Kruger Park, Victoria Falls and Botswana - 9 Days

*9 day itinerary until the end of Feb, 2008

Trip Cost - £435 or €615

(Local Payment - US $395) What's This?

Itinerary

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS - Game drives in Kruger Park, Open vehicle night drive, Tour of Great Zimbabwe Monument Guided tour to the Chipengali Wildlife Orphanage, Matopos National Park, Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Chobe Sunset Cruise

 

Day 1               Central Kruger Park                                                     South Africa

Depart from Johannesburg and make our way to the world-renowned Kruger National Park.  After settling into camp, we venture out on an afternoon game drive as we explore Africa’s famed “Big Five” territory. We return to camp at sunset, before heading out on an open vehicle night drive accompanied by Kruger Park Rangers. Dinner to be enjoyed around the log fire, listening to the sounds of the African night. (D)

Day 2               Northern Kruger Park     
                
An early rise, we start the day with coffee and rusks before venturing out to explore Northern Kruger. Most of the day will be spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping at the various water holes en-route to our northern camp. Arriving at our camp at sunset, we settle down for a traditional "braai" (barbeque) for dinner and relax around the campfire. (BD)

Day 3               Great Zimbabwe         
                                                                         
Up at daybreak, we go on our last game drive in the Kruger Park, before heading towards the border post at Beitbridge and into Zimbabwe. We then make our way to the town of Masvingo and the sight of the Great Zimbabwe Monument. Overnight at a campsite in Masvingo. (BD)

Day 4               Chipengali Wildlife Orphanage     
                                            
After breakfast, we take a guided walking tour of the mysterious archaeological site known as the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. We then depart for Zimbabwe's second largest city, Bulawayo and spend the afternoon on a tour of the   Chipengali Wildlife Orphanage. Overnight in Bulawayo.  (BD)

Day 5             Matopos National Park                                                                     

An early rise as we venture out to explore the World Famous Matobo National Park, home to a large population of Black and White Rhinoceros. The park is situated in the magnificent Matobo Hills, a range of domes, spires and balancing rock formations which have been hewn out of the solid granite plateau through millions of years of erosion and weathering. The majestic and rugged terrain of the park is a hikers paradise and is home to a wide variety of animal species including: black and white rhinoceros, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, eland, sable, klipspringer, leopard, hyena, cheetah, hippo, warthog, rock dassies, waterbuck, wildcat, springhare, common duiker, crocodiles, baboons and monkeys.

Matobo National Park is also the site of the grave of Cecil John Rhodes. He is buried at the summit of Malindidzimu – ‘ hill of benevolent spirits’. The Matobo area has great spiritual and cultural significance to the local people and there are many sites within the park where important ceremonies still take place.

The richness of the Park can also be seen from the diverse bird life and the park is famous for its large concentration of black eagles. Evening to be spent at a lodge at Matopos. (BLD)

Day 6               Hwange National Park                                                                           

Today we visit yet another one of Zimbabwe’s well known parks. Hwange became the royal hunting grounds to the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19 th Century and was set aside as a National Park in 1929. Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded. The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the Park’s elephant population is one of the largest in the world. We explore the Park in open 4x4 vehicles an camp within the Park at one of the main campsites.(BLD)  

 

Day 7 Victoria Falls
                                                                                                              
We continue exploring Hwange National Park before making our way out of the Park and heading for Victoria Falls in time for lunch. After lunch, we have time to explore the Town of Victoria Falls as well as book our various adrenaline activities for which this area is so famous. We then head out on a late afternoon sunset cruise to explore the mighty Zambezi River. Sundowner drinks and snacks to be enjoyed on board. The evening is yours to explore the nightlife of Victoria Falls. (B)

Day 8           Victoria Falls                                                                                                                   
Today, time is spent at your leisure. Optional activities include White River rafting, bungy jumping, a canoeing safari, or even the flight of the angels over the falls. The evening is spent out on the town enjoying a traditional meal at one of the local restaurants (own expense). (B)

Day 9               Chobe                                                                              Botswana

This morning we explore the magnificent Victoria Falls before venturing out for the Kazangula border post and into Botswana.  We set up camp on the edge of the Chobe National Park and enjoy some great game viewing on a Chobe River Cruise.   (BD)

Day 10             Nata (Makgadikgadi Pans)      
                                                              
This morning, you may choose to relax or you have the option to explore Chobe National Park in an open 4x4 vehicle. After brunch, our journey takes us south to the edge of the famous Makgadikgadi Pans, where you have the opportunity of an optional trip to these fascinating pans. The evening is to be spent camping at Nata Lodge.  (BD)

Day 11             Johannesburg  
                                                                                    
An early rise, we enjoy coffee and rusks before departing for Martin’s Drift border post, we have breakfast en-route, then onto the final stretch to Johannesburg. (B)