Albatros Travel - The Ultimate Zimbabwe Experience

On arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport, you will be met by a local representative for your transfer to Hwange Main Camp which is approximately two hours. 

The leisurely transfer from Hwange Main Camp through the park to the lodge which is approximately an hour is a great introduction to the game viewing in this pristine area. 

Renowned as one of Africa's finest havens, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's largest park boasting vast herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and a huge concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species as well as enormous and varied birdlife. The uniqueness of this park is in its lack of crowds which means you have the space and the quietness to soak up the magic of the bush.

On arrival at the lodge and upon completion of check-in procedures, enjoy an afternoon game activity and dinner at the lodge. 

Awake to the serenity of the African bush and enjoy an early morning cup of coffee or tea before embarking on your chosen first game activity of the day. 

• Guided Walks - Morning and afternoon guided walks are offered within the concession of the lodge with a professional guide. Learn more about the ecosystem of the park as you tread along the very paths animals roam free on and observe their intimate lives from a careful distance. 

• Game Drives - Game drives are the best way to explore a vast area in search for a variety of wildlife as well as enjoy the scenery of the park and they almost always yield unexpected sightings. Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives with highly qualified and knowledgeable guides. 

• Night Drives - After dinner, you have the opportunity of going on a night drive for 30 minutes to an hour. Spotlights are used to help spot nocturnal animals like the bat- eared fox, as well as lion, leopard and hyena.

Enjoy a maximum of four game activities per day.

All meals will be served at the lodge. 

After your early morning encounter with a wide variety  of animals and birds roaming freely in their natural habitat, return to the lodge for a scrumptious breakfast.

Below activities are available at the lodge. 

• The Underground Hide and Wine Cellar -  Safari hides are the best way to get as close to the wildlife as possible, without disturbing it. This underground hide situated close to waterholes offers incredible opportunities to view wildlife and has a wine cellar that boasts some of the finest wines.

• Neil Fairlie, Your Photographic Guide at The Hide - Enjoy an optional photographic experience with Neil Fairlie, a professional wildlife documentary filmmaker with a profound knowledge and deep respect for Africa and its wildlife. His formal experience spans a decade and includes the Netflix series, Our Planet, but his intimate knowledge of the bush, natural instincts and his skill in capturing unique moments of animal behavior on film makes him a brilliant photographic safari guide.   

• Dove's Nest Tree-house - Enjoy an optional night at the Dove's Nest situated 10 minutes away from the main lodge. Overlooking the open tree-lined vlei and pan, this rustic gem is a perfect vantage point from which to view wildlife safely and quietly. 

After an exhilarating day of game viewing, unwind and relax whilst soaking up the sun with an enjoyable beverage of your choice. 

After breakfast check out and bid farewell to Hwange as you transfer to the airstrip for your scheduled air charter transfer to Matusadona National Park, one of Zambezi Valley's wildlife and wilderness treasures. Comprising of grassy floodplains and rugged hill country, Matusadona is home for some of Zimbabwe’s largest elephant and buffalo herds, many of which use the park as a key stopover during their migrations across the country.

On arrival Fothergill airstrip, enjoy a thirty minute game drive from the airstrip to the lodge (When the lake levels are high, this transfer will be done by boat as Fothergill becomes an island and it takes approximately twenty minutes).

Upon completion of check-in procedures, enjoy all meals and game activities on offer at the lodge. 

After your peaceful night’s rest, enjoy a day of game viewing at your own pace with all meals served at the lodge.

The below activities are on offer at the lodge.

• Fishing (Catch & Release) - Lake Kariba is the world’s largest man-made lake, covering almost 5,600 square kilometres 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.
• Boat Cruises - Relax and enjoy one of Lake Kariba’s most popular activity and a favorite at Changa. 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.
• Sanyati Gorge - 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. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars for this activity as the dramatic landscape will leave you in awe.
• Birding - 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. Other adept fisherman are ospreys and the iconic African fish eagle who is often seen perched majestically on a high branch and whose clear, ringing call has to be the most characteristic and evocative sound on Lake Kariba.

Starting off your day with a warm beverage and a delectable breakfast is definitely desired before exploring nature and wildlife in this sanctuary.

• Game Drives - Open game vehicles are the perfect way to discover the area, providing a fantastic opportunity to see a variety of game, including lion, buffalo and elephant up-close whilst taking in the beautiful scenery.
• Bush Walks - One of the best ways to experience and feel a part of the African bush. The professional guides at the lodge have expert knowledge of the area and accompanied by them, you can be introduced to the Matusadona National Park in a completely different way. You are advised to wear neutral or “bush” colored clothing and as the terrain can be uneven and rocky, comfortable walking shoes and socks are required.

Relax by the pool and enjoy some leisure time with an enjoyable beverage as you soak in the beauty of Lake Kariba.

All meals will be served at the lodge.  

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the lodge. When all checkout procedures have been completed, you will be transferred to Fothergill airstrip for your charter air transfer to Mana Pools. 

Arriving at Mana Main airstrip, you will continue with a leisurely forty-five minute game drive to the lodge. When all check-in procedures have been completed, enjoy meals and game activities on offer at the lodge.  

Mana Pools National Park takes its name from the pools that still lie in the abandoned river channels that run through the terraces. Mana which means four in the native Shona language refers to the refers to the four large watering holes or pools that are formed by the Zambezi River which hold water all year. Spend the next few days exploring the rich biodiversity of this area. 

Enjoy all meals as well as the below mentioned activities on offer at the lodge (only 2 activities per day included). 

• Game Drives - They are conducted in open safari Toyota Landcruisers with two people per row as such each person has a "window" seat allowing for uninterrupted game viewing. 
• Walking - Guided walks are an ideal way of exploring the park and connecting with nature. Accompanied by professional, armed and licensed guides who are passionate and knowledgeable, intimately explore phenomenal wilderness. 

After a delicious breakfast at the camp, enjoy some leisure time or partake in the below activities. 

• Fishing - Land based fishing is available for guests at the camp. Catch a variety of species from the great African Tiger Fish to the tasty Tilapia (bream). All Tiger are strictly catch and release and there is a bag limit of 5 Tilapia per day.
• Bush lunch - Enjoy a delicious meal prepared in the main camp and set up in a remote and beautiful part of the park, overlooking either the Zambezi River, one of the many inland pans, a gully or the majestic floodplain itself.

Dinner will be served at the camp. 

After a leisurely breakfast, checkout and transfer to Mana Main airstrip for the scheduled air transfer to Gonarezhou National Park via Harare. 

Arriving at the lodge check in, relax and unwind before embarking on your afternoon game activity.

Set on a cliff with spectacular views of the Save River and Gonarezhou National Park, Chilo Gorge epitomizes serenity. While enjoying these incredible views, you can watch the resident hippo, elephant, and crocodile wade in the river below from the private balcony of your luxury room.  

All meals will be served at the lodge. 

Enjoy all meals at the lodge with the option to participate in the below daily activities (2 half day activities or 1 full day activity per day included) or just relax at the lodge

• Game Drives - Enjoy morning, afternoon or full day game drives into Gonarezhou National Park with qualified guides. Meaning “Place of Many Elephants”, Gonarezhou offers guests a chance to see some of the largest-tusked elephants that remain in the world. Other game to be seen include lions, cheetah, wild dogs, hyena, buffalo, hippo and giraffe.  

• Game Walks - There is no better way to explore an area than on foot. Chilo Gorge offers morning and afternoon Game Walks in Gonarezhou National Park, with professional guides. Explore the Runde river floodplains and some of the more remote corners of Gonarezhou.

Enjoy all meals at the lodge with the below activities on offer. 

•  Chilojo Cliffs Safari - A full day excursion to the Red sandstone Chilojo Cliffs, situated in the heart of the Gonarezhou National Park on the banks of the Runde River. Visit the Tembahata and Machanu Water Pans offering unrivaled bird watching & view large herds of Elephant and Buffalo. A picnic lunch is served at the spectacular Chilojo Cliffs, followed by a sundowner game drive back to the lodge. This excursion is seasonal. 

• Community Visit - The intimate working relationship between the lodge and the local Shangaan community, makes a visit to Mahenye Village a uniquely rewarding cultural experience. This is the birthplace of the CAMPFIRE concept, which has since been replicated thousands of times around Africa. At it's core is the concept of "Community Led Conservation", and for his work setting up this initiative, and his ongoing commitment to conservation, Chilo Gorge Founder and Director, Clive Stockil, has won numerous international awards. It will be a colourful and informative visit, likely to include the Secondary School and local Clinic, and guests are encouraged to interact with the local villagers. This is a unique opportunity to spend time exploring an authentic village, and watch daily village life in one of Zimbabwe’s remotest corners. There is also a potential to visit the local palm forest, to meet the resident palm wine maker. Your guide will explain how palm wine is produced, together with providing different samples for tasting.

After breakfast checkout and transfer to Mahenye airstrip for your scheduled air charter transfer to Harare. 

Arriving at Robert Mugabe International Airport, continue to the check in counter for your onward flight (flights costs not included).