14 Day Self-Drive Highlights of Zimbabwe’s National Parks (Camping & Lodging)

Accommodation: Kariba ferry, Lake Kariba / Similar

Guest will go for the Kariba Ferry departs Mlibizi 10:30 am for Kariba Town. Their experienced team will park your vehicle below-ships whilst you retire to the decks above to sip G&T and survey the 360-Degree panoramic horizons as the Ferry makes its 22-hour, 300km journey across the lake. You are served 3 meals and the experience is reminiscent of the “African Queen”. Sleep on the decks in traditional Kariba Houseboat style or in the salon on fold-down beds. The Kariba Ferry is a highlight of this trip and will never be forgotten.

Recommended Activity: Full day Trip

Lake Kariba

As previously described

Overnight: Kariba Ferry

You and your family can relax in the spacious panoramic windowed saloon, laze on the partially shaded deck or enjoy the upper shaded deck whilst someone else does the driving.

The Voyage takes approximately 22 hours in each direction, during which time you will be served with three nourishing meals together with the morning and afternoon tea or coffee which is included in the tariff. There is a fully stocked cash bar aboard

Accommodated: Mana Pools Camp, Mana Pools National Park / Similar

Guest can start, get up, enjoy a delicious breakfast, then depart to Mana pool Following the GPS directions to Chinhoyi where we have a refueling depot. Brim the fuel tanks and proceed to Marongora Zimparks check-in, present entry permits which we have prepared for you. You will need to pay Zimparks conservation (USD20 pppd) & vehicle entry fees (USD10 once-off). Reduce tire pressure to 1,7 bars at the dust road (corrugations) proceed approx 70km through the bush to Nyamepi Campsite Mana Pools National Park. Mana pool is 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. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is known for its natural beauty and as one of the continent’s premier game-viewing areas

Set up your campsite at Mana. You are responsible for all camp chores from cooking to cleaning and keeping your food safely stowed in the vehicle. No fresh fruit allowed.

Recommended Activities: Afternoon Game Drive

Accommodated: Mana Pools Camp, Mana Pools National Park / Similar

Guest will wake up on your second day at Mana to a cacophony of birdsong and animal sounds. Hippo grunts, lion roars, hyena howls. You are in paradise. We suggest you book a Zimparks ranger at reception to take you on guided walks along the Mana floodplain every morning and evening because walking is what sets Mana apart from other African parks. Don’t wast the opportunity and freedom allowed to walk at Mana by driving randomly along Mana’s rather limited road network, get out there in the bush with an armed Zimparks ranger and walk, yo will be immersed in the bugs and birds and live a totally different experience to the standard African Game-Drive.

Recommended Activities: Morning and Afternoon Game Drive

Accommodated: Mana Pools Camp, Mana Pools National Park / Similar

Guest will get into Mana routine and go Book a morning and afternoon walks with Zimparks rangers. Lie up during the heat of the day and see more animals walk through your campsite than you saw on your walk. You are no starting to become used to the Mana lifestyle now. Self-Drive to Chitake Springs

Recommended Activities: Guided Walk

Overnight: Mana Pools Camp

Mana Pools National Park is synonymous with the Zambezi River, elephants, lions, remoteness and wilderness. This unique park is a world heritage site based on its wildness and beauty, together with the wide range of large mammals, over 350 bird species and aquatic wildlife.

The name “Mana” means “four” in the local Shona language. This applies to the four large pools inland from the Zambezi River. These pools are the remnant ox-bow lakes that the Zambezi River carved out thousands of years ago as it changed its course northwards. Hippopotamus, crocodiles and a wide variety of aquatic birds are associated with the pools. ”Long Pool”, is the largest of the four pools, extending some 6 km in a west-east direction. This pool has a large population of hippo and crocodiles and is a favorite for the large herds of elephant that come out of the thickly vegetated areas in the south to drink.

Accommodated: Chitake Springs Mana Pools National Park / Similar

Guest will Break up the camps after breakfast, fill the roof-mounted water tank on the vehicle with drinking water at Reception, today guest is going to Chitake Springs. Drive approximately 60km inland from the river to set up camp at Chitake camping site. Here the Chitake river rises out of the sand and flows on the surface for up to 1km before sinking back into the earth. This is the only source of water for miles around in mid dry season and animals flock to Chitake to drink and hunt. You camp amongst them.

Recommended Activities: Game Drive

Mana Pools National Park

As previously described

Overnight: Chitake Springs

Accommodated: Meikles Hotel, Harare / Similar

Guest will have breakfast and a morning walk and come break camp tents and check-out at Mana Reception before 10:00 am and drive slowly back towards the tar road. Remember to re-inflate tires to 2,5 bar at the last boom gate at the tar road, checkout at Marongora. Refuel at Chinhoyi and return vehicle to Sunbird Guest House in the daylight for road safety reasons. Habnd-back 4×4 and complete vehicle return paperwork with Costa. Then have a farewell barbeque at sunbird or go out for dinner nearby restaurant.

Recommended Activity: Morning Walk

Overnight: Meikles Hotel

For nearly 100 years, Meikles Hotel has been acknowledged as Zimbabwe’s premier hotel, hosting discerning travelers in the luxury of a five-star hotel. Situated in the center of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, it offers guests a chance to enjoy the city close up and provides a staging post for travel to the attractions of the country and region, including world-famous Victoria Falls. Top restaurants, exquisite suites and rooms, convivial bars, a variety of banqueting facilities, helpful and competent staff and amenities such as a spa, gym, rooftop swimming pool and shops are all part of this historic hotel. With all the charm and delight of a hotel with nearly a century’s tradition of excellence and the services and facilities expected of a 21st century venue, Meikles is traveler’s first choice in Harare.

Accommodated: Meikles Hotel, Harare / Similar Guest will have breakfast and a morning walk and come break camp tents and check-out at Mana Reception before 10:00 am and drive slowly back towards the tar road. Remember to re-inflate tires to 2,5 bar at the last boom gate at the tar road, checkout at Marongora. Refuel at Chinhoyi and return vehicle to Sunbird Guest House in the daylight for road safety reasons. Habnd-back 4x4 and complete vehicle return paperwork with Costa. Then have a farewell barbeque at sunbird or go out for dinner nearby restaurant. Recommended Activity: Morning Walk Overnight: Meikles Hotel For nearly 100 years, Meikles Hotel has been acknowledged as Zimbabwe's premier hotel, hosting discerning travelers in the luxury of a five-star hotel. Situated in the center of Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, it offers guests a chance to enjoy the city close up and provides a staging post for travel to the attractions of the country and region, including world-famous Victoria Falls. Top restaurants, exquisite suites and rooms, convivial bars, a variety of banqueting facilities, helpful and competent staff and amenities such as a spa, gym, rooftop swimming pool and shops are all part of this historic hotel. With all the charm and delight of a hotel with nearly a century's tradition of excellence and the services and facilities expected of a 21st century venue, Meikles is traveler's first choice in Harare.
Clients will be transferred to the airport to return trip back home.