Hwange National Park & Victoria Falls
Overview
Highlights
- With a knowledgeable guide, follow trails along the rim of Victoria Falls.
- Get closer than you ever imagined possible to wild elephants inside a lodge’s innovative underground “look-up” blind.
- Walk through conserved farmland into a remote village, where you’ll stop by a school, assist locals with work in the fields, and visit the home of the headman for some compelling conversation.
- Discover the fascinating history of Africa’s Cape-to-Cairo rail line as you ride along a stretch of it through Hwange’s backcountry.
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Trip includes
- Experienced, friendly, and knowledgeable guides
- All meals and drinks (including house alcohol) included
- Safari lodges and premium tented camps (with private baths)
- Airport meet-and-greet service
- All safari activities as outlined
- Transportation from the meeting to the departure point
- Internal flight(s)
- All park fees and special events as noted in the itinerary
- The unbeatable and cumulative experience of the CW Safaris staff
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Itinerary
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Gorges Lodge
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After breakfast, set off on a comfortable four-hour road transfer to Nehimba Lodge in the northwest of Hwange National Park (formerly Wankie Game Reserve), famed for its large elephant herds...
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
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Today is a day at your leisure. Enjoy early morning tea or coffee on your private deck overlooking the river and choose from a choice of activities: you might choose to paddle in ...
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Dates & Availability
Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Country Walkers.
The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.
Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.
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Awards from the likes of Travel + Leisure, National Geographic Traveler, and Outside are gratifying, but it’s our thousands of repeat guests that really make us proud. Ask any of them and they’ll tell you why we’re different: Wine tastes better when you drink it with the vintner. Tagines taste better when you prepare them with a top Moroccan chef. Landscapes are more beautiful when you share them with friendly locals. And exotic lands are more stunning when they begin to feel like home.
Our 35 years of experience, meticulously researched itineraries, hyper-local, virtuoso guides, and worldwide network of colleagues ensure that your next Country Walkers trip will bring you into a destination’s beating heart—and leave it lingering in yours for years to come.
At Country Walkers, our well-traveled staff works hard to handcraft unique and creative experiences that immerse you in a destination. We’re also committed to keeping your experience worry free—guaranteeing all Country Walkers departure dates no matter the group size and maintaining itineraries free of hidden costs. Add to that our commitment to customer service and individualized care—before, during, and after your trip—and you’ve got a recipe for unforgettable adventures.
No one shows you the world better than Country Walkers. We've been leading the way in active travel for 34 years!
At Country Walkers, we want you to experience the best the world has to offer, whether that means midnight kayak rides through Icelandic lagoons or games of khuru with Bhutanese villagers. That’s why our intrepid staff travels the world to handcraft unique and creative experiences to immerse you in a destination. It’s also why we’re so committed to keeping your experience worry free—guaranteeing all Country Walkers departure dates no matter the group size and maintaining itineraries free of hidden costs. Add to that our commitment to unparalleled customer service and individualized care—before, during, and after your trip—and you’ve got a recipe for unforgettable adventures.
At Country Walkers, we love sharing the world with travelers like you. That’s why we’re so committed to creating exceptional guest experiences, day in and day out. From the first moment when you call (you’ll be greeted by a real person, not a push-button directory!) through your final, joyful recap of your adventure’s highlights, we’ll be there for you. We’re dedicated to helping create a travel experience that exceeds your expectations.
Group Departures: If you’re looking to experience the best of a place without worrying about managing logistics or wrangling maps, then our guided Group Departures are the perfect choice for you. In the care of our “best in the business” local guides, you’ll be perfectly positioned to experience the best of a place—with an intimate group of travel companions to share in the adventure. Since our trips boast a 1:7 guide-to-guest ratio, with two guides leading each group of eight or more, you’ll have plenty of one-on-one time with guides and fellow guests alike, perfect opportunities to learn about the local lore, history, and culture that make destinations come alive. And you never have to worry about what’s included: we handle virtually every breakfast, lunch, and dinner (except where clearly noted), along with all gratuities, portages, and snacks on the trail. We even include beer and wine. Cheers!
Private Departures: Looking for a private trip? Our Private departures are the way to go. We’re happy to turn any of our Guided Walking trips and most Safaris into a unique travel experience just for you and your handpicked travel companions. A great way to celebrate special occasions, mark birthdays, enjoy a romantic getaway, or simply savor the pleasure of traveling at your own pace, Private departures are a breeze to book: simply pick a destination, departure date, and companions—we’ll do the rest. Also, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how advantageously priced Private departures can be!
Solo Travel: Guests love traveling solo with us. Along with the comfort and camaraderie they enjoy on our Guided Walking trips, Safaris, and Small Boat cruises, we offer a number of incentives to make sure our single travelers never feel like they’re on their own.
Custom Departures: If you’re hoping travel with a group—be it a reunion of friends, office retreat, travel-focused club, or something else entirely—you’ve come to the right place. We happily accommodate all sizes of groups (got a unique situation—just ask us!) on virtually any of our itineraries.
Each of our Group departures feature:
--24/7 assistance
--A handcrafted daily itinerary with ample time to relax
--A comprehensive suite of essentials and extras that covers every last detail
--The expert care of best-in-the-business guides
--Special bonus experiences—like hot air balloon rides—to make your trip extra memorable
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Logistics
What's excluded
- Visas and related costs; Zimbabwe “At a Glance” sections for more information
- Gratuities, laundry, telephone calls, and items of a personal nature
- Trip cancellation and personal accident insurance
- Optional excursions and activities
Accommodation
Gorges Lodge
When Gorges Lodge was opened in 1996, it was largest safari tourism development ever undertaken on communal land. As a starting point for your adventure, it’s a treat. Situated away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Victoria Falls, Gorges has a secluded setting, amidst gardens, and offers phenomenal views from its perch on the edge of the Batoka Gorge (the views are considered some of the best in southern Africa). The lodge is comprised of ten thatched chalets, set on stone, and a main lodge with lounge, dining room and bar, all overlooking the gorge. Wifi is available in the common area.
Nehimba Lodge
Nehimba Lodge is situated in a remote northwesterly corner of Hwange. The lodge consists of a main guest area and seven private chalets – thatched tents on teak decks – all overlooking the watering hole. Teak furniture, colorful textiles and white canopies decorate your room, offering a charming respite from the wilderness outdoors. Nehimba’s hospitality is marked by little luxuries -a hot bubble bath drawn and ready for you at the return of your game drive, or a cocktail to greet you at the end of an evening walk to a remote watering spot. As Nehimba’s large watering hole dries up considerably in the heat of the dry season, elephants draw even closer to the lodge, to refresh themselves at the freshwater swimming pool that sits right outside the veranda.
Camelthorn Lodge
Nestled in the shaded forest, Camelthorn Lodge’s eight luxuriously furnished villas stay cool in the hot months and warm in the winter. The star of the lodge is the immense camelthorn tree, which forms the centerpiece of the patio and curved main lodge. The camelthorn gets its name from the long-necked giraffe and camels who seek out its high-branched foliage. Each villa has a private en-suite bathroom with a bath and large shower, a fireplace, private deck and an upstairs hammock and daybed that’s perfect for relaxing. The surrounding woodlands are dotted with small water baths that attract smaller woodland creatures such as mongoose, bushbuck, squirrels and abundant, colorful birdlife. This lodge lies on community land and was constructed in tandem with the village elders, who requested buildings made of stone, so they would have something that would last – with or without tourism
Zambezi Sands River Camp
Zambezi Sands River Camp is the last of the gracious lodges that you’ll visit on your journey. It is the perfect place to play and relax. Your platform-raised tent has its own river-facing private deck with a splash pool. You’ll also have a chance to experience wildlife during your stay. Elephant can be found loitering on the mainland or in the river, while hippo, waterbuck and bushbuck frequent the reed banks and islands. Lions can be heard calling at night and the birdlife is prolific – African finfoot, African skimmer, pratincoles and Pel’s fishing owl all occur here.
Cancellations received 91 days or more prior to the tour start date will incur a loss of the full deposit per person (and any additional services booked, including special permits and flights);cancellations received 90 to 61 days prior to the tour start date incur a loss of 50 percent of the tour price (and any additional services booked, including special permits and flights); there are no refunds within 60 days of the tour start date. You may transfer your reservation, depending on availability, from one departure to another (on the same itinerary, in the same calendar year) by notifying us in writing 91 days or more prior to the trip for a transfer fee of $50 per person plus any penalties related to internal airfare and/or seasonal price variations, after which our cancellation policy applies.
10 Breakfasts, 9 Lunches and 9 Dinners
Guest Responsibilities
Each guest is responsible for selecting a trip that matches their abilities and interests, and to prepare for the trip by carefully reading the confirmation materials. To join this trip, you must be in good health and capable of completing activities as described in the day-to-day itinerary. Our in-house experts welcome the opportunity to discuss the tour in more detail. In order to help us meet your needs and preferences, please note any health or physical condition issues on your Guest Questionnaire and return it to CW Safaris by 90 days prior to the tour start date.
Safety and Security
The safety and security of our guests is paramount. We will exercise utmost care in assuring a safe and enjoyable trip, but you should be aware that there are certain risks associated with all adventure travel as stated in our terms and conditions which may be found on our website. Prior to your adventure you will be asked to sign a Guest Acknowledgment of Risk. In addition, you may be asked to sign a separate release or Indemnity form by our local partners on ground.
Travel Insurance
We offer guests the opportunity to purchase a Travel Protection Plan. Please contact us for details.
Travel Arrangements
Unless you have opted for our Flight + Safari Combo, air or other travel arrangements to and from your tour are not included in the price of your trip. We encourage you to contact your local travel agent or the airline(s) directly for any arrangements you may need
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