Summary of this Overland Safari
This Kruger Park to Okavango Delta Safari begins with the South African highlights of the beautiful Panorama Route, wildlife-rich Timbavati Private Game Reserve of Greater Kruger and cultural encounters near Nwanedi Nature Reserve in the Limpopo Province.
This southern African journey then explores Zimbabwe's dramatic Matobos National Park and Hwange National Park, one of Africa's top game viewing destinations, before heading to the natural wonder of Victoria Falls.
Next we cross into Botswana where our adventure continues in Chobe National Park with a sunset boat cruise and morning game drive. A scenic flight takes us into the watery Okavango Delta to explore this pristine wilderness by foot, mokoro and boat, before flying to Maun where this affordable African safari ends.
Itinerary for this Tour
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
Chobe National Park game drive & Chobe River sunset boat cruise
Okavango Delta mokoro rides, bush walks and boat trips
Day 1: Johannesburg – South Africa
Our Kruger Park to Okavango Delta Safari Adventure begins in South Africa, with collection from ORT International Airport in Johannesburg, the bustling economic heart of this beautiful country. From the international airport you are transferred to our first overnight lodge, where the pre-tour briefing is held at 18:00 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 day two we have breakfast at the lodge and leave the dynamic city of Johannesburg behind, making our way east into Mpumalanga. 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 1800's. The whole town has been a national monument since 1986, and today hosts charming shops and eateries, as well as interesting museums.
Accommodation: En-suite rooms at a hotel in Graskop, with views over the escarpment.
Breakfast (dinner own account)
Day 3 to 4: Timbavati Private Game Reserve in Greater Kruger Park – South Africa
On day three we continue along the incredibly beautiful 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. We stop at the God's Window look-out point, from where we enjoy sweeping views over the green canyon and Lowveld beyond.
From the Panoramic Route we travel to the renowned Timbavati Private Game Reserve, 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 day four 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. 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.
Accommodation: Tented camp in a private concession of Timbavati.
Breakfast & Dinner (includes lunch on Day 4)
Day 5 to 6: Nwanedi Nature Reserve – South Africa
We get an early start on day five, rising at sunrise for a 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 story telling. Nelson Maphapha from the legendary Fundudzi area, known for its holy forests and sacred lake, spends time with us around the campfire sharing local myths and folklore.
After breakfast on day six we set off on a cultural day trip, beginning with a visit to 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 its 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 jewellery and watch local dancers perform traditional dances such as the Domba (python dance), as well as the Malenda and Tshifasi dances.
For lunch we tuck into a buffet of western and traditional African dishes, 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. Our safari camp is set inside Nwanedi Nature Reserve, home to diverse flora and fauna, Tshihovhohovho Falls and Nwanedi Dam.
Accommodation: Lodge inside Nwanedi Nature Reserve.
Breakfast & Dinner (includes lunch on Day 6)
Day 7 to 8: Matobo National Park – Zimbabwe
Leaving Nwanedi in Limpopo we continue north into neighbouring Zimbabwe, crossing at 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. The most marked 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 day 8 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.
Accommodation: Lodge in Matopos Hills.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 9 to 10: 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, as well as 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 4x4 safari vehicle.
On the morning of day 10 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 centre is the headquarters of the African Wild Dog Conservation Project, aimed at rescuing, rehabilitating and protecting these endangered carnivores.
Accommodation: Lodge near Hwange Park.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 11 to 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 in the world, plummeting 108 metres 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.
Days 11 and 12 are free for you to enjoy some of the amazing experiences Victoria Falls has to offer - participating in optional adventure activities, exploring the town and visiting the beautiful natural phenomenon itself. There is something for everyone, from 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.
Breakfast (dinner own account)
Day 13 to 14: Chobe National Park – Botswana
From the natural wonder of Victoria Falls we drive west into Botswana, heading to Kasane - gateway to the world-renowned Chobe National Park.
Chobe National Park, like Hwange, is famous for its huge elephant population - one of the largest concentrations of elephants in Africa. Chobe Park is also famous for its scenic sunset cruises along the Chobe River which attracts a multitude of wildlife and birds.
On day 14 we get an early start for our game drive in Chobe National Park, where hippo, elephant, crocodile and various antelopes are almost guaranteed sightings. Chobe is the top game viewing destination in Botswana, considered one of Africa's finest national parks. Other wildlife commonly spotted in Chobe includes zebra, buffalo, giraffe, lion, hyena and leopard. In the late afternoon we embark on a sunset boat trip, sighting animals and birds as we cruise along and admiring a marvellous sunset over the African bush.
Accommodation: Lodge overlooking Chobe River.
Breakfast & Dinner
Day 15 to 16: Okavango Delta – Botswana
We take to the skies on day 15, boarding a light aircraft for our flight from Kasane into the Okavango Delta. We fly for about an hour and a half reaching the Okavango Delta, the most wild area in Botswana and one of the top highlights of Southern Africa. Flying into the watery delta is a fantastic adventure offering stunning views of this massive inland delta from above.
In the heart of this truly wild and wonderful natural phenomenon we get to experience untamed Africa and her fascinating creatures on early morning and late afternoon activities. We explore the pristine delta on foot, visiting secluded islands amid the reed-lined channels and still lagoons. Our guides also pole us through the winding waterways in traditional dug-out canoes, called mekoros. The mokoro rides are an unforgettable highlight of staying deep in the beautiful delta. Small boats are also used to explore further reaches of this massive network of estuaries and rivulets, inhabited by diverse wildlife and prolific bird life.
After sunset we return to our remote camp, tucked away in the unspoilt bush and sit around the camp fire, listening to the sounds of animals calling in the otherwise quiet night.
Accommodation: Tented camp on delta island in Moremi floodplains.
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 17: Maun – Botswana
Today we take a scenic flight out of the magical Okavango Delta, back to civilization in the town of Maun. This 20 minute flight offers a breathtaking aerial perspective of the vast wilderness area we've just explored. Seeing the delta and spotting some of its free wildlife from above is an unforgettable way to end this Kruger Park to Okavango Delta Safari Adventure!
In Maun, the safari gateway to the delta of Botswana, you are transferred to the airport for your onward travels.
Breakfast
Please Note:
This safari also runs in the opposite direction, starting in Maun and ending in Johannesburg on different dates. Please contact African Budget Safaris for more details.
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