This is most probably one of our most spectacular tours with mountains, rivers, and landscapes that will make you shudder... It's quite satisfying to witness wild animals do something entirely for pleasure. Swimming elephants are a prime example, as they struggle in the water, using their trunks acting as built-in snorkels. This tour is not to be missed.
We combine some of the top destinations this beautiful country has to offer.
Over the course of the next 12 days we visit, Matusadona National Park, Chizarira National Park & Mana Pools. These parks offer you access to magnificent river views, mountain gorges and wildlife-rich wilderness and the chance to experience wildlife and scenic wonders along the majestic Zambezi River.
Tour text information
We start our adventure in Victoria falls making our way to down to Lake Kariba. We will spend the next 6 nights on the banks of the river making our way towards Mana Pools, whilst visiting Chizarira and Matusadona National Park.
Matusadona National Park is located in northern Zimbabwe on the southern side of Lake Kariba, with an area of about 1,400km2 (140,000 acres) situated between the Sanyati Gorge to the east and the perennial Ume River to the west. The broad floodplains and meadows give way quickly to the steep forested slopes of the Matuzviadonha Mountains.
These mountains rise 700 meters above the Zambezi Valley floor and dominate the park's southern vistas as part of the undulating Zambezi escarpment. The name "Matusadona" is a colonial mispronunciation of "Matuzviadonha," which loosely translates to "fallen dung".
Chizarira National Park is in the northwestern section of Zimbabwe, on top of the huge Zambezi Escarpment, overlooking the enormous Zambezi Valley and the upper waters of Lake Kariba.
This vast wilderness of 192 000 hectares of undisturbed flora and wildlife is equipped with breathtaking canyons, plateaus, and flood plains, making this pristine park a wonderful destination for every tourist. The calm and rugged beauty of Chizarira National Park are unparalleled due to its wild and secluded character. Chizarira takes its name from the word “sijalila” meaning “great barrier” in the local Tonga dialect.
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Mana pools will be our home for the next four days until we embark on our return home bound.
Declared as a World Heritage Site, spectacularly remote and boasting magnificent landscapes intersected by the Zambezi River, Mana Pools. "Mana" refers to the four big pools in the park, which are remnants of ancient ox-bow lakes carved out by the mighty Zambezi. Mana Pools is also one of the world’s wildest and best preserved natural ecological areas.
The National Park covers an area of 2196 sq. km extending from the Zambezi River in the north to the escarpment in the south. It needs little no introduction to the avid wildlife enthusiast and is probably most famous for its spectacular golden light, albida forests and elephants that stand on their hind legs to get to the life-sustaining albida pods in the dry season.
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Several prides of lion have made this their territory, and they are regularly spotted. The park is also particularly well known for sightings of the endangered wild dog. Leopard, cheetah, and hyena are also occasionally encountered.
Some of the activities available on this tour:
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Fishing / Tiger Fishing
Game Viewing
Bird Watching
River Cruises
Walking Trails
Tour Price Includes
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Camping Fees
Morning Coffee with rusks
2 Bags of wood per night
Two-way radios for in-vehicle-communication
Experienced Guide & Advanced 4x4 Driving Instructor
First Aider
Satellite Communication
Surprise Gift- Pack
Tour Price Excludes
Food
Border Fees
Park & Conservation Fees
4x4 Vehicle Hire
Daiy Activities
Transfer Fees
Fuel
Recovery Gear
Frequently asked questions
Where does the tour start and end?
START – Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
END – Mana Pools National Park
Total Kilometers of tour:
+- 1103 km.
Travel:
Because the campsites in Zimbabwe National Parks are unfenced, it is not recommended that children under the age of 12 camp there.
Vehicle Requirements:
4x4 with good ground clearance.
Equipped with standard tires.
Fuel range of approx. 850km.
Advisable to carry extra fuel, especially if you choose too self-drive.
Features accessible recovery points, securely attached to the chassis.
Trailers / Caravans:
No trailers / Caravans
Accommodation:
Own camping equipment is required.
Fridge/Freezer and cooking/braai accessories.
Rooftop tents.
Some campsites may lack comprehensive ablution facilities, so it is essential to be self-sufficient in these situations.
Documentation Required:
A valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity before expiry.
A valid driver’s license.
Children need a valid passport and an unabridged birth certificate as well as a letter of consent if not accompanied by both parents.
Guests from non-SADC countries may need a visa if required.
Original Vehicle registration certificate (a certified copy is acceptable). Drivers whose vehicles are still financed will have to use a certified copy of the registration certificate.
If you are not the registered owner of the vehicle, you must have a letter from the financial institution, company, or friend authorizing you to take the vehicle across the border.
Proof of vehicle insurance.
Address
Pyramid, Pretoria Gauteng 0120
Phone
+27 79 883 8180
+27 82 386 9520