7 Day Kruger & Victoria Falls Safari - Southern Africa Small Group Safari
A 7 day safari taking in 'Big Five' game drives in Kruger National Park as well as a glimpse of the immense Kalahari en route to Africa's most exciting destination, Victoria Falls.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Blyde River Canyon, Cheetah Project, Private Game Reserve Days 2 & 3 Kruger National Park Days 4 & 5: Polokwane Game Reserve, Nata (Botswana) Day 5: Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Game Reserve Days 6 & 7: LivingstoneTour Highlights
- Mpumalanga Province - Blyde River Canyon & Three Rondavels
- Cheetah Project
- Greater Kruger Private Reserve
- Kruger National Park
- Polokwane Game Reserve
- Victoria Falls - Livingstone
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Blyde River Canyon, Cheetah Project, Private Game Reserve (Dx1)
Departing from South Africa's largest city, Johannesburg, we drive through scenic Mpumalanga to the Great Kruger area. En route we enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels rock formations. After lunch we visit a cheetah project to see the remarkable work done by volunteers rehabilitating these gentle predators, and other endangered mammals of the area. We complete our first day on arrival at camp on the banks of the Oliphant's River. This is a relaxing and enjoyable place for our first night in the African wild - where it is not uncommon to see wildlife come to the river to drink in the evening.
Days 2 & 3: Kruger National Park (Bx2 / Lx2 / Dx2)
We rise early for a river cruise on the Oliphants River, and follow that a visit to South Africa's premier game reserve, the Kruger national Park. With over 2 million hectares of fertile land the Kruger contains an unrivalled diversity of wildlife, as well as some important historical and archaeological sights. We explore the wilderness and hope to see some of Africa's 'Big 5' (elephant, rhino, leopard, lion and buffalo) as well as some of the smaller and more rarely seen animals.
We also visit an old colonial town for a glimpse of what life was like for South Africa's pioneering folk. Our route through the park is dependent on recent sightings and seasonal conditions but we concentrate on the areas near the Transfrontier National Park. This remote area is away from the larger numbers of visitors who enter the park in the south. Recently established, when fences between countries were removed, this special area provides natural migration routes for wildlife between South Africa and its neighbours, and promises some rewarding game drives.
A typical day generally involves an early morning game drive and a return to our camp for lunch to rest during the heat of the day before going out again later in the late afternoon when predators come out to hunt.
Days 4 & 5: Polokwane Game Reserve, Nata (Botswana) (Bx2 / Dx2)
This morning we make our way out of the Kruger area, heading towards Botswana, stopping just short of the border in the town of Polokwane. We have time here to enjoy a walk in the local game reserve, which contains over 20 species of mammals including the white rhino as well as some 200 species of birds. The following morning we cross into Botswana, continuing north. We spend the day driving around the Kalahari, a massively arid area extending through southern and central Botswana. We overnight a lodge near Nata, a small town near the Makgadigkadi Pans. This region was once a vast super-lake - today it is a shimmering expanse of white dry saltpans. Occasionally it fills with seasonal rains and then is transformed into a large flat lake, attracting birds and animals which enjoy the brief harvest of algae and plant life. It is not uncommon to see elephant wandering through camp at night.
Days 6 & 7: Livingstone (Bx2 / Dx1)
We leave Nata early and continue to Kasane and the ferry crossing into Zambia. After a short drive further we arrive in the town of Livingstone a few kilometres from Victoria Falls (local name: 'Mosi oa Tunya' - 'the smoke that thunders' referring to the spray that rises from the falling water when the river is in full flood). We finish our tour here with two days at camp on the banks of the Zambezi. There are many activities here - scenic flights, whitewater rafting, canoeing, bungy, gorge swinging, jet boating, game drives and river cruises - but spare some time to visit the 'Falls' themselves to see the spectacle and the cavernous Batoka Gorge. Our accommodation also has small pool, bar, restaurant and riverside deck allowing ample opportunity to relax and enjoy the tranquil surrounds. Arrangements end after breakfast on day 7.
