16-Day Zimbabwe Botswana Game Tracker

>> Departing Johannesburg at 6:30 am, we will head into the world famous Kruger National Park. We'll visit the northern part of the park and stay in the Letaba area of the reserve. We will 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.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Letaba Rest Camp Mid-range rest camp located inside Central Kruger NP (South Africa)

>> This morning, we'll wake up 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 dogs and lions. As we reach the Limpopo Valley, the vegetation changes to forest and birdlife is prolific. We will exit the park late in the afternoon for our overnight at a lodge just outside the Kruger.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Awelani Lodge Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Northern Kruger NP (South Africa)

>> Entering Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post, we will travel north to our overnight stop. The following morning, we will 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 will explore these ancient stone structures on an informative walk with a local guide.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Great Zimbabwe Hotel Mid-range hotelnear Great Zimbabwe (Ruins, Zimbabwe)

>> Travelling via the city of Bulawayo, we will move on to the Matobo National Park and our chalets on the outskirts of the park. This afternoon we will enjoy sundowners from the granite ridge overlooking the park. The following morning, we will 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.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Hermits Peak Guest Lodge Mid-range guest house located just outside Matobo NP (Zimbabwe)

>> Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650sq km. Hwange is famed for its large elephant population. Our chalets are in the game management area that borders the park. We will explore the park with our local guide, on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Miombo Safari Camp Mid-range lodge located just outside Hwange NP (Zimbabwe)

>> We will 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” (at your own expense).

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: PheZulu Guest Lodge Mid-range guest house located at Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

>> Entering Botswana, we will head to the town of Kasane and enjoy 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 “sundowner” cruise where we hope to see large herds of elephants and other wildlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Thebe River Safaris Lodge Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Chobe NP (Botswana)

>> This morning after a quick cup of coffee, we'll venture into the Chobe National Park and meet our local guide who takes us in an open 4WD in search of big cats and elephants. Thereafter, we will head south through the Kasane Forest Reserve to the Nata area for our overnight stop.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Nata Lodge Mid-range lodge located less than 1hr drive from Makgadikgadi Pans NP (Botswana)

>> 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 a mokoro (dugout canoes) to our pre-erected tented camp. The delta forms as rainwater 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 will enjoy bush walks, bird watching, and swimming in the clear waters. Camping with our local guides, we will 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 (at your own expense).

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Budget camping Inside Okavango Delta (Botswana)

>> Heading south from Maun, we cross the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert. Along the route we might encounter small herds of zebra interspersed among cattle herds between remote villages. As we approach Goo-Moremi the Tswapong Hills rise above the horizon. Here endangered Cape Vultures nest on the gorge cliffs above the ancestral waterfalls in the protected conservation area of Goo-Moremi Gorge. Time permitting we take an afternoon guided walk to stretch our legs.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: All meals included Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: Goo Moremi Resort Mid-range tented camp located inside Goo-Moremi Gorge (Botswana)

>> Crossing back into South Africa, we make our way to Johannesburg where the tour ends at +/- 18:00.

• Time: 8-10Hrs
• Meals: Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included) Drinks not included

•  Accommodation: No accommodation (End of tour)