Zimbabwe and Botswana Game Tracker 16 days Johannesburg to Johannesburg Trip code: SUN6462 Group size: 12 maximum Departs: Saturdays Accommodation: 3 star chalets, camps and hotels This small group safari explores the amazing culture and natural beauty of both Zimbabwe and Botswana. Experience the Okavango Delta by traditional dug-out canoe, view animals up close on the Chobe River, discover the tribal history of Matobo and feel the spray from Victoria Falls. This safari covers it all - wildlife history and culture. Day 1: Johannesburg - Kruger National Park Departing Johannesburg at 6:30 am you head north towards the world famous Kruger National Park, home to the big five (lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, rhino). Forming part of the Great Frontier Park, Kruger is an immense 20,000 square kilometres. We visit the remote northern part of the park, around the areas of Letaba and Punda Maria. Accommodation: Letaba Rest Camp - shared facilities (L/D). Letaba Rest Camp The idyllic Letaba Rest Camp is situated on a sweeping bend of the Letaba River, midway between the southern and northern boundaries of the Kruger National Park. The name means river of sand and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant, which thrive in the area. Letaba is a green oasis in the surrounding mopane veld, and remains a firm favourite with visitors. At night the stars overlook a symphony of sounds. Owls, nightjars, frogs, fruit bats, crickets and cicadas all vie to be heard, until the lion roars, then all are silent. Facilities at the camp include a swimming pool and restaurant. Day 2: Kruger National Park Enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in a safari vehicle. Look out for lion, elephant, rhino and much more in this icon of wildlife conservation. Accommodation: Punda Maria Rest Camp - en suite facilities (B/L/D). Punda Maria Rest Camp The camp is situated in the Sandveld region that is often described as the botanical garden of the Kruger National Park. There are numerous plant species which occur that are unique to the area. Game species most likely to be sighted include impala, zebra, buffalo, elephant, eland and sable. This area is also a bird lover s paradise, keep an eye out for crested guineafowl and fish eagles. Day 3: Zimbabwe Today you leave South Africa and enter Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post. From here we travel north to our overnight stop. Accommodation: Great Zimbabwe Rest Camp - en suite facilities (B/L/D). Great Zimbabwe Rest Camp The campsite is well located within Matobo National Park, right at the gate to the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, you can actually see the hill complex from the campsite. Facilities are basic but include hot running water and a grassy lawn and large trees surround the campsite Day 4: Great Zimbabwe Monuments - Matobo National Park This morning we visit the Great Zimbabwe Monuments. These well preserved ruins are some of the oldest and largest stone structures in southern Africa and were built during the 11th to 14th centuries. You explore these ancient stone structures during an informative walk with a local guide. We then drive to Matobo National Park via Bulawayo, Zimbabwe s second largest city. This afternoon enjoy sundowner drinks from the granite ridge overlooking Matobo National Park. Accommodation: The Farmhouse Lodge - en suite facilities (B/L/D).
The Farmhouse Lodge At the farmhouse you will stay in one of 19 chalets which all accommodate up to four people in the main bedroom and kitchen\lounge area. The restaurant and bar serve excellent meals, with high tea a popular favourite with visitors. Views from the lodge are spectacular and the gardens and swimming pool contribute to a very relaxed atmosphere. Day 5: Hwange National Park This morning you visit World s View and the historical site of Cecil John Rhodes grave. Unusual rock formations are home to an array of ancient bushman paintings which we visit while on our game drive and walk. This area is also home to Zimbabwe s rhino, which you will hopefully see on this morning s safari game drive in Matobo National Park. This afternoon we drive to Hwange National Park. Accommodation: Miombo Safari Lodge - en suite facilities (BLD). *Subject to availability you may stay in a tree house. Miombo Safari Lodge Miombo Safari Camp is the closest quality accommodation to the Hwange National Park Main Gate. Accommodation includes four classic ground level thatched roof rondavels, each one accommodates two guests and includes a bedroom, wardrobe, private bathroom and shower. There are also rustic *treehouse chalets which include an en suite bathroom, flush toilet, walk-in shower and basin, a safe and electric fans. The tree houses overlook the waterhole and are in a prime location for game viewing from the balcony. Public facilities include a swimming pool and a barbeque boma area. Day 6: Hwange National Park Today you explore Hwange National Park with a local guide on a full day safari game drive in an open 4WD vehicle. Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe occupying an unfenced area of 14,651 square kilometres. The park extends westward to link with the Kasane Forest and Chobe region of neighboring Botswana. This glorious national park is famed for its large elephant population and boasts the highest concentration of wildlife species (mammals, birds, reptiles and insects) of any safari region in Africa. Accommodation: Miombo Safari Lodge - en suite facilities (BLD). Day 7: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe This morning after breakfast we leave Hwange and head towards Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side. This afternoon you enjoy a spectacular guided walk around Victoria Falls, stopping at various vantage points to view the true majesty of the falls. Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the world. There is a magic about Victoria Falls manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk. The falls are 1,708 metres wide, making it the largest curtain of water in the world. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860s. Accommodation: Rainbow Hotel - en suite facilities (B). Rainbow Hotel Rainbow is a stylish hotel within walking distance to Victoria Falls, the town centre, the railway station and the commercial district. This hotel offers great attention to detail, personal service and is well located as a base from which to pursue the many activities offered in Victoria Falls. The lodge is located next to the Zambezi National Park and it is possible to spot hippo, crocodile and other game from guest rooms. All rooms have air conditioning, colour television, computer connectivity, telephone, en suite bathrooms and enclosed balconies. Day 8: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Today is yours to explore Victoria Falls at your leisure, or to experience one or more of the many activities available in the area. From helicopter rides over the falls, to walking with lions and elephant-back safaris, there s plenty to choose from. Accommodation: Rainbow Hotel - en suite facilities (B).
Day 9: Chobe National Park After breakfast we leave Zimbabwe and cross the border into Botswana, heading towards the town of Kasane. Here, situated on the banks of the Chobe River, is your lodge for the night. The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. This afternoon brings a highlight of your trip to Chobe, a game viewing sundowner safari cruise, including drinks and snacks. During the cruise it is common to see large numbers of elephant and other wildlife, including hippo and a multitude of birdlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day. Accommodation: Thebe Chobe Lodge - en suite facilities (BLD). Thebe Chobe Lodge The lodge and camp overlook the placid Chobe River and echo the surrounding bush with a rustic design. Located The restaurant and bar provide welcome food and drinks and there is a sparkling swimming pool for guests enjoyment. Thebe's Chobe Lodge offers comfortable twin and family rooms. Each room has an en suite and hot water shower and air-conditioning, and all beds have mosquito nets. Day 10: Nata This morning there is time for an optional (own expense) safari game drive in the Chobe National Park. Chobe has about 80,000 elephant, one of the biggest concentrations in Africa. It is also notable for huge herds of buffalo and zebras, lechwe, Chobe bushbuck and puku antelope. Where there are buffalo, lions are never far away and there is a good chance of seeing large prides here. Chobe is also rich in bird life with the Pel's fishing owl a favourite, along with the strangely beaked African skimmer and African fish eagles. This afternoon we drive to Nata. Accommodation: Nata Lodge - en suite facilities (BLD). Nata Lodge Nata Lodge is an oasis set among Mokolwane palms on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. It is ideally situated close to the entrance to the Nata Sanctuary and is just off the main road. The property includes 10 safari tents with en suite facilities built on raised wooden platforms which are nestled under Marula trees. The shady trees surrounding the lodge is a hive of activity, with a bird feeding area and active water feature providing bird watchers the opportunity to view a variety of species from either the pool deck, open bar or restaurant. The helmeted guineafowl, crested Francolin, yellow hornbill, pied and arrowmarked babblers, Meyers parrot and paradise whydah are just some of the species found around the lodge. Day 11: Maun Leaving Nata behind we head towards Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Maun originated as a cattle outpost but it has evolved into the capital of Botswana s tourist industry. Your lodge for tonight is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River. After settling in there is time to relax this afternoon at the swimming pool as we prepare for your excursion into the Okavango Delta. Accommodation: Crocodile Camp - en suite facilities (BL). Crocodile Camp Crocodile Camp is a 12 km drive from the small town of Maun towards the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana. Crocodile Camp hosts an abundance of bird life with the occasional hippo or crocodile visitor, all of which can be viewed while enjoying spectacular sunsets from the bar deck. The camp grounds are beautifully maintained with a private swimming pool and a well renowned restaurant for scrumptious meals. The accommodation consists of well equipped, comfortable standard chalets which include en suites, wooden verandas, ceiling fans, mosquito nets and housekeeping. Days 12-13: Okavango Delta This morning we transfer into the Okavango Delta in an open 4WD safari game viewing vehicle. Local guides will take you deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta by mokoro (a local dugout canoe) to a preerected tented camp. The delta forms as rain water from the Angolan highlands flows out over the flat Kalahari Desert sands, forming a delicate, green oasis for birds and wildlife. Your camp is on a remote island in this amazingly dynamic environment and here you can enjoy bush walks, bird watching and swimming in the clear waters. Accommodation: wilderness camping (BLD).
Okavango Delta wilderness camping Two nights are spent camping in the Delta. The facilities are basic and include a simple bucket bush shower and a toilet tent used on a sand and bury basis. All camping equipment is supplied and the domed tents have built-in insect nets. Day 14: Maun Today we farewell the waterways of the Delta and return to Crocodile Camp in Maun. This afternoon there is time for an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (own expense) which provides a great opportunity to view animals from above in this seasonal expanse. Accommodation: Crocodile Camp (BLD). Day 15: Khama Rhino Sanctuary Heading south from Maun, you cross the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert on your way to Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in protecting the vanishing rhino and to restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its natural state. Covering approximately, 8585 hectares of Kalahari Sandveld, the sanctuary provides prime habitat for white and black rhino as well as over 30 other animal species and more than 230 species of bird. The reserve also provides economic benefits to the local Batswana community through sustainable use of natural resources. You head off on an afternoon safari game drive, keeping an eye out for rhino. Accommodation: Khama Rhino Sanctuary - bathroom facilities are shared between two rooms (BLD). Khama Rhino Sanctuary The sanctuary includes eight chalets which are self contained and include towels and modern furniture. On site there is also a restaurant, pool and curio shop that sells various local crafts, books, maps, souvenirs and postcards. Day 16: Johannesburg Today you depart Botswana and head back into South Africa. You arrive into Johannesburg at approximately 5.00 pm.
Cost includes: 13 nights accommodation in 3 star chalets, guesthouses, hotels and lodges 2 nights basic tented camping in the Okavango Delta English speaking driver and professional guide transport in a 4WD, safari truck and minibus breakfast daily from day 2, 12 lunches and 10 dinners guided tour of Zimbabwe Ruins and Victoria Falls Chobe River sunset boat safari safari game activities as per itinerary game parks, entrance fees and excursions as per itinerary camping equipment in the Delta, including sleeping bag and pillow porterage for one reasonably sized piece of luggage per person. Cost excludes: visas and flights international and domestic airport taxes that cannot be pre-paid (clients pay direct if applicable) driver / guide gratuities personal travel, baggage and medical insurance drinks, dining rooms tips, telephone calls, laundry and any items of a personal nature optional meals Additional remarks: We may need to change the accommodation in rare cases of non-availability. Prices may vary when booking seasons overlap. Bookings over Christmas, New Year and Easter may incur holiday supplements. Please refer to our cancellation policy if required. Child, third person and single supplement rates can be calculated on request.