Beach & Wildlife Voyager - 15 Day

Day 1:  Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe you will be met and transferred to Amadeus Guest House.  This afternoon you will explore the mighty Victoria Falls on a guided tour.

Accommodation: Amadeus Guest House or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant area)
 

Days 2 & 3:  Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
After breakfast we depart Victoria Falls and make our way to Hwange National Park.  The afternoon is spent on a game drive with a visit to the Painted Dogs Centre. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus very large and varied birdlife.  The whole of the next day is spent exploring this magnificent area. [BLD, BLD]

Accommodation: Ivory Lodge Camping or similar (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 4: Hwange National Park to Matopos, Zimbabwe
We leave the beauty of the Hwange National Park behind us and head to Big Cave Camp in the Matopos area.  The Matopos Hills comprise an extraordinary collection of huge bare granite hills with gravity-defying boulders scattered all over the countryside to create a quite unique and rather mysterious landscape. The national park is famous for its outstanding views, San (bushman) painted caves, wildlife (especially the Black Eagle) and as the chosen burial place of Cecil Rhodes who named his favourite spot.  We visit the grave of Cecil John Rhodes on our way. [BLD]

Accommodation: Big Cave Camp or similar (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 5:  Matopos to Great Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe
After breakfast this morning we drive to the Great Zimbabwe Ruins via Gweru.  We visit the ruins, before checking into our accommodation for the evening.  The ruins, which are also known as the capital of the Queen of Sheba, according to an age-old legend – are a unique testimony to the Bantu civilization of the Shona between the 11th and 15th centuries. The city, which covers an area of nearly 80 ha, was renowned as an important trading centre from the middle Ages onwards.[BLD]

Accommodation: Norma Jeane’s Lake View Resort or similar (Tents, communal ablutions with hot water, bar & restaurant)

Day 6: Great Zimbabwe to Mutare, Zimbabwe
Today we leave Great Zimbabwe and drive to Mutare.  Located high in the mountains of the Eastern Highlands, Mutare is on the border of Mozambique and is Zimbabwe's gateway to the sea. In this area known as the Eastern Highlands one enjoys rigorous mountain terrain and lush green forests. While sightseeing in the area you'll find oustanding views and rushing mountain streams teaming with fresh mountain trout. [BLD]

Accommodation: Inn on The Vumba or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Days 7 & 8: Mutare to Vilanculous, Mozambique
We have to get up early, as today is the longest drive on our safari.  We cross the border into Mozambique and head southwards to the coastal town of Vilanculous, which is the gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago.  The village Vilanculous is close to the beach and just about halfway between Maputo and Beira. Here you’ll find buzzing markets, restaurants, public phones, banks and quaint supermarkets.  The next day is at leisure to explore the village or just to relax on the beach. [BLD,B]

Accommodation: Bluewaters Beach Resort camping or similar (simple huts, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Days 9 & 10: Vilanculous to Inhambane, Mozambique
After breakfast we drive along the coast via the sleepy and neat town of Inhambane where graceful dhows on the usually tranquil water are one of the most obvious features.
We continue through a coconut grove to our stop for the next two nights – Tofo. 
Historically a small coastal fishing village, it is now popular for its uncrowded 8km long beach.[BL,B]

Accommodation: Bamboozi Beach Lodge or similar (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant, dive centre and activity centre)

Day 11: Inhambane to Massingir, Mozambique
We leave the Mozambiquan coastline paradise behind us and drive in a north-westerly direction towards Massingir.  We set up camp at Albufeira Camp, which is situated close to the Massingir Dam. [BLD]

Accommodation: Albufeira Camp or similar (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Days 12 & 13:  Massingir to Kruger National Park, South Africa
An early morning getaway takes us back into South Africa through the Giriyondo gate into the world-renowned Kruger National Park - South Africa’s most famous and biggest game reserve. Kruger National Park has nearly 2 million hectares of unrivalled diversity of life forms that fuses with historical and archaeological sights - this is real Africa. The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers a wildlife experience that ranks with the best in Africa. Truly the flagship of the South African National Parks, Kruger is home to an impressive number of species: 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals. The following day we depart the camp at sunrise for a full day of game viewing in the park with the chance of spotting the ‘Big 5’ again, whilst making our way to one of the southern camps. Our last night in the park will be enjoyed around the campfire and typical South African Braai (BBQ). [BLD,BLD]

Accommodation: Letaba and Skukuza Rest Camps or similar (Tents, communal wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 14:  Kruger National Park to Johannesburg, South Africa
After a leisurely breakfast, we head back to Johannesburg via the Abel Erasmus pass and the small towns of Lydenburg and Dullstroom. [BL]

Accommodation: Airport Grand or similar (Rooms with en-suite bathrooms swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 15:  End of Tour
The tour ends after breakfast this morning, when you guide will bid you farewell.  We hope to welcome you on one of our adventures again soon.
Airport transfers are arranged complimentary by the lodge [B]