South Africa

Exploring South Africa

Tour operator: Intrepid Travel

From the Victoria Falls to safaris in Hwange and Kruger National Parks, to the Makishi culture and the views of the Blyde River Canyon!

Starting from:$1,616

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Duration

9 days / 8 nights

Age range

18+

Guide speaks

Group size

2-22 people

Departures from:21 December

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Nature:
Natural oases, active volcanoes, tropical forests, and more.

Nature

90%

Urban:
Historical centers, street mazes, and all the comforts of the city.

Urban

30%

Adventure:
Trekking, canyoning, snorkeling, and many other activities.

Adventure

70%

Culture:
Museums, art galleries, historical buildings, and monuments.

Culture

30%

Relax:
In the pool, at the spa, or on a Caribbean beach.

Relax

20%

Intensity:
Required physical effort and pace of the journey.

Intensity

90%

What you'll visit

Victoria Falls panorama — Victoria Falls

elephants drinking at Matobo National Park — Matobo National Park

giraffe at Hwange National Park — Hwange National Park

Itinerary

Download PDF

More information regarding the schedule and meeting point of the first/last day will be provided after booking.

day 1

VICTORIA FALLS

Welcome to Zimbabwe and the majestic Victoria Falls. Our journey will begin with a welcome meeting at 18:00. If we arrive early, why not take part in some of the optional activities around Victoria Falls? The Zimbabwean side of the falls offers the widest view of this colossal natural wonder, and the helicopter scenic flights are incredible, or among other activities we find: Standard sunset cruise, Flying Fox / Bridge Slide / Zipline, bridge tour, bridge swing, traditional village tour, white-water rafting (seasonal), sunset cruise on the Song river or the jet Boat (seasonal).

Dinner not included. Airport transfer not included. Optional activities not included. We will stay at a Campsite (with shared facilities). You might notice companies offering an optional 'Walk with Lions' experience. We ask all Intrepid travelers to avoid this activity as it goes against our responsible travel policy. Although observing wildlife is an important part of many of our itineraries, we strive to observe animals only in their natural habitats and to do so with the utmost level of respect. The lion walking industry directly contributes to the captive breeding and canned hunting of lions. While you are at Victoria Falls, you might hear about Devil's Pool. We advise against this activity due to the high risk involved.

day 2

HWANGE NATIONAL PARK

After exploring a bit, we will leave behind the Victoria Falls and head towards the Hwange National Park, passing through the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. Here, we will learn about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, human-wildlife conflict, and the Trust's role in the fight against poaching. There might also be a chance to meet some of the rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. Hwange National Park, once a hunting ground for the Ndebele warrior king Mzilikazi in the early 19th century and turned into a national park in 1929, is now home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 species of birds. The elephants of Hwange are known worldwide for being one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. In the afternoon, we will explore Hwange National Park and discover this wonderful wildlife reserve aboard an open 4WD vehicle, led by local experts. We will keep our eyes peeled to spot animals and listen carefully to the guides' explanations about this area and the animals that inhabit it.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Transfers included. Excursions included. Today's travel time will be around 5 hours. We will stay overnight at a Campsite (with shared facilities). An optional accommodation upgrade is expected at tonight's camp (subject to availability), contact us for more information.

day 3

MATOBO NATIONAL PARK

This morning we are heading towards the Matobo National Park. Shortly after leaving Hwange, we will stop at the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. The loss of quality habitat and poaching are pushing the painted dog (also known as the African wild dog) towards extinction. We will discover how the locals are working to protect and increase the range and number of painted dogs in Zimbabwe and the Hwange ecosystem as a whole. Then we will continue towards Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe. We will take a walk through the streets lined with old colonial buildings and stop at a local bar or restaurant for lunch before heading to our camp for the next two nights. Matobo National Park, home to a large population of both white and black rhinos that can be tracked on foot, is also the site of Cecil John Rhodes' grave, the founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company. The Matobo area holds great spiritual and cultural significance for the local population, and there are many sites within the park where important ceremonies are still held.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Transfers included. Excursions included. Today's travel time will be around 5 hours. Your campsite tonight has shared facilities, Wi-Fi access, and optional upgrades (subject to availability). For more information, please contact us for further details.

day 4

MATOBO NATIONAL PARK

Matobo National Park boasts an extraordinary variety of birds and wildlife, including both white and black rhinos. This morning, we'll have the unique opportunity to track white rhinos on foot with the help of expert local guides. We'll also have the chance to observe other wildlife: the park is home to klipspringers, leopards, warthogs, and jumping hares, among others. We'll also get to know the various local plants and trees, such as the wild pear and paper bark, as we explore the San paintings and the park's fascinating rock formations. After a cold lunch, we'll venture into a nearby village to meet some local inhabitants. We'll gain a better understanding of these people's lives when they lived on the hills, and we'll meet some local communities and personalities, including the elderly chief Pondo, a real character.

Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch is not included. Transfers included. Excursions included. We will stay at a fully-equipped campsite.

day 5

TSHIPISE

This morning we will leave behind the Matobo National Park and Zimbabwe, crossing a very busy border post, the only direct crossing between Zimbabwe and South Africa. We should arrive at our campsite located on the edge of the Honnet Nature Reserve in the late afternoon. We will relax and enjoy the numerous facilities available, including indoor and outdoor pools, mini golf, nature trails, and optional safaris.

Breakfast and dinner included. Lunch is on your own. Transfers included. Today's travel time will be about 6-8 hours. This evening your leader will provide a briefing on tomorrow's family and village visit, including the types of activities you will participate in and the positive impact our visit will have on the wider community.

day 6

MAKUSHU VILLAGE

We will head towards Makushu, a small village in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Upon arrival at Makushu, we will be greeted by a local village guide, who will ensure that we are well taken care of. We will stay with host mothers in their family homes. Having our own room within the family house, we will get an authentic idea of what life is like in the village: certainly a unique and memorable experience for us travelers. Since no two days are the same for the local villagers, some of the activities we might organize include beadwork, dancing, local beer tasting, and cooking. This evening will represent a true opportunity to interact with the local villagers and learn about the traditional Venda ways.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Transfers included. Excursions included. During your homestay, each room is equipped with a double bed, while some guests have two or three rooms. Upon arrival at your home and meeting your host, you will receive a homestay kit. Each kit comes with clean linen (duvet, pillow, towel, dishcloth, sheet), a roll of toilet paper, hand sanitizer, mosquito repellent, tea, coffee, mug, sugar, and milk. Various South African long-drop sanitary facilities are available outside each house. These facilities are clean and well-maintained. Homestay hosts provide guests with hot water every morning and evening through portable bathtubs.

day 7

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK - BLACK MAMBA HEADQUARTERS

Today, after breakfast, we will embark on the epic journey towards the Greater Kruger National Park. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to stop at a shop or market for any camping supplies we or the group may need. Tonight, we will have the extraordinary opportunity to camp at the headquarters of the Black Mambas, located just outside the Kruger National Park. The Black Mambas are the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit, made up of 36 young African women. Challenging a traditionally male-dominated field, they are using their feminine skills to protect the wildlife of the Kruger National Park in an unconventional way. We will join them on a bush walk to learn how they identify and destroy the traps left by poachers. In the evening, we will enjoy a lantern-lit dinner, then relax by the fire and listen to the inspiring personal stories of the Black Mambas.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Transfers included. Excursions included. Today's travel time will be about 9 hours.

day 8

KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

We will rise early and have a light breakfast of coffee before embarking on a full-day off-road safari in the Kruger National Park. This vast hunting reserve in the south of Africa is home to over 500 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles, and 150 species of mammals, including the Big Five and the rare African wild dog. Our wildlife experience will begin as soon as we enter the park, heading straight for the main animal viewing areas, where we can spot everything from antelopes to elands, from cheetahs to rhinoceroses. Later, we will take a night drive with the park's local guides to search for nocturnal animals and perhaps even spot one or two nocturnal predators. Night drives are a unique opportunity to observe Kruger National Park's elusive nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat. This excursion usually lasts between 2 and 3 hours, and we expect to see a wide range of nocturnal animals, such as nightjars, servals, African wildcats, spring hares, and owls.

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included. Transfers included. Excursions included. Sometimes, especially during peak months from May to September and December, we are unable to guarantee camping within Kruger National Park. In this case, we will camp at a site outside the park.

day 9

JOHANNESBURG

It's time to head towards Johannesburg. We will have plenty of time to make stops and explore along the way. A noteworthy stop is the 3 Rondavels viewpoint at Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes. This place offers incredible views and the cloud coverage is usually minimal. Our African safari adventure will conclude this evening with our arrival in Johannesburg.

Breakfast included. Transfer to the airport not included. Today's travel time will be about 10 hours. Accommodation for tonight is not planned, but it can be arranged at the time of booking this trip. If you wish to take an international flight out, it is important to book for 22:00 or later, to allow for any delays your group might encounter.

What's included

Accommodation: Equipped campsite (8 nights), Family (1 night)
Transport for hiking and safaris with an open vehicle
Meals as per itinerary
1 tour leader + 1 driver + 1 cook, all speaking English
Excursions as per itinerary
Travel health and luggage insurance

Download full documentation

Not included

International flights
Airport taxes
Optional activities not included
Unmentioned certainties
Personal expenses
Mance
Everything not specifically mentioned under the section “What’s included”

Important things to know

Trip features

Journey open to travelers with no age restrictions.

You will travel with travelers from other agencies: the larger the group, the more fun it is!

The trip is organized by tour operators and local guides, selected by Tramundi for you.

General trip information

Remember to bring a valid passport with an expiration date not less than 6 months at the time of entry into the country.

The itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the trip.

This is an overland journey. That means you will travel with a group in a specially built vehicle, visit remote communities, set up your tent occasionally, and get the best possible view of the Big Five.

The African wilderness comes to life at dawn, so there will be some early departures on this trip. The thrill of spotting your first lion or rhinoceros will be worth the loss of sleep!

Currency

Rand (ZAR)

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are not mandatory.

These directions are for informational purposes only; to confirm the necessity of any vaccinations, it is recommended to consult your doctor.

Documents and visas

A passport is required, with a remaining validity of at least 6 months upon entry into the country and at least 2 blank pages for the visa stamp. A visa is not required for entry.

Emergency numbers

All emergencies: tel. 112 Netcare 911 (in life-threatening situations): tel. 082.911 Police rapid response: tel. 10111 Ambulance and Fire Brigade rapid response: tel. 10177 Roadside assistance “AASA”: tel. 0861 000234

Electrical outlets

Type D, M

In this thrilling journey, we will explore the wonders of Zimbabwe and South Africa, from the majesty of the Victoria Falls to the incredible wildlife of Hwange National Park and Greater Kruger. We will immerse ourselves in the local cultures at Makushu, embrace adventure with the Black Mambas, and conclude with breathtaking views over the Blyde River Canyon, before reaching Johannesburg.

Travel without worries

Medical and luggage insurance and covid coverage always included, extended medical insurance, cancellation insurance and refund options available.

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South Africa

Exploring South Africa

What you'll visit