Safari & Victoria Falls · South Africa and Zimbabwe
Spectacular Victoria Falls & Sabi Sands
Three nights of leopard country in the Sabi Sand, then two nights at Victoria Falls. It is the classic southern African pairing for a reason — the two best-known experiences on the subcontinent, joined by a single short flight, in under a week.
Two countries, one week
The two things everyone comes to southern Africa for, in one week
Most first trips to southern Africa try to do both of these and run out of time.
Six days is enough if the flights are right, and this itinerary is built around that: three nights in the Sabi Sand, one flight, two nights at the Falls.
The safari half is at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve — private land unfenced to the Kruger, where vehicles drive off-road to follow a sighting and there are no day visitors. Two drives a day, walking safaris with an armed guide, and a night drive back each evening.
The Falls half is at Mbano Manor, a small hotel in the Victoria Falls rainforest on the Zimbabwe side. You get a guided tour of the Falls themselves, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi, and the Boma dinner — drumming, dancing and a great deal of food.
The Zimbabwe side is the one with the long viewpoint walk and roughly three-quarters of the Falls frontage, which is why the itinerary is built there rather than in Zambia.
Who it suits: first-time visitors to southern Africa who want the headline experiences without a three-week trip, couples, and anyone with a week rather than a fortnight. All ages are welcome at both properties.
Trusted African travel expertise
Watch — the safari half
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge
Sabi Sabi’s own film of Bush Lodge and the reserve — the off-road game viewing, the guiding teams, and the three nights that open this trip.
Watch on YouTubeThe company we keep
A wider world of safari stays
Ranger Buck works with leading camps and lodges across Southern Africa, giving your safari specialist more ways to shape the right journey around you.
A selection from Ranger Buck’s lodge network. Your final itinerary will list the specific properties included in your trip.
Your itinerary
Day by day
Six days, five nights, two countries. All internal flights and transfers included.
Day 1Fly in to the Sabi Sand+
Fly from OR Tambo to Skukuza and transfer to Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge in the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.
Settle in, then out on the first afternoon drive in an open vehicle, with sundowners in the bush and a night drive under spotlights on the way back. Dinner at the lodge.
Days 2–3Two full days in leopard country+
Morning drive before sunrise with a coffee stop out in the reserve, breakfast on return, and the middle of the day free.
Afternoon tea, then the second drive until after dark. A walking safari with an armed guide can be taken in place of a drive on either day.
The Sabi Sand is private land unfenced to the Kruger, so vehicles go off-road to follow a sighting and there are no day visitors. It is the reason this half of the trip is where it is.
Day 4Cross to Zimbabwe, and onto the Zambezi+
A last morning drive and breakfast, then the flight to Victoria Falls and the transfer to Mbano Manor in the rainforest.
In the late afternoon, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi above the Falls — hippo, elephant on the banks, and the light everyone photographs.
Day 5The Falls themselves+
A guided tour of Victoria Falls with lunch. The Zimbabwe side holds roughly three-quarters of the frontage and the long viewpoint walk, so this is the day you see the whole span rather than one angle.
In the evening, the Boma dinner — drumming, dancing and a great deal of food.
Day 6Last breakfast and onward+
Breakfast at Mbano Manor, then the transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward or international flight.
Where you stay
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge & Mbano Manor
Two very different properties, deliberately.
Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge for three nights on full board plus — all meals and all drinks other than French champagne and the Private Collection cellar wines, plus limited laundry and WiFi.
Mbano Manor Hotel for two nights on bed and breakfast, in the Victoria Falls rainforest. Note the difference: the safari half is close to all-inclusive, the Falls half is B&B with the listed excursions included and other meals and drinks on your own account.
Both halves are movable. Ranger Buck can put you in a different Sabi Sand lodge, extend either leg, or add Cape Town or Chobe on the end.
Watch — the Falls half
Mbano Manor Hotel, Victoria Falls
Mbano Manor’s own introduction to the hotel — a small property set in the rainforest a short drive from the Falls, where the last two nights are spent.
Watch on YouTubeIndicative package price
From US$9,573 per person sharing
6 days / 5 nights · Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge and Mbano Manor Hotel
Included
- Return flight OR Tambo – Skukuza and return transfers
- Flight to Victoria Falls and airport transfers
- Three nights Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge, full board plus
- Open-vehicle day and night safaris
- Environmental-awareness walking safaris
- All drinks at the lodge except French champagne and Private Collection cellar wines
- Two nights Mbano Manor Hotel, bed and breakfast
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi
- Guided tour of Victoria Falls, with lunch
- Boma dinner experience
- Limited laundry and WiFi at the lodge
- VAT
Not included
- French champagne and Private Collection cellar wines
- Beverages at Victoria Falls, other than those specified
- Spa treatments, boutique purchases and telephone calls
- International and regional flights not listed above
- Zimbabwe visa fees
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel insurance — strongly recommended
Indicative rate — your final price is confirmed on quotation and varies with season, availability and group size. Per person sharing, 6 days / 5 nights. Updated August 2026.
What guests said
From people Ranger Buck has sent to the Falls and the Sabi Sand
“Ranger Buck put together safari, Cape Town and the Falls in one trip and every connection worked. We never once stood around wondering where we were supposed to be, which on a trip with that many moving parts is the whole thing.”
Vicki
March 2025 · Safari, Cape Town & the Falls · United States
“The safari and the Falls in one week sounded rushed on paper and was not. Ranger Buck had clearly done it before — the flight timings meant we lost no game-viewing days getting between the two.”
Mike
September 2024 · Victoria Falls & safari · United Kingdom
“Victoria Falls was breathtaking and the arrangements were faultless from start to finish. Everything Ranger Buck said would happen, happened.”
Loretta Power
March 2025 · Victoria Falls · via Google · Ireland
Make it yours
Most people change something
Keep the pairing, then shape either half around it.
- Extend the safari leg, or the Falls leg, or both
- Move to a different Sabi Sand lodge — there is a wide spread of price points
- Add Chobe in Botswana, an easy road transfer from the Falls
- Add Cape Town or the Winelands on the end
- Upgrade the Falls half to a fuller board basis so the two legs match
Good to know
Victoria Falls and safari — common questions
Clear answers to the questions travellers ask before choosing this experience.
How much does the Victoria Falls and safari trip cost?+
From US$9,573 per person sharing for six days and five nights, including the internal flights, three nights at Sabi Sabi Bush Lodge on full board plus, two nights at Mbano Manor on bed and breakfast, the Falls tour, the Zambezi cruise and the Boma dinner. Because every trip is tailored, your final quote may come in above or below that figure — a different Sabi Sand lodge moves it most.
Is six days really enough for both?+
Yes, provided the flights are right, which is the part that goes wrong when people book it themselves. Three nights in the Sabi Sand gives six game drives, which is enough for the Big Five with reasonable luck. Two nights at the Falls covers the tour and the cruise without a wasted day. Adding a night to either leg is the most common change.
Zimbabwe side or Zambia side?+
This itinerary uses the Zimbabwe side, which holds roughly three-quarters of the Falls frontage and the long viewpoint walk along the rainforest. The Zambia side has Livingstone Island and Devil’s Pool in low water. Day crossings between the two are possible; if you want both, say so at quotation and it can be built in.
When are the Falls at their best?+
February to May, after the rains, when the Zambezi is in full flow — spectacular, and wet enough that spray obscures parts of the view. September to December is low water: less thunder, more rock, better for seeing the shape of the gorge and for Devil’s Pool. The game viewing in the Sabi Sand is best May to September, so there is a genuine trade-off between the two halves. Ranger Buck will talk you through which matters more to you.
Do we need a Zimbabwe visa?+
Most nationalities do, and it is not included in the price. It is usually straightforward and available on arrival or in advance depending on your passport. Ranger Buck will tell you which applies to you when you book, but check with your own embassy as the rules change.
You might also consider
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