Fly to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city and drive south towards Matobo Hills National Park, the oldest in Zimbabwe, included on the World Heritage list. With stunning landscapes in a relatively small geographic area, you can almost be guaranteed sightings of white rhino, the elusive black rhino, a variety of antelope species, baboon, rock hyrax and possibly a leopard. Avian friends include the Black Eagle, African Hawk and Cape Eagle Owl. Rich in human history, more than 3,000 rock art sites dating back from 320-500 AD, and other historical treasures such as 20,000-year-old stone tools, can be found here. The local Ndebele claim this land as a sacred shrine and still pray to Mwali to petition for rain. Cecil Rhodes so loved this place that was granted permission to be buried here – you can visit his grave, carved out from the rock, marked by a brass plaque at the aptly named World’s View, a vantage point high up on the rocks. Your beautiful lodge is nestled in this unique range of hills and has just nine thatched chalets, built around the huge granite boulders, each individually decorated having its own look and feel. CAMP AMALINDA.

Transfer by road to Hwange National Park and your home for the next three nights – The Hide, located in one of the finest wildlife observing regions in the Park. Consisting of saltpans, acacia scrub and grasslands, Hwange is the largest park in Zimbabwe with one of the densest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Massive herds of buffalo and elephant are a sight to behold. Travel by 4×4 open vehicle, or on foot to see sable and roan antelope, impala, and gemsbok. Predators are abundant, including lion, wild dog, cheetah, African wild cat, black-backed jackal and brown hyena. Leopards have been known to enjoy their dinner in front of the camp. Birdwatchers will delight in an array of Miombo and Kalahari species including Red-billed Francolin, Yellow-billed Stork, Green Woodhoopoe, African Hawk Eagle, and Black Sparrowhawk. Uniquely styled along classic lines with plenty of natural light, your family-owned exclusive camp offers spacious tented accommodations. The lounge, dining room and open campfire area overlook a waterhole and the plains, frequented by a constant parade of wildlife. THE HIDE SAFARI CAMP.

Catch an early flight to Lake Kariba, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes, studded with islands and surrounded by mountains and forests. For two days you can relax and enjoy the warm Zimbabwean sunshine on a houseboat out in the middle of the Lake. Enjoy this iconic destination with its dead trees rising out of the murky water, dense with hippos and sly crocodiles. Game parks and nature reserves border the Lake giving you the ability to view many wild animals as they come to drink along the riverbanks in the early morning or late evening. Sit quietly and fish, watch out for game, and unwind and enjoy the scenery! Your air-conditioned vessel has nine cabins with all creature comforts, including a pool. UMBOZHA HOUSEBOAT.

Venture off to Matusadona National Park, unspoiled and truly wild, remote, rugged and accessible only by air charter, 4×4 or boat. In its diverse habitat of mountain terrain, mopane woodland, riverine bush and shoreline grasslands you can find the ‘big five’ including the reclusive black rhino, as well as sable and roan antelope, hippo, Nile crocodile, wild dog, kudu, zebra, impala, waterbuck, giraffe, wildebeest, African wildcat, serval, honey badger, civet, spotted hyena and one of the highest concentrations of lions in Africa. Here you can enjoy walking safaris, game runs by 4X4, fishing, bird watching and boating on Lake Kariba. Your intimate tented home is located on the shores of the Lake and has eight tastefully furnished, fan-cooled, spacious deluxe East African-style tented suites. CHANGA SAFARI CAMP.

After a last activity this morning and a hearty breakfast, transfer to Fothergill Island for your charter flight to Harare where you board your flight to Johannesburg and home.