Leisure Wheels’ Zimbabwe safari gives you the opportunity to experience all the facets of Zimbabwe – from camping on the banks of the Zambezi River to fine dining in Harare and luxury accommodation at Troutbeck Inn on the Eastern Highlands. The itinerary includes the Matopos, Hwange National Park, ferry crossing over the length of Lake Kariba as well as a visit to Mana Pools, Harare, Nyanga National Park and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. Join us from 23 June – 7 July 2013 on this wonderful adventure.
Itinerary and other information
Day 1: 23 June
Francistown
Drive from Pretoria to Francistown where we will overnight in the campsite at Woodlands. There are also chalets for those of you who want to go for that option.
Day 2: 24 June
Matopos
Enter Zimbabwe at the Plumtree Borderpost and drive to the Matobo National Park just outside of Bulawayo. There are few finer examples of the beauty and mystery of the natural world than in Zimbabwe’s Matobo Hills. Add to this the intrigue of man’s existence among the balancing rocks and bald hills, and you will see why the Matobo should be on every visitor’s itinerary. We will camp there for one night.
Day 3-5: 25-27 June
Hwange
Break down camp and leave for Hwange National Park – the largest National Park in Zimbabwe (the size of Northern Ireland). Formerly called Wankie Reserve, it was once one of the most popular parks in Africa, drawing thousands of tourists to see its large herds of elephant, buffalo and other plains game.
Roads are in a bad state and campsites are run down (some more than others). But for the adventurous, self-sufficient 4x4er, Hwange is heaven.
The Park’s animals are supported artificially by several boreholes that pump water from the massive amount of ground water beneath the sand. Without this water the big herds of elephant and buffalo would probably migrate away from Hwange during the dry season. However, fortunate for wildlife enthusiasts, organisations like Friends of Hwange have kept the boreholes running through some of the worst economic times. It makes for some of the best wildlife viewing in Southern Africa, and most of the time, you will be the only visitors for miles around.
Day 6 28 June
Kariba Ferries – M’libizi to Kariba
This will be an early morning. We have to be at M’libizi at 8h00. Save time, fuel, money, frayed nerves, over 1250Kms of driving and at least one night’s hotel stop by taking your car the length of the lake using the Kariba Car Ferry service. You and your family can relax in the spacious panoramic windowed saloon, laze in the open deck or enjoy the upper shaded deck whilst someone else does the driving.
The Voyage takes approximately 22 hours in each direction, during which time you will be served with three nourishing meals together with the morning and afternoon tea or coffee which is included in the tariff. There is a fully stocked cash bar aboard.
The vessels depart on their voyages promptly at 9:00am. Intending passengers are advised to be at the departure /loading point not less than 1 hour prior to sailing. For security reasons, once the vehicles are loaded, access to the vehicles is restricted. So do not forget to pack an overnight bag of your requirements. We suggest bringing your towel, cameras, binoculars etc.
Day 7-9 29, 30 June and 1 July 2012
Mana Pools
ETA at Kariba is round about 7h00. We unload the vehicles and from Kariba we drive via Makuti and Marongora to Nyakisikana Gate where we will enter the Park. We will spend three nights in Mana Pools and will use our days exploring the area. The place pumps with wildlife in the dry winter months as the animals come in search for food and water. The word Mana means “four” in Shona and refers to the number of permanent pools in the Park. We will also try to schedule a guided canoe trip on the Zambezi at Mana Pools with Chipembere Safaris.
Day 10 2 July 2012.
Harare
After taking down camp we head for Harare. The road will take us via Karoi (there is a SPAR) and Chinhoyi. In Harare we will overnight in a lovely B&B, run by Sandy Parvin, with safe parking for our vehicles.
Day 11-12 3-4 July 2012
Eastern Highlands – Nyanga National Park.
We leave the city and head for Rusape where we will turn away to Nyanga National Park in the Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe. Rolling green hills and perennial rivers transverse the 47 000 hectare Park. Altitudes between 1 800 and 2 593 meters provide cool weather and fresh mountain air, perfect for rest and relaxation. With its stunning mountainous views, numerous waterfalls, varied activities and unique flora and fauna, Nyanga National Park will provide the visitor with an unforgettable holiday experience.
There are lodges available at three camps in Nyanga National Park. We will stay over in the chalets at Rhodes Dam for two nights. It is winter time and because of the altitude one can expect low temperatures.
Attractions
• Mount Nyangani – Zimbabwe’s highest point at 2 593 metres offers a challenging climb and spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
• Nyangombe Falls – a beautiful series of cascading waterfalls located on the western edge of the Park, a 15 minute walk from the carpark.
• Mutarazi Falls – Mutarazi Falls is the highest waterfall in Zimbabwe and the second highest on the Continent. Visitors may leave their vehicles at the carpark and take a short hike to the edge of the escarpment for spectacular views of the waterfalls and the Honde Valley, some 800 meters below.
• Pungwe Gorge & Falls – view the Pungwe Falls from the scenic Pungwe viewpoint or drive through the Pungwe Drift for a closer view of the river and lush forest areas around.
• Nyangwe & Chawomera Forts – massive stone work with lintelled entrances characterize these fine examples of Nyanga ruins built some 400 years ago. Pit structures are also located within the Park.
• Trout Hatchery – the trout hatchery near Purdon Dam provides an up-close view of the source of game fish stocked in many of the Park’s rivers and dams.
• Nyamuziwa Falls – located just off the circular drive to Mt. Nyangani, Nyamuziwa Falls is a beautiful cascade waterfall with open highland scenery.
• Rhodes Museum – the Rhodes Museum is found near the Park entrance and is housed in part of Cecil John Rhodes’ Nyanga summer home.
Day 13: 5 July
Great Zimbabwe
Today we will travel in a southerly direction via Mutare and Birchenough Bridge to Masvingo (previously known as Fort Victoria) We will visit the Zimbabwe Ruins (also known as Great Zimbabwe) before pitching camp in the campsite at Lake Kyle.
Formed of regular, rectangular granite stones, carefully placed one upon the other, they are the ruins of an amazing complex. The structures were built by indigenous African people between AD 1250 and AD 1450 believed to be the ancestors of modern Zimbabweans.
The ruins at Great Zimbabwe are remarkable; lofty, majestic, awe-inspiring, timeless. The quality of the building in places is outstanding. It was built by craftsmen who took a pride in their work. There is nothing to compare with it in southern Africa.
Day 14: 6 July
Mussina
We will leave for the Beitbridge border post where we will enter South Africa. This is also the end of our safari and from here participants can go back home or extend their trip to a visit to Tsipise, the Kruger National Park or one of the many resorts in Limpopo Province.
COST
The cost will be R 9800 per person, but is subject to change if any of the service providers increase their prices. The cost will include and exclude the following:
Included:
Guide fee
Park entry fees
All camping fees
All vehicle entry fees
Kariba ferry
Guest house accommodation in Harare
Lodge accommodation at Troutbeck Inn
Excluded:
Road tax
Third Party Insurance
Carbon Tax
Camping Equipment
Fuel
Food and Beverage
All additional optionals and activities
Park entry fees for Chobe National Park
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What is the maximum amount of vehicles on this tour?
7 – 8
Can I go in a 4×4 Caravan?
NO
Can I take my 4×4 trailer?
YES
Does the trip start and finish at the same place?
TRIP WILL START PRETORIA END ENDS IN MUSSINA
Recommended sleep-overs close to the starting
point and finishing point:
STARTING POINT – AFRICA HOUSE GUEST HOUSE IN
CENTURION.
FINISHING POINT – BAOBOAB CARAVAN PARK IN
MUSSINA OR TSIPISE.
How much are the park fees?
ALL PARK FEES ARE INCLUDED
Should one allow for other costs?
ZIMBABWE BORDER CROSSING FEES – $ 90
FUEL
FOOD AND BEVERAGE
ALL ADDITIONAL OPTIONALS
What is the total distance of the trip in km?
3 800 KILOMETERS
Should one take out special insurance?
NO. THIRD PARTY INSURANCE IS COMPULSORY
AND AVAILABLE AT BORDER POSTS.
Is it a malaria area?
YES
Can children go on this tour?
YES
What is the cut-off age for seniors?
DEPENDS ON STATE OF HEALTH AND FITNESS
Any other notes on this specific tour:
We send out a “Tour Leaders Letter” with all relevant information once the deposit is paid.
For more information or to make your booking send an e-mail to [email protected].