Zimbabwe for Two, Lodges and Lake Cruises
A romantic trip to Zimbabwe is easiest to plan as a short sequence of nights in three different settings: the falls, the bush and the lake. Here is one way to string them together, with notes on what to book ahead.
Night 1 and 2: Victoria Falls
Arrive and take a late-afternoon walk through the Zimbabwe-side rainforest, which costs about US$58 per entry for international visitors. In the evening, join a cruise on the upper Zambezi. A river levy of about US$12 per person is charged on top of the operator fee.
On day two, think about a helicopter flight of 12 to 13 minutes. Resellers charge roughly US$150 to 190, plus a park levy of about US$18. Finish with a dinner booking. The Boma, Place of Eating, at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge serves dinner only and needs a reservation. For a quieter treat, the Victoria Falls Hotel, built in 1904, serves tea on Stanley’s Terrace from about 15:00 to 17:30, and you do not need to be a guest.
Where to sleep:
- Victoria Falls River Lodge: Treehouse suites on Kandahar Island, reached only by boat.
- Matetsi Victoria Falls: A private reserve about 40 km above the falls with 18 suites in two camps.
- The Elephant Camp: Set above a wildlife sanctuary, with no riding involved.
Details such as plunge pools, suite counts and minimum ages change, so check each lodge.
Night 3 and 4: Hwange
Transfer to Hwange, about 2.5 hours from the falls, for private game drives. Little Makalolo, a Wilderness camp, offers a star bed for sleeping outdoors. The dry months from August to November are best for wildlife, and October heat can pass 40 C.
Night 5 and 6: Lake Kariba
Fly or drive to Kariba town and board a crewed houseboat. The captain, cook and deckhand look after you, and fuel is usually billed at the end. Prices run from modest to very high, so ask several charter companies for written quotes. For a lodge stay instead, Bumi Hills Safari Lodge offers game drives, boat trips and tigerfish fishing with catch and release. Stay out of the water, since crocodiles and hippos live in Kariba.
Practical points
- Lodges price in US dollars, and small notes help with tips.
- Ask your doctor about malaria cover for all three areas.
- Booking early matters from about May to October.
- Stay inside at night in Victoria Falls town, because wildlife roams the streets.
- Skip elephant rides and predator cub programmes.
Read more: Multi-day trips and a 4 day itinerary .
Government guidance is at the UK Foreign Office . Look for rooms and boats on Booking.com .