Overview
Discover the secret season of safari—an extraordinary time when the bush is emerald green with recent rains, the wildlife abundant with dramatic predator-prey activity due to the recent calving season, the light is absolutely magical for photography, and yet there are remarkably few other travelers! Victoria Falls adds to the drama, with the mighty Zambezi River flowing at its fullest and the towering plumes of the Falls visible up to 30 miles away. We love the “secret” season, when the grasslands are lush and brimming with foals, calves, and cubs—all of which attract an abundance of predators, from painted dogs to leopards and lions. We’ve created a wonderfully active adventure for you at this special time with our expert naturalist leader—Zim guides are the most highly trained in all of Africa. You’ll set out game viewing by open-sided vehicle and vintage open-air rail car, have thrillingly spontaneous game walks when wildlife is spotted, canoe on the Zambezi, and observe elephants close-up from a special “look up” hide. And, you experience all this at a significant savings per person compared with high season safaris, as well as notable savings on airfare. Join us for Zimbabwe’s green season and enjoy the safari of a lifetime.
The trip was fabulous and I truly appreciate all of the details that made it a memorable experience.
— Katherine E., Raleigh, NC
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-2
Victoria Falls / Batonka Lodge
In Victoria Falls, we enjoy a Zimbabwean sunset aboard a sundowner cruise, on the lookout for animals coming down to drink or the many hippo that often pop up to welcome us. We also take in the spectacular vistas of the Falls and walk through the rainforest, with its lush, indigenous vegetation watered by the perpetual swirling mists of the Falls.
Days 3-6
Hwange National Park / Bomani Tented Lodge
Hwange is home to some of the highest concentrations of elephants in the world along with lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino. We enter Hwange a unique way—aboard a vintage open-air railway car called the Elephant Express. From Bomani Tented Lodge, set around an active waterhole on the magnificent Ngamo Plains, our days area filled with game viewing by open-sided vehicle and thrilling game walks that brings us close to wildlife. On an authentic village visit, we walk to school with the children (and see how we do at learning Ndebele, their “click” language!). One day we have the option of game viewing on horseback, and we also view game from a specially built underground game-viewing blind—a unique place for sundowners and snout-level viewing of elephants.
Days 7-10
Nehimba Lodge / Zambezi National Park / Victoria Falls River Lodge
Crossing the Ngamo Plains to Nehimba Lodge, we’ll have northern Hwange’s lion-rich territory to ourselves as we explore its mopane woodland and sand river environment. Dinner on the deck here, with elephants gathering just a few yards away, is one of the most unique dining setting imaginable. In Zambezi National Park, our camp positions us for canoeing amid the Siansimba Islands and a private Zambezi cruise at sunset (with tasty sundowners, of course). Depart on Day 10 via Victoria Falls or join one of our extensions.
Zimbabwe: Green Season Safari
