3 Days
Victoria Falls focus
5 Days
Falls + Hwange taster
7 Days
Classic combination
10-14 Days
Comprehensive safari
3-Day Itineraries
Victoria Falls Express
3 Days: Victoria Falls Highlights
Best For: Short trips, adding Zimbabwe to a regional itinerary
Budget: $500-1,500 depending on activities and accommodationTips:
1
Day 1: Arrival & Orientation
Morning/Afternoon:
- Arrive Victoria Falls Airport (VFA)
- Transfer to hotel (20-25 minutes)
- Check-in and freshen up
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi (2 hours, ~$55-75)
- Welcome dinner at The Lookout Cafe or hotel
2
Day 2: The Falls & Activities
Morning:
- Early visit to Victoria Falls (avoid crowds, best light)
- Walk rainforest trails (2-3 hours)
- Breakfast/brunch in town
- Helicopter flight “Flight of Angels” (~$170-300)
- Zip line/canopy tour (~$60-80)
- Bridge tour (~$50)
- The Boma dinner experience (~$65) OR
- Fine dining at Livingstone Room
3
Day 3: Adventure or Departure
Morning (if time allows):
- White water rafting half-day (~$150) OR
- Zambezi National Park game drive (~$80-120) OR
- Craft market shopping
- Transfer to airport
- Depart
- Visit Zambia side of falls (need visa/KAZA)
- Additional activities
- Book activities in advance during peak season
- KAZA UniVisa ($50) allows Zambia day trip
- Morning is best for falls photography
5-Day Itineraries
Victoria Falls + Hwange Taster
5 Days: Falls & Safari
Best For: First-time visitors wanting both highlights
Budget: $1,500-4,000 depending on lodge choiceTips:
1
Day 1: Arrive Victoria Falls
Afternoon:
- Arrive VFA, transfer to hotel
- Relax and orientation
- Sunset cruise on Zambezi
- Dinner in town
2
Day 2: Victoria Falls Exploration
Morning:
- Victoria Falls rainforest walk
- Helicopter flight
- Activity of choice (bridge, zip line, etc.)
- Town exploration and crafts
- The Boma or fine dining
3
Day 3: Transfer to Hwange
Morning:
- Early road transfer to Hwange (~2-2.5 hours)
- Arrive safari lodge, check-in, lunch
- First game drive (3-4 hours)
- Sundowner drinks in the bush
- Dinner at lodge
- Optional night drive or stargazing
4
Day 4: Full Safari Day
Early Morning:
- Dawn game drive (6am start)
- Breakfast in bush or back at lodge
- Rest at lodge, pool time
- Lunch
- Afternoon game drive (4-7pm)
- Sundowners watching sunset
- Dinner at lodge
- Night drive (if offered)
5
Day 5: Final Safari & Departure
Early Morning:
- Final game drive
- Breakfast at lodge
- Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport
- Depart (~1pm flight or later)
- Choose lodge based on budget (Main Camp area has most options)
- Road transfer is scenic; flights available but add cost
- July-October best for wildlife
7-Day Itineraries
Classic Zimbabwe
7 Days: The Complete Introduction
Best For: Comprehensive first visit
Budget: $2,500-6,000+Variations:
1
Day 1: Arrive Victoria Falls
- Arrive VFA, transfer to hotel
- Evening sunset cruise
- Welcome dinner
2
Day 2: Victoria Falls Day
- Morning: Falls exploration, rainforest walk
- Afternoon: Helicopter flight + 1 activity
- Evening: Boma dinner or fine dining
3
Day 3: Adventure Day
- Full-day white water rafting OR
- Morning: Zambezi National Park; Afternoon: Activities
- Evening: Pack for safari
4
Day 4: Transfer to Hwange
- Morning transfer to Hwange (2-2.5 hrs)
- Arrive lodge, lunch
- Afternoon game drive
- Evening: Lodge dinner, night drive
5
Day 5: Full Safari Day
- Dawn game drive
- Midday rest
- Afternoon game drive
- Sundowners, dinner
6
Day 6: Safari & Walking
- Morning walking safari or game drive
- Midday: Optional cultural visit
- Afternoon game drive
- Farewell bush dinner (some lodges)
7
Day 7: Departure
- Early morning game drive (time permitting)
- Breakfast
- Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport
- Depart
- Add Chobe (Botswana) day trip on Day 3
- Replace Hwange days with Matobo Hills for culture/rhinos
- Extend to 8 days for more safari time
Victoria Falls + Great Zimbabwe
7 Days: History & Nature
Best For: History buffs, cultural travelers
1
Days 1-3: Victoria Falls
As above (falls, activities, adventure)
2
Day 4: Fly to Harare, Drive to Masvingo
- Morning flight Vic Falls to Harare (1.5 hrs)
- Rental car or transfer to Masvingo (3.5 hrs)
- Evening: Arrive Great Zimbabwe area
3
Day 5: Great Zimbabwe
- Full day exploring Great Zimbabwe ruins
- Guided tour with local expert
- Hill Complex, Great Enclosure, Valley Ruins
- Museum visit
4
Day 6: Lake Mutirikwi & Drive North
- Morning: Lake Mutirikwi activities OR
- Drive toward Harare with stops
- Afternoon: Arrive Harare
5
Day 7: Harare & Departure
- Morning: National Gallery, city tour
- Afternoon: Depart from Harare
10-14 Day Itineraries
Ultimate Zimbabwe Safari
10-12 Days: Safari Circuit
Best For: Safari enthusiasts, wildlife photographers
Budget: $5,000-15,000+Tips:
1
Days 1-3: Victoria Falls
- Day 1: Arrive, sunset cruise
- Day 2: Falls exploration, helicopter
- Day 3: Adventure day (rafting/activities)
2
Days 4-6: Hwange National Park
- Day 4: Transfer, afternoon drive
- Day 5: Full safari day (AM/PM drives)
- Day 6: Walking safari, more game drives
3
Days 7-9: Mana Pools
- Day 7: Fly/transfer to Mana Pools
- Day 8: Walking safaris, canoe safari
- Day 9: More walking, wildlife viewing
4
Days 10-11: Lake Kariba (Optional)
- Houseboat or Matusadona
- Fishing, relaxation, wildlife
5
Day 12: Departure
- Fly from Kariba to Harare
- International departure
- Mana Pools best May-October (closed in rains)
- Charter flights make this routing efficient
- Can extend any section based on interest
Grand Zimbabwe Tour
14 Days: Comprehensive Journey
Best For: Extended holidays, seeing everything
Budget: $6,000-20,000+
Route: Victoria Falls → Hwange → Bulawayo → Matobo → Masvingo → Mutare/Nyanga → HarareThis covers:
- Victoria Falls (natural wonder)
- Safari in Hwange (wildlife)
- Cultural heritage (Great Zimbabwe, Matobo)
- Scenic diversity (Eastern Highlands)
- Urban experiences (Bulawayo, Harare)
Special Interest Itineraries
Honeymoon / Romantic
7 Days: Romance in Zimbabwe
Add-ons: Champagne picnics, couples spa, private dinners
Family Safari
8 Days: Family-Friendly Zimbabwe
Tips:
- Choose lodges with no minimum age or kids programs
- Avoid remote walking-only camps
- Build in pool/rest time
- Victoria Falls has lots of family activities
Budget Backpacker
10 Days: Zimbabwe on a Budget
Budget Tips:
- Use buses between cities
- Self-catering where possible
- National Parks camping affordable
- Join group tours for activities
- Book backpacker hostels in Victoria Falls
Itinerary Customization Tips
Building Your Own Itinerary
Pace Guidelines:
- 2-3 nights minimum per location
- Don’t try to see everything
- Include rest/transit days
- Less is more for enjoyment
Best Combinations:
- Victoria Falls + Hwange (natural pairing)
- Victoria Falls + Chobe, Botswana (easy addition)
- Bulawayo + Matobo (quick trip)
- Harare + Great Zimbabwe (heritage focus)
- Harare + Eastern Highlands (scenic)
Booking Your Itinerary
Next Steps
Self-Booking:
- Book flights to Victoria Falls or Harare
- Reserve accommodation directly
- Book activities through operators
- Arrange transfers
- Contact Zimbabwe specialists
- Request custom itinerary
- Often better rates for packages
- Contact us for recommendations
- Book a trip assistance
- Tour operators directory
Last updated: January 2025 These itineraries are suggestions. Customize based on your interests, budget, and season of travel.