THE GREAT ZIMBABWE TOUR
US$ 3,499 Per Person valid for the entire season November 2011 - October 2012
This, as you’ll discover on your visit, is the Shona people’s proud reference to their 1200 AD rebuilding of the ancient ruins in Great Zimbabwe. It’s a gently recurring theme, one you’ll feel in your bones as you follow the route of the Matopo Hills through towering balancing rocks.
Whether you’re visiting the rolling green misty plains of Nyanga, or marveling at the breathtaking scenery at View of the World it won’t matter if you’re an aspirant photographer, wildlife enthusiast, explorer or lover of natural beauty…we believe you’ll be all four by the time we stand in awe at the end of our journey before ‘the smoke that thunders’, world-renowned Victoria Falls.
Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park offers glorious photographic opportunities with prolific game viewing combined with this vast African landscape. Go beyond the key highlights to the other world of local culture and concerns – a secluded, traditional healer’s village, and a trip to the Painted Dog conservation centre for the unique African wild dog. Visiting Zimbabwe is way more than a tour. It’s another world, and you’ll be spellbound.
ROUTE:
Harare • Nyanga • Great Zimbabwe • Matopos • Hwange • Victoria Falls
SET DEPARTURE DATES APPLY FOR THIS TOUR
THIS IS A FULLY ESCOURTED TOUR
Day 1:(Sun) Harare (BD)
On arrival at the Harare International Airport, you will be met by a warm and friendly Thompson’s representative and will proceed through Zimbabwe’s’ Capital City with its wide open thorough-fares, fascinating history and quaint mix of traditional and modern buildings before you reach your hotel. Relax at the hotel and spend the afternoon lazing in the sparkling pool, have a drink at the mirrored bar or book the optional Harare City afternoon tour with your guide (for own account). This tour exposes an impeccably clean city, bustling with busy shops, wide open streets and warm hospitable people
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza or Similar
Day 2: (Mon) Harare / Nyanga (BB,BD)
After an early breakfast we leave Harare and head through diverse scenery of farm lands, rocky outcrops and into the magnificent mountainous area of the Eastern highlands, also known as “The little England” of Zimbabwe. Mount Inyangani is the tallest mountain in Zimbabwe, deeply shrouded in local folklore; this mountain forms a stunning backdrop to the resort. Arrive in time for lunch (own account) and settle into your room, see the fire lit in 1951 that has never been extinguished but continues to offer a warm welcome to each guest and take some time to soak in the beautiful calm views and serene settings. (Optional activities are available – horse riding, golf, fishing, for own account)
Accommodation: Troutbeck or similar
Day 3: (Tue) Nyanga (BB,BD)
The day is yours to explore or relax. Curl up in the lounge with a book, and take in the panoramic view or stroll down to the dam to watch the rainbow trout diving through the waters. Optional activities are available at the resort as well as a full day Nyanga National Park tour (for own account). Here you will experience a village from the stone ages known as Pit Huts, a Rainbow Trout hatchery set in the natural pools of the sparkling river. Scramble down the mountain side to view exceptional views of the local falls.
Accommodation: Troutbeck or similar
Day 4: (Wed) Nyanga /Great Zimbabwe (BB,BD)
This morning after breakfast, we depart for Masvingo, The Ancient City, where we will be inspired by the Ruins of Great Zimbabwe built in 1200AD, which were first discovered by the Settlers in 1888. The Ruined City of Great Zimbabwe is the largest and most significant ancient monument south of the Sahara and only second to the Egyptian pyramids. Here your guide will take you through the Acropolis, the Great Enclosure and the Conical Tower.
Accommodation: Lodge at the Ancient City or similar
Day 5: (Thu) Great Zimbabwe / Matopos (BB,BD)
After a hearty breakfast we depart Masvingo for Bulawayo, where we arrive around midday (lunch for own account). This is the second largest city in Zimbabwe with wide tree lined streets and is surrounded by beautiful parks, a legacy of Cecil John Rhodes. Within the city are many examples of early Victorian buildings which are maintained by the Bulawayo City council and landlords as heritage sites. We learn more about this beautiful country by visiting the Bulawayo National Museum before checking into our hotel.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Bulawayo or similar
Day 6: (Fri) Matopos (BB,PL,BD)
The Matobo Hills has long been recognized as an area of exceptional beauty with a rich, colourful and mythical history. A full day will be spent exploring the area and some highlights include cave paintings, panoramas of the countryside at “View of the World”, where Cecil Rhodes is buried. We hope to catch a glimpse of black rhino and plains game, but this area is famous for its dense concentrations of birds of prey.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Bulawayo or similar
Day 7: (Sat) Bulawayo / Hwange National Park (BB,L,D)
After breakfast we depart for Hwange National Park. This is one of Africa’s finest havens for wildlife and is home to the herds of presidential elephants. It is also home to many predators and endangered species and seethes with varied birdlife. We transfer onto an open vehicle and proceed on a game drive transfer to our lodge. Once we have checked in we will enjoy lunch overlooking the beautiful plains, we will proceed on an afternoon game drive. After sundowners a sumptuous dinner will be enjoyed to the sounds of the night.
Accommodation: Makololo or similar
Day 8: (Sun) Hwange National Park (BB,L,D)
Dawn breaks with a morning game drive through the vast plains to experience the drama of the previous night. We hope to view more of the many species that live in the national park whilst exploring the magnificent landscape that includes desert sand to sparse woodland as well as grasslands and granite outcrops. We will return to the lodge for an afternoon siesta and later proceed on an evening game drive to view the nocturnal inhabitants of the Hwange National Park.
Accommodation: Makololo or similar
Day 9: (Mon) Hwange National Park/ Victoria Falls (BB,BD)
An early rise accompanied by tea & coffee before we enjoy a last game drive transfer out of the National Park. Our first stop is at the Painted Dog Conservation centre in Hwange, here we will learn more about Wild Dogs and the Centre’s efforts to protect these beautiful animals from extinction. After this, we head for the town of Victoria Falls or as the Local people call it “Mosioa- Tunya” - the smoke that thunders. This quaint town offers a variety of activities and attractions both on land and water. Your afternoon can be spent at leisure, or you can book one of many activities available, such as a Sunset Cruise on the mighty Zambezi River.
Accommodation: The Kingdom Hotel or similar
Day 10: (Tue) Victoria Falls (BB,BD)
This morning we visit a secluded and unexplored Zimbabwean Village where you will speak with a Traditional medicine healer and witness age old customs and way of life. Afterwards we enjoy a tour of the Victoria Falls. These Falls constitute one of the most spectacular Natural Wonders of the World. You will stop at various vantage points to view the falls and walk through the rain forest whilst witnessing the rainbows and feeling the spray and thundering noise of water falling into the gorge. The rest of your afternoon will be spent at leisure, where you can book one of many activities with your guide.
Accommodation: The Kingdom Hotel or similar
Day 11: (Wed) Victoria Falls (BB)
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before checking out and being transferred to the Victoria Falls airport. We bid you “Hamba kahle uphinde ubuye” – which means Go well and come back again soon!
Please click on the COSTS tab for prices / inclusions and exclusions.
