This affordable Zimbabwe & South Africa Safari travels overland from Victoria Falls to Kruger National Park, camping along the way. Explore Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s leading game reserve, on a full-day 4x4 wildlife safari. Then, discover the unique landscapes of the Matobo National Park on a game drive in search of rhinos and other wild animals. After Matobos, visit the famous Great Zimbabwe Ruins to discover the ancient cultures and history of Zimbabwe.
From Zimbabwe our Africa Overland Tour crosses into South Africa, stopping at a private reserve bordering the great Mapungubwe site. Then to Johannesburg and Kruger National Park. End your camping safari off with a thrilling 4x4 Kruger Safari, camping in a private wildlife area inside Kruger National Park for the last three nights. Enjoy exciting 4x4 game drives in Kruger National Park in search of the Big 5 and more. Also, take a scenic tour of the Panorama Route, before returning to Johannesburg where our camping overland adventure ends.
During this trip you are likely to come across activities that encourage tourists to participate in lion, elephant or other wildlife interaction. This includes walking with lions, riding elephants and any other tourist operation putting travelers in close contact with animals that would normally live wild and separate from human contact.
We absolutely do not encourage or endorse this type of wildlife interaction operation. For more information on why this is not good for Africa's wild animals, please see our detailed blog post on the subject.
Our Zimbabwe & South Africa Safari begins at Victoria Falls, the adventure capital of Southern Africa.
This morning we leave the bustling town of Victoria Falls and travel south to Zimbabwe's flagship national park, Hwange National Park. Hwange is home to a diverse array of large animals, including one of Africa's highest concentrations of elephants.
After setting up camp you have the option of joining a sunset game drive in Hwange National Park. Later this evening we sit back under the stars and enjoy our first dinner around the campfire.
We recommend that you book an extra few days at Victoria Falls, before this camping safari departs, to participate in some of the numerous exciting adventure activities available in the Victoria Falls area. Visiting the natural wonder of Victoria Falls waterfall is a must and this part of the Zambezi River is famous for its white-water rafting. We can arrange pre-tour accommodation for you, upon request.
A full day of wildlife viewing in Hwange is included today. Set off in open 4x4 safari vehicles this morning for an exciting wildlife adventure in this top African safari destination.
Hwange National Park is home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, as well as members of all of Zimbabwe’s endangered species. The game park hosts more than 100 mammal species, including a large population of the highly endangered wild dogs, and 400 bird species. The Big 5 of Africa (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) are found in Hwange alongside cheetah, hyena, zebra, and giraffe. Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve, the 14,650 square kilometers (5,656 square miles) Hwange National Park is a real highlight of any Zimbabwe safari.
Leaving Hwange Park behind today, we drive southeast to the Matobo National Park, just south of Zimbabwe’s second largest city, Bulawayo. Here we embark on an afternoon game drive in search of wildlife while admiring the unique scenery – Matobo is a local Ndebele word meaning “bald heads”, referring to the distinct rounded granite hills that surround the park.
Matobo National Park (also known as Matopos) covers some 424 square kilometers (163 square miles) and is home to a variety of wild animals and birds. The game park has an intensively protected area that hosts endangered black and white rhinos. Matobo is also known for its leopard sightings and is home to a range of antelope species, baboons, reptiles, rock hyraxes, and birds. Black eagle sightings are another safari highlight in this top Zimbabwean park, said to host one of the world's highest concentrations of black eagles, if not the highest.
This scenic national park also features a high concentration of traditional San rock art. Established in 1953, Matobo National Park has several sites of historical significance, including the grave of the prominent settler, Cecil John Rhodes. The Matobo Hills are regarded as a sacred site by the local Shona, who perform rituals in these ancient hills. The rain shrine of the Ndebele, dedicated to the god of the ancestors, is also found in these hills.
We overnight at a comfortable hotel in nearby Bulawayo.
Next, our Zimbabwe & South Africa Safari heads through rural Zimbabwe to another treasure of this fascinating Southern African country - the world-famous Great Zimbabwe Ruins.
The impressive Great Ruins of Zimbabwe once served as a royal palace and the capital of the then-Kingdom of Zimbabwe. Dating back to the Iron Age this World Heritage Site was built from the 11th century onwards. Legend has it that the ruins were once used by the Queen of Sheba. There has been much debate and speculation regarding the origins of these ruins, but the consensus is that the structures were constructed by the forefathers of the Shona. The building was done without the use of mortar, a standing testament to the skill of the builders.
We take a guided walking tour around the extensive Great Zimbabwe complex that includes walls towering up to 11 meters (36 feet) high, measuring as much as 5 meters (16 feet) in thickness. The birds featured on the Zimbabwean National Flag are depictions of the renowned bird carvings out of soapstone that were discovered here at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. Soapstone carving is still practiced by local artisans, and they often depict this historical bird design.
Tonight, we camp nearby at a beautiful campsite overlooking Lake Mutirikwi.
Today we cross into the next country on our overland tour, South Africa. Once border formalities are complete, we travel through the beautiful Limpopo Province. Our next stop is Mapesu Private Game Reserve, adjacent to Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The reserve is a birdwatcher's paradise, with breathtaking views of the spectacular confluence of the Limpopo and Sashe rivers, which separates South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. It also has historic rock art sites and ruins of the powerful Mapungubwe civilization.
On Day 6 of our Hwange to Kruger Safari adventure we drive south along the Great North Road. Our journey takes us through agricultural regions with vast expanses of citrus orchards and maize fields until we find ourselves in the more populated and industrialized Gauteng Province, economic powerhouse of southern Africa. Our tour arrives in bustling Johannesburg, the City of Gold, in the late afternoon. We overnight in a comfortable city hotel.
Early this morning our Africa Overland Tour departs from Johannesburg, heading east towards the world-renowned Kruger National Park via the coalfields of the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.
In the afternoon we reach Kruger National Park, a vast wilderness hosting an abundance of wildlife and birds. Our camp for the next three nights is in a private wildlife concession area within Kruger National Park, South Africa’s flagship game park. Considered one of the best safari destinations in Africa, Kruger is recognized as a world leader in terms of its wildlife management practices and environmental policies.
After setting up camp we embark on a sunset game drive in Kruger National Park. The cool hours of the late afternoon are ideal for game viewing as many animals become more active at this time. As darkness falls, we may encounter nocturnal animals just emerging from their daytime hideouts. Returning to camp this evening we enjoy dinner around the glowing campfire, under starry skies.
Day 8 of our Zimbabwe & South Africa Safari is set aside to explore the Kruger National Park. We have an early start to take advantage of the early morning hours when the wildlife becomes active. The game drive is conducted in open 4x4 safari vehicles, a great way to take in the sights, sounds and smells of nature as they offer excellent visibility and photographic opportunities.
Our drive takes us through diverse habitats within the park, from grasslands to woodlands and riverbanks. Be on the lookout for the park's abundant wildlife, including the famed Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo). Notably, Kruger boasts more large mammal species than any other game reserve in Africa. By afternoon we head back to camp for some relaxation by the pool and leisure area, which overlooks a water hole frequented by hippos and various other wildlife. We enjoy another relaxing night at the safari camp inside the private concession area of Kruger.
On Day 9 of our Zimbabwe & South Africa Overland Tour, we begin on a relaxed note with breakfast at the camp. Then we head out of the park to take a leisurely drive along the picturesque Panorama Route. This scenic drive ascends and follows the edge of the captivating Drakensberg Escarpment and the awe-inspiring Blyde River Canyon, one of the world's largest green canyons.
We take time, to stop at various viewpoints and attractions that unfold along this journey. Highlights of the Panorama Route include the unique eroded rock formations of Bourke’s Luck Potholes in the river that meanders through the canyon floor. God’s Window lookout is a vantage point offering breathtaking views of the sprawling Mpumalanga Lowveld stretching off into the distance, while another stop provides panoramic views over the imposing Blyde River Canyon and the distinctive, hut-shaped hills known as the 'Three Rondavels' on the opposing slopes.
On the last morning of this epic Zimbabwe & South Africa Safari, we venture into Kruger National Park on one final game drive. Exploring in our safari truck, we go in search of Africa’s iconic Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo), as well as numerous other animal and bird species found in Kruger. We traverse the park and exit at a south gate. Then its on the road again, back to the vibrant city of Johannesburg. This affordable 10-Day Victoria Falls to Hwange & Kruger Safari comes to an end when we arrive in Johannesburg.
We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this Zimbabwe and South Africa Safari is scheduled. It is advisable to arrive the day before departure from Victoria Falls and fly out the day after the overland tour ends in Johannesburg, to enjoy the many exciting activities available, and to allow for delays and changes.
Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.
This Camping Overland Tour is also available as a Lodge Overland Tour which follows the same itinerary and stays at comfortable lodges instead of camping.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
There is a minimum age limit of 8 years of age, for travellers on scheduled departures, however, children aged 8 and 9 years of age are accepted on a request basis only.
A maximum of 4 children, aged between 10 - 15 years will be allowed per scheduled tour departure date.
Should there already be 4 children confirmed on a tour, any further children requests will be dealt with on a request basis only.
Age restrictions may apply to certain items listed in the respective tour activities and it is important that you are aware of these restrictions prior to confirming children on tour.
Please contact African Budget Safaris for further information.
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