Aardvark Safaris, Inc.
312 S.Cedros Ave, #315, Solana Beach, CA 92075
Telephone: 858.523.9000
www.aardvarksafaris.com
Zimbabwe's Water and Wildlife
Prepared by: John Spence on: 23 December 2015
Telephone: 858.523.9000
Overview
Few countries can compete with Zimbabwe’s diverse wildlife and iconic landscapes and this itinerary
takes you through the country’s best wild areas. First stay in a luxury hotel with views into the gorge at
Victoria Falls. Then prepare for an action-packed adventure in the semi-desert grasslands of Hwange
National Park where you’ll stay in a traditional tented safari camp and join thrilling guided bush walks that
get incredibly close to the area’s wildlife. Finally, head down to the World Heritage Site that is Mana
Pools, where you take a mobile canoe safari on the Zambezi River through one of Africa’s most
breathtaking national parks. Each reserve celebrates dramatically different landscapes and habitats and
gives you the chance to enjoy outstanding hiking and canoeing alongside excellent and experienced
guides.
• Witness the spectacle that is Victoria Falls and its incredible gorges
• Relish the Edwardian grandeur of famous Victoria Falls Hotel
• Enjoy scenic light aircraft flights between locations and marvel at the incredible landscape that
makes up the border of the Kalahari and the Zambezi basin
• Spot the Big 5 in Hwange National Park on bush walks and game drives
• View wildlife up close from a hide positioned next to a water hole—perfect for photographers
• Fall asleep to the sounds of the bush from your traditional canvas tent
• Discover World Heritage Site, Mana Pools which is home to elephant, buffalo, lion, wild dog and
antelope
• Take a peaceful canoe trip along the Zambezi River and see the wildlife from a new perspective
• Explore with some of Africa’s best qualified and knowledgeable guides
• Immerse yourself in the diversity of the Zambezi as it winds along its course
• A private 12-day safari adventure for nature lovers
Please contact us for more information.
Summary of Arrangements
Date
Activity
Day 1
Road transfer Victoria Falls Airport to The Victoria Falls Hotel
The Victoria Falls Hotel - 2 nights
Day 3
Road transfer The Victoria Falls Hotel to Somalisa
Somalisa Camp - 3 nights
Day 6
Fly Hwange to Bumi Hills
Fly Bumi Hills to Dandawa
Camp Zambezi - 3 nights
Day 9
Mana Shoreline Canoeing - 3 nights
Day 12
Fly Dandawa to Victoria Falls Airport
Day 1
The Victoria Falls Hotel - 2 nights - Bed and Breakfast
On arrival into Victoria Falls Airport today you will be met and driven to The Victoria Falls Hotel for a stay of
two nights. You will have the use of a deluxe central wing room on a bed and breakfast basis.
Known locally as ‘the grand old lady of the Falls’, The Victoria Falls Hotel is located in the heart of Victoria
Falls National Park, a world heritage site. Constructed in 1904, this Edwardian style five star hotel has
been refurbished to blend old world charm with modern conveniences. The hotel is surrounded by mature
exotic gardens complete with romantic lily ponds, swaying palm trees and semi-tropical vegetation. A stay
here puts you a short ten minute walk from Victoria Falls.
The Victoria Falls Hotel exudes historical charm while still providing you with all of your modern-day
amenities. All 161 rooms have ensuite facilities, air conditioning and digital satellite TV. You also have
access to same day laundry and 24 hour room service. The communal areas include a huge pool, a
reading room, a gym, hair salon, beauty spa and a chapel. If you like golf, then enjoy some time on the 18
hole championship course at nearby Elephant Hills Resort. You can also experience exciting game drives
in 4x4s into the Zambezi National Park.
Victoria Falls Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Victoria Falls and the surrounding area. Enjoy
sunset and sunrise boat cruises, bird watching tours, ‘Livingstone Day’ at nearby Livingstone Museum,
white water rafting, helicopter flights over the Falls, and thrilling elephant back rides.
Day 3
Somalisa Camp - 3 nights - Full Board
Today you will be collected from The Victoria Falls Hotel and driven to Somalisa Camp. This is a drive of
up to five hours, the last section of which will be a game drive within the Hwange National Park. The next
three nights will be spent here on a full board basis to include all meals, drinks (excluding premium wines,
imported brand spirits and Champagne), laundry, park fees, and two shared game viewing activities per
day.
A newly renovated, upscale safari camp in the east of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, Somalisa Camp
is situated on the edge of an ancient seasonal flood plain. From this elegant camp you can enjoy incredible
views of vast open savannah in the largest national park in the country.
Somalisa Camp comprises seven spacious permanent canvas tents. Each of the ensuite tents boasts the
sumptuous decor of a bygone era, has an indoor and outdoor shower, writing desk and beautiful
freestanding copper bathtub. After an exciting day of game viewing you can relax and reflect on your
experiences with a refreshing dip in the pool, or enjoy the company of fellow travelers in the beautiful
dining and lounge area or firepit on the raised deck. Somalisa Camp prides itself on its fine dining
complimented by a choice of excellent wines.
Widely regarded as one of Africa's premium wildlife havens, Hwange is sometimes referred to as the 'land
of the giants' due to its large local elephant herds. There is an abundance of wildlife in this region making it
a perfect location for game drives and guided walks alike in the company of some of Zimbabwe’s top
guides. In addition to elephants, it is common to see vast herds of many species of grazers as well as
buffalo, lion and wild dog.
Day 6
Camp Zambezi - 3 nights - Full Board
A scheduled light aircraft flight will take you to Bumi Hills where you will connect with an onward scheduled
light aircraft flight to Dandawa. You will be met on arrival and transferred to Camp Zambezi. The next three
nights will be spent at Camp Zambezi on a full board basis to include all meals, house drinks and activities.
Camp Zambezi is a simple but authentic bush camp located on the bank of the Zambezi River in Mana
Pools National Park in northern Zimbabwe. The camp has a panoramic view of this beautiful river as well
as the dramatic escarpment across the border in Zambia, the other side of the river.
Camp Zambezi is a small mobile camp with no permanent structures, allowing it to be moved as the
season dictates, and also to leave no trace. It is an ideal base for exploring this stunning wilderness
region, and has just as many tents set up as needed at any time. Each tent is mostly made of mosquito
netting, and has comfortable camp beds. There’s an ensuite chemical loo for each tent along with shared
showers and long drop loos. Meals are taken under the shade of the big trees on the river bank, and there
is also a fireplace for whiling away the evenings.
Activities here include walking in Mana Pools, game drives and canoeing on the Zambezi. Game viewing is
exceptional here with wild dog, lion, elephant, buffalo, hippo readily seen, and plentiful antelope species in
abundance.
Day 9
Mana Shoreline Canoeing - 3 nights - Full Board
After breakfast this morning you will head out by canoe to start your three day Zambezi canoe safari. This
is on a full board basis to include all meals, house drinks, use of all camping and canoeing equipment, and
activities.
See Africa from a whole new perspective and journey along the Zambezi River with Mana Shoreline
Canoeing Safaris. This exclusive canoe safari takes you through Zimbabwe's Mana Pools National Park
over four days during which you will paddle roughly 30 miles downriver. While you canoe, the camp
support team relocates the camp by day to be set up ready for your arrival in the afternoon. Every camp
enjoys outstanding views of the river, the animals that visit it, and the escarpment in Zambia.
Mana Shoreline Canoeing camps are basic but authentic with large tents constructed largely of mosquito
nets. Designed to be sensitive to their surroundings the tents can be taken down quickly and easily and
have minimal impact on the environment. Each tent is equipped with a comfy bed and adjoining chemical
toilet in addition to communal bucket showers and long drop toilets. Meals are eaten around a large dining
table set up beneath the shade of a mature tree with excellent views of the river. Swap stories with friends
and fellow travelers around the evening campfire after a long day exploring.
During your stay with Mana Shoreline Canoeing in Zimbabwe your days will focus on canoeing but you will
also have time to relax with a spot of fishing or enjoy a gentle bushwalk through the national park. As you
travel along the river you will be in with an excellent chance of seeing elephant, buffalo, hippo, crocodile
and various antelope species. Birdlife in this region is outstanding. You may also encounter lion, leopard
and wild dog.
Day 12
Fly Dandawa to Victoria Falls Airport
After your last breakfast in camp today you will be driven to Dandawa airstrip in time to take a scheduled
light aircraft flight to Victoria Falls. From here you will take an international flight, or continue with another
African adventure.
Pricing Details
The itinerary includes:
Internal flights (note: strict 33lbs baggage allowance per person including hand luggage)
Passenger and airport taxes
Airport transfers
Other transfers
Accommodation and meals as stated
Drinks as stated
Laundry as stated
Activities as stated
National Park and concession fees
The itinerary excludes:
International and regional flights
Zimbabwe departure taxes for domestic/local flights - currently US$15 per person (cash is difficult to get in
Vic Falls)
Visas
Travel insurance
Tips and gratuities
Other personal spending
If you weigh over 220lbs then you may be charged for a second seat on light aircraft flights, please let us
know if this is likely to affect you.
Please check in online for your international and regional flights 24 hours before your return.
Pricing:
The price for this vacation is based on a private trip with two people traveling together. For families and
single travelers please contact us for a more accurate quote.
Total price for your travel arrangements:
$14,664
Price per person:
$7,332
Some countries have as many as four pricing levels, depending upon the season in which you choose to
travel. We have based this itinerary on average cost: neither the low season in which we rarely
recommend travel nor the peak season that generally falls over Christmas and New Year. Varying times of
year offer different game viewing experiences and we would be happy to work with your specific dates.
Please contact us for a quote tailored to your travel needs.
Why Choose Aardvark Safaris?
Honest independent advice from knowledgeable and experienced Africa experts.
All of us here at Aardvark have both lived and worked in Africa. Because of this expertise, we customize
first-class trips to areas we know and love. We are proud to say that we have experienced and stayed at
every camp and lodge we book for clients, and maintain close relationships to some of Africa’s top guides
and hosts. By working with you to understand your needs and wants, we tailor safaris to meet your goals
and expectations. We don't work on commission. Our only objective is to plan and provide a full itinerary
with the most efficient routing to save you time and money while guaranteeing the best trip possible for
you.
Vacations with financial protection.
Should we, or our suppliers, cease trading before you travel, your money is protected through the trust
account we hold for each client. Your vacation payment is held until you have completed your travel,
ensuring that we are able to offer you an automatic refund in the event that your trip is cancelled by us. In
many instances, particularly if you book directly with companies in Africa or companies that aren’t
Registered Sellers of Travel, you may not get your money back if the company in question goes out of
business.
We are an independently owned and operated California Registered Seller of Travel.
We don’t work for anyone but you. As an independent company, we don’t fill quotas or push pre-packaged
trips. We are registered with the California Attorney General’s Office as a Seller of Travel. That means we
abide by the highest standards of care in the industry. We deposit all vacation payments received into a
trust account, held until you have completed your travel. If, for any reason, there is a cancellation not in
accordance with your contract, you are entitled to receive a prompt and automatic refund. Your satisfaction
is our primary concern and we do everything we can to stand behind our commitment to you.
Avoid the pitfalls of booking direct with an African operator.
Your vacation is supposed to be hassle free but sometimes your dream vacation can turn into a
nightmare. Booking directly, you have zero financial protection. On top of that, there should be some key
questions that need to be answered before you proceed: Can you pay with a credit card? If so what are
the hidden charges? If you cannot pay with a credit card, will you have to plan a money transfer at your
expense? When you arrive in Africa what happens if no one is there to meet you? What if you have
complaints regarding your trip, how do you arrange compensation? With other companies you can have
extremely limited rights. With Aardvark, you have 100% protection. We encourage all prospective
travelers to find out this information before booking their next trip to prevent unwanted hassles and
headaches. You pay no more booking through Aardvark than if you arranged the holiday yourselves.
Booking through Aardvark will cost no more than if you booked the trip directly through African companies.
We are able to negotiate low prices with our suppliers that equal savings for you. Sometimes it is actually
cheaper for us to plan a trip for you that it would be if you booked directly. If you do feel that we are
charging more for accommodations or services than those you can find on your own, we are happy to look
at the difference and see if we can remedy the situation. In addition, we can provide an overview detailing
the cost of each component in your trip.
Once a trip is confirmed we will not charge you for any currency fluctuations.
As soon as you confirm your trip with an initial payment, we buy your lodging, guides, etc. in US dollars to
protect you from any fluctuations in currency. The price will remain the same no matter what currency
changes occur before your trip.
We are here if you need us: 24 hours 7 days a week.
Feel secure and comfortable knowing that you have emergency service available from both Aardvark and
local representatives on the ground in case you encounter any difficulties while you are away. There is
always someone available at Aardvark, seven days a week, 24 hours a day, to address any problems that
you might encounter.
Your safety comes first.
Your peace of mind and safety are our greatest concern. We only offer trips to areas and accommodations
that we’ve visited personally to assess their comfort level, food and hygiene. In addition, we evaluate the
onsite first-aid and nearby medical facilities so that you can enjoy your holiday without worrying about your
safety. We constantly monitor visa and health regulations, as well as State Department and foreign office
reports to ensure that your vacation can be undertaken safely. These visa and health requirements are
always included in your pre-departure package. Should severe weather or political unrest arise, we can
recommend alternative itineraries or provide you with a refund. In addition, with our many contacts and
offices on the ground in Africa, we always know who to speak with to mobilize assistance in the unusual
event that it is required.
We are committed to looking after the environment and local communities.
Conservation is key to our daily operations. Each of our safaris provides our clients the opportunity to see
the beauty of Africa: its breathtaking views, exotic wildlife, local communities, and remote areas. Many of
the camps and lodges we recommend are green, low impact facilities while still providing high-end
accommodations and facilities; feel free to ask us for more details. We work tirelessly to ensure that the
benefits tourism brings to each region will not be offset by any negative environmental impact. We provide
clients the option to offset their carbon emissions from their long-haul flights by purchasing carbon offsets
which fund a project in Zambia that not only reduces carbon dioxide but provides food and employment to
the local community. In addition, we support the Koiyaki Guide School in the Masai Mara National
Reserve, giving the local community a chance to take part in their land and the future of tourism. Our
efforts in this area have been recognized by AITO which has awarded us four stars for our responsible
tourism work in the UK, US and Africa.
Recommendations are at the heart of our business and we would be delighted to supply you with
references.
With several of our clients returning for their second or third safari with Aardvark and over 70% of our
clients coming to us through recommendations, happy clients are truly at the heart of our business. Although we are now fifteen years old, we are a small company and have retained our personal touch. The
owners remain involved with clients and sales on a daily basis and our team returns to Africa, year after
year, to evaluate the properties we recommend to you. We encourage all prospective travelers to view the
testimonials section of our website to see what past clients say about our services, and we would be more
than happy to put you in contact with past clients with similar travel plans to answer further questions.