Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Overland

Day 1; Botswana

• Khama Rhino Sanctuary
• Okavango Delta: 4x4 into the Delta, guided nature walk, mokoro excursion
• Gweta: Bush walk (optional)
• Chobe National Park: Sunset Boat Cruise

 

Day 7-8; Zimbabwe

• Victoria Falls: Boat trip, white water rafting, bungee jumping, canoeing, elephant ride, scenic flights (optional)

 

Day 9-12; Zambia

• Lower Zambezi National Park: Canoe adventure on the Lower Zambezi
• Lake Kariba: Sunset river cruise (optional)

 

Day 13-18; Zimbabwe

• Chinhoyi Caves
• Chimanimani National Park: Hike to Bridal Falls
• Chirinda Forest: Hike in the rain forest
• Great Zimbabwe Ruins
• Greater Matopos National Park: Game drives, rhino track on foot
• Matobo Hills: Bushman paintings, visit of African villages, game walk
• Bulawayo: Historical Museum

 

Day 19, South Africa

• Johannesburg: Dinner at a local restaurant (optional)

Day 1 Johannesburg, South Africa - Palapye, Botswana

Distance 550 km; 8-9h travel time

You leave Johannesburg and head north to Botswana to cross the border. You spend your first night in Palapye, located on the banks of the Lotsane River. 
Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 2 Palapye, Botswana - Maun, Botswana

Distance approx. 650 km; driving time approx. 8h

This morning you visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a community-based wildlife project, established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino. Numbers have grown from four white rhinos to 14. You arrive in Maun in the afternoon and prepare for the excursion to the Okavango Delta.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 3-4 Maun, Botswana - Okavango Delta, Botswana

Approx. 2h travel time on day 3

You board your truck in the morning and travel to the Okavango Delta. In high-water season it is sometimes necessary to take a boat. You spend two nights bush camping in the wilderness and if the water levels allow, you will do a mokoro (traditional canoe) trip through the crystal clear waterways. You will also be doing nature walks in the hope of seeing wild animals in their natural habitat and to experience the wilderness in the company of a local guide.
2 x Breakfast, 2 x Lunch, 2 x Dinner

 

Day 5 Maun, Botswana - Gweta, Botswana

Distance approx. 250 km; driving time approx. 5-6h

You leave the delta today and travel east to quirky Planet Baobab near the saltpans. You can explore the bush around the campsite, lounge by the pool and see some ancient Baobab trees.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 6 Gweta, Botswana - Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana

Distance approx. 400 km; driving time approx. 6-7h

You travel to Chobe to your next camp on the banks of the Chobe River. Relax on a sunset river cruise and see elephants, hippos, crocodiles, eland and a great variety of birds on the riverbanks and islands.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 7 Chobe National Park, Kasane, Botswana - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Distance approx. 100 km; driving time approx. 2h

Today’s journey takes you to Zimbabwe and upon your arrival in the town of Victoria Falls you have time to plan some adventure activities for the next day. Thereafter you visit the spectacular Victoria Falls and experience the power of the mighty Zambezi. In the evening you can do a sunset dinner cruise (optional activity, not included in the rate) or relax to the sounds of the ‘smoke that thunders’.
Breakfast, Lunch

 

Day 8 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Most people spend the day white water rafting, a thrill of a lifetime. However there are many other exciting activities: bungee jumping, walking with lions, elephant rides, swimming in the Devil’s Pool and exploring the national park. All activities are optional and not included in the rate.
Breakfast

 

Day 9 Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Zambezi River, Chirundu, Zambia

Distance approx. 500 km; driving time approx. 7-8h

Today you cross the historical railway bridge that links Zimbabwe and Zambia. The bridge was completed in 1905 and on request of Cecil John Rhodes it was built that the spray from the falls would envelope the carriages as they crossed from one side to the other. Once in Zambia, you will stop to pick up additional passengers before continuing to your camp for tonight.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 10 Lower Zambezi National Park Canoe Trip, Zambia

Your canoeing adventure in the Lower Zambezi National Park starts today. Starting early in the morning you depart with the minimum of gear and will be guided into remote channels where you get very close to elephant, puku, zebra and other creatures browsing on the banks of the river. You spend the night camping in the wild on an island surrounded by wildlife, including hippos.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  

Day 11 Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia

This is the second day paddling on the mighty Zambezi River. The physical effort required travelling downstream with the current is minimal as you simply float and enjoy the beautiful scenery, birdlife and company. At certain times of the year it may not be possible to canoe on the river due to extreme temperatures or water levels. Then the two days that are usually spent on the river will be replaced by a 2-night houseboat excursion on Lake Kariba.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 12 Chirundu, Zambia - Kariba, Zambia

Distance approx. 250 km; driving time approx. 4h

It’s back to terra firma in the morning. You will relax the rest of the day at Kariba or join an optional sunset cruise in the evening. Kariba is the largest artificial lake in the world. Following the completion of the Kariba dam, Lake Kariba was filled between 1958 and 1963 and Operation Noah was launched to rescue thousands of animals stranded on island as the water levels rose.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 13 Kariba, Zambia - Chinhoyi caves, Zimbabwe

Distance approx. 250 km; driving time approx. 5h

You will cross the Chirundu Border and re-enter Zimbabwe today. From Chirundu it is not far to Chinhoyi. The Chinhoyi caves are a system of caverns and underwater pools about 8km from Chinhoyi town. With clear blue water and visibility of 50m and more, this is a paradise for ultra-deep-water cave divers. It was used in the past by rivaling tribes to murder enemies and the Sleeping Pool is also known as the ‘Pool of the Fallen’.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 14 Chinhoyi caves, Zimbabwe - Chimanimani National Park, Zimbabwe

Distance approx. 600 km; driving time approx. 9h

Today you will visit Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, where you will stop for some shopping and lunch before travelling to the eastern highlands. The Chimanimani National Park may be Africa’s least-known reserve. The mountain range that separates Zimbabwe and Mozambique is a great for hiking and you can explore virgin forest on small footpaths. If time allows, you will take a short walk to the 50m high Bridal Veil Falls in the late afternoon.
Breakfast, Dinner

 

Day 15 Chirinda Forest, Zimbabwe

It is possible to spend another full day hiking in Chimanimani or to do a day trip to Zimbabwe’s only rainforest on the border to Mozambique. Chirinda is the southernmost rainforest in Africa and home to more than 100 species of tree and large red mahogany trees – one tree is believed to be over 1 000 years old. A short hike to ‘the big tree’ is a lovely outing and a fantastic spot for a picnic.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 16 Chimanimani National Park, Zimbabwe - Great Zimbabwe ruins, Masvingo, Zimbabwe

Distance approx. 300 km; driving time approx. 5-6h

No visit to Zimbabwe would be complete without visiting the Great Zimbabwe ruins. This World Heritage Site is a vast complex of structures built over an area of 500 km² with stones perfectly balanced, up to 5m high. No cement was used in the construction. Dating from around the 11th century these ruins have been the source of much speculation over the years as not much is known about the civilisation that created it.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 17-18 Masvingo, Zimbabwe - Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe

Distance on day 17 approx. 350 km; driving time approx. 6-7h

It is a long drive to the Greater Matopos National Park area. The following day, a local operator will take you on a full day game drive into the Greater Matopos National Park area. You will visit the Matobo Hills (declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003) with its round granite mounds to see Bushman paintings and rock formations, visit local villages and to meet the community. Later you go on a bush walk to track rhino, but you might also see sable antelope and impala.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 19 Matopos National Park, Zimbabwe - Musina, South Africa

Distance approx. 400 km; driving time approx. 5-6h

After a short visit to the Bulawayo Historical Museum - see the Hall of Man and collections of native birds, insects, and mammals - you drive back to South Africa. You cross the border at Beitbridge and camp in Musina for the night. This road is one of the busiest in the world.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

 

Day 20 Musina, South Africa - Johannesburg, South Africa

Distance approx. 500 km; driving time approx. 7-9h

Today it is an early morning departure to reach your final destination - vibrant Johannesburg - in the afternoon. The landscape will change from bushveld and baobabs of the Limpopo province to the heavily populated and industrialised Highveld and Gauteng, the engine room of Africa. Tonight is the last supper and most groups meet at one of Johannesburg’s excellent restaurants (at own expense) to spend the last night exchanging stories and Skype addresses.
Breakfast, Lunch

  

 Price includes:

• Overland tour according to the itinerary
• 18 nights camping, 1 night accommodated
• Transport in an overland truck 
• Professional English-speaking guide
• Meals as indicated in the itinerary
• Coffee and tea with breakfast
• National parks fees
• Camping equipment

 

Price excludes:

• Flights (international and domestic)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary
• Beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water)
• Optional activities
• Visa, tips, personal expenses, travel insurance
• Sleeping bag

• How big is the group and where are my fellow travellers from?

  - Group sizes vary however there is a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 24 travellers per group.
  - Travellers are from all over the world and from all walks of life.

• Is there an age limit on tour?

  - Generally the age limit is 16 to 65 years. But please feel free to contact us if you are a youngster travelling with your parents or if you are over the age of 65 years and we will gladly contact the local tour operator to see if we can’t work out something for you.

• Where does the group overnight while on tour?

  - 13 nights are spent in spacious 2-man dome tents (2,2 x 2,2m) on campsites with good ablution and other facilities.
  - 4 night is spent in spacious 2-man dome tents (2,2 x 2,2m) in a basic camp with very basic ablution facilities.
  - 2 nights are spent in twin rooms at nice guesthouses / hotels.

• What vehicle is used on tour?

  - We make use of safari trucks that have been reconstructed in order to cope with the demanding African conditions. Big windows guarantee first-class game and nature viewing and a spacious interior with comfortable seats offer a high travel comfort. The back part of the vehicle is used for luggage, food and camping equipment.

• What meals are included and what food can be expected on tour?

  - Meals are included as indicated in the itinerary.
  - Breakfast usually consists of cereals, toast and jam. Light lunches like salads and sandwiches are prepared en-route while for dinner the guide prepares stews, BBQs, vegetables and different pasta or rice dishes.

• How much extra money do I have to take along?

  - We recommend that you take along some extra cash for drinks, snacks and souvenirs. 10-15 USD per day is usually sufficient (depending on your spending habits). In addition you should allow some extra money for the optional activities you might want to participate in.

• Do I need visa for this tour?

  - Citizens of all nationalities need to contact the respective embassies of their travel destination to check the visa regulations.
  - In general European citizens do not require a visa for South Africa and Botswana. For Zimbabwe and Zambia a visa is usually required.
  - It is the sole responsibility of every traveller to be in possession of the required documents and visa that allows them to enter their holiday destination.

• Do I need vaccinations for this tour?

  - As Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe are situated within a malaria area, we would recommend some precautions. Please speak to your doctor or travel clinic about the different prophylaxis and their effects and side effects.
  - On this safari you will travel to Zambia which is within a yellow fever region. Thereafter you will return to South Africa, where proof of yellow fever vaccination will be required upon entering.
  - Although none of the countries visited on tour require proof of immunization against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio and Hepatitis A & B, we nevertheless recommend those vaccinations.