13 Days Best of Zimbabwe Tour – Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matobo & Mana Pools
13 Days / 12 Nights | Zimbabwe Wildlife, Adventure, Nature & Cultural Safari
The 13 Days Best of Zimbabwe Tour is an unforgettable journey through some of Zimbabwe’s most remarkable natural, cultural and wildlife destinations. This carefully designed Zimbabwe safari combines the spectacular Victoria Falls, the wildlife-rich Hwange National Park, the dramatic granite landscapes of Matobo National Park, the ancient Great Zimbabwe Monument, and the remote wilderness of Mana Pools National Park.
Zimbabwe offers an exceptional combination of wildlife, scenery, history and adventure. Victoria Falls is one of the country’s most famous attractions, while Hwange provides extensive opportunities for wildlife viewing. Mana Pools adds a remote Zambezi wilderness experience, and Matobo brings together distinctive rock formations, wildlife and cultural heritage.
This 13-day Zimbabwe safari is ideal for travelers looking for a comprehensive Zimbabwe holiday with a mixture of game drives, walking experiences, sightseeing, cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes.
Tour Overview
Your adventure begins in Victoria Falls, where you explore the magnificent waterfall and enjoy the surrounding Zambezi landscapes. From Victoria Falls, continue to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, for several days of wildlife viewing.
The journey then continues south to Matobo National Park, famous for its granite hills and balancing rock formations, before visiting the historic Great Zimbabwe Monument.
The final part of the safari takes you to Mana Pools National Park along the Zambezi River. Known for its remote wilderness, wildlife and beautiful floodplains, Mana Pools provides a memorable conclusion to your Zimbabwe safari.
Safari Highlights
- Explore magnificent Victoria Falls
- Enjoy a guided Victoria Falls rainforest tour
- Experience a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
- Search for wildlife in Hwange National Park
- Experience game drives in one of Zimbabwe’s major wildlife areas
- Explore the spectacular granite landscapes of Matobo National Park
- Search for rhinos in the Matobo area
- Visit the historic Great Zimbabwe Monument
- Experience the remote wilderness of Mana Pools National Park
- Enjoy Zambezi River scenery and wildlife viewing
- Experience guided walking and safari activities where available
- Discover Zimbabwe’s wildlife, culture, landscapes and history
Detailed 13 Days Best of Zimbabwe Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Victoria Falls
Arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport, where you will be welcomed by your safari representative and transferred to your hotel.
After check-in, enjoy a relaxed afternoon at your hotel or explore the town of Victoria Falls at your own pace.
Victoria Falls National Park protects the Zimbabwean side of the falls. The falls stretch for approximately 1,708 metres and are about 108 metres high at their maximum.
Destination: Victoria Falls
Accommodation: Victoria Falls hotel/lodge
Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast
Day 2: Victoria Falls Guided Tour & Zambezi Sunset Cruise
After breakfast, take a guided tour of Victoria Falls.
Walk along the established viewpoints through the rainforest and experience the spray, viewpoints and dramatic gorge scenery.
In the afternoon, return to your hotel and later enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
The cruise offers opportunities to enjoy the river scenery and watch for wildlife along the banks, including hippos, crocodiles and birds.
Destination: Victoria Falls
Accommodation: Victoria Falls hotel/lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast
Day 3: Victoria Falls – Hwange National Park
After breakfast, depart Victoria Falls for Hwange National Park.
Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park, covering approximately 14,650 square kilometres. ZimParks describes the park as home to large elephant populations and records around 100 mammal species and nearly 400 bird species.
Depending on your arrival time, enjoy an afternoon game drive.
Destination: Hwange National Park
Accommodation: Safari lodge/camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 4: Full-Day Hwange National Park Safari
Enjoy a full-day safari in Hwange National Park.
The day is dedicated to exploring different areas of the park while searching for elephants, buffalo, lions, giraffes, zebras, antelopes and other wildlife.
Hwange offers diverse savanna and woodland habitats, creating opportunities for both wildlife and bird viewing.
Destination: Hwange National Park
Accommodation: Safari lodge/camp
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 5: Hwange National Park – Matobo National Park
Enjoy a morning game drive before departing Hwange and travelling south toward Matobo National Park.
Upon arrival, check into your lodge and relax.
The landscape changes dramatically as you reach the Matobo Hills, characterized by granite rock formations and scenic valleys.
Destination: Matobo National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 6: Explore Matobo National Park
Spend the day exploring Matobo National Park.
The park is famous for its balancing granite rock formations and varied landscapes. It is also an important area for rhino conservation and supports species including black and white rhinos, sable antelope, impala and many bird species.
Depending on your interests and local conditions, activities may include a guided nature walk, wildlife viewing, scenic drives and visits to important cultural or historical sites.
Destination: Matobo National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 7: Matobo – Great Zimbabwe
After breakfast, depart Matobo and travel toward the Great Zimbabwe Monument.
Arrive and check into your accommodation before enjoying some time to relax.
Great Zimbabwe provides an important opportunity to discover Zimbabwe’s ancient heritage and archaeological history.
Destination: Great Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 8: Great Zimbabwe Historical Tour
Today, explore the Great Zimbabwe Monument with a local guide.
Walk through the impressive stone structures and learn about the civilization that built this historic site.
The experience provides a welcome cultural contrast to the wildlife-focused sections of the safari.
Later, return to your accommodation and enjoy a relaxed evening.
Destination: Great Zimbabwe
Accommodation: Lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 9: Great Zimbabwe – Mana Pools
After breakfast, begin your journey toward Mana Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe.
The journey takes you toward the Zambezi Valley and one of Zimbabwe’s most remote wilderness destinations.
Mana Pools lies along the Zambezi River and covers approximately 2,196 square kilometres. The park is part of a UNESCO World Heritage landscape together with the Sapi and Chewore Safari Areas.
Destination: Mana Pools National Park
Accommodation: Safari camp/lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 10: Mana Pools Wilderness Safari
Wake up surrounded by the wilderness of Mana Pools.
Enjoy a morning game drive or guided walking experience, depending on the camp’s activities and local conditions.
Mana Pools is known for its floodplains, Zambezi River scenery, elephants, hippos, crocodiles, lions, buffalo, leopards and painted dogs. The park also supports a rich birdlife population.
Destination: Mana Pools National Park
Accommodation: Safari camp/lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 11: Full-Day Mana Pools Safari
Spend another full day exploring Mana Pools.
Enjoy a combination of wildlife viewing, photography and wilderness experiences.
The Zambezi River and the park’s pools create an exceptional environment for aquatic wildlife and birdlife, while the surrounding floodplain provides opportunities to search for large mammals.
Destination: Mana Pools National Park
Accommodation: Safari camp/lodge
Meal Plan: Full Board
Day 12: Mana Pools – Zambezi Valley / Harare
After breakfast, enjoy a final morning activity before beginning your journey out of the Mana Pools region.
Continue toward your overnight destination, depending on the selected route and onward travel arrangements.
Enjoy your final evening in Zimbabwe.
Destination: Harare or selected overnight location
Accommodation: Hotel/lodge
Meal Plan: Breakfast/Dinner
Day 13: Departure from Zimbabwe
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your onward flight.
Your 13 Days Best of Zimbabwe Tour ends with wonderful memories of Victoria Falls, Hwange, Matobo, Great Zimbabwe and Mana Pools.
End of Safari
Accommodation
Accommodation can be arranged according to your preferred safari style:
Budget Zimbabwe Safari
Comfortable lodges, guesthouses and selected safari camps offering good value while keeping the overall safari affordable.
Mid-Range Zimbabwe Safari
Comfortable safari lodges and camps with private rooms, good locations and quality meals.
Luxury Zimbabwe Safari
Premium lodges and luxury tented camps with upgraded rooms, private services and selected fly-in or premium safari arrangements.
Destination: Accommodation is selected according to the route, availability, safari style and budget.
What’s Included
- Airport transfers
- Private safari vehicle
- Professional English-speaking driver-guide
- Accommodation as specified in the itinerary
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Guided Victoria Falls tour
- Zambezi sunset cruise
- Hwange National Park safari activities
- Matobo National Park activities
- Great Zimbabwe guided visit
- Mana Pools safari activities
- National park entry fees
- Safari activities mentioned in the itinerary
- Bottled drinking water during game drives
- Government taxes and applicable service charges
What’s Excluded
- International flights
- Zimbabwe visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Alcoholic and premium drinks
- Laundry
- Tips and gratuities
- Optional activities not included in the itinerary
- Any activities not specifically mentioned
- Personal shopping and souvenirs
- Emergency evacuation or medical expenses
Best Time for a Zimbabwe Safari
Zimbabwe can be visited throughout much of the year, but the best period depends on the experiences you want.
The dry season is generally popular for wildlife viewing because animals often concentrate around available water sources and vegetation becomes less dense.
The Victoria Falls experience also changes seasonally as the Zambezi’s water levels change, so travelers interested primarily in the falls should consider seasonal conditions when choosing their dates.
For a combined Victoria Falls, Hwange and Mana Pools safari, we recommend planning around your preferred balance of wildlife viewing, scenery, weather and Victoria Falls conditions.
Why Choose This 13-Day Zimbabwe Tour?
This itinerary combines several different sides of Zimbabwe rather than focusing on only one destination.
You experience:
Victoria Falls – Natural wonder and adventure
Hwange – Wildlife and Big Five opportunities
Matobo – Granite landscapes, wildlife and heritage
Great Zimbabwe – History and archaeology
Mana Pools – Remote Zambezi wilderness
Together, these destinations create a comprehensive Zimbabwe wildlife and cultural safari.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do I need for a Zimbabwe safari?
A 13-day itinerary provides enough time to combine several major destinations without limiting the safari to only one national park.
Is 13 days enough for Victoria Falls and Hwange?
Yes. The itinerary allows time for both Victoria Falls sightseeing and several days of wildlife experiences in Hwange.
Can I customize this Zimbabwe safari?
Yes. The itinerary can be customized according to your arrival airport, travel dates, accommodation level, activities and budget.
Can this be a private safari?
Yes. We can arrange this as a private Zimbabwe safari for couples, families, friends or solo travelers.
Can I add Great Zimbabwe to a wildlife safari?
Yes. Great Zimbabwe can be incorporated into a longer Zimbabwe itinerary, providing a cultural and historical experience alongside the wildlife destinations.
Is Mana Pools suitable for a safari?
Mana Pools is particularly suited to travelers seeking a remote wilderness experience. ZimParks describes it as a remote wilderness area along the Zambezi River with extensive wildlife and birdlife.
Request for A Trip Quote
We would love to hear from you. Fill in the brief form below to get a free quote or advice for your Zimbabwe Safari. You can email us directly via info@jomertgorillasafaris.com or reach us on WhatsApp via +256781216998