This comprehensive twenty two day trip takes in the highlights of southern Africa where we experience our first introduction to Africa’s wildlife in the Kruger National Park. We head to Zimbabwe to visit the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, the Antelope Park where there’s the opportunity to walk with lions, and the Matobo National Park, famous for its populations of black rhino. Then we take in the majesty of the Victoria Falls before crossing to Botswana, where we explore the magnificent Chobe National Park and the watery channels of the Okavango Delta. We go on a final safari back in Kruger before finishing the trip in Johannesburg.
This trip begins in Johannesburg, South Africa and travels north through South Africa and Zimbabwe then south through Botswana before ending in Johannesburg, South Africa.
This trip departs from Johannesburg early on Wednesday morning. Should you wish to explore Johannesburg, an earlier arrival should be planned and accommodation can be booked through us
[Day 1: Johannesburg to Hazyview (L / D) Leaving Johannesburg we head towards the Lowveld and Umvubu camp situated on the border of the famous Kruger National Park. On our way we pass through the southern section of the picturesque Panorama Route – famous for its breathtaking vistas. Our camp for the next two nights is a short drive from the Kruger’s Numbi Gate and has some interesting local residents that include hippo, giraffe, zebra and impala .We spend a relaxing evening around the camp fire before our game drive tomorrow.
Day 2: Hazyview (B / L / D) Today we explore the amazing Kruger National Park. Covering 21 497 km2 - 60 km wide and over 350 km long, this conservation area has more than 146 mammals, 500 bird, 114 reptile, 33 amphibian & 49 fish species. 23 000 different types of plants have been recorded. We spend the day driving around the park keeping an eye out for these. There is the option of doing a night drive looking for a few of the nocturnal inhabitants or upgrading to a small vehicle for the game drive at an additional cost.
Day 3: Hazyview to Polokwane (B / L / D) Today we leave the Lowveld and head on the long, scenic drive to Polokwane. Along the way we stop off at some of the best scenery in South Africa, including the ever striking Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window. The many viewpoints of the Canyon, afford us excellent photo opportunities. Polokwane, capital of Limpopo, is the largest metropolitan complex in the north and a major economic centre. Its proximity to the neighbouring countries of Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Swaziland, as well as its convenient distance from the Kruger National Park and Magoebaskloof, makes it a perfect gateway and good destination in itself. We set up our tents on the lush green grass of our campsite located outside of the city before enjoying a dip in the lovely swimming pool.
Day 4: Polokwane to Musina (B / L / D) After a quick replenishing of our stocks we begin our journey north toward Zimbabwe. We have a long, relaxing drive where we get to sit back and enjoy the ever changing scenery. Tonight we’ll camp near to one of the hottest towns in South Africa, Musina, at the hot water spring resort – Tshipise. Situated between the rolling hills, the resort is well known for its natural hot water springs. Once we’ve set up camp, you’re free to enjoy the pools, walking trails or various other activities on offer here.
Day 5: Musina to Masvingo (Zimbabwe) (B / L / D) Today we enter Zimbabwe - a beautiful country rich in soul, culture and tradition. We make our way to the town of Masvingo - on the outskirts of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. This was the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa, built by an ancient highly skilled civilization. The name Zimbabwe is derived from this ancient city and means “great stone houses” in Shona. The most notable artefacts found at the ruins were the 8 Statues of stone birds carved out of soapstone. Wander around these amazing ruins, before setting up camp at the foot of the hills.
Day 6 & 7: Masvingo to Gweru (B / L / D) Leaving Masvingo, we continue our journey north to Gweru, in Zimbabwe’s Midlands. Here we stop over at The Antelope Park. It is said “you have not been to Zimbabwe until you have visited the Victoria Falls… and the Antelope Park.” A wide variety of game viewing opportunities are available in this area inhabited by lion, elephant, giraffe and obviously numerous antelope! We have the unique option to walk with lions, ride or swim with elephants, view game from horse back or from the back of a vehicle. We guarantee Antelope Park is a place you’ll never forget!
Days 8: Gweru to Bulawayo (B / L / D) Leaving Gweru, we head to Bulawayo - Zimbabwe’s second largest city. Bulawayo is noted for its exceptionally wide streets, which were originally designed to accommodate a full span ox wagon. The city also still retains much of its British Colonial character, evident by the many buildings maintained as heritage sites by the Bulawayo City Council. Interesting places to visit are the Natural History Museum, the National Arts Gallery and the Mzilikazi Arts and Crafts Centre, which employs over 70 people.
Day 9: Bulawayo (B / L / D) Today we visit Matobo National Park, one of the last strongholds of both the black and the white rhino. This park is also well known for its high concentration of the elusive leopard and majestic black eagle. Rock paintings are to be found too, providing evidence of the ancient San inhabitants of this area. Cecil John Rhodes (after whom Rhodesia was named) asked to be buried at the top of one of the sacred hills, (although there is some controversy over whether he will stay!) We spend the day exploring this unique geological, ecological and historic area.
Day 10: Bulawayo to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) (B / L) Leaving Bulawayo, we head to Victoria Falls. Named after the famous World Heritage site and Water Falls, the town of Victoria Falls is situated on the Zambezi River and surrounded by the Victoria Falls National Park. Our campsite is conveniently situated in the centre of town, and within walking distance of the adventure booking agents, restaurants and shops. A 20 minute walk down the main road takes you to the entry point to view the falls, which are situated between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), was named by David Livingstone on his explorations, and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1700 m wide and around 100 m high, this is the world's largest sheet of falling water and a memorable sight on any African Safari! After our adventure activities briefing (see price guide at the end of this document for options), the afternoon is spent relaxing at the campsite’s swimming pool, viewing the Victoria Falls, or exploring the many sights and delights of this town!
Days 11 & 12: Victoria Falls (B on both days) The next 2 days are spent relaxing or participating in a myriad of Optional Excursions. Some of our fellow passengers will leave us in Vic Falls, to be replaced by new passengers joining us for the next leg of our trek.
Ooptional Excursions include elephant back safaris, horseback safaris, walking with lions, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort. Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge - neither activity is for the faint hearted! All year round, flights in fixed wing, micro light and ultra light aircraft or helicopters provide an aerial perspective over this magnificent World Heritage Site. White water rafting on the Zambezi is world class. Beside the excitement of the Grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats," where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and the occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.
Day 13: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park (Botswana) (B / L / D) After breakfast we cross the border into Botswana and head to Kasane where we set up camp on the banks of the Chobe River. The Chobe River forms a border between Botswana and Namibia and Zambia. Chobe is one of Botswana’s premier game parks, renowned its large elephant herds. This afternoon we take a boat cruise along the beautiful Chobe River. Elephant, hippo and many bird species can be viewed from the boat while we watch another glorious African sunset.
Day 14: Chobe National Park to Maun (B / L / D) Heading out early, we cross the western end of the Chobe National Park area along the main route in a south-westerly direction to the southern reaches of the Okavango Delta and our destination, Maun. On our route, we have routine stops to at Botswana’s ‘meat’ borders – check points that were set up to protect its thriving beef export industry from the spread of disease. Maun is the starting point for travel into the Delta and it is from here that we set off to explore the Okavango Delta. Tonight we prepare our provisions and packs for our 2 night excursion. We suggest bringing along a smaller daypack on your trip which can be used to pack the supplies needed for this short excursion. Your trip leader will brief you fully on what is needed, and what to expect prior to your trip into the Delta.
Day 15: Maun to Okavango Delta (OPTIONAL) (B / L / D) The Delta is a huge expanse of water, which has travelled from the Angolan highlands, spreading out to form the largest inland delta in the world. Studded with exotic islands, The Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of bird life and animals and is unique to Southern Africa.
Here we have the opportunity to take the optional 3 Day / 2 Night Drive in Mokoro Excursion into the Delta. After an early rise, we pack our expedition vehicle and from Maun we drive north for a couple of hours to reach the mokoro poler’s station. The Delta region is studded with many local villages where many families live in a traditional way. Some of the villages are very remote and can only be reached by the traditional mode of transport – the Mokoro. Mokoros are dugout canoes manoeuvred through the waterways by local guides who “pole” them through the reeds. At the Mokoro station, we meet our ‘polers’ and pack our supplies before heading out into the waterways. After a couple of hours along the waterways, our guides find us a place to camp, and later in the afternoon we set off on an afternoon game walk, allowing us to experience The Delta wilderness. The camp is situated in an open wilderness area with no ablution facilities.
For those who’d prefer not to explore The Delta, spend the next 2 days at the lovely campsite relaxing by the swimming pool or challenging each other to a game of volleyball. There is also a crocodile farm nearby that has it’s feeding times open to campsite visitors. The driver and cook remain behind in Maun during the excursion.
Day 16: Okavango Delta (B / L / D) A day of rest, relaxation and Delta experiences await. Today we have the opportunity to partake in a number of activities including swimming, game walks, mokoro cruises and even a chance to try our hands at poling our own mokoro! There is also ample time to relax and rest during the hotter hours of the day, so challenge your new friends to a game of cards, or chat with your guides about their culture and lifestyle, or simply lie back and enjoy the sounds of the surrounding wilderness...
Day 17: Okavango Delta to Maun (B / L / D) This morning affords us a final opportunity for a game walk before packing up and setting off back to Maun. After our Mokoro ride and vehicle transfer, we arrive back in the afternoon and have the chance to complete our picture of the Okavango Delta by taking an optional scenic flight over The Delta (dependent on weather conditions & availability).
Day 18: Maun to Palapye (B / L / D) Heading out early, we have a fairly long (450kms) drive today to the small town of Palapye, situated about halfway between Francistown and Gaborone (Botswana’s Capitol). This popular ‘stopover’ town for those en route to South Africa, is well known for the Morupule Colliery coal mines which supplies Morupule Power Station, Botswana’s principal domestic source of electricity.
Day 19: Palapye to Blydepoort (South Africa) (B / L / D) This morning we cross into South Africa, and continue across to our camp overlooking the impressive Blyde River Canyon. Named for the Blyde River that runs through it, the canyon is 26km long, and averages 800m deep and forms the northern edge of the impressive Drakensberg Mountain Range. It is classified as a ‘green canyon’ due to the uncommon occurrence of vegetation that lines it (uncommon as most canyons are in desert areas and are fairly barren). The main viewpoints along the canyon are the 3 Rondavels, named for the shape of the traditional huts or houses the indigenous people of the area used to live in; and Gods Window that affords a breathtaking view across the canyon and surrounding area.
Day 20: Blydepoort to Hazyview (B / L / D) Heading through the breathtaking Panorama Route, we stop off at various viewpoints today including scenic God’s Window. We pass through the small town of Graskop, and head toward the Kruger National Park and our campsite on the border of the park. Situated just 10km from Kruger’s Phabeni Gate, the camp is home to Giraffe, Zebra and Hippo to name but a few.
Day 21: Hazyview (B / L / D) Today we visit the amazing Kruger National Park in search of some of the 146 mammals, 500 bird, 114 reptile, 33 amphibian & 49 fish species that make this park their home. We travel in our truck along the main game viewing routes within the park and stop off at some of the camps along the way. For those who wish to upgrade to an open vehicle game drive, this can be arranged with the trip leader at an additional cost.
Day 22: Hazyview to Johannesburg (B) After breakfast, we begin our journey to our final destination; Egoli the place of gold (Johannesburg), Johannesburg is the capital of Gauteng, which is a province in South Africa. On arrival in Johannesburg we unload the truck for the final time, exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime!
We suggest you extend your stay by a few days to participate in some of the exciting activities available here (see below price guide for details). Post tour accommodation can be booked through us
Price: GB£ 545 plus Local Payment US$ 645
Optional Excursions Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip. - these prices are approximate and are subject to change - where activities occur away from your base, there may be an additional transfer cost.
South Africa, Kruger National Park - Night Drive US$ 160.00 Zimbabwe, Gweru - Walk with Lions US$ 80.00 - 130 Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls - White Water Rafting on the Zambezi US$ 130 Botswana, Maun - 3 Day Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion US$ 160.00 Botswana, Maun – Scenic Flight over the Delta US$ 85 **Please note that all accommodation & activities in Victoria Falls must be paid for in US$ cash (GBP & ZAR also accepted at a lower rate).
Please Note This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck and crew change during the trip.
Your arrival transfer and pre-trip accommodation in a dorm bed is included in your trip price. Should you choose not to make use of these, or in the event that we are not updated with your arrival details, no refund will be paid for services not used. ------------------------------------------------------------
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This trip: 22 day South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana Overland
Rating:
rating 9/10
Comment:
The holiday was very enjoyable and very memorable.
I travelled through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana and then returned to South Africa.
Everything was well organised and the equipment like the tents were good, but I feel a list of all the optional extras, that was provided before the trip took place would have been helpful.
Tour Operators Reply:
Thank you for your feedback and we are glad you had a good trip with us.
Thank you for the input about handing out a list of optional excursions. Generally we do send this to clients and all optional excursions are listed at the bottom of our trip dossier.
We will double check when clients book that they have received this info.
