Zimbabwe Honeymoon Safari
Days 1, 2 and 3 – Bumi Hills, Lake Kariba
On your arrival into Harare you will be met and assisted with your onward flight to Bumi Hills Safari Lodge, situated on Lake Kariba in northern Zimbabwe.
Lake Kariba is one of the largest man-made lakes in the world stretching over 260km long and 50km wide and sharing a border with Zimbabwe and Zambia. Bumi Hills is one of the original safari lodges on Lake Kariba and has the most incredible views out over the lake and nearby islands. With a spa and more relaxed safari experience, this is the perfect way to start your honeymoon safari.
Bumi Hills has its own private concession with good herds of elephants, buffalo, impala and zebra. There is a pride of lions in the area as well as leopard and occasionally cheetah. Having access to the lake and the concession, guides take guests on morning and afternoon game drives, bush walks, fishing trips and boating trips on the lake, giving you the chance to do game viewing from both the land and water. The elephants and buffalo tend to congregate on the lake shore in good numbers as they feed on the floodplain grasses.
For those people looking for a cultural experience, Bumi Hills offers trips to the nearby villages and because most of the staff at Bumi come from these villages, it is like going to visit a friend’s house and is completely authentic and genuine.
Days 4, 5 and 6 – Nyamatusi Camp, Mana Pools National Park
Your honeymoon safari continues with a short flight over the Zambezi Escarpment to Mana Pools National Park and the stunning Nyamatusi Camp, set on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. This is the perfect romantic safari camp with private plunge pools for each suite and large deck to relax and enjoy the views and animals.
Mana Pools is famous for its beautiful scenery of forested floodplains, the mighty Zambezi River and the stunning Zambezi Escarpment on the Zambian side of the river. Safaris in Mana Pools include morning and afternoon game drives, walking safaris and canoeing safaris, all led by highly experienced safari guides. The area is famous for having very relaxed lions, wild dogs and large bull elephants that allow guests to get up close to them whilst on a walking safari.
Days 7, 8, 9 and 10 – Chilo Gorge, Gonarezhou National Park
From Mana Pools you head south to Gonarezhou National Park, via Harare. Gonarezhou National Park is the far south of Zimbabwe and is seemingly untouched by tourism, therefore offers an incredible wilderness experience. Chilo Gorge is one of few lodges in the area situated on hill overlooking the river across into the national park. Guides from Chilo Gorge take guests into the park on the morning, afternoon and sometimes full day game drives. One of the highlights of Gonarezhou is a visit to the stunning Chilojo Cliffs. The national park has a wide range of habitats ranging from wetlands, to grasslands to forests and because of this there is a wide variety of animals in the area. Because of lower tourist numbers, the animals are slightly shyer and so you have to work a little harder to find them when compared to the busier national parks in Africa. The park is home to lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, elephants, buffalo and plenty other animals.
Days 11, 12, 13 and 14 – Santorini, Mozambique
From Gonarouzhou National Park you head east into Mozambique. The flight takes you to the town of Vilanculos on the Mozambique coast, where you will be met by your hosts and transferred to the stunning Santorini Villa situated on a bluff overlooking the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. This is the perfect end to your honeymoon safari. Santorini has 3 villas all perched on the bluff with the beach and ocean below. Each villa has its own pool, kitchen area, lounge and communal area. 2 of the villas are for exclusive use whilst the third can accommodate 10 guests in 5 rooms.
Spend your days at Santorini relaxing by the pool or on the beach or you can take part in some of the activities on offer from the hotel which include stand-up paddle, kayaking and village visits. On one of the days you can enjoy a full day boat trip to the nearby Bazaruto Islands for some snorkelling on the nearby reefs teeming with tropical fish. Lunch is served on the beach of one of the islands.
