Vic Falls to Kruger

Land Tour

9 days

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Vic Falls to Kruger
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  • Itinerary
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$AUD 208 per day

Departure: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Arrival: Johannesburg, South Africa

Adventure

Experience three of southern Africa’s most phenomenal game-viewing sites in search of the world’s most spectacular wildlife – Hwange National Park, Kruger National Park and Matobo National Park. Spend nine days in search of the Big Five (that’s lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo) and more on this journey through South Africa and Zimbabwe. Plus, you’ll enjoy time in a traditional village in the Limpopo province and visit South Africa's modern capital – all the while uncovering Africa's incredible and diverse natural beauty.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

1. If you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, you may purchase a single supplement, subject to availability. The single supplement excludes Days 6 (Homestay), where you will be in shared accommodation. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. This trip finishes upon arrival in Johannesburg on Day 9. Please do not book any flights until after 10 pm this evening.

3. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.

4. On occasion, especially during the peak months of May to September and December we are not able to secure campsites within the Kruger National Park. In this instance we will camp at a backpackers outside the park.

5. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.

About
Meals: 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners.
Transport: Overland vehicle, Open safari vehicle.
Accommodation: Camping with facilities (8 nights), Homestay (1 night).
Victoria Falls - Visit to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust.
Hwange National Park - Guided 4x4 Game Drive.
Hwange - Painted Dog Conservation visit.
Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking.
Matobo National Park - San Rock Paintings.
Makushu Homestay - Beading, Cooking or Dancing.
Black Mambas HQ - Dinner by Lantern Light.
Black Mambas HQ - Campfire Story Time.
Black Mambas HQ - Snare Walk.
Kruger National Park - Night Game Drive.
Kruger National Park - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive.
Panorama Route - Bourke's Luck Potholes.

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Victoria Falls
Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe and the mighty Victoria Falls. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not check out some of the optional activities around Victoria Falls. The Zimbabwe side of the falls offers the broadest view of this colossal natural wonder, and the scenic helicopter flights are incredible – if you opt for one, the Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe) is the only operator Intrepid endorses. As this trip dsn’t include any activities in and around Victoria Falls, it’s recommended you organise your optional activities ahead of time and arrive a little earlier.
Day 2: Hwange National Park
If you haven’t seen Victoria Falls yet, this morning is your last opportunity. You’ll have to arrive at opening time (6 am from September to April and 6.30 am from May to August). This is a great time to see the falls, as sunrise casts a unique light on the cascades and there are little tourists to interrupt the view. Then, you’ll leave Victoria Falls behind and head to Hwange National Park via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – one of the projects The Intrepid Foundation supports. Here, you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. Hwange National Park became the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19th century and was set aside as a national park in 1929. Today, Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife, with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species. The elephants of Hwange are world famous – you'll find one of the largest elephant populations in Africa here! Spend this afternoon exploring and discover the arena in an open 4WD vehicle with expert local guides.
Day 3: Matobo National Park
Make tracks for Matobo National Park this morning. Shortly after leaving Hwange, stop at the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. The loss of quality habitat and poaching are driving the painted dog (also known as African wild dog) towards extinction. Learn about how they protect and increase the range and numbers of painted dogs in Zimbabwe and the Hwange ecosystem as a whole. Then it's on to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city. Take a stroll through the streets lined with old buildings and stop in at a local cafe or restaurant for lunch before heading to your camp for the next two nights. Home to a large population of black and white rhinoceroses that can be tracked on foot, Matobo National Park is also the site of the grave of Cecil John Rhodes – the founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company. 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.
Day 4: Matobo National Park
Matobo National Park has an incredibly diverse range of birdlife and wildlife and is home to both Black and White rhino. This morning, you have a unique opportunity to track white rhinos on foot with the help of an expert local guide. There will also be the chance to spot other game – the park is home to klipspringers, leopards, warthogs and springhares. You can also learn about the various local plants and trees, including wild pear and paperbark, while discovering San paintings and the rock formations of the park. After lunch, venture to a nearby village and meet some of the local people. Learn about how it was when they were living in the hills and meet with some of the local personalities – including elderly chief Pondo.
Day 5: Tshipise
This morning, leave Zimbabwe behind and cross a very busy border post – the only direct border crossing between Zimbabwe and South Africa. You should arrive at your camping site on the edge of Honnet Nature Reserve in the late afternoon. Relax and enjoy the extensive facilities available including an indoor and outdoor pool, putt putt, nature trail and optional game drives.
Day 6: Makushu Village
Make your way to Makushu – a small village in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. When you arrive, you’ll be met by a local village guide. You’ll be staying with homestay host mothers in their family homes. With no two days the same for local villagers, you might be taking part in activities like beading, dancing, beer tasting and cooking. Tonight, you can interact with the local villagers and learn the traditional Venda ways.
Day 7: Greater Kruger National Park - Black Mambas HQ
After breakfast today you’ll make the epic journey towards Greater Kruger National Park. Along the way, there will be an opportunity to stop at a shop or market for any camping supplies you or the group might need. Tonight, you'll get the extraordinary opportunity to camp at the Black Mambas headquarters, located just outside of Kruger National Park. Supported by the Intrepid Foundation, the Black Mambas are the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit, made up of 36 young African women. Turning a traditionally male-dominated industry on its head, they’re putting their female prowess to work protecting the wildlife of Kruger National Park in an unconventional way. You'll accompany them on a bush walk to discover how they find and destroy snares left by poachers. In the evening, enjoy dinner by lantern light then relax by the campfire and listen to personal stories from The Black Mambas.
Day 8: Kruger National Park
Rise early and have a light breakfast and coffee before embarking on a full day 4WD game drive in Kruger National Park. One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog. Your wildlife experience begins as soon as you enter the park. You’ll head straight into prime game viewing areas, spotting anything from antelopes and elands to cheetahs and rhinos. Later, head out on a night drive with local park guides to spot nocturnal animals and maybe even a night-time predator or two. Night drives provide the opportunity to spot secretive nocturnal creatures and watch their activities in their natural environment. This drive traditionally lasts between 2 to 3 hours and you can expect to see a vast selection of nocturnal animals such as nightjars, servals, African wild cats, springhares and owls.
Day 9: Johannesburg
It's time to head to Johannesburg. Along the way, you’ll take in amazing vistas at the 3 Rondavals viewpoint over Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes. This is a magnificent lookout where cloud cover is usually at a minimum. Your African safari adventure comes to an end when you arrive in Johannesburg this evening. If you’d like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Location

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