Grysbok Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Grysbok Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: Victoria Falls Airport
Victoria Falls Airport to Hwange by road
From Victoria Falls Airport, it's a drive of about 2–2½ hours in an air-conditioned vehicle to rendezvous with your safari guide at Hwange Main Camp. You'll then have a leisurely 4WD safari across rolling Kalahari woodlands to Somalisa Camp, stopping to watch wildlife and arriving after about two hours.
Somalisa Camp
Set beneath a grove of acacia trees in a private concession on the eastern side of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, Somalisa Camp underwent a complete rebuild in 2015. Gone is the simple, rustic property, to be replaced by a smart new set up with a much more luxurious style. The camp is fronted by an ancient dried-up watercourse known as the Sumamalisa Vlei, and this, along with the attendant waterhole, provides a great place to view the large herds of elephants for which Hwange is famous.
Set beneath a grove of acacia trees in a private concession on the eastern side of Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, Somalisa Camp underwent a complete rebuild in 2015. Gone is the simple, rustic property, to be replaced by a smart new set up with a much more luxurious style. The camp is fronted by an ancient dried-up watercourse known as the Sumamalisa Vlei, and this, along with the attendant waterhole, provides a great place to view the large herds of elephants for which Hwange is famous.
"Elephant watching on another level... amazing camp... incredible people"
Mrs A.fromWellsArrived 17 Sep 2022, 3 nights
The new Somalisa has a much more luxurious style than its predecessor, with comfortable furnishings and top service. Yet although the transformation has been substantial, much of the original character of the camp has been maintained. If you are looking for a classy tented camp with excellent wildlife watching opportunities and superb guiding, then Somalisa would be a great choice. See our full report on Somalisa Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Hwange to Mana Pools by 4WD & light aircraft
After a last activity from Somalisa, hop on board a 4WD for the half-hour trip to the airstrip. The light-aircraft flight to Mana Pools takes about two hours, perhaps stopping for other passengers to alight. It's then a scenic 1–2-hour game drive to Nyamatusi, set amongst stunning riverine forests.
Nyamatusi Camp
Combining huge, stylish suites with top guiding, Nyamatusi raises the bar for luxury safaris in Mana Pools National Park. It’s clear from the outset that African Bush Camps have put a lot of thought into the creation of Nyamatusi. Backed by ancient trees, it looks out over the plains of Mana Pools National Park to the mighty Zambezi, plains roamed over millennia by elephant and buffalo, lion and leopard, warthog and wildebeest.
Combining huge, stylish suites with top guiding, Nyamatusi raises the bar for luxury safaris in Mana Pools National Park. It’s clear from the outset that African Bush Camps have put a lot of thought into the creation of Nyamatusi. Backed by ancient trees, it looks out over the plains of Mana Pools National Park to the mighty Zambezi, plains roamed over millennia by elephant and buffalo, lion and leopard, warthog and wildebeest.
Widely spaced among the trees, six top-class suites with billowing fabrics and complementary wooden decking seem almost at one with their pristine environment – albeit with air conditioning, private plunge pools and top-of-the-safari-range bathrooms to ensure that creature comforts are just a step or a click away.
Take in the grandeur of the surroundings from your bed, your cushioned terrace, or Nyamatusi’s big viewing deck. Discover the natural wonders of this land as you explore on foot or by 4WD with one of Zimbabwe’s expert professional guides. Or train your binoculars skyward to seek out the avian dramas unfolding above.
"outstanding in every aspect"
Mrs A.fromWellsArrived 23 Sep 2022, 3 nights
As the sun drops below the African horizon, the sunken wine cellar comes into its own, inviting you to select a bottle for dinner – a sumptuous but leisurely three-course meal that you can enjoy alone or share as a convivial group – the choice is yours. See our full report on Nyamatusi Camp
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Mana Pools to Matusadona by 4WD & light aircraft
This morning, you'll leave Nyamatusi and return to the airstrip for a light-aircraft flight of around 1 hour 20 minutes to Matusadona. Bumi Hills has its own airstrip, so it's just a quick 4WD transfer to the camp, with its spectacular hilltop location overlooking Lake Kariba.
Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Set on top of a high hill with views that stretch out across the Zambezi Escarpment in one direction and the vast expanse of Lake Kariba in the other, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge has been around, in one form or another, for many years. Extensive renovations in 2009 and a more recent refurbishment in early 2018 means that the lodge now provides probably the most luxurious and relaxing location on the Zimbabwean side of Lake Kariba.
Set on top of a high hill with views that stretch out across the Zambezi Escarpment in one direction and the vast expanse of Lake Kariba in the other, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge has been around, in one form or another, for many years. Extensive renovations in 2009 and a more recent refurbishment in early 2018 means that the lodge now provides probably the most luxurious and relaxing location on the Zimbabwean side of Lake Kariba.
"This lodge and surrounding area are very unique and different"
Mr & Mrs TfromSevenoaksArrived 16 Sep 2022, 3 nights
One of the more solid and substantial safari lodges in Zimbabwe, Bumi Hills feels more smart hotel than bushcamp: perhaps it’s the stone construction and air conditioning that serves as something as a barrier between guests and the bush. Yet it’s difficult not to be lured in by the views of Lake Kariba, the superb pool and the opportunity to explore the lake by boat, all of which make it very appealing just to relax and enjoy the lake. As such we’d recommend Bumi as a place to break up a safari or perhaps as a place to recover from, or prepare for, a long-haul flight – although with a range of flexible activities, it won't feel at all out of place in a safari itinerary. See our full report on Bumi Hills Safari Lodge
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Matusadona to Harare by 4WD & light aircraft
If your flight time allows, you may have time for a final activity at Bumi Hills before leaving Lake Kariba to board your light aircraft for Harare International Airport. The flight takes a little over an hour, depending on any stops for other passengers to alight.