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Map of Kruger to Vic Falls including Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Travel across the colourful and contrasting countries of South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Encounter wildlife and waterfalls on this 8-day overland adventure that visits two of Southern Africa’s most famous sites – Kruger National Park and Victoria Falls. Spot lions, leopards, zebras and giraffes on safari through landscapes blessed with breathtaking natural beauty, then fall asleep to the sounds of the African night in your camp with comforts. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big Five in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, traverse the tranquil landscapes of Masebe Nature Reserve in Botswana, then end an epic journey in Zimbabwe to wonder at the smoke that thunders – the mighty Victoria Falls.

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Terms & Conditions
Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Finish
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Destinations
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Style
Original
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Code
UBSA
Physical rating
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Go in search of Africa’s Big Five on an included 4WD game drive, hunting mostly at night, this is the perfect time to search for cats and carnivores.

  • Experience the rumble and roar of Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwe side, which gives you the broadest view of its phenomenal torrent.

  • Relax knowing you’re in the safe hands of an expert guide and driver, plus enjoy the luxury of a camp assistant to set up your tents and prepare your meals.

  • Fall asleep to the sounds of the African wilderness in comfort as camping beds, sleeping bags, blankets and pillows are provided for those nights under the stars.

  • Kick-back with a beer and say cheers to your adventure with an included brewery tour in Vic Falls, on the penultimate day of your trip.

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is an overland trip so you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland

  • Game-viewing in Africa means getting out of bed early. But the excitement of spotting your first lion or rhino is well worth the early start!

  • There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

  • You may also want to check out our Experience Southern Africa trip if you have more time to explore in Southern Africa.

kruger national park giraffe close landscape
South Africa Game Drive Kruger NP
zimbabwe kruger national park elephant crossing road
Makgadikgadi salt pans leader
Makgadikgadi salt pans walking
Makgadikgadi salt pans zebra
South Africa camping
zimbabwe victoria falls landscape view rainbow
Your carriage awaits in South Africa
Overland Vehicle_Botswana

Itinerary
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Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm where you'll meet your tour leader and fellow travellers. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. If you arrive early, get out and explore this city characterised by remarkable contrasts. Perhaps visit the culturally rich areas of Newtown, Braamfontein or Maboneng. The eye-opening Apartheid Museum is well worth your time.
Accommodation
  • Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Please make sure that if you explore Johannesburg on your own that you get local advice as to where it is safe to walk, especially in the evening. The level of crime here may be higher than what you are used to.

Depart Johannesburg, the 'City of Gold' and head off on an adventure of a lifetime. A truly unique African experience unfolds as you enter the Greater Kruger National Park ecosystem, arriving at your campsite in time for lunch (approximately 10 hours travel time including stops along the way). One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog. Base camp for tonight is in a Private Game Sanctuary close to Kruger National park. Once settled perhaps take the optional Sunset game drive in the Private Sanctuary.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities
  • Greater Kruger Private Reserve - Sunset Game Drive - ZAR920
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Tonight, you’ll camp in pre-erected two-man dome tents with a sleeping mat and sleeping bag provided. Campsite facilities include hot and cold showers with flushing toilets.

Rise early for a light breakfast of coffee and rusks before embarking on a morning game drive through Kruger National Park in the overland vehicle. Most of the day will be spent game viewing, birdwatching and stopping at various waterholes and viewpoints. Later on, take a night drive with the park guide for a chance to spot nocturnal animals and perhaps even a night-time predator or two – catch a lion or hyena out hunting, or an impala out in search of a late-night feed. Your camp tonight will be within Kruger National Park. However, sometimes during peak seasons of June, July and December you’ll camp at a nearby site, just outside the gate.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Kruger National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
  • Kruger National Park - Night 4x4 Game Drive
Optional Activities
  • Kruger National Park - Sunset Game Drive (from) - ZAR380
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner
Special Information

The optional Sunset Game Drive within the National Park is operated by an expert local guide in a large open vehicle which seats more than 10 people. This is a shared service so you may be joined by other travellers.

Head out on one last game drive at Kruger National Park for a chance to spot any animals you may have missed yesterday, then settle into your overland vehicle for the 7-hour drive to Masebe Nature Reserve. Characterised by spectacular rock formations that weave between vegetation and rivers, Masebe's uniquely beautiful scenery separates it from other nature reserves and national parks in South Africa. The 4,500-hectare provincial park is also known for its excellent birding and wildlife viewing. Sables, nyala, giraffes, zebras and leopards are just some of the wildlife you may encounter here. Your camp tonight is located within the reserve, providing an extraordinarily tranquil experience.
Accommodation
  • Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Begin the day by touring well-preserved, pre-historic rock art found at three sites across Masebe Nature Reserve. Hidden within caves in sandstone cliffs, these ancient paintings were created by the San people (Bushmen) thousands of years ago. While much about these paintings are shrouded in mystery, images of people and animals provide a unique glimpse into how the San lived. Then its back on the road as you travel towards Moremi Gorge. Located near Palapye, the drive will take approximately 6 hours. Settle into your camp on arrival.
Accommodation
  • Chalet (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Masebe Nature Reserve – Rock Art Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Our accommodation for tonight is a community managed project and provides important employment opportunities to the local Batswapong Community.
Chalets are solar powered so hot water is reliant on the weather.

Journey from Palapye to Nata (approximately 6 hours). Your campsite is situated on the edge of the amazing Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, covering some 12,000 square kilometres, this is one of the largest salt flats in the world. On arrival, take a 3-hour excursion in an open vehicle to explore these seemingly endless plains in the Nata Bird Sanctuary. Surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, the pans are naturally dry and salty for a large part of the year. During this time the arid landscape has an eerie feel to it as heat mirages disorientate the senses. Then, after the rains hit, it become a grassy refuge for migratory birds and animals. Tonight, enjoy a good nights rest in a comfortable lodge.
Accommodation
  • Lodge (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Nata - 4x4 Pan Excursion
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Dinner
Special Information
Tonight’s lodge has a restaurant, swimming pool, gift shop, ATM and bar/lounge area.

Travel on to Victoria Falls (approximately 4 hours), crossing the border into Zimbabwe in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi. Continue to your permanent tent, set within a large rest camp. After settling in, you may want to set out on a highly recommended optional trip to visit Victoria Falls. Spanning about a mile wide and falling 108 metres into a narrow gorge below, the spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and it's possible to see little islets in the river below. Otherwise, a range of other activities are available through the local activity centre. After visiting the falls or enjoying a relaxing afternoon, meet up with your group for an included brewery tour and beer to say cheers to the journey so far.
Accommodation
  • Permanent Tented Overland Camp (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Victoria Falls - Brewery Tour
Optional Activities
  • Victoria Falls - Entrance & Visit - USD35
  • Victoria Falls - Sunset Cruise - USD50
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Victoria Falls entrance fee is not included in the price of the trip as it is mandatory for tour groups with pre-purchased tickets to have a local guide escort. We feel that seeing these waterfalls for the first time should be an uninterrupted sensory experience.

You may notice businesses offering an optional 'Walk with the Lions' experience. We ask all Intrepid travellers to avoid this activity as it is contrary to our Responsible Travel policy. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats and to do so with the greatest level of respect. The lion walking industry directly contributes to the captive breeding and canned hunting of lions. Read more about animal welfare and our ‘Born to Live Wild’ pledge here: intrepidtravel.com/animal-welfare

There are no activities planned for today as your trip comes to an end after breakfast. For those who plan on spending a few extra days in Vic Falls, there are plenty of activities and excursions to keep you occupied. A helicopter flight over the falls is a popular choice and offers a fantastic view of this natural wonder.
Optional Activities
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins) - USD165
  • Victoria Falls - Gorge swing - USD103
  • Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins) - USD299
  • Victoria Falls - Flying fox - USD50
  • Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (full day) - USD130
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
Special Information
Zambezi Helicopter co CAA Zimbabwe is the only operator that meets the Intrepid safety requirements.

Please keep in mind that we have not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended. It is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk assessed or do not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles.
Want to tailor this itinerary?

Meals

7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Lodge (1 night), Meru Tent (1 night), Permanent Tented Overland Camp (1 night), Camping with facilities (3 nights).

Included activities

  • Kruger National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
  • Kruger National Park - Night 4x4 Game Drive
  • Masebe Nature Reserve – Rock Art Walk
  • Nata - 4x4 Pan Excursion
  • Victoria Falls - Brewery Tour

Dates & availability

Trip departures are unavailable.

There are currently no scheduled departures on our Kruger to Vic Falls trip. If you are interested in other trips in the region visit one of the links below.

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. This trip includes a mixture camping and other accommodation. While camping, tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags will be provided and set up for you by our crew.

3. 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.

4. BORDER CROSSINGS ON THIS TRIP:
Exit South Africa - Groblers Bridge
Enter Botswana - Martin's Drift
Exit Botswana - Kazangula Road
Enter Zimbabwe - Kazangula Road

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.

Essential trip information

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.

View Essential Trip Information

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