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FROM US$8,110-US$10,240

Bat Hawk Safari

Explore two areas revered by safari enthusiasts with some of Africa’s best walking and some superb guiding – even by Zimbabwe’s high standards – for a varied and wonderfully immersive wilderness experience.

Bat Hawk Safari: Summary

Bat Hawk Safari in a nutshell

Begin with three nights in iconic Mana Pools National Park. Your camp, Little Vundu, is an intimate, simple place with just five traditional tents set up on the southern banks of the Zambezi with views out across its lazy expanse into Zambia.

It’s owned Nick Murray, one of the best guides in Zimbabwe and a renowned wild dog expert, who oversees a great team in this private concession. Walking safaris are a speciality here – often mid game drive as you hop out to approach elephants and more on foot – as is taking to the meandering Zambezi in canoes, paddling between hippos and crocodiles.

From Zimbabwe’s northern frontier, fly across country to its border with Mozambique and South Africa and Gonarezhou National Park, a rarely visited spot far off the usual safari circuit despite its rugged beauty. Spend four nights here at Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge, perched on a red sandstone cliff above the Save River.

It’s an area as much about pristine scenery as the wildlife, and the walks along the gorge, to cascading waterfalls or to visit the nearby Shangaan village are always spectacular. The lodge itself is luxuriously appointed, but you can also opt to fly camp four a couple of nights in the wilderness deep inside the park to see the towering Chilojo Cliffs. Whichever you chose, you’ll be accompanied on all activities and drives by an enthusiastic team lead by the lodge’s founder Clive Stockil, a multi award-winning Zimbabwean Professional Guide since 1973 and a passionate driver of community-led conservation.

At a glance

Starts: Harare International Airport
3 nights Little Vundu - Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
4 nights Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge - Gonarezhou & Save Valley, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
Ends: Johannesburg O. R. Tambo International Airport

Little Vundu

Days 1-4

On the banks of the Zambezi River, Little Vundu is an intimate, semi-permanent camp often privately reserved for families or small groups. Part way between a private mobile camp and a more solid lodge, this is a good base from which to explore Zimbabwe’s most famous national park, Mana Pools.

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Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Days 4-8

Elevated atop a cliff, Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge has fantastic views over the Save River below and Ghonarezhou National Park beyond. Refurbished and re-opened in 2012, the lodge lies just outside the park, whose north-eastern boundary is formed by the river.

View full itinerary
Little Vundu

Little Vundu

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Chilo Gorge Safari Lodge

Gonarezhou & Save Valley, Zimbabwe

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Bat Hawk Safari.

  • Tracking elephants and wild dog on foot
  • Canoeing the Zambezi among hippos and crocodiles
  • Spectacular hikes up Chilo Gorge
  • Exploring Gonarezhou's vast, under-visited wilderness
  • Wonderfully varied landscapes, wildlife & birdlife

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Bat Hawk Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Canoeing

  • Cultural excursion

  • Fishing

  • Fly-camping

  • Guided walking safari

About image

Key species to see on the Bat Hawk Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Bat Hawk Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Buffalo

100% chance

Eland

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

Wildebeest

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Leopard

91% chance

Giraffe

84% chance

Lion

78% chance

Wild dog

72% chance

Sable antelope

60% chance

Spotted Hyena

60% chance

White Rhino

32% chance

Cheetah

0% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Black Rhino

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Roan antelope

0% chance

Let us help you customise your trip

All of our holidays on this site are just ideas; none are fixed. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us help you to work out your perfect trip.


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Call us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.

Set up your itinerary

Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.

Prepare for your trip

The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.

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After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.

When you return

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