Vic Falls, Hwange, Kariba, Matusadona and Mana Pools
10 Day Safari
Day 1:
Meet and greet in Nata, Botswana.
Cross border into Zimbabwe and visit:
- Victoria Falls
- Lake Kariba
- Matusadona National Park
- Town of Kariba
- Kariba lake dam wall
- Mana Pools
Hwange National Park (formerly Wankie Game Reserve) is the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe. The park lies in the west, on the main road between Bulawayo and the widely noted Victoria Falls and near to Dete. It was founded in 1928, with the first warden being by the 22-year-old Ted Davison. He befriended the Manchester-born James Jones who was the stationmaster for the then Rhodesian Railways at Dete which is very near Hwange Main Camp. Jones managed incoming supplies for the park. This park is considered for inclusion in the 5 Nation Kavango – Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.
Lake Kariba
Matusadona Nat Park
Matusadona National Park, nestled along the shores of Lake Kariba, holds a fascinating history. Prior to the construction of the dam, it was declared a non-hunting area in 1958, ultimately becoming a Game Reserve in 1963 and a National Park in 1975 under the Parks & Wildlife Act. Covering approximately 1,400 square kilometers, this diverse ecosystem is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. The formation of Lake Kariba brought about significant ecological changes, particularly along the lakeshore, which led to the thriving populations of large mammals like elephants and buffalos. The rejuvenative Panicum repens grass, found along the shoreline, has played a crucial role in supporting the flourishing herds of buffalo, waterbuck, zebra, impala, and the predators that depend on them. Matusadona is designated as an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ) and also serves as a sanctuary for several relocated rhinoceros.
The town of Kariba serves as the gateway to this remarkable region. Lake Kariba, spanning over 220 kilometers in length and up to 40 kilometers in width, covers an expansive area of 5,580 square kilometers with a staggering storage capacity of 185 cubic kilometers. This colossal reservoir, the largest human-made one in the world, surpasses the size of the Three Gorges Dam by fourfold. With its immense mass of water, estimated at approximately 180 petagrams (200 billion tons), Lake Kariba has even been associated with induced seismicity in the seismically active region, including over 20 earthquakes measuring greater than 5 magnitude on the Richter scale.
Lake Kariba dam wall and Mana Pools
Mana Pools National Park is a true embodiment of the Zambezi River, wilderness, and untamed beauty. Recognized as a World Heritage Site, this extraordinary park showcases its vast array of large mammals, including elephants and lions, along with an impressive diversity of over 350 bird species and aquatic wildlife. It comes as no surprise that Mana Pools is among Zimbabwe’s most sought-after destinations, captivating visitors with its remarkable attributes. The name “Mana” originates from the local Shona language, meaning “four,” referring to the four expansive inland pools formed by the Zambezi River’s ancient meanders. These pools, once ox-bow lakes, now serve as habitats for hippos, crocodiles, and an array of aquatic birds. Among them, the renowned “Long Pool” stretches over six kilometers in a west-east direction, teeming with hippo and crocodile populations. It acts as a magnet for vast herds of elephants, emerging from the densely vegetated southern regions to quench their thirst.
Day 11: Group says farewell.
PLEASE NOTE:
Price includes:
- Guide fees (vehicle and fuel).
- All bookings and arrangements.
- All camp and park fees.
- Extra recovery equipment.
Price excludes:
- Own vehicle.
- Fuel and camping equipment.
- All food and drinks.
- Medical evacuation and travel insurance.
- Cross border charges.
- Anything else not mentioned above.
Safaris are based on minimum 4 vehicles / 8 people and maximum 6 vehicles
Email us at touchthewild@gmail.com for trip bookings and detailed information about our trips.
Booking in advance will avoid disappointment!