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FROM US$7,000-US$11,860

Pied Kingfisher Safari

A luxury safari combining three of Zimbabwe's top highlights. The trip uses some of the finest safari camps in Zimbabwe and is perfect for a family or small group.

Pied Kingfisher Safari: Summary

Pied Kingfisher Safari in a nutshell

A fabulous family friendly fly-in safari exploring Zimbabwe’s north-western frontier. Spend nine nights in three contrasting and complimentary areas offering a great mix of safari activities. This trip also works well for small groups who might choose to book Somalisa Acacia and Nyamatusi Mahogany exclusively, depending on the group size.

Begin with a short road transfer into Victoria Falls Town. Your base here is the excellent Batonka Guest Lodge, set in a quiet suburb away from the bustle of the busier areas but still within easy reach of the waterfall, restaurants and shops. Fill your days with boat trips, tours of the falls, bungee jumps, helicopter flights and white-water rafting. Alternatively, take things a little slower with lunch at the spectacular lookout cafe, relax by Batonka's pool or browse local curio markets.

Your next stop is Hwange National Park and Somalisa Acacia. Shaded by acacia trees beside a seasonal floodplain, it is an intimate spot with just four tents. This vast and varied national park is renowned for its enormous elephant herds, which you can see on game drives and walking safaris led by highly experienced guides, along with lion, cheetah, wild dog, sable and roan antelope. With over 400 species reported, birding is also excellent here.

Aboard a light aircraft, follow the Zambezi River to Mana Pools National Park and the sumptuous Nyamatusi Mahogany strung along its bank. Wild and remote, you can look forward to more expertly led walks and drives. A highlight here is taking to the meandering waters to paddle by hippos and crocodiles in a canoe, a quintessential Mana experience.

Finally, your safari over, you'll take another light aircraft to Harare where your arrangements end.

At a glance

Starts: Victoria Falls Airport
3 nights Batonka Guest Lodge - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Bed & Breakfast
3 nights Somalisa Acacia - Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
3 nights Nyamatusi Mahogany - Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
Ends: Harare International Airport

Batonka Guest Lodge

Days 1-4

Tucked away in a quiet, leafy suburb of Victoria Falls Town, Batonka is just over 2km from the eponymous waterfall. Although its location isn’t quite as convenient for the Falls and town as many other options in the area, it’s only a 20-minute drive from the airport, and its relatively small size and quiet situation do make for a more peaceful and relaxing stay.

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Somalisa Acacia

Days 4-7

Somalisa Acacia is a luxury, family-focused camp set in a private concession, deep in the heart of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. With two family rooms and no age restrictions for children, it's a very convenient option within the park for families with younger children.

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Nyamatusi Mahogany

Days 7-10

Located in in the Zambezi Valley within Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, Nyamatusi Mahogany camp is a laid-back, family-orientated tented camp. With two family rooms and no age restrictions, it is perhaps the first truly family-friendly option within the park for those with younger children.

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Batonka Guest Lodge

Batonka Guest Lodge

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Somalisa Acacia

Somalisa Acacia

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Nyamatusi Mahogany

Nyamatusi Mahogany

Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Pied Kingfisher Safari.

  • Some of Africa’s best walking in Mana Pools
  • Get up close and personal with Hwange’s elephant herds
  • Drift along the Zambezi in a canoe with an expert guide
  • Relax and unwind in Victoria Falls
  • Enjoy excellent service and top guiding throughout

Activities

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

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

  • Canoeing

  • Cultural excursion

  • Elephant encounter

  • Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

  • Helicopter

  • Kayaking

  • Microlight

  • Night drive

  • White-water rafting

About image

Key species to see on the Pied Kingfisher Safari

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


Lion

100% chance

Wild dog

100% chance

Buffalo

100% chance

Eland

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Giraffe

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

Roan antelope

100% chance

Spotted Hyena

100% chance

Wildebeest

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Leopard

73% chance

Sable antelope

62% chance

Cheetah

51% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Black Rhino

0% chance

Brown Hyena

0% chance

Oryx

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this safari

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Pied Kingfisher Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Rhino Walk

Rhino Walk

Around four hours - mornings only

Spend an unforgettable morning on a walking safari tracking Mosi-oa-Tunya’s small population of white rhino, with a strong chance of being able to approach these endangered creatures on foot.

More about Rhino Walk
93% (3 reviews)
Chobe Day Trip

Chobe Day Trip

Full day - typically around 11 hours

For a top safari experience while visiting the Victoria Falls, don’t miss a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Easily reachable from Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Chobe boasts some of the best wildlife densities in southern Africa, with exceptional numbers of elephant drawn by the permanent waters of the Chobe River.

More about Chobe Day Trip
Helicopter Flight - Zimbabwe

Helicopter Flight - Zimbabwe

Shortest flight is 12-25 minutes

While viewing the Victoria Falls from the ground is a stunning experience, seen the world’s largest waterfall from the air allows for a completely different perspective, historically said to have been so beautiful as to have been seen by ‘angels in flight’.

More about Helicopter Flight
96% (9 reviews)
Ra-Ikane River Cruise

Ra-Ikane River Cruise

Two hours minimum

Cruising the upper sections of the Zambezi reveals another dimension to the river's beauty, adding a sense of serenity to the thrill of watching it cascade over the Victoria Falls. On a Ra-Ikane river cruise, experience the river’s islands and channels, keeping an eye out for wildlife, and the spray from the Falls.

More about Ra-Ikane River Cruise
95% (37 reviews)
Elephant Encounter

Elephant Encounter

Three hours

For a very personal encounter with elephants, head to The Elephant Camp near Victoria Falls. From its sanctuary for orphaned elephants, it offers close interaction with one of Africa's most iconic species, including the chance to feed the elephants by hand, and talk to the guides who have raised and trained them.

More about Elephant Encounter
92% (5 reviews)
Elephant Art Experience

Elephant Art Experience

Three hours

The Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary and Art of Africa have teamed up to create a unique experience in the bush, with private tutors running painting workshops and habituated elephants provision impressive models, standing just metres away from your easel.

More about Elephant Art Experience
Zambezi Explorer River Cruise

Zambezi Explorer River Cruise

Two hours

Watching the sunset from the middle of the Zambezi River, with the spray of the falls behind you, is an incredibly popular activity. A large variety of cruises are on offer, ranging from cheap and boozy directed towards the backpacker crowd, to much more luxurious and serene experiences. A great option for the latter style is the Zambezi Explorer.

More about Zambezi Explorer
100% (4 reviews)
Microlight Flight

Microlight Flight

15 or 30 minutes

For pure exhilaration, it's hard to find something better than flying in a microlight, swooping through the spray that crashes up and off the Victoria Falls, with rainbows shimmering below. If you don't like heights, then this isn't for you! For those looking for a different way to see the Falls, the microlight flights offer a stunning birds eye view of this spectacular natural wonder.

More about Microlight Flight
100% (1 reviews)
Livingstone Island & Devil's Pool

Livingstone Island & Devil's Pool

Three hours

Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and a huge attraction for many visitors to southern Africa. We're often asked if the waterfall is best viewed from the Zambian or Zimbabwean side, but we think the best way to experience the full majesty of the falls is from the middle with a visit to Livingstone Island.

More about Livingstone Island
96% (9 reviews)
Historical Bridge Tour

Historical Bridge Tour

Two hours - AM & PM departures

A feat of engineering the Victoria Falls Bridge was built in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes' vision to link the Cape to Cairo. With an expert guide and the appropriate safety equipment you'll not only discover the wonders of this Victorian marvel but also gain a unique perspective of the Victoria Falls themselves.

More about Bridge Tour
Guided tour of Victoria Falls

Guided tour of Victoria Falls

Two hours - AM & PM departures

One of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the mighty Victoria Falls has to be seen to be believed. Why not take an expertly guided trip to learn about the history, geology, flora and fauna of one of Africa's most spectacular sites?

More about Tour of the Falls
100% (5 reviews)
Cookery Course & Activity

Cookery Course & Activity

Six hours - afternoon activity

Make a traditional Southern African ‘potjie dinner’ on the banks of the Zambezi River. You’ll be guided through the preparation process by professional chefs before embarking on an afternoon activity while your dinner cooks. The activity is followed by a 3-course meal, including your self-made Pot as the main course.

More about Cookery Course
Bushtracks Express

Bushtracks Express

Generally four and a half hours

The Bushtracks Express Train starts its journey at Zimbabwe’s iconic Victoria Falls Station before departing on its route through Victoria Falls National Park the Victoria Falls Bridge, where guests enjoy the stunning view of the Falls. Afterwards, the train will depart for a siding out of town, for dinner.

More about Bushtracks Express

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.


Talk to an Expert

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.

Travel with peace of mind

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

We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.

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Look at these ideas in Zimbabwe: then talk to us. Will will design a trip that's perfect for you.


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Other safari ideas across Africa

Talk to us: help us to understand what you like and we can create a safari that will really suit you.


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