Veritable Wilderness Safari and Community-Driven Conservation
Zimbabwe
July 5 to July 20, 2026
Private Trip Available Safari Overview
Embark on an exclusive Zimbabwe adventure, exploring the breathtaking landscapes of Hwange National Park and the majestic Victoria Falls. Travel through private concessions where intimate encounters with elephants, lions, and rare painted dogs unfold in unspoiled wilderness. With over 100 mammal species, including buffalo, wildebeest, cheetahs, and leopards, Hwange is one of Africa’s most biodiverse reserves. Its 45,000-strong elephant population and the presence of endangered painted dogs make it a truly exceptional wildlife destination. Take part in thrilling walking safaris alongside white rhinos, track elusive big cats on 4×4 game drives, and get up close to wildlife from custom-built underground blinds. Beyond the safari experience, engage with local communities to witness the positive impact of ecotourism and ongoing efforts to address human-wildlife conflict. Venture to the remote Jozibanini Camp in southern Hwange, where you’ll actively contribute to conservation by maintaining vital waterholes. The journey concludes at Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders, with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, offering a perfect finale to this immersive, small-group safari led by expert guides.
WHY CHOOSE THIS EXPEDITION?
- Exclusive Wildlife Viewing in Hwange: Spot elephants, lions, cheetahs, leopards, painted dogs, and over 100 other mammal species.
- Rhino Tracking & Conservation Experience: Walk alongside white rhinos and meet the conservationists protecting them.
- Unique Look-Up Blinds for Close Encounters: Observe elephants drinking just feet away from custom-built blinds.
- Explore Remote Southern Hwange: Stay at Jozibanini Camp, deep in the park, for an unparalleled off-the-grid safari.
- Victoria Falls & Zambezi River Sunset Cruise: Witness one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, followed by a scenic cruise.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “The guides were excellent along with the staff at the lodges. We were able to see a lot of different animals. The guides were very knowledgeable. I also really enjoyed the day spent in the village touring the school and clinic.” – Teresa Troyer |
SEE WHAT AWAITS YOU
TRIP MAP
NOTABLE EXPERIENCES
Updated: February 2026
| Date | Description | Lodge | Meals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 5 – 6 | Travel to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. | ||
| Jul 7 | Arrive in Victoria Falls & Welcome Dinner. Meet your guides and group | Nkosi Guest Lodge, Victoria Falls | D |
| Jul 8-11 | Elephant Express Rail Safari & Ngamo Plains Exploration. Embark on a unique rail safari enroute to Southeast Hwange National Park, where you’ll enjoy game drives, big cat tracking, close-up elephant viewing. Visit a local school and rhino sanctuary to observe conservation efforts. | Bomani Tented Camp, Hwange National Park | B, L, D |
| Jul 12 – 13 | Journey to Remote Jozibanini Camp. Venture deep into southern Hwange to the remote Jozibanini Camp, featuring wildlife encounters, underground blinds, and insight into solar-powered waterholes and anti-poaching efforts, all capped with starlit dining at a vital conservation outpost. | Jozibanini Camp, Hwange National Park | B, L, D |
| Jul 14 – 16 | Fly to Nehimba Lodge & Explore Northern Hwange. Take a scenic flight to Nehimba Lodge in Northern Hwange, where you'll enjoy diverse lanscapes, lion encounters, game drives to vital water sources, and evenings of bush sundowners while elephants visit waterholes nearby | Nehimba Lodge, Hwange National Park | B, L, D |
| Jul 17 – 18 | Victoria Falls & Zambezi River Sunset Cruise. Return to Victoria Falls to explore this natural wonder and enjoy a final evening on the river. | Palm River Lodge | B, L, D |
| Jul 19 | Depart for Home. Bid farewell to Zimbabwe | B | |
| July 20 | Arrive home. |
Get the Full Daily Itinerary
Our Trip Leaders
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Vusa Ncube
Vusa NcubeVusa leads safaris in Hwange National Park as a fully licensed Professional Guide, the culmination of ten years of hard work and dedication. Zimbabwe's Professional Guides are known as among the best in Africa due to the intensive qualification procedure. Vusa guides with expertise in the plant, wildlife, and culture of Zimabawe, and he entertains travelers with his humor and warm personality. Vusa exudes passion for his native country.
- Cost & Payments
- Included
- Not Included
- Climate
- Fitness Level
- Accommodations
- Flights
Conservation- Conditions
Cost & Payments
Costs (in US$)
| Type | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| Trip Cost, double occupancy | $9,500 |
| Single Supplement | $1,587 |
Share the Experience – Earn Travel Credit
Know someone who would love this trip? Refer a friend and you’ll both benefit—you get credit toward a future adventure, and they receive a discount on their first trip with us. See how our Referral Program works ›
Costs are per person, double occupancy, not including airfare (except for two internal flights), singles extra. See Included and Not Included sections for more details.
Payment Schedule
| Payment | Due Date | Amount Per Person |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Due now to reserve your space | $500 |
| Final | January 26, 2026 | Remaining Balance |
Payments are due based on the schedule above. All reservations require a deposit to confirm reservation of your space.
Cancellations
Until the Final Payment due date, deposits are refundable except for a cancellation fee of $150 per person, which can be applied toward another trip if reserved within six months of the cancelled trip’s departure date. Cancellations are non-transferable. No refunds are given after the Final Payment due date.
Included
- Carbon offsets for the duration of this trip.
- All leaders, transport, park entry fees, and permits for all activities, unless described as optional.
- Two internal flights.
- Accommodations for the nights of July 7 through July 18.
- Meals from dinner on July 7 through breakfast on July 19.
- Beverages, including alcohol, from dinner on July 7 to breakfast on July 19.
- Sundowners from July 8 to July 18.
- Transfers on July 7 from the Victoria Falls Airport to Nkosi Guest Lodge and on July 19 from the Palm River Lodge to the Victoria Falls Airport.
- Trip Planning Materials – information about entry requirements, flights, packing, gratuities, etc.
Not Included
- Carbon offsets for your flights to/from this trip.
- All airfare (except flights listed as included), airport and departure taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Gratuities – tipping is always discretionary. However, we will add a gratuity of $250 per participant to your final payment for local guides and lodge staff. This does not include gratuities for Vusa, your trip leader. We recommend budgeting $15 to $20 per day for 13 days ($195 to $260 total per participant) to give directly to him at the end of your trip.
- Passport and visa fees.
- Divergent airport transfers (arranged by us) and extra hotel nights.
- Mandatory emergency evacuation insurance.
- Optional trip cancellation insurance.
- Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, medical costs or hospitalization, room service, items not on the regular menu, etc. If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them on your Traveler Form.
Climate
July is in the dry season in Hwange National Park. The average lows are in the lower 50s°F (10°C), and the average highs are in the lower 80s°F (27°C). Rain is unlikely.
Fitness Level
Good energy levels are required for long days in the field riding in bouncy Land Cruisers. You will also have the opportunity for walks on elephant trails, usually less than 2 miles at a time, and you can take an optional mountain bike ride at Jozbanini.
Flights
Detailed logistical information is included in the Trip Planning Materials we will send you.
Flights you book
- Arrive in Victoria Falls (VFA) by 4:00pm on July 7.
- Depart from Victoria Falls (VFA) after 10:00am on July 19.
Flights we book.
- Two internal flights are included in the trip cost. Important: these flights have a strict luggage allowance of 44lbs (20kg), including carry-on luggage. Soft luggage is required.with dimensions no more than 11.8in by 13.8in by 27.5in (30cm by 35cm by 70cm).
FAQ
Accommodations
Nehimba and Bomani have rustic, but luxurious accommodations, while Jozibanini is more basic but comfortable. All lodging has electricity and flush toilets.
Motion Sickness
Transportation
Conservation
Our company ethos has always regarded conservation as inseparable from responsible tourism. We struggle with the dilemma that traveling worldwide expends climate-changing carbon. However, we wholeheartedly believe that traveling with us will cultivate your passion for conserving our beautiful world while stimulating each destination’s local economy. We encourage you to explore the various ways in which Cheesemans’ operates within this context:
- Ecotourism and Conservation Zimbabwe.
- Cheesemans’ Trips are Carbon Neutral.
- Offsetting your Travel to/from our Trip: We ask you to pledge to offset the carbon emissions for your travel to and from our trips. You can purchase offsets with most airlines (Delta includes them automatically), use our handy carbon calculator and donate to Sustainable Travel International, or contribute to your favorite offsetting organization.
Conditions
Read our current Terms and Conditions.