
9 Days | Safari in three epic game parks from Zimbabwe to South Africa





Experience three of southern Africa’s most phenomenal game-viewing sites in search of the world’s most spectacular wildlife – Hwange National Park, Kruger National Park and Matobo National Park. Spend nine days in search of the Big Five (that’s lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffalo) and more on this journey through South Africa and Zimbabwe. Plus you’ll enjoy time in a traditional village in the Limpopo province and visit South Africa's modern capital – all the while uncovering Africa's incredible and diverse natural beauty.
Trip overview

- Start
- Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
- Finish
- Johannesburg, South Africa
- Theme
- Overland, Wildlife
- Destinations
- Zimbabwe, South Africa
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Basix
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 22
- Trip code
- YBOP
- Enjoy an unforgettable opportunity to camp at the headquarters of the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit, the Black Mambas. Join them on an exclusive bush walk by day and then listen to their inspiring stories by the campfire in the evening.
- Pay the elephants and lions of Hwange National Park a visit in an open-air safari vehicle. Plus, track rhinos on foot with an expert local guide in Matobo National Park – an exhilarating way to experience the wildlife of Zimbabwe.
- Immerse yourself in the ancient culture of the Venda people with a village homestay in South Africa's Limpopo province.
- Marvel at the unforgettable views of Blyde River Canyon. This spectacular gorge is up there with the world's largest and is probably the greenest of the lot.
- Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust and learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and anti-poaching efforts.
- By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. Donations help employ a team of Community Guardians who collaborate with locals to find sustainable solutions to human-wildlife conflict and conservation in Southern Africa.
- This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent (unless you’re on an Original or Comfort style trip), occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the Big Five. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/africa/overland
- The African wild comes alive at sunrise, so there will be some early starts on this trip. The thrill of spotting your first lion or rhino will be well worth any loss of sleep!
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023
Inclusions
8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 7 dinners
Overland vehicle, Open safari vehicle
Camping with facilities (8 nights), Homestay (1 night)
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
- Hwange National Park - Guided 4x4 Game Drive
- Hwange - Painted Dog Conservation visit
- Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking
- Matobo National Park - San Rock Paintings
- Makushu Homestay - Beading, Cooking or Dancing
- Black Mambas HQ - Dinner by Lantern Light
- Black Mambas HQ - Campfire Story Time
- Black Mambas HQ - Snare Walk
- Kruger National Park - Night Game Drive
- Kruger National Park - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
- Panorama Route - Bourke's Luck Potholes
- Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
- Victoria Falls - Flying Fox / Bridge Slide / Zipline - USD48
- Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
- Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168
- Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
- Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126
- Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
- Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins - excludes USD25 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD150
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins - excludes USD30 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD284
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 6 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. This trip finishes upon arrival in Johannesburg on Day 9. Please do not book any flights until after 10 pm this evening.
3. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.
4. On occasion, especially during the peak months of May to September and December we are not able to secure campsites within the Kruger National Park. In this instance we will camp at a backpackers outside the park.
5. Our operator has advised that customers with the J&J vaccine and no booster may have difficulty crossing the border into Botswana (and potentially Zimbabwe) without a negative test result. This information conflicts with various government travel advice websites. We recommend you check with your local consulate before travel to ensure you have the most up to date information.
6. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict as travel rebounds. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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