Take the African safari adventure of a lifetime on this affordable Kruger, Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari for mature travelers. Experience abundant wildlife and spectacular natural scenery in South Africa and Botswana, before witnessing the world-famous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
From Johannesburg, this northbound adventure will have you admiring the scenery of the Blyde River Canyon on South Africa's Panorama Route, 4x4 game viewing in Kruger National Park, and experiencing the magic of Mapungubwe Heritage Area. Then travel to Botswana to marvel at the sun setting over the shimmering Makgadikgadi Pan and thriving wildlife along the Chobe River, ending your journey at the majestic Victoria Falls.
This comfortable 12-day senior tour is ideal for older travelers offering excellent 3-4 star accommodation all with private en-suite facilities.
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Guests will be transferred to their hotel upon arrival in Johannesburg. The Kruger, Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari will begin with a pre-departure briefing at 6 pm in the hotel reception.
We depart Johannesburg at 8 am headed to the Kruger National Park via the scenic Panorama Route. This route takes you past Blyde River Canyon, considered the largest 'green canyon' in the world due to its particularly lush subtropical vegetation. You can enjoy spectacular vistas from viewpoints like the aptly named God’s Window and visit remarkable natural phenomena like the Bourke’s Luck potholes. You will arrive at your lodge late afternoon.
Days 3 and 4 of our Kruger, Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari are spent visiting the Kruger National Park. One of the largest national parks in the world Kruger is the size of a small country! Wildlife has been protected here since 1898 but was officially declared a national park in 1926 to preserve these pristine habitats. Kruger is home to the Big 5 and boasts an impressive variety of fauna and flora in several habitats, with nearly 150 species of mammals and over 500 bird species to be spotted.
On Day 3 we head into the park for a full day game drive in open 4x4 game viewing vehicles.
The morning of Day 4 is spent at your leisure before we head into the park once again for a late afternoon game drive in the open 4x4 game-viewing vehicles.
We depart the Kruger area and head north towards the South Africa-Botswana border at the confluence where the Shase River joins the great Limpopo. Here lies the remains of Mapungubwe, a UNESCO World Heritage site of historic interest due to the remains of one of Africa’s oldest kingdoms which existed here between 900 and 1300 AD.
After breakfast on day 6, we take a walk to view the Kaoxa rock art made by the Kalahari San hunter-gatherers between 3000 and 1000 years ago. Later we head out on a sunset drive, the best time to appreciate the striking landscape with an impressive variety of trees including the otherworldly Baobabs.
After breakfast, we cross into Botswana and head northeast to the Makgadikgadi Pans. One of the largest salt flats in the world, Makgadikgadi is actually a series of salt pans created by an enormous lake that dried up many millennia ago. This salty crusty area transforms into grasslands after the regular, annual rainy season which attracts migrating wildlife. The setting makes for an unforgettable sunset which we will enjoy overlooking the pans.
On day 8 of our Kruger, Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari we travel north towards the Chobe River. It is considered the most biologically diverse area in Botswana and a major watering hole for the abundant wildlife, particularly the large elephant herds. Settle into your lodge on the banks of the river and enjoy a sunset in this beautiful setting.
On day 9 we head out early for a morning game drive in the Chobe National Park. Declared a national park in 1968, the Park is known for its diverse populations of wildlife spread over 21 000 sq km. It is home to the Big 5 and an impressive array of birdlife.
Later we enjoy a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. The river is the lifeblood for the animals of the area and the cruise provides an excellent vantage for game viewing while taking in one of the sunsets that Chobe is famous for.
From Chobe, we cross to Zimbabwe and arrive at one of the most dramatic sights in Africa. Victoria Falls is as high as a 35-story building, more than twice as high as Niagara Falls, and in the wet season, a mind-blowing 500 million liters of water per minute flow over it. When you get up close you will learn firsthand why the locals call it 'Mosi-oa-tunya' (the smoke that thunders).
Your time here is free to explore the local market and enjoy the many exciting optional activities on offer - such as a helicopter flip over the Falls, sunset boat cruises, whitewater rafting, and more (for your own account).
Our Kruger, Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari ends after breakfast when you will be transferred to Victoria Falls airport.
This senior tour also runs in the reverse order from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg (following the same itinerary but in the opposite direction), for the same price, but on different dates. See the 12 Day Victoria Falls, Botswana & Kruger Safari (Southbound)
Pre- and post-tour accommodation (in Johannesburg and Victoria Falls) can be pre-booked through African Budget Safaris. Arrival and Departure Airport transfers included (JNB & VFA) For more details contact African Budget Safaris.
This affordable Victoria Falls to Botswana & Kruger Safari is a senior tour for mature travellers. Discover African wildlife (Kruger & Chobe), Makgadikgadi & Victoria Falls.
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