**SOLD OUT** Ask us about our next African Adventure. South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana (2023) Accommodated and Camping Safari 09-26 September, 2023
- From $5,650.00 CAD
Photo courtesy Hu Chen unplash
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana (2023)
Accommodated and camping Safari
17 day Accommodated and camping tour
Guaranteed maximum group size: 12
DEPARTS Johannesburg @ group flight arrival time
ENDS Maun @ ± 3 hours before group flight departure
Highlights
* Jane Goodall institute
* Kruger National Park
* Matopos - world heritage site
* Hwange National Park
* Victoria Falls
* Chobe national park
* Okavango delta
Includes
* 2 nights camping, 14 nights in chalets and lodges
* All entrance fees and excursions as per itinerary
* Transport in a air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter
* Use of camping equipment
* Meals as per the itinerary
* Professional guide and driver
A fun camping and accommodated journey through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana covering the diverse landscapes and wildlife of the region with plenty of opportunity to experience something new and exciting.
ITINERARY
Day 1 BARBETON
The group will be met at the airport and after introductions and a quick briefing we head due east on good roads towards Barberton. The Jane Goodall institute is 350km from the Johannesburg International Airport. This will take approximately 4 hours driving time and the last tour starts at 2pm in the afternoon and lasts 1 hour. We need to leave the airport by 9am to be at the institute for 1pm. That gives the group 1 hour to have a light lunch before the tour starts. After the tour we drive towards the Kruger National Park and our lodge just outside Hazyview. This will take around 1 and a half hours and we should arrive around 5pm.
Day 1: Breakfast not included
Day 1: Lunch own expense at the institute restaurant
Day 1: Dinner own expense at the lodge restaurant
Includes:
Overnight :Gecko Lodge, twin-shared with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool.
Distance/time:450km 6 hour drive plus stopping time of 2 hoursDay 2KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
Photo Courtesy Diego Morelles - Unsplash
After breakfast we drive into the Kruger National Park and game drive to our camp. We will enter at the Paul Kruger gate and stay at Satara camp.
This is justifiably one of the most famous wildlife parks in the world. It is also one of the oldest being established by the ZAR president Paul Kruger in 1898. It has arguably the greatest variety of animals of any park in Africa, with lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, black and white rhino, as well as cheetah, giraffe, hippo and many species of antelope and smaller plains game. The total census includes 147 mammals, 507 birds, 114 reptiles as well as 336 different trees.
Day 2: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 2: Lunch provided by tour leaders
Day 2: Dinner provided by the tour leaders
Includes: Conservation fee for Kruger National Park
Overnight: KNP chalets, twin-shared with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool
Distance/time:150km 5 hour drive plus stopping time at game sightings
Day 3KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
We spend the full day in the Kruger National Park as we head north to Letaba camp. We will start with an early morning game drive, then return to our chalets for breakfast before game driving to the next camp. We will head out for a late afternoon game drive from Letaba camp.
Day 3: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders
Day 3: Lunch provided by tour leaders
Day 3: Dinner provided by the tour leaders
Includes: Conservation fee for the Kruger National Park
Overnight: KNP chalets, twin-shared with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool
Distance/time:100km 2 hour drive, with game drives from each camp +- 6 hoursDay 4KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
This morning we have an early breakfast, before game driving further north through the Kruger National Park. We will stop for a break and lunch at Shingwedzi camp and time permitting have a quick swim in the pool. In the afternoon we continue north on our game drive and exit the park at the Pafuri gate, just before gate closing time, we then transfer the 12km to our lodge. This game drive takes us through the less busy part of the Kruger National Park, it is the drier region with the larger herds of animals. We also leave the park in the late afternoon giving us the best chance for the next day to get to the Zimbabwe border as early as possible.
Day 4: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders
Day 4: Lunch provided by tour leaders
Day 4: Dinner provided by the lodge restaurant, fixed menu
Includes: Conservation fee for Kruger National Park
Overnight: Awelani lodge, en-suite safari tents
Distance/time:250km mostly game driving, around 6 – 7 hours
Day 5 MATOPOS
After an early breakfast we drive to the town of Musina, here we have a short break while the guides resupply all the essentials before crossing the border into Zimbabwe. The border crossing can take between 2 and 4 hours and a lot of calm and patience is required, but it is a uniquely African experience. Once we are through the border we head north west directly to the Motopos National Park, we will have a picnic style lunch en-route.
Photo Courtesy - Joel Hertzog - Unsplash
Day 5: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 5: Lunch provided by tour leaders
Day 5: Dinner provided by the lodge restaurant, fixed menu
Overnight: Hermits Peak Lodge, en-suite rooms, swimming pool.
Distance/time:450km, 6 hours + 2 - 4 hour border crossingDay 6MATOPOS
We depart for the Matopo National Park in the early morning and enjoy an open game drive within the park. During the drive we will stop and take a walk with the hope of seeing Rhino on foot. We then 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. We return to our campsite in the afternoon.
Day 6: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 6: Lunch provided by the lodge
Day 6: Dinner provided by the lodge restaurant, fixed menu
Includes: Entrance fee and guided tour of the Matopo National Park.
Overnight:Hermits Peak Lodge, en-suite rooms, swimming pool
Distance/time:50km full day excursion in the Matopos
Day 7 HWANGE
After breakfast we transfer through Bulawayo, stopping to resupply before heading north to Hwange National Park. We will have a picnic lunch en-route. 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 lodge is in the game management area that borders the park and we will arrive in the late afternoon.
Photo courtesy Ian MacKay - Unsplash
Day 7: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 7: Lunch provided by tour leaders
Day 7: Dinner provided by the lodge restaurant, fixed menu
Overnight: Miombo lodge, en-suite safari tents, swimming pool
Distance/time:350km 5 hours drive plus stopping time for lunchDay 8HWANGE
Today we enjoy a full day open 4 x 4 game drive through the Hwange National Park with the lodge vehicle and local guide. Another early start and picnic lunch in the park.
Day 8: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 8: Lunch provided by the lodge
Day 8: Dinner provided by the lodge restaurant, fixed menu
Includes: Entrance fee and open 4 x 4 game drive in Hwange National ParkOvernight: Miombo lodge, en-suite safari tents, swimming pool
Distance/time:100km, full day Hwange excursion
Day 9 VICTORIA FALLS
After a more relaxed start we head for the magnificent Victoria Falls. We will arrive in time to have lunch (own expense) in Victoria Falls town. In the afternoon 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 9: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 9: Lunch at local restaurant - own expense
Day 9: Dinner at local restaurant - own expense
Includes: Entrance Fees to see the Victoria Falls
Overnight: Rainbow Hotel, en-suite, restaurant, telephone & shop, swimming pool
Distance/time: 250kms ± 3 hours excluding stops for sightseeing & curio shopping
Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, elephant back safaris, scenic flights & many more
Day 10 VICTORIA FALLS
Today is a full free day to enjoy all the optional activities available in this region; bookings can be made the day before, on arrival into the town.
Day 10: Breakfast provided by the hotel
Day 10: Lunch at local restaurant - own expense
Day 10: Dinner at local restaurant - own expense
Overnight: Rainbow Hotel restaurant, telephone & shop, swimming pool
Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, elephant back safaris, scenic flights & many more
Day 11 CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Photo courtesy Collin Watts - Unsplash
Departing Victoria Falls we head across the border at Kasangula into Botswana. We arrive in Kasane in the afternoon and settle into our accommodation for the night. We will leave at around 11am, free time inn the morning for own expense excursions, and the transfer with border time will take 3 to 4 hours.
Day 11: Breakfast provided by the hotel
Day 11: Lunch at local restaurant - own expense
Day 11: Dinner provided by the lodge
Overnight: Kwalape Lodge, twin Rooms – en suite , restaurant and bar, swimming pool.
Distance/time: 120 kms ± 2 hour, excluding border formalities
Day 12CHOBE NATIONAL PARK
Early morning open vehicle game drive with our lodge into Chobe National Park. We aim to arrive at the Chobe gate at opening time and enjoy a 3 hour open game drive along the Chobe river. We return to our lodge for a well deserved brunch and then there is time to relax at the lodge pool or visit the town of Kasane. In the afternoon we take a short transfer to the jetty and embark on a 3 hour boat cruise on the Chobe river. This section of the Chobe National Park is famous for it's large elephant and Buffalo herds as well as the myriads of plains game and some rare species such as the Puku and Roan Antelope. There is also a fantastic amount of bird life and between the game drive and boat cruise we have a fantastic chance to see the Elephant herds drinking as well getting really close to Hippo's and crocodiles.
Day 12: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 12: Lunch provided by the lodge
Day 12: Dinner provided by the lodge
Includes: Chobe N.P entrance fees, open game drive & sunset cruise on Chobe River
Overnight: Kwalape Lodge,twin Rooms – en suite , restaurant and bar, swimming pool.
Distance/time: 2 Chobe National Park excursions, each ± 3 hours
Day 13 MAUN
We depart Kasane after breakfast and transfer the 600km to Maun. We will stop en-route on the edge of the Magadigadi salt pan for lunch and we should arrive in Maun in the mid afternoon. We will spend some time in the afternoon shopping in Maun for the delta section before transferring the last 15 km to our lodge. This will also give the guests an opportunity to buy drinks and snacks for the delta. Our lodge is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River and after settling in we have time for a quick swim before enjoying an own expense meal at the campsite restaurant.
Day 13: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 13: Lunch provided by the leaders
Day 13: Dinner own expense at a local restaurant
Overnight: Crocodile camp, standard twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool
Distance/time: 615kms ± 7 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch
Day 14OKAVANGO 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 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. The camp will be erected when the group arrives, we will use canvas dome tents, 2.5m x 2.5m. with camp stretchers, mattresses, sleeping bag and pillow provided. For a full group we will provide 2 bucket showers and 2 long drop toilets. We will also provide a gazebo for shade and to be used as a mess tent. Clients will need to only take luggage for 2 days and bags will be provided for them.
Day 14: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Day 14: Lunch provided by the leaders
Day 14: Dinner provided by the leaders
Includes: Entrance to Okavango Delta, Mokoro excursion, afternoon game walk with local guides
Overnight: Camping in dome tents – basic facilities, with bucket showers and long drop toilet
Distance/time: 2 hour 4WD transfer into the Delta
Day 15OKAVANGO DELTA
Photo courtesy Collin Watts - Unsplash
We awake before sunrise and after a quick cup of coffee we head out for a game walk with our local guides and learn more about the animals and plants that live in this pristine environment. The game walk will be between 3 and 4 hours depending on the temperature of the day. We return to camp for a well deserved brunch and shower and a rest during the heat of the day. During the rest period it is possible to have a poling lesson on one of the mokoro's. In the late afternoon we head out for a mokoro excursion and to enjoy the sunset from the water.
Day 15: Breakfast provided by the leaders
Day 15: Lunch provided by the leaders
Day 15: Dinner provided by the leaders
Includes: Entrance to Okavango Delta, Mokoro excursion, morning game walk with local guides
Overnight: Camping in dome tents – basic facilities, with bucket showers and long drop toilet
Day 16 MAUN
We enjoy a short morning game walk before returning to our vehicle by mokoro and transferring back to our lodge in Maun. We will arrive in time to enjoy lunch at the lodge, own expense and the afternoon is free to enjoy the lodge swimming pool or to take an optional flight over the Okavango Delta.
Day 16: Breakfast provided by the leaders
Day 16: Lunch own expense at the lodge restaurant
Day 16: Dinner own expense at a local restaurant
Includes: Entrance to Okavango Delta, Mokoro excursion, morning game walk with local guides Overnight: Crocodile camp, standard twin rooms with en-suite facilities, swimming pool
Distance/time: 2 hour 4WD transfer out of the Delta
Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, price depending on number of people in
each aircraft)
Day 17 AIRPORT
This morning we have our last breakfast and then transfer into Maun to be at the international 3 hours before flight time.
Day 17: Breakfast provided by the lodge
Distance/time:15km half an hour
Please note: The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and photo stops!
Please note: That the accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard, and accommodation changes will be made without notice.