Ecstatic 7 Days Start In Harare, Gentle Hike, Zimbabwe and Chimanimani Mountains Trip Package

hotel Super Delux 3star

Start in Harare drive to the Eastern Highlands. In and around Harare Passengers not on the group flight can either be picked up at the pre-tour hotel or meet the group at Harare airport when the group flights land (normally late morning). We travel from Harare Airport approx. 5 hours (excluding stops) towards the Eastern Highlands near the town of Mutare where we will base ourselves for the next 3 days exploring the region. Lunch will be had en route and we aim to arrive late afternoon at our lodge.

hotel Super Delux 3star

Gentle hike in the morning free afternoon to relax or go on a self-guided walk. Our first day walking is a gentle one as we spend the morning walking through valleys and up mountains. We pass by a small Zimbabwe ruin and a local Bushman painting site before getting to a viewpoint where we can see Mt. Nyangani, our challenge for tomorrow. We return to our lodge in time for a late lunch and have a free afternoon to either enjoy the self-guided trails through the surrounding woodland from the lodge or relax by the pool.

hotel Super Delux 3star

Summit Zimbabwe’s highest peak, Mt. Nyangani. after approximately 2hrs transfer we reach the base of our goal: the summit of Zimbabwe’s highest peak, Mt. Nyangani (2,592m). This is a moderate hike up to the summit though there are some steep sections. The walk to the top should take about 3 hours and we aim to get there in time to enjoy our picnic lunch admiring the panoramic view.

hotel Super Delux 3star

Transfer to the Chimanimani Mountains; afternoon hike to the top of Bridal Veil Falls. This morning we transfer south to the Chimanimani Mountains with their volcanic peaks, deep valleys and gorges. The Chimanimani National Park has preserved the mountains’ pristine wilderness with most of the park only accessible by footpaths. Our transfer should take around 3 hours and we aim to arrive at the lodge around lunch time. This afternoon we head out through the indigenous forest to the stunning Bridal Veil Falls which tumble 50m over a cliff into a tranquil glade. We hike up to the top of the falls before returning to the lodge.

hotel Super Delux 3star

Full day hike through the Chimanimani Mountains. Following a short transfer we spend the whole day hiking through the Chimanimani National Park. Our hike, which involves some scrambling, takes us up the quartzite ridges of the Chimanimani Mountains and onto a large plateau. From here views stretch out over the highest peak, Mt Binga, towards the Mozambican border and beyond. We walk through valleys and ridges on a circuitous route taking us back to our starting point later in the afternoon.

hotel Super Delux 3star

Transfer to Great Zimbabwe; afternoon informative walk around the ruins. Leaving the eastern highlands behind we head west into the heart of Zimbabwe and the Great Zimbabwe ruins (about 5hrs). This grand monument dates back to the 11th to 15th centuries and is the greatest ancient man-made site in Southern Africa. It has become a symbol for the country which took its name after independence. After a late lunch we explore the site on an informative walk around the ruins learning about their history and the people who built them and lived here.

Drive to Matobo National Park; afternoon hike through grinet ridges to cave paintings. We continue on our journey via the cities of Masvingo and Bulawayo to the Matobo National Park and our lodge just outside the park (about 5hrs drive plus stops). The park (also known as Matopos National Park) is famous for its giant boulders precariously balanced on top of each other known as kopjes and for being the final resting place of coloniser, Cecil Rhodes. Upon arrival we go for a walk through granite ridges and domes to some caves with excellent examples of San Bushmen art. We enjoy a sundowner in the bush before returning to our lodge for the night.