7 NIGHT HWANGE NATIONAL PARK, KARIBA AND VICTORIA … · The Dove's Nest Treehouse Our little secret, the Dove’s Nest, is just about the best way to get away from it all. There

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7 NIGHT HWANGE NATIONAL PARK, KARIBA AND VICTORIA FALLS PLATINUM (D)

SAFARI 2 Nights Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

2 Night Hwange National Park

3 Nights Matusadona National Park, Lake Kariba

8 Days / 7 Nights

Reference: IP-7D

Start Victoria Falls Airport / End Harare International Airport

Total Price 7 Nights: US$ 4387 (high season) / US$ 3498 (low season) per person per night

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Overview Start your safari in exciting Victoria Falls with its many adventure, scenic, wildlife and adrenalin activities. Then fly

out to Hwange National Park and stay at the award-winning The Hide safari lodge, enjoying unforgettable safari

activities with excellent safari guides. On your final leg, spend a few days admiring the largest man-made lake in

the world and its surroundings, plus more awesome water and land-based activities including fishing for the

challenging Tiger fish, and various other species.

Inspired Journey Overview

Accommodation

Night 1 – 2 Standard suite at Victoria Falls Safari Club

Night 3 – 4 Deluxe tent at The Hide

Night 5 – 7 Luxury safari tent at Changa Safari Camp

Transfers Included

Day 1 Road Transfer: Victoria Falls Airport to Victoria Falls Safari Club

Day 3 Road Transfer: Victoria Falls Safari Club to Victoria Falls Airport

Day 3 Road Transfer: Hwange airstrip to The Hide

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Day 5 Road Transfer: The Hide to Hwange airstrip

Day 5 Boat Transfer: Kariba airstrip to Changa Safari Camp

Day 8 Boat Transfer: Changa Safari Camp to Kariba airstrip

Flights Included

Day 3 Victoria Falls Airport to Hwange

Day 5 Hwange airstrip to Kariba airstrip

Day 8 Kariba airstrip to Harare International Airport

Highlights

View the spectacular and mighty Victoria Falls

Partake in the multitude of activities available at Victoria Falls from sedate sunset cruises to adrenaline crazy bungee jumping and everything in between

Exclusive facilities at Victoria Falls Safari Club

The up close game experience from The Underground Hide

Fantastic Game viewing in Hwange National Park, with qualified guides from game drives, walking safaris, and underground hide experiences

Dove’s Nest Tree House

Secluded safari lodge on the banks of Lake Kariba, surrounded by breath-taking landscape

Fantastic gameviewing activities including game drives, walking safaris, boat cruises and fishing, and bird watching

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Day 1 – 2

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

One of the original natural wonders of the world, the Victoria Falls is a World Heritage Site and an extremely

popular tourism attraction. Known locally as ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, this spectacle is accessible from both

Zambia and Zimbabwe and it is an ideal place to combine a game viewing and water sports. There is excellent

fishing, a terrifying bungee jump and arguably the best commercial white water rafting in the world.

Overnight: Victoria Falls Safari Club

4 kms from Victoria Falls and situated within the magnificent grounds of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge resort and

overlooking a private waterhole, is the boutique Safari Club.

The luxurious rooms at Victoria Falls Safari Club have uninterrupted views of the unspoilt bushveld, spectacular

sunsets and the waterhole. All beds are three quarter beds, which can be converted into king beds. Room

facilities include: fully stocked complimentary mini bars, digital safes large enough to hold laptop computers,

international multi sockets, beverage station including espresso machine, LED lighting, sliding glass doors and

gauze screens to balcony, complimentary Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. The Suites offer the same as the Club

Rooms but include a spacious adjacent sitting room.

The Safari Club has its own Club Lounge with: separate welcome zone, butler service, seamless delivery,

complimentary afternoon tea and pastries, complimentary sundowners and snacks. All Safari Club Residents

have access to all facilities at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge resort but no other resort residents have access to

the Club wing ensuring total exclusivity.

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Notes: Day 1 & 2

DAY 1 On your arrival to Victoria Falls, you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Safari Club, only 3o minutes from the

airport. You may have lunch at the restaurant there or at any one of the restaurants in town. There are no

scheduled activities in the part of your trip so you are free to either enjoy the complimentary Safari Club facilities

such as massages and sundowners, or you may take part in the Victoria Falls activities.

DAY 2 You have a full day to soak up the wonderful atmosphere of Victoria Falls, it is the adventure capital of Africa and

there are activities on offer to cater for everyone’s needs. View the mighty Falls, partake in the many activities

on offer or wander around the streets to do a bit of curio shopping, then finish off at a café for refreshments and

a bite to eat. Please have a look at the activities available Victoria Falls Activities and contact us to arrange a

suitable itinerary just for you.

Day 3 – 4

Hwange National Park

Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s biggest reserve, home to a profusion of wildlife, including giraffe, lion,

zebra and approximately 40 000 elephants. It provides sanctuary for all the country’s endangered species,

including a population of wild dogs thought to be among the most sizeable surviving groups on the continent.

Terrain ranges from desert dunes and savannah lands to rocky outcrops and sparse forests.

Overnight: The Hide

Well known and much loved, The Hide Safari Camp is situated within Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest

game reserve. ‘The Hide’, into its third decade, accommodates up to 20 guests in well-appointed deluxe tents

under thatch, all tents overlook the productive waterhole. Tents have en-suite facilities that include outdoor

showers and bath tubs.

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Up to 4 game activities per day, bush walks, day and night drives, ‘hide’ sits including our new underground

tunnel to one hide. Enjoy a “sleep-out” in the romantic Dove’s Nest.

Notes: Day 3 & 4

DAY 3 On this day, you will be picked up for your trip to Hwange. This involves a 30-minute drive to Victoria Falls

Airport, a short flight to Umsthibi Airstrip, then a 40-minute drive to The Hide safari camp. Checked into camp

and take some time to familiarise yourself with your surroundings and then freshen up. Then join the other guest

for drinks and snacks while you watch the wildlife at the waterhole. Dinner will be served at the main lodge

restaurant, and after that, you will go on a night drive for about 30 minutes. After your game drive, you will be

brought back to camp. You may have more drinks or retire to your room.

DAY 4 Your wakeup call will be with tea/coffee or juice this morning, and then make your way to the breakfast table at

the restaurant. After breakfast, you will be taken on a game drive, together with a guided walking safari. Drinks

and snacks will be served during your activities. Later, you will have a picnic brunch and then it’s time to go back

to the lodge.

Take a break in your room, cool off in the swimming pool, relax at the main lodge's elevated platform, or in one

of the camp's underground hides and watch the animals that come to drink and frolic at the waterhole. At

3:30pm, it will be time for tea. Thereafter, embark on an afternoon game drive, safari walk, or spend some time

in the underground hide. This is an excellent time to watch the animals congregate at the waterhole.

After the sun goes down, return to your room to freshen up and join the other guests for drinks and snack

before dinner. The waterhole will be lit so that you can still see the animals doing their thing. After dinner, a night

game drive will be conducted on the concession. Then you may opt to spend the night under the stars in the

lodge's "Dove's Nest", only 5 minutes away from the lodge. Or you may retire to your room.

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Activities Info

Guided Walks

Morning and afternoon guided walks are offered at The Hide Safari Camp. The Hide Safari Camp is fortunate to

have the best of both worlds. While located within the Hwange National Park, it is also surrounded by a private

concession which allows us to offer activities not otherwise permitted. Hwange is a vast playground worth

exploring so you don’t have to worry about being bored. Early morning walks are there for the thrill of

encountering wildlife on its own terms and exploring the little surprises of the bush.

Day and Night Game Drives

Morning and afternoon game drives as well as night drives with a spotlight are offered at The Hide Safari Camp.

Days can be spent further afield on game drives in search of predators and prey alike. We like to do things

properly so sundowners are an important part of the experience. Enjoy the natural beauty with a cold drink in

hand. The guides at The Hide are very much part of the family and have been with us for many years. They have

undergone some of the most rigorous training in Africa and their passion for and knowledge of the bush is often

what makes a safaris so special.

The Dove's Nest Treehouse

Our little secret, the Dove’s Nest, is just about the best way to get away from it all. There are few things more

exciting than spending a night out in a tree house.

Overlooking the open tree-lined vlei and pan, this rustic gem is a perfect vantage point from which to view

wildlife safely, quietly. Just the two of you. Kept simple, as a tree house should be, the bedroom of the Dove’s

Nest is reached by a wooden stairway and with a closable door. You won’t have to forego your hot shower and

warm bed and the location is second to none.

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Day 5 – 8

Matusadona National Park

Matusadona National Park is situated on the shores of Lake Kariba but was proclaimed a non-hunting area on 7

November 1958 before the dam was built.

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It became a Game Reserve in 1963, and in 1975, in terms of the Parks & Wildlife Act, it became a National Park.

The Park comprises some 1 400 square kilometres of diverse flora and fauna. Before the lake was built,

Matusadona was a vast, rugged wilderness with limited access.

With the lake came ecological changes. One in particular, the lakeshore contributed greatly to the increase of

large mammal populations in the area, especially elephant and buffalo. The grass found on the shoreline is

Panicum repens and is a rejuvenative grass - needing only fluctuating lake levels to replenish its nutrients. With

this ready food source, buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, and even impala have thrived and with them the predators.

Matusadona is an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) and home to several relocated rhinoceros.

Overnight: Changa Safari Camp

With a passion for the wilderness and African wildlife, the Higgins and Preston families have built a dream safari

destination on the shores of Lake Kariba in the Matusadona National Park. Situated within a private concession

and with our own 4.5 km of lake shore, you can realize the total raw African experience from tastefully furnished,

fan cooled, spacious deluxe East African style tented suites. Each suite has its own private deck and stunning

views of the mysterious Matusadona Mountains across the inland sea of Lake Kariba.

This rich wilderness area offers exceptional game drives as well as walking and fishing safaris, all in the company

of highly trained professional guides. Healthy populations of predators, including lion, leopard, hyena and

cheetah as well as elephant, buffalo and antelope frequent the shoreline. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant in

the cool waters. If you are very lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the last remaining Black Rhinos. Birdlife is

prolific, with 350 species having been identified in the area.

Accommodation at Changa consists of luxury tented suites each individually displaying truly unique African

influences, from rustic wood, leather and weavery, against crisp white linen and locally made furniture. Styled

with complete comfort in mind each tent has en-suite facilities and “under the stars” outside shower and bath.

Whether you choose to relax in the comfort of your tent or enjoy spectacular lake vistas from your own private

veranda you will be reminded time and again of the endless beauty around you.

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Notes: Day 5, 6, 7 & 8

DAY 5 On this day, head out for a short sunrise game drive before breakfast, and then return for your meal. Pack up and

get ready for your transfer out to Kariba. You will be driven to the airstrip for your flight to Fothergill Airstrip,

and then picked up for a 15-minute boat transfer to Changa Camp. Check into your room and take some time to

relax while you get to know the camp. Afternoon tea will be served before you embark on an evening

sundowner boat cruise. After your cruise, you will be taken back to camp where you can freshen up and join the

other guests for drinks, and dinner.

DAY 6 Your early morning wake-up call is with tea or coffee. Then make your way to the main lodge for a continental

breakfast ‘al fresco’ on the deck or on the beach. Head out for a birding safari, and then return to camp for

brunch. After brunch, go out for some fishing and photographing on the lake. When the sun starts to come

down, pack up and head to camp stopping for sundowners along the way, as well as an evening game drive. You

will arrive back at camp in time for dinner.

DAY 7 Your early morning wake-up call will be with tea or coffee. Make your way to the main lodge for a continental

breakfast ‘al fresco’ on the deck or on the beach. Today you will go out for a game drive around Matusadona

National Park. Then return to camp for brunch and some relaxation. You may want to take some time to cool off

in the pool, or in your room. Gather for high tea before going on an evening boat cruise on Lake Kariba. On your

return, you have a choice between a private dinner under the stars on the beach or regular dinner in the dining

area.

DAY 8

On this day, you will have your breakfast and then get ready for your transfer out of Changa. A short boat ride

will take you to Fothergill Airstrip, for your onward flight.

Activities Info

Fishing

Kariba is a fisherman’s paradise! Why not try your hand at fighting the renowned Tiger Fish for which people

from all over the world return time and time again to catch? Alternatively, bream fishing is always a pleasure and

one's daily catch can be returned to you 'a la' snacks.

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Bird Watching

Climb on board our pontoon boat and, together with our guide, you can explore the multitude of bays and river

inlets where the birdlife is prolific and elephants and antelope abound.

Game Walk

Arguably the best way to experience and feel in touch with the African bush. Our professional guides have a

thorough knowledge of the area and, accompanied by them, you can experience Matusadona 'at its best'. Walks

are conducted in the early mornings and late afternoons for your comfort.

Game Drive

A leisurely drive in an open safari vehicle is a perfect way to discover the area, and provides an opportunity to

see a wider variety of game and scenery as you cover much more ground than on a game walk. Accompanied by

your guide, a game drive is a lovely way to spend the morning.

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Boat Cruises

At the end of the day, enjoy a refreshing 'sundowner' whilst you marvel at the unequalled beauty of a famous

Lake Kariba sunset. Although not plentiful in numbers, some predators, including lion, leopard, hyena and

cheetah, as well as the more common elephant, buffalo and antelope species can be seen in the Changa Safari

Camp and Matusadona surrounds. Hippos and crocodiles are abundant in the cool waters. If you are very lucky,

you may catch a glimpse of the last remaining Black Rhinos. Birdlife is prolific: 350 species have been identified in

the area.

Price

Total Price for all 7 Nights: US$ 4387 (high season) / US$ 3498 (low season)

Per person per night

Included

THE HIDE

• Accommodation in a spacious deluxe tent with views of the waterhole

• All meals, local drinks, house wine, teas/coffees

• Laundry

• Up to 4 activities per day: morning and afternoon guided walks; morning and afternoon game drives; night

drives with a spotlight; ‘hide sits’ around the pan; an overnight sleep-out in the “Dove’s Nest” tree house for 2

people

• National Park fees + conservation fees

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CHANGA SAFARI CAMP

• Accommodation in luxury safari tent with en-suite facilities and “under the stars” outside shower and bath

• All meals and local drinks and house wine

• Laundry

• Up to 3 activities per day: Game drives; bird watching; boat cruises; fishing and/or sundowners; Walking safari

(early morning or late afternoon)

• National Park fees

VICTORIA FALLS SAFARI CLUB

• Accommodation in a spacious suite with views of the National Park

• Breakfast, complimentary mini bar, afternoon teas and pastries, sundowner cocktails and canapés

• Laundry

• Star Talk Experience

• Head and shoulder or foot massage

TRANSFERS

• All road transfers between lodges and airports

• All air transfers between Victoria Falls, Kariba and Hwange

• Departure tax for each air transfer mentioned in this safari

Excluded

• Premium beverages

• All other meals and activities not mentioned

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Travel Information

A nation of spectacular natural beauty, friendly people and rich culture, Zimbabwe’s status as one of Africa’s

leading safari destinations was dampened for years by its political instability. But now that the country is

transcending its strife and returning to a state of equilibrium, it is once again emerging as a vacation highlight of

the continent. Victoria Falls – known to locals as ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ – is one of the seven natural

wonders of the world and the sheer power of this massive body of water plunging into the Zambezi Gorge is

awe-inspiring and unforgettable. Lake Kariba, with its game-rich shores and islands, is an idyllic safari spot

featuring mind-blowing sunsets; Hwange National Park is known for its huge herds of elephants; and a kayak trip

down the Zambezi through the Mana Pools National Park will appeal to the intrepid traveller, providing close

encounters with crocodiles, hippos and a host of other wildlife.

Banking and Currency

Currency

Zimbabwe uses US$ as its own unit of currency. South African Rands and Euros are also widely accepted. It is

advised to carry small denominations of change with you. However, it is best to pay for as much as possible

outside of the country.

South African Rands work well in supermarkets, while US$ are preferred for curios, accommodation and

activities.

Banking

Banks in Zimbabwe are open for business Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 08h00 to 15h00, on

Wednesdays from 08h00 to 13h00 and Fridays from 08h00 to 11h30. They are closed on Sundays and Public

Holidays.

Travel, Transport and Getting Around

Taxis are safe and reliable, and can be booked through your hotel front desk. Taxis in cities travel within a 40km

radius of the city. Always take a taxi at night.

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Major airlines fly into Victoria Falls, Harare and Bulawayo. Charter flights are available to most attractions and

camps.

Zimbabwe has a good road infrastructure, by African standards, although potholed. Between major towns, there

are frequent road blocks. Traffic drives on the left side of the road.

Food, Drink and Cuisine Advice

Zimbabwe's native cuisine is based on sadza, a cooked porridge made from ground maize which is normally be

accompanied by some tasty relish, perhaps made of meat and tomatoes, or dried fish. Safari camps will often

prepare sadza if requested, and it is almost always available in small restaurants in the towns.

Camps, hotels and lodges that cater to overseas typically serve a variety international fare, and the quality of

food prepared in the most remote bush camps is usually excellent.

If you are driving yourself around and plan to cook, then get most of your supplies in main towns.

Water in the main towns is usually purified. The locals drink it, and are used to the relatively innocuous bugs that

it may harbour. If you are in the country for a long time, then it may be worth acclimatising yourself to it.

However, if you are in Zimbabwe for just a short period of time, then try to drink only bottled, boiled, or treated

water available in towns and from all camps, lodges and hotels.

Clothing / Dress Recommendations

When in Zimbabwe the cardinal rule is to wear casual, comfortable clothes during the day as temperatures can

get very hot. It is advisable to wear light loose fitting clothing, such as cotton or linen, as they are cool and easy

to wash. Warmer clothes are advised for the evenings and rainwear for the wet season.

A brimmed hat and sunglasses are a good idea year round. Long sleeved shirts and long trousers will also guard

against the scorching sun rays. It is recommended you wear light shoes, especially if your itinerary entails a lot of

walking.

For safaris, please remember to wear appropriate clothing and shoes. Earth colour clothes, such as browns,

greens and tans are advisable.

Electricity and Plug Standards

Current is 220/240 volts at 50 cycles per second. Both square and round plugs are used.