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Waterfalls & Wildlife

Trip Length

Trip Code
12 days GAWW

Activities
Wildlife (Moderate)

Maximum Passengers
24 people

Countries Visited
South Africa, Zimbabwe

Start City

End City
Victoria Falls Johannesburg
Waterfalls & Wildlife

Zimbabwe is a must-see destination in southern Africa. Offering world-class game reserves, a diversity of landscapes, the beauty of Victoria Falls and a proud mosaic of cultures, this short safari gives you a real feel of the wonders of Zimbabwe. Capping all this off we also cover certain highlights of South Africa, notably Blyde River Canyon, the world's largest green canyon, and the iconic Kruger National Park. Our journey begins on the Zimbabwean side of the Victoria Falls, where a smorgasbord of exciting activities are on offer (such as whitewater rafting or bungy jumping). Take time to experience the magnificence of the actual falls themselves, as the Upper Zambezi River spills over the 1.7km wide chasm. Wildlife-viewing opportunities begin at Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s premier game reserve. From there we travel to the Antelope Park where we get to walk with lions in this great private reserve. From wildlife the safari takes an architectural and cultural focus, as we reach the Great Zimbabwe Ruins - the largest sub-Saharan, man-made structural complex and once the centre of a powerful kingdom. Leaving Zimbabwe, South African beckons us with its rejuvenating hot springs and scenic canyon. The wondrous Kruger National Park provides a fitting climax to this brilliant and highlight packed safari.
Waterfalls & Wildlife

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Today is an arrival day and you may arrive at any time. The remainder of your day is for you to enjoy at leisure. There is a pre-departure meeting tonight at 6.00pm. Nothing quite prepares you for the awesome power of Victoria Falls. At its peak it is believed that five million cubic metres of water pass over the cataracts every minute - that’s a lot of water! We camp on the Zimbabwean side of the border in Victoria Falls township and from here your tour guide can help you arrange any of the optional activities that are on offer. There is much to choose from, including whitewater rafting, paddling canoe trails or bungy jumping. Please Note: As this trip leaves Victoria Falls in the morning of Day 2, we suggest that you arrive a few days early into Zimbabwe if you wish to partake in many of these optional activities.

Day 2-3: Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

(Driving time: approx 2 hours; game drive times variable) From Victoria Falls a two-hour drive takes us to Hwange National Park. Our campsite for the next two nights is located just outside Hwange National Park. Hwange is rightly acclaimed as Zimbabwe’s premier wildlife sanctuary. It covers a massive 14,650 square kilometres and is home to large breeding herds of elephant, Cape buffalo and most of the antelope species, as well as predators such as lion. At Hwange we enjoy a full day of game viewing, exploring the park in open vehicles. At night we can hear nocturnal creatures chattering and grunting just outside our campsite, which is located just outside the park.

Day 4-5: Antelope Park - Gweru (Zimbabwe)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) Leaving Hwange National Park we make our way through large swathes of countryside to Bulawayo and then on to the nearby Antelope Park, located just outside Gweru in the Zimbabwe midlands. Here we are treated to a truly unique experience - and we really do mean unique. After all, where else in the world can you go for a walk with lions? Afterwards we have plenty of time to relax and take in ambience of the African bush, but there are also many other activities we can partake in. Optional activities available include the chance to ride elephants (on land and also in water), go game viewing on horseback, on foot or in a vehicle, or canoeing and fishing in a wonderfully scenic dam! Besides lion and elephant, other species of wildlife seen here include giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, tsessebe, waterbuck, blesbok, red hartebeest, impala, duiker, steenbuck and many more. There are also over 150 species of birds.

Day 6: Great Zimbabwe Ruins (Zimbabwe)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 3 hours) Leaving Antelope Park and its cuddly lion cubs behind, we travel south to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins at Masvingo. Here we spend the afternoon exploring this impressive archaeological site that gave the country its name. The ancient ruins of Great Zimbabwe dates back to the 11th century and was once the greatest medieval city in sub-Saharan Africa. For decades these ruins have awed archaeologists and historians alike and there is a good chance we will be similarly inspired on our visit here.

Day 7: Tshipise Hot Springs (South Africa)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 4 hours) After a chance to watch the sunrise over the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, we travel south to Beitbridge - the busy border post that separates Zimbabwe from South Africa. From here we drive to Messina and stock up on supplies, before reaching the hot springs of Tshipise. This campsite incorporates the hot springs with outdoor and indoor swimming pools, where you can lay back at night in the warmth of the spring waters and gaze up at the stars - a great way to relax!

Day 8-9: Kruger National Park (South Africa)

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

(Driving time: approx 4 hours; game drive times variable) This morning we travel southeast from Tshipse on well-maintained roads to Kruger National Park. The landscape around Kruger is varied and fascinating. Stretching for some 350 kilometres and sharing a common border with Mozambique and Zimbabwe, much of the park consists of flat grass and scrubby plains. It supports an enormous variety of wildlife and bird life, including elephant, giraffe, zebra, Cape buffalo, many antelope species and white rhino. If we are lucky we may see lion, leopard or the endangered Cape hunting dog. We spend two nights in the park and embark on game drives to explore the riverbanks and bush. At night we have the option to board an open safari vehicle and, with the help of a local site guide, set out on a night game drive in searching of nocturnal animals rarely seen during the day hours. Both nights are spent at campsites located in the park.

Day 10: Kruger National Park - Blyde River Canyon - Graskop (South Africa)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 3 hours) After a final morning game drive we bid farewell to Kruger National Park and drive out to Hazyview. Here we travel out of the lowveld and into the Panorama Region of Blyde River Canyon, the largest green canyon in the world. The centrepoint of the area are the Bourke's Luck Potholes, where a series of striking rock formations are found in the canyon walls, formed by the meeting of the Treur and Blyde Rivers. The canyon also boasts other viewpoints including God's Window, where we enjoy expansive views over the lowveld and the Kruger plains. Our campsite tonight is at Graskop, perched on the edge of the highveld escarpment.

Day 11: Pilgrim's Rest - Pretoria/Johannesburg (South Africa)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

(Driving time: approx 6 hours) Leaving Graskop we stop in Pilgrim’s Rest, a town that is now a national monument. Pilgrim’s Rest was once a major gold mining town, but when the gold was finally exhausted the town was sold to the government in 1972 as a historical village. Much of the main street has been restored and here we spend an hour or two browsing around the shops and exploring the many quaint old buildings. We arrive back at our lodge outside Pretoria in the early evening, but this time we pitch our tents for a final night of camping.

Day 12: Pretoria/Johannesburg (South Africa)

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Our tour ends this morning and you may depart at any time. Transfers to Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport are available at additional cost and may be arranged prior to travel with us or through the lodge itself.

Your Trip

About Gecko's

Sharing the adventure is all part of the fun. Our groups are large enough to remove the hassles of go-it-alone travel, yet small enough for you to enjoy the benefits and freedom of independent travel. The average tour has nine people, with a maximum of sixteen. The exception is Africa which has a maximum of 24 and an average of 17. On group trips you travel with a highly-trained local tour leader, who was raised in the region and can show you a side of their homeland that other travellers miss out on. We include the 'must see' sights, and on many trips we venture off the beaten track for some unforgettably unique and unusual experiences.

Nuts and Bolts

• Gecko’s experienced English-speaking local safari leader, professional driver, and camp cook who will prepare all included meals.

• Gecko’s specialist English-speaking local site guide in Hwange National Park and at the Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

• Transport in a custom-built safari vehicle with large opening windows for unrestricted game viewing (maximum of just 24 clients).

• 11 nights camping in large dome tents, with mosquito netting and a foam mattress provided. Camp sites include: near Hwange National Park; by Tshipse hot springs; in Kruger National Park; and at Graskop, on the edge of a highveld escarpment.

• 2 days in Hwange National Park and 2 days in Kruger National Park (including all park entrance fees, where applicable).

• Game drives in open 4WD vehicles in Hwange National Park.

• Walk with the lions at Antelope Park.

• Sightseeing of the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Blyde River Canyon and Pilgrim’s Rest.

Summary of accommodation, transport & meals

Transport

Accommodation

Meals

Equipment Included

Pick of the bunch

Wildlife Safari in Greater Kruger National Park

Stretching for some 350 kilometres, and sharing a common border with Mozambique and Zimbabwe, much of Kruger consists of flat grass and scrubby plains that support an enormous variety of wildlife and bird life. Go on game drives in search of elephants, giraffes, zebras, Cape buffalos, antelopes and white rhinos. If we are lucky, we may even encounter lions, leopards or the endangered Cape hunting dog!

Not Included

International flights, local payment, arrival and departure transfers, airport/departure taxes, visas, pre-tour or post-tour accommodation, all other meals, drinks, sleeping bag, pillow, all optional additional tours or activities during free time, transfers outside of the tour program, travel insurance, tips and items of a personal nature, laundry and flights (unless specified).

Optional Extras

Local Payment

Visas and Permits

South Africa

Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for South Africa. Upon arrival you will be given a free three-month multi-entry visa stamp. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. Please note that you require six blank pages and your passport needs to have a minimum of six months validity to enter South Africa. Also note that to enter South Africa you may be required to show proof of onward travel plans and a valid yellow fever certificate (especially if entering or re-entering from East African countries).

Zimbabwe

Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Zimbabwe. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. For trips to Zimbabwe you may require either a single or double entry visa. Both single and double entry visas are obtainable on arrival currently costing between US$30 and US$60 (depending on nationality). If you choose to travel to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls your Zimbabwe visa will not expire as long as you do not spend the night out of Zimbabwe.

Important Information

An experienced driver, guide and camp cook accompany us on this safari. Local site guides join us in Hwange National Park and Great Zimbabwe Ruins.

We travel in a custom-built safari vehicle that can take a maximum of 24 clients. There are large opening windows, providing unrestricted game viewing and photographic opportunities, and on-board we have useful reference books about the flora and fauna that you may encounter during your safari.

The large dome tents are spacious and quick to erect with the sides covered in mosquito netting and foam mattresses provided to enable you to sleep in comfort. A comfortable folding chair is also supplied for each passenger. In addition, all communal camping equipment is carried on board together with on-board cool boxes. You need to bring your own sleeping bag and it is also recommended that you bring a pillow or purchase one locally for added comfort.

Please note there are no laundry services available whilst camping, but sometimes when we stay at a campsite for at least two consecutive nights, there may be the opportunity to do some hand-washing.

A special feature of the safari is that in addition to our safari guide and professional driver we have a camp cook who plans, budgets and prepares all included meals.

Gecko’s strongly advises you to carry sufficient USD cash with you to cover your time in Zimbabwe. You will not be able to withdraw USD cash by any means once you have entered Zimbabwe (including use of ATMs, credit cards and travellers cheques) so please ensure you have sufficient money prior to your arrival for all your expenses including tourist visa, spending money and any optional activities you may choose to do in Victoria Falls.

Road Conditions and Infrastructure in Africa
Roads in Africa are often in very poor condition, which makes it hard on vehicles. Our vehicles are serviced regularly and are generally in good condition, but breakdowns can and do happen. The infrastructure in Africa is not always what we are used to and travelling on their roads can sometimes be very bumpy experiences. The travelling times indicated in our Trip Notes is just a rough guide and is dependent on various factors that may be outside our control, such as road conditions, weather and time spent at borders.

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please ensure that you have the most up-to-date information for your trip. We recommend that you check the trip notes for your tour around one month before departure. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!

Last Updated

3 November 2011