Budget Kruger, Vic Falls and Chobe 11 days

Local Payment:n/a
Summary : This small group safari follows the panoramic route , with it's dramatic scenery over the Blyde River Canyon , then you drop down over the escarpment into the Lowveld and the famous Kruger National Park that was first established in 1898 has an abundance of wildlife and the area where you will do open vehicle game viewing is renowned for good sightings especially lions in and around Satara camp , added to this is over 500 species of birds and many reptiles.
Visit Victoria Falls National Park and experience this natural wonder first hand. There are plenty of activities on offer here. Cross the border to Botswana for amazing game viewing at Chobe National Park. The safari is rounded off with a visit to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary before heading back to Johannesburg.
Highlights: Hoedspruit Cheetah Centre, Game drives in Kruger National Park, Blyde River Canyon (Three Rondawels view point), Chobe National Park game drives, Victoria Fall National Park, Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Itinerary
The tour departs early morning from Johannesburg and Pretoria. We will stop en-route for breakfast (own cost), after which we continue to Nelspruit (only if we have pickups there) and then to the Kapama Cheetah Centre (Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre). This afternoon we do a guided tour of the Centre with one of their guides. The centre is home to many endangered species, such as wild dog, cheetah, ground hornbill, vultures, king cheetah and many more.
A short drive takes us to a 3 star safari lodge close to Kruger national park where we will be staying. The lodge has a variety of wildlife including blue wildebeest, impala, nyala, giraffe and much more. Clients can cool off in the large swimming pool, or relax by the vibrant pool bar. A three course dinner will be prepared by the lodge chef and served in the restaurant next to the pool. This is truly one of the most beautiful safari lodges in the area.
Camping accommodation: Permanent erected canvas tents
Bedded accommodation: Chalets with en-suite bathrooms
Included meals: Dinner
Day 2: Kruger National Park (South Africa)
A short drive takes us to Orpen gate which is the most central gate to Kruger national park, where we
shop before leaving the park, so that you can buy drinks for the evening.Camping accommodation: Permanent erected canvas tents
Bedded accommodation: Chalets with en-suite bathrooms
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Kruger National Park (South Africa)
We start the day with a cup of coffee or tea, before heading out on a game drive in an open game viewing vehicle shortly after the gates open. You will be on a game drive for the majority of the day, searching for as many animal species as possible. Breakfast and lunch will be enjoyed at picnic sites inside Kruger national park. You will stop at shops during the day, as well as before leaving the park to buy drinks.
Camping accommodation: Permanent erected canvas tents
Bedded accommodation: Chalets with en-suite bathrooms
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Night drive:
We operate our night drives in Thorny Bush big 5 game reserve, which is well known for fantastic game and night drives, with excellent game viewing. The night drives are done in 4x4 open game viewing vehicles. We depart on the night rive after dinner, when game viewing is at its best. This is an optional activity which cost R200 to R250 per person, payable to the night drive guide in cash.
Day 4: Blyde River Canyon to Hartbeespoort (South Africa)
We depart early morning after a light breakfast, heading towards the Blyde River canyon, where we stop at the magnificent Three
Accommodation: Bedded accommodation with en-suite bathrooms
Included meals: Light breakfast
Day 5: Nata (Botswana)
We leave early in the morning, after a cup of coffee or tea. Your guide will stop en-route for breakfast (own cost), banks and last minute shopping while still on the South African side of the border. Your guide will assist you with changing money after you have crossed the
border into Botswana. We head further north to Elephant Sands which is a lovely lodge close to Nata, where we stay the night. Here you can relax at the swimming pool or at the waterhole while watching animals such as large herds of elephants and other animals including lion coming to drink water.Accommodation: Camping with the option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Dinner
Day 6: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
After an early morning light breakfast we drive further north to the Zimbabwe border post. This drive takes us through the Kasane forest where we always see herds of elephants and often see a variety of antelopes and sometimes lion, hyena and wild dog. From here we drive another hour to the vibrant town of Victoria Falls where we will be staying the next three nights. The campsite is situated in the middle of town, within 10 minutes walking distance of just about everything. Your guide will
assist you with the bookings of optional activities that you would like to do and changing of money. This afternoon we visit the magnificent Victoria Falls waterfall (optional), which is one of the seven natural wonders of the world and 1700 meters (1,1 mile) wide, making it the largest sheet of falling water in the world. The Zimbabwean side is the best side to view the waterfall from, as 1400 meters of the waterfall is on the Zimbabwean side, as well as the main falls. Therefore there is water throughout the year, where the Zambian side is only 300 meters of the 1700 meters, and has no water during the winter months. This afternoon is ideal to book an optional sunset cruise on the beautiful Zambezi river which is the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, with national parks on either side of the river. You have a great opportunity to see animals coming down to the river for a drink, as well as a reasonable variety of bird life. We often see elephants, zebra, blue wildebeest, rhino, buffalo and a variety of antelope species. Obviously hippo and crocodile are plenty-full in this region. All soft drinks, wine and beer is included while on the sunset cruise. Most days you will have fantastic photo opportunities of the sunset, depending on the weather. The Zambezi river is the forth largest river in Africa.Accommodation: Camping with option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Days 7 & 8: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Victoria Falls and the surrounding areas offer a great variety of things to see and do. You will have plenty of free time to explore the town, meet the locals, visit the African markets with its wide variety of very affordable arts and crafts made from wood, stone and beads, or to relax by the pool at the campsite in the heat of the day. The Victoria Falls region is nicknamed the adventure capital of Africa for a reason. It is well known for the large variety of fantastic activities (optional excursions) such as the best one day white water rafting in the world, the 111 meters bungi jump off the bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia which is the second highest bridge bungi jump in the world, elephant back and horse safaris, flights over the waterfall, canoe safaris, day trips to Hwange national park, fishing safaris, game walks, super fast jet boat trips, abseiling, gorge swings and much more. On day 8 dinner is out at one of the local restaurants (own cost), which is normally a festive outing.
Accommodation: Camping with option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals - Day 7: Breakfast, Dinner
Included meals - Day 8: Breakfast
Day 9: Chobe National Park (Botswana)After a light breakfast we drive back to the Botswana border post through the Matetsi game reserve where we often see herds of elephants, sable antelope, buffalo and many more animal species. We arrive late morning in Kasane where we will be staying at a campsite on the shores of the Chobe River that is close to the gate of Chobe National Park. Here we often see hippo and large herds of animals. You will have the opportunity to change money and / or relax at the swimming pool and at the river shores. This afternoon we do a game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle inside Chobe national park, which is well known for its large variety and numbers of wildlife. These game drives are always very successful with spotting large numbers of wildlife. Dinner will be served on return to camp.
Accommodation: Camping with option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Khama Rhino Sanctuary (Botswana)
We leave Kasane after a light breakfast, driving south to Palapye where we enjoy lunch (own cost). A short drive takes us to Khama
Accommodation: Camping with option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11: Return to Johannesburg & Pretoria (South Africa)
We depart early morning driving south, crossing the border into South Africa. Your guide will drop you off at your backpacker hostel or hotel in Johannesburg & Pretoria. You will stop en-route for breakfast and lunch (own cost).
Included meals: No meals included
Included
Accommodation:
Camping accommodation in Kruger National Park
Both the camping and bedded accommodation tours stay at one of the most beautiful safari lodges in the area, which is only 10 minutes from Kruger National Park. This beautiful 3 star safari lodge has a large variety of wildlife including nyala, zebra, giraffe, blue wildebeest, impala, warthog and much more, which are often seen around the camp and chalets. There is a large swimming pool where clients can cool off at the end of the day after game drives, as well as a lovely bar by the pool where you can relax. Three course dinners will be prepared by the lodge's chef, and enjoyed in the restaurant by the pool.
The tents that we use, are 3 x 3 meters canvas dome tents, with built in floor and mosquito nets over the doors and windows. All doors, windows and mosquito nets close with zips to keep all insects out. Each tent has two proper single bed mattresses, and each client will have a fitted sheet to cover the mattress.
Chobe national park & Victoria Falls
The included accommodation is camping. However, all the camps and lodges where we stay do have a variety of bedded accommodation. You can upgrade to bedded accommodation on arrival at the camps / lodges (not before). The operator will pay the camping rate, and you pay the balance of the bedded accommodation that you would like to upgrade to. We stay at Elephant Sands, Kasane, Victoria Falls and Khama Rhino Santuary.
The tents that we use, are 2.1 x 2.1 meters canvas dome tents, with built in floor and mosquito nets over the doors and windows. All doors, windows and mosquito nets close with zips to keep all insects out. Proper sleeping mattresses are provided.
Max Group Size: No more than 12 passengers
All transport
All accommodation
Qualified and registered guide
All camping and other equipment
Meals as specified in the detailed itinerary
Hoedspruit Cheetah Centre
Entrance & conservation fees to Kruger national park
Game drives in Kruger national park (Full day drives)
Blyde River Canyon (Three Rondawels view point)
Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
Entrance & conservation fees to Chobe national park
Chobe national park game drive (open vehicles)
Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Excluded
All drinks (except coffee & tea with meals)
Meals not specified in the detailed itinerary
Visas if required
Sleeping bag (May be hired at R60 - once off payment)
Optional activities:
Kruger national park
Night game drive R 250
Victoria Falls
Full day white water rafting (Low water, August to January) (rapids 1 to 21) US$ 130
Full day white water rafting (High water, February to July) (rapids 11 to 24) US$ 120
Half day white water rafting & river boarding (Low water, August to January) (rapids 1 to 21) US$ 185
Bungee jump from the Victoria Falls bridge US$ 120
Bridge slide US$ 35
Tandem Bridge slide (2 people) US$ 55
Bridge swing US$ 120
Tandem bridge swing (2 people) US$ 190
Historical bridge tour US$ 50
Helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls waterfall (13 minutes) US$ 130
Helicopter flight over the Victoria Falls waterfall (25 minutes) US$ 250
Elephant interactive safari US$ 130
Walk with lions US$ 130
Game drive: Night drive including bush dinner US$ 110
Game drive: Morning or afternoon US$ 90
Game walk: Morning walk US$ 90
Half day upper Zambezi canoeing US$ 110
Full day upper Zambezi canoeing US$ 125
Upper Zambezi canoeing (wine route) (3 hours) US$ 60
Multi day canoe safaris on the Zambezi River On request
Morning elephant interactive safari + Lion walk US$ 200
Morning elephant interactive safari + Lion walk + Rhino tracking & Vulture restaurant US$ 230
Afternoon elephant interactive safari + Rhino tracking + night game drive + bush dinner under stars US$ 260
Khama Rhino sanctuary
Game drive (Minimum fee up to first 4 people) Pula 410
Game drive (per additional person more than 4 people) Pula 110
Night game drive (Minimum fee up to first 4 people) Pula 560
Night game drive (per additional person more than 4 people) Pula 170
Nature walk Pula 170
Rhino tracking Pula 280
Giraffe tracking Pula 280
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