16-day Zimbabwe & Botswana GameTracker

This accommodated starts and ends in Johannesburg, South Africa, and takes in iconic wildlife areas of Southern Africa.  Starting with a visit to Kruger National Park you then move north into Zimbabwe and visit Hwange National Park and Matobo National Park.  After a night in Victoria Falls you then cross the border into Botswana and down into the Okavango Delta. You spend 11 nights lodges and chalets with en-suite facilities; 2 nights in twin rooms with share facilities and 2 nights at a serviced tented camp in the Okavango Delta.

DEPARTS:  JOHANNESBURG on Saturday at 06:30am
ENDS: JOHANNESBURG on Sunday at +/-18:00pm

Highlights
* Kruger National Park – game drives
* Zimbabwe Ruins – guided tour
* Matobos – game drive
* Hwange – game drives in open vehicle
* Victoria Falls – optional adventure activities
* Chobe National Park – sunset river cruise
* Okavango Delta – mokoro excursion

Visitors are afforded some of the best game viewing and cultural explorations available over three Southern African countries. This fully accommodated tour offers adventure at an affordable cost.

ZBa16 Johannesburg to Johannesburg circular route with simple international flights & includes a chance to see rhino.
ZBa15 Johannesburg to Maun offers the opportunity to fly out of Maun on day 15 and avoid the drive back to Johannesburg.
ZVa10 Johannesburg to Victoria Falls offers the opportunity to fly out of Victoria Falls on day 10.

Overnight: 13 nights on safari we stay at small lodges, with en suite facilities. Of which; 11 nights en suite and 1 night in Khama in self-catering chalets where two bedrooms share a bathroom, & 1 night in Kruger is shared ablutions. And 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire.

Meals: 15 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 11 dinners are included. Of which 7 breakfasts & 4 dinners are provided by the lodges. The remaining included meals are prepared by Sunway crew at the vehicle and enjoyed around the campfire.

Transport: for the majority of this safari you travel in a custom-built Sunway Safari trucks with 12 forward facing seats; or (on 40% of tours) Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 12 forward facing seats and air conditioning.  For the game drives in Chobe, Hwange, Matobos and the transfer into the Okavango we use local open sided 4WD vehicles with local guides.

Limited participation: an essential part of your safari is some participation. From carrying your own bag to cleaning your window and packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Where the tour leaders provide meals, we ask that clients help (on rotation) with the washing up.

Highlights

  • Maun
  • Chobe River Front
  • Great Zimbabwe Ruins
  • Johannesburg
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary
  • Masvingo
  • Matobo National Park
  • Nata
  • Kruger National Park
  • Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
  • Hwange National Park
  • Zimbabwe
  • South Africa
  • Botswana
  • Okavango Delta

Tour Summary

Full Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1 : Kruger National Park

[permanent tent / chalet - LD]
Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head into the world-famous Kruger National Park. We visit the northern part of the park and stay in the Letaba area of the reserve. We enjoy morning and afternoon game drives in our safari vehicle and hope to spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in this icon of wildlife conservation.

Day 1: Breakfast is not included
Day 1: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 1: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                    Entrance to Kruger National Park & afternoon game drive
Overnight:                  Kruger National Park Chaletswe stay in national parks board chalets. 1 night chalets Letaba – twin chalets (or lodge tent) shared facilities, swimming pool & restaurant.  WiFi not available
Distance/time:
          550km, ± 8 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch

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Day 2 : Kruger National Park

[tented lodge BLD]
This morning we wake early and game drive north through the park to the Pafuri region. The northern Kruger is dominated by mopane veld and is the domain of large elephant bulls, wild dog and lions. As we reach the Limpopo Valley the vegetation changes to forest and birdlife is prolific. We exit the park, late in the afternoon, and overnight at a lodge just outside the Kruger.

Day 2: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 2: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 2: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge

Includes:                    Entrance to Kruger National Park and full day game drive
Overnight:                  Awelani Lodge – en suite tents, restaurant. Awelani Eco-Tourism Park is owned and run by the local Mutele community. WiFi not available
Distance/time:
          305km, ± 8 hours, game viewing drive, excluding stop for lunch

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Day 3 : Masvingo

[hotel BLD]
Entering Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post, we travel north to our overnight stop. The following morning, we visit the Great Zimbabwe Monuments. These well-preserved ruins are some of the oldest and largest stone structures in Southern Africa and were built during the 11th to 14th centuries. We explore these ancient stone structures on an informative walk with a local guide.

Day 3: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 3: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 3: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge

Includes:                    Entrance and guided tour of the Zimbabwe Ruins
Overnight:                  Great Zimbabwe Hotel – hotel, twin rooms with en-suite facilities, restaurant & bar.  WiFi not available
Distance/time:          480km, ± 6½ hours, excluding stops for border crossing (which can take 2 to 4+ hours) sightseeing & lunch

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Day 4 – 5 : Matobo National Park

[chalet BLD]
Travelling via the city of Bulawayo we move on to the Matobo National Park and our chalets on the outskirts of the park. This afternoon we enjoy sundowners from the granite ridge overlooking the park. The following morning, we visit World’s View and the historical site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave. Unusual rock formations are home to an array of ancient bushman paintings which we visit while on our game drive and walk. This area is also home to Zimbabwe’s rhino which we hope to see on our excursion in the national park.

Day 4: Breakfast provide by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 4: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge

Day 5: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 5: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 5: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge

Includes:                    Entrance to Matobo National Park and game walk
Overnight:                  Hermits Peak – chalets - twin rooms with en-suite facilities (hot showers), swimming pool.   WiFi not available
Distance/time:          340kms, ± 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, shopping & lunch

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Day 6 – 7 : Hwange National Park

[chalet BLD]
Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650 square kilometers. Hwange is famed for its large elephant population. Our chalets are in the game management area that borders the park, and we explore the park with our local guide, on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle.

Day 6: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 6: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 6: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 7: Breakfast will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 7: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 7: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                    Entrance fees, full day game drive in open 4WD game viewing vehicle
Overnight:                  Miombo Safari Lodge – for 2 nights at Hwange National Park, we stay in twin chalets with en-suite facilities, swimming pool and central boma area. (Subject to availability, we may stay in twin en-suite tree houses)  WiFi not available
Distance/time:          335kms ± 5 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing, game viewing & lunch

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Day 8 – 9 : Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

[hotel B--]
We enjoy a spectacular guided walk through tropical vegetation to the very edge of the “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” - Victoria Falls. There are opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungi jump or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).

Day 8: Breakfast will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 8: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 8: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Day 9: Breakfast will be provided by the hotel
Day 9: Lunch will be an own expense meal
Day 9: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                    Entrance Fees to see the Victoria Falls
Overnight:                  Rainbow Hotel, en-suite twin rooms. Swimming pool, restaurant, bar and telephone.  Free WiFi available
Distance/time:          200kms ± 3 hours excluding stops for sightseeing & curio shopping
Optional Activities:    White water rafting, sunset cruises, scenic flights & many more

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Day 10 : Chobe River Front

[chalet BLD]
Entering Botswana, we head to the town of Kasane and our accommodation on the banks of the Chobe River The river flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. A highlight of any trip to the Chobe is the afternoon game viewing cruise where we hope to see large herds of elephants and other wildlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day.

Day 10: Breakfast will be provided by the hotel
Day 10: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 10: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                    Chobe N.P entrance fees & sunset cruise on Chobe River
Overnight:                 Thebe River Safaris – twin chalets with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.  WiFi available
Distance/time:          85kms ± 1 hour, excluding border formalities

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Day 11 : Nata

[tented lodge BL-]
This morning we venture into the Chobe National Park in an open 4WD in search of big cats and elephants.  Thereafter we head south through the Kasane Forest Reserve to the Nata area for our overnight stop.

Day 11: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 11: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 11: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                    Chobe N.P entrance fees & morning game drive
Overnight:                  Nata Lodge – twin share luxury tents with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.  WiFi not available
Distance/time:          300kms ± 4½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing & lunch
Optional Activities:    Game drive in Chobe NP

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Day 12 – 13 : Okavango Delta

[2x tented camping, Bx2 Lx2 Dx2]
We transfer into the delta by open 4WD game viewing vehicle. Our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on Mokoro (dugout canoes) to our pre-erected tented camp. The delta forms as rainwater from the Angolan highlands flows out over the flat Kalahari Desert sands, forming a delicate, green oasis for birds and wildlife. Our camp is on a remote island in this amazingly dynamic environment and we enjoy bush walks, bird watching and swimming in the clear waters. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle and culture.

Day 12: Breakfast provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 12: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 12: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Day 13: Breakfast will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 13: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 13: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                    Entrance to Okavango Delta, Mokoro excursion, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides
Overnight:                  2 x nights Okavango Delta – wilderness tented camping - 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and an en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire. Tents have built-in insect nets. We need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild tented camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. The wilderness tented camp supplies all linen blankets and pillows. The camp chairs have a backrest. You will need to bring your own towel.
WiFi not available
Distance/time:          300km, ± 4 hours + 2-hour 4WD transfer into the Delta,
Optional Activities:   Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)

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Day 14 : Maun

[1x chalet Bx1 Lx1]
Returning to Maun in the afternoon of day 14 there is time for an optional scenic flight over the Okavango (own expense).

Day 14: Breakfast will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 14: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 14: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant

Includes:                    Entrance to Okavango Delta, Mokoro excursion, morning and afternoon game walks with local guides
Overnight:                  1x night Maun Island Safari Lodge, chalet - twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone.  WiFi not available
Distance/time:          300km, ± 4 hours + 2-hour 4WD transfer into the Delta,
Optional Activities:   Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft)

 

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Day 15 : Khama Rhino Sanctuary

[chalet BLD]
Heading south from Maun, we cross the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert on our way to Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in protecting rhino and restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its natural state. The reserve provides economic benefits to the local Batswana community through sustainable use of natural resources. We hope to spot rhino on an afternoon game drive.

Day 15: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge
Day 15: Lunch provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 15: Dinner provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group

Includes:                    Entrance fees and afternoon game drive.
Overnight:                  Khama Rhino Sanctuary, 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms.  WiFi not available Distance/time:          450km, ± 6½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing
Optional Activities:    Night game drive in open game viewing vehicle

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Day 16 : Departure

[- B--]
Crossing back into South Africa, we make our way to Johannesburg where the tour ends at +/- 18:00.

Day 16: Breakfast will be provided by the tour leaders with the help of the group
Day 16: Lunch own expense meal

Distance/time:          630km, ± 7½ hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch

 

Included

Accommodation as per itinerary
Meals as per itinerary
Transport
Professional guides

Excluded

International flights
Pre / Post tour accommodation
Airport transfers
Travel insurance
Visas
Vaccinations
Gratuities
Optional activities