The best trips are built from contrasts: dust and water, wide plains and river edges, long quiet hours in the bush, followed by the sudden roar of a waterfall. With a Zimbabwe and Zambia combination, experiencing these contrasts is effortless. Our example itinerary below links four stand-out locations – Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba, Mana Pools, and Victoria Falls – with a focus on elephants, big predators, river life, and unforgettable scenery. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
Starlit dinners under the African sky, Image Credit: Somalisa Acacia Camp
Why Zimbabwe and Zambia?
Southern Africa is packed with iconic safari destinations, so why pair Zimbabwe and Zambia?
Together, these countries offer a beautifully balanced journey: Zimbabwe is celebrated for its rewarding game viewing (particularly elephants) and a strong tradition of guiding. Zambia, on the other hand, adds a sense of wilderness and adventure.
Although you can see Victoria Falls from both, you only have access to nature's best infinity pool, Devil's Pool, and the famous Livingstone Island from Zambia's side.
Then there’s the practical benefit of pairing the two together: the countries sit side by side, so routing is straightforward, and you can combine safari depth with one of Africa’s most awe-inspiring natural spectacles without feeling rushed.
Submerge yourself in Devil's Pool, sitting right on the edge of Victoria Falls, Image Credit: Livingstone Island
Itinerary at a Glance
Here’s a sneak peek at how this Zimbabwe-and-Zambia safari flows, with four iconic stops, perfectly paced from big game to big water.
Safari Snapshot:
- Ideal length: 9 nights (often best enjoyed as 10–12 days once travel is included)
- Countries: Zimbabwe + Zambia
- Style: Game drives, hides, water-based safaris, and Victoria Falls experiences
- Best for: Elephant lovers, photographers, couples, and travellers who want safari and scenery
Zimbabwe and Zambia 9-night example itinerary:
- Hwange National Park (2 nights): Elephants, predators, classic game drives, and hides
- Lake Kariba (2 nights): Boat cruises, birding, sunsets, and shoreline wildlife
- Mana Pools National Park (3 nights): Zambezi floodplains, walking/canoeing opportunities, iconic elephants
- Livingstone / Victoria Falls (2 nights): The Falls, river activities, culture, and an array of adrenaline experiences
The Zambezi River is an endless source of significant sightings, Image Credit: Dulini Anabezi
What You Can Expect: An Overview
This itinerary is designed around contrast and flow. It starts with classic safari immersion, then softens into time along and on the water, before returning to a more elemental rhythm and finishing off with a natural showstopper.
Expect a balance of early starts and leisurely afternoons, with space for the moments that make a safari feel personal: coffee in the cool air, the hush of a hide, sun-warmed decks, and evenings that stretch out under big skies. You’ll move between experiences rather than just locations – from land to lake, river to rainforest – keeping the trip varied while maintaining a smooth, well-paced flow throughout.
And because this is tailor-made, we’ll fine-tune the details around your travel style: a slower pace with longer stays, more time on the water, extra adventure at the Falls, or a safari extension if you’d like to go deeper.
So, now that you have an overview, let’s follow the journey stop by stop, from one unforgettable stay to the next.
Victoria Falls – one of the seven natural world wonders – as seen from the sky
First Stop: Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Recommended stay: 2 nights
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest national park – a place of wide, sun-bleached plains, cool teak forest, and shimmering seasonal pans that seem to hold the light. In the dry months, the waterholes become the park’s beating heart: dust hangs in the air, horns and hooves crunch underfoot, and the bush comes alive with the low rumble of elephants drifting in to drink.
This is classic safari country, where lion and leopard patrol the edges of the action, buffalo bunch up in the shade, giraffe glide between the trees, and hyena whoop after dusk. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch one of Hwange’s most thrilling sightings of all – African wild dogs on the move, all energy and intent with tails wagging while weaving through the bush.
Top experiences in Hwange
- Daily game drives focused on waterholes and open pans (a must for exquisite animal sightings)
- Hides for close, quiet wildlife viewing (excellent for photographers)
- Guided walking opportunities in suitable areas (where permitted and led by experts)
- Night drives to encounter Hwange’s nocturnal wildlife (where permitted and guided under starlit skies)
Zimbabwe is elephant country at heart, Image Credit: Wilderness Little Ruckomechi
Where You Should Stay
Hwange has everything from classic safari camps to ultra-private concessions – some built for waterhole viewing, others for romance, families, or photographers. We’ll select the stay that best suits the safari you seek, but below is a camp close to our hearts as an example.
Somalisa Camp
Somalisa Camp is a luxurious tented retreat set on a seasonal floodplain, steeped in old-world safari charm. Its earthy, natural palette melts into the landscape, while bold patterns and subtle animal prints add character without overpowering the space.
Your bespoke tent becomes a true bush home: canvas walls softened by flowing drapes that draw back to blur the line between indoors and out. In the main area, you’ll find a welcoming plunge pool, a boma with a crackling firepit, and a well-stocked bar – the perfect place to trade stories after a day on safari.
Why We Love It
- Prime location in Hwange National Park, the largest in Zimbabwe.
- Overlooks a seasonal floodplain frequented by game
- Exclusive, with only a handful of tents on the property
- Activities include guided walks, game drives, game-viewing from hides, and more
The opulent bathroom opens to spectacular views, image credit: Somalisa Acacia
Next Up: Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
Recommended stay: 2 nights
Lake Kariba is a safari experience that exhales. Created by the Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River, it’s one of Southern Africa’s greatest manmade water bodies and a striking safari setting, especially at sunrise and sunset. The shoreline is alive with birdlife, hippos, crocodiles, and the occasional elephant or buffalo herd coming down to drink.
There’s also local folklore that clings to these waters: stories of Nyami Nyami, the Zambezi River spirit, said to have been angered when the valley was flooded, and the river’s course changed. Whether you treat it as legend or living culture, it gives Kariba an extra layer of intrigue.
Top experiences on Lake Kariba
- Boat cruises for wildlife and scenery (a perspective-altering experience)
- Birding (Lake Kariba is excellent for this)
- Fishing for tigerfish (a bucket-list challenge for avid anglers)
- Cultural visits (where available and appropriate)
Sunsets are sensational at Lake Kariba
Where You Should Stay
Where you base yourself matters here. Views, access to boating, and the feel of the lodge make all the difference. Here’s our overarching recommendation.
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Minimalist design, warm lantern light, and thoughtful touches of local art and sculpture set the tone at Bumi Hills Safari Lodge. Perched in the hills above Lake Kariba, it pairs contemporary luxury with a deep sense of place – calm, polished, and completely in sync with its surroundings.
Suites are curated for comfort, with indulgent bathrooms and deep baths positioned for long, unhurried soaks with uninterrupted views. In the main lodge, you’ll find inviting spaces to linger: a wrap-around wooden deck, a sunken firepit for evenings under the stars, a pool table for laid-back downtime, and an infinity pool that seems to spill into the horizon.
Why We Love It
- Activities include armchair safaris, boat cruises, and cultural village excursions
- Only ten rooms, all overlooking Lake Kariba
- Anglers can try their hand at catching tigerfish in the lake
- Large local herds of elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and plains game
The best view of Lake Kariba, image credit: Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Next Up: Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Recommended stay: 3 nights
Four ancient pools, formed over thousands of years by the ever-fluctuating course of the wild Zambezi River, mark Mana Pools National Park as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The park is known for its fantastic game viewing and bird watching opportunities. The most celebrated sightings are the elephants – often seen rising onto their hind legs in the dry season to reach fruit and foliage high in the trees.
Nile crocodiles and hefty hippos also emerge from the depths of the water, while treetops are a flurry of feathers with over 350 species of birdlife. Elephant, buffalo, and more flock to the pools' lush banks for food, with big cats and hyenas following not too far behind. But Mana is just as compelling for its mood: the light, the river, the feeling that you’re right inside the landscape.
Top experiences in Mana Pools
- Game drives across the floodplains and woodland edges (big game sightings and golden-hour photography)
- Guided walking opportunities (Mana is one of Zimbabwe’s great walking safari areas)
- Canoeing on suitable channels (seasonal and conditions-dependent)
- Outstanding birding (especially in and around riverine habitats)
The gravity-defying elephants in Mana Pools
Where You Should Stay
Not all properties are created equal, but we're here to help select the best one for your specific needs and wants. Here's just one of our favourite places to recommend in Mana Pools.
Kanga Camp
Kanga Camp sits in one of Mana Pools’ most remote corners – wild and wonderfully exclusive. The camp overlooks Kanga Pan, a rare year-round water source that draws wildlife from first light through to the night shift. Meru-style tents are raised among a cluster of trees, wrapped in a leafy canopy and built around the natural giants, with decks that curve around thick trunks.
Interiors are modern yet understated, and some tents include a private outdoor bath and/or shower for a quiet soak with the sounds of the bush as your soundtrack. The main lodge offers a relaxed lounge and dining space, plus the inevitable safari essential – a firepit – all set with undisturbed views over the pan. It’s down-to-earth and deeply atmospheric.
Why We Love It
- An eye-level hide for a closer look at Kanga Pan
- Activities include game drives, walking safaris, and seasonal birding
- Only six luxury tents offer the utmost privacy and serenity
- Zambezi floodplains are frequented by the Big 5, African wild dogs, and more
Sundowners are a highlight on a safari, image credit: Kanga Camp
Final Stop: Victoria Falls, Zambia
Recommended stay: 2 nights
The Kololo name for Victoria Falls is 'Mosi-oa-Tunya', which roughly translates to 'The Smoke That Thunders', aptly describing the grandeur of this UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site. Spanning nearly two kilometres and dropping about 108 metres, it's the largest sheet of falling water in the world – the sheer volume of water cascading over its crags every minute is objectively staggering.
Of course, water levels change the experience dramatically, so it’s best to know which period offers what:
- High-water periods: thunderous volume, heavy spray, and a powerful sensory experience
- Lower-water periods: clearer visibility of the rock face and gorge, and better conditions for some activities
Top experiences at Victoria Falls (Zambia side)
- Classic viewpoints and rainforest walks (immersive paths offering panoramic views of the Falls and rising spray)
- Sunset river cruises on the Zambezi (a relaxed way to spot wildlife and watch the river glow at dusk)
- Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool (typically available in the drier months of August–December)
- White-water rafting, helicopter flights, bungee jumping, and more (varying by water levels and operator schedules)
Victoria falls in all its grandeur from a bird's-eye view
Where to Stay
Livingstone’s accommodation ranges from lively hotels close to the action to quiet, riverfront lodges where the Zambezi does the soothing. We’ll recommend the best fit for your travel style, pace, and who you’re travelling with, but for now, here’s one we love.
Thorntree River Lodge
Set right on the Zambezi River inside Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, this is the kind of place that makes Victoria Falls feel close, but the atmosphere still feels wonderfully removed.
Thorntree River Lodge itself is understated luxury done properly – an infinity pool looking over the water, a relaxed main area (with spa and gym), and suites designed for switching off, each with a private plunge pool, indoor/outdoor showers, and a deep soaking tub. It’s also welcoming for families, with a kids’ club for younger travellers.
Why We Love It
- Convenient proximity to Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Activities include river cruises, fishing, visiting the Livingstone Museum, and nearby village tours
- Arranged on own account: rhino tracking, helicopter rides, bungee jumping, and rainforest walks
- Children of all ages are welcome as they have a Ngwana Kids' Club
What could be more relaxing than this, image credit: Thorntree River Lodge
Seamless Safari Planning
Here are the practical notes we’d tailor around you (basically, the details that make a trip feel effortless):
- Getting around: This itinerary can be done with a mix of light aircraft, road transfers, and boat connections, depending on season and preference. We’ll recommend the smoothest routing for your dates and budget.
- Border crossings and visas: Requirements vary by nationality and can change – we’ll guide you through what you need for Zimbabwe/Zambia and how best to handle crossings.
- Health and packing: We’ll advise on malaria precautions, what to wear for walking, and how to pack for warm days, cool early mornings, and mist at the Falls.
Your Gateway to a Zimbabwe Safari Tour
Ready to turn this example route into your own, custom-crafted journey? Our Travel Experts will tailor the best lodges, the smoothest logistics, and the right seasonal timing based on what you want to feel and see most.
Enquire now and we’ll start shaping your Zimbabwe and Zambia safari itinerary.
