7 DAY VICTORIA FALLS AND MANA POOLS

Uncover the gems that lie in exploring Zimbabwe’s two apex attractions, namely Mana Pools as well as the magnificent Victoria Falls

Day 1: Victoria Falls

Visitors are shuttled to O R Tambo International Airport for a flight to the town of Victoria Falls, which is set on the Zimbabwean side of the Zambezi River where the expansive Victoria falls occur. You will be met by a tourAfrika representative upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport and transferred to A’Zambezi River Lodge. The lodge is the perfect retreat to relax and unwind in the quiet ambience of the African wild life and nature, whilst enjoying renowned services. The lodge is the only hotel with a river frontage and jetty site in Victoria Falls. After check-in procedures. Your tourAfrika guide will take you on an unforgettable experience through the Victoria falls, a journey that not only affords a view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but provides a great deal of interesting facts about the geology, wildlife and history of Africa’s most famous landmark. Listen to magical tales of local legend while you enjoy the constant spray from the “The Smoke that Thunders”. Your tourAfrika guide will also help ensure the best photographic opportunities of this breath-taking World Heritage Site.

Overnight:  A’Zambezi River Lodge
Meals:  Breakfast

Day 2 : Victoria Falls

Breakfast is followed by the Historic Bridge Tour is a journey through 100 years of Victorian engineering to the heart of Cecil John Rhodes’ vision of a “Cape to Cairo” railway. The tour includes a light hearted but informative talk on the history of the bridge, magnificent views of the rapids, rainbows and majesty of the Victoria Falls and Batoka Gorges on the walkways underneath the bridge and an opportunity to see a bungee jump up close.

The afternoon is spent at relaxing and refuelling in these tranquil surroundings afterwards your guide will usher you to enjoy an African sunset cruise while watching game come down to the water’s edge for a late afternoon drink is sure to be an experience remembered for a lifetime. Hippo sightings are particularly common on the cruise and sometimes elephant will swim across the Zambezi as they move between Zimbabwe and Zambia and their favourite feeding areas. After the sunset cruise, guests are transferred back to their hotel.

Overnight:  A’Zambezi River Lodge
Meals:  Breakfast

Day 3: Victoria Falls

Today you have the full day at your leisure to sample some of the many other exciting activities available at Victoria Falls. These could include: flights over the falls, canoe safaris, white water rafting, horseback safaris, elephant back safaris and many more.

Overnight:  A’Zambezi River Lodge
Meals:  Breakfast

Day 4: Victoria Falls

After breakfast, guests will be transferred to Victoria Falls airport for flight headed for RG Mugabe airport. You will be met at RG Mugabe airport and assisted with a check-in procedures for a light charter aircraft to Ruckomechi Camp situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the Mana Pools National Park. A remote and truly ‘African’ safari park, Mana Pools National Park is located in the extreme north of Zimbabwe right on the Zambezi River and far from all major towns and settlements. Known to be one of the least developed National Parks in the whole of Southern Africa, Mana is simply bursting with birdlife and wildlife, especially during the dry season from June to October. The camp is situated on a large private concession in the heart of the Zambezi Valley’s Mana Pools National Park, Ruckomechi Camp looks out from the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. National Park main characteristic is the salt pan so large it can be seen from space. Ruckomechi Camp is a photographer’s paradise, whether in a vehicle, on a boat or on foot. The late afternoon is dedicated to your initial open four-wheel drive safari in Mana Pools National Park led by an experienced ranger and tracker.

Overnight:  Ruckomechi Camp
Meals:  Dinner

DAY 5: Mana Pools

The day is dedicated to early morning and late afternoon four-wheel drive safaris accompanied by your experienced ranger and tracker. This region offers large concentrations of buffalo and elephant, while predators such as lion, wild dog, leopard and cheetah are often sighted. Greater kudu, Burchell’s zebra, impala, warthog and common waterbuck can be seen on the surrounding plains and the grunting of hippo can be heard all day. Birdlife is superb, with numerous local specials like collared palm-thrush and racket-tailed roller. Night drives are also available; a red-filtered spotlight is used to ensure disturbance of the game is kept to a minimum. (Note: Game drives take place within park’s private concession and not in the National Park).

Overnight:  Ruckomechi Camp
Meals:  Full Board

Day 6: Mana Pools

Rucomechi camp, activities vary from game drives in open four-wheel drive safari vehicles, river cruises, catch-and-release fishing, nature walks.  A favourite amongst guests: an outdoor ‘bath-with-a-view’ in a secluded, scenic spot. Beautiful scenic area on the Zambezi river, with the mountains and stunning trees. Watching the sun come up with elephant grazing the river banks from your private deck is an unforgettable sight, definitely one for the bucket list. The camp is beautiful, and its location really can’t be beat. The view from the deck, looking across the river to the mountains on the Zambian side while hippos grunt and play in the water is hard to beat. One of the highlights of the safari is the river cruise one afternoon/evening. You will get see some incredible bird life, listen to the braying of the hippos as the sun set over the water, and just feel totally at peace in this beautiful, isolated place.

Overnight:  Ruckomechi Camp
Meals:  Full Board

Day 7: Departure / Johannesburg

After your early morning game activity, you will be transferred by light charter aircraft bound for RG Mugabe airport and take a connecting flight to Johannesburg. Visitors are met by tourAfrika representative upon arrival at O R Tambo International Airport assisted with check-in procedures to your home country or alternatively you are shuttle transferred to any location convenient to you in Johannesburg or Pretoria after an impressive discovery of Mana Pools safari.

Overnight:  None
Meals:  Breakfast