9-Day Kruger and Vic Falls Small Group Safari from Pretoria

9-Day Kruger and Vic Falls Small Group Safari from Pretoria

This comprehensive accommodated 9-Day adventure tour highlights some of the best National Parks and reserves in Southern Africa. Visit the Bakone open-air museum for a cultural experience and trek rhino at Zimbabwe's famed Matobo National Park. Ending in style with spectacular views over the thundering Victoria Falls and cruising the Zambezi.

Itinerary

Day 1: Pretoria – Hoedspruit

Stop At: Guernsey Private Nature Reserve, Guernsey Private Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province
Departing from South Africa’s administrative city, Pretoria, we drive across the scenic Mpumalanga province and enjoy the spectacular mountain vistas. We stop at the Blyde River Canyon to view the odd looking Three Rondavels rock formations perched at the edge of the Blyde River Canyon and enjoy the crisp air and picturesque views. The Blyde River Canyon is revered as an unusual sight owing to the fact that it is a ‘wet’ canyon, making it different from the wind-carved dry canyons found in desert regions elsewhere. After lunch we continue our journey making our way to accommodations, set in attractive gardens situated an hour or so drive from Kruger National Park. After dinner relax and enjoy the first night on tour.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Nsele Lodge, Hoedspruit, South Africa

Day 2: Hoedspruit – Kruger National Park

Stop At: Kruger National Park, South Africa
Waking early, we board 4x4 game viewing vehicles for an intense but rewarding day in Kruger National Park. Your professional guide will point out items or interest as we go, and we hope will help the day to be a wonderful opportunity to learn something of the varied and world-renowned Kruger. The park is home to over 505 species of birds and 148 species of mammals as well as good numbers of reptiles and abundant flora. The park has a good network of roads allowing relatively easy access – essential given its size – but has clear rules about encroaching on the animals’ space ensuring conservation is given a high priority, which perhaps helps explain why Kruger is held in such high regard amongst travellers worldwide. We game drive morning and afternoon with a break during the middle of the day to enjoy the peace of the rest camp and wait out the hottest part of the day (when wildlife is usually less active). If you have questions about the wildlife you see, or about the park itself, please ask your resident guide who will be happy to explain the ins and outs of animal behaviour and other interesting sights in Kruger. Eventually we leave the park to return to our accommodation for dinner and overnight.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Nsele Lodge, Hoedspruit, South Africa

Day 3: Hoedspruit – Polokwane

Stop At: Bakone Malapa Open-Air Museum, Chuenespoort Road, Polokwane 0699 South Africa
After breakfast we leave the Kruger area and travel across undulating country-side to the northern town of Polokwane. The journey takes us over some beautiful scenic mountain passes and through flourishing citrus plantations of nestled along the valleys of the Limpopo Province. Previously known as the Northern Province, this is a land of myths and legends and is also highly rated as a southern Africa Eco-tourism destination. Arriving in Polokwane, we head off to learn more about the local Bakone culture.

This interesting open-air museum allows us to learn about traditional methods of the Bakone tribe who were settled in this area from historic times to the present day. Learn how they made fire, harvested and prepared the staple mielie meal, and about the interesting decorations that adorn their dwellings. We later make our way to our accommodations nearby.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Destiny Inn, Polokwane, South Africa

Day 4: Bulawayo – Matobo National Park

Stop At: Bulawayo, Bulawayo, Bulawayo Province
This morning we make our way north crossing out of South Africa and into Zimbabwe. Immigration formalities at the busy Beitbridge border may be lengthy as this is South Africa’s busiest land border, but once completed we continue to Bulawayo, a pleasant city with broad tree lined avenues and wide-open spaces. The area around the city offers much in the way of historical, geological and natural interest. Several national parks are nearby including the well-known Matobo (sometimes written Matopos) which we shall visit. Our accommodation for the evening is in a quiet garden setting on the outskirts of town.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Travellers Guesthouse, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Day 5: Bulawayo – Matobo National Park

Stop At: Matobo National Park, Matopos road, Bulawayo Zimbabwe
We rise early to meet our guides for our visit and game drive into the Matobo National Park. Situated a short distance outside of Bulawayo, the wind-sculptured Matopos Hills are the site of numerous Bushman paintings and the area holds a special cultural and spiritual significance to the indigenous people here. The reserve has the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and if conditions are suitable, guides will lead us on foot to some of the more concealed places for a close view of these magnificent animals.

The park also has dense populations of the elusive leopard and black eagle and we shall hope to glimpse either (or both) at some point during the day. The Matobo hills are also the location of the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, the 19th century colonialist. The grave is not visited as part of the half day park visit but can be seen on the full day upgrade (arranged locally).

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Travellers Guesthouse, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Day 6: Bulawayo – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Stop At: Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls, Southern Province
Departing Bulawayo, we continue north to Victoria Falls. We usually arrive to Victoria Falls by early afternoon. This is a relatively small town built along the southern banks of the Zambezi River and is Zimbabwe’s primary tourist centre. The Victoria Falls themselves are only a short walk and the town has a variety of markets, shops, cafes within easy distance. Your tour leader will arrange a briefing to explain the numerous optional excursions typically available here.

We end our day joining a peaceful sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. Soak up the African ambience with drink in hand as you cruise slowly up and down and look out for elephant, buffalo, buck, hippo and birdlife along the shallow muddy banks of one of Africa’s great rivers. We return to our accommodation for overnight or to try some of the local nightlife.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Cresta Sprayview Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Day 7: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Stop At: Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North Province
Rising early, we visit the Victoria Falls National Park itself to witness one of Africa’s most enduring sights. Please take care when wandering along the pathways inside the reserve - the Falls are almost 100 metres deep and the drops are sheer!

The rest of the day is at leisure giving you the opportunity to explore and Victoria Falls. The Zambezi boasts one of the world’s highest rated rivers for pure white river rafting through its many challenging rapids. Enjoy game walks, Micro-light flights or guided hikes to name a few, Victoria Falls will capture and fulfil your imagination, validating the myths of the African spirit.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Cresta Sprayview Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Day 8: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Stop At: Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North Province
There are many optional activities to do and you will have the opportunity to enjoy these at leisure. Explore the colonial town on foot and visit the local trading markets.

Some choose to cross the border for a day to visit into the neighbouring Zambia town, Livingstone and to visit the falls and the David Livingstone museum which provides an in-depth historical insight, including information on the discovery of the falls.

Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at Cresta Sprayview Hotel, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Day 9: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Stop At: Victoria Falls, Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North Province
Your tour ends after breakfast today.
Duration: 1 day

Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.