Raw Africa: Safari in Zimbabwe’s Unknown Parks

Wild dog in the African savanna

What to expect on this itinerary

Zimbabwe’s national parks redefine adventure as these are Africa’s wild frontiers.  You can walk with rhinos and then disappear into rugged mountains, canoe past hippos and then find carnivores on the ancient plains. This two-week safari explores the country’s mostly unknown and unseen parks with eight distinctive destinations that dance with originality and delight in their wildlife charm. Intrepid and evocative, this is a journey into Africa in ways rarely seen.

Countries Visited

Zimbabwe

Places Visited

Victoria Falls, Chizarira National Park, Matusadona National Park, Mana Pools National Park, Nyanga National Park, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve

Suggested Duration

14 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Victoria Falls – Fresh Perspectives on Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls rumbles insatiably into a narrow chasm and spray rises, ascending over 300 meters into the air, visible from your lodge on the Zambezi River. Travel to the falls by boat, and the further you go downriver, the louder the roar of the water. Stop at an island on the precipice to be surrounded by the relentless power of Victoria Falls. Then walk alongside the falls, crossing to the opposite side of the chasm for an immersion in the visuals. The spray rains down and sometimes you get soaked before running for the cover of bushes and appreciating the brief moments when the entire falls are visible in a single view. From here you can descend, to a peaceful spot beneath the falls, ideal for recovering your breath and smiling about the spectacle you have just seen. Return to the lodge by road for a relaxed evening at your lodge.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Activity
Dinner
Day 2

Victoria Falls – Wild Dogs Denning in Zambezi National Park

Day 3 - 4

Chizarira National Park – Remote Wilderness Area

Day 5

Matusadona National Park – Tracking the Rhinos

Day 6

Matusadona National Park – Zimbabwe’s Densest Population of Lions

Day 7

Mana Pools National Park – Canoeing Past the Elephants

Day 8

Mana Pools National Park – Walking among the Herds

Day 9 - 10

Nyanga National Park – Hiking and Birding in Resplendent Mountains

Day 11 - 13

Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve and Gonarezhou National Park – Classic Big Five Safari Without the Crowds

Day 14

Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve to Johannesburg – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Track both black and white rhinos in Matusadona National Park between boat safaris amongst the hippos and game drives to Zimbabwe’s highest concentration of lions
  • Wander through the spray and gain the ultimate perspective on Victoria Falls, the sounds as impressive as the sights
  • Search for wild dogs that make their dens in Zambezi National Park for an insider’s perspective on one of Africa’s great hunters
  • Spend two days roaming the unexplored trails of Chizarira National Park and enjoy mobile camps in the country’s most remote wilderness area
  • Paddle past the elephants on a unique canoe safari in Mana Pools National Park, a day on the water complemented by a day on land in this sublime wetland park
  • Go where few visitors ever go with two days of hiking in the mountains of Nyanga National Park, home to various antelope and remarkable birdlife
  • Complete your two-week adventure with three days of classic safari in the Big Five Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, a private concession that borders the enormous and untouched Gonarezhou National Park

Starting Price

$20,800 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 550 reviews

Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

See more

Anil M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Tour Review: 10 Nights

Our first trip to southern Africa was amazing, exceeding all expectations. We saw everything we came to see, and more. The game rides were well structured and safe, the visuals were unbelievable, and taking a side trip to Victoria Falls was a great idea. The accommodations were quite luxurious, despite being considered mid-range. There was always someone there to greet us and guide us at every travel point.

Zicasso's tour operator tailored our itinerary to our wishes and was wonderful to work with. Things couldn’t have gone better.

See more

Nancy H.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Tour Review: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Wine Tasting, Elephant Experience, River Cruise, Wildlife, Nature, Scenery, 13 Nights

Zicasso's trip planner arranged the most fabulous trip for my family. She knew exactly what I wanted and delivered a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa! She always answered my questions promptly. She chose memorable experiences for us, our lodgings were top-notch, and she "kept in touch, behind the scenes," to ensure all elements were going smoothly. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone planning a trip to Africa!

See more

LESLIE W.
Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique Trip Review: Gorilla Trek, Bush Camps, 3 Weeks

It was very well planned. Zicasso's travel specialist was responsive and flexible in the planning process and throughout the final details.

See more

Catherine R.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Safari, 11 Nights

The trip was amazing. Zicasso's trip expert did an awesome job planning the trip. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and exceeded all of our expectations. The “in-country” travel was seamless. Our accommodations and tours were all top-notch. I can‘t thank her enough for planning this awesome experience.

See more

bonnie A.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe: Safari, 13 Nights

The service before, during, and after our trip was totally "white-glove," and there were extra perks that we were surprised with each day of our trip. Zicasso's travel company listened to our goals and met and exceeded every one. We recommend them in every way and will be using them in the future!

See more

Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews
Zicasso in the News