Zimbabwe and Botswana Game Tracker

Driving distance day 2: approx. 300 km; pure driving time approx. 8–9 hours incl. game drives

Your round trip through Zimbabwe and Botswana starts at 06:30. You leave Johannesburg and first drive north-east to Kruger National Park. You arrive there in the course of the afternoon and have time for a first game drive in your tour vehicle in the Letaba region. Keep an eye out for lions, elephants, rhinos and other animals. You spend one night in a Kruger National Park rest camp (in chalets or tented chalets with shared showers and toilets). The next morning starts early – look forward to a whole day of game drives in Kruger National Park! You head north. Mopane woodlands dominate the landscape, home to herds of buffalo and large bull elephants, among others. In the Pafuri region, bird lovers also get their money’s worth. You spend another night in a Kruger National Park rest camp (in chalets or tented chalets with shared showers and toilets).

Today you cross the border into Zimbabwe. Your accommodation for today is near the town of Masvingo, right by the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. This ruined city, built between the 11th and 14th centuries, is one of the oldest and largest stone structures in southern Africa and is still very well preserved today. On a walk through the ruins the next morning, a local guide tells you everything worth knowing about the history of this now UNESCO World Heritage Site. You spend the night at the Great Zimbabwe Hotel.

Driving distance day 5: game drives

You continue via Bulawayo towards Matobo National Park. This region is dotted with granite hills alternating with partly densely vegetated valleys. From one of these granite hills you enjoy the fantastic views over the national park with a sundowner. The next morning you drive into the park. You visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes and marvel at the unique view from World’s View. On a subsequent game drive with a guided bush walk, you try to track down the rhinos that live here, for which the national park is known. Your guide also shows you a number of ancient rock paintings. You spend two nights outside the park in the chalets of Hermits Peak Lodge.

Driving distance day 7: game drives

In the morning your round trip continues to Hwange National Park. It was named after a local Nhanzwa chief and is Zimbabwe’s largest national park and the richest in species. With a local guide you explore the park on a full-day game drive in an open 4x4 vehicle. With a great deal of luck you can spot the rare African wild dogs and brown hyenas here, among others. Hwange is best known, however, for its enormous elephant population. You spend two nights at Miombo Safari Lodge.

You spend two days in the lively town of Victoria Falls. Together with your guide you take a long walk along the impressive Victoria Falls, whose spray creates tropical vegetation. The next day there is plenty of time to join one of the many activities on offer, such as white-water rafting, bungee jumping or a helicopter flight over the falls (all optional). You spend the night at PheZulu Guest Lodge.

Today you cross the border into Botswana. The famous Chobe National Park is one of Botswana’s many special features and is the focus of your day. The Chobe River forms the border of Chobe National Park and at the same time draws gigantic herds of elephants and many other animals to drink. In the afternoon a sunset boat trip is on your programme – a unique safari experience. You spend the night at Thebe River Lodge.

In the early morning you set off on a game drive in an open safari vehicle in Chobe National Park. Look forward to fantastic wildlife viewing! Afterwards you leave Chobe and drive south through Kasane Forest to Nata. In the late afternoon you visit Nata Sanctuary at sunset and enjoy the view across the expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans. In the dry months the salt pans appear as endless white expanses, while the summer rains create shallow stretches of water that attract flamingos, pelicans and migrating herds of animals. Over a tasty dinner (at your own expense) with your fellow travellers, you can let the day end cosily. You spend the night at Nata Lodge.

Driving distance day 14: approx. 50 km; pure driving time approx. 2–3 hours

Your next destination is Maun, from where you continue directly into the Okavango Delta, one of the largest inland deltas on Earth. During the drive in an open 4x4 vehicle to the mokoro station, you experience how the vegetation gradually changes as you penetrate deeper into the wetland. Mokoros are the traditional canoes in which local guides will take you into the heart of the Okavango Delta. Gliding silently through the seemingly endless labyrinth of water is, for some, the undisputed highlight of this round trip. Every year the Okavango River floods the region with its enormous masses of water and transforms it into a flourishing bird paradise and species-rich wildlife area. On a small island in the middle of the delta you spend two nights in a basic camp. You spend your time in the Okavango Delta on bush walks and birdwatching. If you wish, you can swim in the crystal-clear water. From your local guides you also learn a lot about their traditions and way of life in harmony with nature. On day 14 you return to Maun. In the afternoon you have the opportunity for a scenic flight over the vast delta (optional). You spend the night at Island Safari Lodge in Maun.

From Maun you drive south and cross the vast expanses of the Kalahari Desert. Along the route you may come across small herds of zebra mingling with the cattle herds of remote villages. As you approach Goo-Moremi, the Tswapong Hills rise above the horizon. Here the endangered Cape vultures nest on the cliffs of the gorge above the ancient waterfalls in the Goo-Moremi Gorge nature reserve. If time allows, you take a guided hike in the afternoon.

You drive across the border back to South Africa. In the early evening, around 6 pm, you reach Johannesburg. Here your impressive round trip through Zimbabwe and Botswana ends. On request, we can arrange an additional night in Johannesburg for you at an extra charge.

Breakfast

Note: Solo travellers are welcome to share a room with other solo travellers of the same sex at no extra charge.