Head to the land of early morning walking safaris and spectacular sunsets in Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe. This magnificent wildlife haven is a must for couples and honeymooners looking to experience a wilder side of Africa. Also a great photography destination, the park is made up of riverine woodland and rocky outcrops that shelter and assortment of creatures. You can read our complete guide to Zimbabwe for more about other reserves and natural wonders to see in this glorious country.
Photo Credit: Rhino AfricaPhoto Credit: Rhino AfricaPhoto Credit: Rhino Africa
Immerse yourself in a cluster of different biomes found within the borders. Beginning at the forest fringe, spot bushbuck and duiker in the undergrowth. Out on the open plains and grasslands bigger mammals can found grazing, stalking prey or lazing in the heat. These animals consist of lions, elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and antelope. Of these antelope, a special sighting is the sable, Zimbabwe’s national animal.
In terms of birdlife there are over 400 species to see from kingfishers, herons and eagles in the waterberry trees to a lanner falcon swooping over the tall grass of the savannah. Venture out on a river cruise, starting off with a slow hum between the lush banks where soon other creatures become visible. Keep an eye on the depths of the river where you’ll see freshwater animals including crocodiles and hippos.
Witness this incredible wildlife in a myriad romantic ways from rafting to game drives led by expert guides. With a range of luxury lodges lining the banks of the Zambezi you’ll easily access the park and enjoy an inspirationally curated encounter with one of the world’s most enchanting sanctuaries for wildlife.
Photo Credit: Rhino AfricaPhoto Credit: Rhino AfricaPhoto Credit: Rhino Africa
Africa is the best place to spend quality time with your partner and it offers so many life-changing experiences. If Zimbabwe doesn’t check all of your boxes, have a look at our other African safari honeymoon ideas that take you to places like Botswana, favoured by the royals, and the Indian Ocean Islands where paradise isn’t just a dream.
Book your journey to Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park with one of Rhino Africa’s travel experts today and reconnect with nature in one of the last untouched places left in the world. What could be more romantic than total immersion into the gifts of nature with the one you love?
There is something mystical about Africa. Its grand scale, epic landscapes, and magnificent animals are the usual catalysts for this feeling. But there is something more, something intangible which can spark this intoxicating feeling. Our top experiences in Africa enable you to appreciate our continent with all your senses.
As Karen Blixen wrote, “There is something about safari life that makes you forget all your sorrows and feel as if you had drunk half a bottle of champagne — bubbling over with heartfelt gratitude for being alive.” Africa is the continent which makes you feel most alive. And these are its most exhilarating experiences…
1. Climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Image credit: Bednarek
It will take you between five and nine days to scale the 5,895 metres of Kilimanjaro. If you would like to see the famous snows of Kilimanjaro, go sooner rather than later as they are slowly disappearing.
2. Chill out with a chimpanzee in Mahale National Park
Image credit: Mahale National Park
Chimpanzees share 98 percent of our genetic blueprint. Spend time with these incredible animals in Tanzania’s Mahale National Park and marvel at their facial expressions, gestures and use of tools.
3. Ride in a mokoro through the Okavango Delta
A relaxing water safari
On a mokoro, there is no noisy engine to disturb the peace. Instead, you’ll glide silently through the world’s most beautiful wetland in the midst of elephants, crocodiles, hippos and more.
4. Climb some of the world’s tallest dunes at Sossusvlei
A dune walk is an unforgettable experience
Sossusvlei is the top destination in Namibia with monumental dunes up to 325 metres when measured from the base. These star-shaped dunes are a sought-after subject for artists and photographers.
5. Get in Devil’s Pool at Victoria Falls
Image credit: Joe Pyrek
This seasonal pool on the cusp of Victoria Falls is goose-bump-inducing just by looking at it. Swim out to this pool between August and September.
6. Visit the gorillas of Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
Face to face with Africa’s gorillas
Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest is home to the endangered mountain gorillas, and is considered one of the best places in the world to come face-to-face with these magnificent animals.
7. Spend a day in the Ngorongoro Crater
A haven for Africa’s wildlife
8. Spend a night on a sleep out platform
Sleep out deck experiences with lanterns in Africa
Sleeping under the stars on a deck above prowling predators is one Africa’s greatest thrills.
9. Leopard spotting in the Kruger National Park
Image credit: andBeyond Kirkman’s Camp
Nocturnal, stealthy and famously elusive, leopards are a real challenge to find in the wild. Visit the Sabi Sand Game Reserve in the Kruger National Park to increase your odds.
10. Whale watching in Hermanus
Hermanus is only a 90 min drive away from Cape Town
Hermanus is a town near Cape Town in South Africa that is considered one of the best places in the world to see whales. Between June and November, whales frolic just offshore while visitors sip coffees and admire them from the cliff tops above.
11. Have a glass of pinotage in Stellenbosch
Image credit: Delaire Graff
Pinotage is a red wine grape that is South Africa’s signature variety. Visit Stellenbosch, the spiritual home of wine in South Africa, to taste the best.
12. Explore the deserted town of Kolmanskop
Sand in buried house in Kolmanskop
Kolmanskop in Namibia is a deserted mining town that has slowly been reclaimed by sand. This is a popular stop due to the haunting scenes that can be captured.
The oldest island in the world is like nowhere else, and its animals are like nothing else too. Lemurs are the perfect example of this, unique and charming, these furry creatures are one of Africa’s most enthralling animals.
14. Track wild dogs in Northern Botswana
Wild dogs on the hunt in Botswana
Packs of wild dogs can run distances of 50km a day, so it will be tough to keep up with this ‘ultimate predator’ in Botswana, but to find these social creatures in their natural habitat is a true delight.
15. Catch a ride on the world’s most luxurious train, Rovos Rail
Image credit: Rovos Rail
Recapture the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era while you sip on fine wines, dine on excellent cuisine and travel through the African wilderness. Popular stops are Namibia, Cape Town and Victoria Falls.
16. Visit the historic Robben Island
Aerial view of Robben Island
One of the world’s great icons, Nelson Mandela spent 18 of his 27 years in jail on Robben Island. Visit the cell where he would write the beginnings of his memoir, Long Walk To Freedom.
17. Go on a micro-light flight above Victoria Falls
Image credit: Batoka Sky
David Livingstone described Victoria Falls as, ‘scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.’ Find out what he was talking about with a micro-light flight.
18. Explore Lake Malawi
One of Africa’s most fascinating lakes
This African Great Lake is home to more species of fish than any other lake in the world – about 1,000. Snorkeling and kayaking here are two of the most popular activities.
19. Go island-hopping in Seychelles
Turquoise waters and sandy beaches await you
The Seychelles, with its archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, is perfect for island-hopping. Seychelles is known for its beaches, coral reefs, diving, nature reserves and rare wildlife.
20. Walk down the Avenue of the Baobabs in Madagascar
Image credit: Dennis Van De Water
The Avenue of the Baobabs is a collection of baobab trees lining the dirt road between Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina in western Madagascar. Its striking landscape draws travellers from around the world.
21. Go hiking in Reunion Island
Keen for an island adventure?
With its dramatic landscape of pristine beaches, emerald forests, cascading waterfalls, soaring mountains and deep ravines, Reunion has been dubbed ‘Little Hawaii’. Hikes exploring the volcanoes and calderas are the most popular activity.
22. Dive with great white sharks
Image credit: Alban
Gansbaai, near Cape Town, is considered the best place in the world to dive with great white sharks. In a cage, that is.
23. Watch the sunset over the savannah
Image credit: Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Africa has a startling array of attractions and activities, but at the end of the day, it’s best to just stop what you’re doing and admire the show.
24. Go on a walking safari in South Luangwa
Image credit: Puku Ridge
The South Luangwa National Park is said to be the birthplace of walking safaris and you’ll find the widest choice of reliably excellent walking safaris here.
25. Go hot air ballooning in the Serengeti
Image credit: Saulius Peckaitis
Considered the most beautiful place in the world for a balloon flight, the Serengeti offers sunrise rides where you can float over herds of animals as you sip your morning tea.
26. Go diving in Mauritius
Discover colourful coral reefs
Mauritius is home to some of the world’s finest coral reefs and marine life. Teeming with hundreds of vibrantly-colored fish, the underwater world of Mauritius can be deemed a natural wonder in its own right.
27. Go whitewater rafting down the Zambezi
Image credit: Wild Horizons
The Zambezi is acclaimed to be the ‘wildest one-day whitewater run in the world’ and is recognised by rafting enthusiasts as one of the top ten paddling rivers on the planet. The only difference is there are crocodiles in this river.
28. Stargaze in the Kalahari
Star-strewn sky in the Kalahari
Wonderfully isolated and so far-removed from any form of pollution, crystal clear Kalahari skies provide the perfect conditions for desert stargazing.
29. Stake out a waterhole
Image Credit: Jozibanini Camp
There is nothing like that sense of anticipation at a hide. Sitting quietly, you wait patiently and scan the bush and then you see it, a lumbering elephant sidles into view and it’s all worth it.
30. See the tree-climbing lions of Queen Elizabeth National Park
Image credit: Queen Elizabeth National Park
Or in the Serengeti or Lake Manyara National Park. No one can quite explain why some prides climb trees but it’s not common and is one of Africa’s strangest sights.
31. Swim with whale sharks in Mozambique
Image credit: Fiona Ayerst
Swim with the largest fish in the sea at Tofo Beach in Mozambique, which is home to one of the largest concentrations of whale sharks in Africa thanks to a seemingly never-ending supply of plankton.
32. Ogle at San rock art in the Cederberg
Photo credit: Bushmans Kloof
Bushman tribes have lived in the Cederberg mountains for the past 120,000 years. Some of the ancient art sites go back 10,000 years.
33. Hike down the Fish River Canyon
One of Namibia’s most scenic landscapes
The Fish River Canyon hiking trail is one of the more popular hiking trails in Southern Africa. The five-day route winds its way down Africa’s largest canyon.
34. Catch the cable car up Table Mountain
Table Mountain offers stunning views over Cape Town
This popular attraction and natural wonder receives almost one million visitors a year. It’s a great place to watch the sun setting over the Atlantic Ocean or spend an entire day exploring.The cable car will have you up to the top in five minutes.
35. Witness the Great Migration
The Great Migration is one of the most spectacular experiences in Africa
Of course the “Greatest show on earth” makes our list. Every year, over a million wildebeest, zebra and antelope migrate clockwise around the Serengeti/Masai Mara ecosystem and is one of nature’s most amazing spectacles.
If you’d like to find out how you can see some of these for yourself, to see Africa’s great animals and natural wonders, send us a message and we’ll put you on a path to the best experience of your life. To get started why not visit two of these iconic destinations in one tour?
The last time I visited Royal Chundu, on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia, was in September last year. The area was dry and brittle. This time it was February 2013 and the landscape was wholly transformed. From October the rains arrive in Zambia and the area begins to transform, with the river at its highest in February.
We were there to celebrate my brother, Jacques’ birthday and stayed at both Royal Chundu’s luxury River Lodge and Island lodge. There’s no better place to toast to being another year older than in a pool overlooking the mighty Zambezi River. It definitely assuages the woes of growing old.
A happy birthday boy indeed!
The Royal Chundu Luxury Zambezi Lodges are set on a stretch of private waterway of the Zambezi between Victoria Falls and the Chobe National Park. River Lodge has expansive, truly amazing views across the Zambezi to Zimbabwe but Island lodge is more exclusive with only four suites and a whole staff complement to yourself, to cater to your every need.
We headed out on a canoe trip in an inflatable boat, each with our own private guide to make sure we didn’t topple over or drift awry over the rapids.
The Zambezi River is magnificent, splitting around the islands of green life that pop up here and there. We canoed to Katambora Island and hopped off for a picnic lunch under the trees. A Persian rug was set up with cushions and hammocks in the trees, a full drinks bar, snacks and four people serving us spoilt gentlemen.
After our siesta on the river banks we continued down in our boats to River Lodge. It’s a really wonderful activity that I recommend to everyone staying at Royal Chundu and it’s a great way to experience the Zambezi and the wildlife in its waters – the hippos and crocs especially. Only in Africa. The hippos tend to stick to deeper channels while the canoe trip stays in the shallower waters, so you get a great view of them without getting munched!
I suggest doing as many of the activities around Victoria Falls as possible on your first day staying at Royal Chundu, so that you can just settle in for the rest of your holiday here – there’s so much to do at the lodge that you don’t need to go anywhere else.
Hippo Love on the ZambeziThey may look cute but watch out for these mischievous monkeys
Activities
While staying at Royal Chundu, go on a sunset and sunrise cruise, fishing, canoeing, bird watching, a village tour and an island walk. There are several more that the lodge managers can help you organise, from helicopter rides to white water rafting. There’s also a luxurious spa to enjoy treatments at, but you can also enjoy treatments in the privacy of your own suite, on the deck overlooking the Zambezi River.
Royal Chundu was a magnificent place to spend some down time and quality time with my brother on his birthday. And like my brother, Royal Chundu only gets better with age.
It’s a Relais & Châteaux property, the only one in Zambia, and owner Tina Aponte, with her magnetic personality, and the keen managers really go the extra mile to make sure you have the most special of holidays.
Top 5 Highlights
1. Water, water everywhere – breathtaking views and great photography opportunities. And the canoeing!
2. The location! Royal Chundu is equidistant from both Chobe and the Victoria Falls so while being based at Chundu you can easily go on day trips to both of these great destinations.
3. The Zambian people are just beautiful, really friendly and gentle.
4. Royal Chundu tries to source all of their food locally. They buy their vegetables and fresh breem from the local villagers and fisherman. Find out more about their community and conservation projects on their website.
5. The big eggshell bath tub on the deck at Island Lodge is something else! I enjoyed a massive bubble bath, while listening to the birds and taking in the vistas in the late afternoon. The staff organised everything.
The suites really have that feeling of being away from it allColonial elegance meets African charm
Chobe
TIP: If you have time, I recommend taking a day trip from here to visit the Chobe National Park the park is not too far away. We did the trip and a had a whale of a time floating by boat down the Chobe River, indulging in foodie treats and beers, watching the elephants playing in the water nearby. Click here for great tour ideas.
What to expect at Chobe – Elephants, elephants and more elephants!
About Royal Chundu
The 10 riverfront suites feature double showers, an infinity pool, 15 kilometres of private river, a boma, library, business centre, satellite TV, WIFI & cellphone signal, and more. The island lodges consist of four private and exclusive villas with an open-air bath, glass-walled double showers, infinity pool, boma, two lounges, dining area, private dining decks, WIFI and cellphone signal.
What a trip! Good friends, great memories, innumerable laughs and unforgettable moments!
Last month my colleague Billy and I got to enjoy an 11 night trip of our own. We were to experience 2 nights in Johannesburg, 7 nights in Zimbabwe and 2 nights on the Chobe River.
Not expecting too much from our first 2 nights in JHB, the experience was memorable for so many reasons. Having only travelled through JHB Airport en route to other destinations both locally and abroad, I had expected the “large mall type lifestyle” and busy 4 lane highways, but boy was I pleasantly surprised. I found very friendly people, quaint local culture at sidewalk bistro’s and cafe’s and beautiful tree-lined residential suburbs within the sprawling metropolis.
We began the trip by entering JHB on the newly launched “Gautrain” which is JHB’s answer to London’s underground or New York’s subway. What a pleasure. It was speedy (12 minutes to Sandton), clean and so easy to use with staff around to assist with the purchase of tickets and at the stations to answer any questions. We were collected at the station by our friendly driver who escorted us to the wonderful hotel awaiting our arrival.
The Marion on Nicol is a boutique hotel which has been recently opened (to a full house during the FIFA World Cup) and we realised that the pictures we had seen and its website did not do it justice. This was even better than we had expected… and trust me, we had very high expectations to begin with……
No expense has been spared, the decor is beautifully plush and inviting, the staff friendly and professional and the rooms so very well appointed.
Imagine my delight at finding ultra-luxe “Bulgari” amenities in the bathroom…… Word has it that diamonds are supposed to be a girl’s best friend….. I disagree!
Larry, the ever-present and so charming GM showed us around the property with pride. We were enthralled. STUNNING! The location is ideal too being just a 10 minute drive (complimentary in their in-house luxury shuttle of course) to Sandton Centre, so you are close to everything but not in the midst of the hustle and bustle of Sandton life. The property is expanding its gardens into the surrounding properties, recently bought by the owners, to extend and offer a “wetland” vista to be enjoyed from your room’s balcony.
That evening we, reluctantly, abandoned our decadent accommodation and headed out into the great unknown that is JHB and experienced all that was on offer… with gusto!
Our first morning in JHB, albeit a little heavy headed after enjoying the JHB nightlife, was spent on a tour of the “Apartheid Museum” and Soweto arranged by our preferred tours and transfer company in JHB, namely RNS. The charming Solly looked after us with aplomb and was incredibly knowledgeable. What a truly fulfilling experience. Billy and I were moved to tears…. all I can say here is that I feel it is vital for everyone staying in JHB to visit our largest township and especially the “Apartheid Museum” during their trip. Here you will find the story of South Africa… who we were, who we are and who we aim to become……
The second night in JHB was to be spent at the stately Westcliff. We arrived, checked in and were ferried off to our suites in a golf cart which winds its way up the curved path towards the top of the hill which houses the entire property that is Westclif. The higher we went the more it felt as if we had somehow been transported to France and were approaching our very own chateau! The views from the rooms are amazing, you can see JHB Zoo in the foreground and Sandton in the distance. The property sincerely is a haven of tranquillity.
Lunch became quite an affair at the Polo lounge where we languished at a table next to the huge infinity pool and relaxed with a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc whilst watching the sunset over JHB before returning to our suites that one could cartwheel in and with baths that one could swim laps in. That night was to be a quiet night as the following day involved an early start and some travelling and we are responsible adults after all…..
After what turned out to be very little sleep, we met up with Hans who was to join us for the remainder of the trip. We were now the “3 Muskateers” incarnate. Admittedly there was a little rushing around to make flights and transfers, we landed at the Livingstone Airport (flights into Zimbabwe were full at time of booking) and were collected for our road transfer into Zim. We were headed to a lodge called “Imbabala”. Billy has always had a soft spot for the property since a treasured friend, Karen, now manages the lodge and both he and Hans had visited before… so I was the newby…..!
Imbabala is a safari lodge, located on the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe just this side of the Botswana Gazungula border crossing, offering game drives, boat cruises and fishing. Its location is breathtaking as you walk into the main lodge area and all you see is Zambia in the distance across the Zambezi River which forms a natural border between the two countries, you can smell the fresh bread cooking in the kitchen and you can hear the unmistakable call of the African Fish Eagle. This is a comfortable lodge with no airs and graces or bells and whistles but offers all you need to enjoy a truly African safari. What makes this lodge special though is equal doses of wonderful home-style cooking and the most incredible staff and service. Nothing is too much trouble… “Ask and ye shall receive” is surely the mantra that is instilled in all staff and it is very noticeable.
We spent 3 nights here. Bliss!! Our time was spent on game drives, cruising up the Zambezi River and making good use of the pool loungers “rejuvenating” around the pool with a good book, the warm sun on our faces and a cool gin and tonic in hand. Sitting back and letting others do all the work can be so tiring! Nights were spent around the fireside, sharing stories and laughs with the other in-house guests. On one of the 3 evenings, our after dinner tales were rudely interrupted by a cacophony of loud roaring, squealing, trumpeting and galloping, as a herd of Elephant, a Lion, some Hyena and Buffalo decided to have the most unruly spat just 100m (tracks spotted the following morning verified) down from where we had just minutes before been sitting. No words can aptly describe the intensity and the feeling of adrenalin coursing through our bodies that evening……. Only in the African bush!
Follow Sam’s exciting adventure tomorrow, when we’ll post Part II…
We use cookies and similar technologies to improve your experience on our site. To learn more about how we use cookies, please view our Privacy Policy. By clicking "I Accept" on this banner, or using our site, you consent to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Cookie
Duration
Description
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional
11 months
The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance
11 months
This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy
11 months
The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
