Pied Kingfisher Safari: Day-by-day
More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Pied Kingfisher Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.
Starts: Victoria Falls Airport
Victoria Falls Airport to Batonka by road
A driver will be waiting at Victoria Falls Airport to transfer you to Batonka Guest Lodge. The 20km, 20-minute journey along sealed tar roads takes you past the Zambezi National Park and through the historic town of Victoria Falls.
Batonka Guest Lodge
A leisurely half-hour walk from the charming gardens of Batonka brings you face to face with the magnificent Victoria Falls. It’s the perfect way to approach the UNESCO World Heritage Site, but if you prefer, you can always hop in a taxi for the five-minute transfer.
A leisurely half-hour walk from the charming gardens of Batonka brings you face to face with the magnificent Victoria Falls. It’s the perfect way to approach the UNESCO World Heritage Site, but if you prefer, you can always hop in a taxi for the five-minute transfer.
As if to mirror the surroundings, the colonial style of Batonka’s buildings, with their shaded verandas and overhead fans, exudes an air of relaxation that permeates throughout.
Overlooking the gardens, or the enticing curved swimming pool, the 27 well-appointed rooms are fronted by private balconies. Air conditioning complements the cool tiles under foot; king-size beds draped in mosquito netting add a touch of elegance to the contemporary furnishings.
In the warmth of summer, settle down for breakfast or an à la carte meal on the terrace, where wrought-iron chairs come into their own, while for cooler evenings the dark wood tables and smartly upholstered seating in the restaurant present an altogether more formal appeal.
"I liked the lodge, the services, the grounds, quiet and comfy rooms"
Mr D.fromStillwaterArrived 2 Jun 2023, 2 nights
And to ensure that colder nights don’t confine you indoors, there’s an outside lounge area where you can sit with a drink by an open fire, mulling over your holiday – or looking forward to the days ahead. See our full report on Batonka Guest Lodge
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Boat trip
Canoeing
Cultural excursion
Elephant encounter
Victoria Falls to Hwange by road
After breakfast, you’ll be taken from your hotel to Hwange Main Camp in an air-conditioned vehicle; the journey takes around 2½ hours on sealed roads. Here, you change to a 4WD for the 1½-hour game drive to Somalisa Acacia – or longer, depending on the wildlife you spot en route.
Somalisa Acacia
Somalisa Acacia is a luxury, family-focused camp set in a private concession, deep in the heart of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. With two family rooms and no age restrictions for children, it's a very convenient option within the park for families with younger children.
Somalisa Acacia is a luxury, family-focused camp set in a private concession, deep in the heart of Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park. With two family rooms and no age restrictions for children, it's a very convenient option within the park for families with younger children.
"No hot water for baths... All else was excellent, especially our guide Calvit."
T TfromBoiseArrived 23 Jul 2021, 3 nights
Somalisa Acacia is both luxurious and immaculately designed. It works very well for a comfortable stay in the middle of the bush for all ages, and we're delighted to see a camp in the area that specifically caters to families. See our full report on Somalisa Acacia
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Guided walking safari
Night drive
Hwange to Mana Pools by 4WD & air
Today, you'll have time for one last activity in Hwange before heading to the airstrip by 4WD. It takes about two hours to fly to Mana Pools by light aircraft, perhaps stopping for other passengers to alight. This is followed by a game drive, often including sundowners before reaching camp.
Nyamatusi Mahogany
Comfortable family tents, specialist children’s guides and a great location make Nyamatusi Mahogany a good choice for a family safari. Children on safari can be a pleasure in the right camp – and that camp could just be Nyamatusi Mahogany. Hidden deep in the bush in Mana Pools National Park, it exudes plenty of style, yet with two dedicated family suites it is fully geared to the needs of families.
Comfortable family tents, specialist children’s guides and a great location make Nyamatusi Mahogany a good choice for a family safari. Children on safari can be a pleasure in the right camp – and that camp could just be Nyamatusi Mahogany. Hidden deep in the bush in Mana Pools National Park, it exudes plenty of style, yet with two dedicated family suites it is fully geared to the needs of families.
First up are two en-suite bedrooms in each suite, so you and your little ones have your own space – and view. Then there’s a proper corridor between the rooms, ensuring their safety if they wake in the night. And perhaps best of all, there’s the Ngwana Club, whose specialist children’s guides offer a range of child-friendly activities, from nature walks close to camp to traditional storytelling, cookery and crafts.
Youngsters can enjoy the pool, too, as well as the thrill of guided game drives with their parents. You’ll sleep in comfortable beds, relax in the small, open-sided dining area and gather at night around the firepit to share tales of the day, all in the experienced hands of African Bush Camps, whose safari hospitality has been honed over many years.
"The Excellent rating doesn't do this camp justice - it is totally amazing"
Mr R.fromMalmesburyArrived 7 Nov 2019, 4 nights
This is a relaxed, friendly camp, and makes a great option for families with animal-mad youngsters. See our full report on Nyamatusi Mahogany
Activities
4WD Safari
Birdwatching
Canoeing
Fishing
Guided walking safari
Mana Pools to Harare by 4WD & light aircraft
If your flight time allows, you may have time to enjoy one last game drive in Mana Pools en route to the airstrip to meet your plane to Harare International Airport. The light-aircraft flight takes around 1½ hours, depending on any stops for other passengers to alight.
Ends: Harare International Airport
Experiences you can add to this trip.
Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.
Rhino Walk
Around four hours - mornings only
Spend an unforgettable morning on a walking safari tracking Mosi-oa-Tunya’s small population of white rhino, with a strong chance of being able to approach these endangered creatures on foot.
More about Rhino Walk
Chobe Day Trip
Full day - typically around 11 hours
For a top safari experience while visiting the Victoria Falls, don’t miss a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Easily reachable from Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Chobe boasts some of the best wildlife densities in southern Africa, with exceptional numbers of elephant drawn by the permanent waters of the Chobe River.
More about Chobe Day Trip
Helicopter Flight - Zimbabwe
Shortest flight is 12-25 minutes
While viewing the Victoria Falls from the ground is a stunning experience, seen the world’s largest waterfall from the air allows for a completely different perspective, historically said to have been so beautiful as to have been seen by ‘angels in flight’.
More about Helicopter Flight
Ra-Ikane River Cruise
Two hours minimum
Cruising the upper sections of the Zambezi reveals another dimension to the river's beauty, adding a sense of serenity to the thrill of watching it cascade over the Victoria Falls. On a Ra-Ikane river cruise, experience the river’s islands and channels, keeping an eye out for wildlife, and the spray from the Falls.
More about Ra-Ikane River Cruise
Elephant Encounter
Three hours
For a very personal encounter with elephants, head to The Elephant Camp near Victoria Falls. From its sanctuary for orphaned elephants, it offers close interaction with one of Africa's most iconic species, including the chance to feed the elephants by hand, and talk to the guides who have raised and trained them.
More about Elephant Encounter
Elephant Art Experience
Three hours
The Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary and Art of Africa have teamed up to create a unique experience in the bush, with private tutors running painting workshops and habituated elephants provision impressive models, standing just metres away from your easel.
More about Elephant Art Experience
Zambezi Explorer River Cruise
Two hours
Watching the sunset from the middle of the Zambezi River, with the spray of the falls behind you, is an incredibly popular activity. A large variety of cruises are on offer, ranging from cheap and boozy directed towards the backpacker crowd, to much more luxurious and serene experiences. A great option for the latter style is the Zambezi Explorer.
More about Zambezi Explorer
Microlight Flight
15 or 30 minutes
For pure exhilaration, it's hard to find something better than flying in a microlight, swooping through the spray that crashes up and off the Victoria Falls, with rainbows shimmering below. If you don't like heights, then this isn't for you! For those looking for a different way to see the Falls, the microlight flights offer a stunning birds eye view of this spectacular natural wonder.
More about Microlight Flight
Livingstone Island & Devil's Pool
Three hours
Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and a huge attraction for many visitors to southern Africa. We're often asked if the waterfall is best viewed from the Zambian or Zimbabwean side, but we think the best way to experience the full majesty of the falls is from the middle with a visit to Livingstone Island.
More about Livingstone Island
Historical Bridge Tour
Two hours - AM & PM departures
A feat of engineering the Victoria Falls Bridge was built in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes' vision to link the Cape to Cairo. With an expert guide and the appropriate safety equipment you'll not only discover the wonders of this Victorian marvel but also gain a unique perspective of the Victoria Falls themselves.
More about Bridge Tour
Guided tour of Victoria Falls
Two hours - AM & PM departures
One of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the mighty Victoria Falls has to be seen to be believed. Why not take an expertly guided trip to learn about the history, geology, flora and fauna of one of Africa's most spectacular sites?
More about Tour of the Falls
Cookery Course & Activity
Six hours - afternoon activity
Make a traditional Southern African ‘potjie dinner’ on the banks of the Zambezi River. You’ll be guided through the preparation process by professional chefs before embarking on an afternoon activity while your dinner cooks. The activity is followed by a 3-course meal, including your self-made Pot as the main course.
More about Cookery Course
Bushtracks Express
Generally four and a half hours
The Bushtracks Express Train starts its journey at Zimbabwe’s iconic Victoria Falls Station before departing on its route through Victoria Falls National Park the Victoria Falls Bridge, where guests enjoy the stunning view of the Falls. Afterwards, the train will depart for a siding out of town, for dinner.
More about Bushtracks Express