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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: Day-by-day

The joy of this adventure lies in the journey across Zimbabwe, as well as within its national parks. Seeing Zimbabwe’s everyday life in a variety of landscapes and communities en route will help you get a rich understanding of the country.


Day 1

Starts: Victoria Falls Airport

Day 1

Victoria Falls to Camp Hwange by road

An air-conditioned vehicle will transfer you from the airport to meet your safari guide at Hwange National Park's Mbala Gate. Then it’s a 4WD safari to Camp Hwange, across rocky granite hills. It’ll take around four hours total, depending on how long you stop to watch wildlife on the way.

Camp Hwange
Days 1-4

Camp Hwange

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesHwange National Park, Zimbabwe

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.

Camp Hwange

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.

"Exceeded expectations"

Mr & Mrs GfromBrockham

Arrived 17 Oct 2022, 2 nights

We've been sending our travellers on mobile safaris with David Carson for many years, and we are very impressed with this, his first permanent camp, which continues his legacy of top guiding and unforgettable safaris. Camp Hwange is all about experiencing the wilderness first-hand, so if you're looking for five-star luxury this is not the place for you. If, however, your emphasis is on flexible, knowledgeable and charismatic guiding in very comfortable surroundings, then we think you'll love it here. See our full report on Camp Hwange

97%
87 reviews of Camp Hwange by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Day 4

Camp Hwange to Somalisa: 4WD game drive

A fascinating open-topped 4WD transfer right across Hwange National Park transports you through Kalahari woodlands, open vleis and past the occasional pan to your next camp, Somalisa. Depending on stops to watch wildlife, switch vehicles and picnic, this will take around four hours.

Somalisa Expeditions
Days 4-7

Somalisa Expeditions

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesHwange National Park, Zimbabwe

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.

Somalisa Expeditions

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.

"Staff was great... a more “glamorous” camp setting"

Mr & Mrs B.fromFlorida

Arrived 17 Sep 2022, 3 nights

Somalisa Expeditions provides the experience of a traditional safari camp in the middle of a wildlife-rich area, balancing its simple rustic design with more stylish and comfortable elements. It's a great choice for travellers looking for a classic African safari camp that can deliver excellent guiding and superb wildlife viewing, both on activities and from the camp itself. See our full report on Somalisa Expeditions

100%
15 reviews of Somalisa Expeditions by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Day 7

Road transfer Hwange to Matobo Hills

After a two-hour game drive through the rolling Kalahari woodlands of the park, you’ll rendezvous with an air-conditioned vehicle for the drive south-east. This takes you through open country, villages and the city of Bulawayo, to reach Amalinda, in the stunning granite kopjes of Matobo Hills, about four hours later.

Amalinda Lodge
Days 7-10

Amalinda Lodge

3 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesMatobo National Park, Zimbabwe

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.

Amalinda Lodge

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.

"Loved the room set in the rocks"

MarkfromSwitzerland

Arrived 2 Jan 2024, 3 nights

Amalinda is a highly original lodge. It has been built into the Matobo Hills with an imagination and flare that not only incorporates its natural surroundings with great style and comfort, but also pays homage to the area's history. It offers intelligent historical and cultural activities, relatively easy rhino tracking, and some gentle safari activities that pleasantly contrast with and complement the more safari-focused camps in the larger national parks. It's a great lodge in a stunning area, and it's well worth a visit. See our full report on Amalinda Lodge

95%
38 reviews of Amalinda Lodge by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Cultural excursion

Guided walking safari

Self-guided walking

Day 10

Amalinda to Bulawayo by road

Following a leisurely morning around the lodge, or perhaps a short activity, one of Amalinda’s drivers will take you to Bulawayo Airport, in plenty of time to meet your flight. It’s about an hour’s drive, largely on tar roads, passing through the historical city of Bulawayo.

Day 10

Ends: Bulawayo International Airport

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