Zimbabwe & Zambia: The Heart of Africa’s Wild

Zimbabwe & Zambia: The Heart of Africa’s Wild

Kafue, Hwange, Mana Pools

nights
9
camps
3
from price, per person
USD14,920

This is a really well-balanced safari offering various different sides to the Zambezi region. Busanga feels expansive and dramatic, with long game drives across open plains. Hwange brings density and variety, especially with elephants, while Mana Pools slows things down and brings you closer to the river and the details of the bush. I like that no two locations feel the same, you’re constantly seeing new terrain and witnessing different animal behaviour.

AR

Anneli Rudiger

Sales Team Leader

Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp

Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp

Game drives in Kafue National Park

Game drives in Kafue National Park

Wilderness Davison's

Wilderness Davison's

Game drives in Hwange National Park

Game drives in Hwange National Park

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi

Days on safari in Mana Pools National Park

Days on safari in Mana Pools National Park

wildlife & activities

Highlights

  • Travel between Zambia and Zimbabwe, discovering three of the region’s ecosystems, each offering a different safari style and wildlife experience.
  • Spend three nights at Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp in Kafue National Park, exploring a Zambian wilderness known for predators, large herds, and wide-open horizons.
  • Continue to Wilderness Davison’s in Hwange National Park, an area famed for its elephant populations and excellent year-round wildlife viewing.
  • Conclude with three nights at Little Ruckomechi in Mana Pools National Park where a wide range of safari activities are possible, including canoeing, boating and walking.
  • Experience small, intimate camps throughout the journey, allowing for flexible experiences.

Your Itinerary

Day 1

Lusaka Airport

Meet and Assist at Lusaka

Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport, you will be met in the main terminal building by a Tours Africa representative after you have cleared customs and immigration and collected your luggage. You will then be escorted to your scheduled flight for your onward journey.

Lusaka Airport to Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp

Flight • 01:10h

On arrival at Lusaka Airport you will be met and assisted by a Wilderness representative and assisted to your light aircraft flight to Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp.

Day 1 - 4
Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp
Location IconKafue, Zambia

The vast, meadow-like Busanga Plains extends in all directions around the camp, offering a remarkable sense of freedom and possibility. The plains teem with birds, and grazing antelope – while misty mornings and evenings, are illuminated by unique pink sunrises and dusks. With just four well-appointed tents at Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp, this dry season-only camp captures the authentic spirit of safari style, and warm Zambian hospitality. The spectacular views from the camp itself, and the wildlife encounters during day and night game drives, affords guests to become acquainted with the plains. Listen for the iconic cry of the fish-eagle, the soundtrack of Busanga. Insider's Tip: Special sightings to look for include lion, cheetah, roan antelope, and puku to name a few. For those interested in birding, this includes the range restricted Fülleborn's Longclaw.

3 nights • Tented Room x 1

Selected experiences

Game drives in Kafue National Park

Learn more

Game drives in Kafue National Park offer a chance to explore one of the country’s largest and most diverse wildlife reserves. Morning and afternoon drives in open 4x4 vehicles traverse open plains, woodland, and riverine habitats, providing excellent opportunities to spot lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and a wealth of antelope species. The timing and focus of drives are influenced by the seasons: during the dry months (May to October), wildlife concentrates around water sources, making sightings more predictable, while the rainy season (November to April) transforms the park into a lush, green landscape but restricts access to many areas, leading to seasonal closures of certain camps. Your guide will tailor each drive to the conditions and your interests.

Day 4

Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport

Flight • 02:00h

You will take a light aircraft transfer from Wilderness Busanga Bush Camp to Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport.

Transit Point via Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Livingstone

Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport - Victoria Falls Airport

Road • 00:30h

Private road transfer from Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport to Victoria Falls Airport.

Transit Point via Victoria Falls Airport in Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Airport to Hwange

Flight • 00:40h

On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, you will be met and assisted by a Wilderness Safaris representative to your light aircraft for your flight to Davison's.

Day 4 - 7
Wilderness Davison's
Location IconHwange, Zimbabwe

Nestled discreetly beneath a grove of false mopane trees, Wilderness Davison's is located in the private Linkwasha Concession - one of the most prolific wildlife areas in Hwange National Park. Hidden within a treeline, this African safari camp overlooks an open plain and a waterhole that attracts large numbers of animals, especially thirsty herds of elephant and buffalo in the dry season. Guests staying in one of Wilderness Davison’s nine tents (including a family room) can enjoy the quintessential Hwange experience, viewing the wildlife on game drives and guided nature walks in this diverse and exciting area. Arranged directly in camp only, and subject to vehicle availability, it may be possible to include a visit to one of the local villages. Subject to availability, guests may have the opportunity to visit and learn more about the Scorpion Anti-Poaching Unit team. Insider’s Tip: A small upper deck in the main area is the ideal location from which to watch wildlife at the waterhole.

3 nights • Tented Room x 1

Selected experiences

Game drives in Hwange National Park

Learn more

Game drives in Hwange National Park showcase the rich diversity of Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserve, from open savannahs and mopane woodlands to seasonal pans and riverine corridors. Morning and afternoon drives in open 4x4 vehicles allow the opportunity to encounter elephant herds, lion prides, leopard, wild dog, and an array of antelope species, while the park’s prolific birdlife adds further fascination. Wildlife congregates around waterholes, particularly during the dry season and our experienced guides and small guest numbers ensure encounters are unhurried, intimate experiences where sightings can be fully appreciated.

Day 7

Wilderness Davison's to Wilderness Little Ruckomechi

Flight • 02:30h

You will be taken by light aircraft from Wilderness Davison's to Wilderness Little Ruckomechi.

Day 7 - 10
Wilderness Little Ruckomechi
Location IconMana Pools, Zimbabwe

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi offers an intimate Mana Pools experience, in the style of the bygone days of safari, without detracting in any way from the wildlife experience. The shady ana trees and views of the Zambezi River and the Zambian foothills beyond are some of the hallmarks of this region, and Wilderness Little Ruckomechi provides all of them. This seasonal camp (winter/dry season only) offers an authentic safari experience through a mix of game drives, boating and guided nature walks, adding to the sense of exploring an untouched wilderness area. Insider’s Tip: A guided nature walk is a thrilling way of exploring the surrounding bush and often heralds many exciting sightings.

3 nights • Tented Room x 1

Selected experiences

Days on safari in Mana Pools National Park

This UNESCO-protected national park created in northern Zimbabwe’s section of the Lower Zambezi Valley, is an impressive and very wild landscape made up of 2,000km2 of pristine vegetation and the dramatic Rift Valley escarpment. Much of the parkland is inaccessible unless you go on foot, helping to preserve the area’s enviable remoteness and untouched natural beauty. Spend your days here on canoe and walking safaris, and get a close look at the resident animals as you track lions and head out on thrilling game drives. The four pools for which the park is named, attract a profusion of aquatic birds as well as herds of elephants, hippopotamus, and Nile crocodiles. Predators such as lions, leopards, cheetahs and spotted hyenas are mostly found in the open woodland areas of the reserve, but can be very secretive and not that easy to spot without an expert tracker.

Day 10

Wilderness Little Ruckomechi to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport

Flight • 01:30h

You will be taken by light aircraft from Wilderness Little Ruckomechi to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.

Transit Point via Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare

What to expect

Includes

  • All safari accommodation & meals
  • Twice daily safari activities
  • Park fees and concession fees
  • Laundry service
  • Airport and inter-camp transfers as specified
  • Meet & Greet

Excludes

  • International flights
  • Gratuities
  • Personal purchases
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa fees

Start your journey

These experiences are just a glimpse of what’s possible. If you’d like to book this trip or shape a custom itinerary, we are here to help you plan your perfect safari.

GUEST EXPERIENCES

What others say

Our awards

The hard work of our teams on the ground and the communities we work alongside has been recognised through numerous awards. And we couldn’t be prouder.

View all awards
Virtuoso Award 2025

Virtuoso Award 2025

Wilderness - Best Sustainability Community Partner

Travel + Leisure

Travel + Leisure

Wilderness Bisate Reserve - Best New Luxury Hotels

World Travel Awards

World Travel Awards

Wilderness Ruckomechi - Zimbabwe's Leading Safari Lodge

Condé Nast Traveler

Condé Nast Traveler

Wilderness DumaTau - #2 World Resorts

nights
9
from price, per person
USD14,920