ACCOMMODATED SAFARI: Travel from Livingstone in Zambia, to Pretoria in South Africa on this 7-day overland safari. Visit the spectacular Victoria Falls before heading south to Bulawayo in Zimbabwe and spotting rhinos on an exhilarating wilderness walk in Matobo National Park. Then go in search of the Big Five on safari in Kruger, the flagship of the South African National Parks.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Livingstone & the Victoria Falls
Our adventure begins in Livingstone, at the Victoria Falls Waterfront camp on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River, just a few kilometres from Victoria Falls. A visit to Mosi oa Tunya National Park to see the spectacular Victoria Falls is included. Don’t forget your raincoat to keep you and your camera dry!
Please plan to spend a day or so here before the tour begins. There's a wide range of optional activities which are available to book locally, such as rafting, bungee jumping, river cruises, and flights over the falls, to name a few. The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure.
Overnight: Livingstone
Bulawayo
Livingstone - Bulawayo (Zimbabwe). This morning we depart Livingstone and cross the border into Zimbabwe, passing through the town of Victoria Falls en route to Bulawayo. Camping just outside the city centre, once we've settled in the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the area.
Overnight: Bulawayo | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Matobo National Park
Today we enjoy a half day tour of Matobo National Park which is just a short drive from Bulawayo. This remarkable reserve has the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and it also has the densest population of leopard and black eagle in the world. Knowledgeable guides will take us on a nature drive and wilderness walk, leading us on foot to some of the more concealed places in search of these incredible animals.
After the tour drive back to Bulawayo for an afternoon at leisure. Alternatively there's the option to upgrade to a full day tour (optional - pay locally). On the full day tour explore the wind-sculptured Matobo Hills, see the Bushman paintings and visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes.
Overnight: Bulawayo | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Crossing into South Africa
Bulawayo - (South Africa). Today we continue our journey south, crosTshipisesing into South Africa at Beitbridge. Then we cross the mighty Limpopo River and travel on to the town of Tshipise, in the northern Limpopo province. Our accommodation for the night is adjacent to Honnet Nature Reserve and there are hot spring in the area, surrounded by dense woodland and Baobab trees.
Overnight: Tshipise | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Kruger National Park
Tshipise - Hazyview (Greater Kruger). From Tshipise we travel to Kruger National Park, southern Africa's flagship game reserve. Several years ago fences between the national park and surrounding private reserves were removed to form the Greater Kruger where an abundance of wildlife roams free. Almost every major Africa mammal can be found in Kruger including all of the Big Five and there's also prolific birdlife.
We stay at a hotel in Hazyview and enjoy an evening of Shangaan tribal dancing and singing. The following day we wake early, board 4x4 game viewing vehicles with a resident guide and set out on a full day in the national park itself. Going in search of the Big Five and other resident wildlife on a morning and afternoon game drive, with a break during the middle of the day to relax at a rest camp. Late afternoon we return to our hotel in Hazyview for the night.
Overnight: Hazyview (2) | Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2
Pretoria
Hazyview (Greater Kruger) - Pretoria. Bidding farewell to Kruger we make our way to Pretoria where our tour ends late afternoon / early evening.
Please note: We recommend that you spend the night in Pretoria. Pretoria accommodation and a transfer to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport can be booked locally or in advance.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
Departures are guaranteed to operate when there are 6 persons booked on the tour. 'Twin' prices are per person when there are 2 people on the same booking sharing a room. 'Shared' prices are applicable to solo travellers, who will share a room with another traveller of the same sex. All accommodation is on a twin share basis.
Local payment - $100pp, paid in USD
Please note that this is payable locally on day 1 of your trip in the currency specified.
Extra Prices
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard.
The Victoria Falls Waterfront (chalets), Livingstone
Just a few kilometres from one of Africa's finest natural wonders and found within Mosi oa Tunya National Park, The Victoria Falls Waterfront is an excellent base for discovering the Zambian side of Victoria Falls. Basic chalets are located beside the Luangwa River, in the gardens of the Victoria Falls Waterfront. Boasting air-conditioning, mini-bar, TV, and ensuite facilities with private verandah. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the property, an outdoor pool, restaurant, bar and activity centre offering different experiences at the falls.
Burkes' Paradise, Bulawayo
Burkes' Paradise is a backpackers hostel set on an attractive 12 acre plot of land, comprised of natural bush and well maintained lawns. Rooms are simple but comfortable, with shared bathrooms and hot showers. WiFi internet access is available in the communal lounge area and there's a swimming pool with sun loungers, so you can enjoy a refreshing swim and relax after a busy day. The property is located ten minute drive from the centre of Bulawayo. (Please note: A towel is not provided at this property)
Tshipise A Forever Resort (Rondavels), Tshipise
Tshipise A Forever Resort is located in the town of Tshipise, in South Africa's Limpopo province, just a stone's throw from Kruger National Park. The famous Tshipise Koppie towers over this pretty lush bushveld resort, which is dotted with giant Baobabs and has a hot spring bath where you can rejuvenate. The property has an excellent range of facilities including a restaurant and bar, a well-stocked general store, swimming pools, a tennis court and mini-golf. There's also an ATM on site and free WiFi is available. Guests are accommodated in air-conditioned, thatched Rondavels which have private bathrooms, a seating area and flat-screen cable TVs. While relaxing at this tranquil resort, be sure to look out for the meerkat troops and monkeys which can be seen scurrying around!
Hotel Numbi, Hazyview
Conveniently located, less than a 10 minutes' drive from South Africa's flagship Kruger National Park, this tranquil hotel is set within beautiful tropical gardens, with a restaurant on site serving a variety of cuisine. There are 22 spacious, en-suite guest rooms, complete with air conditioning, satellite TV and a private patio, where you can sit and enjoy the wonderful birdlife. After a busy day spotting wildlife in Kruger, cool off in the hotel's outdoor pool and relax on the sundeck.
At a Glance
Our tour guides were fantastic. Muto and Heritage made the trip such an amazing experience for us and we could not recommend them highly enough. If we do another tour in Africa, we would certainly want them as our guides.
If we were to do the tour again, we would try to include an activity in each area that we stopped in along the way. There was a lot of travelling involved with not a lot to look forward to.
Our only negative would be the accommodation in Bulawayo and Hazyview. Burke's paradise was not the cleanest of places and having the shower and toilet so far away was certainly not ideal. Our accommodation in Havyview also had a bad leak in the toilet, and the water was not great.
Overall, the tour a great experience and we really enjoyed ourselves. ”
