11 day Vic Falls & Hwange with Stimela Star

Sawubona in VICTORIA FALLS

After your arrival at Victoria Falls Airport you will be transferred to the IMVELO Lodge 'The Gorges' which you will reach in about 30 minutes.

After arrival you move into your room and enjoy a first view into the wonderful 250m deep gorge. Perhaps you will get a first glimpse of a pair of Kaffir eagles swinging majestically through the gorge. Later in the afternoon, a shuttle will take you to the city of Victoria Falls. There you can expect the falls up close or a sundowner cruise on the Zambezi River. After returning to the lodge, a 3-course dinner is prepared. 

THE GORGE

After breakfast, take the shuttle to Victoria Falls Town for a guided tour to see the waterfalls. Some souvenir shopping is followed by a packed picnic on the banks of the Zambezi or a tea on the terrace of the Vitoria Falls Hotel. 

After lunch, visit the nature reserve and crocodile farm and then take the afternoon shuttle back to Gorges Lodge to enjoy the evening and dinner overlooking Batoka Gorge.

THE GORGE - STIMELA STAR (Transfer)

You may start today with a visit to a school where you can listen to the school meeting singing old folk tunes before returning to the lodge for a hearty breakfast. Spend the day at Gorge Lodge with peace and relaxation - and a yoga session - or use the day to stroll around the markets in Vic Falls. 

The transfer to the train station should take place a little earlier, because with a High Tea at the Vic Falls Hotel there is always something to see and you feel transported back in time. In the evening you will board the next adventure - Stimela Star where Mr. Big Boy and Mr. Tall Man may be waiting for you. You are taken back to the 1950s and come very close to the people of Zimbabwe on this journey. 

STIMELA STAR  - BOMANI (overnight)

The Stimela Star consists of 4 wagons and is coupled to the normal night train to Bulawayo. On the many stops you will experience the people of Zimbabwe authentically and up close. After a restful sleep you arrive in Ngamo in the morning.  There you will be met by a Bomani 4 x 4 vehicle which will bring you to the Tented Camp (transfer approx. 1 hour). Here you have first chances to see wild animals and your guide will familiarize you with the first 'tracks'. 

Settle down at the lodge and enjoy a late breakfast followed by a short game drive. Later you clarify the further journeys or walks with the guides on site. In the evening, refreshments and a 3-course dinner under the stars await you.

BOMANI

The village of Ngamo, on whose land some of the IMVELO projects and lodges are located, welcomes you in the morning followed by a tour through the IMVELO community projects.

Return to Bomani for brunch and start a siesta or a one or two-hour excursion to the underground observation post 'Blind' which is located at the waterhole. There you will get very close to Ellis and other wild animals. 

The afternoon game drive ends with sundowners and snacks in the 'Major Pan' and a night drive back to the lodge. After a short refreshment drinks and canapés are available around the campfire and later a 3-course dinner in the Main Lodge is served.

BOMANI

Already early in the morning you can take a trip to the park. The situation of the water holes and their pumps can be checked on the unique "Pump run". (In Zimbabwe there is enough water only at these pump stations). A picnic for lunch and a siesta under the trees in Mfagazaan Pan let you experience the smell of'Bush'. 

On the leisurely afternoon-drive back to the lodge you can observe a lot of wild animals. A campfire, soft drinks and a delicious dinner complete this day.

BOMANI - ELEHANT EXPRESS - NEHIMBA (Transfer)

Today, you will be taken to the Elephant Express, an open transfer car that can take about 25 passengers. During the 2 hour drive to Dete you will once again become aware of the whole expanse of the African savannah. Experience Baboons on the tracks or perhaps even observe the mighty Eland - Africa's largest antelope species.   

In Dete you will be transfered to th Nehimba Lodge, which is located deep in the middle of a private concession area in the centre of Hwange National Park. After check-in and the first orientation of your accommodation, the first game drive will take place. 

NEHIMBA 

This day is fully under the sign of the bush.

Let time stand still. The smell of the bush will enchant and capture you at the same time. Surely you will meet many elephants today because it is not for nothing that Nehimba is known for the saying: "living with the elephants".

NEHIMBA - ZAMBEZI SANDS (Transfer)

Today you will drive through Hwange National Park (via Sinamatella and Vic Falls) to Zambezi Sands - IMVELOS 'high end' Lodge directly on the river bank. A completely different world awaits you, marked by the mighty Zambezi River which is the fourth longest river in Africa with a flow length of 2,574 km and the largest African river flowing into the Indian Ocean. 

A sundowner boat trip brings you closer to the crocodiles and hippos in the river. Please be careful not to let your arms hang out of the boat. It could confuse these river dwellers. In any case you should also look up into the air, because with the eagle owl the largest owl species is at home in the treetops of the Zambezi.

ZAMBEZI SANDS

This day is made for a guided walk in the Zambezi National Park along the river bank. Your guide will be able to acquaint you with the small, fine inhabitants of the park and draw your attention to all kinds of interesting things. 

You can also enjoy a massage on the deck of your accommodation or  relax in the Splash Pool right on the river bank. In any case you should be up early, because the morning atmosphere with the early morning fog above the water offers excellent motives for your private photo collection. 

The evening will be dominated by an outdoor bush dinner which the chefs of the lodge will gladly serve for you. Don't forget the obligatory G&T or the wonderful non-alcoholic cocktails of the bartenders in the evening.  

Upon your arrival at Victoria Falls airport, return your rental car. If you have not booked a follow-up programme, your holiday is already over. We are sure that you have experienced a lot and collected unforgettable impressions.