On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, you will be met by the Matetsi River Lodge Guide for the 30 minute transfer to the lodge.
Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool, or take part in an afternoon game drive or river cruise before meeting up for an Al Fresco dinner.
Nestled on an exclusive stretch of the Zambezi River, Matetsi River Lodge celebrates the region’s fascinating heritage with authentic features and effortlessly combines them with light and airy contemporary interiors. Designed to make the most of the reserve’s spectacular views, the lodge’s two camps, of just nine suites each, are complimented by tranquil guest areas.
Overnight at Matetsi River Lodge.
Accommodation, three meals daily, soft drinks, house wines, local brand spirits & beers, teas & coffees, refreshments on game drives, laundry, safari activities, sundowner cruise
Meals will be planned around the activities and discussed with your host the night before.
Choose from one of the activities on offer at the Lodge, or go spend the morning in Victoria Falls Town where you can view the falls and take part in one of the many optional activities such as helicopter flights, bungi jumping, rafting or swimming with crocodiles to name but a few:-
CRUISING ALONG THE ZAMBEZI RIVER
At Matetsi Private Game Reserve, you will be treated to an utterly exclusive riverboat cruise and canoeing excursion along a private stretch of the mighty Zambezi River. Cruise along the banks of the river, taking in the marvels of this spectacular sanctuary, which is home to the ‘laughing hippos’, ‘singing birds’ and the ‘snapping crocodiles’. Expect magnificent sightings of vast elephant herds coming down to the water to drink and indulge in excellent photographic opportunities.
EXCEPTIONAL GAME DRIVES
Matetsi Private Game Reserve offers the most exclusive game viewing experience in Victoria Falls. Here, surrounded by flourishing wilderness, phenomenal highlights include sightings such as massive herds of elephant and buffalo as well as the rare and majestic sable antelope. The reserve is also home to lion, spotted hyena, African wild dog and leopard. Twice-daily game drives in the privacy of the concession are conducted in an open air safari vehicle in the early morning and late afternoon, accompanied by an armed ranger and tracker.
INTERPRETATIVE BUSH WALKS
An interpretive bush walk, led by a professional ranger, is an absolute must for those looking to get even closer to the incredible wilderness of the reserve. This adventure-filled activity allows guests to learn more about the intricacies of the African bush, with the thrilling opportunity to get up-close-and-personal to its inhabitants, from small to large. A walking safari is truly a feast for the senses!
TOUR OF THE FALLS
During your stay at &Beyond Matetsi Private Game Reserve, you will have the unforgettable opportunity to embark on an interpretive tour of the Victoria Falls. This adventure departs at 13h30 from the lodge. Accompanied by an &Beyond guide, you will be introduced to the wonders of this renowned World Heritage Site, from exploring the beautiful paths around the Victoria Falls Park, and stopping to enjoy numerous photographic opportunities along the way, to visiting the Livingstone statue and learning about how the Falls were created. After your incredible exploration, you will be whisked away for a decadent afternoon of high tea at the renowned Victoria Fall Hotel.
Meals will be planned around your activities.
This is your final day at Matetsi and you are free to choose from any of the in-house activities, or simply relax by the pool.
Breakfast is served from 07 00hrs, but we will arrange for an early or packed breakfast as the flight to Hwange departs at 08 30hrs.
07 30hrs Pick up from Matetsi River Lodge for the transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for the Wilderness 55 minute Flight to Hwange.
On arrival at the camp, freshen up before lunch and enjoy the camp until your pick up for the evening game drive.
19:30 Enjoy Dinner at the Camp, and have the rest of the evening at leisure.
Linkwasha Camp lies in a private concession in the enormously productive south-eastern corner of Hwange National Park. Situated on the doorstep of the famed Ngamo Plains, which offers fantastic summer game viewing, the camp’s excellent location stands sentry over a magnificent plain and a pan that is a magnet for game year round, especially in the dry winter months.
Overnight at Linkwasha.
Accommodation, all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, laundry and all local drinks
excludes premium imported brands and champagne.
Meals and activities as per the lodge.
Activities: Game drives, walking, game viewing, night drives and cultural tours of local villages (Activities are always communicated between guide and clients, Local village visit and another can be set for the day). The star bed can only be booked in camp and is subject to availability
19:30 Enjoy Dinner at the Camp, and have the rest of the evening at leisure.
Meals and activities as per the lodge and previous day description.
Breakfast is served from 07 00hrs.
Check out for flight at 09 40hrs to Kariba.
11 30hrs arrival in Kariba. Flights will land at either Fothergill Island or Kariba Airport (weather depending) where your safari holiday will begin with a warm welcome by the Changa team. You will then either enjoy a scenic 15-minute game drive to the camp from Fothergill Island or a 45-minute boat cruise from Kariba’s Marineland Harbour.
After lunch, join us for an afternoon game drive or river cruise on the magnificent Lake Kariba.
Dinner will be served at 20 00hrs.
Perfectly set in a remote and secluded part of the Matusadona National Park located in the heart of Lake Kariba. Boasting nearly 4km of lakeshore frontage, Changa Safari Camp offers a unique and authentic safari experience.
Overnight at Changa Safari Camp.
Accommodation, all meals and snacks, all beverages including teas & coffees, laundry, Wi-Fi and all activities. Activities includes early morning game walks, fishing and game drives.
Your meals will be planned around your activities. Choose from the following:
Game Walks:
One of the best ways to experience and feel a part of the African bush. Our professional guides have expert knowledge of the area and accompanied by them, you can be introduced to the Matusadona National Park in a completely different way.
Fishing:
Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake, covering almost 5,600 square kilometers and this vast expanse of fresh water is home to some fantastic fish species including the famous Tiger fish, Tilapia bream, Catfish and the mighty Vundu. For most of the year, Lake Kariba is truly one of the greatest places in Africa for fishing.
Sanyati Gorge Trips:
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.
Bird Watching:
Bird watching can be done on either a gentle boat cruise or a game drive in the morning or afternoon. The birdlife in the park is prolific, with 350 different species identified in the area including ducks, herons, plovers and storks that congregate along the waterfront and darters and cormorants who use the dead tree base for their fishing forays.
Game Drives:
Our open game vehicles are the perfect way to discover the area, providing a fantastic opportunity to see a variety of game, including lion, cheetah and elephant whilst taking in the beautiful scenery. Occasionally you may come across some fresh tracks on a drive so wear comfortable shoes just in case you choose to track the animal for a short while! There are early morning and afternoon game drives available.
Boat Cruise:
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.
Meals and activities as per previous day.
Breakfast is served from 07 00hrs if you would just like to relax in camp, or take part in a morning activity instead.
12 00hrs depart on a flight from Kariba to Ruckomechi. It is a 25 minute flight.
Join us on an afternoon activity before dinner which is served between 18 00hrs & 20 00hrs.
Situated on a large private concession in the heart of the Zambezi Valley’s Mana Pools National Park, Ruckomechi Camp looks out from the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. It is a remote, beautiful place with spectacular views of the broad flowing river, adjoining well-defined tree canopy and the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment over the border in Zambia.
Overnight Ruckomechi Camp.
Accommodation, all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, laundry and local drinks. Activities - canoe on the river, fishing, game drives, game walks, river cruises and sleep outs.
Meals are served around activities.
Choose from the following:
Game Drives:
Game drives early in the morning or late afternoon take place in open 4X4 vehicles, taking in a coffee break or a sundowner at a scenic spot. Given the diversity of habitats in the area, a wide variety of wildlife may be seen. Night drives are also available; a red-filtered spotlight is used to ensure disturbance of the game is kept to a minimum. (Note: Game drives take place within our private concession and not in the National Park.).
River Cruises:
Cruises down this stretch of the Zambezi River are in nine-seater pontoons or in a six-seater speed boat. Canoes are a more adventurous option to see the large numbers of waterbirds and other wildlife that are attracted to the river and seasonal pans.
Nature Walks:
Mana Pools National Park is a remote, beautiful place that is best experienced on foot, led by a professional guide. This thrilling way of exploring the surrounding bush often heralds many exciting sightings.
Catch & Release Fishing:
Bream (tilapia), barbel (catfish) and tigerfish are the some of the more common fish found at Mana Pools. Catch and release is practised at all Wilderness Safaris camps and keen fishermen are always encouraged to bring their own equipment as we only carry basic fishing tackle. *This activity is subject to the availability of boats and is at an additional cost, per boat per hour payable direct.
Star Bed:
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. Our romantic Star Bed is situated near a productive waterhole.
Birding:
The multiplicity of 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.
Meals and activities as per the previous day.
Breakfast is served between 06 00hrs & 09 00hrs.
09 00hrs flight from Ruckomechi to Harare International Airport. The flight lands at 10 30hrs so please ensure any connecting flights booked are for the afternoon.
