Kruger Park, Botswana and Vic Falls Camping Safari

This tour offers you everything from breathtaking sites to exciting adventure. The Safari  departs from Johannesburg, travels via the Panorama Route to the Kruger Park where we spend a few days in search of the Parks Wildlife including Africa's "Big 5".

We then head to the Hartebeespoort Dam before entering Botswana where we visit Nata and Maun from where we enter the Okavango Delta on a three night stay.  We spend out days in the Delta in search of the animals found in this Reserve and chilling out in the natural pools of the Okavango Waterways.

We travel to Chobe National Park on of Botswana's premier parks famed for its large Elephant Population. We then head across the border of Zimbabwe to the Adventure Capital of Southern Africa, the mighty Victoria Falls. You will have the opportunity to partake in  host of adventure activities on offer including white water rafting, canoe Safaris and Elephant Back Safaris amoungst others.

The tour ends with a two day trip back from the Falls across Botswana with our end destination been Johannesburg, South Africa.

Day 1: Panoramic route - Blyde river canyon (South Africa)

The tour departs early morning from Johannesburg and Pretoria from where we pick clients up from any backpackers hostel, guest house or hotel. We will stop en-route for breakfast (own cost), after which we continue to Nelspruit (if there are clients to pick up) or alternatively through Dullstroom and Lydenburg to Graskop where we stop for lunch (own cost). After lunch we drive through the panoramic route in the northern Drakensberg mountains, where we stop at God's Window, Bourke Luck Potholes and the third largest canyon in the world - the Blyde River Canyon, where we stop at the Three Rondawels view point.
Accommodation (Camping): Camping at a private lodge
Accommodation (Bedded): Private lodge
Included meals: Dinner

Day 2: Kruger National Park (South Africa)

A very short drive takes us to Orpen gate which is the most central gate to Kruger national park, where we arrive as the gates open. Kruger is home to 147 mammal (including the Big 5), 114 reptile and 502 bird species. You will be transferred to open sided 4 x 4 game viewing vehicles (on arrival at the park) in which we will do game drives. Kruger national park is the same size as Israel, Wales or Netherlands and contains different vegetation types, that attracts different animals to different areas of the park.
    
Therefore we spend as much time on game drives as possible, so that we give ourselves a better chance of seeing different animal and bird species. We concentrate the game drives around the central region of the park, where we have a better chance of seeing the big cats and a large variety of other animals.

Breakfast and lunch will be prepared by your guide and enjoyed at one of the many picnic sites inside Kruger national park. The guides will also stop at various view points and hides inside the park.

At sunset you will start with a 3 hour night drive, done in a Kruger national park open sided game viewing vehicle with a Kruger guide.
Accommodation (Camping): Camping inside Kruger national park
Accommodation (Bedded): Private lodge
Included meals: 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. We will enjoy our breakfast and lunch at the various picnic sites inside the Kruger National Park.
Accommodation (Camping): Camping inside Kruger national park
Accommodation (Bedded): Private lodge
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Hartbeespoort (South Africa)

This is our final morning in Kruger national park. This morning you have the opportunity of doing an optional game walk inside Kruger national park with two Kruger park armed guides. Game walks is not about seeing the animals, as you are guaranteed to see much more animals and much closer on a game drive than on a game walk. Game walks are about the smaller things normally not seen from the vehicles.

The clients who are not doing a game walk, will head out on a final short game drive (done in a closed vehicle), searching for the animals not yet seen or photographed.

We then head for a private lodge just outside Kruger national park, where we will enjoy a home cooked breakfast. From here we drive to Johannesburg & Pretoria where some clients will be dropped off, and then to Hartbeespoort, where we stay the night at a backpackers lodge in the valley below the mountains.
Accommodation: Backpackers lodge
Included meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Nata (Botswana)

We depart early morning heading north towards the Botswana border. Your guide will stop en-route for breakfast (own cost), banks and last minute shopping while still on the South African side of the border. The guide will assist you with changing money after you have crossed the border into Botswana. From where we head further north to Nata, where we camp the night.
Accommodation: Camping with the option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Dinner

Day 6: Maun (Botswana)

We get up in the early morning for breakfast after which we head west along the northern most border of the Kalahari Desert to the town of Maun arriving around midday. Maun is the official gateway to the Okavango Delta. In the town we stock up on supplies for our adventure into the Okavango Delta.

We will spend the night a few kilometres outside the town at Sitatunga campsite. During the afternoon you can relax at the campsite pool or visit a crocodile farm in the area which has crocodiles from 10cm in length to 4 meters!

Accommodation: Camping with the option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 7, 8, 9: Okavango Delta (Botswana)

The Okavango Delta is the jewel of Botswana and one of the top destinations for travellers to Southern Africa. The Delta is made up of a series of rivers, flood plains and waterways that gets its water from the plains of Angola during the rainy season. It takes a good 6 months for the waters to make their way down into the Okavango Delta. Not only is the Delta a visual delight but it is also home to an abundance of fauna and flora. (Including some amazing birdlife). If you focus is on game viewing then the best time to visit the Delta is during the winter months (May - September when the water levels are at their highest. During the summer months the birdlife is spectacular but the wildlife is less abundant as they migrate north where there is more water.

We head out of Maun after breakfast in 4x4 open sided game viewing vehicles which will take us into the National Park to the edge of the waterways. We dismount the vehicles and meet our local guides (Also referred to as polers). We will load all out possessions into traditional dugout canoes known as mokoros. The polers will then guide us deep into the Delta along the waterways.

The camping we do in the Okavango is a real bush experience. The reason for this is that there are no official campsites in the concession we make use of. This means that there will be no showers, electricity, fences, running water or buildings. We camp in traditional Bush Camps with only the supplies we bring with us. After we set up camp we enjoy a light lunch. We generally cool off this time of day as it tends to be very warm. (Especially in the summer months). The delta has some great natural pools that act as swimming pools for us. These natural pools come with white sand and crystal clear water a pool experience you will not forget in a hurry! In the mornings we will do a game walk as well as in the late afternoon. We will search for the wide variety of animal life that call the Delta home. The guides we make use of are experts in the area and will give you a full overview of the fauna and flora and the Okavango Ecosystem. Game viewing on foot in the Delta is a true wildlife experience.

We enjoy our dinner and then it's time to relax around the campfire listening to the sounds of the Delta as a backdrop. It is often the case where we hear Lions roaring, hyenas and jackals crying and the sound of the elephants rumble.

On the last day you will start your morning with a morning game walk after a cup of coffee. After the walk it's time for breakfast before we break down of campsite and return back to the 4x4 vehicles via our mokoros.

On our return to Maun the guide will prepare lunch. In the afternoon you will have the chance to do a 1 hour flight over the Delta. (At your own expense). The amount of game you will see by air is amazing and it's the perfect time to take some photos of this amazing ecosystem.
Accommodation - Days 7 & 8: Free bush camping
Accommodation - Day 9: Camping with the option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Nata (Botswana)

In the morning after our breakfast we depart for Nata or Elephant Sands ( This will depend on the guide and availability). You will spend the afternoon at your own leisure.

Accommodation: Camping with the option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: 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 12: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

This overland trip is the only scheduled tour offered by a budget tour operator to include two game drives into Chobe. At sunrise we head off on our second and very early morning game drive into Chobe park, in search of the animals that have thus far evaded us. 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 13 & 14: 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 14 (own account).
Accommodation: Camping (option upgrade to bedded)
Meals included: Day 13 Breakfast, Dinner
Meals included: Day 14 Breakfast

Day 15: 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.
Accommodation:
Camping (option upgrade to bedded)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16: 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

Accommodation description:

On the Kruger National Park stretch of the safari trip, you can choose to camp or sleep in bedded accommodation.

Kruger National Park (Camping option):
 
We camp, with the option of upgrading to bedded accommodation at the same lodge, on the first night at a private lodge. Guests sleep in safari tents that have been permanently erected at the lodge. The tents are spacious at 3m x 3m with 2 mattresses the size of single beds in each. Guests will need to bring their own sleeping bags. The safari tents are fitted with mosquito netting in the windows and entrance for the comfort of guests. You will be served a three course dinner on the first night of staying at the lodge.
We depart for Kruger park the following morning, where we settle in at a permanent campsite inside the game park. The campsite has separate bathroom facilities for male and female visitors with a permanent supply of hot water.
The tents in this campsite are also permanently set-up on platforms and fitted with two single bed mattresses each. At this camp we also have tent dedicated to kitchen facilities fitted with gas stoves and a refrigerator ensuring that foods are kept fresh and drinks chilled.

Kruger National Park (Bedded accommodation):
 
The guests staying in the bedded accommodation on this package will continue to stay at the private lodge for the rest of the time spent in Kruger park. 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. Full days will be spent exploring the park with evenings spent back at the lodge where you will be served three course dinners.

First night camping and remainder in bedded accommodation:

Children from the neighbouring rural villages often dance at the lodge as part of their own initiative. The children's dance group developed their own dance and song routine requesting permission from the lodge to perform for guests at the lodge. The lodge showed its support for the kids group by making traditional dancing outfits for them to perform in and welcomed them to perform for the lodge's guests. These children are self-supporting, earning tips from guests at the lodge from their singing and dancing. The lodge does not pay the children to perform and at times the children are unable to make performances, although this is seldom the case.

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.

Accommodation Description Botswana Section:

We make use of camping for our accommodation for section.
It is important to note that at each campsite we make use of along our journey you will have the opportunity to upgrade to a private room, chalet etc.
If you choose to upgrade we will pay the camping rate and you will pay the upgrade balance. It is not possible to book an upgrade beforehand and will need to be done en-route. Your guide will assist you in this matter.
We provide all camping equipment except for sleeping bags which you will need to bring along. ( We can provide a sleeping bag for you at a small additional fee).

Accommodation in the Delta

We will be making use of Bush Style camping for our stay in the Delta. What this entails is us finding a cluster of trees along the delta's waterway that is suitable for setting up camp. This is a true wild experience with no electricity, bathrooms, buildings or fences! The only items that we will have are those we will bring along with us.
For the toilet the local guides will dig a hole and construct a toilet. It is important to note that there will be no showers while we are in the Delta, but the delta will provide natural swimming pools for us in crystal clear water! (A swim is a must especially during the hot afternoon).
No upgrades available while in the Delta.
   
Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls stretch:
 
Camping is the accommodation included for this section.
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).

Note:

You can end this tour after breakfast on day 15 in Victoria Falls if required.

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