Walk with Rhino & Swim with Elephants
A Zimbabwe Exclusive Experience
This beautifully curated Zimbabwe journey blends soulful wilderness, meaningful heritage, and indulgent comfort, from the mystical granite “kopjes” of the Matobo Hills to the elephant-rich plains of Hwange, finishing with the spray and spectacle of Victoria Falls.
You’ll begin at Amalinda Lodge, a luxury sanctuary built into ancient rock formations within the UNESCO-listed Matobo Hills, where rhino tracking, San rock art, scenic hikes and village encounters are paired with a legendary granite pool and a tucked-away safari spa for deep relaxation.
From there, you’ll move to Khulu Bush Camp on a private concession bordering Hwange — a classic, intimate safari setting with superb guiding, game drives (including night drives on the private concession), walking safaris, wildlife hides/platforms, and excellent opportunities for elephants and other plains game at the waterhole.
One night elevates the magic even further with a Starbed Sleepout under the Milky Way — a true bucket-list experience in the African night.
Your final nights are spent at the Victoria Falls Safari Club, an exclusive base with its own dining and viewing deck, thoughtful in-room inclusions, and easy access to the Falls and signature experiences such as a Zambezi dinner cruise and The Boma’s famous drum-and-dance extravaganza.
As always in Africa, the daily activities below are suggested and will be tailored and confirmed on safari, based on your interests, the season, and wildlife movement.
Experience The Highlights
Itinerary Overview
Quick Summary
| Day | Description | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Bulawayo – transfer to Amalinda | Amalinda Lodge |
| Day 2 | Amalinda – rhino, rock art and Matobo magic | Amalinda Lodge |
| Day 3 | Khami Ruins visit (UNESCO World Heritage) | Amalinda Lodge |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Khulu Bush Camp | Khulu Bush Camp |
| Day 5 | Khulu Bush Camp – game drives, walking safaris, hides and waterhole theatre | Khulu Bush Camp |
| Day 6 | The skies of Hwange – a starbed experience in the wild | Khulu Bush Camp |
| Day 7 | Khulu Bush Camp | Khulu Bush Camp |
| Day 8 | Fly to Victoria Falls – settle into the Safari Club experience | Victoria Falls Safari Club |
| Day 9 | Victoria Falls | Victoria Falls Safari Club |
| Day 10 | Victoria Falls | Victoria Falls Safari Club |
| Day 11 | Depart Victoria Falls |
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Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Bulawayo – Transfer to Amalinda
Amalinda Lodge
Arrive into Bulawayo and transfer into the timeless landscapes of the Matobo Hills.
Settle into Amalinda’s remarkable rock-and-thatch design, carved into ancient granite boulders, then ease into safari rhythm with a relaxed afternoon — perhaps a gentle walk, a sundowner viewpoint, or simply enjoying the atmosphere from the granite pool.
- Accommodation: Amalinda Lodge
- Meals: D
Day 2: Amalinda – Rhino, Rock Art and Matobo Magic
Matabo Rock Art
Today is about choosing your perfect pace. Matobo is famed for rhino tracking, often on foot with expert guides, offering one of Zimbabwe’s most powerful wildlife encounters.
You may also explore ancient San rock art, hike among lichen-covered boulders to sweeping viewpoints, or visit nearby villages (including striking Ndebele-painted homesteads).
- Accommodation: Amalinda Lodge
- Meals: B,L,D
Day 3: Khami Ruins visit (UNESCO World Heritage)
Khami Ruins
A superb cultural contrast today: visit Khami Ruins, a UNESCO World Heritage site just outside Bulawayo, showcasing impressive dry-stone platforms and royal areas from a once-flourishing civilisation.
Return to Amalinda for a leisurely afternoon — perhaps a short walk, a final viewpoint stop, or pure relaxation back at the lodge.
- Accommodation: Amalinda Lodge
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 4: Transfer to Khulu Bush Camp
Khulu Bush Camp
After breakfast, depart Matobo for Hwange and your next chapter at Khulu Bush Camp.
Arrive at a classic safari atmosphere overlooking a busy waterhole, where elephants, buffalo and plains game often drift in throughout the day.
Suggested afternoon: your first game drive or an unhurried hide sit, followed by dinner beside the sounds of the African night.
- Accommodation: Khulu Bush Camp
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 5: Khulu Bush Camp – Game Drives, Walking Safaris, Hides and Waterhole Theatre
Khulu Bush Camp
Set your safari intentions with your guide, whether you’re chasing big cats, elephants, birds, or photographic moments. A classic day might include a morning game drive with a tea/coffee stop, time back at camp during the heat of the day, then an afternoon drive with sundowners.
Between activities, enjoy the photography hide, pool, and the mesmerising waterhole views from camp.
Optional focus: a walking safari for a deeper, more intimate sense of place, guided by Zimbabwe’s highly trained professional guides.
- Accommodation: Khulu Bush Camp
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 6: The Skies of Hwange – A Starbed Experience in the Wild
Khulu Bush Camp
Enjoy a full safari day on the private concession or in Hwange National Park, with your choice of the camp’s usual activities — typically a morning game drive or guided walk, time to relax during the heat of the day, then a late-afternoon drive to make the most of the golden light.
Back at camp, savour dinner, and then the evening becomes truly unforgettable: with dessert and a bottle of wine packed for you, you’ll set off on a night drive to the Starbed Sleepout platform. Here, you’ll settle in under the vast African sky and fall asleep to the sounds of the bush, with your guide camped nearby for safety and radio communication on hand.
- Accommodation: Khulu Bush Camp
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 7: Khulu Bush Camp
Khulu Bush Camp
This morning, you’ll be collected around sunrise and return to camp for a hearty breakfast — and one of the most memorable stories of your safari.
You have another full day to shape around what you love most: a drive into Hwange’s landscapes, a slower-paced hide sit or platform watch, or a focused walking safari.
Optional addition: visit the Hwange Research Centre to learn about Zimbabwe’s important conservation work with African painted dogs (wild dogs).
- Accommodation: Khulu Bush Camp
- Meals: B, L, D
Day 8: Fly to Victoria Falls – Settle into the Safari Club Experience
Safari Club – Victoria Falls and Zambezi
Transfer to the airstrip for your flight north to Victoria Falls.
On arrival, check into the Victoria Falls Safari Club, known for its elevated comforts and an excellent location for easy access to activities.
Enjoy the dedicated dining and viewing deck, and thoughtful in-room inclusions such as a complimentary minibar (restocked daily), a pillow menu, and a Nespresso machine
Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River
This afternoon, you are collected from the hotel and taken down for a dinner cruise on the Zambezi River – it is a magical experience that combines gourmet dining with breathtaking scenery, creating an unforgettable evening on the water.
Against the backdrop of the African sunset, guests are treated to a sumptuous meal featuring a selection of delectable dishes inspired by local flavours and international cuisine. With attentive service, exquisite cuisine, and the natural beauty of the Zambezi River as a backdrop, a Malachite dinner cruise on the Zambezi promises an enchanting evening that is truly unforgettable.
Duration: 3.5 hours
- Tour: Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River
- Accommodation: Victoria Falls Safari Club
- Meals: B, D
Day 10: Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Use the day for any “wish list” extras you’d like to add, then finish on a high note with
The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show, which is a wonderfully high-energy night out near Victoria Falls, pairs a hearty four-course, buffet-style feast with an electrifying celebration of song, traditional dance and drumming.
From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere is festive and full of colour—performers bring the evening to life with powerful rhythms, vibrant choreography and plenty of audience participation, culminating in an interactive drumming session that’s almost impossible to sit through without joining in.
Dinner is classic “boma” style: shared starters, soup enjoyed around the fire, a generous braai buffet with a mix of meats and local favourites, and a sweet finish—plus the famous mopane worm tasting challenge for the brave.
- Tour: Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River
- Accommodation: Victoria Falls Safari Club
- Meals: B, D
Day 11: Depart Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls
Use the day for any “wish list” extras you’d like to add, then finish on a high note with
The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show, which is a wonderfully high-energy night out near Victoria Falls, pairs a hearty four-course, buffet-style feast with an electrifying celebration of song, traditional dance and drumming.
From the moment you arrive, the atmosphere is festive and full of colour—performers bring the evening to life with powerful rhythms, vibrant choreography and plenty of audience participation, culminating in an interactive drumming session that’s almost impossible to sit through without joining in.
Dinner is classic “boma” style: shared starters, soup enjoyed around the fire, a generous braai buffet with a mix of meats and local favourites, and a sweet finish—plus the famous mopane worm tasting challenge for the brave.
- Tour: Dinner Cruise on the Zambezi River
- Accommodation: Victoria Falls Safari Club
- Meals: B, D
Do You Have Questions About This Tour?
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Connect with an Africa Specialist to discuss this Signature Experience.
Accommodation on This Tour
Accommodation overview: Where you will be staying on this tour.
Amalinda Lodge
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Amalinda Lodge is an architectural gem, tucked away in an ancient Bushman shelter, in the mysterious Matobo Hills.
Surrounded by an impressive granite wilderness, this quirky camp, crafted into the side of a hill, spills out over several different levels. Nine secluded rock suites are uniquely designed with natural stone and thatch, and feature comfortable furnishings.
Central areas imaginatively reflect the Matobo Hills World Heritage Site, and the spa and infinity pool overlook a scenic waterhole.
Please note that Amalinda Lodge has several steps and is not suitable for those with mobility challenges.
Khulu Bush Camp
Hwange, Zimbabwe
Khulu Bush Camp offers an intimate and luxurious safari experience on a 15,000-acre private concession bordering Hwange National Park
The camp features nine elegantly designed rooms, including two ultra-luxurious suites, each with indoor and outdoor showers, private balconies overlooking a waterhole, and amenities like stocked bar fridges and coffee stations.
Guests can enjoy a refreshing swimming pool, a photography hide, and two fireplaces with mesmerising views of the active waterhole, frequently visited by elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife.
Activities include game drives, walking safaris, and cultural experiences, providing a comprehensive and immersive African wilderness adventure.
Victoria Falls Safari Club
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Perched on a plateau overlooking the Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls Safari Club offers an exclusive and luxurious retreat just 4 kilometers from the iconic Victoria Falls.
This boutique hotel features 20 spacious rooms, each designed with an open-plan layout and private balconies that provide uninterrupted views of the pristine bushveld and breathtaking African sunsets.
Guests are treated to personalised butler-style concierge service, ensuring a tailored and memorable stay.
The Club’s central guest area boasts a fine-dining restaurant and bar, a lounge, and a viewing deck overlooking a wildlife-rich waterhole, frequented by elephants, buffalo, and kudu.
Additional amenities include a two-tiered swimming pool with a 15-meter lap pool and sundeck, as well as access to a modern, well-equipped fitness centre.
Complimentary services such as afternoon tea, sundowner cocktails with canapés, and a shuttle to Victoria Falls and local markets enhance the guest experience.
As part of the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate, guests also have easy access to the renowned Buffalo Bar, the deluxe MaKuwa-Kuwa Restaurant, and the vibrant Boma – Dinner & Drum Show, offering a comprehensive and immersive African experience.
Price Includes
Fully inclusive of accommodation, scheduled wildlife viewing activities, all meals specified, and return airstrip road transfers.
Price Excludes
International flights
Visa fees
Optional Activities
Personal expenses
Premium drinks
Gratuities
Travel Insurance
All items not listed as specifically included
All rates are based on current taxes, fees, and costs. We reserve the right to change our rates without prior notice if base fees, taxes, and expenses change.
Why African Signature
Curated Destinations
The Right Place We don’t do "everywhere." We focus on the corners of Africa where the fences are down and the wildlife is still truly wild. From the floodplains of the Zambezi to the dry pans of the Kalahari, we only send you to regions where the land is vast enough to get lost in and the sightings are worth the journey.
Tailored Experiences
The Ground Level Safari isn't just about sitting in a vehicle. It’s about the crunch of grass under your boots on a walking safari, the silent glide of a boat through a reed bed, or the patience of sitting at a waterhole for three hours. We design your days around the rhythm of the animals, not the schedule of a hotel.
Sustainable Stewardship
The Real Impact Travel here has to mean something. We partner with people who are actually on the front lines—the ones running anti-poaching units, protecting habitat, and ensuring local communities see the value in keeping these lions and elephants alive. Your trip is what keeps those boots on the ground.
Do You Have Questions About This Tour?
We Are Here To Help
Connect with an Africa Specialist to discuss this Signature Experience.
Travel Insurance
Protect your investment and don’t forget Travel Insurance! This is mandatory for all our bookings.
In addition to trip cancellation and interruption, most travel insurance plans include coverage for trip delay, missed connection, lost or delayed baggage, medical expenses, and emergency evacuation with repatriation of remains. 24-hour assistance services are included to help the traveller with things such as emergency medical assistance, lost baggage tracking, emergency cash transfer, emergency or last-minute travel arrangements, assistance with replacing lost travel documents and much more.
Why Buy a Travel Insurance Plan? Because Travel Mishaps Occur Every Day! No matter how hard you try, there are some things you just can’t plan for:
If a family member gets sick. If your baggage is lost. If your trip is delayed. Your passport is lost or stolen. If the weather prevents your travel. You need to see a doctor for a sudden injury – your health insurance may not be valid overseas, and medical evacuations can be really expensive. If you miss a flight connection (- e.g. only 80% of US flights arrive on time) You don’t want to lose all your money if you have to cancel your trip. Sometimes, even expert travellers need a little help.
Whilst we will provide you with a Temporary Membership to the Flying Doctor’s Emergency Evacuation scheme in Tanzania, this has to have a corresponding international insurance to cover hospital and emergency cover when you land at the nearest available medical facility.
Please be sure that the travel insurance that you have is right for you!
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Our Concierge Is Here To Help
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask our concierge in the bottom right corner. They will assist you or put you in contact with one of our African Specialists.
