Victoria Falls to Kruger Explorer

15 days (Victoria Falls)

Destinations visited: Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Livingstone & Victoria Falls

Grading:

Adventure touring level

Grading Definitions

Discovery & Cruising

These are our least demanding trips. These journeys of discovery and cruises involve little or no extended activity and are suitable for people with a basic level of fitness and good health. The itinerary may take place in remote areas (with basic facilities) and may involve long travel days on various types of transport. Sightseeing may be conducted on foot and all participants should be capable of carrying their own luggage from vehicle to hotel rooms. These adventures do not go above 2500m and rarely involve camping.
Suggested preparation: Once or twice a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour, for at least 2 -3 months prior to departure.

Adventure Touring

Suggested preparation: Two or three times a week, we recommend you walk on undulating terrain for an hour or more, for at least 3 months prior to departure.

Introductory

These trips involve trekking or walking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to five or six hours a day at a slow but steady pace and should never be misinterpreted to mean they are easy trips. These trips do not spend time at altitudes above 4000m and are usually a week in duration. You will need a reasonable level of fitness and good health.
Suggested preparation: 30 minutes of aerobic type exercise, (either cycling or jogging) three times a week for three months leading up to your trek. For trekking, hill walking with a daypack in variable weather conditions is also recommended. For a cycling adventure, road cycling twice a week for three months prior to departure is recommended.

Introductory to Moderate

These trips involve a combination of what is described in our INTRODUCTORY and MODERATE levels. The emphasis is on introductory activity with several moderate stages

Moderate

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health.
Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Moderate to Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling, rafting or sea kayaking for up to 6 or 7 hours a day at a steady pace. These trips may spend successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 5,500m and are usually between 10 and 15 days in duration. You will need a good level of fitness and be in good health. Suggested preparation: 45 minutes of aerobic type exercise, three to five times a week for the three months leading up to your trek. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or road cycling is also recommended depending upon the activity you plan to undertake.

Challenging

These adventures involve trekking, cycling or rafting in remote areas in variable weather conditions for up to 8 to 10 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include spending successive days at altitudes not generally exceeding 6000m. These trips may often be over three weeks in duration. You will need an excellent level of fitness, be prepared to carry a daypack weighing up to 8kgs (and in some cases a full pack) and be completely comfortable in adverse weather conditions.
Suggested preparation: One hour of aerobic type exercise, four to five times a week for three to six months prior to departure. Hill walking with a pack in variable weather conditions or on/off road cycling is also recommended.

Entry Mtn/Exploratory Treks

These adventures are classed as expeditions. They involve either extreme trekking and or basic mountaineering. Expect remote and poorly defined trails in variable weather conditions for up to 12 hours a day (possibly more subject to weather conditions and altitude). This may include a number of demanding high pass crossings and evacuation may be difficult from remote areas. Suitable for first time mountaineers wishing to take the step from trekking into the realm of mountaineering. Prior experience trekking at altitude is preferable but not essential and you should be comfortable in adverse weather conditions. Prior technical mountaineering experience is not necessary. Terrain will involve low angle snow slopes. Ropes may be used during treks for glacier travel and steeper sections of ice and snow. When mountaineering, basic mountaineering instruction is given by our mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Intermediate Mtn Expedition

Participants should be competent and self sufficient in the outdoors and have experience in multi day trekking at altitude. Prior experience on an entry level mountaineering expedition is highly recommended. The terrain will involve low to moderate angle snow slopes and traveling on crevassed glaciers. Experience using ice axe and crampons is preferred but not essential.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

Advanced Mtn Expedition

These are our most challenging expeditions. Clients must have prior mountaineering experience. Most are participatory expeditions & involve load carrying, setting up of camps, cooking and campcraft. Altitude is generally greater than 6500m. Some of these expeditions also involve “technical” climbing and are for experienced alpine climbers / mountaineers only. Technical expeditions involve steep climbing at high altitude (including rock climbing). Participation on one of these expeditions is subject to acceptance by one of our high altitude mountaineering guides.
Suggested preparation: For grade 8-10 mountaineering expeditions you will need to be very fit and healthy. A minimum of 1 hour of aerobic exercise per session, four to five times a week is essential. Running and cycling in hilly areas is particularly beneficial as are multi day walks on the weekends. This is the ideal time to try out your boots and other gear to make sure you are prepared and ready for your expedition. If you are considering Intermediate or advanced level trips, you will need to discuss your preparation leading up to the trip with our expert staff.

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An intriguing semi participation safari from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg through Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa

From the remarkable Victoria Falls we makes our way to Hwange National Park; one of Africa's finest wildlife havens. Onward we discover the bare granite hills of Matopos with its huge bolders and painted caves before encountering the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, known as the ancient capital of Queen Sheba. A different dimension ensues as we enter the beautiful Eastern Highlands which are reminiscent of the English countryside. Crossing into Mozambique we enjoy the buzzing markets at Vilanculous and the graceful scenes of traditional dhows along the coast near Inhambane, also the seasonal playground for whalesharks. Before crossing into South Africa we''ll take in the scenes of the Massingir Dam and Limpopo Transfrontier National Park. The final stage of our journey reveals the world renowned Kruger National Park; nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms that fuse with historical and archaelogical sites and a fitting finale before this memorable safari concludes in Johannesburg.

Highlights

Guided Tour of the Victoria Falls
Game Viewing in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Scenic Eastern Highlands area of Zimbabwe
Beaches of Vilanculos and Inhambane in Mozambique
Limpopo Transfrontier National Park, South Africa
Wildlife viewing in Kruger National Park, South Africa

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Victoria Falls

On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe you will be met and transferred to Amadeus Guest House or similar. This afternoon you will explore the mighty Victoria Falls on a guided tour. If you wish to spend more time in Victoria Falls and participate in some of the many optional activities on offer, we suggest you arrive a day earlier. Please ask us for details.

Days 2-3 Hwange National Park

After breakfast we depart Victoria Falls and make our way to Hwange National Park. The afternoon is spent on a game drive in the park. Hwange is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra, a very large concentration of giraffe and prolific birdlife. It is also home to many predators and endangered species, such as the African Hunting Dog (also known as Wild Dog or Painted Dog). We will include a visit to the Painted Dogs Centre, a conservation initiative to protect this rare species. The whole of the next day is spent exploring this magnificent area. Overnight is camping at Ivory Lodge or similar. (Fully accommodated option in chalets at same property.)

Day 4 To Matopos area

This morning we leave the beauty of the Hwange National Park behind us and head to the Matopos area. The Matopos Hills are an extraordinary collection of huge, bare granite hills with massive boulders scattered all over the countryside to create a unique and rather mysterious landscape. The national park is famous for its outstanding views, San (bushman) cave paintings, wildlife (especially the Black Eagle) and as the chosen burial place of Cecil Rhodes who named this as his favourite place. Rhodes was a prominent businessman, mining magnate and politician in the late 1800's who founded the state of Rhodesia, later to become two countries - Zambia and Zimbabwe. We camp overnight at Big Cave Camp or similar in Matopos area. (Fully accommodated option in chalets at same property.)

Day 5 Great Zimbabwe Ruins

We have a long drive this morning to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins via Gweru. The ruins, which are also known as the capital of the Queen of Sheba, according to an age-old legend – are a unique testimony to the Bantu civilization of the Shona people between the 11th and 15th centuries. The ruined city, which covers an area of nearly 80 ha, was renowned as an important trading centre from the middle Ages onwards. We visit the ruins, before checking into our campsite for the evening at Norma Jeane's Lake View Resort or similar. (Fully accommodated option in rooms at same property.)

Day 6 To Mutare and Bvumbu Mountains

Today we leave Great Zimbabwe and drive via Mutare to the Bvumbu Mountains located bordering on Mozambique. A land-locked country, this area is Zimbabwe's gateway to the sea and is known as the Eastern Highlands. Cool green forests, rolling hills, trout filled streams and rugged mountain peaks are a contrast to drier, more barren areas of the lowland making this a particularly scenic region. We overnight at Inn on the Vumba or similar.

Day 7 To Vilanculous

We need to start early as today is the longest drive on our safari. We cross the border into Mozambique and head southwards to the coastal town of Vilanculous, which is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. The village of Vilanculous is close to the beach and about halfway between Beira (north) and Maputo (south) - the two largest cities in Mozambique. Here you’ll find buzzing markets, restaurants, public phones, banks and quaint supermarkets. We spend the next two nights camping at Bluewaters Beach Resort or similar in Vilanculous. (Fully accommodated option in bungalows at same property.)

Day 8 Vilanculous

Today is at leisure to explore the village or just to relax on the beach. There are many optional water-based activities that can be arranged locally from our accommodation at your own expense.

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Day 9 To Tofo, near Inhambane

After breakfast we drive along the coast via the sleepy town of Inhambane where graceful dhows decorate the usually tranquil water. We continue through a coconut grove to our stop for the next two nights at Tofo. Historically a small coastal fishing village, it is now popular for its uncrowded beach stretching 8km along the coast. We spend the next two nights in chalet accommodation at Bamboozi Beach Lodge or similar.

Day 10 Tofo

Today is at leisure to explore the village, relax on the beach or participate in some of the optional water-based activities (such as diving and snorkelling) that can be arranged locally from our lodge at your own expense.

Day 11 Drive to Massingir Dam

We leave the coastal paradise of Mozambique and drive west towards Massingir which is close to the South African border. The dam was completed in 2006 and at full capacity holds 2800 million cubic metres of water to help prevent flooding of coastal areas downstream. Upstream, the gorge inside the Kruger National Park is one of the largest breeding grounds in the world for the Nile Crocodile. We camp for the night at Albufeira Camp, close to the Massingir Dam wall. (Fully accommodated option in chalets at same property.)

Day 12 To Kruger National Park

An early morning start takes us into South Africa through the Giriyondo gate into the world-renowned Kruger National Park. South Africa’s most famous and biggest game reserve, Kruger National Park covers an area of nearly 2 million hectares including some historical and archaeological sights. It is home to an impressive number of flora and fauna species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. We will explore the northern region of the park on game drives, enjoying the thrill of observing wild animals in their natural habitat. Tonight we camp at Letaba Rest Camp or similar. (Fully accommodated option in chalets at same site.)

Day 13 Game drives in Kruger National Park

We depart camp at sunrise for a full day of game viewing in the park, making the most of post-dawn and pre-sunset periods when wildlife is most active. We will take a break for a picnic lunch and a rest during the hotter part of the day before more game drives in the late afternoon. Moving south through the park it is a long but exhilarating day. Our last night in the park will be enjoyed around the campfire with a typical South African Braai (BBQ). Camp at Skukuza Rest Camp or similar. (Fully accommodated option in chalets at same site.)

Day 14 Drive to Johannesburg

We can have a slower start today and after a leisurely breakfast, we drive to Johannesburg via the Abel Erasmus pass, which mainly follows a 19th century coach route and is a pleasant scenic drive to end our journey. We pass through the small towns of Lydenburg and Dullstroom en route. Tonight we enjoy a comfortable bed at the Airport Grand Hotel or similar.

Day 15 Trip concludes

Tour arrangements end after breakfast this morning. A complimentary airport shuttle is provided by the hotel.

Additional Information

Inclusions

14 breakfasts, 12 lunches and 9 dinners
all group camping equipment including 2 person tents and sleeping mattress (sleeping bag not included)
good 3 star hotels or comfortable lodges
game drives as mentioned in itinerary
experienced local guide
national park fees and site entrance fees included in itinerary to value of USD 290
airport arrival and departure transfers Days 1 & 15 only
all transport in 4 x 4 safari vehicle

Summary

15 day trip
9 nights camping
5 nights hotels/lodge

Trip Main Activities

Adventure Touring
Wildlife Safari
4WD

Group Size Min

Group Size Max

Accommodation Summary

Equipment Required

Specialist gear required includes walking shoes, a day pack and a sleeping bag (unless choosing fully accommodated option). A comprehensive gear list is provided in the pre-departure information provided on booking.

What You Carry

In your daypack you will need to carry extra warm clothing (it can be very cold on early morning activities), a rainjacket, water bottle, camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip-eze etc.

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