18 Days – Mala Zimbabwe Full Circle – From Water to Wonder

Welcome to Zimbabwe

Arrive at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport where you will be met by your MALA MARVEL representative and transferred to your accommodation.

After check-in and some time to refresh, enjoy a relaxed welcome dinner featuring Zimbabwean cuisine.

Evening

Welcome to Zimbabwe Cultural Dinner

An introduction to Zimbabwean food, music and hospitality.

Overnight: Harare
Meals: Dinner

The Journey Into Tonga Country

After an early breakfast, depart Harare for the long journey west towards Binga and Lake Kariba.

This is deliberately not presented as simply a transfer. The journey allows visitors to experience Zimbabwe's changing landscapes, rural communities, agricultural areas and traditional settlements.

Stop along the way for refreshments and photographs before continuing towards Binga.

Arrive in Binga later in the afternoon and check into your lodge.

Binga is one of Zimbabwe's most distinctive cultural destinations, centred on the BaTonga people and the Lake Kariba environment. Zimbabwe Tourism

Evening

Relax beside the lake and enjoy a spectacular Lake Kariba sunset.

Overnight: Binga
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The BaTonga Experience

Today is the cultural heart of the tour.

Begin with a visit to the BaTonga Community Museum, where guests learn about the history, traditions and ingenuity of the Tonga people.

The museum also explains the profound impact of the construction of Kariba Dam and the displacement of Tonga communities from their ancestral Zambezi lands.

Cultural Village Experience

Visit a local community and experience aspects of traditional Tonga life.

Depending on local arrangements, guests may experience:

• Traditional music and dance

• Tonga storytelling

• Traditional cooking

• Basket weaving

• Pottery and crafts

• Traditional fishing practices

• Village architecture

• Local farming practices

Community-based cultural experiences in Binga can include basket weaving, drum-making and village visits.

Afternoon

Visit local craft producers and artisans.

Guests have an opportunity to purchase handmade:

Baskets • Beadwork • Drums • Carvings • Mats • Traditional crafts

This makes the experience particularly meaningful because tourism expenditure can directly support local artisans.

Evening

Traditional dinner and cultural entertainment.

Overnight: Binga
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Lake Kariba & Tonga Lakeside Life

Start the morning with a relaxed exploration of the Binga area.

Depending on conditions and availability, activities can include:

Lake Kariba Boat Experience

Cruise along the lake and learn about the relationship between the Tonga communities and the water.

Optional activities:

• Fishing experience
• Traditional fishing demonstration
• Lakeside picnic
• Photography
• Birdwatching
• Visit to local fishing communities

Binga is recognised as both a cultural and fishing/boating centre on Lake Kariba.

Afternoon

Visit the Binga Hot Springs or enjoy time at the lakeshore.

Sunset

End the day with a spectacular Lake Kariba sunset experience.

Overnight: Binga
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Across Zimbabwe

After breakfast, begin the long journey back towards Harare.

This is another opportunity to experience Zimbabwe away from the major tourist highways.

Along the way:

• Rural Zimbabwe

• Traditional settlements

• Agricultural landscapes

• Local markets

• Scenic viewpoints

• Village life

Arrive in Harare in the late afternoon/evening.

Check in and relax.

Overnight: Harare
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Modern Zimbabwe Meets Traditional Zimbabwe

After breakfast, depart for Mt Hampden, an area where Zimbabwe's traditional rural landscape meets the country's emerging modern administrative and urban development.

Visit the New Parliament area and surrounding landscape, subject to access and tour arrangements.

The Mt Hampden area is also associated with the development of Zimbabwe's new administrative and economic hub.

Cultural Experience

Continue into the surrounding communities for an opportunity to experience rural Mashonaland life.

Possible experiences include:

• Traditional homestead visit
• Local farming
• Zimbabwean rural cuisine
• Storytelling
• Traditional music
• Community interaction

Evening

Enjoy a traditional Zimbabwean dinner around the campfire.

Overnight: Mt Hampden / Harare
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Into the Zambezi Valley

Today the adventure changes dramatically.

After an early breakfast, depart towards Kanyemba, travelling north into the remote Zambezi Valley.

This is another long-distance journey, but it is an important part of the MALA MARVEL concept.

Kanyemba lies at Zimbabwe's northernmost Zambezi corner, close to the meeting area of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. Access is remote and traditionally involves a long, rough road journey, making the destination particularly adventurous. Wild Zambezi

Arrive at Kanyemba and check into your accommodation.

Evening

Relax beside the Zambezi.

Enjoy:

Sunset • River views • Traditional dinner • Campfire

Overnight: Kanyemba
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Into the Zambezi Valley

Today the adventure changes dramatically.

After an early breakfast, depart towards Kanyemba, travelling north into the remote Zambezi Valley.

This is another long-distance journey, but it is an important part of the MALA MARVEL concept.

Kanyemba lies at Zimbabwe's northernmost Zambezi corner, close to the meeting area of Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique. Access is remote and traditionally involves a long, rough road journey, making the destination particularly adventurous.

Arrive at Kanyemba and check into your accommodation.

Evening

Relax beside the Zambezi.

Enjoy:

Sunset • River views • Traditional dinner • Campfire

Overnight: Kanyemba
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

The Hidden Cultures of the Zambezi Valley

This is another signature day of the MALA MARVEL experience.

Explore the communities of the Kanyemba/Dande area and learn about the cultures and traditions of communities living in the Zambezi Valley.

Kanyemba is associated with both Chikunda and Doma communities, giving this region a distinctive cultural character.

Community Experience

Subject to local community arrangements:

• Village visit
• Traditional food preparation
• Local farming
• Traditional crafts
• Storytelling
• Traditional music
• Fishing culture
• Community interaction

Zambezi Experience

Take a boat excursion along the Zambezi.

Guests may encounter:

• Elephant
• Hippo
• Crocodile
• Birdlife
• River landscapes

River cruises provide opportunities to observe wildlife and the river environment from the water. Kanyemba Lodge

Sunset

MALA MARVEL Zambezi Sunset

A final sunset on one of Zimbabwe's most remote and spectacular frontiers.

Overnight: Kanyemba
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Farewell to the Zimbabwe You Didn't Know

Enjoy an early breakfast overlooking the Zambezi.

Depending on departure arrangements, guests may have time for a final short river or village experience before beginning the journey back towards Harare.

For international departures, the itinerary should be planned around the required airport transfer time.

Farewell

Depart Zimbabwe carrying memories of:

The people.
The stories.
The traditions.
The landscapes.
The Zambezi.

Meals: Breakfast