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This Itinerary Begins
With You
At Conte, no two itineraries are the same. Share what matters to you when you travel - your preferences and pace - and we’ll craft a journey that reflects you completely. Thoughtfully designed, expertly delivered, and entirely yours.
ZIMBABWE
Itinerary Overview
Days 1 - 3
Modern Harare
Days 4 - 7
BEST TIME
BEST TIME
TAILORED TRIPS
BEST TIME
Days 8 - 12
Victoria Falls & Beyond
A Zimbabwean Safari
Highlights of Your Journey
Begin in Harare, exploring vibrant markets, colonial architecture, and Shona sculpture traditions before journeying to Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the 11th–15th century stone city that once dominated regional gold and ivory trade.
Step into ancient history at Matobo National Park, where 2,000-year-old San rock art and dramatic granite boulders meet the burial site of Cecil Rhodes and a thriving black rhino population.
Experience Zimbabwe’s premier wildlife in Hwange National Park, with game drives through diverse ecosystems that host over 100 mammal species and one of Africa’s largest elephant herds.
Marvel at Victoria Falls, the “Smoke that Thunders,” with options for helicopter flights, Zambezi River cruises, and seasonal adventures like the Devil’s Pool or white-water rafting.
Conclude with cultural and cross-border experiences, from village visits and local crafts to optional Chobe National Park excursions, before returning to Harare for a farewell celebration.
Days 1 - 3
Your Zimbabwe journey begins in Harare, the capital established by British South Africa Company pioneer Cecil Rhodes in 1890, before delving into ancient civilizations that flourished here over a millennium ago.
Day one explores modern Harare's bustling markets and colonial architecture, where Shona sculptures reflect artistic traditions spanning centuries. Your second day drives to Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara, built between the 11th and 15th centuries by the ancestral Shona people whose sophisticated society controlled gold and ivory trade routes. The third day travels to Matobo National Park, where ancient San rock art galleries date back over 2,000 years, creating one of southern Africa's most concentrated collections of prehistoric paintings among the park's distinctive granite formations.
Days 4 - 7
Days four through seven transition from ancient history to modern conservation successes, showcasing Zimbabwe's commitment to wildlife preservation and natural wonder tourism.
Your fourth day features hiking through Matobo's unique boulder landscapes while tracking the successfully reintroduced black rhino population, a conservation triumph in a park where Cecil Rhodes chose his burial site in 1902. Day five drives to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve established in 1928, covering 14,650 square kilometers of diverse ecosystems. Your sixth day delivers full safari experiences in Hwange, home to over 100 mammal species and one of Africa's largest elephant populations. The seventh day combines morning game drives with transfer to Victoria Falls, discovered by David Livingstone in 1855 and named after Queen Victoria.
Days 8 - 12
Your final Zimbabwe days center on Victoria Falls, the "Smoke that Thunders" as locals called it, where the Zambezi River creates one of the world's most spectacular natural phenomena.
Day eight explores the falls themselves with optional helicopter flights revealing the full majesty of this UNESCO World Heritage site, where 550 million liters of water cascade 108 meters every minute during peak flow. Your ninth day features Zambezi River cruises at sunset, offering wildlife viewing along riverbanks where elephants, hippos, and crocodiles gather as they have for millennia.
Day ten provides options for Chobe National Park day trips or further falls exploration, including the famous Devil's Pool during low water season. Your eleventh day offers cultural village visits or adventure activities like white-water rafting and bungee jumping from the 111-meter Victoria Falls Bridge, opened in 1905. Day twelve returns to Harare for shopping and farewell dinner, concluding your journey through a country where ancient and modern Zimbabwe converge.
Day 1
Your Zimbabwe journey begins in Harare, the capital established by British South Africa Company pioneer Cecil Rhodes in 1890, before delving into ancient civilizations that flourished here over a millennium ago.
Day one explores modern Harare's bustling markets and colonial architecture, where Shona sculptures reflect artistic traditions spanning centuries. Your second day drives to Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara, built between the 11th and 15th centuries by the ancestral Shona people whose sophisticated society controlled gold and ivory trade routes. The third day travels to Matobo National Park, where ancient San rock art galleries date back over 2,000 years, creating one of southern Africa's most concentrated collections of prehistoric paintings among the park's distinctive granite formations.
Days 2 - 4
Days four through seven transition from ancient history to modern conservation successes, showcasing Zimbabwe's commitment to wildlife preservation and natural wonder tourism.
Your fourth day features hiking through Matobo's unique boulder landscapes while tracking the successfully reintroduced black rhino population, a conservation triumph in a park where Cecil Rhodes chose his burial site in 1902. Day five drives to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve established in 1928, covering 14,650 square kilometers of diverse ecosystems. Your sixth day delivers full safari experiences in Hwange, home to over 100 mammal species and one of Africa's largest elephant populations. The seventh day combines morning game drives with transfer to Victoria Falls, discovered by David Livingstone in 1855 and named after Queen Victoria.
Days 5 - 6
Your final Zimbabwe days center on Victoria Falls, the "Smoke that Thunders" as locals called it, where the Zambezi River creates one of the world's most spectacular natural phenomena.
Day eight explores the falls themselves with optional helicopter flights revealing the full majesty of this UNESCO World Heritage site, where 550 million liters of water cascade 108 meters every minute during peak flow. Your ninth day features Zambezi River cruises at sunset, offering wildlife viewing along riverbanks where elephants, hippos, and crocodiles gather as they have for millennia.
Day ten provides options for Chobe National Park day trips or further falls exploration, including the famous Devil's Pool during low water season. Your eleventh day offers cultural village visits or adventure activities like white-water rafting and bungee jumping from the 111-meter Victoria Falls Bridge, opened in 1905. Day twelve returns to Harare for shopping and farewell dinner, concluding your journey through a country where ancient and modern Zimbabwe converge.
Days 4 - 7
Days four through seven transition from ancient history to modern conservation successes, showcasing Zimbabwe's commitment to wildlife preservation and natural wonder tourism.
Your fourth day features hiking through Matobo's unique boulder landscapes while tracking the successfully reintroduced black rhino population, a conservation triumph in a park where Cecil Rhodes chose his burial site in 1902. Day five drives to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve established in 1928, covering 14,650 square kilometers of diverse ecosystems. Your sixth day delivers full safari experiences in Hwange, home to over 100 mammal species and one of Africa's largest elephant populations. The seventh day combines morning game drives with transfer to Victoria Falls, discovered by David Livingstone in 1855 and named after Queen Victoria.
Days 8 - 12
Your final Zimbabwe days center on Victoria Falls, the "Smoke that Thunders" as locals called it, where the Zambezi River creates one of the world's most spectacular natural phenomena.
Day eight explores the falls themselves with optional helicopter flights revealing the full majesty of this UNESCO World Heritage site, where 550 million liters of water cascade 108 meters every minute during peak flow. Your ninth day features Zambezi River cruises at sunset, offering wildlife viewing along riverbanks where elephants, hippos, and crocodiles gather as they have for millennia.
Day ten provides options for Chobe National Park day trips or further falls exploration, including the famous Devil's Pool during low water season. Your eleventh day offers cultural village visits or adventure activities like white-water rafting and bungee jumping from the 111-meter Victoria Falls Bridge, opened in 1905. Day twelve returns to Harare for shopping and farewell dinner, concluding your journey through a country where ancient and modern Zimbabwe converge.
BEST TIME
TAILORED TRIPS
from £2500 pp, per night
Harare - Matobo National Park - Hwange National Park - Victoria Falls
Days 1 - 3
Modern Harare
Days 4 - 7
A Zimbabwean Safari
Days 8 - 12
Victoria Falls & Beyond
Trip Highlights
Begin in Harare, exploring vibrant markets, colonial architecture, and Shona sculpture traditions before journeying to Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the 11th–15th century stone city that once dominated regional gold and ivory trade.
Step into ancient history at Matobo National Park, where 2,000-year-old San rock art and dramatic granite boulders meet the burial site of Cecil Rhodes and a thriving black rhino population.
Experience Zimbabwe’s premier wildlife in Hwange National Park, with game drives through diverse ecosystems that host over 100 mammal species and one of Africa’s largest elephant herds.
Marvel at Victoria Falls, the “Smoke that Thunders,” with options for helicopter flights, Zambezi River cruises, and seasonal adventures like the Devil’s Pool or white-water rafting.
Conclude with cultural and cross-border experiences, from village visits and local crafts to optional Chobe National Park excursions, before returning to Harare for a farewell celebration.
Days 1 - 3
Your Zimbabwe journey begins in Harare, the capital established by British South Africa Company pioneer Cecil Rhodes in 1890, before delving into ancient civilizations that flourished here over a millennium ago.
Day one explores modern Harare's bustling markets and colonial architecture, where Shona sculptures reflect artistic traditions spanning centuries. Your second day drives to Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara, built between the 11th and 15th centuries by the ancestral Shona people whose sophisticated society controlled gold and ivory trade routes. The third day travels to Matobo National Park, where ancient San rock art galleries date back over 2,000 years, creating one of southern Africa's most concentrated collections of prehistoric paintings among the park's distinctive granite formations.
Days 5 - 6
Your final days explore Zimbabwe's premier wildlife destinations, from Hwange's elephant herds to diverse ecosystems that make the country a conservation leader.
Day five drives to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve established in 1928, where afternoon game drives reveal elephant populations exceeding 40,000 individuals - one of Africa's largest concentrations. Your sixth day's full safari experience showcases Hwange's diverse habitats supporting over 100 mammal species, including endangered wild dogs and Zimbabwe's largest lion populations, demonstrating successful conservation efforts despite economic challenges.
Days 2 - 4
Days two through four journey through Zimbabwe's ancient civilizations and colonial legacy, from medieval stone cities to wildlife parks established during federation periods.
Day two travels to Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the medieval city that gave the modern nation its name and served as capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe from 1100 to 1450 CE. These impressive stone structures, built without mortar, housed up to 18,000 people at their peak and controlled gold trading routes between inland Africa and Indian Ocean ports. Your third day continues to Matobo National Park, established in 1926, where Cecil Rhodes chose his burial site among granite formations that have sheltered human inhabitants for over 2,000 years, evidenced by San rock art depicting hunting scenes and spiritual beliefs. Day four combines hiking through these ancient landscapes with rhino tracking programs that have successfully protected both black and white rhinoceros populations since the 1960s.
Days 5 - 6
Your final days explore Zimbabwe's premier wildlife destinations, from Hwange's elephant herds to diverse ecosystems that make the country a conservation leader.
Day five drives to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve established in 1928, where afternoon game drives reveal elephant populations exceeding 40,000 individuals - one of Africa's largest concentrations. Your sixth day's full safari experience showcases Hwange's diverse habitats supporting over 100 mammal species, including endangered wild dogs and Zimbabwe's largest lion populations, demonstrating successful conservation efforts despite economic challenges.
Days 4 - 7
Days four through seven transition from ancient history to modern conservation successes, showcasing Zimbabwe's commitment to wildlife preservation and natural wonder tourism.
Your fourth day features hiking through Matobo's unique boulder landscapes while tracking the successfully reintroduced black rhino population, a conservation triumph in a park where Cecil Rhodes chose his burial site in 1902. Day five drives to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest game reserve established in 1928, covering 14,650 square kilometers of diverse ecosystems. Your sixth day delivers full safari experiences in Hwange, home to over 100 mammal species and one of Africa's largest elephant populations. The seventh day combines morning game drives with transfer to Victoria Falls, discovered by David Livingstone in 1855 and named after Queen Victoria.
Days 8 - 12
Your final Zimbabwe days center on Victoria Falls, the "Smoke that Thunders" as locals called it, where the Zambezi River creates one of the world's most spectacular natural phenomena.
Day eight explores the falls themselves with optional helicopter flights revealing the full majesty of this UNESCO World Heritage site, where 550 million liters of water cascade 108 meters every minute during peak flow. Your ninth day features Zambezi River cruises at sunset, offering wildlife viewing along riverbanks where elephants, hippos, and crocodiles gather as they have for millennia.
Day ten provides options for Chobe National Park day trips or further falls exploration, including the famous Devil's Pool during low water season. Your eleventh day offers cultural village visits or adventure activities like white-water rafting and bungee jumping from the 111-meter Victoria Falls Bridge, opened in 1905. Day twelve returns to Harare for shopping and farewell dinner, concluding your journey through a country where ancient and modern Zimbabwe converge.
BEST TIME
TAILORED TRIPS
from £2500 pp, per night
Harare - Matobo National Park - Hwange National Park - Victoria Falls
Days 1 - 3
Modern Harare
Days 4 - 7
A Zimbabwean Safari
Days 8 - 12
Victoria Falls & Beyond
Trip Highlights
Begin in Harare, exploring vibrant markets, colonial architecture, and Shona sculpture traditions before journeying to Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the 11th–15th century stone city that once dominated regional gold and ivory trade.
Step into ancient history at Matobo National Park, where 2,000-year-old San rock art and dramatic granite boulders meet the burial site of Cecil Rhodes and a thriving black rhino population.
Experience Zimbabwe’s premier wildlife in Hwange National Park, with game drives through diverse ecosystems that host over 100 mammal species and one of Africa’s largest elephant herds.
Marvel at Victoria Falls, the “Smoke that Thunders,” with options for helicopter flights, Zambezi River cruises, and seasonal adventures like the Devil’s Pool or white-water rafting.
Conclude with cultural and cross-border experiences, from village visits and local crafts to optional Chobe National Park excursions, before returning to Harare for a farewell celebration.
Days 1 - 3
Your Zimbabwe journey begins in Harare, the capital established by British South Africa Company pioneer Cecil Rhodes in 1890, before delving into ancient civilizations that flourished here over a millennium ago.
Day one explores modern Harare's bustling markets and colonial architecture, where Shona sculptures reflect artistic traditions spanning centuries. Your second day drives to Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the largest ancient structure south of the Sahara, built between the 11th and 15th centuries by the ancestral Shona people whose sophisticated society controlled gold and ivory trade routes. The third day travels to Matobo National Park, where ancient San rock art galleries date back over 2,000 years, creating one of southern Africa's most concentrated collections of prehistoric paintings among the park's distinctive granite formations.
Days 2 - 4
Days two through four journey through Zimbabwe's ancient civilizations and colonial legacy, from medieval stone cities to wildlife parks established during federation periods.
Day two travels to Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the medieval city that gave the modern nation its name and served as capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe from 1100 to 1450 CE. These impressive stone structures, built without mortar, housed up to 18,000 people at their peak and controlled gold trading routes between inland Africa and Indian Ocean ports. Your third day continues to Matobo National Park, established in 1926, where Cecil Rhodes chose his burial site among granite formations that have sheltered human inhabitants for over 2,000 years, evidenced by San rock art depicting hunting scenes and spiritual beliefs. Day four combines hiking through these ancient landscapes with rhino tracking programs that have successfully protected both black and white rhinoceros populations since the 1960s.
Best Luxury Hotels in Zimbabwe: Conte's Seasonal Picks for 2025
Old Drift Lodge
Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe
Old Drift Lodge is a luxurious riverside lodge situated in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park, just 7 km upstream from Victoria Falls. The property has 14 tented suites, including 10 double/twin suites and 4 family suites with interleading rooms.
Each suite is raised on wooden decking and features air conditioning, ceiling fan, a private lounge, a private plunge pool, an indoor and outdoor shower, plus a freestanding outdoor bathtub overlooking the river. The central lodge comprises a lounge, bar, dining areas (indoors and al fresco), a fire-pit, and a jetty. Activities include guided game drives, river safaris on pontoon boats, walking safaris, and a guided tour of Victoria Falls (on the Zimbabwe side).
Wilderness Chikwenya
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Wilderness Chikwenya is a luxury, seasonal (April–November) tented camp located on the eastern boundary of Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, set in a private concession overlooking the Zambezi River and its floodplains. The camp comprises seven elevated timber-and-canvas tents, including two family suites with a shared private plunge pool.
The central area features a raised lounge, dining room, bar, and a swimming pool with sun deck. Guests at Chikwenya can enjoy a wide variety of safari experiences: day and night game drives, guided walking safaris, boat cruises, canoeing, catch-and-release tiger-fishing, bird watching, and sunset river cruises.
Somalisa Expeditions
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Somalisa Expeditions is an intimate, eco-friendly safari camp in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, with just six Meru-style tents (including one family tent), accommodating up to 14 guests. Each tent is raised on a wooden deck, and features en-suite bathrooms with both indoor and outdoor showers, flush toilets, mosquito nets, a writing desk, and charging facilities.
The central camp area includes a lounge, bar, a raised teak deck overlooking a watering hole (known as the “elephant bar”), a fire pit, and a swimming pool. Dining is served in communal indoor and outdoor areas around the fire, with homestyle bush meals crafted from local ingredients. For activities, guests can enjoy morning and evening game drives, night drives, guided walks, bird watching, and cultural visits.
Victoria Falls River Lodge
Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe
The owner’s lifelong passion for the Zambezi National Park, sparked by childhood adventures along the river, led him to create the first private lodge in the park. Since its establishment in 2011, additional lodging options have been added on the mainland and nearby Kandahar Island.
The Malachite Luxury Tented Suites are just a 10-minute drive from Victoria Falls Town, while the River Lodge Luxury Tented Suites are 15-20 minutes away. Set in a peaceful riverside location, guests can enjoy the serene flow of the Zambezi and the sounds of nature, all while being close enough to glimpse the falls.
Singita Pamushana Lodge
Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, Zimbabwe
Singita Pamushana Lodge is elevated on a ridge, offering sweeping views of the Malilangwe Dam. Set in the 115,000-acre Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve, guests are invited to explore the history and success of the many conservation projects celebrated in the onsite Conservation Room.
The eight luxurious suites, each with a private plunge pool, are inspired by Zimbabwe’s rich cultural history. The lodge offers an immersive experience in its breathtaking wilderness, where guests can enjoy a tranquil yet inspiring safari. Every aspect of the stay is designed for comfort and ease, allowing visitors to connect deeply with the surroundings. Whether on game drives, a nature walk, visiting the photographic hide or relaxing in the suites, Singita Pamushana provides an unparalleled sense of freedom and serenity in one of Africa’s most pristine environments.
Matetsi Victoria Falls
Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Zimbabwe
Family-owned and independently run, this beautifully designed luxury safari lodge sits on the banks of the Zambezi river within its own 136,000-acre pristine wilderness, Matetsi Private Game Reserve.
Comprising 16 suites, 2 family suites and a private villa, Matetsi Victoria Falls offers the ideal combination of safari, river, relaxation and the Falls all-in-one. The property caters to guests looking for the ultimate exclusive location from which to explore this remarkable part of the world.
