13 Days Best Of Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls is the big opening act, but the real appeal of this 13-day Zimbabwe journey is the range of places that follow. You move from the Zambezi River and Hwange’s wildlife to Great Zimbabwe’s stone ruins, Gonarezhou’s elephant country, and the cool hills around Vumba and Nyanga. It gives you a broad look at Zimbabwe instead of keeping you in one resort area.

I like two things right away: a professional guide and chef travel with you, and accommodation, transport, park fees, and most listed meals are covered. The small maximum of 16 people should also make road days and wildlife stops easier to manage. The main caution is that game drives, drinks, mineral water, and some meals are extra, so the advertised price does not cover every daily expense.

Key points to know before booking

• Victoria Falls starts the trip with a river cruise and guided falls walk, giving you both water-level views and the main gorge viewpoints.
• Hwange and Gonarezhou provide two very different wildlife settings, from morning game drives to vast elephant country and excellent birding.
• Great Zimbabwe and Cecil Rhodes’ burial place add serious historical weight to what could otherwise be a standard safari trip.
• A chef prepares meals during the journey, though only 10 lunches and 10 dinners are included, and drinks are not.
• The route reaches Zimbabwe’s eastern highlands, with Vumba gardens, trout fisheries, pit structures, and a final stay in Harare Province.
• The group limit is 16 people, and the tour offers pickup, mobile ticketing, and guides in multiple languages.

Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River set the tone

Your first day begins at the Zambezi River Cruise Terminal, where a two-hour cruise offers an easy start after arrival. Drinks and snacks are included onboard, and depending on the season, you might spot animals coming down to the river. This is not a full safari, but it gives you a calm first look at the waterway that feeds Victoria Falls.

The cruise is also a useful way to settle into Zimbabwe. You are not rushed from the airport straight into a long drive or demanding activity. Instead, you get open views, a gentle pace, and a chance to meet the guide and other people in your group.

Day two brings the main event: Victoria Falls. A guided two-hour visit explains how the Falls formed and covers local customs and traditions connected with the site. The walk ends at a local art and crafts centre, which adds a human side to what can otherwise become a quick sequence of viewpoints and photographs.

You should expect spray, wet paths, and changing conditions around the Falls, although the supplied details do not specify the exact route or season. Ask the operator what footwear and clothing suit your departure date. The admission charge for this guided visit is listed as free, while the wider tour includes park and entry fees where applicable.

Hwange gives you your first proper safari chance

The route then turns toward Hwange National Park. An afternoon visit is listed on day two, with game drives optional, followed by morning game drives on day three. That timing matters. A morning outing often gives you a better chance to see wildlife when the day is cooler, while the optional afternoon drive lets you decide how much extra safari time fits your budget.

Hwange is one of the major wildlife stops on the route, but the cost structure needs close attention. Game drives are specifically excluded from the tour price, even though they are central to the Hwange portion. You should ask before booking how the drives are arranged, what vehicle is used, what each outing costs, and whether payment is made locally.

Day four is an afternoon at leisure with optional activities. I see this as a welcome pause after the Falls and Hwange, especially because this itinerary covers a large part of Zimbabwe. It also gives you a chance to do something optional without feeling that every hour has been filled.

The downside is that the itinerary does not name the leisure activities. You should request a clear list before you go, including prices and transport arrangements. A free afternoon can be useful, but it is easier to plan when you know if the choices involve sightseeing, walking, shopping, or simply time at the accommodation.

Matobo combines a controversial grave with close wildlife encounters

Day five moves to Cecil Rhodes’ Burial Place and the Matobo Hills. The burial site is tied to Cecil John Rhodes, who died in Muizenberg in 1902 and was transported by rail through wartime South Africa to be buried in what was then Rhodesia. The stop provides historical context, but it also calls for a thoughtful guide. Rhodes remains a contested colonial figure, and a good explanation should cover more than the memorial’s scenic setting.

The same day includes three hours of rhino tracking in Matobo. This is one of the most distinctive activities on the route because it changes the pace from vehicle-based wildlife viewing to a more direct search on foot or near the animals, though the exact method is not specified. Follow the guide’s instructions closely and ask about walking requirements before departure.

Admission for both the burial place and rhino tracking is included. That improves the value of this stop, particularly because optional wildlife activities elsewhere can add up. Matobo also breaks up the long driving sections with a place where geology, history, and wildlife are tied together.

Great Zimbabwe makes the history tangible

On day six, you visit Great Zimbabwe National Monument, the former capital of the medieval Zimbabwean state. The site is made from rectangular granite blocks stacked without mortar, with walls and towers reaching up to 12 metres. The complex dates broadly from the 11th century and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986.

I like this inclusion because it gives the tour a cultural centre of gravity. Great Zimbabwe is not a token museum stop added between safaris. You walk through the actual stone structures and get a direct sense of the scale and skill behind the settlement.

The visit is scheduled for two hours, which should allow a meaningful introduction but may feel short if you want to study every section. Ask how much walking is involved and whether the guide remains with the group throughout the monument. Admission is included, so you do not need to weigh this important stop against another optional expense.

Gonarezhou is the tour’s wildest-feeling wildlife section

Days seven and eight focus on Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe’s second-largest national park. Its name means a place of elephants, and the park is described as home to more than 10,000 of them. You can expect a setting of floodplains, baobab-dotted scrub, mopane woodland, and pale orange sandstone cliffs.

Four of Africa’s Big Five are present here: elephant, leopard, lion, and buffalo. That does not mean you are guaranteed to see all four. Wildlife sightings depend on season, conditions, and luck, so you should judge Gonarezhou by its broad natural setting and variety of species, not by a checklist.

The riverine fringe is especially appealing for birdwatching. With luck, you might see a Pel’s Fishing Owl, while nyala, kudu, impala, and elephant may pass near camp. The description of relaxed animals near camp suggests that this portion can feel less formal and more closely tied to the surrounding bush.

The first Gonarezhou entry is included, while the second stop lists admission as free. Game drives are not included in the overall tour, so confirm exactly which wildlife outings are covered and which require extra payment. Two days here give you more time than a quick park pass, but the itinerary does not spell out the number or length of drives.

Day nine is another afternoon at leisure. This second pause is sensible after Gonarezhou, where road travel and wildlife viewing can be tiring. It also gives you room to accept an optional activity, rest, or catch up on laundry, though laundry itself is not included.

Vumba and Nyanga show Zimbabwe’s cooler eastern side

Day ten brings you to Vumba Botanical Gardens and Reserve, a 159-hectare park with landscaped gardens, streams, a small lake, footpaths, orchids, ferns, and abundant birdlife. The two-hour visit is followed by a two-hour scenic drive in Vumba, both with admission included.

This is a welcome change from the dry-country safari stops. You get gardens and walking paths rather than long hours in a vehicle, and the setting should appeal to anyone who enjoys plants, birds, and quiet scenery. The itinerary does not promise a specialist botanist or bird guide, so ask whether the main guide leads the visit or whether a local garden guide is provided.

Day eleven takes you to Nyanga for trout fisheries, pit structures, and a museum. The stop is listed for two hours, with admission free. It offers another change of subject, moving from wildlife and monumental ruins to rural history and highland culture.

The final full day is an afternoon at leisure in Harare Province. Since the tour ends on day thirteen without a listed activity, confirm where the final night is spent and what time the program finishes. That matters if you are connecting to a flight or continuing independently.

What the price of $3,550 really covers

At $3,550 per person, the tour costs about $273 per day before personal spending and optional activities. The value depends on how much you would otherwise pay for a private guide, chef, transport across Zimbabwe, accommodation, park entries, and meals.

The package includes all accommodation, transport fees, a professional guide and chef, 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 10 dinners. Park and listed entry fees are also included. Having a chef prepare meals throughout the trip can save you time and reduce the uncertainty of finding food during long road sections.

Still, you should not read included meals as full board for every day. Three lunches and three dinners are not included, and all drinks and mineral water are extra. Game drives, activities not mentioned, laundry, tips, insurance, personal items, sleeping bag and pillow, and accommodation upgrades also sit outside the quoted price.

That sleeping bag and pillow exclusion deserves a specific question. The itinerary lists accommodation each night, but the packing requirement suggests that at least some camping-style arrangements may be possible or expected. Ask the operator whether bedding is supplied at every property and why those items are excluded.

How the tour is organized on the road

A personal guide and chef are the core of this experience. That arrangement is more intimate than joining a large coach, and it should make meal timing, sightseeing questions, and changes of pace easier to manage. The provider offers guides in multiple languages, so state your language needs when booking rather than assuming availability.

The maximum group size is 16. That is small enough for a more personal feel, but not necessarily a private tour. Ask whether the guide and chef stay with the same group for all 13 days and whether the vehicle has enough room for luggage and personal space.

The operator’s team has included Kelly, Newtone, and Gertrude in the booking and transfer process. Kelly has handled payment questions and bank transfer arrangements, while Newtone and Gertrude have been involved with booking, transfers, and detailed itineraries. Falcon has also been described as quick to respond. These details matter because a long, cross-country route needs clear communication before you arrive.

A start time of 8:00 am is listed. Pickup is offered, and the tour is near public transportation, but the exact pickup area is not supplied. Get the meeting point, transfer plan, and first-night accommodation in writing before departure.

Who will get the most from this Zimbabwe route

I would recommend this tour to you if you want wildlife, major sights, and cultural sites in one long trip, rather than a short Victoria Falls package. It suits people who value having one organizing team, meals prepared along the way, and transport arranged across several regions.

It is also a good match if you want variety. You will not spend 13 days doing only game drives. The route includes a river cruise, a waterfall walk, rhino tracking, ancient ruins, gardens, a museum, and free afternoons.

You should think twice if you want a tightly scheduled safari with every drive included. Optional game drives can make the final cost less predictable. The long route may also feel demanding if you dislike road travel or prefer to unpack once and stay in one area.

Should you book the 13 Days Best Of Zimbabwe?

Book it if you want a broad, guided introduction to Zimbabwe and appreciate the practical ease of an included chef, accommodation, transport, breakfasts, most lunches and dinners, and entry fees. The strongest features are the route’s variety, the access to Great Zimbabwe and Gonarezhou, and the direct support from the operator’s booking and transfer team.

Before paying, get written details on game-drive prices, bedding, the three excluded lunches and dinners, drinks, accommodation locations, vehicle arrangements, and the activities offered on leisure afternoons. If those costs fit your budget, this is a strong choice for a first Zimbabwe journey. If not, a shorter Victoria Falls and Hwange trip may give you better cost control.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately 13 days and ends on day 13 after the final day in Harare Province.

What is included in the $3,550 price?

The price includes accommodation, transport fees, park entry fees, a professional guide and chef, 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, and 10 dinners.

Are game drives included?

No. Game drives are listed as excluded, including the optional drives in Hwange and the wildlife activities connected with Gonarezhou. Confirm current prices with Falcon Safaris before booking.

What is the group size?

The maximum group size is 16 people.

Is pickup available?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the listed start time is 8:00 am. Confirm the exact meeting point and pickup area before departure.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund if you cancel at least six full days before the local start time. A cancellation made two to six full days in advance qualifies for a 50 percent refund, while cancellation less than two full days before departure is nonrefundable. Changes follow the same cutoff rules.