Safari experts & storytellers. Since 1991
Trust us to find you the rarest animals, the most spectacular wildlife events, the remotest landscapes and deeply meaningful cultural encounters!
This safari is all about fantastic wildlife viewing and understanding conservation at the grassroots level. Your safari will include game drives, bush walks, community visits, meeting Hwange's rhinos and learning about an innovative community rhino conservation project, and keeping Hwange's vital waterholes full of water during the dry season when the considerable wildlife populations struggle to find water. You will also enjoy a journey on the quaint 'Elephant Express' railway carriage and a few nights in a remote bush camp deep inside the national park, which few tourists get to enjoy.
Make a difference at ground level with this unique conservation safari
Highlights
Victoria Falls Spectacle - guided walks along the Falls, river-based experiences and iconic views of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.
Zambezi River at Sunset - a leisurely cruise on the river’s luxury deck as wildlife gathers along the banks and the light softens.
Hwange by Rail and Road - a characterful journey into the park, combining historic rail travel with scenic transfers through conservation areas.
Remote Hwange Wildlife - Game viewing centred around productive waterholes, diverse habitats and low-density safari concessions.
Conservation in Action - Meaningful encounters with local conservation initiatives, including rhino protection and community-supported water projects.
Locations and Lodges
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s oldest and largest reserve. Hwange blends Kalahari scrub, teak forests, salt pans, and granite hills, supporting abundant wildlife. Expect vast elephant and buffalo herds, lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, and over 400 bird species, with walks, horse safaris, and night drives revealing rarities like aardvark and pangolin, sustained year-round by natural seeps such as Nehimba.
Victoria Falls, Africa’s adventure capital, is where the Zambezi plunges 100 metres into dramatic gorges, forming the world’s largest continuous curtain of falling water. Experiencing the thundering energy of the “Smoke that Thunders” is deeply revitalising, and with endless activities. Vic Falls is a true bucket-list destination you could explore for weeks.
3 nights at Victoria Falls safari lodge: this lodge has an open-plan tree-house feel and is renowned for its wildlife-rich views over a waterhole.
3 nights at Camelthorn Lodge: a community-built lodge set in a forest on the edge of Hwange’s Ngamo Plains, centred around an ancient camelthorn tree.
2 nights at Jozibanini Camp: A small, community-style safari camp in the remote southwest of Hwange National Park, offering an exclusive, old-school wilderness experience in an area untouched for decades.
2 nights at Nehimba Lodge: is set on a private concession in northern Hwange, overlooking a productive elephant waterhole at the meeting point of mopane woodland and Kalahari sandveld.
Timing
Zimbabwe is a year-round destination, though the dry season from May to October offers the best wildlife viewing as animals concentrate around limited water and Hwange is at its peak during this time. The dry season also coincides with lower Zambezi River water levels at Victoria Falls, ensuring a clear view of the Falls, exciting river rafting, and less spray to fog your camera lens.
The rainy season months (December to March/April) are excellent for bird-watchers looking to make the most of the influx of migratory species, as well as for seeing plenty of wildlife babies and predator action as the big cats focus on young prey. During these months, higher Zambezi River levels and more spray at Victoria Falls result in dramatic scenes that are not as clearly visible as they are during the dry months.
You can enjoy this safari at any time of year, with careful planning. Our safari experts will help you make the best timing decision.
Price per person sharing
10 nights (11 days) | ||
Low season | Jan to April 2026 | from US $6,310 |
HIgh season | May to Oct 2026 | from US $8,005 |
Includes: All scheduled flights between Johannesburg and Victoria Falls and between Hwange and Victoria Falls, all transfers, accommodation throughout, meals, a guided tour of the Falls, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, rail and road transfers from Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, conservation and park entry fees, a guided rhino sanctuary visit and 24-hour logistical support.
Excludes: International flights, visas, gratuities, premium beverages, optional activities not mentioned, and mandatory cancellation, travel and medical insurance.
Thank you!
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
Day 1 – Arrive Victoria Falls. Fly from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls and transfer to your lodge overlooking a wildlife-rich waterhole. Settle in and enjoy sunset views as animals gather to drink, followed by dinner at the lodge.
Day 2 – Victoria Falls & Zambezi River. Explore Victoria Falls on a guided walk through the rainforest, experiencing the scale and power of this natural wonder. In the afternoon, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River before a cultural dinner with traditional music and cuisine.
Day 3 – Victoria Falls at Leisure. Spend the day enjoying included lodge experiences, conservation-focused visits and relaxed wildlife viewing from the lodge decks, with dining at the lodge’s signature restaurant.
Day 4 – Victoria Falls to Hwange Forest Reserve. Travel by rail and road into the Hwange region. Arrive at a private forest reserve on the park’s edge and enjoy your first safari activity, followed by dinner under the stars.
Day 5 – Hwange Forest Reserve. Explore the reserve on game drives focused on productive waterholes and ancient wildlife corridors. Visit a local rhino sanctuary and learn about ongoing conservation efforts.
Day 6 – Deeper into Hwange. Continue by road into remote areas of Hwange, stopping at a community-supported water project en route. Settle into a secluded camp and enjoy an afternoon safari in this little-visited concession.
Day 7 – Remote Hwange Safari. Spend a full day on safari in this wild, uncrowded region, with game viewing centred on waterholes and open plains. Evenings are spent around the fire beneath expansive skies.
Day 8 – Hwange Central Concession. Travel to a central area of the park and arrive at a camp overlooking a permanent waterhole. Enjoy an afternoon game drive or relaxed wildlife viewing from camp.
Day 9 – Hwange Safari. A full day of game drives offers excellent opportunities to encounter elephant, buffalo and predators, with downtime at camp between activities.
Day 10 – Depart. Transfer by scheduled flight from Hwange to Victoria Falls and connect onward to Johannesburg.
"Designed with Pride"
Christian Boix, AG Zimbabwe safari expert: “Designing a Zimbabwe safari is always a pleasure. I work with remarkable guides, staff and lodge owners, true patriots whose pride, passion, and commitment infuse every journey I help design and deliver.”
“Safari defining moment”
Our CEO, Simon Espley, says, “Joining the Pump Run showed me what it takes to keep Hwange’s vital waterholes alive and what pump attendants endure daily. I felt useful and made my safari carry real purpose and meaning.”
“It felt like home”
AG safari concierge, Vicky Toms: “For me, one word sums up Vic Falls Safari Lodge: home. The ambience, exceptional staff, and action-packed days made me feel truly welcome, leaving me with unforgettable memories and countless photos.”
Safari planning
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Hwange conservation safari
Tell us about your dream trip - our travel experts will craft a no-obligation itinerary just for you. We have crafted over 5,000 safaris since 1991. Your personal details are protected; we only use this information to contact you.
Why choose us to craft your safari?
Handcrafted experiential safaris since 1991.
Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early/late or a few kilometres off course, and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?
Trust & Safety
Make a difference
We donate a portion of the revenue from every safari sold to carefully selected conservation projects that make a significant difference at ground level.
YOUR safari choice does make a difference - thank you!