Kruger National Park to Victoria Falls

Day 1: Johannesburg – South Africa

Our Kruger National Park to Victoria Falls safari adventure begins in Johannesburg, South Africa, with pickup from the airport in Johannesburg, the bustling economic heart of this beautiful country. Next, you are transferred to our first overnight lodge from the international airport, where the pre-tour briefing is held at 6:00 this evening. The first day is free for you to relax at the lodge after your long flight or to join some optional activities, depending on your time of arrival. Accommodation: En-suite rooms at an African-themed lodge near the airport (WiFi, bar, garden, and pool).

Day 2: Johannesburg to Blyde River in Mpumalanga – South Africa

On the second day, we have breakfast at the lodge and leave the dynamic city of Johannesburg behind, making our way east into Mpumalanga. Then, driving towards Kruger National Park, we reach the Eastern Escarpment in one of the most scenic parts of South Africa – the Panorama Route. Our first stop is the historic small town of Pilgrims Rest, one of the first mining sites discovered during the Gold Rush back in the late 1800s. The whole town has been a national monument since 1986 and today hosts charming shops and eateries and fascinating museums. Accommodation: En-suite rooms at a hotel in Graskop, with views over the escarpment.

Days 3 – 4: Timbavati Private Game Reserve in Greater Kruger Park – South Africa

On the third day, we continue along the wonderful Panorama Route, entering the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest canyons in the world. Our drive takes us via Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a striking series of rock pools located at the start of Blyde River Canyon. Next, we stop at the God’s Window look-out point, from where we enjoy sweeping views over the green canyon and Lowveld beyond. Next, we travel to the renowned Timbavati Private Game Reserve from the Panoramic Route, located within Greater Kruger National Park. Timbavati shares an unfenced border with Kruger National Park, allowing wildlife to move freely between the national park and private game reserve. Timbavati is best known for its famous white lions, first sighted here in 1975. Today the game reserve is home to more than 40 mammal species, including the Big Five of Africa – lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo. In Timbavati, north of Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a diversity of over 360 birds have been recorded, so bird lovers will have plenty to see here.

We start the fourth day with an early morning game drive in this game-rich wilderness, going in search of the Big Five, cheetah, zebra, giraffe, a variety of antelopes, and other wild animals. Then, in the afternoon, we embark on an exhilarating game walk in Timbavati Game Reserve. The game walk is an exciting way to move more slowly and quietly through the bush, spotting creatures, big and small, from close quarters and taking in the sounds, smells, and sights of the untamed wilderness up close. We stay at an unfenced, authentic tented camp in safari-style en-suite canvas tents set on raised platforms under thatch roofing.

Days 5 – 6: Nwanedi Nature Reserve – South Africa

We get an early start on the fifth day, rising at sunrise for another game drive in Timbavati Private Game Reserve. After our morning game drive, we set off north for Nwanedi Nature Reserve, located on the scenic lower slopes of the Venda Mountains in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. At Nwanedi Nature Reserve, we enjoy our first close cultural encounter with the local Venda people, starting with an evening of storytelling. Nelson Maphapha from the legendary Fundudzi area, known for its sacred forests and sacred lake, spends time with us around the campfire sharing local myths and folklore. After breakfast on the sixth day, we set off on a cultural day trip, beginning with a visit to the master potter, Rebecca Matiba. Next, we stop in at a school for children with disabilities, and during school holidays, we tour a local tea plantation. Then it’s time to see the ancient ruins of the Vha-Venda kings’ Royal Kraal, attributed to the Tshivhase tribe. At the royal kraal (enclosure), we browse the market, viewing locally-made traditional clothes and jewelry and watching local dancers perform traditional dances such as the Domba (python dance) and the Malenda Tshifasi dances. We tuck into a buffet of western and traditional African dishes for lunch before making our way back to camp. Along the way, we pause to see some wood carvings and crafts by local artisans working with Simon Siobo.

Days 7 – 8: Matobo National Park – Zimbabwe

Leaving Nwanedi in Limpopo, we continue north into neighboring Zimbabwe, crossing the Beit Bridge border post, about an hour’s drive away. Our first destination in southern Zimbabwe is the Unesco World Heritage Site of Matobo National Park, covering 424 km² of boulder-strewn hills and valleys.

The rugged Matopos Hills are of cultural and spiritual importance to the Ndebele people hosting burial and ceremonial sites. However, the most notable feature of the captivating landscapes is the giant granite boulders the park is named after, with Matobos meaning ‘bald heads.’ We stay at a lodge set amid these impressive rock formations on the outskirts of the Matobo Hills National Park. On the eighth day, we follow a historic trail through this stunning terrain, hiking to the top of Malindidzimu hill, where the grave of Cecil John Rhodes is located. The Matobo (Matopo) Park is home to high concentrations of black (Verreaux) eagles and leopards, along with rhinos, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, antelopes, and other wild animals. Our walk also takes us to some of the caves scattered in the hills to see the ancient rock art of the San Bushman who once inhabited the area.

Days 9 – 10: Matobo to Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe

From Matobo National Park, we make our way to Zimbabwe’s top game viewing destination, Hwange National Park. Hwange is famous for its abundance of elephants and being a haven for endangered African wild dogs. This is the largest national park in Zimbabwe, offering superb game viewing. In the afternoon, we venture into a private concession on the border of Hwange Park, taking a game drive in an open 4×4 safari vehicle. On the tenth day, we embark on a game drive in the wildlife-rich concession area before visiting the Painted Dog Conservation Centre near Hwange National Park. This wildlife center is the headquarters of the African Wild Dog Conservation Project, aimed at rescuing, rehabilitating, and protecting these endangered carnivores.

Days 11 – 12: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Heading north again, we leave the wildlife haven of Hwange National Park behind, arriving at Victoria Falls around noon. Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe is the closest safari hub to one of the world’s most awe-inspiring natural spectacles (you guessed it) – Victoria Falls. This is the largest waterfall globally, plummeting 108 meters from its 1.7km width into the Batoka Gorge below. The local name for this Unesco World Heritage Site on the Zambezi River is Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning ‘the Smoke that Thunders.’ A visit to Vic Falls (own account) reveals why this magnificent waterfall is one of the most memorable highlights of visiting southern Africa. The eleventh and twelfth days are free for you to enjoy some of the fantastic experiences Victoria Falls has to offer – participating in optional adventure activities, exploring the town, and visiting the beautiful natural phenomenon itself. Everyone has something for cultural encounters and shopping at the local markets to plunging off Victoria Falls Bridge for a heart-stopping bungee jump. Taking a relaxing sunset cruise along the Zambezi River to spot birds and animals as you sip on sundowners and admire the scenery or hurtling down the rapids on a white water rafting trip are two of the many activities on offer here.

Accommodation: Riverside lodge on the outskirts of the Zambezi National Park.

Day 13: Victoria Falls – Johannesburg

This Kruger Park to Victoria Falls Safari Adventure ends on the morning of the thirteenth day, after breakfast at the lodge in Victoria Falls. Flight back to Johannesburg or onward north.

Safari Highlights:

• Panorama Route – Blyde River Canyon, Bourkes Luck Potholes & God’s window
• Game drives & game walks in Timbavati Reserve (Greater Kruger National Park)
• Nwanedi Nature Reserve & cultural trip in Limpopo Province
• Walk-in Matobos National Park & view San bushman rock art in caves
• Game drives in Hwange National Park concession & African Wild Dog Centre
• Victoria Falls & optional activities on the Zimbabwean side