16 Day South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana Overland Tour
USD2400.00 p/p
USD 1650.00 p/p
Trip Code BBKZM16
The 16 day tour is designed for the person looking for an unforgettable adventure into Southern Africa. You will not be disappointed with this tour; you will experience the best of Southern Africa passing through Kruger National Park, proceed to Zimbabwe and explore the great Zimbabwe Ruins, Matopo National Park, a home of white rhinos and balancing rocks, then Hwange national park a haven of wildlife then Victoria Falls. Cross over to Botswana to explore Chobe National Park, Nata National Park and Okavango Delta. All these together is an unforgettable experience that can’t be found anywhere else.
Day 1
Escape to Kruger. We make our way east through Mpumalanga. Our journey goes past the coal mines and some old towns of Mpumalanga as we enjoy the landscape that quickly changes as we drive to the borders of Kruger National Park. One night camp before the park itself. A local dance group will entertain us as we enjoy our dinner.
Day 2
The Kruger National Park for a full-day of game viewing on safari vehicles. You get the opportunity to explore the park in vehicles that can go where our trucks can’t.
The history ,nature, wildlife of Kruger National Park.
Day 3
Our journey today takes us to Masvingo and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. This afternoon we will enjoy a guided walking tour of this historic site. Dating back to the Late Iron Age, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. We take time this afternoon to marvel at the intricate stone work and experience the heritage of this monument to early Zimbabwean civilisation.
Day 4
After breakfast we continue south towards Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. Our afternoon will be spent exploring the Matopos National Park with a local guide. The park received recognition as a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site in 2003 and includes an intensive protection zone that is home to both Black and White Rhinoceros. Named after the Ndebele word “Matobo “, whose meaning “bald heads” refers to the rounded granite hills that surround it. We return to Bulawayo and our overnight stop for the night.
Day 5
After breakfast we continue south towards Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. Our afternoon will be spent exploring the Matopos National Park with a local guide. The park received recognition as a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site in 2003 and includes an intensive protection zone that is home to both Black and White Rhinoceros. Named after the Ndebele word “Matobo “, whose meaning “bald heads” refers to the rounded granite hills that surround it. We return to Bulawayo and our overnight stop for the night.
Day 6
Today we make the journey south to Hwange National Park. Hwange is the largest of Zimbabwe’s national parks and offers excellent opportunities for viewing the diversity of wildlife that calls the park home.
Day 7
Home to the big-5, Hwange National Park also offers a wide variety of plains game and birdlife. We will spend the day game driving (in open 4×4 vehicles) through Hwange in search of the animals.
Day 8
Victoria falls is our next destination as we look to explore one of the wonders of the world, the mighty zambezi. Our guided(local guide) tour will give us an insight on the history and the founders of this beautiful place including the town of Victoria falls.
Day 9
Optional Activities
Day 10
Botswana welcomes us. We start with a game drive in Chobe National Park which is rich in elephants, lions, buffalos and other wildlife. The Chobe River provides water to all the wildlife. It is at the same time a hunting ground so only the strong survive and only the wise excel. To top off the day we end the night with a cruise along the Chobe River.
Day 11
The Makgadikgadi Pan,a salt pan situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana, is one of the largest salt flats in the world.These salt pans cover 6,200 sq mi. There are also baobab trees found in the area that function as local landmarks. Very little wildlife can survive here during the harsh dry season of strong hot winds with only salt water available.
Day 12
Set on the banks of the beautiful island safari camp in northern Botswana, Maun is the third largest town in this spectacularly scenic southern African country. Maun is the start of the Okavango Delta and as a result has developed into a busy city that is considered Botswana’s tourism capital. Maun Game Reserve and Moremi Game Reserve are home to hippos, lions and rhinos.
Day 13/14
Situated in the east of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve ranks as one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa. It covers more than 4871 square kilometres of massive wilderness, and the varied terrain includes savannah, winding waterways, and dense forest. This diverse ecosystem supports an incredibly wide spectrum of wildlife, ranging from large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra, to the rare sitatunga and lechwe antelope, lion, cheetah and packs of wild dog in the open grasslands. The birdlife is prolific and includes most of the 550 bird species recorded on Botswana’s
national bird list.
Day 15
On this day we heard back to Maun where we get ourselves organised as reality creeps in …………we going back home. A chilled day to relax and enjoy our last dinner and some dance from the locals of the beautiful Botswana to send us off
Day 16
Transfer to airport
We hope to see you (or any referral) when next, you visit and thanks for choosing Bush Bound Africa Safaris!
| START | END | ACCOMODATION | ACTIVITIES | B | L | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JNB | KRUGER | SKUKUZA | Night Drive | 0 | X | X |
| 2 | KRUGER | KRUGER | SKUKUZA | Full Day Safari | X | X | X |
| 3 | KRUGER | Great Zimbabwe | L@ THE CITY | Great Zimbabwe Ruins | X | X | X |
| 4 | Great Zimbabwe | MATOPO | CAMP AMALINDA | Safari, Sunset | X | X | X |
| 5 | MATOPO | MATOPO | CAMP AMALINDA | Rhino Trekking | x | x | x |
| 6 | MATOPO | Hwange | SABLE IVORY | Sunset Drive | x | X | A |
| 7 | Hwange | Hwange | SABLE IVORY | Full Day Safari | X | X | X |
| 8 | Hwange | Vic Falls | SAFARI LODGE | Tour of the Falls | A | X | A |
| 9 | Vic Falls | Vic Falls | SAFARI LODGE | Optional Activities | A | 0 | A |
| 10 | Vic Falls | CHOBE | CHOBE | Game Drive, Cruise | A | X | X |
| 11 | CHOBE | Nata | PELICAN | Nata Sanctuary | X | X | X |
| 12 | Nata | Maun | ISLAND SAFARIS | Flight over the Delta | X | X | X |
| 13 | Maun | Moremi | MOREMI CROSNG | GAME DRIVE | x | A | A |
| 14 | Moremi | Moremi | MOREMI CROSNG | GAME DRIVE | A | A | A |
| 15 | Moremi | Maun | ISLAND SAFARIS | CHILAX | A | x | x |
| 16 | Maun | Airport | A | ||||
Additional on the route guide KEY
B-reakfast
L-unch
D-inner
X-provided
O-own expense
A-commodation provides
Country info: BOTSWANA
Capital city: Gabarone
National parks: Chobe National Park, Central Kalahari, Makgadikgadi, Moremi
Visa: Each nationality has different visa requirements please check with the country embassy for up to date information. For some nationalities, a visa can not be obtained at the border and an application needs to be done prior to traveling. So it is very important to check the visa requirements prior to travel.
Language spoken: English,Setswana
Currency: Pula
Credit cards accepted: Yes
Electric voltage: 220v
Country code for phones: +267
Time zone: UTC+2 (SAST)
General Trip Summary
| ITEM | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| Crew | Crew 2 |
| Max Passengers | 15 Passengers Max |
| Vehicle | Safari Adventure Truck |
| Duration | 16 Days 15 Nights |
| Meals | Breakfast x 15, Lunch x 14, Dinner x 13 |
| Countries | South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana |
What to bring:
- On board the truck, you will have an assigned locker that is approximately 35 x 35 x 80 cm. You will also want a small day back to keep with you on board the truck and at activities during the day. We highly recommend you avoid hard cases. Try to use duffel bags or backpacks for safety, comfort and convenience. A money belt to be worn around your waist is always a good idea.
- In the summer, bring light, cotton, easy to dry clothing. It will be hot. In the winter, you will want to bring a fleece jacket and wool hat as it can get cold, especially at night. Clothes in dull colors such as khaki, beige and green are best.
- You will want to bring a good camera and binoculars to maximize your experience.
- If you have chosen to do a tour in a tent, you will need to bring a sleeping bag and pillow for sleeping. (Linens are provided by the hotels on accommodated tours.)
- You should bring a water bottle to refill. It is recommended that you drink bottled water throughout southern Africa. We will stop at shops along the way where you will be able to purchase water and any snack items you want.
- Hand sanitizer is a good idea.
- A padlock for your locker is also recommended.
What is provided:
- Edutainment including a free subscription to Bush TV
- Food for meals (any additional snacks you desire can be purchased along the way)
- Tents, sleeping mattress
- Entrance fee to parks
What to expect:
For camping tours, you will be asked to help set up and take down camp each day. This will include setting up your own tent as well as the communal dining area. Don’t worry, we’ll show how to do the tents and before long you will be a master!
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are always a variety-from local cuisines to international menus made by our master chefs. Dietary requirements and allergies usually can be accommodated with advance notice. Please speak to one of our representatives before booking if you have concerns.
Most campsites have laundry areas with washing sinks for laundry and running water. Some even have laundry machines for a fee or the option to send your laundry out for washing.
Before embarking on your adventure, you will need to obtain medical/ travel insurance. It is so important in the case of an emergency in a remote area to get you airlifted to the nearest hospital. You will not be allowed to proceed on the tour without proof of insurance.
Traveling conditions can be bumpy and dusty as roads through remote areas are often rough. But it’s all part of the adventure and allows you to see Africa off the beaten track.
Cellphone coverage is mainly in the main cities and small towns. Wifi though is often available at many of the camps, even deep in the bush.
