Highlights of Zimbabwe: Family Safari
Destination
Zimbabwe
Travel Period
January – December
Duration
12 days | 11 nights
Victoria Falls National Park is a tiny piece of protected land surrounding Victoria Falls, one of the world’s three great waterfalls. Situated in western Zimbabwe in the town of Victoria Falls, the views are incredible and you can follow a path right along the edge of the gorge.
The mighty Zambezi creates a roar and a huge spray of mist that can be seen from many miles away. The falls are also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, an incredibly descriptive name that captures the essence of this very special place so well – translating to the “Smoke that Thunders.”
As a result of the spray from the falls, a mini rainforest exists in the surrounding area, creating a wildlife hotspot. Species such as lion and leopard occasionally come through while sightings of elephants are more common. Above the falls, hippo and crocodiles abound, amongst a large array of wildlife – an added bonus to a visit to this World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
The Elephant Camp has been rated one of the best luxury lodges in Zimbabwe, and is within close proximity to the Victoria Falls and the bustling tourist town. Set within the Victoria Falls National Park, The Elephant Camp overlooks the Zambezi Gorges with a magnificent view of the Victoria Falls spray.
The main area boasts a beautiful sunken fire pit and swimming pool and suites at The Elephant Camp are equipped with a private viewing deck, plunge pool and outdoor shower.
There are two sections to the property: Elephant Camp Main which consists of 12 luxury suites and The Elephant Camp West, consisting of only four suites. Although The Elephant Camp West operates separately to the main camp, it embodies the same authenticity, luxury, and environmentally sensitive premise.
Family Luxury Tented Suites
The four family luxury tented suites each have a dramatic view of the archetypal African landscape and the impressive cloud of mist that sits on top of the horizon above the Victoria Falls rainforest. The spacious, “marquis-style” tents have their own private deck and personal plunge pools perched above the Victoria Falls National Park with the Mosi Oa Tunya (smoke that thunders) in view.
The Elephant Camp is more than a destination – it is an experience, an encounter and a cultural connection. Experience the magnificent power of the Victoria Falls, immerse yourself in the heritage and lifestyle of the local community on the Village Tour, and translate knowledge to change at the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. The Elephant Camp offers guests an empowering tapestry of experiences that come together to inform the heart, educate the mind and reconnect with the natural rhythm of nature.
Additional activities available at The Elephant Camp include spa treatments, game drives, elephant encounter, Chobe day trip, white water rafting, elephant art safari, scenic helicopter flights and much more.
Day 2 – Village Tour: Meet The People
Clients are taken to an authentic rural village approximately 20km from Victoria Falls town, where they are given the opportunity to watch local villagers going about their daily tasks.
The tour enables the client to see rural life first hand; visiting rural homes, watching their fields being tended, and possibly getting the chance to help in some of the day-to-day chores. Meet the village chief and learn about the way of life from him.
Hwange National Park is situated in western Zimbabwe and is the country’s premier game reserve. With easy road and flight access from both Victoria Falls and Bulawayo, the reserve is extremely popular with both local and international tourists.
Hwange is renowned for its huge elephant and buffalo herds, sable and other rare antelope as well as an excellent concentration of large predators including lion, leopard, wild dog, hyena, and cheetah. Birders will find plenty to keep them busy with over 400 species of birds recorded and the park is especially known for its spectacular sunsets.
At almost three million acres, Hwange is a huge wilderness area open to Botswana on its western side, allowing wildlife to traverse across countries and making it extremely valuable for the conservation of large mammals like elephant, lion, and buffalo.
Imagine waking up in a beautifully appointed treehouse watching the sunrise light up the treetops that surround you. Think about stepping through your glass doors onto your deck and enjoying fresh Zimbabwean coffee surrounded by birds and an elephant walking below. Followed by a day spent in a very remote part of a vast wilderness that you share with very few people.
Your days unfold as you wish, each experience is tailored to your interests by expert, fun, and friendly guides. At Tum Tum, expect great year-round game viewing, a plethora of safari activities, and a meaningful commitment to local communities and wildlife.
Family Tent
One family tent, designed to accommodate 4-6 guests, sits comfortably on the ground level. There are two bedrooms, both en suite, as well as a lounge, dining room and private plunge pool!
*Please note that these photos are of sister camp Bomani, pending actual photos of the brand new family tent at Tum Tum.
Daily schedules are flexible. Activities both inside and out of the park are plentiful and include game drives, night drives, a look-up viewing blind, community experiences, and visits to Imvelo’s Ngamo Wildlife Sanctuary to experience white rhino, either in the game viewer or walking.
Imvelo Safari Lodges has been dreaming of building treehouses for more than 20 years. The dream is now a reality, and it has surpassed expectations. Imvelo chose a beautiful grove of ancient Camelthorn trees located on Imvelo’s ‘pump run’ that they have maintained for Hwange’s thirsty wildlife for over 20 years.
The lodge sits adjacent to what will be Sanctuary 3 of their CRCI rhino project and next door to the villages around Mtshwayeli school and clinic. The four ensuite treehouses are stunning. There is also a twin-roomed ensuite ground level ‘family tent’ and a main lodge nestled between a huge teak tree and several ancient elephant ‘rubbing posts.’ Still to come is a swimming pool, an under-the-stars decked dining area, a plunge pool for the family tent and more.
Elephant Express
The Elephant Express was introduced in 2015, it is a unique railcar, ingeniously designed and built to reinvent safari transfers to camps in Southern Hwange National Park. Accommodating up to 22 passengers, the railcar has a safari design with open sides, an engine at the front and back and specially trained drivers.
We will enjoy lunch on board and a leisurely ride on the rails before we arrive at the Ngamo siding stop. Our Zimbabwean guide will be greet us and we’ll head to Camelthorn Lodge to check-in and unpack before our first game drive late this afternoon.
Matusadona National Park lies on the southern banks of Lake Kariba, a dammed section of the mighty Zambezi River. The park is extremely remote and best accessed by light aircraft or boat, making this one of the least visited national parks in Zimbabwe.
There is a good variety of large mammals such as elephants, buffalo, and lion and a variety of ways to explore the park; game drives are a must and walks can be done – but the water activities are what really sets this place apart. Take a boat ride down the Senyati Gorge; slowly make your way along the shoreline spotting a huge variety of water birds and wildlife – it’s a photographer’s paradise! And of course a sundowner on the lake is always a great end to a day on safari.
The park, which in 2019 has fallen under African Parks management, can be divided into three main ecological areas with wildlife mostly congregating on the seasonal floodplains when the water level is low. The Zambezi valley supports more of the woodland species while the escarpment area is difficult to access but is renowned for its beautiful tree species.
Changa Safari Camp is set in a remote corner of the Matusadona National Park, on the edge Lake Kariba. It has 4km of lakeshore frontage, and offers safari experiences on land and water.
Luxury Tent
Changa Safari Camp has eight tented rooms. The standard tent can accommodate two adults and a separate bed can be added for children under 12. This incurs a charge for children aged 3-11. There are two family rooms with a separate but connected tent for children. They each have their own veranda and en suite facilities which includes an outside shower and bath.
The camp staff can organise guided game drives, walks, or boat cruises. Lake Kariba boasts hippo, crocodile, elephant, and buffalo. Waterbuck, impala, kudu and occasionally zebra are also spotted. Changa Safari Camp has a pool, yoga facilities and a spa for those wanting relaxation on camp. A safari sundown drink is also encouraged.
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