Itinerary Details
G Adventures: Southern Africa: National Parks of Zimbabwe & Kruger Wildlife Tracking
Day 1: Victoria Falls: A Waterfall Welcome
In most cultures across the globe, waterfalls symbolize peace and serenity. They demonstrate at once power, and tranquility. Waterfalls are nature's reminder that things are in an ever constant state of movement and change. We welcome you to Victoria Falls, and to Africa, and invite you to find your inner waterfall.
Arrive at any time. After meeting fellow travellers during the welcome meeting, tuck into a delicious dinner on the hotel veranda. Now is the time to recharge, refresh and prepare yourself for the adrenaline rushes on the horizon.
Day 2: Victoria Falls: Your OMG Day
Mosi-oa-Tunya -the original name for Victoria Falls, means "the smoke that thunders". You can almost feel the cold mist on your face and the loud cracking noise just from those words. Experience the smoke and thunder from above and below, by foot and by boat, enjoying a perfectly customized experience. Who says your first day of adventure can't be exactly as you imagine it?
First things first. Head straight into a fully guided tour of Victoria Falls. No trip would be complete without it. Then in the afternoon, the choice is yours. Journey through over 100 years of history on an exciting and informative tour of the Bridge over Victoria Falls. A team of guides takes you through the remarkable history of this iconic structure and offers an engaging look into the past, while serving up an extraordinary birds eye view of the falls. Or keep the blood pumping and join an adrenaline-packed jet boat experience.
Day 3: Chobe: A Window to Africa's past
Step back in time to a scene straight from a hundred years ago-a turn of the century explorers camp setup. Sip a gin and tonic around the fire listening to a story of those who explored this very spot before you were alive. Sleep in the bush with the call of lions in the distance and the sound of your breath keeping time.
Like the true adventurer you are, cross the border from Zimbabwe to Botswana, entering Chobe National Park. Float downriver on board a small vessel and spot elephants, crocodile and hippo. Continue the safari on land en route to our exclusive bush camping experience. Your tent is up, the sun is setting, your headlamp is affixed, and the sounds of Africa surround you.
Day 4: Hwange National Park: A Ride on the Elephant Express
The second day of safari begins and the pace of safari life is starting to sink in. Waking at dawn, as the wildlife emerges for the day, is uniquely rewarding in Africa. Traverse back through Botswana, back to Zimbabwe. Your chariot awaits. In this case, your chariot is a converted 22-seat train car, whisking you through Hwange National park as you spot elephants and zebra as you reach your next destination.
Continuing our journey through time, we bid farewell to Botswana and greet Hwange National Park, crossing back into Zimbabwe. After brunch en route, get your first glimpse of Hwange on board nothing other than a purpose-built railroad car. With open air sides, the train car brings us face to snout with the wildlife of Hwange before we have even arrived at our lodge.
Day 5: Hwange: The Circle of Life from the Ground Up
Walking through the bush on foot, you gain an additional perspective on the life circle of life in Africa. From high up in the vehicle, its difficult to notice the small dung beetles, waddling their way through the dirt, their role in the eco-system just as crucial as the lion, the giraffe and the elephant. Begin your morning on a guided safari bushwalk to discover Africa's smaller creatures and then kick your feet up on a safari drive in the afternoon looking out for those not-so-small elephant.
A full day of safari-on foot and by road-is complimented by a delicious lunch served in the open bush. Its a day full of adventure-but we made sure to leave some time for a cheeky dip in the pool.
Day 6: Hwange: An Elephants' Playground
Hwange National Park is most known for its enormous population of elephant. It's hard to overstate how majestic they are to witness in real life. Crawl into an underground hide to view the elephants at ground level as they drink from the watering hole and move about their daily life.
An early morning safari drive awaits before a slower morning to enjoy the hotter part of the day at our lodge. A refreshing trip to the pool should be in order. After viewing the elephants from our unique vantage point this afternoon, a nighttime safari drive allows an opportunity for unique nocturnal wildlife viewing.
Day 7: Lake Kariba: Lakeside Safari
Lake Kariba is the world's largest man made lake by volume-created by the damming of the Zambezi back in 1959. Now, it's home to cormorants, tigerfish, crocodile and hippo. Swimming in the lake is out of the question, unless you fancy a swim with a hippo, but your lakeside lodge offers the unique opportunity to marvel at Africa's water dwelling wildlife.
A final morning safari drive in Hwange offers one final chance to take in the serenity of this magical place. Take a short flight Hwange over to Kariba. The adventure continues aboard a boat bound for your lodge across Lake Kariba on the southern side. Situated on the lakeshore next to Matusadona National Park just, your lodge is one of the only in the area to offer both water and land wildlife experiences.
Day 8: Lake Kariba: Matusadona National Park and Kariba Sundowners
Matusadona National Park is a story of revitalization. Now under a 20 year agreement under African Parks, Matusadona is fast returning to its former glory as a permanent home for elephant and black rhino. Investment into the local communities has encouraged legal fishing practices to be resumed and local communities to again take pride in becoming stewards and partners in the protection of the area in which they live and work.
On a safari walk in Matusadona early in the morning, you'll keep your eyes peeled for elephant, cape buffalo, and impala. The afternoon offers an opportunity to get out onto the lake to traverse through Sanyati Gorge. The gorge affords you views that rival those of the Fjords of Europe or New Zealand, with an abundance of birdlife and even the occasional antelope dwelling nearby. Sundowners back at the lodge are well earned this evening.
Day 9: Victoria Falls: The Curtain Closes
As you return to Victoria Falls, back to where it all began, the evening comes to a close with an exciting performance. Once night falls, be some of the first guests to see the exciting new local production "Simunye-We are one". This fusion of theatre, dance and song is a thrilling and poignant way to bid farewell to your African adventure.
Victoria Falls welcomes you again, for one final day of adventure. A morning flight awaits, and the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you see fit. Before the evening performance, there is ample time to embark on a helicopter ride over the falls to close out the adventure of a lifetime.
Day 10: Johannesburg: Gateway to Kruger
Johannesburg is the gateway to Kruger National Park, but there is plenty to see and do in the city before you hit the road tomorrow. This afternoon, join a guided tour of the Maboneng Neighborhood, a thriving art and culture scene in downtown Johannesburg.
Your guide will start your tour on the vibrant Fox Street. As you walk through the Maboneng district, experience the history shown within the street art. Learn about this community, what it’s been through over the years, and how we’ve rebuilt and overcome obstacles. You’ll be introduced to the ground-breaking Museum of Africa Design, considered a trans-African cultural centre and the continent’s first design laboratory.
Day 11: Pridelands Conservancy: Wildlife Tracking
What does it take to be a guide in South Africa? How do you learn the way each animal leaves its mark on its surroundings? What is it like being on foot in the African bush at dusk and dawn? Ecotraining is the leading guide training company in Africa and your African journey starts with an exclusive two day experience learning what it takes to be a guide in these iconic national parks and conservancies. This is not just a safari-this is an opportunity to step into another life for a brief two days. Ecotraining promises to leave their guides "passionate guardians of nature" and we guarantee you will gain the same passion during your time in the Pridelands.
A 4500-acre former buffalo hunting farm, Pridelands Conservancy is now your playground for the next two days. The conservancy lies just outside of the town of Hoedspruit, adjacent to Kruger National Park. After a short flight to Hoedspruit, embark on a search for wildlife with your guides, learning how to recognize animal patterns and behaviours.
Day 12: Pridelands Conservancy: Nocturnal Wildlife
Begin the day at dawn, heading out on foot with your guides in search of elephant, buffalo and zebra. Breakfast is served out in the bush with wildlife free to move about while you dine. Safari drives in the afternoon focus on animal identification and behaviour with an extra focus on situational awareness when near large wildlife.
After a full day exploring with your hosts, dinner is served al fresco at the Ndlovu Dam. Eating most of your meals in the bush maximizes the time you spend completely immersed in this special environment. Work on perfecting your bird calls over dinner with your fellow travellers.
Day 13: Kruger National Park: Safari Sundowners
Kruger National Park is so vast and so full of wildlife, history and culture that travellers often return again and again, uncovering new discoveries each time. If this is your first or twenty-first time, safari drives and sundowners never get old. Your day begins with a safari drive en route to the lodge. Another afternoon safari drive makes for an incredible first day in the park.
It's hard to improve upon morning and afternoon safari drives in Kruger park. But we think downtime for the pool and sundowners in the bush just might hit the spot.
Day 14: Kruger National Park: Walking Safari
Kruger at dawn is unlike anything else on earth. Animals are waking and so must you, if you want to have the best chance to witness their behaviour first thing in the morning. Your local guides accompany you on a walking safari through the national park. Later in the day, walk to Granite Rock for an outdoor picnic lunch.
Another safari drive in the afternoon marks your last opportunity to get out into the bush to spot wildlife. Time flies when you're having the adventure of a lifetime. Celebrate this evening with a bush braai with your fellow travellers.
Day 15: Franschhoek: Wine and Dine
Known as the food and wine capital of the world, Franschhoek offers a welcome contrast to the safari adventures thus far. Set amongst the verdant green vineyards and with the towering Drakenstein mountains in distance, its easy to imagine just sitting and just "being" in this peaceful of a place. But first things first-dig into a three course dinner at Sauvage restaurant. Located within the Le Franschhoek Hotel and Spa and led by head chef Kyle Norris, Sauvage is known for their colourful plates inspired by what grows locally. Your hardest choice today is whether its wine or coffee after dinner.
A flight from Kruger brings you southbound to Cape Town. Before your Cape Town discoveries start, spend two days discovering the vineyards of Franschhoek. Delicious food and wine await.
Day 16: Franschhoek: Biking through the Vineyards of South Africa
Franschhoek was named Time magazine's top 50 places to visit in 2022, and it's easy to see why. With an e-bike, you will be able to pedal as much-or as little-as you wish while exploring the vineyards and small towns between Stellenbosch and Franschhoek. Sample wine and gourmet snacks but don't worry about filling up, because lunch is served at Babylonstoren Gardens. These gardens must be seen to be believed- 8 acres of cultivated fruit and vegetable gardens and expertly manicured pathways throughout.
Biking through the countryside of Franschhoek, it's easy to see why it has become an iconic destination for food and wine. The vineyards themselves are sprawled out as far as the eye can see, mountains rising as a backdrop against the rows of vines. While using your e-bike to get around, visit a number of vineyards and choose to sample the wine, the delicious coffee, or the gourmet food. Babylonstoren Garden is your final stop of the day. Enjoy lunch here in the Greenhouse before spending the afternoon in the gardens exploring at leisure.
Day 17: Cape Town: Kayak Three Anchor Bay
The days full of culinary delights must come to an end, but the adventure continues in Cape Town. Paddling through Table Bay with views of Signal Hill and Table Mountain, it's easy to feel a million miles from the rush of a city. Heaviside's dolphins are frequent visitors during your paddle.
With a very short distance between Franshchhoek and Cape Town, it's the perfect day for a bit of a late start. Once in Cape Town, join your CEO for a walk around the city to explore. After a thrilling two hour paddle in Table Bay, join your fellow travellers for dinner on the iconic Cape waterfront.
Day 18: Cape Town: Table Mountain
Without doubt the most recognizable symbol of Cape Town, Table Mountain rises behind the city touching the clouds with its flat top. Reach new heights one of two ways. Join a local guide and hike through the Platteklip Gorge, Table Mountain's oldest and most frequented route. If you are ready to kick back and relax, join your CEO in a cable car ride to the top.
Whether you decide to climb Table Mountain on your own steam, or take a cable car all the way up, you reunite with your fellow travellers at the top and descend together via the cableway. The entire afternoon is dedicated to exploring Kirstenbosch National Botanic Gardens. Walk the Centenary Tree Canopy walk, a new curved steel and timber bridge that winds and dips its way through and over the trees of the Arboretum.
Day 19: Cape Town: Your OMG Day
OMG indeed. There is plenty to choose from to make your day in the Mother City a truly unique experience. Make your last day in South Africa a perfect fit for you. Choose between a Black Route walking tour and cooking experience, and a half day Urban Cycle tour. Both options cover a ton of ground and get you out and about before your trip home.
Come together after your unique adventures and join your CEO and fellow travellers for a farewell dinner.
Day 20: Cape Town
Your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time today.
