An Unforgettable Family Affair in Zimbabwe

One of my favorite types of trips to plan is an African family safari vacation! To be given the opportunity to shape someone’s dream family vacation into an unforgettable and inspiring getaway is truly an honor for me.

Below is just one of my favorite African family vacation itineraries I created in the past for a family on a trip to Zimbabwe for 14 days. I’ve painted a picture in words of what you might experience on this type of safari:

Day 1 Victoria Falls

Upon arrival to Victoria Falls Hotel, your family is driven to the Zambezi River above the Victoria Falls for a sunset cruise where you look for wildlife while watching the African sunset. This is such an amazing experience, sitting on the top deck with a cocktail (or two) and talking with fellow travelers. A great way to start the trip!

After the cruise you’re escorted back to Victoria Falls Hotel. Unlike many of the other properties in the Victoria Falls area, The Victoria Falls Hotel is located right at the Falls and is a larger hotel with 161 rooms. But even though the hotel is large in size, there is never a lack of personalized service and exceptional hospitality. Many clients enjoy this property because it exudes an authentic safari feel in its grandiose design, staff member attire, and world-class service. I personally love this hotel for its ambiance, warm friendly and smiling staff, and amazing location near the Falls!

The Victoria Falls Hotel also has three restaurants, traditional High Tea that is offered each afternoon, a colonial-style swimming pool, and spa services.

After a long day of traveling and being on the river, you spend some time relaxing by the pool and chatting about your day—even thought it’s fairly late. Then it’s time for dinner and you enjoy some delectable, traditional African food, including lamb sosaties cooked in apricot jam and curry (sosaties are similar to kebabs) and African music at the hotel’s Jungle Junction restaurant! You watch the kids play the drums and try to dance like the African dancers.

Day 2 Victoria Falls

Today your private safari guide picks you up and take you on a tour of Victoria Falls. The tour starts with a visit to the world-renowned Victoria Falls, where you explore the geological history of the region that led to the creation of the Falls. It’s a truly awe-inspiring experience with all five of the senses stimulated by the sheer beauty of the Falls. Although you try capturing the beauty of the Falls with your cameras, you still find it difficult to do the Falls justice!

Side note: I’ve been bringing my children to Victoria Falls since they were babies and we absolutely love this tour and the sheer beauty of this natural spectacle. It never gets old for us and they never tire of standing in front of David Livingstone’s statue!

After the tour, you learn about local customs and traditions and then end your visit at the local arts and crafts center, looking at locally made crafts and deciding which ones you want to bring home for friends and as souvenirs.

Next you head to the local Monde Village where you tour the Monde Community, meet the lovely Mr. Mpisi (Village Head), and interact with locals to discover what it’s like to live in a place with no electricity and none of the amenities that we are so accustomed to. This experience is truly rewarding for anyone involved, and the kids love feeding the goats and chickens.

After an exciting day filled with culture and history, you head to Elephant Camp, which your entire family will LOVE! At this camp, you always have the opportunity to get up close to the residential elephants and observe them as they play in the water and eat—it’s a real treat when you see a baby elephant!

This all-inclusive camp is one of the most charming properties in all of Zimbabwe and is located on a private concession, which is just a mere 10-minute drive from Victoria Falls. With 12 luxurious tented rooms (24 beds in total), each overlooking the gorges that separate Zimbabwe from Zambia, Elephant Camp provides guests with a relaxing retreat to enjoy the distant rumble of the Falls and exceptional views of the residential elephants. Each of the rooms features its own private viewing deck and plunge pool, private lounge area, and freestanding bathtub, as well as the usual modern amenities.

The camp was also nominated for the Best New Safari Camp in Africa Award 2012.

Day 3 Victoria Falls

Today you are collected from Elephant Camp to go on a half-day canoe trip along the Upper Zambezi River. You start at the Upper Zambezi River for an hour before stopping on an island in the Zambezi for breakfast. During this time, you talk about all of the hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and other large game that you saw along the way.

The canoe ride continues into the early afternoon and then you are transferred to the Wallow, an amazing sanctuary for elephants. At this time, you hop aboard a group of elephants for an exciting elephant-back safari through the bush. This is a fantastic experience for kids and adults, alike. And it’s also important to note that this safari is not just a ride on the largest animal in Africa, it’s also an unforgettable experience where the entire family has the unique opportunity to interact with the elephants, as well as enjoy a ride through wilderness areas and beautiful riverine scenery.

The Wallow is a home for elephants that were orphaned at a young age and brought to The Wallow for rehabilitation and parenting. Each day the elephants take two walks.

While on an elephant-back safari the other animals in the bush react to the elephant you’re on—not you. Therefore, you’ll experience a highly unique safari from a fascinating perspective. Some of the other animals you witness while on your elephant-back safari include buffalo, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and a host of other plains game.

Day 4 Hwange National Park

After a late breakfast, your family is transferred to Hwange National Park where you stay at Little Makalolo.  During the drive from Victoria Falls, you pass beautiful countryside and just before entering the park the kids squeal with delight because they’ve just spotted some giraffe peeking out at you all.

On arrival at Hwange Main Camp, you are greeted with the biggest smile by your guide, Sib, and, of course, a bottle of cold Castle beer for the parents! You then take a game drive through the park to camp, although just over an hour, it feels so short because you are waiting for elephants to cross the road in front of you, checking out the spoor of a lioness that had passed in the night, and trying to name a yellow-beaked bird.

Little Makalolo, which is situated in prime game-viewing territory in Hwange National Park, provides some of the best game viewing in Zimbabwe. Upon arrival your family enjoys a relaxing day at the plunge pool, watching the zebra, buffalo, elephant, lion, leopard, wild dog, cheetah, and other large game at the watering hole!

After a quick nap to recharge your batteries, you head to the meeting area for a hot cup of Zimbabwe’s Tanganda tea and delicious chocolate cake, which the kids love. You talk with fellow guests about what you’re excited to find on your game drive this afternoon.

This begins the start of three days at Hwange, enjoying game drives and walking safaris.

Side note: My family absolutely loves walking safaris because they enable us to experience a unique perspective on nature.

As you embark on your walking Zimbabwe safari tour, you quietly search and listen for clues to the hiding spots of lions, elephants and cheetahs, the sound of the safari vehicle engine is nowhere to be heard, just the pure sounds of Africa’s bush. Walking safaris enable you to open your ears to the crisp sounds of nature and keep your eyes peeled for animal footprints and droppings.

As for Little Makalolo, the camp is intimate in size, featuring only six rooms. The entire camp is run on solar power and features a dining room, plunge pool, open fire area, and lounge area. Some of the activities that guests can take part in include game drives and nature walks where visitors will often come across lion, cheetah, and leopard.

After your evening game drive, you come “home” and have a nice hot shower, before walking across to have dinner under the stars. Your waiters offer you an inviting cocktail and the kids a soft drink as you sit in front of the fire, waiting for dinner to be called, and talk about the exhilarating and enriching experiences you had thus far.

For dinner tonight, you enjoy a butternut and apple soup, followed by roast chicken and potatoes, salad, and green beans. For dessert, the kids enjoy jelly and custard, and for the adults warm apple crumble. You then head to your beds, and waiting for you is a hot-water bottle to keep you toasty through the night.

Day 7 Mana Canoe Trail

After three gorgeous days of warm sun and chilly evenings, you are excited about taking a flight from Hwange National Park to the Mana Pools National Park where you will begin the Canoe Trail and canoe and walk along the mighty Zambezi River for three days.

The Mana Canoe Trail is the perfect trip for adventurous families, allowing them to test their physical endurance while witnessing some of Zimbabwe’s most spectacular animals at close range. The canoe trail moves through the Mana Pools National Park and takes visitors along the Zambezi.

During your adventures, you canoe past countless hippos on the way and squeal with delight at the sight of elephants walking through the water and munching away on the grass, and lazy crocodiles lying on the sandbanks with open mouths trying to warm their bodies.

Each night you spend camping (“glamping,” or glamorous camping, if you will, with all accommodations set up for you and all meals prepared for you) on the banks of the Zambezi River.

At night, you relish in tasty stews and wholesome meals made by the camp’s chef and enjoy the warmth of the campfire as you share your experiences and your favorite animal encounters.

The guides are with you, as well, entertaining you with stories from the bush and answering all of your burning questions about nature. you talk about the stars a lot, too, because out here in the middle of nowhere the stars are so incredibly bright.

Side notes: I love the difference between the Northern and Southern skies.

It’s important to note that guests must be reasonably fit to participate in the Mana Canoe Trail; therefore, children at a young age should not participate.

Day 10 Mana Pools National Park

After a delicious breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon, mushrooms, and toast, you canoe a very short half-mile to Ruckomechi Camp on the banks of the Zambezi River. This camp is also located in the Mana Pools National Park and provides you with a great opportunity to have a hot shower and get out of your swimsuits, which you have worn for three days on the river.

After washing up in the indoor or outdoor shows, you relax on the deck with a cocktail (or two), overlooking the vast scenery, and search for elephants and other large game. This is the perfect time for some much needed relaxation!

Some of the animals you see from the camp include elephant, buffalo, hippo, lion, leopard, and wild dog. You also spend some time listening to the soothing sounds of the Zimbabwe birds as they sing from the woodland and riverine forests surrounding the area. You even spot the Collared Palm-Thrush and Purple-banded Sunbird!

Your family spends one day and one night at Ruckomechi.

In terms of the accommodations at Ruckomechi, the camp features ten tents—all overlooking the river—that are not only beautifully appointed but also spacious. Guests can enjoy walking safaris, game drives, and boating safaris, or they can enjoy outdoor bush baths (such an amazing experience and great opportunity to relax while soaking in the beauty of Zimbabwe’s nature!). The camp also features a pool, spacious deck, and walkways, connecting the camp’s dining area, bar, and library.

Elephants are frequently spotted at Ruckomechi because they love the albida trees’ fruit pods.

Day 11 Singita Pamushana

Your epic trip ends with a visit to one of my all time favorite properties, Singita Pamushana, where you stay for 3 nights. After a tasty breakfast of eggs and fresh fruit at Ruckomechi, you take a short drive to Mana Pools Airstrip where you hop on a private charter to Pamushana’s airstrip in the southern part of Zimbabwe. Although a short flight, in the middle of the day it is bumpy, but the kids love the excitement and the pilot gives you a history lesson on where you are going.

On arrival at the airstrip, you meet Albert, your guide, who takes you back to camp. As you drive up the road, you are greeted by singing ladies, a mango cocktail to cool down with, and cool, mint-scented face cloths. You can’t help but feel like you’re at home already, with some newfound friends!

Your delightful staff takes you to your stunning family suite that overlooks the dam and your family throws their bags down and head to the plunge pool outside. You might wish stay behind to enjoy a relaxing bubble bath in the opulent bathroom of the family suite!

After resting for a short while, you meet Albert for tea and coffee, and the most delicious spread of cakes, cookies, crumpets, and snacks you’ll ever see.

After tea, you head out with Albert on your game drive. Malilangwe is known to have a lot of rhino, both black and white, and your wish for your game drive this afternoon is to see them. Albert doesn’t disappoint. As you round the bend you come across wild dog barking and panting as they have been chasing an impala. Although you don’t find rhino this afternoon, you trust you’ll find them over the next two days. Your family ends the evening with cocktails on a hilltop, overlooking the dam and watching the sun go down. What a beautiful orange sky to end what is a truly magical evening.

The next day, you delight in a spectacular breakfast of croissants, fresh fruit, and coffee, before visiting the caves where you see million-year-old Bushman rock paintings! The kids are tickled with delight as Albert goes back in time, sharing the legendary stories of the Bushman tribe as he points out various rock art.

Afterwards, you enjoy a couples’ massage with your spouse as the kids enjoy the pool. You (or your spouse, or both!) go out on the water with Albert to try and catch some bream fish for dinner! And with luck, you catch three!

You enjoy a tasty baked bream dinner with olives and capers.

Side note: My family also loves the cuisine here and they are extremely accommodating of any dietary needs. For example, my son is gluten-free and they ensure that he has a tasty and nutritious meal that is specific to his diet whenever he visits!

Day 14 Departure

Today you (sadly) leave back for home after an amazing trip to Zimbabwe. Time for one last African sunrise, and then it’s last minute goodbyes. You get a private charter flight from Singita Pamushana to Harare where you make your connection flights home.