A wild, remote safari through Zimbabwe’s finest parks
HWANGE, KARIBA & MANA POOLS SAFARI
This extraordinary 9-night safari showcases three of Zimbabwe’s most compelling wilderness areas, each offering a completely different safari style and experience whilst sharing that warm Zimbabwe hospitality. Begin in the elephant-rich woodlands of Hwange National Park at The Hide, fly to the shores of Lake Kariba at Changa Safari Camp in Matusadona National Park, and end with the legendary walking safaris and canoe trails of Mana Pools National Park at John’s Camp.
Hwange National Park spans over 14,000 square kilometres of woodland, savannah and seasonal pans that support one of Africa’s greatest elephant populations. Elephant herds numbering in the hundreds gather at waterholes during the dry season, alongside large lion prides, leopards, endangered wild dogs, cheetah, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and rich birdlife. Matusadona National Park on Lake Kariba offers a completely different landscape where elephants descend to drink at the water’s edge, lions hunt along the shoreline, and game viewing happens from boats as often as vehicles. Mana Pools National Park on the Zambezi River is quintessential walking safari country, where you explore on foot amongst elephants, buffalo and predators beneath ancient albida trees.
This safari has it all: vast elephant herds at waterholes, lions prowling the lakeshore, and the thrill of walking amongst the wild in picturesque Mana Pools. Enjoy game drives and walks, an exciting underground hide in Hwange, boat cruises and fishing along Lake Kariba’s shoreline, and wildlife encounters on foot and by canoe in Mana Pools.
Best Time for This Safari
This safari operates from May through to October as the offers the finest wildlife viewing across all three parks. Hwange’s elephant concentrations peak between July and October when herds gather at permanent waterholes, whilst Mana Pools is at its best from May through October when low water levels keep wildlife close to the Zambezi River and walking conditions are ideal. Lake Kariba remains productive throughout the year, though the dry months offer clearer skies and more predictable game viewing. The green season from November to April brings dramatic thunderstorms, lush landscapes, and excellent birding, though some walking trails in Mana Pools may be restricted during the wettest months.
John’s Camp is a seasonal camp, while Changa Safari Camp and The Hide are open year round. They run a free night offer during the rest of the year, ask us for more details.
Adding on a visit to Victoria Falls at any time of the year is perfect before this safari.
Who Is This Safari For?
This safari suits active travellers seeking variety and authentic wilderness experiences rather than pure luxury. The combination of underground hide viewing, boat-based game watching, and guided walks on foot makes this ideal for photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to experience Zimbabwe’s diverse ecosystems in a single journey. John’s Camp in Mana Pools requires a sense of adventure and comfort with rustic safari conditions, whilst The Hide and Changa offer more polished accommodation. Families with children over 12 are welcome at all three camps, though the walking safaris in Mana Pools work best for reasonably fit travellers who can manage several hours on foot in warm conditions.
Hwange, Kariba & Mana Pools Safari for 2026
The rate is per person sharing and includes all meals, twice daily scheduled camp activities, park fees, laundry and all local drinks. Single Supplements apply
Excluded are premium imported brands and champagne, gratuities, travel insurance, international flights to Botswana and items of a personal nature.
Special offer: Rates include three free flights within Zimbabwe ( Victoria Falls to Hwange to Kariba to Mana Pools), offer is subject to withdrawal by camps at any time. This trip can start or end in Victoria Falls, a perfect addition to this trip.
Families are welcome on this safari.
Chat to us about your Zimbabwe Safari Plans
Day by Day itinerary
Days 01 to 04 – The Hide, Hwange National Park
You will fly from Victoria Falls Airport to the airstrip near The Hide, your camp for the first three nights.
The Hide sits on a private concession within Hwange, positioned to overlook a productive waterhole that draws a constant stream of wildlife throughout the day. The camp takes its name from the underground viewing hide built into the waterhole’s edge, where you sit at eye level with elephants, buffalo and a parade of plains game as they drink and play just metres away. You can access this hide at any time of the day or night through a carefully constructed tunnel. This is a unique perspective when watching wildlife.
The Hide’s ten tented suites are elevated on wooden platforms with views across the waterhole and surrounding bush. Each canvas tent features a large ensuite bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers, a private deck with comfortable seating, and thoughtful touches that blend comfort with the camp’s authentic bush atmosphere. The main area centres around a thatched dining and lounge space with a well-stocked bar, a viewing deck overlooking the waterhole, a comfortable library corner, and a sparkling pool where you can watch elephants whilst cooling off in the heat of the day.
Game drives head out twice daily in open 4×4 vehicles, exploring Hwange’s varied habitats and productive wildlife corridors. Night drives on the concession reveal the park’s nocturnal residents, from prowling lions to the spotted hyenas, civets and genets that emerge after dark. Walking safaris with armed guides offer a ground-level perspective on the bush’s smaller details. The Hide’s guides are amongst Hwange’s most experienced, bringing deep knowledge of individual animals and pride territories that brings your safari to life.
Days 04 to 07 – Changa Safari Camp, Matusadona National Park, Lake Kariba
From Hwange, you fly to the shores of Lake Kariba, to spend three nights at the charming Changa Safari Camp.
Changa Safari Camp occupies a prime position on the lakeshore within Matusadona National Park, tucked beneath huge mahogany trees with the water at the camp’s edge. The setting is sublime, with islands dotting the lake and the escarpment rising dramatically in the background. Changa operates on a private concession, allowing for walking safaris and flexible game viewing throughout the day. The camp’s intimate size and exceptional guiding create a warm, personalised atmosphere.
The camp’s ten luxury tented suites are spaced along the shoreline, each positioned beneath ancient trees with uninterrupted lake views. The spacious canvas tents feature ensuite bathrooms with outdoor showers overlooking the water and private wooden decks where you can watch fish eagles and hippos. The main lodge area includes a thatched dining room, a bar, a comfortable lounge with lake views, and a pool deck where you can cool off whilst watching wildlife along the shore.
Game drives explore Matusadona’s varied terrain, from the lakeshore where buffalo and elephant congregate to the riverine forest where leopards hunt and klipspringers pick their way across rocky outcrops. Boat cruises at sunrise and sunset take you onto the lake to find hippo pods, crocodiles basking on mudbanks, and elephants wading into the shallows to bathe. Fishing trips give you the opportunity to catch Kariba’s famous tiger fish and bream. Walking safaris with experienced guides take you into the bush on foot, tracking rhino, encountering elephant herds at close quarters, and learning to read the signs of the wilderness. The flexibility of activities at Changa allows you to plan each day around your interests and the best wildlife opportunities.
Days 07 to 10 – John’s Camp, Mana Pools National Park
The final leg of your safari takes you to the picturesque Mana Pools to spend three nights at John’s Camp.
John’s Camp is the original Mana Pools safari camp, established decades ago and renowned for its exceptional guiding and intimate wildlife encounters. The camp sits beneath towering mahogany trees on the banks of the Zambezi, with the river flowing just metres from the tents and wildlife wandering freely through camp. John’s Camp pioneered the walking safari philosophy in Mana Pools, and the guides here are amongst Zimbabwe’s finest, bringing decades of experience and an encyclopaedic knowledge of individual animals and their behaviours.
The camp’s five spacious Meru-style tents are raised on wooden platforms with river views. Each tent features ensuite bathrooms with flush toilets and bucket safari showers, private decks with comfortable chairs positioned for watching the constant parade of wildlife along the river, and simple, classic furnishings that reflect the camp’s authentic bush heritage. The main area centres around a thatched dining space, a comfortable lounge, a well-stocked bar, and a riverside deck where meals are often served beneath the stars. The atmosphere at John’s Camp is relaxed and sociable, with the emphasis firmly on exceptional guiding and unforgettable wildlife experiences.
Walking safaris are the heart of the Mana Pools experience, taking you into the wilderness on foot to track elephants, follow lion spoor, and encounter buffalo herds at close quarters. The walks vary from short morning strolls to full-days deep into the park’s interior. Canoe safaris on the Zambezi offer a different perspective, paddling through channels in search of birdlife and passing wildlife. Game drives explore the park’s productive floodplains and albida groves, whilst night drives reveal the nocturnal world of prowling predators and foraging herbivores.
On your last morning you will fly to Harare International Airport for onward travel.
