Follow the Grand Tour through Zimbabwe
– Jeremy Clarkson “God had done all of the other countries in the world and he got to the end of the alphabet. He got to Zimbabwe, and he thought, ‘This is going to be my best work, this is going to be my greatest hit.’ ” – Jeremy Clarkson
– Jeremy Clarkson “God had done all of the other countries in the world and he got to the end of the alphabet. He got to Zimbabwe, and he thought, ‘This is going to be my best work, this is going to be my greatest hit.’ ” – Jeremy Clarkson
Wildlife viewing reaches its peak during the dry season, as the natural waterholes in the parks dry up, drawing large herds of animals to congregate around lakes, rivers, and man-made waterholes.
This will give you ample opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the adventure while also allowing for some downtime amidst your thrilling journey through Zimbabwe.
The final Grand Tour showcased Zimbabwe in all its splendour—from the lush, rolling hills of the Eastern Highlands and the surprising beauty of its capital to the vibrant, wildlife-rich national parks and the majestic Victoria Falls.
It’s not surprising that this is the country that first sparked our founders' love for African travel over thirty years ago.
Follow the Grand Tour with us and discover how the ‘Journeysmiths’ touch enhances an already extraordinary journey through Zimbabwe.
1. Nyanga National Park: Nature at Your Feet
Length of Stay: 2-3 days
Take time to fully immerse yourself in the stunning landscape. Join expert local guides on a captivating birding tour, discover the art of tea production, and feel the adrenaline rush as you soar across the falls on a thrilling zip line.
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Nyanga SkyDeck Retreat is a beautiful property that combines the luxury of an exclusive villa with the excitement and adrenalin of adventure activities. This is somewhere perfect for older families where you’ll wake to misty mountain views before spending the day exploring, ziplining, hiking and swimming. Set deep in the wilderness, this is somewhere you can truly reconnect with nature and one another.
Aberfoyle Lodge promises a sublime blend of adventure and relaxation in the breathtaking highlands of Zimbabwe. Spend the morning sliding down waterfalls or zip lining through the forest canopy, and the afternoon on a tranquil river cruise, a glass of something cool in hand and the cheerful sounds of waterbirds in your ears.
2. Harare: Beauty in the Bustle
Richard Hammond described Milton Avenue, with its enchanting violet hues, as "the most beautiful avenue" he’s ever driven through — a testament to the city’s natural beauty.
Length of Stay: 1 day
Unwind and recharge before diving into the world-class game viewing that awaits in Mana Pools.
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3. Mana Pools: A Thriving Oasis
Length of Stay: 3 - 4 days
Allowing time to fully explore the wetlands, plains and forests that support an incredible variety of wildlife.
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Kanga Camp is located at the foot of the Zambezi Escarpment in the heart of the Mana Pools National Park on the only private concession within the park.
Chikwenya is one of the longest established and most remote safari lodges in Zimbabwe. The lodge is set on the edge of the spectacularly beautiful World Heritage Site of Mana Pools. The surrounding setting is one of open grassland, shallow Zambezi tributaries and some of the most beautiful woodlands in central Africa which makes an ideal habitat for a rich variety of wildlife.
Imagine views overlooking the broadly drifting Zambezi River and stretching beyond to the 2,000 ft peaks of the Rift Valley escarpment. Ruckomechi is an intimate camp with just such spectacular views and situated on a large, private concession within Mana Pools. Ancient forests and wetlands stretch behind the camp, and in front is the massive escarpment of Africa’s Great Rift Valley.
Sitting delightfully on the banks of a remote section of the Mighty Zambezi, Nyamatusi Mahogany Camp is a luxurious homage to the river.
4. Lake Kariba: Peace and Nature
The grasslands are home to the Big Five, along with sable and semi-aquatic antelope and you may even spot cheetahs and African wild dogs.
Length of stay: 6 days
We recommend dividing your time between a camp in Matusadona National Park and a houseboat on Lake Kariba, providing you with a complete land and water safari experience.
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Karabezi Houseboat is one of our favourite choices for groups who want to spend some time relaxing on Lake Kariba. You’ll be on board for three nights, exploring the lake’s smaller creeks, admiring the resident wildlife, fishing for tiger fish, and watching some of the most beautiful sunsets Africa has to offer.
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge is a beautifully peaceful lakeside retreat that’s perfect for families, couples, singles and groups of friends alike. Set in a wildlife-rich conservancy, you can enjoy plentiful animal encounters on game drives and nature walks.
Changa Safari Camp stands head and shoulders above other lodges in the Matusadona National Park and is a prime spot for birding and fishing. It is the park’s newest and most luxurious property set in a remote and secluded location on almost 4km of lakeshore frontage. As it is on its own private concession in the north east of the park, you are assured complete privacy for game viewing.
5. Victoria Falls: Feel the Thunder
Length of stay: 2 -3 days
Experience Victoria Falls in all its glory, with plenty of time for white-water rafting, helicopter rides, and thrilling game viewing.
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Victoria Falls Hotel takes you back in time to the early 20th century - very little has changed here since then. Wander through the landscaped gardens, admire the original sepia photographs, and enjoy a cocktail on Stanley’s Terrace.
Pioneers Lodge combines the charm of colonial styling with the undoubted advantages of modern construction to meet the demands of today’s traveller, all within serene gardens close to the incredible Victoria Falls.
Matetsi River Lodge is one of the finest contemporary properties in Zimbabwe. Superbly situated for exciting wildlife safaris in the reserve and on the river, and for epic sightseeing at Victoria Falls, it ticks every box.
Hwange is vast—so sprawling that it rivals the size of Wales in the UK. Its immense scale allows you to explore a diverse mosaic of habitats, from the dense woodlands of the north to the semi-arid terrain of the south, each supporting a remarkable variety of wildlife. Lucy from the team explains why Hwange is an unmissable safari destination.
This modern lodge welcomes you to enjoy a true home-away-from-home safari experience.
Somalisa Acacia Camp is one of our favourite family camps in Hwange National Park. Children will love getting involved in bush life, tracking animals, completing the Junior Guide Programme, and falling asleep under canvas in the dedicated family suites.
Jozibanini Tented Camp in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, offers an immersion in the remote African bush for its intrepid guests. The location may be unspoilt, but you don’t have to be because there’s plenty of comfort in the rustic raised tents and great food to complement a true safari experience.
7. Venture into Botswana
Makgadikgadi Pan, located in northeastern Botswana and surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, is actually a collection of pans separated by desert sands. It's hot and dry, with a white, salty crust covering the ground, but when the rains arrive, the landscape transforms dramatically.
Length of stay: 3-4 days
Allowing time to encounter the incredible wildlife and to spend a night out under the stars.
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An iconic camp that harks back to an era of glamour, Jack’s Camp is set in the striking Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Whether visiting in the dry or green season, Jack’s offers guests an exceptionally stylish place to stay while admiring the wildlife and unique beauty of the pans.
Atop 10-metre high cliffs on the western bank of the Boteti River, the distinctive Desert & Delta owned Leroo La Tau sits. An exceptional vantage point for the flowing river below, you’ll be treated to incomparable views of the rich wildlife without even leaving your room.
One of just three camps sat within a one million acre private reserve, the remote and understated Camp Kalahari is the epitome of seclusion. The quality of the experience here will ensure that even the finest tastes are well catered for, but it is also a place for those with an adventurous nature. Forget the rush of the modern world and become an explorer, scouring the flats for the wildlife that’s adapted to survive the arid conditions.
Tips from the Team
- One option is to stay in the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve, an untouched and little-known wilderness where the Linyanti River meets the Savuti Channel on the border with Namibia. The grasslands, floodplains and mopane woodlands of the reserve are a migratory corridor for megaherds of elephants, and there’s a high density of predators, including the endangered African wild dog.
To stay at the heart of the action, consider Selinda Camp, Zarafa Camp, or Linyanti Ebony Camp.
- Alternatively, an extension to the itinerary is Botswana’s Okavango Delta, where the waters of the Okavango River discharge and disperse into the arid heart of the Kalahari. With more than 200 species of mammals and 400 species of birds, where luxurious camps provide safari experiences in private reserves, the Okavango Delta is a place that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime.
Wonderful places to stay in the Okavango Delta include Duba Plains Camp, Shinde Camp, and Monachira Camp.
The Selinda Spillway connects the Okavango Delta to the floodplains and swamps of the Linyanti River. During the dry season, this region becomes a magnet for incredible concentrations of wildlife.
Botswana’s Okavango Delta is one of southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes. The elaborate waterways ebb and flow with the seasons, creating an unparalleled wildlife viewing experience any time of year.
"After listening to my requirements for 30 mins Ross put together the most unbelievable tour of Zimbabwe for my wife and me. He had listened and didn’t attempt to fit us around a trip, he tailored everything to fit around us."
In 1990 we encountered Africa and fell in love with its awesome beauty. Ever since, we’ve been exploring the planet, seeking out its treasures; spreading the word and sharing our passion so that you too can experience the best of the wild world.
Over 30 years we have discovered the finest properties and most reliable partners and developed an appreciation for the nuances of each region. Our knowledge and understanding continually evolves through travel and our network of deep relationships.
We want you to share our passion for travel, this means matching your individuality to a unique blend of places and experiences that extend your horizons. When you first contact Journeysmiths you’ll speak with a member of our travel design team, who between them have over 100 years of experience.
This conversation will form the foundations for your itinerary, giving us the chance to get to know you and understand your aspirations for your holiday. We’ll combine this with our extensive knowledge to create your perfect itinerary.
When you book your holiday much of our work is just beginning, your Travel Designer will liaise with our operations and support teams to ensure that every last detail of your holiday runs “like a Swiss clock”.
Our support team also performs the role of a concierge, so if you want to add tours, need assistance with your visas or would like us to make restaurant reservations, we are happy to do so.
It’s rare that we hear from our clients while they are away due to the accuracy of information we provide. However, if you need us, we are here 24 hours a day and act swiftly to resolve any issue in a way that is most convenient to you.
At Journeysmiths we revel in discovering the wonders of the world, those which are well known, but just as importantly those which scarcely anyone has ever seen. We know that marvels can be found in the most unexpected places.
With us there is no ceiling to the degree of exclusivity, no constraint upon what is possible. Whether we take you to the ends of the earth or fly you by private plane into the finest lodges, booked exclusively for you. Everything is devoted to making this your ultimate holiday, by any standards.
The essence of a Journeysmiths holiday is that you can enjoy luxury combined with a real wilderness experience, in seclusion and high comfort. Staying in remote properties on exclusive reserves you are guaranteed maximum privacy at all times.
We appreciate that like our trips, each client is unique. As such, our service focuses on flexibility, so that you can relax and look forward to your holiday in the knowledge that should the unexpected happen, we are here.
You have complete financial security when you book with Journeysmiths. We are fully bonded and licenced under the Civil Aviation Authority’s ATOL scheme, licence number ATOL 2883. In addition, we maintain a Total Payment Protection Policy with Travel and General Insurance Services, policy number AELI/topp/22/16.
We believe that travel to the world’s fragile places should benefit the habitats, the wildlife and the people who live there. We call this “Travelling Well” and it is a feature of every holiday we arrange.
From mysterious baobab groves, to the arid sands of Hwange, the balancing rocks of Matobo, and the awesome Zambezi River as it rages over Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe is a country that serves up all that could be hoped for in an African holiday destination.
There are few other safari destinations that offer the sheer diversity of landscapes that Zimbabwe does. The cascading waters of Victoria Falls and forested banks of the Zambezi River contrast with the arid open plains of Hwange and the rugged mountain terrain of Matusadona. Together, they create a completely unique safari experience.
Zimbabwe has been part of the story of Journeysmiths from the very beginning, and it remains one of our favourite places. It’s a country that guarantees an amazing safari experience that can be enjoyed in luxurious comfort.