Overview
Off the beaten track adventure
Zimbabwe’s safari experience is legendary – epic landscapes, incredible wildlife and arguably the finest guiding in Africa.
On this adventure, you’ll be staying at a selection of the very best luxury lodges in the country, exploring enormous private reserves and concessions in elephant-rich Hwange, wildly remote Gonarezhou, and on the Zambezi River close to Victoria Falls.
Look forward to landscapes spanning desert waterholes that draw immense herds of wildlife to red canyon’s whose walls are decorated with ancient rock art. Exciting game drives and expertly led walking safaris without another soul in sight, canoeing on languid river waters, visits to local communities and more. All from wonderful properties which give back to the people and places that you can’t help but fall for.
Highlights
Trip highlights
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Hwange’s immense elephant herds
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Meeting local communities
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Expertly guided walking safaris in Malilangwe
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Fabulous positive-impact luxury properties
Inclusions
What's included
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Eight nights of luxury accommodation
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Tours, experiences and safari activities
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Internal flights and private transfers
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Price per person based on two adults sharing
An unforgettable trip with a positive impact
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Community & Culture
Properties and experiences that uplift and empower local communities.
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Conservation
Supports wildlife projects, protected areas and ecosystem regeneration.
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Footprint
Lodges and camps chosen for their sustainability credentials and initiatives.
Days 1 — 4
Hwange safari
Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national reserve, a Connecticut-sized wilderness of Kalahari sands, wooded hills, savannah grassland and seasonal wetlands. Exciting and diverse, it is best known for its immense herds of elephants and buffaloes, as well as being a haven for lions and African wild dogs.
Your base here is The Hide, an independent and owner-run camp in a small private concession that has long been regarded as one of the best in the park for its safari experience, prime location and positive impact. Enjoy game drives and guided walks, visit community projects and conservation initiatives, or simply watch as wildlife gathers from waterhole hides.
Days 4 — 7
Wild Malilangwe
The private 525 square kilometres of Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve can be found in Zimbabwe’s remote southeastern corner on the edge of Gonarezhou National Park, part of a huge protected area that includes South Africa’s Kruger and Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park. It is a wild place of sandstone hills, mopane woodland, baobabs and river-carved canyons home to a high concentration of black rhino, African wild dog, big cats and impressive roan and sable antelope.
Staying at the reserves single lodge, Singita Pamushana (one of Zimbabwe’s most luxurious lodges) enjoy game drives, boat cruises, guided walks, trips to San rock art sites and visit local Shangaan community outreach programmes supported by the lodge. The really adventurous can even spend a night in a private hide overlooking a waterhole.
Days 7 — 9
Unwind beside Victoria Falls
End at the beautiful Matetsi Victoria Falls, a luxury safari lodge set on a private 15km stretch of the Zambezi River a short distance above the famous falls themselves. Explore the vast private reserve on day and night game drives, as well as walking safaris, while the meandering river is a great spot for canoeing and sunset boat cruises.
You can also learn about Matetsi’s conservation journey and the communities they support along the way. And a tour of the Victoria Falls, up close under clouds of spray, is always a highlight.
Start your adventure here
Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
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Example trips
Get inspired
Browse our example trips and get in contact to start planning your very own adventure.
What makes us different
Why Niarra
Niarra Travel is a forward-thinking travel company headquartered in London born out of a passion to do things differently.
In Swahili, a Bantu language spoken by millions in Eastern, Central and Southern Africa, the name Niara means "with utmost purpose" and our team are united by a passion for exploration and a belief that the right kind of travel can make the world a better place.
Our Travel Researchers are here to create incredible trips with a positive impact for you.
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Unforgettable experiences
Creating your trip is entirely collaborative and our Travel Researchers are here for every step.
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Positive impact
Curated sustainable experiences and accommodation that maximize the benefits to local people and place.
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Fairness and transparency
An open, competitive pricing structure that ensures more money goes to where it's needed in the destination.
