Victoria Falls sets the tone fast. You start in Zimbabwe’s most famous natural spectacle, then move through game-rich parks and historic stone sites, with a personal guide and chef handling the heavy lifting for you. I like that the trip is built around guided time (not just drive-by stops), and you also get real on-the-road convenience with accommodation, transport, and park fees taken care of.

My second favorite part is the pace mix: big wildlife moments in national parks, plus slower cultural and nature breaks like Matobo Hills and Great Zimbabwe. In plain terms, this gives you variety without feeling like you’re sprinting every day. Still, one consideration is that the package lists game drives as not included, so you’ll want to plan for optional add-ons if you want maximum time in the vehicles.

What stands out, and what to watch

I really appreciate how this tour leans into practical organization. The group stays small, with a maximum of 16 travelers, and the operator lists experienced guidance in multiple languages, which matters when you’re standing at the Falls or reading ancient stonework. In feedback for Falcon Safaris, people highlight personal care and a smoothly handled booking and transfer experience, including mention of Kelly, Newtone, and Gertrude by name.

You should also know the inclusions are thoughtfully “core safari,” not “luxury everything.” Meals are covered (including most breakfasts and dinners), but drinks and mineral water are not, and you’ll also need to sort out personal items like a sleeping bag and pillow. If you like packing light, that’s your main check before you go.

Key points to consider before you go

• Victoria Falls plus local crafts: You’re not just watching water, you’re learning the story and ending with an art and crafts stop.
• A chef is included: Meals get handled for you, which makes long driving days feel more manageable.
• Small group size (max 16): Easier conversations with your guide and less bottlenecking at viewpoints.
• Wildlife time with options: Game drives are mentioned as optional, and game drives are listed as not included.
• Big historical anchors: Great Zimbabwe is a major stop, not a quick photo break.
• Rhino tracking at Matobo Hills: A standout wildlife moment, with tracking included on the itinerary.

Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, right at the start

Your trip begins at the Zambezi River Cruise Terminal for a scenic cruise experience that lasts about two hours. You can relax and enjoy complimentary onboard drinks and snacks, and depending on the season, you might spot animals come down to drink near the river.

Then, on Day 2, you visit Victoria Falls with a guided tour. This is one of those places where a guide pays off immediately: you’ll learn how the Falls formed and what local customs and traditions surround the site. The tour also includes a stop at a local art and crafts centre, which is a smart way to shift from nature spectacle to people and culture without needing extra planning.

If you’re the type who likes “watching first, learning second,” this itinerary does the reverse in a good way. You’ll still get the wow, but you’ll also leave with more context, which makes the views stick longer in your memory.

Hwange National Park: wildlife focus with optional game drives

After Victoria Falls, the itinerary brings you to Hwange National Park. On Day 2, you have a window described for game drives as optional, and Day 3 includes morning game drives.

Here’s the practical part: the tour information lists game drives as not included overall. That means you should treat those drives as likely add-ons unless your final booking confirms they’re included. Either way, Hwange is a strong match for people who want real safari energy, with lots of wildlife possibilities and big-open terrain that feels different from the Falls.

Tip for your decision-making: if you care most about animals, double-check the costs and timing for game drives before you lock in your budget. If you’re flexible and happy with what you see on drives that do happen, you can keep costs down.

Day 4 and Day 9: leisure time is not filler

Days 4 and 9 are built as afternoon leisure with optional activities. That’s valuable because you’re stacking major days back-to-back, especially around the parks and longer travel stretches.

When a trip gives you breathing room, you can handle the real-world stuff: stretching after early starts, shopping for essentials, or just sitting somewhere quiet and letting the day catch up to you. Since the itinerary doesn’t list specific activities for these blocks, you’ll want to ask your guide what’s available locally at the time, so leisure stays fun instead of random.

Cecil Rhodes in Matobo Hills, then rhino tracking

Day 5 is a two-part day that mixes empire-era stories with serious wildlife tracking. First, you visit Cecil Rhodes’ burial place. The stop is described as an epic railway journey story connected to the date of his death, and it’s a reminder that this region has been shaped by layers of history, including colonial-era decisions that still echo in how places are marked today.

Then you move to Matobo Hills for tracking rhinos. This is one of the most exciting “only-in-Zimbabwe” style moments on the schedule. Tracking can mean more time outdoors, more patience, and more listening for wildlife cues, so it’s worth doing with a good mindset and the right footwear.

Consideration: if you want a heavy comfort level, tracking-style activities can feel more physical than a standard viewpoint tour. But if you enjoy the chance of a rare wildlife encounter, this stop is exactly the kind of effort that makes the trip feel like more than sightseeing.

Great Zimbabwe National Monument: ancient stone you can read

On Day 6, you get to Great Zimbabwe National Monument, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This place is Zimbabwe’s ancient capital, and the stonework here is the headline. Walls and towers were built from rectangular granite blocks stacked without mortar, with some structures reaching up to 12 meters.

What I like about making this a full stop, not a drive-by, is that you can actually walk and think. Your guide can help you interpret what you’re seeing: how the design worked, how the site functioned, and why it matters in the wider story of southern Africa’s past.

The drawback is also simple: this is a day where you’re mostly on foot and focusing on architecture and archaeology. If you only want wildlife every day, this might feel slower than Hwange. If you enjoy history that’s tangible and built from stone you can touch with your eyes, you’ll probably love it.

Gonarezhou National Park: elephants, birds, and Big Five potential

Days 7 and 8 center on Gonarezhou National Park. On Day 7, the itinerary highlights riverine fringes good for birding, with the chance of Pel’s Fishing Owls depending on conditions. It also notes that game around the camp can feel relaxed, with animals like nyala, kudu, impala, and elephant moving through nearby areas.

Day 8 is the “big picture” day. Gonarezhou is Zimbabwe’s second-largest national park and is home to over 10,000 elephants. The park’s mix of floodplains, baobab-dotted scrubland, mopane woodland, and sandstone cliffs creates different habitats, which typically means more varied wildlife behavior and sightings.

The listing also frames the park as a place where you can find four of Africa’s Big Five: elephant, leopard, lion, and buffalo. Now, no itinerary can guarantee specific animals on specific days, but the way Gonarezhou is described signals good odds for classic safari viewing.

Practical advice: pack for early starts and warm days, then plan for weather swings. Safari parks can shift fast, and being comfortable makes the wildlife time much more enjoyable.

Vumba Botanical Gardens: a calm nature break that still feels special

After the intensity of parks, Day 10 shifts gears to Vumba Botanical Gardens and Reserve. You’ll spend time in landscaped gardens built around streams that feed into a small lake, with footpaths that help you explore the reserve. The listing mentions indigenous orchids and ferns, plus abundant birdlife.

There’s also a scenic drive in Vumba tied to the stop. This is the kind of day that works well for photos, slow walks, and regrouping before the final cultural and travel pieces.

If you’re thinking, I came for wildlife, why gardens? The answer is balance. You’ll be in a calmer environment with fewer tracking stresses, and that can make your later sightseeing days feel lighter.

Nyanga and Harare Province: trout, stone structures, and a breather

On Day 11, the itinerary includes Nyanga with Trout Fisheries, Pit Structures, and a Museum. This is another “variety day” that goes beyond standard safari. It gives you a sense of local livelihoods and regional character, plus the chance to learn through built exhibits and historical remnants.

Day 12 is Harare Province with afternoon leisure and optional activities. Harare Province is your chance to slow down before the itinerary ends, and it can also be a useful buffer if you’re carrying energy from the earlier parts of the trip.

If you hate being bored, ask your guide what’s available for optional activities at the time. Because the itinerary does not list specific activities here, your best guide is your guide on the ground.

How the small-group structure and included meals affect your day

This is a guided tour with a personal guide and chef included, plus accommodation and transport. Meals are covered in a structured way: breakfast is included for all 13 days, and lunch is included for 10 days, with dinner included for 10 days.

That matters because food logistics are one of the silent trip killers. When meals are handled, you can focus on the day’s goal, whether it’s scanning the river for wildlife or walking through stone ruins. And because drinks and mineral water are listed as not included, you’ll want to budget for those separately, especially if you tend to drink a lot of water in hot weather.

Also note: sleeping bag and pillow are not included. If your accommodation style expects you to bring your own, plan for that early. It’s the kind of miss that can turn into expensive last-minute shopping.

Price and value: what $3,550 covers, and what to plan for

At $3,550 per person, this isn’t a budget trip. But it also isn’t “pay for everything twice,” because park entry fees, accommodation, transport fees, and a professional guide and chef are included.

So where does the cost land?

• You pay for wildlife access through park fees and scheduled time.
• You pay for logistics through transport and lodging.
• You pay for guidance and food support, which can be worth as much as the sightseeing if you want to reduce friction.

What you still need to plan for:

• Game drives are listed as not included.
• Drinks and mineral water are not included.
• Tips and gratuities are not included.
• Travel insurance is not included.
• Personal items, laundry, and upgrades are not included.

My value take: if you’re the kind of traveler who hates guessing costs and prefers a plug-and-play schedule, the included structure helps justify the price. If you’re trying to minimize all extras, double-check how many add-ons you truly want, especially game drives.

Guides, communication, and the human side

One thing that shows up in feedback for Falcon Safaris is professionalism and fast communication. Names like Kelly, Newtone, and Gertrude appear in positive notes about being helpful, accommodating, and organized through transfers and activities.

There’s also a practical note about payment. One review specifically called out the ability to do a bank transfer, avoiding credit card surcharge issues that can pop up with some providers. That kind of admin ease is underrated, especially when you’re coordinating international travel.

And the biggest “people payoff” is simple: when your guide knows the sites and can explain what you’re seeing, the whole trip feels tighter. Great Zimbabwe is better with context, rhino tracking is better with patience, and even Victoria Falls becomes more meaningful.

Packing and mindset for this 13-day run

Because this trip blends cruises, parks, and walking days, pack for mixed conditions and mixed activity levels.

Bring basics that support comfort outdoors:

• sun protection for Falls and open parks
• comfortable walking shoes for Great Zimbabwe and garden paths
• light layers for mornings and evenings

Also, remember that the itinerary starts at 8:00 am. Early starts are common on safari and at major sights, so don’t count on sleeping in as part of your plan.

Should you book this 13-day Best of Zimbabwe tour?

I’d book it if you want a guided “best of” route that mixes wildlife, major heritage, and a few calmer nature breaks, and you prefer having a chef and guide handling key logistics. This also fits well if you like small groups, since the maximum group size is 16, and you’ll likely get more conversation time with your guide.

I might pass or customize if you’re very tight on budget and want to keep costs to the listed inclusions only, because game drives are not included and drinks are not included. Also consider it if you prefer fully free afternoons, since two days are leisure blocks but the rest of the itinerary is structured.

If you book, do two things early: confirm how game drives will work for your travel dates, and plan for sleeping bag and pillow requirements. Get those sorted, and you’ll spend less time managing details, more time watching the Falls and scanning the bush for what only southern Africa can show you.

FAQ

What is included in the tour price?

The tour includes park entry fees, accommodation, transport fees, a professional guide and chef, and meals (breakfast for 13 days, lunch for 10 days, and dinner for 10 days). It also includes the listed admissions and tickets for specific activities shown on the itinerary.

Are game drives included?

Game drives are listed as not included. The itinerary mentions game drives as optional on one day and as morning game drives on another day, so you should expect game drives to be an add-on unless your booking confirms otherwise.

Does the tour offer pickup and tickets for travel day convenience?

Pickup is offered, and a mobile ticket is included. The start time is listed as 8:00 am.

How large is the group?

The maximum group size is 16 travelers.

What should I plan to pay for myself?

Not included items are all drinks and mineral water, sleeping bag and pillow, personal items, laundry, tips and gratuities, travel insurance, activities not mentioned, and game drives.

What is the cancellation cutoff for a full refund?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. For a full refund, you must cancel at least 6 full days before the experience’s start time.