South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana Game Tracker

Overnight flight to Johannesburg.

An early arrival in to Johannesburg this morning will mean you can get through immigration, collect your bags and then jump in the transfer to Rivonia Road Lodge all in good time. You will have today at leisure to relax, however, if there is anything that you would like to do in Johannesburg please ask and we can of course make the arrangements for you.

This morning you will set off early, heading east out of Johannesburg to the famed Kruger National Park, a true icon of South Africa and home to some of the continent’s best game viewing. You will be heading to the northern part of the park today for an overnight stay in the Letaba area at Kruger National Park’s Chalets. Enjoy an afternoon game drive to spot the varied wildlife that this part of the park supports.

Depart Letaba after an early breakfast and drive through the Kruger National Park, all the way to its northern boundary in an area known as Pafuri. You will notice the park become increasingly less busy as you drive north, with the Pafuri area a well-kept secret with just a few visitors a day coming up here. The region is characterised by large tracts of mopane forest and is home to varied wildlife including lion, elephant and wild dog. Spend tonight at Awelani Lodge in an ensuite tent.

Cross the border in to Zimbabwe today and drive through the lowveld of the country until you reach the ancient stone city of Great Zimbabwe. This is a long day driving and you should arrive at Great Zimbabwe Hotel in the latter part of the afternoon for some time at leisure to relax.

Travelling via the city of Bulawayo, you move on to the Matobo National Park and your chalet at Hermit's Peak, on the outskirts of the park. This afternoon, you enjoy sundowners from the granite ridge overlooking the park. The following morning, you 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 you explore during your game drive and walk. This area is also home to Zimbabwe’s rhino, which you hope to see on your excursion in the national park.

Continue the journey northwest this morning, passing through the open countryside of Zimbabwe until you reach the vast Hwange National Park, the largest park in Zimbabwe and renowned for its amazing game viewing. Arrive at the Miombo Safari Lodge in the latter part of the afternoon having enjoyed a short game drive through the park. You will stay at Miombo Safari Lodge for two nights, and as it is found in a game management area that borders the main park you will have easy access to the best wildlife viewing areas.

Set off from Hwange this morning, making your way into the northwestern corner of Zimbabwe and the iconic Victoria Falls, an undoubted highlight of any trip to Africa. Arrive in the late morning and enjoy an afternoon at leisure to relax or partake in optional activities such as bungee-jumping, or white-water rafting, amongst others (own expense). You will be spending the next two nights at the PheZulu Guest Lodge.

There are no specific activities booked today, so you are free to do as you please but we can of course help to arrange anything that you are looking to do. Scenic flights over The Falls, by helicopter or microlight, are a great way to start off the day and if you are looking to be adventurous then we can organise bungee jumping, gorge swings and, when water levels allow, white water rafting, and trips to Livingstone Island. Sundowner drinks cruises on the mighty Zambezi are a great way to end any day here. Equally, if you are looking to get a taste of local life, Victoria Falls is a lovely town to explore and immerse yourselves in the local culture.

As you enter Botswana, make your way to the town of Kasane and your accommodation situated on the banks of the Chobe River. The river meanders gently along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, drawing some of the largest elephant herds in Africa. An exciting highlight of your Chobe experience is the afternoon game-viewing cruise, where you anticipate witnessing sizable herds of elephants and other wildlife quenching their thirst as the day comes to a close. Stay overnight at Thebe River Safaris in a twin chalet with ensuite facilities.

Depart the lodge this morning and enjoy a game drive through the park, spotting predators as they come back from a night of hunting. From there drive through the beautiful and much under-visited Kasane Forest area before reaching Nata where you will be spending the night in Nata Lodge in a twin-share luxury tent with ensuite facilities. This afternoon and evening are at leisure to relax.

Change from your overland vehicle to an open 4x4 vehicle today and head deep into the Okavango Delta, a wildlife-rich wetland that occupies a huge tract of Northern Botswana. The waters of the Okavango are fed from the highlands of Angola far away, with the seasonal patterns meaning the water is at its peak between June and October, although permanent water can be found throughout the area. Spend your two nights here camping, in comfortable pre-erected with en-suite “bush bathrooms”.

Spend today exploring the Okavango Delta on foot and in traditional mokoro canoes, spotting the varied wildlife, including abundant avian life for which the delta is world-famous. In between activities relax in the wonderful surroundings of your camp and enjoy the peaceful, tranquil location that it offers. A few days in the delta is truly an incredible experience and one to be savoured as you explore one of the most unspoilt natural environments on earth.

After a final morning activity you will head to the small safari town of Maun by mokoro canoe. Spend tonight at Island Safari Lodge with the afternoon at leisure to relax although there is, for an additional cost, the chance to enjoy a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta and witness the landscape you have just explored from a totally different perspective.

Drive South from Maun today, enjoying the endless expanses of wilderness for which Botswana is renowned until you reach the Khama Rhino Sanctuary in the heart of the stunning Kalahari Desert, where you will stay one night in a twin-share bedroom with a bathroom between each two rooms. One of the few places in Botswana where you can see rhino, Khama is an excellent example of conservation in action and a superb spot to spend the final night of your trip.

Depart Khama after breakfast, driving South and crossing the border in to South Africa for the journey on to Johannesburg, arriving there in the late afternoon to be taken on to the airport for your overnight flight back home.