Explore Southern Africa’s diverse landscapes and iconic highlights on this Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa safari. Search for wildlife in Kruger, Hwange and Chobe national parks, glide through the Okavango Delta in mekoros, and walk through the dramatic granite hills of Matobo. Discover the ancient Great Zimbabwe ruins and experience the raw power of Victoria Falls. With comfortable accommodation and a rich mix of game viewing, culture and scenery, this journey offers an unforgettable Southern African adventure.
Day 1 - 2 Kruger National Park
- chalet Bx1 LDx2
(B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner)
Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head into the world-famous Kruger National Park. We visit the northern part of the park and stay in the Letaba area of the reserve. We enjoy an afternoon game drive in our safari vehicle and hope to spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in this icon of wildlife conservation. The following morning, we wake early and game drive north through the park. Northern Kruger is dominated by mopane veld and is the domain of large elephant bulls, wild dogs and lions. We overnight in the far northern section of the park and enjoy the sounds of the wild for another night.
Day 3 Great Zimbabwe
- hotel BLD
Entering Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post, we travel north to our overnight stop. The following morning we visit the Great Zimbabwe Monuments. These well preserved ruins are some of the oldest and largest stone structures in Southern Africa and were built during the 11th to 14th centuries. We explore these ancient stone structures on an informative walk with a local guide.
Day 4 - 5 Matobos National Park
- chalet BLD
Travelling via the city of Bulawayo we move on to the Matobos National Park and our chalets on the outskirts of the park. This afternoon we enjoy sundowners from the granite ridge overlooking the park. The following morning we visit World’s View and the historical site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave. Unusual rock formations are home to an array of ancient bushman paintings which we visit while on our game drive and walk. This area is also home to Zimbabwe’s rhino which we hope to see on our excursion in the national park.
Day 6 - 7 Hwange National Park
- chalet BLD
Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650 square kilometers and is located in the north-west corner of the country. It is famed for its large elephant population. Our chalets are in the game management area that borders the park, and we explore the park with our local guide, on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle.
Day 8 - 9 Victoria Falls
- hotel B--
We enjoy a spectacular guided walk through tropical vegetation to the very edge of the “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” – Victoria Falls. There are opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungi jump or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).
Day 10 Chobe National Park
- tented lodge BLD
Entering Botswana, we head to the town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River. The river flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. A highlight of any trip to the Chobe is the afternoon game viewing “sundowner” cruise where we hope to see a large number of elephants and other wildlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day.
Day 11 Nata
- tented lodge BL-
This morning we venture into the Chobe National Park in an open 4WD in search of big cats and elephants. Thereafter we head south through the Kasane Forest Reserve to the Nata area for our overnight stop. In the late afternoon we visit Nata Sanctuary for sunset and look out across the expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans. During dry months, the pans appear as endless white expanses, while summer rains create shallow waters that attract flamingos, pelicans, and migratory herds.
Day 12 - 14 Okavango Delta
- 2x tented camping, 1x chalet Bx3 Lx3 Dx2
We transfer into the delta by open 4WD game viewing vehicle. Our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on mekoro (dugout canoes) to our pre-erected tented camp. The delta forms as rain water from the Angolan highlands flows out over the flat Kalahari Desert sands, forming a delicate, green oasis for birds and wildlife. Our camp is on a remote island in this amazingly dynamic environment and we enjoy bush walks, bird watching and swimming in the clear waters. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle and culture. Returning to Maun in the afternoon of day 14 there is time for an optional scenic flight over the Okavango (own expense).
[Please note: You can end this tour in Maun on day 15 at 08:00am after breakfast to catch flights out of Maun. Please contact us for more information.]
Day 15 Goo Moremi Gorge
- chalet BLD
Heading south from Maun, we cross the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert. Along the route we might encounter small herds of zebra interspersed among cattle herds between remote villages. As we approach Goo-Moremi the Tswapong Hills rise above the horizon. Here endangered Cape Vultures nest on the gorge cliffs above the ancestral waterfalls in the protected conservation area of Goo-Moremi Gorge. Time permitting we take an afternoon guided walk to stretch our legs.
Day 16 Johannesburg - Tour Ends
- - B - -
Crossing back into South Africa, we make our way to Johannesburg where the tour ends at +/- 18:00.
Please note: we do a free drop off at Johannesburg airport on day 16 at 17:00pm so you can book your flight out for the last day of tour.
