Itinerary

Day 1 Johannesburg
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa.
Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1.
You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting; please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If your flight arrives too late, we recommend that you consider arriving a day early and book a night's accommodation prior to the trip so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your kitty, insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting so please ensure you have all details on hand to provide to your leader.
Johannesburg is a sprawling city of remarkable contrasts. In the townships, mansions stand alongside tin shacks and there are as many green parks on the outskirts of the city as there are conglomerations of concrete in the centre. This is a good place to spend a couple of days to get an insight into South Africa's history, and it's a great base for exploring the rest of the country.

Day 2 Tzaneen
Depart the bustling city of Johannesburg and head to Tzaneen (395 km, approx 6-8 hrs).
Tzaneen is the home of the Modjadji or Rain Queen. This mystical area provides a fascinating insight into the customs and beliefs of the local tribes. While still in South Africa, the site of Modjadji is closely linked to some of the ancient tribes in Zimbabwe.
Visit the Modjadji Nature Reserve, home to unique 800-year-old cycads.

Included Activities
Modjadji Nature Reserve
Modjaji “Rain Queen” site
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Days 3-4 Bulawayo
Leaving South Africa behind, cross the border into Zimbabwe at Beitbridge and head towards Bulawayo (500 km, approx 8-10 hrs).
Known locally as the 'City of Kings', Bulawayo is Zimbabwe's second largest city and has a very interesting historical past.
We will have the afternoon free to explore the city, giving you plenty of opportunity to browse local markets, chat with a local or perhaps find a game of football or rugby to watch.
Explore Matobo National Park.
Home to a large population of black and white rhinoceros that can be tracked on foot, Matobo National Park is also the site of the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company. The Matobo area has great spiritual and cultural significance to the local people and there are many sites within the park where important ceremonies still take place.
In Bulawayo, stay in a campground with shared facilities - upgrades are available.

Included Activities
Game drive & walk
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

Day 5 Hwange National Park
Head to Hwange National Park (360 km, approx 5-6 hrs).
Stop to visit the Painted Dog Conservation Group for an insight into the plight of the African wild dog.
Hwange National Park became the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19th century and was set aside as a national park in 1929. Today, Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species. The elephants of Hwange are world famous and the park's elephant population is one of the largest in Africa.
Explore the park in open 4x4 vehicles.

Included Activities
Painted Dog Conservation Centre
Game drive
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Days 6-7 Victoria Falls
Travel to Victoria Falls (190 km, approx 3-4 hrs).
Visit the magnificent Victoria Falls.
The Victoria Falls are an enormous curtain of water, about a mile wide, falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 m and the falls are an impressive raging torrent. The spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away. It's no wonder that the local name Mosi oa Tunya means the 'smoke that thunders'. 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.
Our campground is centrally located in the town of Victoria Falls, the perfect place to use as a base for the vast array of activities on offer in the area. Upgraded accommodation is available, please ask at reception.
We have lots of free time to try the various activities and excursions available - either on the water, on land or high above it all. Choose from white water rafting, canoeing, horse riding, abseiling or gorge swinging....

Included Activities
Visit Victoria Falls
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

Days 8-9 Lake Kariba
Travel to Binga and board our houseboat on Lake Kariba (320 km, approx 4-5 hrs).
Lake Kariba is the largest artificial lake/reservoir in the world. At 220 km long, 40 km wide and up to 29 metres deep, the lake covers an area spanning 5580 square kilometres and has a water storage capacity of 185 cubic kilometres.
Our next two nights are spent on a houseboat exploring the lake and its abundant wildlife including Nile crocodiles, hippopotamuses, fish eagles and the occasional roaming herd of elephants. The lake is also home to an amazing array of fish species including game fish such as an indigenous tiger fish.
Stop off to stretch our legs at Matusadona National Park, home to plenty of buffalo, elephants and lions.
On the houseboat our rooms are twin-share with shared facilities.

Included Activities
Houseboat & activities
Meals Included
2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Accommodation
Houseboat (2 nts)

Day 10 Harare
Disembark our houseboat at the town of Kariba and head towards Harare (360 km, 5-6 hrs).
Harare is Zimbabwe's capital city and also its largest.
Arriving in time for lunch we have the afternoon to explore the city on our own or relax at our campground.
There is plenty to see and do, you might want to head to the National Gallery, the museum, the botanical gardens or simply wander the city centre and explore the shops and markets.

Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Days 11-12 Chimanimani
Travel east to Chimanimani National Park (470 km, approx 6-7 hrs).
An area of rugged mountain grandeur, enhanced by many spectacular gorges and high peaks, Chimanimani National Park is one of Zimbabwe's finest mountain wilderness areas. It also forms part of the border with Mozambique.
Spend the afternoon exploring the village of Chimanimani, a small community of just under 2000 residents. There's a small market and a few shops to wander around, or maybe scout out a local game of football.
Discover the Chimanimani mountain range on a guided hike. There are no roads in the area, only footpaths and narrow tracks to explore along the way.
There's an option to camp out on the mountains before returning to town - your leader will discuss this with the group the night before.

Included Activities
Full day hike
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt), Cave house (1 nt)

Day 13 Masvingo
A short drive takes us to Masvingo (330 km, approx 5-6 hrs).
Masvingo is the oldest colonial settlement in Zimbabwe and the perfect base to explore the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.
Great Zimbabwe is the national monument that Zimbabwe is named after. A Unesco World Heritage site, this ruined city was first constructed in the 11th century when it was thought to be a royal palace for the Zimbabwean monarch.

Included Activities
Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 nt)

Days 14-15 Kruger National Park
Leave Zimbabwe and head towards South Africa and Kruger National Park (500 km, approx 8-9 hrs).
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.
Our wildlife experience begins as soon as we enter the park. We head straight into prime game viewing areas where we hope to catch a glimpse of some of the amazing animals found here.
Arriving at our accommodation in the park, there's time to freshen up before heading out on an open vehicle night drive, an amazing experience and a chance to witness the nocturnal activities of the many animals within the park.
Rise early and have a light breakfast of coffee and rusks before embarking on a morning game drive. Most of the day will be spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping at various waterholes and viewpoints.
Our campground within the park has shared facilities and hot and cold water.

Included Activities
Game drives
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (2 nts)

Day 16 Johannesburg
Rise at dawn with the animals for our final game drive before leaving Kruger.
Transfer back to Johannesburg (600 km, approx 8-9 hrs). There's plenty of time to stop and explore along the way. Take in amazing views at the viewpoint over the awesome Blyde River Canyon.
On arrival in Jo'burg you can be dropped at the airport or at our finishing point hotel. No accommodation is provided for tonight, but we are able to book you additional accommodation in Johannesburg. Please ask at time of booking.
Please don't book any international flights until after 10pm this evening.

Included

Accommodation: Participatory camping (12 nts), houseboat (2 nts), bush camping (1 nt)

Max Group Size: 16 pax

Game drive - Matobo National Park
Rhino walk - Matobo National Park
Wild Dog Conservation Group - Hwange National Park
Half day game drive - Hwange National Park
Visit Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls
Houseboat - Lake Kariba
Game Walk - Matusadona National Park
Full day hike - Chimanimani National Park
Great Zimbabwe Ruins - Masvingo
Full day game drive - Kruger National Park
Three Rondavels and Blyde River canyon view point - en route to Johannesburg

Excluded

Art gallery, Johannesburg - ZAR50.00
Apartheid Museum, Johannesburg - ZAR75.00
Gold Reef City and Heritage mine tour, Johannesburg - ZAR300.00
Museum Africa, Johannesburg - ZAR25.00

Railway Museum, Bulawayo - USD2.00
Natural History Museum, Bulawayo - USD10.00

Jet boat, Victoria Falls - USD95.00
Flying fox, Victoria Falls - USD30.00
Gorge swing, Victoria Falls - USD70.00
Abseiling, Victoria Falls - USD55.00
Microlight (15 mins), Victoria Falls - USD120.00
Microlight (25 mins), Victoria Falls - USD240.00
Rafting & river boarding combo (half day), Victoria Falls - USD155.00
Village & township tour, Victoria Falls - USD50.00
Horseback safari, Victoria Falls - USD75.00
Canoe trail, Victoria Falls - USD115.00
Bungee jumping, Victoria Falls - USD120.00
Canoe trail (half day), Victoria Falls - USD100.00
Helicopter flight (25 mins), Victoria Falls - USD260.00
Helicopter flight (15 mins), Victoria Falls - USD130.00

National Gallery, Harare - USD1.00
National Botanical Gardens, Harare - USD5.00
National Archives, Harare - USD3.00

Night game drive, Kruger National Park - ZAR180.00

Departures

Starts: Johannaesburg - Finishes: Johannesburg
Mon 05 Mar 2012 - Tue 20 Mar 2012
Mon 09 Apr 2012 - Tue 24 Apr 2012
Mon 14 May 2012 - Tue 29 May 2012
Mon 18 Jun 2012 - Tue 03 Jul 2012
Mon 23 Jul 2012 - Tue 07 Aug 2012
Mon 27 Aug 2012 - Tue 11 Sep 2012
Mon 01 Oct 2012 - Tue 16 Oct 2012
Mon 05 Nov 2012 - Tue 20 Nov 2012
Mon 10 Dec 2012 - Tue 25 Dec 2012
Mon 14 Jan 2013 - Tue 29 Jan 2013
Mon 18 Feb 2013 - Tue 05 Mar 2013
Mon 25 Mar 2013 - Tue 09 Apr 2013
Mon 29 Apr 2013 - Tue 14 May 2013
Mon 03 Jun 2013 - Tue 18 Jun 2013
Mon 08 Jul 2013 - Tue 23 Jul 2013

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