DAY ONE: HARARE
Founded in 1890 and lying 1500 metres (4875 feet) above sea level, the city is laid across 540 square kilometers (208 square miles). Many historical monuments retain their place in Harare’s architectural legacy, and the admirable year round climate makes sport and other outdoor activities an important part of city life, all making Harare the ideal introduction to Zimbabwe.
This day arrive at Harare airport, where you will be met and transferred by a representative to your overnight hotel. The transfer from the airport is approximately 20-25 minutes depending on the time of the day. On arrival at your hotel our representative will assist you with check-in. The remainder of the day is for you to be familiar with your surroundings around the hotel or relax in your room, depending on the arrival time of your flight.
The Meikles Hotel belongs to the top of the 5-star category of Zimbabwe Hotels, and is one of the top hotels in Africa. The Hotel is located in Harare City Center, in the hub of the commercial and travel center, and within easy walking distance of the central business district, shopping centers, cinemas, galleries and other attractions.
The several restaurants in the hotel serve both a la carte and buffet menus and also
feature up-market cuisine.

All rooms are deluxe. The deluxe Park View rooms are decorated in African Mahogany wood with an “Out of Africa” look to the room. Facilities include twin or double bed, air conditioning, work areas with telephone, computer/fax modern point, TV with all the international channels, mini bar, in-room safe, bathroom with shower over the bath, hairdryer, telephone and trouser press machine in all Park View Rooms. ACCOMMODATION: MEIKLES HOTEL (BED AND BREAKFAST)

DAY TWO: HARARE
Harare City Tour 0900 hrs
This morning go an a Harare City Tour which takes you through the heart of Harare, as you drive through the main business center passing the parliament buildings, the colorful flower vendors at Africa Unity Square and covering historic buildings en-route to the Kopje for a panoramic view of the city. Visit the fascinating tobacco auction floors (April to October only), the largest in the world and Mbare Market where you can be part of Zimbabwe’s economy when you purchase hand crafted souvenirs of Africa. Your tour may include the National Art Gallery (which boasts a collection of contemporary & past artwork) & also discover Zimbabwe‘s origin, at the Zimbabwe Museum of Human Science, which includes the early Stone Age people, the San and its pre-colonial era.
Afternoon at leisure or take an optional tour
ACCOMMODATION: MEIKLES HOTEL (BED AND BREAKFAST)

DAY THREE: HARARE- GREAT ZIMBABWE
Leaving behind the panoramic views of Harare "The Sunshine City", we head into the centre of the great Munhumatapa Kingdom in Southern Africa (340kms).
Archaeologists have concluded that Great Zimbabwe flourished between the 13th and 15th centuries A.D and was the work of an African people. The Great Zimbabwe Monument was originally a small settlement that grew into a mini-state as a result of the Arab gold trade. It is believed that this mini-state was abandoned because the large population of about 1,000 people had seriously depleted the environment and had to move elsewhere. The ruins are made of stone sculptures and comprise, the Hill Complex, the Great Enclosure and the Valley Complex. The Hill complex is situated on the edge of a 100-meter high granite cliff. This was the dwelling place of the King. Several smaller enclosures are located along the ridge of the hill. Six of the eight rewound Zimbabwe Birds were discovered in one of these enclosures, The Ritual Enclosures. One of the birds, which was carved out of soapstone, is incorporated within the nation’s flag and crest.
Lying in the valley at the southern foot of the hills is the Great Enclosure, the largest single prehistoric structure in sub-Saharan Africa. It was the court of the rulers’ wives. The structure encompasses about 18,000 cubic meters of stonework and is 243 meters in circumference.
Artifacts found at Great Zimbabwe and now housed in the site museum include the Zimbabwe birds, pieces of worked gold, ingots and bronze spears. Exotic finds include glass beads, Persian glass, Arab pottery and Chinese porcelain.
This afternoon enjoy a tour of the Great Zimbabwe Monument.
Situated in the grounds of the Great Zimbabwe National Monuments, a stay at the Great Zimbabwe hotel is a pilgrimage into Zimbabwe’s ancient past. Just as the legendary people of the kingdom of Munhumutapa welcomed people into their homes with an open hand of friendship, so too, does the same warm friendly welcome await you. The hotel consists of 47 rooms each with en-suite bathrooms and television.
ACCOMMODATION: GREAT ZIMBABWE HOTEL (FULL BOARD)

DAY FOUR - Great Zimbabwe-Bulawayo
This morning those interested in seeing the ruins in the early morning light have time to do so. Continuing our journey through the interior, we travel to Bulawayo (320kms), a unique and important railroad city with a colorful history. On arrival in Bulawayo you proceed to Matopo Hills.
Matopo also spelled Matopos or Matobo, a mass of granite hills southeast of Bulawayo, in Zimbabwe, was formed by river erosion and weathered into fantastic shapes and deep valleys. The hills are associated with folklore and tradition, some being venerated as dwelling places of the spirits of departed Ndebele chiefs. The hills contain gigantic caves (notably Bambata, Nswatugi, and Silozwane) with Khoisan paintings, and there are Stone and Iron Age archaeological sites. The name may have originated from matombe or madombe, meaning "the rocks," or from matobo, "bald heads."
The hills, with average heights of 5,000 feet (1,500 m), cover an area of about 1,200 square miles (3,100 square km) and extend (east to west) for 50 miles (80 km). They are well watered by the Limpopo River's tributaries, which are dammed for irrigation, recreation, and water supply. Vegetation ranges from the lichens of the desert like hilltops to the luxuriant growth of valley swamps.
On arrival at your overnight lodge, Matobo Hills Lodge, you relax for some time until lunch. After lunch you depart for an afternoon Game Drive in Matopos National Park.
Set upon a granite dome above the wild Maleme Valley, Matobo Hills Lodge reflects the spirit of its environment. The lodge’s accommodation units are built upon a granite outcrop with outlooks over the surrounding hills. There is a separate lounge/bar, which commands spectacular 360-degree views of Mount Ififi and Maleme Valley. A swimming pool has been built into the granite dome to resemble a natural rock pool.
Meal times are at the usually accepted times but can be dependent on game drives and will vary seasonally. All meals are Table d’hôte with wide selection of dishes. Meals are taken in a thatched dining room or open-air gazebos depending on the weather.
ACCOMMODATION: MATOBO HILLS LODGE (FULLY INCLUSIVE)

DAY FIVE: BULAWAYO / MATOBO NATIONAL PARK
The Rhodes Matopos National Park was founded in 1902 as an estate with pastoral and arable land leased to private farmers or the government, an extensive experimental farm, and a game park. Accessible by road from Bulawayo, the national park, 106,750 acres (43,200 hectares), includes the scenic View of the World Hill, or Malindidzimu (4,700 feet [1,400 m]), where Cecil Rhodes (and others) are buried.
Go for a morning game drive into the National Park in search of the black and white rhino, giraffe, zebra, sable antelope, leopard and a host of other species. The Matobo area is famed for the density and variety of its birds of prey and for its bewildering population of brightly colored lizards.
This afternoon you can go on a game walk or drive to areas of scenic and historical interest which include visit to famous cave paintings, to the historical battle sites and to the grave of Cecil John Rhodes at “View of the World”.
ACCOMMODATION: MATOBO HILLS LODGE (FULLY INCLUSIVE)

DAY SIX: BULAWAYO/HWANGE NATIOANL PARK
This morning depart for an overland drive to Hwange National Park (290kms). Hwange is Zimbabwe’s largest national park, covering an area of over 9000 square miles and is located in the northwest section of the country and along the border with Botswana. With 104 species of animals and over 400 species of birds, this is of one Africa’s finest game reserves. It is also one of the principal sanctuaries for the African elephant often seen drinking and bathing at the waterholes scattered throughout the park. Other animals likely to be seen are rhino, giraffe, lion, cheetah, buffalo, and the sable antelope, Zimbabwe’s national symbol.
The tempo of life from May to October is governed by water availability. The waterholes quickly dry up and the parched earth turns a dusty gray. Enormous concentrations of game gather at the perennial water-points desperate for life sustaining liquid. Relax and settle in to your safari lodge, then set out on an afternoon game drive. Return to the lodge for overnight.
ACCOMMODATION: DETEMA SAFARI LODGE (FULLY INCLUSIVE)
In a private reserve, 600 acres in size and bordering Hwange National Park, Detema Safari Lodge nestles on a hill that commands magnificent scenic views. Detema is built entirely from local materials, namely brick, wood and thatching grass and its décor is distinctly ethnic. Attractive thatching, which constitutes the best in Matabele cultural craftsmanship, is a special feature of the lodge. Accommodation for forty-eight guests is in rondavels or tree houses. All have en-suite shower, wash basin, mosquito nets, telephone and tea and coffee making facilities. The main lodge houses an open plan lounge, which connects with the dining room and bar. An upstairs area provides magnificent views of the waterhole. Lodge activities include morning and late afternoon game drives into Hwange National Park in open safari vehicles. For birding enthusiasts a walking safari led by a professional guide may be arranged. For the less energetic guests there are two swimming pools and a viewing platform, which is built on stilts and has a bar.
 
DAY SEVEN: HWANGE NATIONAL PARK -VICTORIA FALLS
This morning, and after your early morning game drive in Hwange you are transferred to Victoria Falls at 1000 hrs. Upon arrival you will be taken to your reserved hotel.
Craft Village & Guided Falls Tour – 3 hours
Visit the craft village for a display of the traditional way of living in Zimbabwe. Walk through this fascinating and authentic reconstructed African village which shows the traditional way of life of Zimbabwe’s six main ethnic groups. Consult the witchdoctor, see expert carvers in wood and stone at work, and purchase their work as souvenirs.
After a stop at the Big tree, an ancient Baobab some 16 metres in girth continue to the falls for a conducted tour. Dr Livingstone became the first white-man to see Victoria Falls on November 16, 1855 and named them after his queen. But the local name was “Mosi –oa-Tunya”the smoke that thunders, an apt description of the spray that can be seen kilometres away. The falls lie exactly halfway along the Zambezi’s 2700 kilometer (1678-mile) journey to the Indian Ocean. There is a possibility you may get wet as you walk through the luxuriant rain forest surrounding the falls, a result of the continuos spray. A rainbow over the falls can often be seen during the day.
Traditional Dance - 1 hour 1900 hrs
Later in the evening, watch the traditional dance show which takes place at the Craft Village. This spectacular show of traditional African dancing varies from frenzied, energetic war-like dancing performed by a group of Shangaan warriors, to the more sedate, shuffling steps of brightly-clad women bearing pots on their heads. All the while the drums beat out their rhythmic tune, traditional African drums, made out of wood, with skins stretched taut across the top. Each night an open fire is made in the centre of the performance arena. The drums are placed in front of this so that the leather of hides is warmed to produce just the right amount of resonance. The big draw of the evening is undoubtedly the performance of famous Makishi dancers. Theirs is an unusual and exotic type of dancing, varying from feats of superhuman strength (like the man who lifts an iron bar with his teeth), to the elaborate ceremonial Nyau dances (traditionally performed at weddings or funerals), in which the participants are clad in the most exotic of costumes. The excitement of rhythmic jungle drums and the dancers silhouetted against the brilliant orange of huge log fires combined with the sounds of an African night makes this an unforgettable experience.
ACCOMMODATION: MERCURE A’ZAMBEZI RIVER LODGE (DINNER, BED & BREAKFAST)
Located on the banks of the majestic Zambezi River and a few kilometers upstream from the Falls, the Lodge offers the visitor a truly African experience. Thatched roofs and sunshades ensure cooling comfort around the inviting pool, where meals and drinks are served in the fresh open air.
The balconies of many of the rooms face the mighty Zambezi River and the A’Zambezi also has the honor of being the largest thatch structure in Southern Africa.

DAY EIGHT: VICTORIA FALLS - CHOBE
Day Trip to Chobe National Park
The Caprivi Strip, just 70kms west of Victoria Falls is a very interesting area. Not only does the Zambezi River form the borders of 4 countries here (Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia and Zambia) but this is also the location of one of Africa’s finest natural game reserves – the Chobe National Park. The added presence of the equally intriguing Chobe River (in one season the water flows downstream and in the other it flows upstream) brings a myriad of game and rare bird species to this natural wilderness. The Park boasts the Big Five and the river teems with hippos and crocodiles that can be viewed both from boats and safari vehicles.
It is to this "animal paradise" that participants will be taken after an early breakfast at the Hotel. After an hour’s drive through the Zambezi National Park, quick border formalities are carried out into Botswana before proceeding to Chobe Safari Lodge. Participants will explore the National Park in 4 x 4 jeeps.
In the early afternoon, lunch will be served at the Chobe Safari Lodge by the swimming pool overlooking The Chobe River. After lunch, it will be time to go on a river cruise. At the end of the excursions, participants will be transferred back to Victoria Falls.
ACCOMMODATION: A’ZAMBEZI RIVER LODGE (BED & BREAKFAST)

DAY NINE: LIVINGSTONE - ZAMBIA
Mukuni Village Tour
This morning embark on a cultural journey across the might Zambezi into Zambia. Your stop is at the Mukuni village, which is over 700 years old and steeped in tradition. The villagers welcome the opportunity to show visitors the legacy of the land and its people.
Witness true village life and learn the ancient customs and beliefs of the people still living as their ancestors did hundreds of years ago. On this guided tour, you will see the Chief's Palace, various homesteads and also the same tree & spot where David Livingstone first met with the local chief. Early in the afternoon return back to Victoria Falls.
Sunset Cruise
Late in the afternoon you are transferred to the Zambezi River above the falls for a “Sunset” cruise. Livingstone first wrote about this “Crimson Heart of Africa bleeding over the Kandahar Rapids “, and sunset on the Zambezi has captivated travelers since. To add to your enjoyment, snacks and drinks are included on board for that famous African “sunset”
ACCOMMODATION: MERCURE A’ZAMBEZI RIVER LODGE (BED & BREAKFAST)

DAY TEN: VICTORIA FALLS
The morning is at leisure. You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport in time for your departure flight.