Cape Town, Kruger Park & Zimbabwe Safari

May 16, 2016May 16, 2016admin

Summary of this Budget Safari Package

Explore South Africa and Zimbabwe – two incredibly beautiful, diverse and game-rich destinations in Southern Africa.

Experience urban South African in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Soweto township. Encounter the Big Five in Kruger and Hwange national parks, and embark on a guided rhino walk in the rugged Matobo National Park. Enjoy traditional dancing, food and culture; visit a pre-school initiative; see ancient San rock paintings and walk amongst the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

Top this cultural and wildlife medley off with a visit to the mighty Victoria Falls, before concluding your journey in Livingstone.

Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Cape Town – South Africa

Welcome to the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town. This African adventure begins with a group meeting at the hostel in Cape Town, this evening.

You are free to do as you please, before and after the meeting at which your guide goes over the trip details and you meet your fellow travellers. Cape Town is one of the top cities to visit worldwide, offering endless things to do and places to visit, so enjoy exploring this beautiful part of South Africa.

Accommodation: Hostel in Cape Town

Day 2: Cape Town – South Africa

A whole day to explore Cape Town and its natural wonders, stunning beaches, historic highlights and cultural attractions.

Choose the optional activities that appeal most – from cycling in Cape Point Nature Reserve to heading up Table Mountain or relaxing on one of the pretty beaches. Options include visiting the historic Robben Island where former president Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years, or going to museums, art galleries, or Boulders Beach to see the penguin colony. The V&A Waterfront is a world-class shopping destination and the Cape Wine Route is famous for its fine vintages and idyllic scenery – so pick your choice.

This evening we go to one of Cape Town’s township areas and enjoy an authentic South African meal in a local home.

Optional Activities: Robben Island Visit / Table Mountain Visit / Stellenbosch Wine Tour
Accommodation: Hostel in Cape Town (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

Day 3: Cape Town to Johannesburg – South Africa

Day three – fly from the “Mother City’ of Cape Town to Johannesburg, the biggest city in South Africa.

This afternoon we make our way into Soweto, one of the oldest and largest informal settlements in South Africa. Most famous for its significance in the Anti-Apartheid Movement and the riots of the 1970s, today Soweto is a thriving and vibrant township, home to over one million residents.

We do a bicycle tour of Soweto, cycling along the streets of this colourful and dynamic settlement as we gain insight into the violent history of the country. Meet the locals, sample a local beer and tune into the pulsing beat of Soweto – a melting pot of cultures, fashion, music and trends. You can visit Vilakazi Street, where two Nobel Peace Prize winners have lived – Desmond Tutu and Nelson Mandela, stopping in at the museum of Mandela’s former home. You can also take a vivid journey through South African history as the Apartheid Museum.

Plane: Cape Town – Johannesburg (2h), Private Vehicle: Johannesburg – Soweto (45m) & Soweto – Johannesburg (45m), Soweto Bicycle Tour (1h-2h)
Accommodation: Game Lodge / hotel (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 4: Johannesburg to Manyeleti – South Africa

Leaving our city adventures, we set off from Johannesburg and head for the untamed African bush today. We drive along the scenic Panorama Route, admiring the beautiful natural features en route to our lodge in the Manyeleti Game Reserve of Greater Kruger Park. Take a dip in the pool and settle in before dinner and time to relax around the campfire.

Tonight we are treated to a traditional dance performance at the lodge, getting to know the local culture a bit.

Private Vehicle: Johannesburg – Manyeleti (Full Day)
Accommodation: Safari Lodge (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

Day 5: Manyeleti – South Africa

On day five we visit a local preschool in the Shalati community to meet the children and see how the Hope Africa Children’s Day School project is contributing to social upliftment and early childhood education.

In the afternoon we set off on a game drive in the world-renowned Kruger National Park, one of the best game reserves in Africa. Driving through the bush in our touring vehicle we are sure to see a variety of wild animals, such as giraffes, zebras, hippos and antelopes, along with many birds. We may spot one or two (maybe more) of the Big Five – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant and buffalo – all of which are found in Kruger.

During your free time today you have the chance to embark on an open vehicle game drive in the Manyeleti Game Reserve, next to Kruger Park.

Optional Activities: Manyeleti Game Drive
Accommodation: Safari Lodge (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner

Day 6: Manyeleti to Punda Maria – South Africa

Today we get up bright and early, driving into the game-rich bush, due north. We make our way up through the central part of Kruger Park passing through different vegetation zones and looking out for wildlife and birds as we go.

Our drive in the tour vehicle takes us to the Punda Maria area in the less-visited northern reaches of Kruger. Antelopes, zebras, buffalos and elephants are often spotted in this area and the bird watching is superb.

Private Vehicle: Manyeleti – Punda Maria (Full Day)
Accommodation: Rest Camp (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 7: Punda Maria to Beitbridge – South Africa

Take it easy in the African wilderness this morning, listening to the birds and discovering the small wonders of the bush. Or embark on an optional game drive in the Punda Maria region, experiencing the more remote northern part of Kruger Park.

Then we leave Kruger, making our way north to the next overnight lodge in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

Accommodation: Lodge (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 8: Beitbridge to Great Zimbabwe Ruins – Zimbabwe

We are up early today and on the road to the border with Zimbabwe. After border crossing formalities we drive on to Masvingo and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

This afternoon you are free to rest at the resort and explore the area around the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

Accommodation: Resort (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 9: Great Zimbabwe Monument to Matobo National Park – Zimbabwe

This morning we visit the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. One of Africa’s most significant archaeological sites the structures remain as evidence of the advanced Bantu civilization. Find out more about the Great Zimbabwe National Monument, built between the 11th and 15th century, climbing the citadel to look out over the ruins.

From the Iron Age city of a lost civilization we head to Matobo National Park, near the city of Bulawayo.

Private Vehicle: Great Zimbabwe Ruins Area – Matobo National Park (4h30m / 5h30m)
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast in Matopos (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 10: Matobo National Park – Zimbabwe

Time to explore the unique and unusual Matobo National Park, a place of great cultural and historical significance, as well as being an important wildlife haven, especially for endangered rhinos. This morning we head into the bush on foot, taking a guided walk in search of the healthy rhino population in Matobo National Park. With any luck we will come across white rhinos and other wildlife – an exhilarating way to encounter Africa’s large mammals.

In the afternoon you are free to spend more time in Matobo or relax at the guesthouse pool. Walk through the rugged Matopos Hills – a surreal landscape of rounded hills and wooded valleys dotted with granite boulders and striking rock formations.

Visit ancient Bushmen paintings in the caves of Matobo and find out more about the San Bushmen, the original inhabitants of Southern Africa. Learn about the scared places of the Ndebele, to whom these hills carry special spiritual importance. Go to the burial site of powerful businessman and imperialist, Cecil John Rhodes, who requested to be buried here at World’s View on Malindidzimu Hill.

Optional Activities: Visit Grave of Rhodes / Ancient Cave Painting Visit
Accommodation: Bed & Breakfast at Matopos (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11: Matobo National Park to Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe

Today we are on our way, travelling further north to Hwange National Park, the oldest game park in Zimbabwe. Later this afternoon you can embark on optional game drive in Hwange, which covers some 14,651km² of wilderness, making it the largest wildlife reserves in the country.

Hwange National Park hosts the Big Five of Africa and is particularly well-known for its large population of elephants. This top African game park is also a stronghold for endangered African wild dogs, along with protecting an array of other animals and birds.

Matobo National Park – Hwange National Park (6h-7h)
Optional Activities: Hwange National Park Game Drive
Accommodation: Hwange National Park Main Camp (or similar)
Meals included: Breakfast

Day 12: Hwange National Park to Livingstone – Zambia

On day 12 you can embark on an optional morning game drive in Hwange National Park. Sightings in this massive wildlife park include all of the protected species of Zimbabwe, with over 100 kinds of mammals and some 400 bird species. Giraffes, zebras, buffalos and antelopes are commonly spotted on game drives.

From Hwange we drive up to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side. We stop to marvel at this natural spectacle, considered the largest sheet of falling water in the world. One of the natural wonders of the world – viewing Vic Falls is an unforgettable experience.

After seeing the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ as Victoria Falls is known locally, we cross into Zambia, heading to Livingstone. This evening you are free to relax at the lodge, located next to the Zambezi River. Have a drink in the bar and take a dip in the lovely pool, enjoying the leafy gardens and river views of the lodge. Overnight in comfortable en-suite chalets or safari tents fitted with mosquito netting.

Border Crossing (Zimbabwe – Zambia): Victoria Falls – Livingstone
Private Vehicle: Hwange National Park – Victoria Falls (2h-3h) & Victoria Falls – Livingstone
Optional Activities: Hwange National Park Game Drive
Accommodation: Riverside Lodge – Safari Tents (or similar)

Day 13: Livingstone – Zambia

On the final day of our safari adventure you are free to continue your travels, departing at any time.

Spending a few extra days (after the safari) in Livingstone at Victoria Falls, is highly recommended, as there are numerous exciting activities and beautiful sights here.

Safari Notes:

Group Size: Maximum 18 people per group, average of 14 people
Transport: Plane, private van, safari vehicles, walking
Accommodation: Hotels/guesthouses (7 nts), lodges (4 nts), adventure tents (1 nt)