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Elephants walking past a lone tree against an orange sunset
2027 itinerary · Zimbabwe & Zambia

Falls to Mana Pools

One river, three very different places: Victoria Falls, the Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools, for up to twelve people in a route shaped around you.

Plan this safariBest time to go
ZAMBIAZIMBABWE LusakaChirundu borderabout 480 kmabout 160 kmvia Chirundu100 km123

Map positions and the route line are approximate. Distances are straight-line, so road journeys are longer. Click a number to open the place in Google Maps.

The route

  1. 1 · Victoria Falls, 3 nightsArrive in Victoria Falls, or in Livingstone on the Zambian side.
  2. 2 · Lower Zambezi, 3 nightsFly via Lusaka or directly to the park's airstrips.
  3. 3 · Mana Pools, 3 nightsThe two parks face each other, but you cross at the Chirundu border post, then continue by road, or fly in by charter.

Nights are a suggestion. Every trip is planned around you.

Aerial view of Victoria Falls with white water dropping into the gorge, a rainbow in the spray and green islands upstream
Stop 1 · 3 nights

Victoria Falls

Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders, is the natural start of this route. The falls stretch about 1.7 km across the Zambezi and drop up to 99 m into a basalt gorge, throwing up a plume of spray visible from 30 km away and more. Walk the rainforest paths on the Zimbabwean side, then cross the bridge for the view from Zambia. Take a sunset cruise on the upper river, see the falls from a helicopter, or raft the rapids below them. In the low-water months, Devil's Pool opens right on the lip of the falls. The whole site is UNESCO World Heritage.

Where to stay, cheapest first

Approximate prices only, for accommodation at this stop only.

From US$20 to about US$1,040 per person per night

  • Rest Camp: campsite

    Shaded pitches with power and braai, in town and within walking distance of the falls. Bring your own gear.

    CampingBudget
    US$20 per person
    Game drives
    Not included

  • Rest Camp: lodges

    Two- or three-bedroom units with their own kitchen and bathroom.

    Self-cateringBudget
    US$60 per person
    Game drives
    Not included

  • Cresta Sprayview

    Straightforward hotel about 10 minutes on foot from the falls.

    HotelMid-level
    About US$125 per night
    Game drives
    Not included

  • The Kingdom

    Large hotel with several pools, about 10 minutes on foot from the falls.

    HotelMid-level
    About US$150 per night
    Game drives
    Not included

  • Batonka Guest Lodge

    Small, owner-run garden lodge with 22 suites and a pool, within walking distance of the falls.

    LodgeMid-level
    About US$215 per person, bed and breakfast
    Game drives
    Not included

  • Ilala Lodge

    Thatched hotel next to the falls entrance. Easy and central.

    LodgeMid-level
    US$285 per person, bed and breakfast
    Game drives
    Not included

  • Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

    Hilltop lodge with 72 rooms overlooking the national park and a waterhole, a short drive from town.

    LodgeMid-level
    About US$325 per person, bed and breakfast
    Game drives
    Not included

  • Old Drift Lodge

    Riverside lodge in the Zambezi National Park. Meals, drinks and airport transfers are included.

    LodgeLuxury
    About US$1,040 per person, all inclusive
    Game drives
    Included
Three hippos half-submerged in a river
Stop 2 · 3 nights

Lower Zambezi

This park covers about 4,092 km² of valley floor between a steep escarpment and the river, facing Mana Pools on the opposite bank. The river is the highlight. Canoe through quiet side channels past hippo and crocodile, watch elephants wade between islands, and fish for tiger fish. Game drives and guided walks explore winterthorn woodland, home to buffalo, waterbuck, lion, leopard and wild dog. Elephant herds here can reach about 100 animals, while fish eagles and bee-eaters work the banks. You won't see giraffe: the escarpment keeps them out. Expect few people, big trees and long, slow afternoons on the water.

Where to stay, cheapest first

Approximate prices only, for accommodation at this stop only.

From about US$45 per site to about US$1,890 per person per night

  • Mvuu Lodge: campsite

    Riverside pitches with hot showers, flush toilets and braai, about 18 km from the park. Bring your own gear.

    CampingBudget
    About US$45 per site
    Game drives
    Ask us

  • Mvuu Lodge: family tent

    Tent with its own kitchen area and braai, sleeping up to six.

    Self-cateringBudget
    About US$440 per tent
    Game drives
    Ask us

  • Kiambi Safari Lodge

    Relaxed riverside lodge outside the park, with chalets and tents. Self-catering is also available.

    LodgeMid-level
    About US$190
    Game drives
    Ask us

  • Mvuu Lodge: safari tents

    Tents on raised decks over the river, opposite Mana Pools. Drives, boats and canoes.

    LodgeMid-level
    About US$540 per person, full board
    Game drives
    Ask us

  • Chongwe River Camp

    Tented camp at the park boundary. Two activities a day are included.

    Tented campLuxury
    About US$900 per person, plus US$100 park fees
    Game drives
    Included

  • Chiawa Camp

    Top-end tented camp inside the park. Meals, select drinks and activities are included.

    Tented campLuxury
    About US$1,890 per person, all inclusive
    Game drives
    Included
A family of elephants standing close together in dry grass
Stop 3 · 3 nights

Mana Pools

Mana Pools is one of Africa's great wilderness parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its pools are former channels of the Zambezi, and "mana" means four in Shona. In the dry months, large herds of elephant and buffalo gather on the floodplain, followed by zebra, waterbuck, lion and hyena. Leopard, cheetah and wild dog live here too, along with more than 450 bird species. What sets it apart is the freedom to explore on foot with a guide, among tall winterthorns, or by canoe on the river. With luck, you may see elephants rise on their hind legs to reach the pods.

Where to stay, cheapest first

Approximate prices only, for accommodation at this stop only.

From US$100 per site to about US$1,350 per person per night

Mana Pools has very few true mid-level beds. Camping and self-catering here mean bringing your food, gear and vehicle, and adding park entry of about US$20 per person per day. Our guides can run these stays with you.

  • Nyamepi campsite

    30 sites by the park office, with hot showers and flush toilets. Bring your own gear.

    CampingBudget
    US$100–130 per site, up to 6 people
    Game drives
    Not included

  • ZimParks standard lodge

    Two bedrooms and four beds on the river, with a kitchen and bedding. Older buildings.

    Self-cateringBudget
    US$130 per lodge
    Game drives
    Not included

  • Exclusive campsite

    Your own secluded site, with up to two vehicles and twelve people. Few or no facilities.

    CampingBudget
    US$200 per site, up to 6 people, then US$50 per person
    Game drives
    Not included

  • Camp Mana

    12 beds in walk-in tents on the Zambezi, with game drives, walks and canoeing. Simple and intimate.

    Tented campMid-level
    From US$676 per person, with meals and local drinks
    Game drives
    Ask us

  • Mana River Camp

    Six tents in shady woodland overlooking the river. Open May to mid-November.

    Tented campMid-level
    About US$775 per person, all inclusive
    Game drives
    Included

  • Zambezi Expeditions

    Six tents with bucket showers on the riverbank, plus a plunge pool. Mainly solar powered.

    Tented campMid-level
    About US$780 per person, all inclusive
    Game drives
    Included

  • Ruckomechi Camp

    Top-end camp on the river. Meals, select drinks and activities are included.

    Tented campLuxury
    About US$1,350 per person, all inclusive
    Game drives
    Included

What nine nights cost

Approximate prices only, for accommodation only, per person sharing at mid-season prices.

CampingFrom US$350

Two people sharing a site. Add food, a vehicle, guiding and activities.

Mid-level lodges and campsAbout US$4,000

Average of the mid-level stays above: about US$660, US$1,095 and US$2,235 by stop.

LuxuryAbout US$12,800

Old Drift Lodge, Chiawa Camp and Ruckomechi Camp, mostly all inclusive.

A guide only, not a quote. Prices come from published rates for 2023 to 2027, and mid-season means halfway between a lodge's low and high rates where it has both. Flights, transfers, park fees, visas and some activities can be extra.

Best time to travel: July to September

August is the sweet spot. All three places are at their best at the same time for only a few months, because the falls need water while the parks need dry weather.

Our month-by-month view. Closed means most camps are shut for the rains.
WhereJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Victoria FallsFairGoodGoodGoodGoodBestBestBestGoodFairFairFair
Lower ZambeziClosedClosedClosedFairFairGoodBestBestBestBestFairClosed
Mana PoolsClosedClosedClosedFairGoodBestBestBestBestBestGoodClosed

  • Victoria Falls

    Flow peaks around April, when the spray can hide the view. By July and August there is still plenty of water, less mist and a clearer view of the rock face. From October much of the Zambian side can run dry.

  • Lower Zambezi

    From April to June the bush is thick and the grass long. From July it thins out and wildlife concentrates along the river. Most lodges and canoe operators close during the rains.

  • Mana Pools

    June to October is the prime season: almost no rain, fewer mosquitoes and animals drawn to the floodplain. October is the hottest of these months, and after rain the park roads are effectively closed.

Make it yours

Change the order, add nights, or swap a lodge for wild camping. Tell us who is coming and when.

Plan this safariAll 2027 itinerariesBack to the home page

Wildlife photos are from our own safaris and do not necessarily show these exact places. Lodge availability, access roads and border rules can change; we confirm everything before you book.