Thrilling Game Walks, Abundant Wildlife, Enchanting Lodges
Zimbabwe: Green Season Safari
Overview
Discover the secret season of safari—an extraordinary time when the bush is emerald green with recent rains, the wildlife abundant with dramatic predator-prey activity due to the recent calving season, the light is absolutely magical for photography, and yet there are remarkably few other travelers! Victoria Falls adds to the drama, with the mighty Zambezi River flowing at its fullest and the towering plumes of the Falls visible up to 30 miles away. We love the “secret” season, when the grasslands are lush and brimming with foals, calves, and cubs—all of which attract an abundance of predators, from painted dogs to leopards and lions. We've created a wonderfully active adventure for you at this special time with our expert naturalist leader—Zim guides are the most highly trained in all of Africa. You'll set out game viewing by open-sided vehicle and vintage open-air rail car, have thrillingly spontaneous game walks when wildlife is spotted, canoe on the Zambezi, and observe elephants close-up from a special “look up” hide. And, you experience all this at a significant savings of more than $1,000 per person compared with high season safaris, as well as notable savings on airfare. Join us for Zimbabwe's green season and enjoy the safari of a lifetime.
Arrive: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Depart: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Highlights
- Lush green landscapes, calving season, extraordinary light for photography
- Open vehicles, game walks, game drives, night drives—the freedom of safari in Zimbabwe!
- Beautiful tented camps and lodges with amazing access to wildlife
- Walk with rhinos in the rhino sanctuary
- Support the work of the best community conservation projects in the country
- Magnificent Victoria Falls, at its fullest in this season
Itinerary
In Victoria Falls, we enjoy a Zimbabwean sunset aboard a sundowner cruise, on the lookout for animals coming down to drink or the many hippo that often pop up to welcome us.
After touring the falls, we fly by to the Giraffe Springs airstrip and head to dreamy Nehimba Lodge, surrounded by rock outcrops in northern Hwange's mopane woodland and sand river environment. Our chalets encircle a waterhole beloved by throngs of elephant—we'll see the “ellies” right from the dining deck during meals—it's a thrilling sight!
A private open-air railway car called The Elephant Express brings us to Hwange. At 5,657 square miles, Hwange has a level of biodiversity matched only by the Serengeti in Tanzania. Elephants in Hwange actually outnumber visitors! On game drives and game walks at Camelthorn, expect great sightings of lion, zebra, giraffe, and the local cheetah duo known as the "Bomani brothers." On a village visit, we walk to school with the local children—and see how we do at learning Ndebele, their "click" language. We'll visit the rhino sanctuary built on village land and guarded by the village conservation team. WT is proud to have helped sponsor this community-led project.
In Zambezi National Park, our riverside camp positions us for canoeing along the Siansimba Islands and a private Zambezi cruise at sunset as crimson colors reflect off the tranquil waters. Depart on Day 10 via Victoria Falls or join one of our extensions.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is Level 2+ (Easy to Moderate) according to our trip grading system. It can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonably good health. Optional game walks are available. While we do not see major elevation gain or loss, you need to be able to walk on uneven surfaces and feel comfortable on your feet for up to 2 hours a day.
Review Trip Level Details
Average Walking Day
- 1-2 hours, total
- 1-2 miles, total
- Flat terrain
Generally, Zimbabwe has a mild climate because of its altitude (about 3,000 feet above sea level). In April, temperatures are comfortable (75°-85°F during the day, 45-55°F at night), but warm jackets and insulating layers are necessary on early morning game drives. We may experience occasional showers and muddy terrain, so a light rain jacket and shoes with good traction are also advisable.
Each of our safari lodges and camps has been meticulously designed to offer all comforts, a splash of luxury, and an exciting dash of African charm. On top of this, our locations have been carefully selected for two vital reasons; the local communities' dedication to our conservation partnership and their proximity to some of nature's most impressive wonders, from the famous Victoria Falls, to the mighty Zambezi River and Hwange National Park, famed for its thousands of elephants.
While on safari, breakfasts and evening meals are served at the lodge you are staying in. Lunches while traveling between destinations will be served picnic-style en route. Bottled water, soft drinks, juice, house wine, and beer are included throughout the trip. All vehicles are equipped with a fridge or cool box stocked with bottled water. Tea and coffee are offered by all accommodations free of charge with meals and at afternoon teatime.
On safari, there are long driving days over rugged dirt tracks, we can be in and out of the vehicles all day long, usually only driving approximately 2 hours at a time. We will be in a 7-seat open sided 4WD vehicle with a roof for sun protection. We sit 6 people max per vehicle to optimize everyone's view and provide wool blankets for early morning and evening game drives.
This is a truly unique safari in that we will be traveling by many different forms of transportation—we will take a vintage train car, a sunset boat cruise for 2 hours, and an optional canoe ride for 2 hours.
During drives and game walks, we can get quite close to wild animals at times. Being very quiet improves everybody's chances of observation. In the interest of safety, your Trip Leader explains limitations on movement while on game drives, on walks, and around camp. Incidents with wild animals are extremely rare on safaris, but no safari can guarantee immunity from such incidents. Wilderness Travel is not to be held responsible for incidents involving the behavior of wildlife.
Client Testimonials
"The trip was fabulous and I truly appreciate all of the details that made it a memorable experience."
Katherine E.
Raleigh, NC
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.