well as hundreds of other bird species. The knowledgeable and experienced guides conduct these early morning river cruises.

Enjoy freshly brewed coffee and a continental breakfast as you cruise up the Zambezi River towards Kandahar Island while enjoying the sounds of the diverse birdlife and the African bush come to life in the early morning. Breakfast includes freshly baked pieces of bread and pastries, fresh fruit platters, jams, yoghurts and cheeses as well as an assortment of teas and coffee.

Sit back and relax while sipping a cold drink and enjoying a few quiet hours along the banks of the Zambezi River. Our lunch buffet includes cold meats, fresh salads and a wide selection of biscuits and cheeses, all catered by the award-winning Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge Hotel. The fully stocked bar is available throughout the cruise and the attentive crew is at your service.

There simply is not a better way to enjoy the dazzling African sunset than from the comfort of a Ra-Ikane boat on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Our ever-popular sunset cruise offers a unique way to explore the channels of the river and to get an up-close view of the pristine wilderness and African game along its banks. Enjoy an array of canapés, a full bar and a charming crew who can impart a bit of interesting Victoria Falls history with you on board the Ra-Ikane.

The Makalolo Private Wilderness Reserve is situated in the most prolific wildlife area of Hwange National Park. The varied habitats and vegetation types, as well as countless waterholes, mean that game drives are exciting with always something new to be seen in an exclusive setting.

Evening game drives offer the best opportunity to see the shy nocturnal animals that are rarely seen in the daylight hours. The Hwange 'night act' includes species such as lesser bushbaby, spotted hyaena, leopard, lion, Selous mongoose, pangolin, caracal, porcupine, scrub hare, springhare and even honey badger.

Hwange was proclaimed some 80 years ago and has served as a haven for one of the highest concentrations of game on the African continent. There is no better way to experience this park than on foot, discovering the ecological-diversity of Hwange on a nature walk with a highly experienced safari guide.

This log-pile hide is beautifully placed at the waterhole in front of camp, and is the perfect place to spend afternoon siesta hours. The productive waterhole offers thrilling game viewing to literally a Noah's Ark parade of elephant and buffalo. Elephants are often the star attraction at the hide; just watch out for the sprays of water propelled from their nearby trunks.

* Note that during rare times of heavy rains, the log-pile hide becomes very muddy and inoperative.

Situated on a raised platform overlooking Madison Pan, the Star Bed is just a 20-minute drive away from camp and offers a truly secluded, remote wilderness experience. Spend a romantic night surrounded only by nature, and beneath the canopy of millions of stars.

* Weather permitting and operated subject to the discretion of the Camp Manager.

While the area is best explored on game drives, a visit to the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit provides unique insights into our conservation support of Hwange. Depending on the movements of the unit, learn more about the teams and their daily anti-poaching efforts.

* Subject to availability.

An authentic village experience takes place in a manner that is respectful to all parties. Usually around four hours and led by one of the local villagers or a Wilderness guide, it often includes a tour of the school, meeting the headman or headwoman and enjoying cultural interaction with the community.

* The school is closed over the weekend and during school holidays.

A leisurely drive in an open safari vehicle is a perfect way to discover the area, and provides an opportunity to see a wider variety of game and scenery as you cover much more ground than on a game walk. Accompanied by your guide, a game drive is a lovely way to spend the morning.

Arguably the best way to experience and feel in touch with the African bush. Our professional guides have a thorough knowledge of the area and, accompanied by them, you can experience Matusadona 'at its best'. Walks are conducted in the early mornings and late afternoons for your comfort.

Climb on board our pontoon boat and, together with our guide, you can explore the multitude of bays and river inlets where the birdlife is prolific and elephants and antelope abound.

Kariba is a fisherman’s paradise! Why not try your hand at fighting the renowned Tiger Fish for which people from all over the world return time and time again to catch. Alternatively bream fishing is always a pleasure and one's daily catch can be returned to you 'a la' snacks.

A short boat ride across the lake will bring you to the scenic Sanyati Gorge, where you can meander peacefully through the steep cliffs for up to 10 km. The Sanyati Gorge is both unspoilt and undisturbed with an abundance of birdlife, the occasional sighting of antelope and great fishing. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars for this activity as the dramatic landscape will leave you speechless.

Relax and enjoy one of Lake Kariba’s most popular activities and a favourite at Changa. If you are interested in birding, then our boat cruise is perfect for you as it will provide a different vantage point to get up close and personal to numerous species of birds. Whilst drifting along the banks of the lake, you will also encounter some great wildlife sightings in their peaceful surroundings.

What better way to end your day in Kariba, than listening to the sounds of hippo around you and witnessing an unforgettable sunset on the lake.

Going on safari is an exciting prospect and, for many, when the dust has been wiped off your boots and the hat hung up till next time, there is no greater pleasure than poring over the special moments you’ve captured on camera.

A native Zimbabwean, Neil Fairlie is a professional wildlife documentary filmmaker with a profound knowledge and deep respect for Africa and its wildlife. His formal experience spans a decade, including the recent Netflix series Our Planet, but his intimate knowledge of the bush, natural instincts and his skill in capturing unique moments of animal behaviour on film make him a brilliant photographic safari guide.

If you enjoy taking photographs in the wild or love the idea of it, there are a few factors we’d like to focus on!

This is a rare opportunity for groups or individuals to benefit from Neil’s skills, both behind the lens and in the bush…

One of the many things we are most proud to share with our guests are the wide open spaces and amazing viewing encounters with wild animals in their natural habitat. Explore the varying habitats within our private concession, as well as the National Park, accessing a diversity of habitats, and therefore a wide range of wildlife which resides in each one.

Mana Pools National Park is a remote, astonishing place that is best experienced on foot. Learn to listen for alarm calls as you venture through the wilderness led by a professional guide. This fantastic way of exploring the surrounding bush, looking out for the spoor and tracks of animals, often heralds many exciting sightings.

For the more adventurous, there is the thrilling experience of canoeing along this famous river, allowing for a different perspective of the area.

* Water levels permitting.

Enjoy a magical sunset while cruising this amazing stretch of the Zambezi River in search of hippo, crocodile, elephants and colourful birdlife.

* Water levels permitting.

Bream (tilapia), barbel (catfish) and tigerfish are some of the more common fish found at Mana Pools. Catch and release is practised at all Wilderness camps and keen fishermen are always encouraged to bring their own equipment as we only carry basic fishing tackle.

There is no better way of falling asleep than being serenaded by the sounds of nature while you gaze up at the starry skies of Africa.

* Weather permitting and operated subject to the discretion of the Camp Manager.

The multiplicity of fantastic birdlife in the area includes three-banded courser, western banded snake-eagle, Arnot's chat, green-capped eremomela, African golden oriole, Lilian’s lovebird, Böhm's spinetail and Meve's starling.