THE ZAMBEZI LEGEND SAFARI - ZIMBABWE & BOTSWANA
9 NIGHTS / 10 DAYS
VICTORIA FALLS, MANA POOLS & CHOBE NATIONAL PARKS
A unique exploratory safari takes us through two UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the legendary Zambezi River, boundary of Zimbabwe and Zambia. The first site is Victoria Falls, a 100m high breathtaking cascading waterfall that defies belief. The second site includes Mana Pools National Park on the lower Zambezi; a sublime game viewing paradise. We journey deeper here with time in a fly-camp at the ultra-remote Chitake Spring, a bonanza-magnet for game in the dry season.
Splendid wilderness encounters with wildlife galore and famous hospitality all come standard here. The legendary Zambezi River with Victoria Falls and Mana Pools beckon, as do refreshing itineraries and remarkable landscapes. One of the best for adventurous game viewing and without the crowds, Zimbabwe is in the premier safari league.
Splendid wilderness encounters with wildlife galore and famous hospitality all come standard here. The legendary Zambezi River with Victoria Falls and Mana Pools beckon, as do refreshing itineraries and remarkable landscapes. One of the best for adventurous game viewing and without the crowds, Zimbabwe is in the premier safari league.
ITINERARY OVERVIEW
ICDAY 1:Arrive Victoria Falls International Airport, Zimbabwe. Overnight Victoria Falls River Lodge.
DAYS 2-3: Activities based from Victoria Falls River Lodge.
DAY 4: Air Charter to Camp Mana, Mana Pools National Park on the Lower Zambezi. Overnight at Camp Mana.
DAY 5-7:Fly-camping at Chitake Spring.
DAYS 8-9::Camp Mana
DAY 10::Air charter to Harare and depart
DAYS 2-3: Activities based from Victoria Falls River Lodge.
DAY 4: Air Charter to Camp Mana, Mana Pools National Park on the Lower Zambezi. Overnight at Camp Mana.
DAY 5-7:Fly-camping at Chitake Spring.
DAYS 8-9::Camp Mana
DAY 10::Air charter to Harare and depart
DAY 1: ARRIVE VICTORIA FALLS, OVERNIGHT VICTORIA FALLS RIVER LODGE
Victoria Falls International Airport is easily accessible via a variety of options and is the springboard for the safari. On arrival we are driven into the quaint village of Victoria Falls a short distance away and on to Victoria Falls River Lodge located on the Zambezi River within the Zambezi National Park. An afternoon boat cruise or game drive is recommended. Dinner at the lodge
DAY 2: VICTORIA FALLS RIVER LODGE
Visit Victoria Falls, one of the most spectacular natural spectacles in the world. Proclaimed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mile-wide waterfall cascades over a 100m high drop into a series go gorges below. This is easily the widest waterfall on earth. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke That Thunders), the Victoria Falls, initially described to the western world by the Victorian missionary and explorer David Livingstone in 1855, are one of the Natural Wonders of the World, and it’s not difficult to see why.
The remainder of the day is flexible and we can choose wether to return to the camp for lunch, or stay in town exploring numerous sightseeing spots markets, craft villages, stalls and local dancing. There are numerous optional activities which we could participate, including white water rafting, scenic flights, fishing excursions and game drives, however a sundowner boat cruise on the Zambezi is included in the safari.
The remainder of the day is flexible and we can choose wether to return to the camp for lunch, or stay in town exploring numerous sightseeing spots markets, craft villages, stalls and local dancing. There are numerous optional activities which we could participate, including white water rafting, scenic flights, fishing excursions and game drives, however a sundowner boat cruise on the Zambezi is included in the safari.
DAY 3: VICTORIA FALLS RIVER LODGE
Based from the lodge the day allows for you to participate in a series of optional activities, based on the Zambezi. The area is often referred to as the ‘adventure capital of the universe,’ and activities may include: microlight flips, white water rafting, scenic tours, island walks, cultural tours, game drives, fishing excursions or even bungi jumps. These options, as well as how the day pans out, can be arranged depending on your choice.
DAY 4: AIR CHARTER TO MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK. ARRIVE AT CAMP MANA
After breakfast, we depart by road to the local airfield and depart for Mana Pools National Park by a 2 hour light aircraft air charter. The flight takes us downstream of the Falls toward Lake Kariba and the iconic game reserves of Matusadona and Chizarira. Kariba, built in 1959 as a hydro-electric scheme was the largest man-made lake in the world at that time and covers an expanse of 5500kms2. Operation Noah, one of the Zambezi’s famous conservation stories, was conducted after the valley flooded to remove large numbers of animals trapped on forming islands.
Camp Mana, a classic tented safari base, perched in the edge of a forest overlooking the Zambezi floodplain. Accommodation is in en-suite Meru tents and Camp Mana, a classic tented safari base, is perched in the edge of a forest overlooking the Zambezi floodplain. An understated safari-luxurious, small and intimate camp, ideal for our tailored encounters.
A bedouin-style lounge tent is the main feature of this entirely mobile and low environmental impact camp. The limited occupancy, environmental passion, connection with the wild and attention to detail defines Camp Mana and why we incorporate the camp into our specialist itinerary.
Accommodation consists of walk-in Maru-Style safari tents, complete with en-suite bathrooms, hot shower and a flush loos.
After arrival in the national park, we take an open gameviewer drive to Camp Mana, about 15kms upstream of Ngepi, the park headquarters. We arrive for check-in and lunch and an afternoon game drive is recommended, followed by dinner and overnight at camp.
Camp Mana, a classic tented safari base, perched in the edge of a forest overlooking the Zambezi floodplain. Accommodation is in en-suite Meru tents and Camp Mana, a classic tented safari base, is perched in the edge of a forest overlooking the Zambezi floodplain. An understated safari-luxurious, small and intimate camp, ideal for our tailored encounters.
A bedouin-style lounge tent is the main feature of this entirely mobile and low environmental impact camp. The limited occupancy, environmental passion, connection with the wild and attention to detail defines Camp Mana and why we incorporate the camp into our specialist itinerary.
Accommodation consists of walk-in Maru-Style safari tents, complete with en-suite bathrooms, hot shower and a flush loos.
After arrival in the national park, we take an open gameviewer drive to Camp Mana, about 15kms upstream of Ngepi, the park headquarters. We arrive for check-in and lunch and an afternoon game drive is recommended, followed by dinner and overnight at camp.
DAY 5-7: FLY-CAMPING AT CHITAKE SPRING
We depart Camp Mana with an open game viewer for an extended game drive toward the Chitake River close to the Zambezi escarpment within Mana Pools National Park. The landscape changes dramatically as we leave the floodplains behind offering us superb vantages over this magnificent reserve.
Our safari team will pre-erect a mobile tented fly-camp in the vicinity of the spring which is a perennial water source in the riverbed. In this dry section of Mana, the spring is the only source of water and large concentrations of buffalo, elephant, antelope and the predators depend are depen- dant on Chitake. As a result, game encounters are nothing short of sensational, often close-up and regularly at close quarters to the camp. For an adventurous wildlife enthusiast who would prefer to forsake a certain level of luxury for three nights, the experience is intense, exhilarating and incredibly rewarding.
We would spend most of the time on foot, searching for the best vantage points to watch game come down to the water. Lion, leopard and wild dog are often encountered here and birdlife is amazing with over 300 species at Chitake on record. There is a unique allure here in the this special remote corner of Mana, with the spring providing the rhythm for every life form here. There is 24/7 activity, so you can expect anything to happen at anytime.
The fly-camp consists of dome safari tents with insect netting and sewn-in groundsheets. Bucket showers under the stars are mandatory and long drop loos are provided. The camp dining room and lounge consists of a legendary African campfire, complete with ice cold G&Ts or beer and warm company.
For us, setting up low impact fly-camps, the remoter the better, is what safari-life is all about. Off the beaten track, wild big game country and walking trails sets this magnificent experience apart. In this regard, Chitake will not disappoint.
Our safari team will pre-erect a mobile tented fly-camp in the vicinity of the spring which is a perennial water source in the riverbed. In this dry section of Mana, the spring is the only source of water and large concentrations of buffalo, elephant, antelope and the predators depend are depen- dant on Chitake. As a result, game encounters are nothing short of sensational, often close-up and regularly at close quarters to the camp. For an adventurous wildlife enthusiast who would prefer to forsake a certain level of luxury for three nights, the experience is intense, exhilarating and incredibly rewarding.
We would spend most of the time on foot, searching for the best vantage points to watch game come down to the water. Lion, leopard and wild dog are often encountered here and birdlife is amazing with over 300 species at Chitake on record. There is a unique allure here in the this special remote corner of Mana, with the spring providing the rhythm for every life form here. There is 24/7 activity, so you can expect anything to happen at anytime.
The fly-camp consists of dome safari tents with insect netting and sewn-in groundsheets. Bucket showers under the stars are mandatory and long drop loos are provided. The camp dining room and lounge consists of a legendary African campfire, complete with ice cold G&Ts or beer and warm company.
For us, setting up low impact fly-camps, the remoter the better, is what safari-life is all about. Off the beaten track, wild big game country and walking trails sets this magnificent experience apart. In this regard, Chitake will not disappoint.
DAYS 8+9: CAMP MANA
We drive back to Camp Mana for some down time soaking in the magnificent scenery, washing off Chitake dust and replaying the events of the spring.
We have two full days to explore the area, either driving, walking or canoeing. Or varying combinations of all three. Game viewing is often sensational with large herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra numerous antelope such as waterbuck and eland, and of course associated predators such as lion, leopard and wild dog. The Zambezi is littered with hippo and crocodiles.
Game viewing from the camp is very productive on the floodplains and forest fringes, and its quite common to have multiple sightings of game in and around the camp. Sunset canoe activities on the legendary river are of course a must!
We have two full days to explore the area, either driving, walking or canoeing. Or varying combinations of all three. Game viewing is often sensational with large herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra numerous antelope such as waterbuck and eland, and of course associated predators such as lion, leopard and wild dog. The Zambezi is littered with hippo and crocodiles.
Game viewing from the camp is very productive on the floodplains and forest fringes, and its quite common to have multiple sightings of game in and around the camp. Sunset canoe activities on the legendary river are of course a must!
DAY 10: AIR CHARTER TO HARARE
After a morning activity and breakfast, we drive back the Mana airstrip and connect with a private air charter to the capital city of Zimbabwe, Harare, where the safari ends. From here, any on-going travel arrangements are arranged.
PLEASE NOTE
It is possible to extend the safari on the Lower Zambezi to incorporate Matusadona National Park, or even a safari into Botswana or Zambia.
Please CONTACT our office to discuss these add-on options or any requests in detail.
It is possible to extend the safari on the Lower Zambezi to incorporate Matusadona National Park, or even a safari into Botswana or Zambia.
Please CONTACT our office to discuss these add-on options or any requests in detail.
THE ZAMBEZI RIVER
Africa’s 4th largest river has its source in NW Zambia and meanders over 2500 kilometres through Angola, borders Namibia, Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and eventually into the Indian Ocean in Mozambique. From the mouth at Quirimba it is navigable for 600 kms, with evidence of Arab dhows upstream. Since the Portuguese arrived on the east coast in 1498, the interior has long been a sense of wonder, and the Zambezi has seduced Victorian explorers since 1851 when David Livingstone tra- versed up to the source of the river. The net result of this has been generations of intrigue, legends, exploration and an intrepid sense of travel which defines the region to this day,
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Wildlife Photography ©Jens Cullmann: instagram or www.jenscullmann.de
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ©AMS Safaris 2023
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ©AMS Safaris 2023
Design by OLD BULL