Wild dogs denning, rhinos roaming, lions and leopards hunting and elephants congregating around parched waterholes abound as you visit Zimbabwe in the dry season. You can explore some of Africa’s greatest safari scenes at the ultimate time of the year as the months between June to September are prime for exceptional wildlife sightings. However, unlike many other African destinations, Zimbabwe’s dry season is not crowded with tourists, so the region will be like your own wilderness playground.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Victoria Falls – Sunset Cruise on the Iconic Zambezi River
There is something spectacular about a Zambezi River cruise at sunset as the golden colors bounce off of the water as your sunset cruise offers an idyllic atmosphere. Landscapes of blue and green stretch out with nothing artificial breaking nature’s spell. At the same time, there are moments of drama with hippos barreling out of the water and Nile crocodiles menacingly sulking into the river. Nothing feels real as the combination of fine dining and cocktails meets four-legged giants and unbroken wilderness. This experience on the Zambezi River is just an introduction, as you can expect a similar atmosphere in all the destinations on this safari with a rich mix of contemporary luxury and the authenticity of wild Africa.
What's Included:
Day 2
Victoria Falls – Zambezi National Park for Wild Dog Denning Season
Day 3
Victoria Falls – The Perfect Time of Year to View Victoria Falls
Day 4
Hwange National Park – Elephants Crowding Around the Watering Hole
Day 5 - 6
Hwange National Park – Classic Big Game Safari
Day 7
Mana Pools National Park – Walking and Canoeing in a Big-Game Landscape
Day 8
Mana Pools National Park – Fabulous Game Viewing in a Park That’s Never Crowded
Day 9
Matusadona National Park (Lake Kariba) – In Search of Zimbabwe’s Black and White Rhinos
Day 10 - 11
Matusadona National Park – Lakeside Escapism
Day 12
Matusadona National Park to Victoria Falls – Departure
Trip Highlights
- Watch elephant herds quarrel around the frazzled waterholes of Hwange National Park, with hundreds of them in your single view
- Easily find the predators in Zimbabwe’s iconic parks, the short grass failing to hide lions, leopards, cheetahs, and other carnivores
- Admire black and white rhinos in Matusadona National Park, the often bashful creatures emerging from parched bushes
- Savor the enhanced intimacy of Mana Pools National Park as you canoe into the narrow river channels that are packed with resident game
- Discover Victoria Falls at the best time of year, the water gushing relentlessly but the spray not sufficient to interrupt great photography
- Go in search of wild dogs in Zambezi National Park, an iconic animal that makes its den during the dry season months
- Complement your game drives with journeys on two feet, the dry season months best for walking safaris in Zimbabwe’s three flagship parks
- Enjoy a Zimbabwe safari at the ultimate time of year, but still, find the parks mostly devoid of other visitors and vehicles
- Cruise along the Zambezi River at sunset, the idyllic introduction to Zimbabwe’s natural landscapes and surreal atmosphere
- Lounge along the shores of Lake Kariba in Matusadona National Park, a relaxing final stop on the safari program, perfect for lazy hours as Africa’s giants send out their calls from afar
Starting Price
$10,200 per person (excluding international flights)
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.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.94 stars based on 569 reviews.
The trip was the best we have ever had. Africa is a very special place. Zicasso's travel expert did a fantastic job of organizing the itinerary. The only disappointment was that we were not scheduled to see the mass migration across the river.
Reviewed By Andrew K.
Our special trip surpassed all of our expectations!
We had a large group wanting to go on safari and started planning around a year in advance. We also had small children coming with us and we were celebrating a milestone birthday! My first call was with Zicasso’s travel agent, who had the best enthusiasm and confidence in delivering what we wanted. The other travel partner was my main point of contact afterwards and she probably ended up answering at least 10,000 questions for me!
Each moment of the trip was specially curated and special. They did a great job finding camps that would give us a unique experience rather than becoming redundant. The hospitality at the camps and accommodations were unique and comfortable. We were all so happy with how everything went! We would definitely use this travel company again for our travel needs!
Reviewed By Shruti B.
We had an amazing trip, planned by Zicasso's travel partner. This is the first time I've ever used a travel agent and I'll admit, I was nervous. She took all of our feedback into consideration while planning. I highly recommend!
Reviewed By Kris C.
The trip was carefully planned and we received optimal assistance throughout the trip and constant availability and monitoring during the journey. Our Zicasso travel agent was very professional and always available to respond to our requests and needs. The choice of hotels was excellent and reflected the expectations. The activities offered in the different locations were very well structured and the guides were of high quality, particularly those in Chobe National Park and Okavango Delta.
Reviewed By Roberto B.
Zicasso's trip designer arranged a flawless, extraordinary trip.
Reviewed By Bernard L.
We’re still not over our trip! Everything was absolutely fantastic. Thank you for organizing such a great experience and making it so effortless for me. I already have family and friends asking who I went through, and I’m guessing some of them will be reaching out to you in the next year.
I do have one small piece of constructive feedback about our camp in the Olifants West Nature Reserve. The staff, lodge, and food were wonderful, but unfortunately, the safari guide fell short. We had just come from the camp in the Thornybush Game Reserve (where we left our hearts—the guide there was truly exceptional, with such a great personality), so the difference stood out even more. At the Olifants West Nature Reserve camp, we saw very few animals and the guide didn’t engage much—he barely spoke, and when he did, it wasn’t very professional or kind, especially toward my son. My son even said the trip might have worked better in reverse, since after Botswana it was hard to adjust to seeing only a few animals a day.
That said, I’m so grateful for how smoothly you planned everything, especially on such short notice. It really was a trip of a lifetime for us.
Thank you again!
Reviewed By Mona P.