Africa’s Wild Heart Awaits
Few rivers embody the wild spirit of Africa quite like the Olifants. Winding its way through rugged escarpments and rolling savanna, it becomes a lifeline for wildlife, with fish eagles calling overhead and the air alive with wings of every shape and colour. At Amava River Lodge, days slow into rhythm with the water’s flow, offering both quiet reflection and world-class birding.
Then comes Hwange, Zimbabwe’s great wilderness. Vast plains stretch beyond sight, where enormous herds of elephants roam and predators move with ancient purpose. It is known as one of Africa’s true birding paradises.
LODGES
Where You’ll Stay
Begin your journey at Balule Game Reserve, a 5,000-hectare wilderness along the Olifants River, home to the Big 5, wild dog, cheetah, and over 220 bird species. At Amava River Lodge, a secluded camp of just five stylish safari tents, wildlife comes right to your doorstep. From your private deck, watch elephants, hippos, and birdlife along the river, while enjoying modern comfort, excellent cuisine, and a true digital detox in a tented-chic setting.
Next, explore Hwange, Zimbabwe’s vast wilderness of open plains, ancient teak forests, and hidden waterholes. Renowned for its massive elephant herds, lions, leopards, and over 400 bird species, Hwange offers both thrilling predator sightings and quiet encounters with rare raptors. At Camp Hwange, intimate canvas tents open onto sweeping views where wildlife wanders past, and evenings are spent under lantern-lit skies. This camp blends safari tradition with natural elegance, providing an immersive front-row seat to one of Africa’s most authentic wildlife experiences.
Your Itinerary
✓ Accommodation at Amava River Lodge and Hwange Tented Camp
✓ Your own private game viewer and guide for the duration of your trip
✓ Breakfast, lunch, and dinner as specified in the itinerary
✓ Soft drinks and warm beverages
✓ Game reserve fees
✓ Airport transfers/shuttle to and from OR Tambo International Airport
✓ Backpack with water bladder – no need to buy your own, we’ve got you covered!
✓ Trekking poles upon request
✓ South African VAT (15%)
What’s Included
✗ Flights and any other travel arrangements needed to get to and from arranged pick-up and drop-off points
✗ Alcoholic drinks
✗ Government increase in taxes and/or game reserve fees
✗ Travel insurance and visas
Not Included
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What should I pack for the safari?
Bring neutral-coloured clothing such as khaki, brown, beige, or navy, along with comfortable, sturdy shoes that provide ankle support. Gaiters are recommended, as well as a sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Carry a water bottle, tick and insect repellent, and any personal medication you may need, including an EpiPen if applicable. Cameras and binoculars are optional but highly recommended.
What should I leave at home?
Avoid brightly coloured clothing, including red, orange, yellow, fluorescent shades, and even white, as these can disturb wildlife.
Do I need to worry about malaria?
Hwange and Kruger National Park are malaria zones during summer. It is advisable to bring mosquito repellent and wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers in the evening. Consult your doctor for appropriate medical advice before travel.
What is the weather like?
In the dry season (winter, May to September), mornings can be as cool as 11°C/52°F, rising to 24–27°C/75–81°F by midday. Pack warm layers, hats, gloves, and scarves for early mornings and evenings. Wildlife viewing can be easier during this time because vegetation is less dense and animals tend to gather around permanent water sources. In the wet season (summer, October to April), temperatures average around 32°C/90°F and can rise above 40°C/104°F. Storms can occur but usually pass quickly, so light layers and waterproof clothing are recommended. Summer also brings migratory birds and newborn antelope, creating unique wildlife viewing opportunities.
Which birds can I see at Balule Game Reserve?
At Balule Game Reserve, look out for the African Fish Eagle with its iconic call, Thick-billed Cuckoo displaying Retz's Helmet-Shrike brood-parasitic behaviour, Pel’s Fishing Owl (rarer here than in Pafuri), Trumpeter Hornbill in riparian woodland, and African Openbill foraging in the river shallows for mollusks and snails.
What mammals are found at Balule Game Reserve
Wildlife at Balule Game Reserve includes the rare but charismatic Cape Clawless Otter along rocky river stretches, Waterbuck near reedbeds and grassy floodplains, Leopards along riverine thickets, Nile Crocodiles sunbathing on sandbanks, and abundant Hippos, especially at Crook’s Corner near river confluences.
Which trees are notable at Balule Game Reserve?
The riverine and woodland areas of Balule Game Reserve feature towering Sycamore Figs (Ficus sycomorus), Ana Trees (Faidherbia albida) providing shade and elephant food, Jackalberries (Diospyros mespiliformis), ancient Leadwoods (Combretum imberbe) on dry terraces, and Knobthorns (Senegalia nigrescens), essential browse for giraffes and other herbivores.
Which birds can I see at Hwange National Park?
Hwange National Park is home to remarkable species including the near-threatened African Skimmer, spectacular flocks of Southern Carmine Bee-eaters nesting in sandy banks during summer, the striking Secretarybird striding across the plains, the dazzling Crimson-breasted Shrike (Namibia’s national bird) commonly seen around camp, and the rare Dickinson’s Kestrel in mopane and mixed woodland.
What mammals are found at Hwange National Park?
Visitors may encounter endangered African Wild Dogs supported through conservation efforts, Lions that frequent waterholes, Cheetahs on open grasslands, and rare antelope species such as Roan and Sable, with Hwange being one of the best reserves in Southern Africa to see them.
Which trees are notable at Hwange National Park?
Hwange’s landscapes feature iconic Camelthorn trees (Acacia erioloba) that support nesting vultures, Teak (Baikiaea plurijuga) characteristic of western woodlands, Mopane (Colophospermum mopane) essential for elephant browse, Zambezi Teak (Guibourtia coleosperma) forming part of the park’s unique forest mosaic, and hardy Shepherd’s Trees (Boscia albitrunca) thriving in sandy soils.
