Multi-Country Zimbabwe and Zambia Safari

Victoria falls at sunset in Zimbabwe

What to expect on this itinerary

Both bafflingly beautiful and incredibly remote, there is something ineffable about the Zambezi River and its surroundings. Wilderness and wildlife thrive here as elephants and buffalo are among those that swim between countries. With eight full days of immersion in the world of big-game, this diverse safari explores the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides, from Victoria Falls to lakes of hippos, walks with rhinos to a profusion of big cats. Welcome to untouched Southern Africa, inexpressible until you experience it for yourself.

Countries Visited

Zambia, Zimbabwe

Places Visited

Harare, Matusadona National Park, Lake Kariba, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambezi River, Lower Zambezi National Park, Lusaka

Suggested Duration

12 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Harare – Colorful Introduction to Zimbabwe’s Capital

Harare surprises with its city center built in the 1960s and 1970s that have been mostly unchanged since, save for the coating of dust and elaborate shocks of color. Not everyone would call it attractive, but you will have a real sense of landing in Africa and being somewhere entirely unique. And while the museums are not modern, but they tell the poignant tale of the country and its past. Spending the day can be unavoidable given flight schedules, but will certainly not be a day wasted as you will be accompanied by a local guide and driver the whole time you are in Harare, picked up from the airport and given a tour of a city that hides a certain grace. The evening will be quiet, allow you to relax in the city’s best hotel as you await the safari to begin.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Tour
Dinner
Day 2

Matusadona National Park – Escaping Into a World of Rhinos and Hippos

Day 3

Matusadona National Park – The Relaxed Start

Day 4

Hwange National Park – Following the Big Cats in an Exclusive Concession

Day 5 - 6

Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe’s Flagship Safari Experience

Day 7

Victoria Falls – The Beauty of the Falls From the Zimbabwean Side

Day 8

Victoria Falls to Livingstone – Crossing the Famous Bridge to Zambia and Exploring David Livingstone’s Legacy

Day 9

Lower Zambezi National Park – Snorkeling Elephants

Day 10 - 11

Lower Zambezi National Park – Iconic Wetland Safari

Day 12

Livingstone – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Explore the indefinable as you trace the Big Five across the wilderness as your safari reveals both a diversity of life and a profusion of giants
  • Encounter both rhino subspecies in Matusadona National Park, with the option to swap the safari vehicle for a meeting on foot
  • Blend escapism with enchantment as you relax on the shores of Lake Kariba, an idyllic introduction to big-game safari
  • Watch the animals swim between Zimbabwe and Zambia, your lodge in Lower Zambezi National Park perfectly positioned for this unique phenomenon
  • Fully discover the beauty of Victoria Falls by witnessing the spectacle from both countries, as well as crossing the bridge over the Zambezi that separates them
  • Track the big cats on the savannah of Hwange National Park, the epic wilderness that makes Zimbabwe such an unmissable African destination
  • Compare the savannah with the wetlands during three days in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi National Park, such diversity of wildlife filling this famous river landscape
  • Connect with distinctive aspects of culture, a night in Harare contrasting with a day spent in Livingstone
  • A varied safari program keeps every day fresh and enthralling, with drives at night, game walks, and safari along the water

Starting Price

$10,300 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 928 reviews

Bernard L.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Travel Review: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, 16 Days

Zicasso's trip designer arranged a flawless, extraordinary trip.

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Mona P.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Safari, Wildlife, Nature, 13-Day Trip

We’re still not over our trip! Everything was absolutely fantastic. Thank you for organizing such a great experience and making it so effortless for me. I already have family and friends asking who I went through, and I’m guessing some of them will be reaching out to you in the next year.

I do have one small piece of constructive feedback about our camp in the Olifants West Nature Reserve. The staff, lodge, and food were wonderful, but unfortunately, the safari guide fell short. We had just come from the camp in the Thornybush Game Reserve (where we left our hearts—the guide there was truly exceptional, with such a great personality), so the difference stood out even more. At the Olifants West Nature Reserve camp, we saw very few animals and the guide didn’t engage much—he barely spoke, and when he did, it wasn’t very professional or kind, especially toward my son. My son even said the trip might have worked better in reverse, since after Botswana it was hard to adjust to seeing only a few animals a day.

That said, I’m so grateful for how smoothly you planned everything, especially on such short notice. It really was a trip of a lifetime for us.

Thank you again!

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Dave A.
Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, South Africa Tour Review: Victoria Falls, 26 Nights

It was a unbelievable, fantastic trip. Working with Zicasso's travel agency was a pleasure. They set everything up, working with me closely to customize my trip. Everything went as planned and all the selections and partner companies were great.

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Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

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Celese M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Cape Town, Wildlife, 10 Nights

The trip was very well thought out and organized by Zicasso's travel agency. It was a good trip for a first time to sub-Saharan Africa.

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Anil M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Tour Review: 10 Nights

Our first trip to southern Africa was amazing, exceeding all expectations. We saw everything we came to see, and more. The game rides were well structured and safe, the visuals were unbelievable, and taking a side trip to Victoria Falls was a great idea. The accommodations were quite luxurious, despite being considered mid-range. There was always someone there to greet us and guide us at every travel point.

Zicasso's tour operator tailored our itinerary to our wishes and was wonderful to work with. Things couldn’t have gone better.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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