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Come and Live it, Capture it and Share it!
9 nights & 10-days family experience in the heart of Zimbabwe's most favoured wildlife park regions, spending 3 nights at Nyamatusi Mahogany family lodge, 3 nights at Somalisa Acacia family lodge and finishing off on a 3 nights stay at Thorntree River Lodge, Victoria Falls
Get ready to explore and experience some fantastic family Adventure and Luxury in these wilderness areas that are unparalleled. An journey like no other while indulging your ultimate African fantasy in Zimbabwe which boasts two world heritage sites. Mana Pools, Hwange and Victoria Falls, offer endless corners of natural beauty to explore on your family holiday when booking this incredible family itinerary with us at the African Safari Guru.
This itinerary is designed to give you an idea of possibilities.
- We can tailor this trip to suit your specific travel requirements
- Any aspect of the itinerary can be altered
NB. We are a local Southern Africa Travel Destination Expert Company, going on 2 decades in the tourism industry, we would love to be of assistance to add-on to your itinerary with perhaps a visit to the iconic Cape Town and experiencing the amazing attractions on offer or extending your safari experience into South Africa for a little diversity and visiting one of the amazing Greater Kruger private game reserve open to the Kruger National Park before heading homebound.
Located in northern Zimbabwe, the life-giving power of the Zambezi River makes Mana Pools National Park one of Zimbabwe’s most lush and flourishing regions. Characterised by a diversity of landscapes including floodplains, forests, and baobab trees, the park has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its natural beauty; providing a fantastic destination for photographers. It is an Important Bird Area and is also one of the continent’s premier game-viewing locations, known for its good chances of seeing elephants, wild dogs, lions, and leopards. Mana Pools is also home to crocodiles, hippos, cheetahs, and eastern black rhinos. Visitors can look forward to an array of activities such as canoe trips, guided walks, game drives, river cruises, nature walks, bird watching, catch-and-release fishing, and searching for dinosaur tracks.
Itineraries
Day 1
MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK
Morning rise and breakfast at your pre-safari accommodation that one of our specialist travel designers can arrange for our clients
Depart from OR Tambo Int. Airport, Johannesburg by air to Harare International Airport whereby an African Safari Guru representative will be waiting to Meet and Greet before connecting on your scenic charter flight and arriving at Mana Pools Landing Airstrip
Upon arrival at Nyamatusi Mahogany Camp Once you'll be welcomed and a staff member will show you around the lodge before you settle into your comfortable Luxury Family Suite.
Late afternoon/night game drive – Mid-way stop for sundowners before returning back to Nyamatusi Mahogany by night fall
Pre-dinner drinks while you sit around the boma fire or bar while you socialise and talk of your amazing wildlife sightings of the eve
Dinner is served under the African night skies (Weather permitting)
Day 2-3
MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK
Early morning rise and meeting up at the main lodge with your guide and tracker for some coffee/tea and rusks before departing from camp on your morning safari experience as the sunrises and the wildlife are active and a mid-way a pit-stop for some coffee/tea in between the game drive while Africa’s wildlife surrounds you in the wilderness.
Return back to the camp +- 3-hours later for a well-deserved breakfast with the rest of your day at your own leisure before lunch is served
Late afternoon/night game drive with a Mid-way stop for sundowners before returning back to Nyamatusi Mahogany by night fall
Pre-dinner drinks while you sit around the boma fire while you socialise and talk of your amazing wildlife sightings of the day/eve
Dinner is served under the African night skies (Weather permitting)
Please note the below activities can be exchanged for your morning and late afternoon game drives:
Optional: Bush Walk with a qualified and professional trails guide (16 years and older)
Optional: Zambezi Canoeing Experience with qualified and professional river guides
Optional: Enjoy your luck at catching fish from the Zambezi River
Ngwana Kids Club - From nature walks around camp and storytelling to cultural arts and crafts and cooking classes, the African Bush Camps’ children focused Ngwana Club creates a fun and educational environment for children on safari.
Day 4
SOUTHERN HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Early morning rise whereby your luggage is packed and ready for staff to collect while you enjoy a sumptuous breakfast
Bid farewell as you depart from Nyamatusi Mahogany on a game drive en-route to Mana Pools Landing Airstrip for your onward journey by scenic charter flight to Mananga Landing Airstrip Hwange National Park Zimbabwe.
Upon arrival at Somalisa Acacia, staff will be waiting to welcome you and show you around the lodge before you settle into your comfortable Luxury
Late afternoon/night game drive with a Mid-way stop for sundowners before returning back to Somalisa Acacia by night fall
Pre-dinner drinks while sit around the boma fire or bar while you socialise and talk of your amazing wildlife sightings of the eve
Dinner is served under the African night skies (Weather permitting)
Day 5-6
SOUTHERN HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Early morning and meeting up at the main lodge with your guide and tracker for some coffee/tea and rusks before departing from camp on your morning safari experience as the sunrises and the wildlife are active with a pit-stop for some coffee/tea in between the game drive while Africa’s wildlife surrounds you in the wilderness.
Return back to the camp +- 3-hours later for a well-deserved breakfast while the rest of your day at your own leisure
Late afternoon/night game drive with a Mid-way stop for sundowners before returning back to Somalisa Acacia by night fall
Pre-dinner drinks while you sit around the boma fire while you socialise and talk of your amazing wildlife sightings of the day/eve
Dinner is served under the African night skies (Weather permitting)
Please note the below activities can be exchanged for your morning and late afternoon game drives:
Optional: Bush Walk with a qualified and professional trails guide (16 years and older)
Optional: Cultural Village Visit
Optional: Visit one of two rustic hides overlooking the waterhole to capture those magical wildlife moments from another angle
Ngwana Kids Club - From nature walks around camp and storytelling to cultural arts and crafts and cooking classes, the African Bush Camps’ children focused Ngwana Club creates a fun and educational environment for children on safari.
Day 7
VICTORIA FALLS (ZAMBIA)
Early morning rise whereby your luggage is packed and ready for staff to collect while you enjoy a sumptuous breakfast
Bid farewell and depart from Somalisa Acacia on a game drive en-route to Manga Landing Airstrip for your onward journey on a scenic charter flight to Victoria Falls, a Natural Wonder of Th World
Upon arrival at Thorntree River Lodge, staff will be waiting to welcome you and show you around the lodge before you settle into your comfortable Luxury Family Tented Suite befor elunch is served overlooking the mighty Zambezi River.
Sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River (Sundowners)
Pre-dinner drinks while you sit around the boma fire or bar while you socialise and talk of your amazing wildlife sightings of the eve
Dinner is served under the African night skies (Weather permitting)
Day 8-9
VICTORIA FALLS (ZAMBIA)
Morning rise with breakfast served at the main lodge area
Day at your own leisure with optional included activities
Pre-dinner drinks while you sit around the boma fire or bar while you socialise and talk of your adventurous day activities
Dinner is served under the African night skies (Weather permitting)
Please note the below activities are included and done at your own leisure:
Game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
Rhino tracking,
Bush walks (no children under the age of 16 years),
Sunrise & sunset boat cruises,
Simonga Village visits,
A visit to Zambian side of the Falls, a visit to the Zimbabwean side of the Falls in low water season (excludes Kaza visa fees),
Visit to the Livingstone Museum,
Canoe trips,
Vsit to Maramba & Makuni Markets,
Catch & release fishing (not available in December due to breeding season),
Spa (additional costs apply).
Ngwana Kids Club - From nature walks around camp and storytelling to cultural arts and crafts and cooking classes, the African Bush Camps’ children focused Ngwana Club creates a fun and educational environment for children on safari.
Day 10
END OF ITINERARY
Morning rise with breakfast at the main lodge area before your morning Activity or simply relax and sleep in.
Bid Farewell and depart from Thorntree River Lodge to Livingstone Airport and then Homebound
However see below:
NB. We are a local Southern Africa Travel Destination Expert Company, going on 2 decades in the tourism industry, we would love to be of assistance to add-on to your itinerary with perhaps a visit to the iconic Cape Town and experiencing the amazing attractions on offer or extending your safari experience into South Africa for a little diversity and visiting one of the amazing Greater Kruger private game reserve open to the Kruger National Park before heading homebound.
- 3 Nights Accommodation at Nyamatusi Mahogany in en-suite, air-conditioned suitePrice Excludes
- 3 Nights Accommodation at Somalisa Acacia in en-suite, airconditioned suite
- 3 Nights Accommodation at Thorntree River Lodge in en-suite, airconditioned suite
- All inter-camp transfers (starting from Harare and ending in Livingstone Airport Zambia)
- Three meals daily
- Tea, coffee, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages, except premium imported spirits and champagne
- Laundry
- Morning & afternoon game drives, walking safaris, Hwange Main Camp village visits, Mambanje Village visit (private vehicle required at associated costs for Mambanje Village Visit), canoe safaris, catch & release shore fishing, Ngwana Kids Club, rhino tracking, sunrise & sunset boat cruises, Simonga Village visits, a visit to the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, a visit to the Zimbabwean side of the Falls in low water season (excludes visa fees), visit to the Livingstone Museum, visit to Maramba & Makuni Markets
- All National Park Conservation Fees
- Charter flight on Safari Logistics from Harare Int. Airport to Mana Pools Main Landing Airstrip
- Short bush transfer from Mana Pools Landing Airstrip to Nyamatuis Mahogany return
- Charter flight on Safari Logistics from Mana Pools Landing Airstrip to Manga Landing Airstrip.
- Short bush transfer from Manga landing Airstrip to Somalisa Acacia return
- Charter flight on Safari Logistics from Manga Airstrip to Victoria Falls Int. Airport
- Meet and greet by Thorntree River Lodge representative and transferred by road through Zimbabwe Border Post and Zambia Border Post to Thorntree River River Lodge
- Road transfer from thorntree River Lodge to Livingstone Airport, Zambia
- Check-in is from 13h00-15h00.
- Check-out is at 10h30.
- Suggested Add-ons - If you are interested in our selection of add-ons, chat to our travel planner or mention it in the enquiry form.
- Items of personal nature
- All premium drinks
- Spa Treatments
- Curio Purchases
- Gratuities for Drivers/Lodge Staff/Lodge Guides
- ****Important is to organize travel and medical Insurance****
- Passports and Visas where applicable to travel whereby guests need to see your nearest Embassy
- PCR tests
- International and Domestic flights (Internal) and related taxes that may occur.
- Industry and Lodge Rates can change without prior notice beyond our control due to unforeseen government taxes. This will not affect clients who have paid the full package balance.
- Everything not mentioned as per inclusions
- Suggested Add-ons - If you are interested in our selection of add-ons, chat to our travel planner or mention it in the enquiry form.
Nyamatusi Mahogany is the perfect luxury safari experience for families. Consisting of 2 tented suites and 2 family suites nested under ancient mahogany trees on the lush shores of the mighty Zambezi River, the camp has been designed with style and serenity in mind.
Mana Pools, known as one of the last pioneer parks lying in the great African Rift valley, is an explorers’ paradise. Here, guests are able to experience the raw power of nature when canoeing down the Zambezi River, or watch a wildlife extravaganza unfold on game drives.
Promoting a philosophy that embraces families into the wild, children are welcomed into camp with our special ‘Ngwana Club’ starter kit and a wide range of activities are on offer, incorporating tailor-made activities for children of all ages. A day in the life of a family on safari at Nyamatusi Mahogany is fluid, exciting, varied and full of special moments that will live on in family history forever.
This family safari camp, located slightly to the west of sister camp Somalisa sits on the edge of a seasonal floodplain in Hwange National Park. Somalisa Acacia is tucked away beneath the dappled shade of an Acacia grove. Somalisa Acacia comprises of 2 Family Units with inter-leading walkways between the parents and children’s rooms which are both en-suite, as well as 2 standard Sail Tents. All the simple but luxurious tents are on slightly raised decks, under the dappled canopy of a grove of Acacias on the western side of Somalisa.
The camp enjoys its own private views of a small water hole, frequented by large herds of big game including buffalo, elephant, kudu, zebra, giraffe and lion. A small splash pool allows you to cool off during the heat of the day. Activities on offer are game drives and walking excursions with the camp’s professional guides. Most of the activities are in the Somalisa private concession but with easy access to other parts of Hwange National Park.
On special request, Somalisa Acacia can be booked in conjunction with Somalisa Camp to cater for larger groups of up to 20 people. A private guide and tour leader facility is available on special request.
Thorntree River Lodge is set in Zambia’s Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park, just a short distance from the famous Victoria Falls. Thorntree River Lodge has been completely rebuilt with an environmentally-conscious design. Drawing inspiration from local customs and culture, it is a modern contemporary design with tented roof structures to maintain the feel of authentic Africa.
The lodge boasts 12 twin rooms with 2 sets of interleading units. Each unit has its own indoor and outdoor bathrooms, as well as a luxurious private plunge pool. The main lodge consists of a lounge with an open dining area, where the fine dining experience of African cuisine will come to life. A gym and spa overlook the mighty Zambezi River, and there is a small library with WIFI for our guests’ convenience. The communal deck is set on the edge of the stunning riverside, and is home to a sunken boma area and an infinity pool. Wooden decking floats on the edge of the river, and moves with the water level to create the illusion of sailing a boat, and help to achieve a seamless feel between river and land.
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