Accommodation Twelve luxury safari tents with en-suite bathroom are scattered along the banks of the Zambezi River. The rooms are connected by walkways to the main building. The meals are served on the sundeck by the pool or in the restaurant. From everywhere, great views of the Zambezi River can be enjoyed.
The Zambezi River originates in the northwest of Zambia and flows 2700 km to the Pacific Ocean. It also flows past Livingstone before tumbling 100 m into the Batoka Gorge, which marks the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe.The falls are known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ or ‘The Smoke that Thunders’ because the mist can rise several hundred metres above the gorge during the wet season, making it visible for miles around and therefore a well-known landmark.
If you prefer less action, then we recommend the really good camps Toka Leya, River Club and Tongabezi, which are all located some 30 minutes upstream, close to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. There is no helicopter noise here and the camps offer guides, who can organise everything on site and accompany you on your chosen activities.
Flight to Linkwasha Camp
Accommodation The new Linkwasha Camp was built in one of the best wildlife areas within Hwange National Park, with easy access to key game viewing areas such as Ngamo Plains. The camp is rated higher in terms of luxury and service than any other camp in Hwange.
The camp features seven en-suite double / twin tents and one family tent with two bedrooms. The main area has multi-level decks providing a variety of views over the plains in front of camp, a bar, a lounge with fireplace and library, an outdoor swimmingpool and a fire pit.
The park gradually dries out from April until the beginning of October, during which time ever-larger numbers of animals increasingly rely on the mainly artificial waterholes. This is when guests get to see the maximum concentration of wildlife and, most impressively, the huge herds of elephant and buffalo. Lion cheetah, hyena and wild dog are also spotted regularly.
With the onset of the wet season in November, the park turns as if by magic from a dusty plain into a swaying mass of lush green grass. It is the time when animals are more difficult to find as they do not gather at the water holes as they do during the dry season.
Several white rhino have been re-introduced to the region, but are very difficult to find. The rare roan and sable antelope and eland are also at home here.
Flight to Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Accommodation
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, perched on a hill overlooking Lake Kariba and the game-rich shoreline, boasts one of Africa’s most spectacular vistas. On its own private safari concession, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge sits on the border to Matusadona National Park.
At its heart is the large viewing deck, which extends over various levels, and the elegant infinity pool. The lodge is stylishly furnished and features many lounge corners, a dining area and the bar and outside sitting areas. A billiard room, a spa and a fully equipped gym complete the offer. Guests enjoy meeting at the open fireplace to share the day's experiences.
The Lodge houses 10 spacious Lake View Suites, each complete with air-conditioning, a freestanding bath, an indoor and outdoor shower, a mini bar, and a private viewing deck extending out towards Lake Kariba. In addition, the private Baobab Villa is the perfect family retreat or friends’ getaway – featuring two large suites, a living room, and an outdoor and indoor dining area. The Villa also comes with the personalized services of a butler, a guide, and the exclusive use of a safari vehicle.
Access to Bumi Hills is by plane into Bumi Hill airstip from where it is only a 5-minute transfer to the lodge. The duration of the flights is approximately an hour and a half from either Harare or Victoria Falls.
Situated at the eastern end of the lake, the town of Kariba was built for construction workers during the decades-long building process. When the gorge was flooded, Rupert Fothergill and his team saved more than 6000 animals from drowning over a period of five years, and relocated them to the Matusadona National Park. The operation went down in the history books of Zimbabwe as ‘Operation Noah’. Situated along the shores of Lake Kariba against the backdrop of the Matuzviadonha Mountains, the remote Big Five National Park covers 1367 km² of the most pristine nature. Its diverse ecosystems support a broad spectrum of animals and birdlife.
Flight to Chikwenya Camp
Accommodation Situated on the eastern boundary of Mana Pools National Park, Chikwenya is a photographer’s paradise as it looks out over an open floodplain and the broad Zambezi River, with a backdrop provided by the mountains of the Rift Valley escarpment. The camp is surrounded by a dense forest of albida and Natal mahogany trees, which provide deep shade in the heat of the day. The albidas shed their protein-rich pods during the dry season, providing vital sustenance for many species, particularly elephant.
Chikwenya is a seven-tented camp, which includes two family units. All stand on low wooden decks and pine walkways link them to the raised main area. The lounge, dining and bar area are places of hospitality and relaxation, and a pool and deck offer alternate spaces to enjoy the scenery and passing wildlife.
Chikwenya can be reached by flying to Harare in Zimbabwe before taking a 1.5-hour light aircraft flight to camp, or in a light aircraft from Victoria Falls (2 hrs). Transfer from Chikwenya Airstrip to camp takes around 10 minutes.
The mountains of the Great African Rift Valley and the Lower Zambezi National Park are situated on the other side of the Zambezi. This section of the Zambezi is famous for its four lagoons: Main, Chile, Long and Chisambuk. ‘Mana’ means ‘four’ in the local Shona language. Both big and small congregate at the river to quench their thirst during the winter months. Predators, such as lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog, are regularly spotted here. Mana Pools not only offers game drives, but also boat trips on the Zambezi, and canoeing safaris on its tributaries.
Flight to Harare
Flight to Singita Pamushana
Accommodation
Offering fantastic views of the dam it overlooks, Singita Pamushana Lodge sits high upon a hill. The lodge’s unique design is based on the vibrant colours and patterns of the native Shangaan culture. As with all Singita lodges, both service and cuisine are exceptional – we can recommend a stay here of 4 or even 7 days without hesitation. The lodge’s elevated position affords spectacular views and its rooms offer guests an oasis of comfort, relaxation and tranquillity.
The lodge comprises four one-bedroom suites, two two-bedroom suites (4 adults), one two-bedroom family suite for 2 adults and 2 children, a three-bedroom family suite for 2 adults and 4 children and the Malilangwe House located on the edge of the lodge’s estate offering 5 bedrooms, a luxuriously spacious lounge and a private kitchen. All suites come with a private plunge pool, a deck with loungers and an extra outdoor shower. The Malilangwe House features a proper infinity pool.
Somewhat fortress-like in appearance, yet very laid back on the inside, the main building houses a large swimming pool, bar, lounge, the spa and two further tempered pools, one of which is a whirlpool. There are various decks and corners where guests can dine, on most evenings this is under the stars.
The nearest large airport is Buffalo Range Airport, which is accessed by light aircraft from Johannesburg in approximately 2 hours (Mon and Thu only). This is also the place where border formalities are carried out. The authorities generally only open the office for guests arriving at and departing from Singita. Now deserted, Buffalo Range Airport with its huge tarmac runway was once used for international flights.
Pamushana Lodge is built on a hill in the Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve some 40 minutes’ drive from the airport. The journey passes the village of Chiredzi with its sugar plantations before heading towards Gonarezhou National Park and Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve.
Guests arriving by chartered aircraft can land at Lonestar Airstrip. This is located just 25 minutes’ drive from the lodge. Border formalities, however, must still be carried out at Buffalo Range Airport.
The Chilojo Cliffs are spectacular sandstone formations offering magnificent views of the Runde River. Three rivers, the Save, the Runde and the Mwenezi, carve their way through the park and attract a high concentration of wildlife. The park also supports several huge-tusked elephants. The Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve borders the Gonarezhou National Park. It is a Big 5 reserve and supports all the animals visitors wish to see while on safari. It is also home to 100 of the very rare and highly endangered black rhino, which can often be spotted in groups. Singita has built a particularly attractive lodge here, the Singita Pamushana.
Flight to Johannesburg
Basic Information
Individual journey. The journey will be planned on your preferred dates.
Duration 14 nights. Min 2 guests. Minimum age 6 years. Weight limit of luggage 20 kg.
Includes all transfers from Victoria Falls to the hotels/camps to Harare
- Toka Leya: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), twice daily scheduled activities with one of the guides. Activities: river cruise, game drive to Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park where rhinos can be found, visit to the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side, visit of a local village.
- Linkwasha Camp: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Bumi Hills Safari Lodge: Lake View Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Chikwenya Camp: Double Room. All meals, drinks (except premier brands), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
- Singita Pamushana: Suite. All meals, drinks (including wines from the cellar, only french champagne exlcluded), laundry service, twice daily shared activities with one of the camp guides.
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