Kruger, Chobe and Vic Falls Camping Safari

This Kruger, Chobe and Vic Falls Safari departs from Johannesburg and heads for a private safari camp near Kruger Park stopping to visit the Hoedspruit Cheetah Centre along the way. 

We will spend a few days in search of the abundance of wildlife found in Kruger Park including Africa's "Big 5" and experience a thrilling night drive in wildlife-rich Thornybush Game Reserve. Leaving the vast Kruger Park behind us me make our way along the scenic Panorama Route to the impressive Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondawels viewpoint. 

It's then off across the Botswana Border to Chobe National Park, famous for the large heards of Elephant that call the park home.

We cross the border into Zimbabwe and head for the mightly Victoria Falls where you will get the oppurtunity to partake in a host of adventure activities including Elephant Back Safaris, White Water Rafting and Canoe Safaris to name a few.

This southern African wildlife tour ends back in Johannesburg.

Day 1: Johannesburg to Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre - South Africa

This Kruger, Chobe and Vic Falls Safari tour departs from Johannesburg and Pretoria in South Africa leaving from requested backpackers, guesthouse or hotels early in the morning. 

We stop for breakfast along the way, before heading to Nelspruit where we collect any additional passengers joining the tour. Otherwise we continue straight to the Hoedspruit Cheetah Centre via Dullstroom and Lydenburg, arriving in time for lunch at the centre. After lunch we enjoy a guided tour of the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, formerly the Kapama Cheetah Centre. 

Hoedspruit is a breeding and conservation centre for the endangered cheetah and other rare and endangered African wildlife species. The wildlife centre takes care of vulnerable, orphaned and injured cheetahs and other wild animals, rehabilitating them for reintroduction into the wild. In addition to breeding and treating rare wild animals, the Hoedspruit Centre serves as an education facility informing people about conservation and Africa’s wildlife.

After our informative tour at the Cheetah Centre we head to our exclusive safari camp 30 minutes from Kruger National Park's Orpen Gate. A wide diversity of wild animals including zebra, giraffe, wildebeest, impala, bushbuck and nyala are often sighted at the camp.

After sunset we embark on an exhilarating night game drive in one of the neighbouring big five game reserves, within the Greater Kruger National Park. The night drive is conducted by a knowledgeable guide and offers exceptional game viewing. Returning to the safari camp we spend the night listening to the sounds of nearby wildlife while relaxing around the campfire after dinner in the open-air boma.

Included meals: Dinner

Day 2: Kruger National Park - South Africa

In the morning a short drive brings us to the main entrance of Kruger National Park, known as Orpen gate. Early departure ensures our arrival at Orpen as the gates are opening. Kruger Park is South Africa's premier game reserve, home to the famous Big 5 African animals. The game reserve boasts some 147 mammal, 114 reptile and 502 bird species. When we arrive at Kruger we will be transferring to an open sided safari vehicle, a customized 4x4, in which we will do our game viewing drives.

The Kruger National Park is a vast expanse of wilderness of roughly 20,000 km2. The Park is about the size of Israel, the Netherlands or Wales. Due to its sprawling size the reserve spans several different vegetation types, each forming the habitat of different wild animals adapted to the various areas of the park. Most of our time in Kruger is spent on game drives giving us the best opportunity to see the different animal and bird species that live in the various zones of the reserve. We focus on the central region of the park, as this is where chances of seeing the big cats and a large variety of other animals on our game drives are best.

You will get to stop throughout your game drives at the various view points and hides of the Kruger Park. Both breakfast and lunch will be prepared by the guide/s on your trip, so you can sit back and enjoy your meals in the African surrounds of Kruger at one of the picnic stops.

Camping accommodation: Camping in permanent dome tents at private safari camp near Kruger Park. 
Bedded accommodation: Upgrade to bedded camping in walk-in safari tents with en suite bathrooms at private safari camp.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Kruger National Park - South Africa

Its up early for our morning cup of coffee before we head into the Kruger National Park in our open-sided game viewing vehicle. We will spend most of the day in search of the Kruger's wildlife, keeping an eye out for any wildlife we may have missed on our previous game drives. We will enjoy our breakfast and lunch at the various picnic sites inside Kruger National Park.

In the evening you have the option of taking another night game drive in the wildlife-rich Thornybush Private Game Reserve (at extra cost).

Camping accommodation: Camping in permanent dome tents at private safari camp near Kruger Park. 
Bedded accommodation: Upgrade to bedded camping in walk-in safari tents with en suite bathrooms at private safari camp.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Kruger to Blyde River Canyon & Hartbeespoort - South Africa

We leave our safari camp near Kruger Park early in the morning, pausing for breakfast along the way before travelling through one of the most scenic parts of South Africa, the Panaroma Route. Reaching the impressive Blyde River Canyon, the third largest canyon in the world, we stop at the Three Rondawels viewpoint to admire the spectacular views. 

From the Panoramic Route we head northwest to Hartbeespoort, where we overnight at a backpacker lodge located on a game farm in a valley flanked by the Magaliesberg Mountains.

Accommodation: Bedded Accommodation at Backpacker Lodge on a game farm
Included meals: Breakfast packs

Day 5: Nata - Botswana

Early in the morning we set off northwards in the direction of the Botswana-South Africa border. We will stop for breakfast en-route (at your own cost). We also stop for last minute shopping and banking inside South Africa, before crossing the border. Once in Botswana, your guide will help you with currency exchange. We keep heading north for a night of camping in Nata.

Accommodation: Camping (optional upgrade to bedded)
Meals included: Dinner only

Day 6: Chobe National Park - Botswana

An early morning start sees us continuing in a northerly direction, through the Kasane forest. It is here in the Kasane forest that we will almost certainly get to see herds of roaming elephants. Visitors frequently see various antelopes and even lion, wild dog and hyena. At around noon we arrive in Kasane, where we will set up camp on the shores of the Chobe River. We will sleep in the campsite, located close to the gate of Chobe National Park. This stop is the perfect chance for you to relax at the swimming pool or get those last minute things done, such as changing some money.

In the afternoon we enter Chobe park and enjoy a game drive in an open-air safari vehicle. The game drives are always a great success with Chobe National Park being well known for its great numbers and wide variety of wildlife making for some very impressive game viewing. After spotting large numbers of wildlife we get to enjoy dinner, served back at the camp.

Accommodation: Camping (optional upgrade to bedded)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

A short drive after breakfast and we reach the border, crossing into Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls is an hours drive further, which is where we spend the following three nights. We will be staying within 10 minutes walk from everything, at a campsite in the heart of the town. The tour guide will help you if you want to make bookings for the extra activities and also to assist with changing money. On one of the three days spent here we will go to the Victoria Falls waterfall as part of the paid trip. At 1700 meters (1,1 mile) wide, Vic Falls is a spectacular sight to behold. This waterfall is recorded as the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Victoria Falls is also classed as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

We take a sunset cruise in the late afternoon on the mighty Zambezi River. This relaxing experience is almost certain to present you with many fantastic photo opportunities of the river at sunset, weather cooperating. The river forms the natural border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Zambezi is flanked by national parks on both sides of the river, giving us a fantastic opportunity to game watch. Numerous animals and birds are often seen at the water's edge bathing and drinking.

The animals sighted from the riverboat include elephants, zebra, blue wildebeest, rhino, buffalo and a variety of antelope species. It goes without saying that hippo and crocodile are found in abundance in this part of Africa. On the cruise drinks, including all soft drinks, wine and beer, are included in the trip cost.

Camping (optional upgrade to bedded)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 & 9: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

At Victoria Falls and surrounds there are plenty of different activities and attractions to keep you entertained. There will be ample time at Vic Falls to explore the town at your leisure, meet the local people or lounge by the swimming pool.

There will also be loads of time to visit the African markets to shop for authentic arts and crafts made out of beads, wood and stone at affordable prices.

The Victoria Falls area is considered the adventure capital of Africa and rightly so. Around Victoria Falls there are a large variety of exciting activities to choose from including bungi jumping and elephant back safaris. On the Zambezi River you can take a white water rafting excursion, considered by some to be the best one-day rafting trip in the world. There is the 111-meter high bungi jump off the bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia to tempt the adventurous. If the elephant back safari is not what you're looking for, you can go on one of the horse riding safaris. The optional day trips take you into one of the national parks, fishing, or on game walks. There are also scenic flights over the Victoria Falls waterfall, or for water sports enthusiasts there are canoe safaris. Enjoy eating out at a local restaurant for dinner on day 9 (own account).

Accommodation: Camping (option upgrade to bedded)
Meals included: Day 8 Breakfast, Dinner
Meals included: Day 9 Breakfast

Day 10: Palapye - Botswana

After a light breakfast we depart from Victoria Falls crossing into Botswana once more to drive southwards stopping for lunch on the way to Palapye, where the next night is spent. We stop for lunch (own cost) along the way.

Accommodation: Camping (option upgrade to bedded)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Return to Johannesburg & Pretoria - South Africa

Early morning departure puts us on the road heading south and back over the border into South Africa. In Johannesburg and Pretoria the guide will take you to your choice of backpackers hostel, hotel, guesthouse or to the airport, making en-route stops for breakfast and lunch (your own account).

Meals Included: None of the meals are included on day 11

Accommodation Description:

Kruger National Park (Accommodation options):

We camp in tents with the option of upgrading to bedded camping accommodation at the same safari camp, during our time at Kruger Park.

The safari camp is set on a 40-hectare property where an abundance of wild animals roam freely. The camp is home to giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, impala, nyala, bushbuck and kudu amongst other wildlife. At night the roaring of nearby lions and the eerie calls of hyena and jackal drift to camp from the neighboring Big 5 game reserves.

Standard Camping Accommodation: In twelve 3m x 3m dome tents, with zip-up mosquito nets covering the windows and doors. The tents feature permanent built-in floors and two single bed mattresses with clean fitted sheets. Camping clients can hire a sleeping bag for the once off fee of R60 if required. 



Bedded Camping Accommodation:  In seven walk-in safari tents, with en-suite bathrooms each including a shower, toilet and washbasin. Every safari tent is raised on wooden floors and equipped with a fan and small fridge. All tents feature two single beds, including bedding, and a wooden deck overlooking the small river. The tents are fitted with zip-up mosquito nets covering the doors, as well as having mosquito nets over the beds. 



The guides prepare dinner in the camp’s well-equipped kitchen, featuring a communal fridge for clients’ beverages. Meals are enjoyed around an open fireplace under the stars (weather permitting), or under the shelter of the thatched boma when it rains. 

We will depart for the gates of Kruger National Park early in the mornings to ensure that we arrive at the gates as they open. A full day will be spent exploring the Kruger Park with evenings spent back at the private safari camp relaxing around the campfire. 

Backpackers Lodge, Hartbeespoort:
 
The Hartbeespoort backpackers Lodge is set on an 8-hectare property in a farming district, outside of both town and city. The backpackers' property is located at the foot of the Magaliesberg Mountains in a scenic valley.
Dependent on availability single guests will sleep in small dormitories, single rooms, or twin rooms with 2 single beds sharing a bathroom. Couples will be accommodated in either a double or twin room with or without bathroom, depending again on availability.

The guide or driver will stop at a supermarket so that guests can shop for fresh food or get take-away food on this day, as dinner is not included. Cooking facilities are available at the backpackers lodge for guests to cater for themselves. Alternatively guests can choose to dine at one of the local restaurants, with the driver taking you to and collecting you from your choice of eatery.
   
Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls stretch:
 
Camping is the accommodation included on this tour.

Every camp we stay at on this tour offers a variety of chalets, private rooms and bedded accommodation. Therefore clients do have the option to upgrade from camping accommodation to bedded accommodation. The Guide will pay the camping rate and clients who upgrade their accommodation will be asked to pay the balance. Upgrades depend on availability and cannot be booked in advance. You can change to bedded on the tour, once you have arrived and viewed the bedded accommodation.

You will be provided with all camping equipment, except sleeping bags (available for hire).

Please Note:

• It is possible to end the tour in Victoria Falls after breakfast on day 9.
• This tour can be done in reverse order visiting Chobe Park, then Victoria Falls and lastly Kruger Park.

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