Zimbabwe Tour (16 Days)

DAY 1: JHB – ZIMBABWE

Our journey begins on departure from the GREENFIRE LODGE JOHANNESBURG at 06h30. We will cover some distance today to reach and cross the border into Zimbabwe. The road will lead us north from Johannesburg and the scenery constantly changes as we pass Pretoria into the bushveld of the Limpopo province and finally as we cross the Soutpansberg Mountain range.

After completing the formalities at the border we continue towards the Masvingo area and will spend our first night in Zimbabwe in relative comfort.

Meals: own expense

Included Highlights/Activity:

• Scenic drive through South Africa
• Zimbabwe

DAY 2-3: ZIMBABWE RUINS – SAVE RIVER GAME RESERVE

Rising with the sun, we continue our journey north and our first stop will be at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. We visit the monument to view the magnificent structures and to ponder over the mystery surrounding their origin.

Thereafter, we continue east to the Save River Game Reserve, an area offering some of the finest wilderness in Zimbabwe. We will spend two nights here in our private rustic bush camp and will explore the area both on foot and in an open vehicle, maximizing our game viewing experience.

Meals: B L D; B L D

Included Highlights/Activity:

• Zimbabwe Ruins
• Save River Game Reserve
• Game Drive
• Game Walk

DAY 4: EASTERN HIGHLANDS

Leaving the Lowveld, we travel through Mutare and into the Eastern Highlands, a mountain range that extends for about 300 kilometres and creates a natural border to Mozambique. This is an area of spectacular scenery, forests, mountains and waterfalls.

This afternoon we arrive at our camp for the night and after setting up, we conduct a short hike in the surrounding mountains.

Meals: B L D

Included Highlights/Activity:

• Short Hike
• Eastern Highlands

DAY 5: CHINHOYI

An early start, we travel westward along the winding descent into the capital city, Harare, where we enjoy a short stop for lunch (own expense). Leaving Harare, we continue to our overnight stop near Chinhoyi, where we spend the remainder of the day enjoying a walk in the wilderness surrounding our camp.

Meals: B D (Lunch own expense)

Included Highlights/Activity:

• Walk to explore the area

DAY 6: KARIBA

A short drive today before we descend into the Zambezi Valley on a road that follows ancestral elephant paths. Then it’s on to Lake Kariba, the third largest man-made lake in the world. After we settle into our accommodation, we enjoy an afternoon boat cruise on the lake.

Meals: B L D

Included Highlights/Activity:

• Lake Kariba
• Boat Cruise

DAY 7: ZAMBIA

After exploring the town of Kariba, we cross the border over the dam wall to enter Zambia. Our next stop is Gwabi, at the confluence of the Kafue and mighty Zambezi rivers. It is from here that we will embark on a two day canoe trip on the Zambezi River.

The afternoon is spent preparing for the upcoming canoe trip as we pack all the essentials we will need for our trip. We camp the night.

Meals: B L D

Included Highlights/Activity:

• Kafue River

DAY 8- 10: ZAMBEZI CANOE TRIP

A mighty river literally boiling with hippo and crocodiles, and luring every imaginable animal to drink from its sandy banks, the Zambezi needs very little introduction – and justifiably so. We start our two day canoeing adventure from Gwabi and then continue down the river, past Mana Pools, at our own pace. Paddling with the strong current, we spend two days on the water, game viewing and bird watching, camping wild on islands each night. The trip ends at the Chongwe River. We transfer back by boat to overnight once again at Gwabi Camp where we enjoy a welcome restaurant meal (own expense).

Meals: B L D; B L D; B L (Dinner own expense)

Included Highlights / Activity:

• Two day canoeing adventure
• Game viewing from our canoes
• Kafue River
• Zambezi River

DAY 11 –12 VICTORIA FALLS

An early start this morning, we travel through Zambia, via Livingstone, and then view the phenomenal Victoria Falls before crossing the original steel railway bridge to Zimbabwe. Here you are able to wander around and explore the multitude of curio stalls and the other attractions that this bustling town has to offer. We spend two nights at the GREENFIRE LODGE VICTORIA FALLS, giving those who wish to do so the opportunity of participating in a day of white water rafting below the falls (own expense). We will eat at a restaurant on one of these nights (own expense).

Meals: B L D; B (Lunch and Dinner own expense)

Optional Activities:

• Scenic Helicopter Flight
• White Water rafting
• Bungee jump

Included Highlights/Activity:

• Victoria Falls
• Original Steel Bridge

DAY 13: HWANGE

Leaving the vibrant town of Victoria Falls, we head for our private bush camp in Hwange. This afternoon/evening we will conduct an extensive open-vehicle game drive/walk experience in search of the herds of game that this area is so well known for. We camp the night overlooking a waterhole teeming with wildlife.

Meals: B L D

Included Highlights / Activity:

• Hwange National Park
• Game drive in the Park

DAY 14: BULAWAYO – MATOBO

An early start, after breakfast we head for the wide streets of Bulawayo, and then on to our camp nestled amongst the precariously balancing boulders of Matobo. We will spend the afternoon enjoying this beautiful area covered with granite boulders known in the local Ndebele nation as “Bald Heads”. We do a game drive and rhino tracking on foot within Matobo National Park.

Meals: B L D

Included Highlights/Activity:

• Matobo National Park
• Rhino Tracking Experience on foot

DAY 15: LIMPOPO

Continuing south today, we cross the border into Botswana. After completing the border formalities we continue to our bush camp situated on a private game reserve within the Limpopo valley. On arrival in the afternoon there will be time for a short walk in the surrounding bush.

Meals: B L D

Included Highlights/Activity:

• Private Game Reserve

DAY 16: JOHANNESBURG

A leisurely start this morning, we pack up camp and continue south to arrive in Johannesburg in the late afternoon. Our tour will end on arrival at the GREENFIRE LODGE JOHANNESBURG.

Meals: B (Lunch own expense)

The day by day descriptions published are intended as a rough guideline only. Adventure travel by nature is unpredictable, weather patterns, game migrations, road conditions and a multitude of other factors may necessitate itinerary changes that ultimately are for the client’s benefit. It is essential that clients are flexible and open minded in this regard.

Zimbabwe Tour

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

Please ensure that you are in possession of valid travel documents for all the countries, (Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and South Africa) that you will visit. If you have any queries in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact us. Please ensure that you have proof of further travel arrangements if you do not have a South African passport, permanent residency permit, work permit or study permit. Although we will endeavor to assist, we do not accept any liability or obligation for your travel documents.

• Telephone number: Zimbabwe Trade mission in Johannesburg: (011)838-2156 / 9
• Or visit: Zimbabwe Tourism at www.zimbabwetourism.net
• Zambia: http://www.zambiapretoria.net/
• Botswana: http://www.botswanatourism.co.bw/

Make sure that your passport has at least six months’ validity from your planned date of return to your home country. Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home. . Please note that a Yellow Fever Certificate is needed to enter Zambia depending on nationality and prior travels.

Please note that all guests travelling to South Africa will require two blank facing pages in their passport.

FOREIGN CURRENCY

Upon arrival in any respective country we operate in, you will be able to find a Bureau de Change OR ATM Facilities at the airport or in the Town/City the tour is departing from. It is advised to bring any major world currency (US Dollar, Euro or British Pounds) in small denominations and not dated older than 2009. It is advised to get a small amount of local currency upon arrival just to get around until your tour starts.

On Tour -Please be advised that our guides will inform and show you the best places to exchange any Major World Currency with the best possible exchange rates either before your tour starts or during the course of the tour. Our guides will brief you exactly on where to exchange and roughly how much you will need to exchange after discussing possible optional activities, own expense meals or possible curio stops. Drifters trucks have safe-keeping facilities for extra cash/flight tickets/passport.

The preferred currencies per country are as follows:

• South Africa – ZAR; Rand (obtainable at the airport in Johannesburg
• Zimbabwe – US Dollar (it is the official currency) – Rand, Euros, British pounds could be exchanged but at a bad exchange rate)
• Zambia –Zambian Kwacha (can be exchanged at the port of entry with US Dollar)

Suggested amounts for each currency:
(Without use of credit card)

• Rand : +- R 500 – R 700
• Dollar: +- $ 150 – $ 500

(With use of credit card)

• Dollar: +- $ 30 – $ 200

Credit cards can be used throughout most parts of Southern Africa but it is advised to please ensure you have enough cash for personal expenses and possible gratuities.

Please note the only lodge on this tour to receive card payment will be Greenfire Johannesburg lodge. All other lodges will ONLY receive cash payments.

Areas where you will be able to use your credit card are as follows:

• Greenfire JHB Lodge for activities; food; accommodation and small extras
• Shopping in Victoria Falls and for activities

Credit cards can be used throughout most parts of Southern Africa but it is advised to please ensure you have enough cash for personal expenses and possible gratuities.

INSURANCE

It is compulsory that all passengers make arrangements for adequate travel insurance to financially safeguard against unforeseen circumstances. If you need further information please do not hesitate to contact us. Drifters do not accept responsibility for any loss, injury, damage, accident, fatality, delay or inconvenience experienced whilst on tour. You will be required to complete and sign a full indemnity prior to tour departure.

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS & REQUIREMENTS

The only necessary prophylaxis for Southern and East Africa is against Malaria (Zimbabwe and Zambia). Adequate chemo-prophylaxis are essential. Prevention is better than cure, so we do advise to also use insect repellent on exposed areas after sunset. Please consult with your general practitioner regarding this. All Drifters guides have first aid boxes for use in emergencies, however we recommend that you bring along your own basic supply of medication, headache tablets etc. Please note that you will need a Yellow Fever Certificate when entering Zambia.

***Personal medication
Please bring along any personal medication that you might need on your tour as specific medication could be difficult to find or might not be obtainable in most places we visit. General medication for headaches, colds and fever are easy to get.

Please also inform your guide of any medical conditions. This information will be received professionally and kept confidential.

Zimbabwe Tour

WEATHER CONDITIONS

Please note that Southern African weather conditions vary tremendously from season to season. During summer months temperatures of up to 40°C can be experienced. During the winter months of June, July and August the nights are very cold, temperatures may drop well below 0°C, although the day temperatures will be pleasant at around 20°C. Please take weather conditions into consideration when choosing a sleeping bag for your tour.

CLOTHING & PERSONAL EFFECTS

Herewith a recommended guide of what to bring along:

• For walking, hiking and Safaris
• Sport Shoes / Sneakers
• Sandals
• Hat
• Sun Cream
• Water Bottle
• Smaller day pack
• Camera, Binoculars
• Books (Birds, Mammals, personal reading books, Optional)

For general travelling (to keep yourself entertained on the longer drives)

• Personal iPod
• Personal Reading Books
• A deck of cards or something similar
• Battery chargers for your personal devices (Ipods, Ipads, E-Readers, Handy’s etc)

Our vehicles are well equipped with charging facilities while driving. A Two-pin charger is perfect.

Clothing and Toiletries

• Long Trousers / Tracksuit Hat or cap
• Shorts Swimming Costume & Towel
• Waterproof Windbreaker Personal toiletries
• Jersey / Jumper Insect Repellent
• Socks & Underwear
• T-Shirts / Shirts

General Accessories

• Mosquito Net (Optional)
• Malaria Prophylaxis (please inquire from your general Doctor at home)
• Money (Sundry expenses, gratuities)
• Torch / Flashlight / Batteries
• Sleeping Bag & Small Pillow
• Refreshments
• Pen
• Passport / Visas (if applicable)

** Luggage should be limited to a maximum of 15kg’s HARD SUITCASES ARE NOT SUITABLE!!
*** Refreshments can be purchased en-route on the first day of the tour, and at regular intervals throughout the tour.

MEALS AND REFRESHMENTS

Meals are provided as indicated in the brochure/website. We do not provide meals on the first day of your tour. We do however stop en-route; therefore it is always possible to buy something along the way. Soft drinks, bottled water and alcohol are for your own expense; there is ample opportunity during the tour to buy refreshments. The guide will advise when you need to stock up for a couple of days.

PERSONAL EXPENSES

A reasonable amount of personal spending money must be brought on our tours. This is to cover own expense meals as indicated in our Drifters Brochure, bottled water, soft drinks, alcohol, sundry goods purchased- such as suntan cream etc., curios, optional extra excursions, airport tax, transfers and tips.

In Africa things work a little different to the rest of the World. Tipping or gratuity, unless otherwise specified, is not included in the price you pay for services delivered. This accounts for restaurant meals, casual help and the services of the guide or guides that you will meet on your tour.

In Southern and East Africa it is classified as a common courtesy to TIP “casual help (guides)”.

This TIP is not something that is forced upon you by any means, but in many industries of tourism it is customary. It works as follows: if you believe your guide has lived up to your expectations and has performed his/her job in a way that you respect and are happy with the services rendered, an amount of R 50 per day or equivalent amount of R50 per day in any major currency per person per day would constitute a fantastic tip. Remember that this is just a guideline and is not by any means compulsory, but seen as common courtesy in Southern and East Africa.

Zimbabwe Tour

VICTORIA FALLS and SURROUNDS

Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (Highly Recommended)
The flight prices range from between R665 – R3760, this is dependent on how many people decide to go on a flight. If you are interested inquire with your guide. (you can use Credit Or Visa cards for payment)
Village walk from our Drifters Lodge in Maun (Pula 50) -Prices may vary

ACTIVITIES USD

ADRENALIN

• White Water Rafting – Low water 150
• White Water Rafting – High water 140
• Gorge Swing 95
• Tandem – Gorge Swing 140
• Zip line 70
• Tandem – Zip line 110
• Flying Fox 45
• Canopy tour 55
• Half Day Adrenalin (Adrenalin High wire pass) 140
• Adrenalin high wire & canopy tour pass 175
• Bungi Jumping

SAFARI

• Full Day Chobe 160
• Horse Riding Safari – Experienced 85
• Horse Riding Safari – Novice 80
• Game Drive 95
• Night Drive 130

RIVER

• Sundowner Cruise 50
• Fishing (3 Hrs) 120
• Upper Zambezi Canoeing 150

AIR ACTIVITIES

• 12/13 Minutes Helicopter 150
• Micro light Flight (this only happens in Zambia, and if planning to do it, it will mean you will need to acquire a dual visa when going through the border to Zimbabwe) 174

ADVENTURE PASS
Choose any two of the following for only US$ 305.00 and get a cruise almost free!!!

• White Water Rafting, Upper Zambezi Canoeing, Half Day Adrenalin, 12/13 Minutes Helicopter, Night Drive

SAFARI PASS
Choose any one of the following plus a Chobe trip for only US$293.00

• Half Day Adrenalin, White water rafting, Upper Zambezi Canoeing, Night Drive

RAFTING + G/SWING COMBO

Book White water rafting and Gorge swing and pay US$200.00 only.

Please Note:

• Optional Activities can be booked on arrival. No bookings are made in advance.
• Rates are subject to change without notice
• Activities are subject to availability
• Activities are weather dependent

Zimbabwe Tour

Zimbabwe Tour Departure	Tour Rate p/p
2020	€ 2095

Please note: As of 1 January 2020 Drifters will implement a minimum requirement of 4 passengers to confirm a tour departure. Our reservation office will be able to assist with any request or questions.