Home Tours Zimbabwe & Zambia Ancient Pathways Itinerary

Tour Code

Itinerary

15 day small group limited participation Under Canvas Camping

Departs:

Livingstone

Ends:

Victoria Falls

Accommodation

11 nights camping, 1 night wild camping, 2 nights lodge

15 Days From

€2090

Single supplement

€230 pp

+ USD 400 local payment

Tour Code

Itinerary

15 day small group limited participation Under Canvas Camping

Departs:

Livingstone

Ends:

Victoria Falls

Accommodation

11 nights camping, 1 night wild camping, 2 nights lodge

15 Days From

€2090

Single supplement

€230 pp

+ USD 400 local payment

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have any questions regarding your planned African Safari? The list below provides answers to many common questions we get asked with almost every tour.

Does Sunway provide drinking water?

Sunway Safaris does not supply bottled drinking water. There is however clean drinkable water throughout Southern Africa. Tap water in most places is good to drink, and you can always ask your guide for advice if unsure. Each safari truck has a 150ltr water tank, which can be used for drinking. For those who are concerned about the water it is possible to purchase bottled water at own expense.

From an environmental point of view, we ask each client to consider how many plastic bottles they throw away. We suggest you either bring a water bottle from home, or buy a 1.5 ltr bottle of water at the start of the tour. You can then refill that water bottle from the truck or from a tap. If every Sunway client bought one plastic bottle every day, we would use over 40,000 plastic bottles a year! So please help us by re-using your water bottle.

What food can I expect while on Safari?

Sunway will provide three scrumptious meals per day, unless specified in the itinerary [B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner], from lunch on the day of departure until breakfast on the last day of your tour. Good healthy meals make happy travelers. The tour leaders do all the shopping and meal planning for each group. They will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. Each tour has 1 cool box / freezer for the meats and fresh produce only, and 1 cool box for drinks. Please be aware that, due to the diverse tastes of our clients, we are unable to accommodate individual food preferences on our group tours. The group shared meals we provide are subject to available produce, and in our sometimes remote destinations, the variety of ingredients is sometimes limited. However, we do take allergies, vegetarian and vegan dietary requirements into consideration to ensure everyone has suitable meal options. Please bring this to our attention at time of booking.

A rough idea of what meals can be expected:

Breakfast – Cereals and milk or bread/toast, jam and fruit with coffee and tea or the occasional cooked breakfast.

Lunch – Cheese, cold meats, fish, fruit, pasta salads and bread or rolls.

Dinner – Potjies (stews), braais (barbecue), stir fries, curries etc prepared on a wood fire or gas stove.

On several nights we visit local restaurants, which because of individual tastes will be an own expense meal.

Do I need Malaria tablets?

Yes, Malaria prophylaxes are required on all of the safaris that we offer. Some trips, like the South Africa Scenic or Rainbow Route, are only in a Malaria area for 5 days, while others, such as the Zambia, Malawi & Mozambique Trade Route, travel through malaria areas for all 21 days. Your tour leader will advise you when you enter a malaria area, and when you exit a malaria area.

Do not be put off visiting Southern Africa because of malaria. Realistically most of Southern Africa is low risk area and if you use prophylaxis, use insect repellent and cover up at dusk with long shirt or trousers, the chances are very low that you would contract malaria. Of the thousands of clients that Sunway has carried since 1994 we know of only 1 case of a client contracting malaria, and only a handful of guides (and remember that the guides do not even use the tablets). Clients visiting Malawi and Mozambique should pay most attention to precautions as those two countries are warm and wetter, and therefore have higher incidence of malaria.

Please contact your local physician for latest information on malaria prophylaxis and what type of prophylaxis will be best suited for the area that you are visiting.

If you feel when you get home that you have flu like symptoms, headache, stiffness, nausea, fever, then it’s best to consult your doctor immediately. Remember that prophylaxis do mask the symptoms, so get checked out – and remember to tell your doctor that you’ve been to a malaria area. Malaria is easily treatable if detected early.

Are Mosquito nets provided?

If you are joining a camping trip, the Sunway tents have mosquito netting on the windows and door. Mosquitoes spend the heat of the day in shaded areas, so please remember to keep the mosquito net on the door closed during the day too, so that mosquitoes do not enter your tent. At night, you can sleep with the tent window flaps open, and the door rolled up, but remember to keep the mosquito net zipped closed. This will keep out the little biting things (like mosquitos) and the big biting things (like lion and hyena).

On the accommodated safaris, if we visit a malaria area, or a place with mosquitoes, then the accommodation will have nets provided. In areas where there are low numbers of mosquitoes and/or no malaria, mosquito nets will not be provided. These include places such as Knysna, Hermanus, Cape Town, Swakopmund, Windhoek etc.

Can I buy camera memory cards?

Memory cards and other photographic accessories will be available several times on tour. A camera with a zoom lens from wide angle to telephoto, 35-200mm, is advisable to capture both scenic and wildlife shots. Each vehicle is fitted with a 12/24V cigarette lighter – this should not be relied on for charging camera batteries and we recommend you bring a 2nd battery. Remember you can also charge your camera on those nights we use accommodation (SA 220V)

Do I need to bring a sleeping bag and a towel?

If you are joining a camping trip, you will need to bring your own sleeping bag (and small camp pillow) and a towel. Should you not have, or do not want to buy a sleeping bag, you can rent a sleeping bag and camp pillow from the Sunway office for Euro 1 per sleeping bag per day on tour. Please book this at the time of booking.

On most of the Accommodated Adventures & Classic Journeys, all bedding is provided, and you will not be required to bring a sleeping bag or pillow. At most accommodation establishments, towels will be provided, but it is always a good idea to bring a small travel towel for the beach or swimming pool. If you are traveling on a tour that visits the Okavango Delta please make sure to bring a small towel with you as there are no towels supplied. Please make sure to double check your detailed tour itinerary for more information.

How much luggage can I bring?

Due to space and weight limitations within each safari vehicle, luggage should be kept to a maximum of 12kgs per person (excluding camera equipment / day bag). The bag should be of a soft sided duffel bag / back pack design – no hard cases or hard sided bags will be accepted. While many people feel that they will need their full quota of 20kgs, people quickly realise that they have packed far too much.

Can I use my credit card while on safari?

Yes, Mastercard and Visa credit cards and debit cards are widely accepted throughout Southern Africa. American Express is not widely used in Southern Africa.

You’ll be able to use credit card to pay for most restaurant meals, and at most formal shops. Optional activities in Cape Town, Swakopmund, Maun, Livingstone and Victoria Falls can also be paid by credit card. More specific details available in the downloadable Sunway general information dossier.

How much spending / tipping will I need?

Sunway includes all activities in the safari, as detailed in the itinerary. You will therefore not be spending lots of money on additional excursions like game drives, national park fees, bush walks etc – those are included as per your itinerary. There are on some routes, opportunities to do additional own expense activities, such as helicopter flights, white water rafting or canoeing etc – please refer to the optional activities page for wages (right hand menu).

You will need some cash to purchase snacks, drinks, perhaps local curios, and some restaurant meals. For meal expenses you should count the number of lunches and dinners not included in the specific itinerary and then work on about US$15 to US$25 for a sit down restaurant dinner (including a glass of wine or a beer), about US$6 to US$12 for a light lunch or take away. (local currency will be required, but as an indication we’ve shown US$). In most restaurants you will be able to pay buy credit card – Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted, but Diners Club is not.

Bottled water is approximately US$1.50 per liter and a can of beer or coke is roughly US$2.00.

If you budget on +/-US$ 25 per day, you will have ample cash available for out of pocket expenses. Please bear in mind that this daily budget, does not include the expenses of optional activities such as white water rafting, shark cage diving or helicopter flights etc. The prices for these optional extras can be found on our downloadable detailed tour dossier.

Tipping is often a major issue for clients, especially when it comes to tipping the guides that we sometimes use for various activities (e.g. game walks, polers in the Okavango Delta etc). Clients sometimes find it difficult to get a realistic value of the local currency and what it is worth in the local economy. We suggest that a tip of 1-3€ per client per ½ day activity, or the local currency equivalent, is acceptable.

Your two Sunway tour leaders also work extremely hard to ensure that your safari runs smoothly and that all the clients on tour are happy. They are more often than not in bed last and up first, do most of the cooking and also give as much information to the clients about the areas that are visited and of course flora and fauna. We suggest that a tip of 2–5€ per client per day per tour leader is reasonable. A general procedure for tipping the guides, is for the group to collect the guides tips, and place in 2 separate envelopes for each of the tour leaders.

As in all cases with tipping, the final decision of the amount tipped is up to the individual. It is up to you to decide if you thought the service was poor, or exceptional, and the amount tipped should reflect that. The amounts quoted above are guidelines for you to get an idea of what to tip.

Will I be safe while on safari?

Southern Africa, like all 3rd world regions, has its problems, but your tour leader knows all of the areas intimately and will endeavour to show you all of the highlights while always taking your safety into account. Sunway plans the itineraries to visit interesting places, while not placing clients in harms way.

Like all practical advice about safety, be aware of your surroundings but not paranoid. As you would anywhere in the world, don’t leave valuables such as wallet and cameras unattended or in plain view. IE: don’t leave your camera on a restaurant table while you dash to the loo, or leave your wallet on the bed in your room while you’re not there. The temptation for cleaning staff may be too much.

Please also bear in mind that the people in many of the places you will visit are living in difficult and sometimes poor conditions. To them the possessions you have are signs of your relative wealth, and therefore please be sensitive to their position. Don’t create that temptation in their mind by “flaunting” your valuables.

When entering a wilderness area your tour leader will give you a full safely briefing. If you follow the simple rules while in wilderness areas you will have nothing to worry about when in close proximity to wild animals. On game drives keep quiet and don’t make any sudden movements. On game walks walk in a single file, keep quiet and listen to your guide’s instructions and you will enjoy and amazing wildlife experience. When staying in un-fenced campsites do not wander off alone, always make sure that you are aware of your surroundings.

Follow your guide’s instructions and you’ll have a great time.

Do I need travel insurance?

Yes, all clients travelling on a Sunway safari are required to have their own comprehensive travel insurance. The travel insurances needs to cover lost luggage, missed flights and most importantly comprehensive medical cover in the un-likely event of you being injured while on safari.

Please note that while most credit card companies offer travel insurance if you have bought your airline ticket on your credit card, we have found that cover is not sufficient for adventure travel in Africa. We strongly recommend you buy additional specific travel insurance. You need to buy this insurance in your home country, before you travel and your local Sunway travel agent can assist you with this.

Is there an age limit?

The minimum age for our guests is 12 years old, although we do occasionally make exceptions depending on the specific itinerary, the group make-up and sometimes during our low season. Please note that a child of 12-17 years will only be accepted for travel with an accompanying adult.

On some of our safaris we camp wild in remote areas and these campsites are not fenced, so it is possible for wild animals do enter the campsite. It is important that parents make sure that the children listen and follow the guide’s safety instructions. Parents are also required to supervise their children at all times so as not to affect the enjoyment of the tour for any other clients.

We, as Sunway, do not believe that age should be a determining factor on the enjoyment of life! Therefore we do not have an upper age limit.

But clients who are older than 65yrs are required to submit a medical self declarations letter or doctor’s report stating that they are fit and healthy and that they will be able to undertake a safari that includes a moderate level of physical activity, some long driving days and some moderate full day walks. This is not an onerus document, but rather an indication that the client is aware of the style of tour that they will be joining, and capable of participating in all activities on tour. We’ve found that we have many fit and healthy clients who are over 65 years of age, join Sunway trips, and put the younger clients to shame on the mountain walks!

Do Sunway Safaris offer a repeat traveller discount?

There is a 5% discount available to repeat clients, so if you have travelled with Sunway before and are considering another Sunway safari, remember to tell your original booking agent when you book again.

How-to-book-your-Sunway-safari

By booking with your local agent you’ll be advised by a knowledgeable consultant who knows the Sunway tours. You’ll be covered by the travel laws of your country, assisted in your home language, in your own time zone and your agent can assist with travel insurance and visas. You are welcome to contact Sunway and we’ll recommend an agent.

Sunway shows live availability online. Your agent can hold a provisional booking for up to 7 days with no-obligation.

To confirm your safari reservation your agent will require a 20% deposit and a completed booking form. And voilá, you’re off on an adventure!

Related safaris

Embark on an exhilarating adventure through Zambia and Zimbabwe! Witness the awe-inspiring beauty of Victoria Falls and navigate the Lower Zambezi by canoe. Explore the abundant wildlife of Hwange National Park. Immerse yourself in history with a guided tour of the Zimbabwe Ruins. Encounter majestic wildlife on a thrilling game drive in Matobos. Traverse Nyangani Mountain on a guided walk and marvel at the stunning landscapes of Honda Valley and Chimanimani.

Day 1 Livingstone / Victoria Falls

Magnificent Victoria Falls is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. David Livingstone ‘discovered’ the falls in 1885 and named them after Queen Victoria. The scene he encountered was a mile-wide sheer basalt fault line over which the mighty Zambezi tumbled to a depth of 100m, creating a cloud of spray which feeds a surrounding tropical rainforest. The falls are also the centre of a wide range of activities, including white water rafting, scenic flights, or a 111m bungee jump (own expense).

Day 2 Kafue River

[B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner]

A long drive takes us across the rolling Miombo forested hills of southern Zambia to the Kafue River where we camp the night. We spend the afternoon preparing for our canoe expedition down the Zambezi River.

Day 3 - 4 Lower Zambezi Canoeing

We paddle down the mighty Zambezi River, home of the tribal mythical god – Nyami Nyami. Canoeing past local riverside villages and magnificent scenery. We camp wild on the banks of the Zambezi in the heart of untamed Africa. The following morning we continue our canoe safari through an area teeming with elephants, hippos, and other wildlife. We will be collected by a motorboat and transferred back up river to our starting campsite.

Day 5 Chinhoyi

We cross into Zimbabwe at the Chirundu border post and traverse the Hurungwe Safari area to our next stop at Chinhoyi Caves. Crystal clear, cobalt blue water lies at the bottom of the “pool of the fallen”. The extensive system of caves and tunnels were used as a place of safety for Mashona tribesman against the Matabele raiders.

Day 6 - 7 Nyanga National Park

We spend two days exploring Nyanga Mountain National Park. The park offers breathtaking vistas and diverse landscapes with Mount Nyangani, Zimbabwe’s highest point at 2592m above sea level. As we explore its trails, you’ll encounter lush forests, cascading waterfalls, and serene lakes. The air is crisp, and the sounds of nature surround us, creating a peaceful atmosphere.

The variety of ecosystems and climate in the area make it a birders haven. Interesting birdlife includes the Blue Swallows in summer and Wattled Cranes breed in the area during the winter months, and a variety of raptors.

Day 8 - 9 Chimanimani National Park

In the morning we make our way to Chimanimani National Park, were we make camp for the next two nights. The scent of wildflowers fills the air as you explore the winding trails, immersing yourself in nature’s beauty.

On day 9, we visit the Bridal Veil Falls and for the more adventurous we embark on a walk up Pork Pie Hill in Chimanimani National Park. The park offers breathtaking landscapes and abundant birdlife. The Afro-Montane forests are home to 74 species of endemic birds, eland, bushbuck and blue duiker.

Day 10 Great Zimbabwe Monuments

Dating back to the 11^th century, Great Zimbabwe was the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. These are some of the oldest stone structures in Southern Africa. The remnants of a civilization of up to 20,000 people surviving on trade in gold, cattle and crops. The word Zimbabwe means “houses of stone”. The complex drystone walls and ruins leave archaeological clues as to the lifestyle of the people of the area. We explore this national monument and UNESCO World Heritage Site on foot with a guided walk through the hill complex and valley ruins.

Day 11 - 12 Matobos

Bulawayo is our next destination and the Matopos National Park. Arriving in the late afternoon, we set up camp on the outskirts of the park. We spend the following day exploring the park.

Matobos National Parks’ giant granite boulder landscapes, ancient rock art and surrounding wildlife make this a highlight of the tour. We embark on an open game drive into the reserve, where we take a guided walk to get closer to nature and hopefully track the endangered white rhino. After lunch we learn about the bushman paintings that adorn some of the rock overhangs. We visit the site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave and enjoy the magnificent sights from World’s View.

We return to our camp in the late afternoon and enjoy a sundowner and evening around the campfire.

Day 13 -14 Hwange National Park

One of the most famous wildlife reserves in Southern Africa, Hwange National Park, the biggest game reserve in Zimbabwe, is our next stop. We camp on a wildlife concession bordering the park and spend the following full day in search of big game on an open vehicle game drive. Proclaimed in 1928, this reserve forms an important conservation area along the Zimbabwe and Botswana Border. Photographic opportunities abound, as we search for the large herds of elephant, buffalo and plains game that inhabit the park. Great birdwatching with 420 species recorded in the park, and if we are lucky, we might spot some of the elusive predators. The waterholes also offer good opportunities as the wildlife comes down to drink. We stop for a rest and lunch at a picnic site in the park before enjoying the afternoons sightings. We head back to camp in the late afternoon for our last night around the campfire.