A camping safari traveling in the luxury of a VW Caravelle Microbus. A small group ideal for one family or group of friends. Taking in 5 countries, South Africa, Swaziland, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Activities included are a wilderness walking trail in the Kruger National Park, a sunset cruize on the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls, an Okavango Delta Makoro Safari (dugout canoe) and a chartered houseboat on Lake Kariba from which we will view the Solar Eclipse.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
You will be met at the Durban International Airport and transported to the Blue Waters Hotel on Durban's beachfront.
(L) (D)
Day 2:
Head north up the coast of KwaZulu-Natal to Mkuzi Game Reserve. Set up camp and then go game viewing. A night drive is possible.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 3:
We head through the small Kingdom of Swaziland and enter the Kruger National Park in the soutth and head for our Wilderness Walking Trail base camp.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 4:
Day hikes are conducted under the expert leadership of armed rangers of the National Park.
Established in the world-famous Kruger National Park, wilderness trails allow adventurous visitors a close personal encounter with nature by traversing large areas of unspoilt wilderness on foot, under the guidance of armed and experienced trail rangers.
In keeping with the wilderness atmosphere, sites for the trail camps are carefully selected for their scenic beauty and diverse plant and animal life. Groups spend three nights in four rustic two-bed huts. Ablution facilities comprise reed-walled showers and flush toilets. A covered lapa serves as a dining/socialising area where the campfire’s flickering shadows encourage stories of adventures in the African bush.
Simple, wholesome meals are provided. The day commences with coffee and rusks in the crisp morning hours. A light meal is enjoyed in the bush and brunch awaits the group when they return at noon. Evening meals comprise either hunters’ stew or barbecues, supplemented with salads and vegetables.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 5:
Day hikes are conducted under the expert leadership of armed rangers of the National Park.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 6:
Day hikes are conducted under the expert leadership of armed rangers of the National Park.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 7:
We leave the base camp and head north up the entire length of the park (350km's)game viewing as we go. A night drive will be undertaken with the National Park rangers.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 8:
We leave the Kruger National Park and head for Tshipise. Tshipise is a natural hot mineral spring resort. Here we relax and unwind in the pools.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 9:
We leave Tshipise and head for the Botswana border at Groblers Bridge. Nata Lodge is our destination for the day.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 10:
From the Nata Lodge we explore the Nata Bird Sanctuary and the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. These pans play host to tens of thousands of migratory Flamingos when the water level is suitable. If the Pans are dry we will take a drive out onto these vast pans!
(B) (L) (D)
Day 11:
From Nata we drive to the town of Kasane in Botswana and make the short (about 70km) trip into Zimbabwe to Victtoria Falls - "The Smoke That Thunders". It is on the Zambezi River above the falls that we go on a sunset cruise. Activities abound at Victoria Falls and you have two full days to enjoy whatever takes your fancy, whether it be white water rafting, bungi jumping, river boarding, helicopter/microlight flights over the falls, canoeing or Elephant Safari.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 12:
Enjoy the activities that are on offer at Victoria Falls.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 13:
Enjoy the activities that are on offer at Victoria Falls.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 14:
From Victoria Falls we drive directly across the bridge into Zambia (3 km) and head towards Lusaka before turning down to Lake Kariba. We cross back into Zimbabwe by driving over the Kariba Dam Wall to the small village of Kariba (about 5 km away). Here we board our fully catered House Boat - "Viking" (including drinks!) and embark on a game viewing voyage along the shores of the Lake, including Matusadona National Park. You can also try your hand at Tiger Fishing. It is from this relaxed platform that we will view the Total eclipse of the Sun on the 21st June. Weather permitting we should have a 100% eclipse at this position.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 15:
Game viewing on our chartered houseboat - "Viking"
(B) (L) (D)
Day 16:
Game viewing on our chartered houseboat - "Viking"
(B) (L) (D)
Day 17:
Game viewing on our chartered houseboat - "Viking"
(B) (L) (D)
Day 18:
After viewing this marvel we retrace our path through Zambia to the town of Livingstone on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 19:
The following day sees us heading back through Zimbabwe and into Botswana to Nata and then up to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 20:
We head into the Delta in a flotilla of Makoro's (wooden dugout canoes) being poled along by a professional guide and his team. We establish a base camp and from this camp we are taken on early morning and late evening game walks or poling trips. The middle of the day is reserved for swimming in the ice cold channels or just relaxing in camp.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 21:
Take an early morning guided walk returning mid-morning to the base camp. Head out again in the afternoon.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 22:
Begin the return journey by Makoro to Maun. Set up camp at the Island Safari Lodge and prepare for our onward journey.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 23:
From Maun we head to the small village of Ghanzi by driving west along the northern most part of the Kalahari Desert.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 24:
From Ghanzi we cut through the centre of the Kalahari Desert towards the capital city of Botswana, Gabarone.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 25:
We cross back into South Africa and head for the Pilanesberg National Park situated in the crater of a long extinct volcano. We spend a full day game viewing or, perhaps, an early morning balloon trip.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 26:
Game viewing in Pilanesberg National Park. A hotair Balloon trip could be undertaken here (not included).
(B) (L) (D)
Day 27:
We then begin our push for Durban by spending the last night on the road at Harrismith on the escarpment of the Drakensberg Mountain Range overlooking KwaZulu-Natal.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 28:
The last day sees us meander down the Oliviershoek Pass to the base of the Drakensberg Mountains and we head for Durban
(B) (L) (D)
Day 29:
Due to the extensive nature of this trip extra days are built into the itinerary as free days. These we can use at any point on the trip.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 30:
Due to the extensive nature of this trip extra days are built into the itinerary as free days. These we can use at any point on the trip.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 31:
Due to the extensive nature of this trip extra days are built into the itinerary as free days. These we can use at any point on the trip.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 32:
Due to the extensive nature of this trip extra days are built into the itinerary as free days. These we can use at any point on the trip.
(B) (L) (D)
Day 33:
Due to the extensive nature of this trip extra days are built into the itinerary as free days. These we can use at any point on the trip.
(B) (L) (D)
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Provided by Us:
Transport to and from Durban International Airport (South Africa)
A luxury VW Caravelle Microbus and Guide
All camping and cooking equipment
All petrol and maintenance costs
All meals
All accommodation costs (Hotel and Camping)
All park, tour and entrance fees to the listed activities
Major Activities Included:
3 Day/3 night Wilderness Walking Trail in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
Visit to Nata Bird Sanctuary - Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Botswana
Sunset Cruise on the Upper Zambezi River at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
3 Day/3 night House Boat game viewing expedition on Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe. We will view the eclipse from the house boat.
3 day/2 night Okavango Delta Makoro Safari, Botswana
Not provided by Us:
Airfares to/from South Africa
Required inoculations and Malaria medications.
Required visas
Travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Botswana
South Africa
Zimbabwe
Astronomy
Wildlife Viewing
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