Imvelo Safari Lodges Zimbabwe FAM – last chance!

Africa agents enjoy sundowners at the Nehimba seeps

Last call for the Imvelo Safari Lodges’ Zimbabwe FAM June 6-11! This is your chance to experience what makes Zimbabwe such a special safari destination while learning more about the incredible impact of Imvelo’s lodges on the communities they support. Witness Hwange’s massive ele herds from the Look-Up blind, walk to school with the kids from the local village and spot game from the one-of-a-kind Elephant Express trolley! Discover what’s behind the buzz about Imvelo! We only have two spaces remaining so contact Tad ASAP if interested! See the full itinerary below.

Summary: 6 – 11 June 2017  
6 – 7 – Little Gorges Lodge
7 – 8 – Nehimba Lodge
8 – 10 – Camelthorn Lodge
10 – 11 – Zambezi Sands River Camp

DAY 1 

Sunrise over the Zambezi and Batoka Gorge from Gorges Lodge

Arrive at Victoria Falls Airport you will be met by an Imvelo Safari Lodges representative to be transferred to Little Gorges Lodge (30 mins).

Gorges and Little Gorges have arguably the most spectacular views in Southern Africa and offer a unique Victoria Falls experience from a peaceful and idyllic base on the edge of the Batoka Gorge.

Enjoy black eagle viewing on the edge of the gorge with sundowners and canapés followed by a fantastic traditional dancing performance by our local dancing troop.

Dinner is a delicious 3 course Zimbabwean ‘braai’ in the garden overlooking the gorge & overnight

Highlights: black eagle viewing (weather permitting), traditional dancing display, traditional Zimbabwean braai (weather permitting)

Overnight at Little Gorges Lodge.

DAY 2 

Elephants at Nehimba Lodge

Enjoy early morning tea or coffee on your private balcony overlooking the river followed by a sumptuous breakfast in the main lodge on the edge of the Batoka Gorge.

Road transfer into Victoria Falls town for a tour of the rainforest and Victoria Falls – one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. Depart the Falls around 10:30am for a ]road transfer to Mbala Gate (2hrs) and game drive to Nehimba Lodge in Northern Hwange National Park (2-3hrs).

Later in the afternoon, head out on a game drive within the park, ending with cool refreshments and canapés at sunset at the famed Nehimba seep. The seep is an ancient source of water once used by the San Bushmen historically as well as being a place where elephant still dig for water and minerals. The sunset photography opportunities with elephants is second to none in this unique and peaceful spot.

Back at camp our guests can enjoy a relaxing bath or shower to freshen up before a three course dinner in the main lodge area followed by reliving the days’ safari around the campfire as the elephants sip and slurp at the lodge waterhole and pool, just steps from the Nehimba deck.

Highlights: tour of Victoria Falls, game drives and game walks inside Nehimba’s private concession.

Overnight at Nehimba Lodge.

DAY 3 

Traffic delay on The Elephant Express!

Early morning Game drive and walk exploring the area around Nehimba Lodge. After breakfast, game drive to Dete Railway Station (2 – 2.5 hrs) and then board the one-of-its-kind Elephant Express for the rail transfer to Camelthorn Lodge (2.5 hrs). This flagship lodge is nestled in a patch of pristine woodland just west of Ngamo on the edge of the south eastern corner of Hwange National Park

Highlights: Game drives and walks, Elephant Express, Look Up Blind

Overnight at Camelthorn Lodge.

DAY 4 

Toe level photography from the Look-Up blind near Camelthorn

Early morning wake up with coffee or tea and juice on the private deck of your forest villa. This will be followed by a sumptuous continental or cooked breakfast in the main lodge dining room before heading to the nearby Ngamo Village for a local village and school visit and a tour of Imvelo’s community projects, followed by a game drive along the magnificent Ngamo Plains.

In the afternoon, guests will be guided on foot inside the park by one of Imvelo’s fully licensed and experienced guides where they can experience the majesty of Hwange’s giants (the elephants) from a unique perspective on the ground. Finish up at our unique ‘look up’ blind in front of Stoffie’s Pan inside the park for snacks and sundowners and rare moments with nature.

Night drive to Camelthorn Lodge for your 3 course dinner under the magnificent camelthorn tree after which the lodge is named.

Highlights: game drives, game walks, school visit, village visit and dinner under the stars 

Overnight at Camelthorn Lodge.

DAY 5 

Canoeing the Zambezi from Zambezi Sands River Camp

Early morning game activity (walk or drive) and then a site inspection and breakfast at Bomani Tented Lodge. In the late morning, board the Elephant Express for a lunchtime ride to Dete Railway Station (2.5 hours) followed by a road transfer to Zambezi Sands River Camp (approx 2 – 2.5 hrs). This luxurious tented camp is situated within the western area of the Zambezi National Park on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, upstream of the Victoria Falls.

After afternoon tea at the lodge, we’ll head out in Imvelo canoes, exploring the beautiful Siansimba islands nestled between the riverbank on its main channel, keeping a look out for the variety of game in the river and on the banks. This includes hippo, crocks, elephants, buffalo and even occasionally lion and giraffe. We finish with sundowners on the banks of the Zambezi toasting our Zimbabwe adventures of the last week (note: canoeing may be done on the morning of day 6 depending on how the group feels).

Return to Zambezi Sands for alfresco bush showers, congregating afterwards around the campfire with a 3 course dinner to follow in the elegant main lodge area.

Highlights: Game drives, game walks, river cruise, dining under the stars

Overnight at Zambezi Sands River Camp.

DAY 6 
Morning canoeing or game drive/walk finishing up with a bush brunch on the banks of the river.
Road transfer to VFA for departing flight (approx 1 hr)

PLEASE NOTE FOR THIS FAMIL:

QUALIFIED AFRICA SPECIALIST AGENT RATE
$600 per person (includes all meals, soft drinks, national parks fees, in-house activities and transfers)
Guests will be in sharing accommodation

FLIGHTS & MEETING POINT
Guests must make their own individual flight arrangements to and from Victoria Falls Airport. Imvelo Safari Lodges will collect guests upon arrival at VFA. Visas are for your own account

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS
Zimbabwe is a malaria area and we therefore recommend you start a malaria prophylactic before you visit. You will have mosquito nets or mosquito proof tents to sleep in but be sure to bring personal repellent and longs, as these are effective in protecting you from bites when outdoors.
At present, Zimbabwe requires no injections or vaccinations before entering the country. However you should consult your local health authorities prior to your holiday for any updates

WATER
The water we provide is either from a local borehole or water that is boiled and chemically treated. There is also bottled water available if you prefer.

PASSPORTS & VISA
Passports are required by all foreign visitors and must be valid for 6 months after the intended length of stay.  Please ensure that there are two blank pages per country to be visited.

It is imperative to check visa requirements with your resident country embassy/consulate as visa requirements may vary according to your nationality.

Departure tax is usually included in the price of your air ticket, but double check.  If it is not included in your ticket you will have to pay US$ 20 per person in cash when you leave.

LUGGAGE ALLOWANCE
As you will be travelling in vehicles with limited luggage capacity, luggage is requested to be packed in a soft bag

CLOTHING
As a general guide, comfortable, casual wash and wear clothes are recommended. Please note that muted colours are recommended for game-viewing.

• Khaki, green, beige and neutral colours
• Shirts with long sleeves (even in summer, as protection from the sun and mosquitoes)
• T shirts
• Shorts or a light skirt
• Jeans or safari trousers for evenings and cooler days
• A jacket and sweater are recommended for early morning and evening game drives
• Lightweight water-proof jacket
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sun block, sunglasses, hat, insect repellent, moisturizer and lip-salve are all essentials
• Binoculars and camera equipment

Camouflage-patterned clothing is not permitted in Zimbabwe.  This applies to any clothing that can be construed as mimicking military-wear.  Travellers are urged not to wear, or even carry, any military-inspired clothing while travelling in Zimbabwe.

CLIMATE
Although located in the tropics, temperate conditions prevail all year, as the climate is moderated by altitude and the inland position of the country. The hot and dry season is from August to October, and the rainy season from November to March

Average temperature in Victoria Falls and Hwange in June is max 23.5 degrees and min 6.1 degrees. Average daily rainfall is 0.05 mm

ELECTRICITY
Zimbabwe     220/240 Volts AC, 50hz

The voltage in Zimbabwe is 220 volt so you need to bring all converters and adaptors with you to charge any electronic equipment. Gorges Lodge has electricity and a backup generator. Camelthorn, Nehimba and Zambezi Sands are run off generators in the mornings and evenings.
Camelthorn has three-pin round plugs, Nehimba has three-pin round plugs and three-pin square plugs and Gorges has three-pin square plugs and three-pin round plugs. Zambezi Sands has universal plug points. Whilst we try to cater for everyone, it’s best to bring an extra adaptor just in case.

There is free Wi-Fi in the main lodge areas at all lodges.
There is full Econet Wireless cell phone signal at Gorges and Camelthorn. There is no cell phone signal at Zambezi Sands and Nehimba.

MONEY
We recommend that cash in US Dollars is used
Hotels, transportation, activities and curio shops will charge sales tax, regardless of what currency is used.
No traveller’s cheques are accepted.
There are no credit card facilities at any of our lodges

GRATUITY GUIDELINE
Tipping is purely discretionary, however if you would like to show your appreciation to our staff we recommend $10 – $20 per guest per day, paid in the communal tip box at reception.