Why you’ll love this trip?
- Explore stunning destinations like Kruger NP, Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Matobos NP, Hwange NP, Victoria Falls, Chobe NP and the Okavango Delta.
- Experience unparalleled game viewing and cultural exploration.
- Enjoy cultural experiences, adventurous activities, and wildlife encounters throughout the trip.
What the Activity level?
- Suitable for individuals generally active and in good health.
- Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days.
- Road conditions through wilderness areas can be very poor, resulting in slow and dusty progress.
- Reminder to hold on at all times and embrace the adventure of the ride!
What’s the transport and accommodation like?
- Custom made vehicles ensure comfortable, safe touring with latest safety standards.
- Stay in a range of small lodges and guest houses, all with ensuite facilities
- Active involvement in tasks like setting up tents and packing.
- Tour leaders handle meal prep; clients help with washing up.
- Some long travel days may require early starts, necessitating teamwork for efficiency.
Departs most Mondays. Please enquire for more availability.
*All our tours are non-smoking
TRIP SUMMARY
Duration: 16 days from Johannesburg to Johannesburg
Trip focus: A great classic overland journey taking in the highlights of the National Parks, Game Drives, Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta
Accommodation: 13 nights in small lodges, with ensuite and shared facilities. 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango.
Transport: Custom-built 4WD safari truck or 12 seater minibus
Group size: Maximum 12 + tour leader and driver
Local Payment: USD300
Single supplement: NZ$1,188 – If you are traveling on your own, and wish to share, you will room with another same gender client. You do not pay extra when booking as a single person. If however you request a single room, then you’ll pay the single supplement.
Operator: This tour is run by one of our trusted local partners
WHAT’S INCLUDED:
- Meals as stated in itinerary
- All park Entrance fees
- All accommodation and transport within the tour
- English speaking driver and local tour guide
- Local game trackers and guides
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
- All items of a personal nature, laundry, drinks, souvenirs etc
- Optional activities
- Meals not stated in the itinerary
- Local payment if required to be paid on day 1 of your tour to your guide
- International flights and internal flight departure taxes
- Travel insurance, visas and vaccinations
- Tips for your tour leader and driver
DAY 1 – ARRIVAL DAY KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
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 morning and afternoon game drives in our safari vehicle and hope to spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in this icon of wildlife conservation.
Meals Included: Lunch and Dinner
DAY 2 – KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
This morning we wake early and game drive north through the park to the Pafuri region. The northern Kruger is dominated by mopane veld and is the domain of large elephant bulls, wild dog and lions. As we reach the Limpopo Valley the vegetation changes to forest and birdlife is prolific. We exit the park, late in the afternoon, and overnight at a lodge just outside the Kruger.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 3 – GREAT ZIMBABWE
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.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAYS 4 & 5 – MATOBO NATIONAL PARK
Travelling via the city of Bulawayo, we move on to the Matobo 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.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners
DAYS 6 & 7 – HWANGE NATIONAL PARK
Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14,650 square kilometres. Hwange 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.
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and 2 Dinners
DAYS 8 & 9 – VICTORIA FALLS
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, bungee jump or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).
Meals Included: 2 Breakfasts
DAY 10 – CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Entering Botswana, we head to the town of Kasane and our accommodation 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 cruise where we hope to see large herds of elephants and other wildlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 11 – NATA
This morning there is time for an optional (own expense) game drive in the Chobe National Park. Heading south through the Kasane Forest Reserve we make our way to the Nata area for our overnight stop.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
DAYS 12 to 14 – OKAVANGO DELTA
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 Mokoro (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).
Meals Included: 3 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches and 2 Dinners
DAY 15 – KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY
Heading south from Maun, we cross the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert on our way to Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in protecting rhino and restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its natural state. The reserve provides economic benefits to the local Batswana community through sustainable use of natural resources. We hope to spot rhino on an afternoon game drive.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
DAY 16 – DEPARTURE DAY, JOHANNESBURG
Crossing back into South Africa, we make our way to Johannesburg where the tour ends at approximately 6:00pm
Meals Included: Breakfast
HIGHLIGHTS
DATES
| Start Date | End Date | Availability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Jun 2024 | 16th Jun 2024 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | NZ$4,930 |
| 20th Jul 2024 | 4th Aug 2024 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | NZ$4,930 |
| 12th Oct 2024 | 27th Oct 2024 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | NZ$4,930 |
| 16th Nov 2024 | 1st Dec 2024 | GUARANTEED DEPARTURE | NZ$4,930 |
| 23rd Nov 2024 | 8th Dec 2024 | AVAILABLE | NZ$4,930 |
| 14th Dec 2024 | 29th Dec 2024 | AVAILABLE | NZ$4,930 |