Embark on an unforgettable Big Five Safari across three countries on this 16-day adventure through Southern Africa's premier wildlife destinations. From tracking lions in Kruger National Park to witnessing the thundering Victoria Falls and encountering Botswana's massive elephant herds, this journey combines iconic highlights with off-the-beaten-track experiences.
A well-rounded safari adventure that takes you into wild Africa, along with visiting historic and game-viewing treasures!
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.
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Vibrant Johannesburg city is the starting point of this Big Five Safari. We set off from Johannesburg early in the morning (06:30 am), traveling northeast into the scenic Mpumalanga Province of diverse South Africa.
Our first destination is the world-renowned Kruger Park, South Africa's flagship national park. Arriving at the massive Kruger Park, we make our way to the less-visited and more wild northern section of the game reserve. In the remote north of Kruger, we encounter fewer other game vehicles as we explore the untamed bush between the Letaba and Pafuri River camps.
During our time in Kruger National Park, we embark on exhilarating morning and afternoon game-viewing drives in our 4x4 safari vehicle. One of Africa's top game parks, Kruger Park is home to the Big Five of Africa (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant), along with an abundance of other animals and birds.
Leaving the game-rich Kruger National Park, we drive north to the Beit Bridge border crossing and continue to Masvingo in Zimbabwe.
From Masvingo, we visit the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, one of Africa's greatest archeological treasures and a World Heritage Site. We take a walk around the legendary ruins, marvelling at the towering walls standing over five metres thick in places.
This historical highlight of Zimbabwe was once an important center of trade in Southern Africa and the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. The Shona people started construction in the 11th century and continued building the elaborate royal palace until the 14th century.
This extensive system of ruins is an awe-inspiring sight, consisting of stone walls and structures that have stood the test of time.
Today, our Kruger to Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari heads to Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe. The next highlight of our journey is Matobo National Park, a World Heritage Site about 35 km south of Bulawayo. Arriving at our campsite on the outskirts of Matobo National Park in the late afternoon, we set up camp and sit back with a sundowner, followed by a relaxing evening around the flickering campfire.
On the morning of day five, we set off into the beautiful Matobo Hills with a local guide. The Matobos Park offers unique scenery, consisting of gentle hills and wooded valleys, scattered with huge granite boulders. We embark on an open-vehicle game drive through the strange landscapes of Matobo, stopping off at World's View and the grave of British imperialist Cecil John Rhodes. On day five ,we also enjoy a guided walk in search of wildlife, including endangered white rhinos, and our walk takes us to view ancient rock art by the semi-nomadic San Bushmen.
This hilly part of Zimbabwe is home to a variety of wild animals and birds and is also of great cultural significance to the local people. Many Zimbabweans see the Matobo Hills as a sacred place, with the Venda traditionally considering it as one of the most sacred sites. Indigenous communities, particularly the Shona and Ndebele tribes, use sacred shrines scattered in the granite hills to commune with their ancestors and perform rituals.
This morning we will walk up to the historic World's View site, where the colonial settler Cecil John Rhodes was buried. Walking through the unique landscape, we look out for wild animals, including rhinos and antelopes, while also admiring the impressive boulders and rocky outcrops.
We proceed north to the wildlife haven, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's leading game park. Hwange Park is best known for its huge elephant population, one of the largest in Africa. The largest game reserve in Zimbabwe, this 14,650 km² national park is home to healthy populations of Africa's Big Five. Hwange also hosts numerous giraffes and antelope species, as well as large herds of buffalo and zebra.
On day seven, we take a game drive in Hwange, in search of the abundant wildlife found here. A local guide leads the game drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicle.
For the next two nights, we camp in a game management area bordering Hwange National Park.
Next stop on our Big Five Safari, the world-famous Victoria Falls. We stay in the bustling town of Victoria Falls, located on the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls.
Visiting the largest sheet of falling water in the world is an absolute must here. Walking through the lush forests, we stand at Victoria Falls, witnessing its full might from up close. Feel the spray of the Zambezi as it crashes into the gorge below. The locals aptly call it Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means “the smoke that thunders”.
While in Victoria Falls town, you can participate in a wide variety of thrilling and unforgettable optional activities (at your own expense). White water rafting is a favorite here, as is bungee jumping. Victoria Falls is called the Adventure Capital of Africa, and for good reason.
Departing from the historic town of Victoria Falls, we drive west into top safari country of Botswana. Entering Botswana, we travel to the acclaimed Chobe region of Botswana, home to one of the largest continuous elephant populations in Africa.
In the late afternoon, we embark on a lazy sunset cruise along the Chobe River. Chobe National Park is renowned for its superb sundowner boat cruises, offering excellent close encounters with the profusion of wild animals and birds drawn to the water.
Tonight we camp along the banks of the meandering Chobe River, in Kasane town of northern Botswana.
Please note: The 10-day Johannesburg to Victoria Falls tour option ends in Victoria Falls at 08:00 am today.
On the morning of day 11, you can take a game drive in the renowned Chobe National Park (at your own expense) or relax at the riverside camp. The optional game drive explores Chobe in search of predators (lion, leopard, wild dog), antelopes (wildebeest, kudu, impala), zebra, giraffe, and many more.
We then drive southwest to Gweta, passing through the Kasane Forest Reserve in Lesoma Valley. Tonight we camp under the ancient baobabs this area is renowned for.
This morning, our Kruger, Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari is off to Maun, where we transfer to open 4x4 vehicles and drive to the outskirts of the pristine Okavango Delta. This is the largest inland delta in the world, with the Okavango River flowing from the highlands of Angola into the arid Kalahari of Botswana. The delta is an intricate network of interconnected rivulets flowing into still lagoons, interspersed with secluded islands and reed-lined flood plains.
Once in the watery Okavango Delta, we meet up with local guides who take us further into this stunning wilderness area by mokoro canoes. Sit back and soak up the untamed flora and fauna of Botswana's natural gem, as your guide poles you along through the maze of waterways. The guides stand like gondoliers in these traditional dug-out canoes, guiding you through the reed-lined channels and peaceful lagoons.
Our local guides camp with us in the heart of the unspoiled bush, giving you the chance to gain insight into their culture and way of life. We make the most of our special time in the delta by camping under the stars on remote islands, exploring on foot, and taking refreshing dips in the clean estuaries. The Okavango Delta is home to a diversity of plants, animals, and birds, some of which we get up close to during our adventure.
Today, we make our way back to civilization, leaving the wild Okavango Delta behind.
Arrive back in Maun late in the afternoon and unwind at our riverside camp's pool. This afternoon provides the ideal opportunity to take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (own account). The delta flights are a real highlight, taking you over the massive wetland system to marvel at its scale and beautiful wildness.
Say farewell to northern Botswana today, as we travel south to Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
We travel through the vast and silent Kalahari Desert, keeping an eye out for the unusual animals that inhabit this desolate land along the way. The last game-viewing destination on our Big Five Safari is the compact Khama Rhino Sanctuary. We set off on a game drive to sight some of the resident wildlife, hopefully including rhinos.
The sanctuary was created in 1992 to help reestablish rhino populations in the area, which is the ideal habitat for these large, endangered mammals. This wildlife reserve is a haven for over 230 bird species and some 30 animal species, many of which have been reintroduced here. The wildlife sanctuary employs local people, ensuring that nearby communities benefit from tourism revenue and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Our Southern African adventure comes full circle today, as we return to the dynamic city of Johannesburg in South Africa. This memorable Kruger, Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari comes to an end in Johannesburg, home to the largest man-made forest in the world.
A free airport transfer can be arranged for 17:00 on the final day.
Contact African Budget Safaris for more information.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 years of age are accepted on group scheduled departures, travelling with an accompanying adult.
All Johannesburg Departures |
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Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
We can also plan you an affordable private group or tailor-made tour. We built our business on turning luxury travel into affordable travel.
