September 7, 2025
We will meet this morning at Lusaka airport where our bush pilots will be waiting to fly us to the Lower Zambezi where our safari guides will be waiting. Let the safari begin! Our camp is located on Zambezi River on the Zambian side.
The river is continually changing and varies in width, speed and depth, perpetuating the ill-defined Zambia border which follows the originally mapped river course. Wildlife knows no such boundaries, and downstream there are national parks on both sides.
All the large mammals come to the river to drink and in the case of elephants to frolic in the water. They let you come close enough to get some amusing pictures of their antics. You will often see lion, buffalo, kudu, bushbuck, waterbuck and a rich variety of birdlife. This is a birder's paradise with a host of interesting distractions.
Our activities over the next 4 days will include game drives, bush walks, paddling or boating on the Zambezi River. Yours to explore...
(Civilized Adventures will assist you with international flights to ensure that you are in the right place at right time. There are several options for flights, which we will explain and you choose.)
Our next 3 days will be action packed! Game drives & boat safaris daily with opportunities to paddle on the river or walking safari with your guide.
Here is how a typical day looks:
Early Morning
At sunrise, we will head off on our early morning activity. These early starts are generally the best times to spot the wildlife as the temperature is fresh and the animals are still very active, especially the big cats who will be returning from their night’s hunting.
Lunch & Afternoon
It is usually much hotter in the middle of the day, and so most of our guests opt to have lunch in the lodge then either relax in their suites, have a dip in the pool or a treatment in the bush spa. Tea and cake are available from 3.30pm before you then head out for an afternoon activity.
Evening
As with early morning, the evening game drive is often the best time to see the wildlife. Vehicles and boats usually return to camp just before dark. You will have time for a shower prior to pre-dinner drinks around the campfire and then dinner.
Night
We will have the opportunity of going on a night game drive. Vehicles are equipped with powerful spotlights, and our expert trackers will generally spot any wildlife well before you will. The night is often the best time to spot the elusive leopard, which more often than not will be high up in a tree. A game drive at night gives you a completely different perspective of the bush and is an unforgettable experience.
Canoeing on Zambezi:
The canoeing experience involves peace and tranquillity punctuated by animal magic in all its forms. Game viewing from water level is entirely different and quite wonderful. The wildlife don’t seem to care about these floating objects and go about their business quite uninterrupted. The higher river banks provide burrow type nesting sites for bee-eaters and kingfishers in abundance.
This morning we will bid farewell to the fine staff of Royal Zambezi Lodge.
Our bush pilots will fly us to across to Lusaka where we will connect with Zambian Airways flight to Livingstone, Zambia's gateway to Victoria Falls.
We will be driven over to Victoria Falls' airport in Zimbabwe where our Zimbabwean pilots will fly us to our bush camp in Hwange National Park. (30 minute flight, otherwise would be a 6-7 hour drive)
The Camp Hwange safari guides will be waiting for us.
Teeming with wildlife, Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest national park, home to elephant, buffalo, sable, roan, giraffe, wildebeest, impala and even gemsbok. Of the apex predators, lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah are regularly seen, along with African wildcat, serval, honey badger, civet and hyena. The diverse landscapes of teak forests, sandveld, ilala palm islands, savannah and acacia woodland make for a rewarding and interesting wildlife safari.
Our days will be morning and afternoon game drives in open vehicles. This is the best way to enjoy close up sightings and photography of large charismatic mammals such as lions and elephants. In addition, our guides and trackers will reveal to you as you traverse our private concession, whether this is birds, botany, insects not to mention the smaller mammals that are more active after dark during our night drives.
You will have opportunities to sit quickly (with your professional safari guide) at a logpile hide watching the animals come in to drink from the waterhole. Rather than being hidden from sight entirely, as would be the case in a traditional hide, here you have the impression of there being no barrier whatsoever between you and the animal with the animal usually very much aware of you. This, and the fact that you are simply seated on the ground being towered over by something like a 4m high elephant makes for a thought-provoking, perspective-changing experience that invariably has a profound effect on our guests.
Bush walks allow you to feel the earth between your toes and sharpen your senses around you. All walks are led by a fully licensed Zimbabwean professional guide – an accreditation that is reached only after an extensive period of training, apprenticeship and assessment. An experienced tracker adds yet another layer of interpretation and adventure.
Camp Hwange prides themselves on delivering a thrilling adventure while we are out in the bush and then host us with their incredible hospitality once we are back in camp!
September 15, 2025
Today we bid adieu to the fine Camp Hwange team. Our guides will take us back to airstrip for our flight to Victoria Falls. We will drive across border to Botswana and on to the prestigious Muchenje Safari Lodge.
Situated in the exclusive western area of Chobe National Park, within the Chobe Forest Reserve, Muchenje offers unique and abundant game experiences in a quieter setting.
At 4pm we will venture out for our first game drive in Chobe National Park. You will see a distinct difference between the other two ecosystems where we have been.
Our next two days we will explore the Chobe National Park:
- Boat safari on the Chobe river
Game Drives
Guided Walk: Morning walk within the Forest Reserve
Night Drive
Mokoro paddle in the shallow channels
An relaxing morning in camp, or one more game drive for the real keeners. Later this morning, we bid farewell to Muchenje camp staff and we will drive back to Victoria Falls where we will stay for the next two nights.
This afternoon we will go on a walking tour of the falls. A breathtaking spectacle not to be missed, Victoria Falls is one of the natural world's most spectacular waterfall systems. At the conclusion of the walking tour and after plenty of time for photographs, we will go for lunch at a special spot where we can see the FALLS from the top.
Later afternoon we will check-in at our hotel: time to enjoy the pool or gardens, or/and head into town with Denell to explore the Victoria Falls town.
Dinner is your own choice this evening.
September 19, 2025
Today presents an opportunity for exploration as you discover the wonders of Victoria Falls town. Delight in the vibrant local crafts, particularly the exquisite stone and wood carvings, and perhaps indulge in a visit to the charming brewpub located in walking distance from the craft shops.
We will be picked up about 4:30pm for our private Sundowner cruise along the Zambezi River.
It is good fun to watch and photograph the flurry of activity found on the river..... elephants, crocodiles, hippos , and plethora of birdlife. Sit back and enjoy as we are wined and dined as we cruise the Zambezi River.
September 20, 2025
Bid farewell to the lodge and embark on a private transfer to Victoria Falls airport for your onward flights homeward.
Optional add-ons to continue your adventure:
- Mountain Gorillas of Uganda or Rwanda (5 days recommended)
- Relax on a beach in Zanzibar or Seychelles or Mozambique (4-5 days recommended)
- Kilimanjaro Trek (5-8 days, 8 days recommended)
- Winelands of Cape Town
- United Arab Emirates, city tours or desert resort among the sand dunes
