The beast Retreat

Start your safari in Mana Pools on the Zambezi River – think hippo, elephant, lion, wild dog, buffalo and more right outside your room. Fly onwards to Hwange where flat topped acacia trees and open grass savannahs are home to an astonishing number of animals. I have personally seen over 1,000 elephant drinking under the light of a full moon here. The safari ends at the world’s largest waterfall – Victoria Falls.

This value safari is quite luxurious. If you want a lower cost, yet high quality, value safari with great guides check out our “2021 Best Value African Safari” on our Specials / Exclusive Offers page.

You will be met on arrival and assisted to the Doreale Grande Hotel shuttle. Located only 5 minutes from the airport the Doreale Grande is a 5 star hotel with a 3 star price. It knocks the socks off other similarly priced airport hotels.
Accommodations: Doreale Grande Hotel, 1 night, bed and breakfast

Johannesburg Airport Doreale Grande: A 5 star hotel with a 3 star price located a couple minutes drive from the airport. We are pretty sure the adjoining casino and mall, which are great for people watching, subsidizes this place. Weather permitting we recommend taking your breakfast on the outdoor patio overlooking the pool, lawns and gardens.

Set on the banks of the hippo and croc filled lower Zambezi River it feels as if you are in the middle of a zoo exhibit. Herds of buffalo and elephant wander throughout the camp – especially during the months August through October. It is common to be driven to and from your room as walking would be unsafe. Lion, leopard, wild dog and many other species are regularly seen. Activities include day and night wildlife viewing drives in open 4×4 vehicles, professionally guided walks, boating, canoeing and fishing for the world’s greatest fresh water fighting fish – the Tiger fish. A night spent “Under African Skies” can also be arranged.
Accommodations: Ruckomechi Camp, 3 nights, all inclusive

Ruckomechi Camp, Mana Pools, Zimbabwe – Some of our fondest days in Africa have been spent at Ruckomechi Camp. There is nothing like drifting down the river, by boat or in a canoe, with a cool drink in hand as a family of elephant splash along the shore line, local fisherman smile and wave, and hippos rise and submerge around you like a game of “whack a mole”. All the while enormous crocodiles keenly watch, baboons bark in the trees, and white headed fish eagles cry plaintively. The rooms have their own cool safari style which we really like. They are comfortable and clean with flushing toilets and hot showers. The camp’s main areas are designed for getting to know other guests. Traditionally meals are taken communally around a large table where everyone shares their latest wildlife sitings! Everyone in our office agrees if you had to spend the rest of your life in one place in Africa this would be it!

Travel by air (included in land cost) to Linkwasha Camp set deep within the National Park on a private concession (meaning no crowds). Fancy watching of a herd of elephant drink from the camp swimming pool – while you are in it? How about lion padding outside your tented room at night? We aren’t kidding. These are regular occurrences here. Activities include day and night wildlife viewing drives and professionally guided walks. When out and about keep your eyes peeled for rhino in addition to the usual suspects – buffalo, cheetah, hyena, leopard, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, wild dog, sable, kudu, warthog, hippo, and many others! A night spent “Under African Skies” can also be arranged.
Accommodations: Linkwasha Camp, 3 nights, all inclusive

Linkwasha Camp, Hwange, Zimbabwe – We love this place! Linkwasha’s 8 rooms are luxurious with proper beds, ensuite toilet, shower, lights, fan, and AC / heating along with massive sliding glass doors. The main area has spacious indoor areas for cool nights and expansive decking with a plunge pool for warm days. In over 20 years of exploring Africa I would say that Linkwasha is one of the best examples of what a comfortable, authentic, safari experience should be. They have really nailed being comfortable while not feeling removed from the wilderness experience.

You will stay 2 nights at the Victoria Falls Hotel which is the closest hotel to the Falls. We will arrange a guided tour of the falls, a quiet sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, and a morning elephant interaction / safari. We also suggest high tea on the hotel’s verandah and a helicopter flight over the Falls.
Accommodations: Victoria Falls Hotel, 2 nights, deluxe stable wing room, bed and breakfast

The Victoria Falls Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – Why stay at the Victoria Falls Hotel? As a close Zimbabwean friend once said “it is the right thing to do”. Built in 1904 this place is like a living museum. Over the years the Vic Falls Hotel has hosted heads of state and Hollywood stars. We always choose the Deluxe Stable Wing rooms which are much more spacious than standard rooms yet still a good value. Remember to lock your windows as baboons are wont to enter your rooms and rifle your bags. High tea on the verandah overlooking the bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia, with the Falls in the background, is a long standing tradition. Voted #15 hotel in Africa by Conde Nast 2013.
Ultimate Africa Exclusive: Private check in, complimentary high tea, complimentary evening cocktail on Stanley’s Terrace, in room pre-dinner canapé and drink service, butler service, specialized turn down service, complimentary mini bar offering, complimentary wi-fi, massage voucher, and VIP gifting.