19 Day Southern African Circle Overland

Day 1 – Johannesburg to Kalahari Gateway

Leaving behind the city of Johannesburg, we travel through the North-West Province to the Botswana border. After completing border formalities we continue on the Trans-Kalahari highway to our overnight stop.

Accommodation: Kang Ultra Stop; www.kangultralodge.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with en-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Johannesburg to Kang
Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2 – Kalahari Gateway to Ghanzi

After breakfast we venture deeper into the Central Kalahari and our camp in the Ghanzi district, here we will spend time getting to know the fascinating San people. The San people have long been associated with this harsh environment and tonight we enjoy a dance evening that provides an insight into their culture of song, dance and story-telling.

Accommodation:
Dqae Qare San Lodge www.dqae.org
or
Ghanzi Trail Blazers ghanzitrailblazers.co.bw
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Kang to Ghanzi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: San Evening Dance Performance
Optional Activity: San guided walk. Can occur late evening or early the next morning.

Day 3 – Greater Moremi Game Reserve Area 

This morning we bid farewell to the San and make our way to Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta. There will be time this afternoon for those who wish to enjoy an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. Your guides will brief you this evening on what you will need for the upcoming Delta excursions.

Accommodation: South Gate Camp (No sight available)
Accommodated: Two per permanent tent with En-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Ghanzi via Maun to Moremi south gate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity:  Okavango Delta Scenic flight.

Day 4 – Greater Moremi Reserve Area

Heading out early, we transfer by safari vehicle to the poling station, where we will meet the polers who will be escorting us into the Delta. The polers will steer us through the serene area of narrow, reed lined channels which open out onto beautiful lagoons.  Reaching one of the many islands, a nature walk may be taken with your pole and after the walk, we return by mokoro through the channels back to the poling station. While the mokoro trail is not primarily a game viewing activity, a variety of game may be spotted in this pristine wilderness area, including elephant, giraffe, kudu, impala and zebra. After lunch, we will return to Moremi Game Reserve for our afternoon game drive which will be conducted in open 4×4 safari vehicles.  The game viewing routes chosen during the afternoon by the professional guide may vary especially when high floods are experienced as certain roads may be closed or impassable.

Accommodation: South Gate Camp (No website available)
Accommodated: Two per permanent tent with en-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Route: Moremi South Gate – Poling Station – Okavango Delta – Moremi South Gate
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Okavango Delta Morning Mokoro Excursion/ Morning Game Reserve Afternoon

Day 5 – Savuti Game Reserve

The Savuti Game Reserve is a unique area bordered by the Okavango Delta to west and Chobe National Park to the east.  Savuti is renowned as a big game area and known for having the largest concentrations of wildlife in Southern Africa.  Today we will spend most of our day travelling through the Savuti Game Reserve in search of the species that roam the plains.  Offering habitats from wetland, open water to the grasslands and Savannah woodland, we hope to see as many species of fauna and flora possible.  This afternoon we arrive on the banks of the Chobe River and will be re-united with our Overland truck in the town of Kasane.

Accommodation: Thebe River Safari’s; www.theberiversafaris.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Full Day Game Drive through Savuti Game Reserve in 4×4 safari vehicles

Day 6 – Chobe National Park

For those that opt to participate in the optional game drive in Chobe National Park, you will be collected early from camp and will venture out in open 4×4 safari type vehicles.  You will return to camp in time for lunch and a quick siesta before we head out in the afternoon to explore the Chobe National Park from the river, enjoying a leisurely boat cruise which allows us an up close and personal experience with the many elephants that frequent the river in the afternoons.

Accommodation: Thebe River Safaris www.theberiversafaris.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Nata To Kasane
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Chobe National Park Boat Cruise 
Optional Activity: Chobe National Park Game Drive

Day 7 – Zimbabwe – Victoria Falls 

With the memories of our wildlife encounters firmly etched in our minds, we cross the border into Zimbabwe this morning and travel the short distance to Victoria Falls. Today you have the opportunity to visit the spectacular Victoria Falls at your leisure, also known by the local name of “Mosi-oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders).

Accommodation: Shearwaters Explorer Village; explorersvillage.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Pre-erected dome tents with camping beds (Shared Ablutions)

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Kasane to Victoria Falls
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Visit the Vic Falls, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Bungee Jump, Helicopter Flights, White Water

Day 8 – Kasane – Victoria Falls

While much of today is dedicated to viewing the mighty Zambezi River as it drops into the Batoka Gorge below (optional activitiy), the bustling adventure town of Victoria Falls also offers a range of optional activities for those wanting a dose of adrenaline in the afternoon. For the more relaxed traveller there are craft markets and coffee shops on offer as well.

Accommodation: Shearwater Explorer Village; explorersvillage.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Pre-erected dome tents with camping beds (Shared Ablutions)

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast
Optional Activity: Visit to the Victoria Falls, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, Boma Dinner Experience

Day 9 – Victoria Falls

With the many activities on offer in Victoria Falls, today is the perfect day for the adventure that most suits your style. Whether rafting the mighty Zambezi River or enjoying a scenic flight over the falls below, this is your day to enjoy the many attractions on offer in Victoria Falls.

Accommodation: Shearwater Explorer Village; explorersvillage.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Two Pre erected bed with camper beds (Shared Ablutions)

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast
Optional Activity: Visit the Vic Falls, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Bungee Jump, Helicopter Flights, White Water Rafting

Day 10 – Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park

This morning we leave the rumble and adventure of Victoria Falls behind us as we make the journey south to Hwange National Park. Hwange is the largest of Zimbabwe’s national parks and offers excellent opportunities for viewing the diversity of wildlife that calls the park home.

Accommodation:
Hwange Main Camp ; zimparks.org
or
Miombo Safari; miombosafari.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activity: Victoria Falls National Park Entry, Hwange Sundowner Drive

Day 11 – Hwange National Park

Home to the big-5, Hwange National Park also offers a wide variety of plains game and birdlife.  We will spend the day game driving (in open 4×4 vehicles) through Hwange in search of the animals.

Accommodation: Hwange Main Camp; zimparks.org
Accommodated: Two per Room with en-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Hwange National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Full day Hwange National Park game drive

Day 12 – Matopos National Park

After breakfast we continue south towards Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. Our afternoon will be spent exploring the Matopos National Park with a local guide. The park received recognition as a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site in 2003 and includes an intensive protection zone that is home to both Black and White Rhinoceros. Named after the Ndebele word “Matobo “, whose meaning “bald heads” refers to the rounded granite hills that surround it. We return to Bulawayo and our overnight stop for the night.

Accommodation: Banff Lodge; www.banfflodgehotel.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with en-suite Ablutions
Camping: Two per Room with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Hwange National Park to Bulawayo to Matopos National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Afternoon game drive in Matopos National Park

Day 13 – Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Our journey today takes us to Masvingo and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. This afternoon we will enjoy a guided walking tour of this historic site. Dating back to the Late Iron Age, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. We take time this afternoon to marvel at the intricate stone work and experience the heritage of this monument to early Zimbabwean civilisation.

Accommodation: Norma Jeans Lake View Resort; www.normajeanslakeview.com
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: (Bulawayo) Matopos National Park to Great Zimbabwe Ruins (Masvingo)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Visit to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Day 14 – Tshipise

Leaving the sites of Zimbabwe behind we cross the Limpopo River and enter South Africa this afternoon. Our overnight stop allows us an opportunity to end the day with a swim in the hot springs of Tshipise.

Accommodation: Forever Tshipise Resort; www.forevertshipise.co.za
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Great Zimbabwe Ruins (Masvingo) to Tshipise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Tshipise Hot Springs

Day 15 – Johannesburg

This morning we take the highway south to Johannesburg, we arrive at Belvedere Estate in the late afternoon and all travellers are invited to join us for a traditional meal tonight. This can be booked with your guide on the day before arrival. Many great tales are shared and tonight is for celebrating the many wonders of African travel.

Accommodation: Belvedere Estate or similar; www.belvedereestate.co.za
Accommodated: Two per Room with En-Suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Tshipise to Johannesburg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 16 – Johannesburg to Kruger National Park

Please note that during the next few days (while we are visiting Kruger National Park), the order of activities could change without prior notice and a degree of flexibility is needed.  This is to allow for maximum game viewing opportunities and experiences.

Leaving the city of Johannesburg behind us we make our way east through the coalfields of Mpumalanga. Our journey today follows in the footsteps of the old trade-routes to the Lowveld and the Kruger National Park. We set up camp at our base for the next three nights and enjoy a lovely sundowner drive.

Accommodation: Nkambeni Safari Camp; www.nkambeni.com
Accommodated: Two per Permanent Tent with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Route: Johannesburg to Kruger National Park
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Sundowner Game Drive

Day 17 – Kruger National Park

Rising early this morning we enter the Kruger National Park to enjoy a full-day of game viewing. The abundance of wildlife presents us with opportunities for excellent sightings, while the Kruger is also home to the famed members of Africa’s Big-5. The game drive offers the excitement of experiencing the park from an open-sided 4×4 vehicle.

Accommodation: Nkambeni Reserve; www.nkambeni.com
Accommodated: Two per Permanent Tent with En-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Full-Day Kruger Park Game Drive in 4×4 Vehicles

Day 18 – Panorama Route

This morning we will journey along the scenic Panorama Route where we will visit God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels.

Accommodation: Nkambeni Reserve; www.nkambeni.com
Accommodated: Two per Permanent Tent with en-suite Bathroom
Camping: Campsite with Shared Ablutions

Please visit the website of the accommodation provider for a full list of the facilities offered.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: The Panorama Route – God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Three Rondavels

Day 19 – Kruger National Park to Johannesburg

We enjoy our last drive through the park before setting off to Johannesburg. We arrive in the late afternoon and all travellers are invited to join us for a traditional meal tonight. This can be booked with your guide on the day before arrival. Many great tales are shared and tonight is for celebrating the many wonders of African travel.

Accommodation: Post tour accommodation can be booked through your travel agent.

Route: Kruger Park to Johannesburg
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: Half-Day Morning Game Drive in the Truck (4 hours)