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FROM US$5,270-US$8,560

Ground Hornbill Safari

This Zimbabwean odyssey explores Hwange National Park from two small camps, renowned for their great guiding, before ending with insights into cultural history, a little luxury and first-class rhino tracking in the Matobo Hills.

Ground Hornbill Safari: Summary

Ground Hornbill Safari in a nutshell

While most safaris in Zimbabwe hop from place to place, this ten-day adventure links three highly rated camps by road. It gives travellers a real feeling for the diversity of Zimbabwe's landscapes and communities, as well as helping to make this safari particularly great value.

Western Zimbabwe is home to the vast Hwange National Park which arguably provides the best wildlife viewing in the country. Diverse habitats host lion, leopard and rhino in good numbers and it is well known for its elephant population. Over 420 bird species have been recorded.

Spend six nights here in two camps. The first, Camp Hwange, is set where the Kalahari's plains fold into rugged hills. Owner run, it’s a real wilderness experience with top guiding and proper walking safaris. Then move on to Somalisa Expeditions, an intimate, relaxed bush camp in the heart of the park for more excellent guiding in a wildlife-rich area.

South lies Matobo National Park and Amalinda Lodge hidden among its boulder-strewn granite hills. There is a less of a focus on wildlife here – although you can track the park’s well protected black and white rhinos of foot – with a fascinating culture history to discover.

At a glance

Starts: Victoria Falls Airport
3 nights Camp Hwange - Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
3 nights Somalisa Expeditions - Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
3 nights Amalinda Lodge - Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
Ends: Bulawayo International Airport

Camp Hwange

Days 1-4

In the north-west of Hwange National Park, where the Kalahari's flat plains start to transition into rugged hills, you’ll find Camp Hwange. The camp combines a distinct "bush" feel with an emphasis on the safari experience and top guiding.

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Somalisa Expeditions

Days 4-7

A reinvention of a classic Hwange safari camp, Somalisa Expeditions opened at the start of 2017. The camp sits among a grove of acacia trees in a private, 150km² concession in the heart of Hwange National Park, and offers a friendly if relatively simple safari experience.

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Amalinda Lodge

Days 7-10

In a small private concession within Matobo Hills, Amalinda Lodge occupies a truly spectacular location. The lodge, formerly Camp Amalinda, is comfortable and owner run, with authentic, cleverly designed rooms built amongst ancient granite boulders. Come for the setting, the rich history and the opportunity to track rhino on foot.

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Camp Hwange

Camp Hwange

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Somalisa Expeditions

Somalisa Expeditions

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Amalinda Lodge

Amalinda Lodge

Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Ground Hornbill Safari.

  • Rhino tracking on foot in the Matobo Hills
  • Close elephants encounters at Camp Hwange’s hide
  • A visit to the grave of Cecil John Rhodes
  • Hikes to renowned San Bushmen paintings
  • Excellent walking safaris with top guides

Activities

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

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Cultural excursion

  • Guided walking safari

  • Night drive

  • Self-guided walking

About image

Key species to see on the Ground Hornbill Safari

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


Lion

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

White Rhino

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Giraffe

99% chance

Buffalo

98% chance

Eland

94% chance

Sable antelope

90% chance

Roan antelope

89% chance

Wildebeest

88% chance

Spotted Hyena

82% chance

Cheetah

66% chance

Leopard

60% chance

Wild dog

44% chance

Oryx

16% chance

Brown Hyena

11% chance

Pangolin

3% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Black Rhino

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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