Ameliya's Itineraries
Classic Zimbabwe | 6N7D
Classic Zimbabwe
Embark on this luxury safari in Zimbabwe and experience the best of the country’s untouched wilderness. With epic game drives, wildlife sightings, iconic sundowners, bush-walks and culturally immersive experiences, every moment on this safari promises not only adventure but also a profound connection.
AMELIYA SIGNATURE SAFARI EXPERIENCE:
- 6 Nights and 7 Days | 2 Camps
- All meals, drinks and laundry included.
- Game Drives, Signature Sundowner & Bush Walks.
- Game viewing from the comfort of your own tent
- WIFI and holistic dining experiences
- Scheduled charter transfers to & from the camps
Per Person Sharing: $ 3,775
Per Single: $ 5,474
Per Person Sharing: $ 5,093
Per Single: $ 7,188
Per Person Sharing: $ 5,142
Per Single: $ 7,280
Per Person Sharing: $ 7,007
Per Single: $ 9,703
Per Person Sharing: $ 5,142
Per Single: $ 7,280
Inclusions
- Accommodation, all meals, drinks, laundry and wifi
- Domestic beer & wine and select liquor, safari sundowners, bush breakfasts.
- Park Conservancy fees, morning and evening game drives in a shared vehicle, and bush walks.
- Activities as indicated on the itinerary
- Scheduled air charter transfers to and from the camp
Exclusions
- Goods & Services Taxes as applicable
- Any changes in park fees, or taxes have to be borne by guests
- Tips, personal items, travel or medical insurance.
- Exclusive Vehicle: $550 per day
- All other expenses not mentioned in the “inclusions” above will have to be borne as additional expenses by the guest
Payment Terms
- All tours operate on 100% advance payment.
- 50% need to be paid at the time of booking, 25% is due 120 days prior to the trip start date and 25% 90 days prior.
- The preferred mode of payment is Bank Wire. All card transactions will incur a 3.5% service fee.
- Rates are subject to change and are not applicable for Christmas/New Years. Rates are valid for 2024 only. Rates for 2025 will incur a 10% hike.
- Any changes in government taxes and park/conservancy fees have to be borne by the guests.
- We reserve the right to revise any published costs without prior notice. However, confirmed bookings will be honoured.
Cancellation Policy
- 50% is non-refundable once the payment is done.
- The remaining amount will be refunded if cancellation is done 120 days prior to the tour start dates. Between 90-120 days, 35% is refunded.
- No refund if cancellation is done between 0 – 90 days of the trip start date. Amendment in dates within 90 days from arrival is treated as a cancellation.
- Please note that the date of written communication (e-mail) of intent to cancel will be the date considered for the calculation of the cancellation fees.
- The cancellation amount is calculated as per the total booking amount and not as per the advance deposited.
- No refunds in case of refusal to use a service/activity mentioned in the itinerary.
- All refunds are processed minus bank charges.
Day 1-4:
On Day 1 of your safari, you’ll take a light aircraft flight from Victoria Falls Airport to the stunning Robins Camp airstrip, immersing yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of the African wilderness. Upon arrival, you’ll be warmly greeted and transferred to Deteema Springs Camp, where your comfortable accommodations await. Over the next three nights, you’ll enjoy a fully inclusive experience, relishing delicious meals and refreshing drinks. Your days will be filled with thrilling game drives and guided walks, allowing you to witness the incredible wildlife up close, while evenings will feature the soothing sounds of nature around a cozy campfire.
Experience & Activities
Guests have the opportunity to travel on foot or in game vehicles to view this amazing area and also to sit back and marvel at the animals from the camp itself – this is Africa in its wildest form.
While afternoons are the perfect times to take a siesta break, evenings call for G&T sundowners to celebrate a memorable day.
Day 04-07:
Activities include morning and evening game drives as well as birdwatching, walking safaris, and game viewing from the comfort of your own tent!
Activities include morning and evening game drives as well as birdwatching, walking safaris, and game viewing from the comfort of your own tent!
Cultural experiences are also possible. Guests are able to visit a local village, where you can talk with the chief and have a tour around his homestead. The village tour gives guests a chance to engage in a cultural exchange, where the locals tell them about their way of life and they are shown the homesteads, different types of food, animal kraals, and water sources such as the borehole (where guests also get a chance to learn how to use it. Guests can also visit one of the local schools that the camp supports.
Experiences
Game Drives
Big-cat conservation
Bush Meals
Night Safaris
Sundowner
Bush Walks
Hwange National Park
Home to over 40 000 elephants, all the big cats and more than 400 species of birds, Hwange National Park offers one of Africa’s top safari experiences. The park is famed for its excellent leopard, lion and wild dog sightings. As Zimbabwe’s largest park, Hwange is the ideal environment in which to experience the glory of the great animals and the surprising beauty of the small. The park sprawls in the northwest of Zimbabwe and shares a border with Botswana. An hour’s drive north of the park is the Zambian border and the Zambezi River with its world-famous Victoria Falls.
Deteema Springs Camp
Deteema Springs Camp
Deteema Springs Camp is an intimate safari camp, in an incredible wildlife area. The style of the camp is seeped in minimalism, and to blend in with the rock and bush which occur on this slight rise above the Deteema Springs. The main area is tented on decks overlooking the Deteema Springs, offering an opportunity to sit and watch the African bush unfold in front of you.
The camp is located near the Deteema dam in northwestern Hwange National Park. This area is famous for its large concentrations of animals, including elephant, and due to the existence of year round water seeps, is ideal for walking and extremely productive game drives.
Amenities
- Plunge pools
- Tented dining and social area
- Eco-friendly kitchen and food storage
- Wifi – Connectivity
- Solar energy
- Airstrip access
Verney's Camp
Verney's Camp
Verney’s Camp is based in a private concession in the heart of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. The camp is located at Verney’s Pan, on a large open floodplain surrounded by teak forest typical of Hwange National Park. The waterhole at Verney’s plays host to numerous animals and is a playground for the famous elephant herds of Hwange.
Situated on the central side of the southeastern part of Hwange National Park, Verney’s Camp is a private concession of 10,000 hectares. It is in a remote part of the National Park that regular park visitors do not access; however, the camp does have access to the public parts.
Each tent has been carefully positioned to ensure the best serenity and privacy so that guests can enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Each tent is comfortably appointed and has en suite shower, flush toilet, and double vanity which are all beautifully designed to retain the authenticity and magical feeling of being on safari. Verney’s Camp has eight double/twin rooms and two family rooms, all of which are on wooden decks, and are connected by natural pathways on the ground.
Amenities
- Plunge pools
- Tented dining and social area
- Eco-friendly kitchen and food storage
- Wifi – Connectivity
- Solar energy
- Airstrip access
Per Person Sharing: $ 3,775
Per Single: $ 5,474
Per Person Sharing: $ 5,093
Per Single: $ 7,188
Per Person Sharing: $ 5,142
Per Single: $ 7,280
Per Person Sharing: $ 7,007
Per Single: $ 9,703
Per Person Sharing: $ 5,142
Per Single: $ 7,280
Inclusions
- Accommodation, all meals, drinks, laundry and wifi
- Domestic beer & wine and select liquor, safari sundowners, bush breakfasts.
- Park Conservancy fees, morning and evening game drives in a shared vehicle, and bush walks.
- Activities as indicated on the itinerary
- Scheduled air charter transfers to and from the camp
Exclusions
- Goods & Services Taxes as applicable
- Any changes in park fees, or taxes have to be borne by guests
- Tips, personal items, travel or medical insurance.
- Exclusive Vehicle: $550 per day
- All other expenses not mentioned in the “inclusions” above will have to be borne as additional expenses by the guest
Payment Terms
- All tours operate on 100% advance payment.
- 50% need to be paid at the time of booking, 25% is due 120 days prior to the trip start date and 25% 90 days prior.
- The preferred mode of payment is Bank Wire. All card transactions will incur a 3.5% service fee.
- Rates are subject to change and are not applicable for Christmas/New Years. Rates are valid for 2024 only. Rates for 2025 will incur a 10% hike.
- Any changes in government taxes and park/conservancy fees have to be borne by the guests.
- We reserve the right to revise any published costs without prior notice. However, confirmed bookings will be honoured.
Cancellation Policy
- 50% is non-refundable once the payment is done.
- The remaining amount will be refunded if cancellation is done 120 days prior to the tour start dates. Between 90-120 days, 35% is refunded.
- No refund if cancellation is done between 0 – 90 days of the trip start date. Amendment in dates within 90 days from arrival is treated as a cancellation.
- Please note that the date of written communication (e-mail) of intent to cancel will be the date considered for the calculation of the cancellation fees.
- The cancellation amount is calculated as per the total booking amount and not as per the advance deposited.
- No refunds in case of refusal to use a service/activity mentioned in the itinerary.
- All refunds are processed minus bank charges.
GENERAL QUERIES
WHAT ARE THE MODES OF PAYMENT?
We accept wire transfers, debit/credit cards, and UPI payments. Please note that a 2% gateway fee is applicable for cards.
Can I customize the experiences I've seen on your website?
Yes, please feel free to reach out to us in case you want to get a customized itinerary according to your preferred destinations, accommodations, interests, and requirements. For e.g. number of days or friends and family members you want to travel with.
How far in advance do I need to book a safari?
While Ameliya’s travel advisors do their best to accommodate our guests’ last-minute needs and requests, we strongly advise booking as far ahead in advance as possible to ensure the availability of accommodations. The best thing to do is to get in touch with us as soon as you think of a safari experience, whether it is this year or the next. Here’s a general advisory that will help you with the decision-making process:
For Indian parks, we recommend at least 4 -12 months notice, especially for a tiger/snow leopard experience, but lower lead times are possible depending on the locations and activities. Parks in India are regulated by the government and each reserve has a cap on the number of vehicles that can enter the park. If tickets are sold out, we are unable to book the safaris.
For Africa, we recommend 6-10 months for the high season (June – October), and 2-4 months for the low season (November – April).
Is it safe to travel to Africa?
Despite most African stereotypes of a warn-torn, poverty-stricken continent, Africa is as safe as any other international travel destination. Just remember that African countries are poorer in contrast to first-world countries and therefore you should be conscious of flashing or leaving money & jewelry lying around.
Guests are advised to leave valuables in a safe or with the camp/lodge manager for safe-keeping. African people are very friendly, warm and hospitable and their guests will always feel safe in the care of the camp/lodge staff.
Their job is to ensure the safety and comfort of their clients at all times. Properties in Africa will always have an emergency/ evacuation plan if anything were to go wrong
Should I purchase travel health insurance?
We strongly recommend that our travellers buy comprehensive travel and health insurance prior to coming on an Ameliya Safari experience. Should you require any assistance with purchasing such policies, our travel advisors will be happy to assist you.
What vaccinations are required?
Certain vaccinations may be required for travel to Africa, for example, often you will need a yellow fever vaccination. To be sure, consult your local Travel Clinic to obtain the latest health travel advisories.
Is there Wi-Fi available?
All of our camps do have basic Wi-Fi available in certain areas.
It is important to note that while wifi is available, it is more than likely not at the same fast speeds that you may be used to, but sufficient for checking emails and keeping in touch with home.
What does a typical day look like on safari?
Your mornings will begin with a wake up call before sunrise – classic for any safari experience. Once you are fresh and ready, you will be met by your guide for a briefing over a hot cup of coffee, and a light breakfast, before you head out. The crisp and cool air of the early morning will flow through you as you drive into the bush, the sun coming up from the horizon, casting a godly glow on the savannah and the everything around you coming to life – Africa in all its glory.
During the safaris, you will learn how to identify and track different species of animals, learn their behavior and best ways to observe/photograph them, conservation communities that live in the area, and much more.
After the morning safari, you have some time to unwind, enjoy the bush library, get a massage, or just take in the sights and smells of Africa from your deck.
In the evening you will head out for another game drive, and have an iconic African sundowner. In most locations, we drive back after the sunset for a night safari experience looking out for nocturnal creatures.
Back at camp, a hot fire awaits along with drinks and a three course meal.
What to pack on safaris in africa
Safari Shirts x 3
T-shirts × 3
Pants x 3
Shorts x 2
Rain Coat x 1
Warm Jacket × 1
Light Sweater × 1
Light Safari Boots x 1
Room Slippers x 1
Undergarments / socks
Cap, Hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen
Personal Medication & Toiletries
Personal electronics, camera equipment, binoculars etc.
Mornings and evenings can be cold while afternoons will be warm and sometimes rainy. We recommend carrying a comfortable jacket and raincoat.
Please wear neutral colors in the bsuh: black, navy blue, khaki, green, beige, grey etc. Please avoid bright colors. Please also avoid strong perfumes.
Please carry comfortable shoes/boots that you can walk in.
National Parks vs Private game reserves/Concessions/ Conservancies.
- Africa, unlike India, has many great private game reserves and private concessions. Parks in Africa are pretty large so sections of these parks are given to private companies or communities.
- All areas offer good wildlife experiences but private concessions & conservancies offer greater exclusivity, less crowd, off-roading, and even night safaris. For this reason, camps located in these areas are often more costly.
