20 Day Tour Zimbabwe & Kruger Park Safari

From Johannesburg in South Africa this 20-day Zimbabwe & Kruger Park Camping Safari travels through Botswana to Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park for excellent game viewing drives.

Next it’s off to Victoria Falls National Park where we witness the spectacular Vic Falls and choose from thrilling adventure activities, from Zambezi White Water Rafting and Walking with Lions to Helicopters Flights over Vic Falls and Elephants Back Safaris to name a few!

Then you canoe down the Lower Zambezi, bird watching and game viewing in Zambia's Lower Zambezi National Park as you glide along. Camp on islands in the mighty Zambezi surrounded by untamed nature in this scenic wilderness area.

This budget Zimbabwe & Kruger Camping Tour visits Lake Kariba, mysterious watery caves, towering mountains and a tropical rainforest, as well as the impressive Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

Take a game drive in Matobo National Park, home to numerous Black and White rhinos and explore this culturally important area strewn with imposing granite hills. Travel back to South Africa and Johannesburg from where our safari adventure takes us to a private game reserve just south of Kruger Park.

Embark on an evening game drive and morning bush walk in the Private Game Reserve, home to a variety of wildlife including four of Africa's Big Five.

Spend two nights camping inside Kruger National Park at one of the main rest camps. We explore Kruger Park on game viewing drives in 4x4 safari vehicles looking out for the Big Five in this world-renowned wilderness area. 

Leaving the vast Kruger Park, teeming with wildlife, we return to Johannesburg via some of Mpumalanga’s spectacular heritage sites including Blyde River Canyon – the 3rd largest canyon in the world, God’s Window, the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes, along the scenic Panoramic Route.

Day 1: Johannesburg to Francistown – South Africa to Botswana

This 20-day Zimbabwe & Kruger Park Safari departs from Johannesburg in South Africa on day one, travelling northeast to Francistown in Botswana en route to Zimbabwe.

After a long days drive we arrive in Francistown, our first overnight stop.  We stay just outside of Francistown at a popular hotel campsite, set on the banks of the Tati River amongst old trees and sprawling lawns. The hotel features a restaurant, swimming pool, riverside bar, casino and a gym.

Southern Africa’s first ‘gold-rush’ took place in Francistown in the late 1800’s and today it’s a cotemporary African city with much to offer visitors. Botswana’s second biggest city, Francistown has an exciting nightlife boasting numerous jazz clubs, attractions and casinos.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe

We take the short drive from Francistown to the border of Zimbabwe arriving at the Hwange National Park in a few hours.

Our game viewing adventure starts as soon as we arrive in Hwange, our first wildlife destination and Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve. We head into the bush in an open 4x4 safari vehicle in search of the abundance of wildlife inhabiting this 14650 sq km game park.

Hwange Park is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, as well as all of Zimbabwe’s endangered species. The game park hosts more than 100 mammalian species, including one of the world’s largest populations of endangered wild dog, and 400 bird species. The Big Five of Africa – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant - are found in Hwange alongside cheetah, hyena, zebra and giraffe.

We stay at a safari camp inside Hwange National Park, with shared ablutions and hot showers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Hwange National Park & Victoria Falls National Park – Zimbabwe

On day three of this Zimbabwe & Kruger Camping Safari we get an early morning start, venturing back out into Hwange Game Park on another game drive in search of exciting wildlife encounters. We return to our camp for lunch before heading north to Victoria Falls.

Next we explore Victoria Falls National Park to view the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.  Experience the thundering sound and impressive spray that gives the Falls its local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya which means the "Smoke that Thunders".

Witnessing the mighty Vic Falls is an awe inspiring experience as the Zambezi River plummets over 100 feet into the gorge below forming the largest curtain of falling water in the world at 1,7km wide. The impressive smoke-like spray rises up to 400 meters high over Victoria Falls making the mist visible from as far as 50 km away!

After admiring the unforgettable Victoria Falls we visit one of the local adventure operators to choose from the numerous activities available. Tonight we enjoy dinner at one of the local restaurants in Victoria Falls town. Our overnight campsite is situated a mere 2km’s from Vic Falls in the town of Victoria Falls. The shaded camp features a large swimming pool, spacious lawns, a gift shop and a restaurant.

Optional Activity:  Dinner Out

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

Today is free for you to participate in some of the numerous exciting adventure activities available in the Victoria Falls area. 

A popular choice is the Zambezi River White Water Rafting at Vic Falls, said to be some of the best white water rafting in the world. There are however plenty of other thrilling activities to choose from including Walking with Lions, Elephant Back Safaris, Gorge Swinging, Microlight and Scenic Helicopter flights over the Falls, Bungee Jumping and the list continues…

Our overnight stay is at the comfortable rest camp in Victoria Falls.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Livingstone and Zambezi River - Zambia

We depart from Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe early in the morning crossing from Zimbabwe into Zambia over the historical railway bridge at Victoria Falls. The bridge, completed in 1905, was constructed at Cecil John Rhodes request to engulf crossing railway carriages in the spray from Victoria Falls.

Reaching Zambia we make a short stop in Livingstone to collect any extra passengers joining us here, before continuing east on our long journey. Our evening camp is located at the mighty Zambezi River from where we will be embarking an exciting canoe adventure on the Lower Zambezi, renowned for its excellent canoeing.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Lower Zambezi National Park Canoe Trip - Zambia 

Early in the morning we pack up the equipment that we will need on our canoe trip, trying to keep our baggage to a minimum. Leaving civilization behind we set off on the Zambezi River making our way into the Lower Zambezi National Park by canoe.

In Zambia you experience one of Africa’s truly untamed wilderness areas spotting an abundance of birds and various wild animals as you glide quietly on the river.

As we canoe through the scenic Lower Zambezi Park you are likely to see hippos, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, antelopes and baboons, as well as a rich variety of birds. This beautiful wilderness area is also home to lion, leopard, wild dog, hyena, zebra, serval cat and warthog.

Tonight we camp out in the bush on an island surrounded by the open floodplains, riverine trees and wooded hills inhabited by a variety of wild animals. You will be immersed in unspoiled nature on this unique wildlife experience!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Lower Zambezi National Park - Zambia 

On our second day of canoeing on the Lower Zambezi River we continue downstream, going along with the current, which does not take much effort!

For hours at a time you can simply drift along letting the river carry you through the magnificent scenery as you enjoy one of the most unobtrusive ways of game viewing and bird watching - from your canoe. If temperatures or water levels are too high we usually spend two days on Lake Kariba in a houseboat, instead of canoeing on the Zambezi.

We spend another night camping on an island in the Zambezi, enjoying the tranquillity of Africa’s wild bush and keeping an eye out for roaming wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Lake Kariba – Zambia

We finish our Zambezi canoe trip in the morning and make our way to Lake Kariba where you will have the time to relax at this famous lake. 

In the evening there is the chance to enjoy an optional Lake Kariba sunset cruise. Kariba is the largest artificial lake in the world. Lake Kariba was filled between 1958 and 1963 following the completion of the Kariba dam. 

Optional Activity:  Sunset cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Chinhoyi Caves – Zimbabwe

Today we cross back into Zimbabwe at the Chirundu Border, a process that can sometimes take quite long.

We take a short drive to our next stop Chinhoyi, from Chirundu. Chinhoyi is known for its superb cave diving in a series of limestone and dolomite caves, the largest cave system open to the public in Zimbabwe. These deep freshwater caves (up to 150 m in depth) have a dark and mysterious history and are of spiritual significance to the local people.

We overnight in Chinhoyi Caves National Park at a campsite that has shared ablutions with showers, baths, toilets and hot water.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10: Harare and Chimanimani National Park – Zimbabwe

Departing from the intriguing caves of Chinhoyi we cover the 71km drive south to Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital city.

We stop off in Harare to stock up on supplies, explore this compact city and have lunch at a local restaurant. Despite the negative image the press has given Harare over the last 10 years, you will find it to be a surprisingly safe and modern African city. 

From Harare we travel to the mountainous Eastern Highlands and the Chimanimani National Park. 

The towering Chimanimani Mountain range, reaching over 2400 meters at its highest peak, is a wild and unspoiled wilderness area, ranking among Zimbabwe’s best reserves. One of the lesser-known travel destinations in Zimbabwe, this scenic mountain range forms the border between Zimbabwe and neighbouring Mozambique.

In the late afternoon we will visit the popular Bridal Veil Falls, on a short walk (if time allows). The Bridal Veil Falls drops some 50m’s into a 10m wide base and are located in an area offering stunning views of the Porkpie mountain range. The Chimanimani Mountains are known for the excellent hiking trails and spectacular scenery.

We spend the night at a Chimanimani National Park Camp at the foot of the mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 11: Chirinda Forest – Zimbabwe

On day 11 of our Zimbabwe Exploration you can choose between a full day of hiking in Chimanimani or visit Chirinda Forest on a day trip.

Chirinda is Africa’s southernmost tropical rainforest and the only rainforest in Zimbabwe to lie on the Mozambique Border.

The Chirinda Forest Reserve covers about 950 hectares of evergreen forest and is home to impressive giant mahogany trees. We take a short hike to ‘The Big Tree’ of Chirinda, a pleasant walk to a lovely picnic spot where we enjoy lunch.

We will camp at our Chimanimani National Park Camp again tonight.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12: Great Zimbabwe Ruins - Zimbabwe

Today we drive to the magnificent Great Ruins of Zimbabwe. This a top highlight of any trip to Zimbabwe, a visit to the world-renowned Great Zimbabwe Ruins is a must.

The Great Ruins of Zimbabwe is a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating from about the 11^th century.

This large complex of ruins once served as the trading centre of the vast Munhumutapa Empire. The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are considered the most important and biggest stone ruins in sub-Saharan Africa.

There has been much speculation over who built the majestic ruins, said to be remnants of the Shona civilisation. Zimbabwe is named after these important archaeological ruins that stand as proof of the capabilities of African people.

The ruins are constructed out of large granite stones without the use of mortar. Covering 720 hectares the massive walls of the ruins reach up to 10 metres high and 5 metres thick, testament to the building skill of its creators. The famous soapstone sculptures of eight Zimbabwe birds used to perch on the walls of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins and today these birds are featured on the Zimbabwean National Flag. 

Tonight we camp on the lovely grounds of an inn a few km’s from the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The inn is set in a beautiful garden on a hill overlooking Lake Mtirikwe and features a restaurant, swimming pool and bar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 13 / 14: Matobo - Matopos National Park

A long drive through Zimbabwe takes us to the Greater Matopos National Park area.

We enjoy a full day game drive with a local operator in the Greater Matopos Park. We head towards the Matobo Hills where we view Bushman rock paintings, rock formations and the dramatic scenery in the National Park.

The Matobo Hills area is historically and culturally significant, as well as being an important wildlife reserve, particularly for rhino conservation. This dramatic landscape dotted with imposing granite hills is home to hundreds of san rock paintings and is a sacred site of the Ndebele tribe, whose rain shrine to the god of their ancestors is found tucked away in the Matobo Hills.

We briefly leave the National Park to visit some African Villages where we have the opportunity to meet the local communities. Re-entering the Game Park part of the National Park, we track Rhino on foot with our local guides, as well as looking out for other game.

Matobo National Park is home to a highly successful Black and White Rhino breeding program. In addition to large numbers of rhinos Matobo Park is home to various antelope species, an abundance of birds, a high diversity of plant species and leopard, baboon and lizards.

The Matobo National Park is also the burial place of colonialist founder of Rhodesia Cecil John Rhodes. In the afternoon we visit his grave, a politically contentious place as imperialist Rhodes was buried on sacred Nebele grounds at his own request.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 15: Bulawayo to Messina – Zimbabwe to South Africa

In the morning we stop off at the Bulawayo History Museum to get a glimpse into Zimbabwe’s past, before travelling south into South Africa.

Crossing the border at Buitbridge, at times a lengthy procedure, we head into the Limpopo Province to the border town Messina where we camp overnight.

The campsite is tucked away in mopani, red bushwillow and jakkalsberrie trees in an area dotted with big baobab trees. Camp facilities include a restaurant, café, bar and shop, as well as swimming and minerals pools, tennis courts and a bowling green.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 16: Johannesburg – South Africa

In the morning we set off early driving along the Great North Road to our last stop, the dynamic city of Johannesburg.

We travel south through the changing landscapes of northern South Africa passing from open bushveld dotted with giant baobabs to fields of citrus and maize and then into the densely populated and industrialised Highveld and Gauteng Province, the economic powerhouse of South Africa.

Along the way we pass through Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital city, known as Jacaranda city because of the lovely Jacaranda trees growing here.

In bustling Johannesburg, the City of Gold, you have the option of eating out at one of the many excellent restaurants in the evening. Our overnight stay is in twin rooms at a comfortable guest house with lovely gardens and free internet access, located just east of Johannesburg.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 17: Johannesburg to Kwa Madwale Reserve – South Africa

This Zimbabwe & Kruger Park adventure departs from Johannesburg early in the morning, heading east towards the world-renowned Kruger National Park via the scenic Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.

In the afternoon we arrive at our first game-viewing destination in South Africa, the Kwa Madwale Game Reserve, just south of Kruger Park.

We have time to settle in and relax before embarking on our thrilling game drive, a three-hour long exploration that lasts into the evening. This is an excellent time for game viewing, as many wild animals are at their most active in the early evening when the heat is subsiding and predators start prowling. We keep a look out for nocturnal animals that start stirring and keep the cameras ready to catch exciting wildlife encounters.

Returning from our exhilarating evening game drive we enjoy dinner and a traditional dance performance at our affordable, yet comfortable safari lodge. Tonight we stay in dorm rooms at this spacious safari lodge located in Kwa Madwale Game Reserve, overlooking an active watering hole. Lodge features include an outdoor dining boma, a well-equipped games room and swimming pool, as well as a bar, lounge and dining area.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

About Kwa Madwala Game Reserve

The Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve, covering 4000 hectares of wilderness, is home to healthy populations of four of Africa’s Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant and rhino (buffalo being the Big Five animal missing). This well-managed independent game park is inhabited by a wide variety of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles and herds of zebra, wildebeest and various antelope species such as impala, kudu and nyala.

Day 18: Kruger National Park – South Africa

Our day starts with an early morning coffee and rusks, before venturing into the bush with a ranger on an exciting morning game walk in Kwa Madwala Game Reserve. The guided bush walk is an excellent opportunity to get a closer look at the bush, learning more about the plants, insects and smaller animals in the game reserve.

After our bush walk adventure we depart for Kruger National Park, South Africa’s premier national park.

We enter Kruger Park and make our way to our overnight camp inside Kruger Park. Once we have set up camp we head into this world-class game park on an afternoon game drive in our safari truck. Our Kruger game drive takes us in search of the abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five of Africa, found in this vast wilderness area.

Our elevated safari truck offers better views out over the game park, improving your chances of sighting game and big cats that would otherwise be hidden in the bush.

Returning from our rewarding game drive we spend the night camping in one of Kruger Park’s main rest camps, boasting an array of facilities and amenities to ensure your comfort. The rest camp generally used for our overnight stay features a swimming pool and all rest camps are fenced in to keep you safe from roaming predators.

Optional Activities: Night game drives with SANP Game Ranger (Subject to availability)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 19: Kruger National Park  

On day nineteen we spend a full day game viewing in Kruger Park, teeming with wildlife. Our game drives are conducted in an open 4x4 safari vehicle designed to maximize photographic opportunities and views of the wildlife encountered.

We look out for any wild animals that have not been spotted yet, especially Africa’s iconic Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) as well as numerous other game and bird species found in Kruger Park.

We spend another night camping inside Kruger National Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

About Kruger National Park

South Africa’s flagship game park, Kruger Park, covers almost 2 million hectares of South African Lowveld. Considered one of the best safari destinations in Africa, Kruger Park is also recognized as a world leader in terms of its wildlife management practices and environmental policies.

Kruger Park protects an unrivalled diversity of plant and animal species, including around 336 tree species, 49 fish species, 34 amphibian species, 114 species of reptiles, 507 bird and 147 mammal species.

Day 20: Panorama Route – Johannesburg

On the last day of this fantastic Zimbabwe & Kruger Park Tour we depart from Kruger National travelling back to the vibrant city of Johannesburg. 

Our return drive takes us via the Panorama Route through the rugged northern Drakensberg mountain range, one of the most scenic parts of South Africa.

Along the way we stop to admire the spectacular views of the impressive Blyde River Canyon, the world’s 3rd largest canyon. After taking in the stunning views of the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes formations in Blyde River Canyon, we continue to God’s Window for more breath-taking panoramas.

This affordable 20-Day Zimbabwe & Kruger Camping Tour comes to an end when we arrive in Johannesburg. Most tour groups choose to enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant on the last evening.

Optional Activities: Morning Game Walk with SANP, Dinner in a local Restaurant

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Looking for other tours to Zimbabwe? View all Zimbabwe Budget Safaris