Beach & Wildlife Southern African Safari

The 15-day Beach and Wildlife African Safari travels to some of Southern Africa’s top destinations on an affordable accommodated and camping tour.

Highlights on this beach and wildlife safari include:

• A guided tour of the thundering Victoria Falls
• Game Viewing in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park
• Visit the scenic Matopos hills area and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins
• Spend time on Mozambique’s beaches, Vilaculos and Inhambane
• Stop at Massingir Dam and Limpopo Transfrontier National Park
• Game viewing in South Africa’s famous Kruger National Park

Experience the diverse natural and cultural wonders of Southern Africa on this budget safari combining the beach paradise of Mozambique with Big Five game viewing in Kruger and the thundering Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

DAY 1:  Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe you will be met and transferred to a selected overnight lodge. This afternoon we explore the mighty Victoria Falls on a guided tour.

Victoria Falls is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world and the largest sheet of falling water in the world. A thundering natural spectacle of plummeting water that makes an impressive mist of spray.

• Accommodation: Lodge (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant)

DAY 2 & 3:  Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe          

After breakfast we depart the famous Victoria Falls and make our way to Hwange National Park. The afternoon is spent on a game drive with a visit to the Painted Dogs Centre.

Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus very large and varied birdlife.  The whole of the next day is spent exploring this magnificent area.

• Distance: 290 km  / Departure:    08h00
• Lunch: a picnic spot en route
• Accommodation: Lodge Camping (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

DAY 4:  Hwange National Park to Matopos – Zimbabwe       

We leave the beauty of the Hwange National Park behind us and head to our overnight camp in the Matopos area. 

The Matopos Hills comprise an extraordinary collection of huge bare granite hills with gravity-defying boulders scattered all over the countryside to create a quite unique and rather mysterious landscape. The national park is famous for its outstanding views, San (bushman) painted caves, wildlife (especially the Black Eagle) and as the chosen burial place of Cecil Rhodes who named his favourite spot. We visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes on our way.

• Distance: 312 km / Departure:    08h00
• Lunch: a picnic spot en route
• Accommodation: Campsite (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5:  Matopos to Great Zimbabwe Ruins – Zimbabwe           

After breakfast on the morning of day five, we drive to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins via Gweru. We visit the ruins, before checking into our accommodation for the evening. 

The ruins, which according to an age-old legend were built to replicate the palace of the Queen of Sheba in Jerusalem, are a unique testimony to the Bantu civilization of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries. The ruins, which cover an area of 1800 acres, are some of the oldest and largest structures located in Southern Africa.

• Distance: 410 km / Departure: 08h00
• Lunch: picnic spot en route
• Accommodation: Camping (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6:  Great Zimbabwe Ruins to Mutare – Zimbabwe           

Today we leave Great Zimbabwe and drive to Mutare.  Located high in the mountains of the Eastern Highlands, Mutare is on the border of Mozambique and is Zimbabwe's gateway to the sea.

In this area known as the Eastern Highlands one enjoys rigorous mountain terrain and lush green forests. While sightseeing in the area you'll find vista views and rushing mountain streams teaming with fresh mountain trout.

• Distance: 334 km / Departure: 08h00
• Lunch: a picnic spot en route
• Accommodation: Inn (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7 & 8:  Mutare to Vilanculous – Mozambique            

On day seven we rise early, as today is the longest drive on our beach and wildlife safari.  We cross the border into Mozambique and head southwards to the coastal town of Vilanculous, which is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago.

The village Vilanculous is close to the beach and just about halfway between Maputo and Beira. Here you’ll find buzzing markets, restaurants, public phones, banks and quaint supermarkets.  The next day is at leisure to explore the village or just to relax on the beach.

• Distance: 566 km / Departure: 08h00
• Lunch: picnic spot en route
• Accommodation: Beach Resort Camping (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner / Breakfast

DAY 9 & 10:  Vilanculous to Inhambane – Mozambique         

After breakfast we drive along the coast to the sleepy and neat town of Inhambane. Hundreds of graceful dhows on the usually tranquil water are one of Inhambane's most obvious features. The town probably has the largest working fleet of Dhows on the East African coastline. We’ll spend the afternoon relaxing on one of these dhows. Inhambane also offers several points of interest for sight seeing, that you will have time for the next day.

• Distance: 250 km / Departure: 08h00
• Lunch: picnic spot en route
• Accommodation: Beach Lodge (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch / Breakfast

DAY 11:  Inhambane to Massingir – Mozambique                       

We leave the Mozambiquan coastline paradise behind us and drive in a north-westerly direction towards Massingir. We set up camp close to the Massingir Dam.

• Distance: 340 km / Departure: 08h00
• Lunch: picnic spot en route
• Accommodation: Camping (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 12 & 13:  Massingir to Kruger National Park – South Africa

An early morning getaway takes us back into South Africa via the and Limpopo Transfrontier National Park through the Giriyondo gate into the world-renowned Kruger National Park - South Africa’s most famous and biggest game reserve.

Kruger National Park has nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms that fuses with historical and archaeological sights - this is real Africa. The famous Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Truly the flagship of the South African National Parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. 

The following day we depart the camp at sunrise for a full day of game viewing in the park with the chance of spotting the ‘Big 5’ again, whilst making our way to one of the southern camps. Our last night in the park will be enjoyed around the campfire and typical South African Braai (BBQ)

• Distance: 180 km & 100km / Departure: 08h00
• Lunch: picnic spot en route
• Accommodation: Letaba and Skukuza Rest Camps or similar (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

DAY 14:  Kruger National Park to Johannesburg – South Africa                    

Today is our last day of this incredible African safari. We end our journey in the vibrant city of Johannesburg.

• Distance: 450 km / Departure: 08h00
• Lunch: picnic spot en route
• Accommodation: Lodge or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms & bar)
• Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 15: Johannesburg – South Africa                               

The Beach & Wildlife Southern African Safari ends after breakfast this morning, when you guide will bid you farewell. We hope to welcome you on one of our safari adventures again soon.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Tour Upgrade: This tour can be upgraded to an accommodated tour version. Please see full pricing for details or contact African Budget Safaris.