Southern Africa Safari
Southern Africa Safari
Southern Africa Safari
9 Days Starting in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and ending in Johannesburg, South Africa
Visiting: Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Matobo National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Kruger National Park, Johannesburg
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UBKK
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 13
Age range:
15-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Tour Overview
Embark on an exhilarating Southern Africa Safari, exploring the wild beauty of South Africa and Zimbabwe. Begin your adventure at the majestic Victoria Falls, then journey to Hwange National Park for a thrilling 4WD game drive among elephants and other wildlife. Discover the conservation efforts at the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust and Painted Dog Conservation Centre. Experience the thrill of tracking rhinos on foot in Matobo National Park, and delve into the rich history of Mapungubwe National Park, a World Heritage site. Cross into South Africa for a night safari in Mapesu Private Game Reserve, and enjoy a full-day 4WD safari in the renowned Kruger National Park. Conclude your journey with breathtaking views along the Panorama Route to Johannesburg. This tour offers a unique blend of wildlife encounters, cultural insights, and stunning landscapes, perfect for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Accommodation Name: hotel
Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your adventure begins in Victoria Falls, known traditionally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. When you arrive, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. You’ll then have a welcome meeting at the hotel at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe check out this incredible natural wonder your own way or visit the Shearwater Adventures activity centre to book an optional activity. You could even book a scenic helicopter flight over the falls! After the meeting, maybe get to know your group better over an optional welcome dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Hwange National Park
Location: Hwange National Park
Accommodation Name: camp
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Depart Victoria Falls and hit the road to Hwange National Park, stopping at the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust along the way – one of The Intrepid Foundation projects. Here, you’ll learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and their role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. This afternoon, take a game drive within the Hwange National Park in 4WDs. Hwange, the largest park in Zimbabwe, was designated as a national park in 1929 after acting as the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19th century. The park is famous for its elephants and is home to one of the largest populations in the world, as well as a huge variety of wildlife including over 100 mammals and nearly 400 bird species!
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Matobo National Park
Location: Matobo National Park
Accommodation Name: camp
Meals Included: Dinner
Leave Hwange as you make tracks for Matobo National Park. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. Learn how the loss of quality habitats and poaching are driving the painted dogs towards extinction, and how the centre protects painted dogs and the Hwange ecosystem. After, it's onto Bulawayo – Zimbabwe's second-largest city. Take a stroll through the streets and stop in at a local restaurant for lunch. Continue to Matobo, where you'll spend the next two nights. The rocks balanced in Matobo Hills are thought to be the seats of God and ancestral spirits. The park is home to the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company, and is especially known for its rhino population.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Matobo National Park
Location: Matobo National Park
Accommodation Name: camp
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy an unforgettable day of tracking rhinos on foot with your local guides. You'll learn about the local plants and trees and their traditional uses, and there'll be plenty of chances to spot wildlife other than rhinos. The park is home to leopards, hippos, antelope and more! Learn about the San people who have called this area home for thousands of years and visit their rock paintings in the hills. Spend some time in the nearby villages to meet some of the local community before returning to your lodge for the evening.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Mapungubwe National Park
Location: Mapungubwe National Park
Accommodation Name: bush lodge
Meals Included: Dinner
Say goodbye to Zimbabwe and cross the border into South Africa. Your bush lodge for tonight sits inside Mapesu Private Game Reserve – a 12,500 hectares property surrounded by unique sandstone formations, woodlands and wildlife. The reserve focuses on biodiversity, conservation and the protection and reintroduction of species including efforts specifically on endangered animals. When you arrive, have dinner here with your group and watch the night sky come alive with stars.
Day 6: Mapungubwe National Park
Location: Mapungubwe National Park
Accommodation Name: bush lodge
Meals Included: Dinner
Today, you’ll explore Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site – home to South Africa’s most significant Iron Age site. Visit the 13th-century grave site on Mapungubwe Hill, which contains ornaments, jewellery, bowls and amulets covered in gold foil. The most spectacular of these pieces is a small, gold-covered rhinoceros. Apartheid kept this discovery a secret as the regime attempted to suppress any historical information that proved black cultural sophistication. Later, you have free time to relax at the lodge or you can take an optional game drive in through the park. Tonight, you’ll head out on a night safari in Mapesu Private Game Reserve. Look out for bush babies (galagos), bushpigs, hyenas, genets and tiny chameleons – all of which don’t come out much during the day. Maybe you’ll even get lucky and encounter a leopard!
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Kruger National Park
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation Name: lodge
Meals Included: Dinner
Wake up early this morning and drive to Greater Kruger National Park. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy. Maybe kick back at the lodge and relax with a good book, chat to your fellow travellers over cards, take a dip in the on-site swimming pool or venture out for more wildlife spotting on an optional safari in a private game reserve within the national park.
Day 8: Kruger National Park
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation Name: lodge
Meals Included: Dinner
Start the day early and head into Kruger National Park – one of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa and home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species including all the big cats. Your wildlife experience begins as soon as you enter the park, as you're taken into prime viewing areas. Enjoy a picnic breakfast here before spending the rest of the day wildlife-spotting in the park, watching game, birds and stopping at various waterholes as you go. The group will leave the park in the late afternoon and return to the lodge for another relaxed evening.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Johannesburg
Location: Johannesburg
Enjoy the scenic route back to Johannesburg filled with beautiful views of stunning landscape. Along the way, you’ll visit the breathtaking Three Rondawels Viewpoint and the impressive Bourke's Luck Potholes, perfect stops to break up the drive and enjoy the scenery. When you arrive in Johannesburg, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay here, and it’s recommended that you do, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
Included Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Lodge (8 nights) -
Meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners -
Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer (shared)
A complimentary airport arrival transfer from Victoria Falls Airport is included.
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Hwange National Park - Guided 4x4 Game Drive
Enjoy a guided 4x4 game drive in Hwange National Park.
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Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust visit
Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about wildlife rehabilitation.
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Hwange - Painted Dog Conservation visit
Visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to learn about conservation efforts.
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Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking
Track rhinos on foot with an expert local guide in Matobo National Park.
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Mapesu Private Game Reserve - Night Safari
Experience a night safari in Mapesu Private Game Reserve.
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Mapungubwe - Heritage & Museum Tour
Explore the World Heritage site of Mapungubwe National Park and its museum.
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Kruger National Park - Full Day 4WD Safari
Enjoy a full day 4WD safari in Kruger National Park.
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Panorama Route - Bourke's Luck Potholes
Visit the Bourke's Luck Potholes along the Panorama Route.
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Panorama Route - Three Rondawels
See the Three Rondawels viewpoint along the Panorama Route.
What's Not Included
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Luggage Restrictions
The weight limit for luggage on the tour is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack.
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Border Crossing Delays
Border crossing delays in the region may affect the order of activities in the itinerary.
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Transfers from Livingstone Airport
Transfers from Livingstone Airport can be arranged at additional cost.
Included Activities
Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer (shared)Hwange National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Game DriveVictoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust VisitHwange - Painted Dog Conservation visitMatobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Open Safari Vehicle Park Visit & San Rock PaintingsJohannesburg - City Walking TourPrivate Game Reserve - Open Safari Vehicle Game DriveKruger National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Game DriveKruger Lodge Reserve - Morning Nature WalkPanorama Route - God's Window ViewpointPanorama Route - Bourke's Luck Potholes
Transport
Our trucks are purpose-built, self contained safari vehicles. Our fleet of vehicles varies depending on your group size, trip route and style. In Southern Africa some departures may use vans and luggage trailers subject to group size and vehicle availability. It is also important to note that our overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened to allow for fresh air.There are many early starts with long hours spent driving on rough roads on all African itineraries. While most people love the chance to watch the changing landscape and daily village life, feedback shows that long periods of inactivity does not appeal to all clients. We provide the approximate distance covered each day and how many hours this normally takes to drive so that you can choose the safari experience that is right for you.African conditions are extremely tough on vehicles. While we fastidiously maintain our vehicles at our workshops, you should not expect Africa to be your traditional touring experience. While it's certainly our aim to avoid them, it's important that you set off on your trip knowing that the occasional breakdown can happen and are best treated as part of the African adventure. Due to wet weather there may be times when we have to take an alternative route which will mean longer travel times.
Accommodation
Southern Africa is becoming increasingly popular tourist destinations. Despite the influx of travellers, bed numbers are not being increased to match the demand. This intentional move is aimed at minimising the environmental impact of tourism and keeping the destinations exclusive. It is therefore becoming more and more difficult for us to confirm our allocation with our usual suppliers, particularly in peak season. We may use alternative accommodation which could affect driving times and distances listed in the Essential Trip Information. However we will always use properties of the same standard and ensure that no included activities will be affected.If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night.
Important Information
1. If you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, you may purchase a single supplement, subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer from Victoria Falls Airport is included. This transfer is only valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel. Transfers from Livingstone Airport can be arranged at additional cost.3. The weight of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the packing space and weight restrictions of the truck. The weight limit for luggage on all of our trucks is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack. Backpacks shouldn’t have an external frame unless it can easily be removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people’s luggage. We strongly advise passengers to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag, and it is essential that no hard suitcases be brought on tour. For valuables, like passports, we offer a safe on each vehicle that is shared by all passengers to keep their documentation safe during their journey.4. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.5. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document to delegate their authority.
Mode of Transport
Travel in purpose-built, self-contained safari vehicles, with some departures using vans and luggage trailers. Expect early starts, long drives on rough roads, and occasional breakdowns as part of the adventure. Vehicles are not air-conditioned but have windows for fresh air.
Accommodation
Southern Africa offers lodges and permanent tented camps powered by generators, which may be turned off at night. Due to high demand, alternative accommodations of the same standard may be used, especially during peak seasons, ensuring no activities are affected.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of vehicles are used for transportation during the Southern Africa Safari?
The tour uses purpose-built, self-contained safari vehicles. Depending on the group size, trip route, and style, some departures in Southern Africa may use vans and luggage trailers. The overland vehicles are not air-conditioned, but all vehicles have windows that can be opened for fresh air.
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What should I know about the accommodation during the tour?
Accommodation in Southern Africa is limited to minimize environmental impact and maintain exclusivity, so alternative accommodations may be used, especially during peak season. These alternatives will be of the same standard, and no included activities will be affected. If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine, ensure it is battery-operated as lodges and camps are often powered by generators that are turned off at night.
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What wildlife experiences can I expect during the tour?
You will have the opportunity to explore Kruger National Park, track rhinos on foot in Matobo National Park, and go on a night safari in Mapesu Private Game Reserve. The tour also includes a guided 4x4 game drive in Hwange National Park, which is famous for its large elephant population and diverse wildlife.
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Are there any cultural experiences included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about wildlife rehabilitation and a chance to meet rescued wildlife. In Matobo National Park, you will learn about the San people and see ancient rock paintings. Additionally, you will visit the Mapungubwe World Heritage Site, which is significant for its Iron Age history.
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What should I be aware of regarding the tour's travel conditions?
The tour involves early starts and long hours of driving on rough roads. While the changing landscapes and village life can be enjoyable, the long periods of inactivity may not appeal to everyone. African conditions are tough on vehicles, so occasional breakdowns may occur and should be considered part of the adventure. Wet weather may require alternative routes, leading to longer travel times.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions