Zimbabwe Self-Guided Tours and Trips

The whole experience was absolutely amazing. Accommodation was well thought out and the wild camping was well equipped with en-suite facilities. The itinerary was superb and we were surprised at how many of the animals we saw and at close quarter. Our tour leader was excellent his knowledge of the animal’s behaviour added to our experience. Our first safari but not our last would highly recommend.

This adventure has everything! Wildlife was amazing, lots of close encounters; beautiful accommodation, great food and a brilliant tour guide who was helpful friendly and could spot an animal no one else would have seen. I loved the variety of landscapes and environment which was also represented in the accommodation from intimate tent lodges to a stunning African lodge with warthogs, steenboks, monkeys and mongoose running around the lawn to a smaller colonial style guest lodge. This adventure does not disappoint!

Botswana Wildlife Safari trip was for me a life experience that I will never forget. Don't tell too many people as presently its quiet and a raw experience to be able to see wildlife in the wild, too many visitors would spoil that. Camping is not my thing but well worth the experience. The wildlife is so plentiful you cannot help but be amazed, the sunsets and sunrises so special and above all we were able to view the animals close by and not interrupt the way they lived/survived. You will return with many stories to retell.

This safari exceeded every expectation. Exodus has created an outstanding itinerary that showcases the very best of Botswana and Zimbabwe, combining incredible wildlife encounters with comfortable lodges, knowledgeable guides, and unforgettable experiences. The wildlife viewing was simply exceptional and we were fortunate enough to witness some truly remarkable moments. The lodges were all unique, each with its own character, but every one was comfortable, welcoming and of excellent quality. The food was good and plentiful. We travelled with three couples and five solo travelers, and it was an absolute pleasure sharing this adventure with such wonderful people. The friendships, laughter and shared excitement added another special dimension to an already incredible experience.

As Explore state, this is a FULL-ON safari, lots of time in the jeep but you don't really notice it as there is always something to see/experience. The wildlife density far exceeded expectations and the knowledge of our guide Joe was exceptional, as was his ability to anticipate where to position us for the best viewing experience. Wild dogs, leopards, lions, giraffes, elephants, buffalos, hippos, cheetahs, jackals, zebras, a whole mix of antelope and myriad of bird life that kept our 'twitcher' group members very happy indeed! You will not be disappointed, this is a great trip! Tips: - In the dry season, it is cold in the mornings/nights, pack LAYERS, and include a pair of gloves, a beanie, some thermals, warm fleece/jacket and something windproof. Use packing cubes in your bag, helps when moving around so much. - Ladies: Take loo roll/tissues with you for the 'bush wee' stops...and don't forget some eco friendly dog poo bags for putting your loo paper/tissue in after a 'bush wee' so you can dispose of it in camp properly later! It's evident some tourists are not so thoughtful or litter conscious...don't be one of them! - Namibia Visa: ENSURE you get one online beforehand! Yes - The Namibian government website for online applications is a nightmare, BUT keep trying and do so well before your departure. Alternatively use a third party and just ****-up the extra they charge, as VISA ON ARRIVAL is a lottery!! Five out of eight of our group had not got visas beforehand, having given up with the online application process, and the solo border guard would not process Visas on Arrival for them. Just said his colleague was off and he couldn't do it. This left us sat at the border for 2 hours whilst alternatives were explored of how to get the five back to Victoria Falls. Then suddenly another border supervisor appeared and they got their visas processed but not without a lot of upset and stress. Some things that could be improved: - It seemed a lot of driving for our single driver/guide to do alone. With 4 days between 250-350km and the last day over 500km, and that without game drives added in. - The houseboat was a bit of an anticlimax, somewhat tired and could do with some TLC. It only moved about a kilometre upstream and then moored-up, but the launch trips from it were excellent, particularly for bird spotting. - Explore: Link with a third party to sort the Namibia visas out for your clients. Or at least, DO NOT ADVISE that Visa on Arrival is an option, it may be in theory, but in reality it is a lottery at best! We came very close to having to re-route five members back through Botswana, with discussions of flights from Maun to Vic Falls being considered.

Trip of a life time made so enjoyable by our Explore guide - Phenyo. He just knew where to take us to see the most awesome wildlife. We were lucky to witness a lion couple on their honeymoon. We were so close to a pride of lions I could have put my hand out and touched one. We had a mix of accommodation from wild camping to premium lodge and houseboat. We saw the big four as the rhino is protected on an island as part of a breeding programme.