This Victoria Falls to Kruger Camping Safari journeys overland, taking in some major Southern African highlights.
Travel to Zimbabwe where you encounter enormous elephant populations and numerous other wild animals in Hwange National Park, before taking a guided walk in Matobo National Park. Search out rhinos and other wildlife, spot birds, see San rock art and discover the local fauna and flora of this stunning, boulder-strewn wilderness area. Then travel into South Africa and experience a homestay in a Venda village before travelling to Kruger National Park to explore the world-renowned park, home to the Big Five of Africa.
Be impressed by the scale and beauty of Africa's natural wonders and inspired by its rugged wildlife havens and rich cultures!
Mhoro and welcome to Africa! Our remarkable journey through Southern Africa begins at Victoria Falls, the adventure capital of Africa.
We start our Victoria Falls to Kruger Camping Safari with an important tour briefing, held at 6:00 pm on the first day. If you arrive early enough in the day there will be time for optional adventure activities at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Head to the spectacular waterfall to see why this natural wonder is called Mosi-oa-Tunya, which means 'The Smoke that Thunders'. Victoria Falls is considered the largest sheet of falling water 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 Victoria Falls sends up a magnificent spray reaching over 400m into the sky, 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 clearly 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 (extra cost).
We strongly recommend attending the tour briefing on day one, as this is when we collect your important contact information and insurance details from you. If your flight is set to arrive too late for the meeting, then we advise booking a flight for the day before the tour, so that you can join the meeting. We recommend arriving a day before the tour starts in order to enjoy the optional activities available. Pre-tour accommodation can be arranged with us if required.
During your time at Victoria Falls, you may come across 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 co CAA Zimbabwe and your guide can help make arrangements for this activity.
On day two we depart from the Adventure Capital of Africa, Victoria Falls, driving south to Hwange National Park in western Zimbabwe. Hwange is Zimbabwe's leading game park and the largest reserve in the country.
Upon arrival, we embark on a game viewing drive in Hwange Park, conducted in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Hwange Park, like Chobe in Botswana, is famous for its huge elephant herds, hosting one of the largest elephant populations in the world. Hwange is also home to one of the largest remaining populations of endangered African Wild Dogs, featuring a wild dog conservation centre.
Herds of buffalo, zebra and giraffe can be seen in Hwange, amongst its 19 species of large herbivores and eight species of big carnivores, which include leopard and cheetah. Each of the protected species found in Zimbabwe is found in Hwange National Park, covering some 14 651 km² of wilderness. A total of more than 100 mammal species inhabit the park as well as diverse bird life, numbering about 400 species.
Once the hunting grounds of Ndebele royal, King Mzilikazi, in 1929 Hwange was established as a national park.
This morning we continue south through Zimbabwe heading for the Matobo National Park, the country's oldest national park.
Our drive takes us via Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city after the capital of Harare. Bulawayo has a colourful past and once served as the capital for warrior-king Mzilikazi. We pass through this laid-back city, getting a feel for this pleasant colonial-influenced city, with its leafy wide streets. We camp near Bulawayo at a campground with shared facilities (upgrades available) and WiFi access, for the next two nights.
On day four of our Victoria Falls to Kruger Camping Safari we make our way into the nearby Matobo Park for a guided bush walk in search of rhinos, other wildlife and birds. A game park section of Matobo hosts a sizeable population of black and white rhinos, as well as some of the world's highest concentrations of leopards, black eagles and other raptors. Other wildlife includes zebras, giraffes, hyenas, wild cats, baboons and monkeys, along with plenty of antelope species such as kudu, eland, sable, duiker and waterbuck. Matobo National Park is also home to a diversity of birds.
We also view San rock art and incredible rock formations in the national park, as well as getting a closer look at the local flora and fauna. This Unesco World Heritage Site incorporates the mysterious Matobo Hills scattered with granite boulders formed by erosion over millions of years. The beautiful park is named after the surreal-looking boulder-strewn kopjes, with Matobo meaning 'bald heads'. Matobos hosts an impressive collection of rock art and important sacred sites that make this a culturally and spiritually important place for the Zimbabwean people. Famous British settler and mining magnate, Cecil John Rhodes is buried in Matopos in keeping with his request, despite controversy around the location of his grave.
After lunch, we head to nearby villages to meet some of the locals and find out more about rural life in Zimbabwe.
Today we bid farewell to Zimbabwe as we cross the bustling border – the only direct entry point between Zimbabwe and South Africa. After completing the border formalities, we'll arrive at our campsite on the outskirts of Honnet Nature Reserve located south of Tshipise within Limpopo Province in the late afternoon. Settle in and unwind, taking advantage of the site's excellent amenities, which include both indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a putt-putt course, a scenic nature trail, and the option to embark on thrilling game drives.
In the evening, your guide will give a detailed briefing about tomorrow’s homestay and village visit, including the activities you’ll be involved in and how our visit contributes positively to the local community.
Today our Victoria Falls to Kruger Camping Safari continues to Makushu, a charming village in South Africa's Limpopo Province, where we experience true village life as we participate in the daily activities of the Venda people.
Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed by a local guide who will introduce you to the vibrant community. During your stay, you'll experience life with local host families, staying in their homes and immersing yourself in the daily rhythms of village life. With no two days the same, each day offers a unique experience, with activities such as beadwork, traditional dancing, beer making and tasting and local cooking or traditional floor-making. In the evening, you’ll have the chance to connect with the villagers and gain insight into the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Venda people.
Tonight, we’ll be staying in a homestay where each room features a comfortable double bed. Some hosts offer additional guest rooms, with two or three available for visitors. Upon arrival, you’ll meet your host and receive a homestay kit, which includes clean linens (duvet, pillow, towel, face cloth, and sheet), a roll of toilet paper, hand sanitiser, mosquito repellent, tea, coffee, sugar, milk, and a cup. Traditional South African long-drop toilets are available outside each home and they are regularly maintained to ensure cleanliness. Your hosts will also provide hot water via portable bucket baths each morning and evening.
After breakfast this morning, we head for Kruger National Park, South Africa's premier safari destination and one of Africa's best game parks.
Along the way, you'll have the unique opportunity to visit the headquarters of the Black Mambas, the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit. Comprising 36 young African women, the Black Mambas are reshaping the traditionally male-dominated world of conservation by harnessing their strength and skills to protect the wildlife of Kruger National Park in innovative and powerful ways. This extraordinary team of young 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
During your visit, you'll learn about their crucial work, including how they track and dismantle snares set by poachers, establish roadblocks, patrol park boundaries, and more. You’ll also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at their operations room, where the team coordinates their efforts. Afterwards, we continue our safari adventure with a drive to our campsite within Kruger National Park. Settle in, relax with dinner and drift off to sleep to the sounds of the wild.
Day eight begins early in the morning when we'll set off on a thrilling full-day safari 4x4 game-viewing drive through the expansive Kruger National Park, a wildlife sanctuary so vast it rivals the size of countries like Belgium and Wales. Covering some 19 485 km² of the African bushveld, Kruger is one of Southern Africa's biggest game reserves, inhabited by 150 mammal species, more than 500 bird species and 100 reptile species.
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.
Home to the legendary "Big Five"—lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos—Kruger is renowned for offering an exceptional wildlife experience within one of the world's top conservation areas. While tracking these iconic animals, keep your eyes peeled for other fascinating species, including giraffes, zebras, hippos, and the elusive, endangered African wild dog. As you venture deeper into the park’s prime wildlife zones, you'll have the chance to encounter a wide variety of animals, from graceful antelopes and elands to swift cheetahs and mighty rhinos, all set against the stunning backdrop of Kruger’s diverse savannas and forests.
On the final day of our Victoria Falls to Kruger Camping Safari, we leave the African wilderness behind and make our way back to the dynamic city of Johannesburg.
As we journey along, you'll be treated to breathtaking views from the 3 Rondavels viewpoint, overlooking the stunning Blyde River Canyon and the remarkable Bourke’s Luck Potholes, all part of the iconic Panorama Route. This scenic spot offers breathtaking vistas, with clear skies often providing the perfect opportunity for memorable photos. Your unforgettable African safari adventure will conclude upon your arrival in Johannesburg this evening
We recommend booking flights after 10:00 pm on the last day or staying in Johannesburg for an extra day or two after the tour to explore. Post-tour accommodation can be arranged with us when you book your safari.
Activities listed as optional in the itinerary are not included in the tour price and are at your own expense. See the Optional Activities & Excursions below.
This Victoria Falls to Kruger Camping Safari includes 6 nights of camping accommodation (with facilities) and 2 nights of homestay. On this tour, accommodation is in two-man dome tents at basic campsites with facilities. Accommodation upgrades are available at the camps, subject to availability.
On this safari tour 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 7 dinners are provided. We recommend a budget of USD160 for meals not included in the itinerary.
This camping safari is an overland trip, which means that group participation is required along the way. Participation is usually in the form of helping with meal preparation and the setting up or dismantling of tents and sometimes helping your guide/cook with shopping for supplies.
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.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
The minimum age for this trip is 15 years at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult who is responsible for their day to day care.
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