Essential African Safari - 9 Days

Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your adventure begins in Victoria Falls with welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, why not check out some of the optional activities around Victoria Falls. The Zimbabwe side of the falls offers the broadest view of this colossal natural wonder. Scenic helicopter flights are incredible and take you over the thundering cascades. After your meeting, maybe get to know your fellow travel mates over dinner at a local restaurant.

Guess what? You’re at the edge of one of the greatest curtains of falling water in the world! After a leader-led orientation walk of the town, enjoy a day of free time to take up one of many activities on offer in the area including a gorge swing or white-water rafting. There are many ways to take in the thundering sight and sound of the falls. These staggering cascades are about a mile wide, falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray rises high and the falls become a torrent; in the dry season, the lack of spray gives way to a nice view of the islets in the river below. This evening, enjoy a traditional dinner prepared for you by a local women’s cooperative who will prepare your meal using fresh, locally grown ingredients. Learn how this initiative helps provide vital income for the cooperative members and benefits the broader Victoria Falls community.

Leave Victoria Falls behind and head to Hwange National Park. En route, you’ll stop via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – one of the Intrepid Foundation’s projects - where you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and their role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. After, explore the arena of Hwange in an open 4WD vehicle. As you drive, learn about this national park’s history and have your camera ready as roaming wildlife wander past your 4WDhere you'll find one of the largest elephant populations in Africa.

Make tracks for Matobos with a short detour through Bulawayo. Spend some time exploring the city’s architecture with your local leader, then continue to your camp. Home to a large population of black and white rhinoceros that can be tracked on foot, Matobo National Park is also the site of the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company. The Matobos area has great spiritual and cultural significance to the local people and there are many sites within the park where important ceremonies still take place. For those interested in the culinary side of southern African food, tonight your cook can provide a cooking class while you help prepare this evening’s delicious meal.

Good morning from mighty Matobos. Today is a free day for you to explore at your own pace, but what is highly recommended is heading to Matobo Hills and spending the day tracking rhinos and other game animals with the help of your local leader on an optional tour. The park is home to so much wildlife, including klipspringers, leopards, warthogs and springhares. Along the way, learn about the flora in the area and find old bushman paintings, see rock formations and learn the history of the area. Then it's off to nearby villages to meet some of the local community.

This morning, you will depart Zimbabwe and cross the bustling border post, the only direct crossing between Zimbabwe and South Africa. You’re expected to arrive at your campsite on the edge of Honnet Nature Reserve by late afternoon. Once there, maybe unwind or take advantage of the extensive facilities, including both indoor and outdoor pools, a putt-putt course, a nature trail and optional game drives.

After breakfast, set off for renowned Kruger National Park. Today is a bit of a long travel day, so it's a good idea to get stuck into your book or favourite podcasts. This world-famous park is known for Africa's iconic wildlife – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos. On top of that, it's home to some 336 kinds of trees, 49 fish species and over 500 species of birds. See how many of these you can spot on your way to your campsite for the night.

Today, you will set off on an exhilarating full day 4WD safari through Kruger National Park. This reserve, comparable in size to Belgium or Wales, offers an incredible opportunity to witness Africa's iconic animals in their natural habitat, surrounded by breathtaking savannas, lush forests and expansive landscapes. Kruger is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards and buffalo, along with the endangered African wild dog. You’ll venture into prime areas for wildlife observation, keeping an eye out for various species ranging from antelopes and springbok to cheetahs and rhinos.

Venture out this morning for one last safari in your overland truck and soak up all Kruger has to offer. Keep your eyes peeled – you never know what will pop out from behind the shrubs! Continue back to Johannesburg, where your trip finishes on arrival at a designated hotel drop-off point. If you’d like to spend more time in Africa – and it’s recommended you do – just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.