The Zimtastic Experience Extraordinaire

Trip Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Country(ies): Zimbabwe
Partners Trek? No
Cost: $1751
Airfare Estimate: $2000
Structure: 4   •   Lodging: 3   •   Nightlife: 2   •   Activity: 3

We are taking it down south… of Africa! No NOT South Africa, next to it, and we promise it will be absolutely worth it! Welcome to a trip around the world of wonders, home of the big 5 game and one of the natural wonders of the world! This is your chance to experience a country that you might otherwise never see by yourself. Never thought you’d go to Zimbabwe? Well, to be honest, some of us didn’t either! But Ross was brilliant enough to successfully recruit a passionate native of this mysterious country on whose bidding we are making this historical inagural trip.Voted the World’s Best Tourism Destination and Favourite Cultural Destination by the European Council on Tourism and Trade, Zimbabwe is a country you will fall in love with and you will start questioning your business school plans amongst other things, like we don’t know, the meaning of life if it is as captivating as Zimbabwe! From wildlife to historic cities, salty biltong to mellow African coffee, this trip is the perfect balance of fun, sun, activity and culture.You will get to experience the spectacular and majestic Mosi- oa-Tunya a.ka the Victoria Falls, ride at sunrise on the back of the nature’s true “king of the beasts” and explore the ancient city of Great Zimbabwe Ruins, while bonding with nature and wildlife. Along the way, you’ll be sharing your life stories, dreams and aspirations, or whatever your heart desires as you begin your 2 year MBA “vacation of a lifetime” and start to make memories that will last forever! Most of all, you will will be the smartest person in the room when Zimbabwe comes up in World Econ at some point of your Ross time and you will get to be an ambassador of a country that has more going for it than a business insider ranking for the most miserable country and a world record 300 million percent inflation! Take a chance with us #goblue around the world, literally!

Day 1 — Friday, Aug 28

Leave Detroit en route Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe! Cross two timelines, an ocean, and disappear into the southern hemisphere. Alternate between naps and whiskey cocktails to start acclamatising youself to your whirlwind of a week in the most fascinating country south of the Sahara.Make some African friends to get you through customs on landing with their massive negotiation skills!

Day 2 — Saturday, Aug 29

Still traveling!

Day 3 — Sunday, Aug 30

Arrive at the town of Victoria Falls and head to the fabulous Zambezi National Park Lodge where you will get a chance to get refreshed and sip your first cocktail under the Zimbabwean sun. The evening will be capped by a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, and if you are lucky you might see elephants taking their evening bath in the river! Light night, so as to wake up for our first full day of fabulous activities!

Day 4 — Monday, Aug 31

You will wake up to start the morning right with the a riding " like a king" on natures true "king of the beasts", the Elephant, and experience an age old tradition whilst silently exploring the majestic grasslands of Victoria Falls National Park and marvel at the spectacular scenery of the Zambezi river plunging 120 m into the Zambezi river below or experience the adrenalin rush traveling a speed of 106 km’s hurtling 425m across the gorge, while suspended 120m above the breath taking beauty of the Zambezi water below. Alternatively take a helicopter ride over the falls and get the best aerial view of the falls and take a 2.5 hrs walk along the mighty Victoria Falls for a more personal view of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Cap the adventurous day with the Boma Cultural Night and Dinner, enjoy cultural song and dance till you pass out.

Day 5 — Tuesday, Sep 01

Watch the sunrise or sleep in. It's up to you this morning. We need a leisurely morning at the hotel after an exhausting day and the rage last night. For those who can't wait to start another new adventure in Zimbabwe do some of the stuff you did not get to do the day before or go curio shopping in the lovely town of Victoria Falls. In the afternoon we'll leave for Hwange National Park and check-in at the Main Camp Lodges for the next adventure with the wildlife of sub Saharan Africa.

Day 6 — Wednesday, Sep 02

Full day game drive in Zimbabwe's biggest national park, and enjoy sightings of lions, elephants, buffalos, rhinos, and giraffes. Return to the main camp to have a delicious dinner and an evening of story telling by the fireside, jk raging all night, don't walk away from the camp lest you enrage a lion!

Day 7 — Thursday, Sep 03

Next up an excursion to the lost city like Lara Croft! Wake up bright and early for our 9 hour drive to the Great Zimbabwe. As our second UNESCO World Heritage Site during the trip, Great Zimbabwe is a ruined city in the south eastern hills of Zimbabwe. It was the royal palace of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe during the country's Late Iron Age. Another wild wild night party will be upon us, not in the ruins though, people have been lost there and not found!

Day 8 — Friday, Sep 04

Hooray Harare!! We can't leave the country without exploring the capital. After arriving at Harare, the capital and the most populous city in Zimbabwe, we will be free to hang around in the city on our own. Shopping for souvenirs, site seeing around the cities museums, parks and recreational sites. We'll enjoy our last dinner together in Zimbabwe and a night of raging with no end!

Day 9 — Saturday, Sep 05

To the airport we go. Back to Ann Arbor to create even more amazing memories for the next two years!