8 Day Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari via Botswana

Day 1: Johannesburg – South Africa

Welcome to Southern Africa! At the start of this 8-day Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari we gather at 18h00 for an important tour briefing in Johannesburg, South Africa.

You are free to relax at the hotel and explore the bustling city of Johannesburg, before the evening meeting at the hotel on day one.

Johannesburg, known as the City of Gold, is the vibrant economic capital of South Africa. This cosmopolitan city is home to the largest urban forest in the world and offers a unique window into South African life, its turbulent history and the melting pot of contemporary cultures.

• Accommodation: Hotel in Johannesburg

Pre-Tour Meeting Note:

We strongly recommend attending the tour briefing on day one of this Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari, as this is when your important contact information and insurance details are collected. If your flight is set to arrive too late for the meeting, we advise booking a flight for the day before the safari tour, so that you can join the meeting. Pre-tour accommodation can be arranged through African Budget Safaris upon request.

Days 2 & 3: Kruger National Park – South Africa

On day two we depart from the dynamic city of Johannesburg, driving northeast into the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.

As we enter Kruger National Park the Big 5 safari adventure begins! Our game drive takes us to game-rich areas of this world-famous national park, in search of the Big Five of Africa (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino), along with a staggering array of other wild animals and birds. Covering some 19 485 km² of the African bush, Kruger National Park is one of Africa's biggest game reserves, inhabited by 150 mammal species, more than 500 bird species and 100 reptile species. In addition to the Big 5 of Africa, Kruger is also home to endangered wildlife, including African wild dogs and cheetahs.

Day three of our Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari begins early in the morning, with a refreshing coffee and some rusks (tea biscuits), before setting off into the bush on a game drive. Mornings are an excellent time for game viewing as many animals are at their most active in the early morning hours. The bulk of our day is spent exploring this untamed wilderness area on game drives, stopping at watering holes en route to spot wildlife and birds. In the evening we head back out into the bush on a thrilling night drive in an open safari vehicle. This exciting sunset drive takes you in search of the unusual and shy nocturnal creatures of Kruger Park.

On the first night, we camp in the Greater Kruger Park area and on the second night we camp inside Kruger National Park at a campsite featuring shared facilities with hot and cold water.

• Travel: 675km (about 11-12 hrs)
• Greater Kruger Accommodation: Camping in pre-erected two-man dome tents
• Kruger Accommodation: Camping with facilities (upgrades available subject to availability)
• Included Activities: Kruger Park game drives (in the overland truck) & Kruger night game drive (day 3)
• Optional Activities: Kruger Park night game drive (day 2)
• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner (day 2) / Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (day 3)

Day 4: Greater Kruger & Black Mambas Experience - South Africa

Today we venture to the outskirts of Kruger National Park for a unique overnight experience with the Black Mambas at their headquarters. Our immersive overnight stay will directly contribute to the work of the Black Mambas, the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit. This extraordinary team of about 32 African women is dedicated to protecting wildlife by patrolling 20,000 hectares of the Balule Nature Reserve, which forms part of the Greater Kruger National Park. Breaking barriers in a field traditionally dominated by men, the Mambas bring their strength, intelligence, and determination to the forefront of conservation efforts and visiting them is a memorable highlight of our Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari.

During our stay, we’ll embark on an educational anti-poaching bush walk with the Black Mambas, learning how they locate and dismantle snares used by poachers. As evening falls, enjoy a delicious dinner under the soft glow of lantern light, followed by a relaxing campfire gathering where the Black Mambas will share their inspiring stories of becoming part of this pioneering conservation initiative. This immersive experience offers a rare opportunity to witness the incredible work being done to protect Kruger’s wildlife and interact with the women leading the charge.

• Travel: About 2 hrs
• Accommodation: Camping with facilities at Black Mambas HQ
• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Included Activities: Black Mambas Snare Walk, Dinner by Lantern Light & Campfire Story Time

Day 5: Moremi Gorge – Botswana

This morning we bid farewell to the Black Mambas in Balule and journey toward the Botswana border. Next, our Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari heads to the stunning Goo Moremi Gorge near the town of Palapye, in southern Botswana. Upon arrival, we’ll set up camp before embarking on an optional guided hike through this captivating national heritage site, where perennial streams have carved dramatic gorges into the hills over millennia. During the hike, we’ll visit breathtaking waterfalls that cascade into deep pools, surrounded by lush vegetation.

The gorges are teeming with wildlife, including a variety of bird species that hunt for fish and small crabs in the pools, as well as the endangered Cape vulture, which nests here. The cliffs above are home to baboons and rock rabbits, and while elusive, you may also spot leopards, hyenas, and kudu in the area. This hike offers a remarkable opportunity to explore the natural beauty and diverse ecosystems of this unique landscape.

• Travel: About 7 hrs
• Accommodation: Chalets with solar power (hot water is dependent on the weather)
• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
• Optional Activity: Guided Hike in Moremi Gorge

Day 6: Nata & Makgadikgadi Pans – Botswana

Day six of our Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari sees us travelling north through rural Botswana to Nata. Tonight we stay at a safari lodge on the fringes of the Makgadikgadi Pans, a stark and eerie dry land. This afternoon we explore the otherworldly salt pans on a three-hour open vehicle drive, to experience the endless horizons of this desolate terrain. Once an enormous inland lake, the now dry Makgadikgadi Salt Pans stretch out over 12000km² in deep silence, amid the ancient Kalahari Desert.

In the rainy season, the pans are transformed into grassy plains dotted with shallow lakes, attracting various wild animals and numerous migratory birds, including impressive flocks of flamingos. In the dry season, however, the strange mirages and empty, cracked-clay landscapes return to Makgadikgadi, one of the largest salt pans in the world.

• Travel: About 6 hrs
• Included Activities: Nata Pan Excursion
• Nata Accommodation: One night at a safari lodge
• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Days 7 & 8: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

We are off to the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe on day seven, stopping for lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River along the way.

Arriving at Victoria Falls, we head to our camp and set up. Then we recommend visiting the spectacular waterfall to see why this natural wonder is called Mosi oa Tunya, which means 'The Smoke that Thunders'. Victoria Falls is ranked as the largest waterfall in the world, at 1.7 km wide and 108 m high - an awe-inspiring sight year-round. As the Zambezi plummets into the narrow gorge below Vic Falls sends up a magnificent spray reaching over 400m's into the air during the rainy season when it can be spotted from miles away. Although not as thunderous during the dry season, Victoria Falls and the gorge below are visible at this time, because there is less mist rising off the falls.

We stay at a conveniently located campsite in Victoria Falls town, close to all the action and adventure activities. You have the option of upgrading your accommodation at the camp's reception (at extra cost).

On day eight this Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari via Botswana ends after breakfast. For the rest of the day, you are free to participate in optional adventure activities and catch your onward flight or book a few extra days at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

• Travel: About 4 hrs (day 7)
• Optional Activities: Visit Victoria Falls waterfall & adventure activities
• Victoria Falls Accommodation: Camping with facilities (upgrades available)
• Included Meals: Breakfast (x2)

Responsible Travel Note

During your time at Victoria Falls, you may encounter an optional 'Walk with the Lions' activity. We do not recommend this activity as professional wildlife conservationists advise that habituating lions to humans can shorten their lifespan and may lead to human-lion conflict.

For the optional Helicopter Flight (12 minutes or 25 minutes ) we recommend using Zambezi Helicopter Company in Zimbabwe and your guide can help make arrangements for this activity.

Post-Tour Accommodation in Victoria Falls

Post-tour accommodation can be arranged with us (when booking your safari), should you choose to stay in Victoria Falls for an extra night or more. Booking an extra few days also gives you more time to explore Victoria Falls and enjoy the adventure activities available.

Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari Details

Optional Safari Activities:

Activities listed as optional in the tour itinerary are not included in the price of this Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari and are at your own expense. See the Optional Extras & Excursions below.

Safari Group Size:

This African budget safari travels with a maximum of 16 clients and single-traveller bookings are accepted.

Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari Accommodation:

This safari tour includes 4 nights of camping with facilities, 1 night of camping with basic facilities, 1 night of lodge accommodation and 1 night of hotel accommodation.

On this Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari, accommodation is primarily in spacious two-man dome tents (larger than standard dome tents), equipped with camping beds for added comfort. Bedding is provided, including a pillow, sleeping bag and blanket. Camping is mostly at basic campsites with facilities.

Safari Meals:

Seven breakfasts, two lunches and five dinners are provided on the Kruger to Victoria Falls Safari. We recommend a budget of USD260 for meals not included in the itinerary.

Safari Tour Participation:

This camping safari is an overland trip, which means that some group participation is required along the way. This is an exclusive camping safari, however, which means that the tour operates with 3 crew members (guide, driver and assistant). Having extra staff on board means that less participation is required from clients on this tour.

The limited participation is usually in the form of helping with meal preparation and setting up or dismantling the tents and sometimes helping your guide/cook with shopping for supplies.

Kruger to Victoria Falls Itinerary Note:

The above itinerary serves as a guide and is subject to changes (such as last-minute route changes), due to factors including weather conditions and seasonal variation.