Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport, where you will meet our agent who will assist you through the arrivals process and to your vehicle.
Note that while flights to Victoria Falls are not included in the price of this itinerary, Briggate Travel, a sa fully licensed and ATOL-bonded tour operator, can assist you with all other flight arrangements.
The journey by road to your lodge is around 45 minutes, entering the Zambezi National Park on your way.
Nestled within the magnificent teak woodlands and ancient Kalahari sands of Zambezi National Park, Chamabondo unfolds as an immersive, untamed paradise for the passionate birdwatcher. Here, the landscape transitions dynamically from open mopane forest and seasonal vleis to the dense, vibrant riverine growth flanking the mighty Zambezi River. The birding is fast-paced and incredibly rewarding; recent expeditions have recorded an astonishing 251 species over a four-day stay, with individual guests comfortably ticking off 127 species just within the immediate camp and riverfront.
Avian Highlights
Scan the water’s edge and overhanging branches for an array of highly sought-after species:
The elusive African Finfoot and Rock Pratincole
Collared Palm-Thrush and Western Banded Snake Eagle
The spectacular Schalow’s Turaco
The rare, seasonal African Skimmer, skimming the water’s surface
Throughout your visit, Richard, an expert resident birding guide, will lead you into the heart of these prime habitats. Together, you will explore twice-daily activities, including thrilling game drives, night drives to seek out nocturnal specialists, serene riverside safaris, and tracking on foot during immersive nature walks.
Visit the iconic Victoria Falls, or, in the local language, Mosi-oa-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders
Your itinerary also features a half-day excursion to marvel at the raw might of 500 million litres of water plunging over the precipice every minute. Nourished by the perpetual spray of the falls, this localised rainforest is home to perfectly adapted, specialised avian species found nowhere else in the region.
Set off by road for your next stop - The Hide in Hwange National Park. Positioned inside a private concession adjoining the legendary Hwange National Park, The Hide places you in the heart of classic big-game country where world-class birding and traditional safaris seamlessly merge. The terrain is a diverse patchwork of dry mopane woodland, acacia scrub, expansive open grasslands, and vital seasonal pans. With over 400 bird species recorded, the experience here is grand in scale, heavily featuring massive raptors and iconic terrestrial birds pacing the sweeping plains.
Avian Highlights - Keep your binoculars primed for giant species and formidable predators of the sky:
The legendary, massive Southern Ground Hornbill * The heavy-set Kori Bustard, the world's heaviest flying bird
Bradfield's Hornbill and the striking Rosy-throated Longclaw
A spectacular array of raptors, including the mighty Martial Eagle, the acrobatic Bateleur, the African Hawk-Eagle, and the swift Dickinson's Kestrel
This amazing experience is brought to vivid life with twice-daily game activities accompanied by expert guides.
Visit the iconic Victoria Falls, or, in the local language, Mosi-oa-Tunya, The Smoke That Thunders
Your itinerary also features a half-day excursion to marvel at the raw might of 500 million litres of water plunging over the precipice every minute. Nourished by the perpetual spray of the falls, this localised rainforest is home to perfectly adapted, specialised avian species found nowhere else in the region.
Today, head to the nearby airstrip for a chartered flight from Hwange back to Victoria Falls. There, you will be met and escorted to the scheduled flight to Harare. Upon arrival in the capital, you will be met and transferred for one night to the lovely Amanzi Lodge, located on the outskirts of the city.
While this stop is, technically, to facilitate your move from the west of the country to the east, Amanzi is run by an avid bird enthusiast who purchased the property due to the abundance of birdlife that visits the lodge. You won't be disappointed to spend a night here, which not only adds some comfort to the pace of your journey but will also enthral you with some birdwatching right where you are staying.
Today, you will be met at your hotel and driven deep into the Eastern border region, where the highlands of Zimbabwe give way to Mozambique. Staying in Zimbabwe, at Aberfoyle Lodge in the Honde Valley, this is the true connoisseur's choice, as Aberfoyle Lodge is the crown jewel of the itinerary.
Nestled in the dramatic, mist-shrouded Honde Valley at the absolute base of the Eastern Highlands, the terrain shifts into a lush montane paradise. You will be birding through pristine evergreen and riverine forests, rolling green tea estates, and montane grasslands. The experience here requires a bit more focus and patience as you peer into the thick canopy, but the rewards are unmatched: this is Zimbabwe's premier hotspot for endemic and near-endemic forest species.
Avian Highlights: This unique microclimate gives you exclusive access to regional forest specials like Swynnerton's Robin, Roberts's Warbler, Livingstone's Turaco, Chirinda Apalis, Eastern Nicator, Stripe-cheeked Greenbul, and the formidable Crowned Eagle.
During your stay, enjoy these expertly guided activities:
- Full-day guided birding (or split into 2 x 1/d day activities)
- 1 x 1/2 Day activity; choose from either a mountain hike, a tea plantation visit, a further birding tour with canopy walkway visit, or even a round of golf!
Depart the highlands and return by road to Harare, where we can make sure you arrive in time for either an onward evening flight, or where we can make arrangements for a further overnight stay, for you to make a flight the next day.
