Beyond the Falls

There is little dispute that Victoria Falls is one of the most defining landmarks of Zimbabwe, if not the entire continent of Africa. But ‘the Smoke That Thunders, or Mosi-oa-Tunya in the local dialect, is just one aspect of this diverse and captivating nation.

With the meandering Zambezi coursing along its northern borders, the variety of wildlife matches Zimbabwe’s diversity of landscapes. While the reputation of Victoria Falls may take precedence and draw year-round crowds, there is a far quieter, more exclusive side to Zimbabwe that is waiting to be discovered.

Beginning at the celebrity destination, this itinerary takes you directly to the jewel of Zimbabwe, combining the majestic Falls with game drives and walking safaris through Zambezi National Park. Drift on the Zambezi on a sunset boat cruise and rise at dawn to explore the bush in search of the park’s most cherished residents, the white rhino.

The first days of this journey place Mosi-oa-Tunya in the spotlight, exploring the falls on foot, taking afternoon tea with a breathtaking view, taking to the skies on a helicopter flight over the gorge, or getting the adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting, bungee jumping and other thrill-inducing activities.

With the ‘smoke’ of the falls fading into the west, the second chapter of this Zimbabwean journey travels to Hwange National Park, for three days in the country’s largest park and home to Africa’s most populous elephant herds – a reflection of its incredible success at overturning poaching. Days in Hwange will be filled with morning and afternoon game drives, with sundowners in the bush, taking in the magnificent herds alongside lion, zebra, buffalo, giraffe and rare sightings of cheetah and black and white rhino.

Zimbabwe: Beyond the Falls concludes in Mana Pools, on the banks of the Zambezi. Tranquil canoeing safaris weave through the aquatic wilderness, where Nile crocodile bask on sandbars and elephant drink from the riverbank or submerge almost completely to reach the far shore, trunks held aloft like a swimmer’s snorkel. Mana Pools is also one of Africa’s best destinations to witness painted dog. Frequently sought after though often elusive, Mana Pools presents one of the highest likelihoods of observing large packs of painted dogs playing and hunting.

Like neighbouring Zambia, Zimbabwe offers the opportunity for walking safaris, to discover the rhino of Zambezi National Park, venture into the expanses of Hwange or wander through riverside glades of winterthorn trees to discover the minutiae of the African bush.