| HIGHLIGHTS: Victoria Falls - Hwange National Park - Antelope Park - Gweru - Great Zimbabwe Ruins - Tshipise Hot Springs - Kruger National Park - Blyde River Canyon - Graskop - Pilgrim's Rest
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.
Day 1 Victoria Falls. 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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. (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. 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.
This safari offers the best of an action-packed region, including walking with lions 12 day tour departing Victoria Falls. 11 nights accommodation camping. 11 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 10 dinners. Sleeping mat, camping equipment - You must bring your own sleeping bag. 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 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). Sightseeing 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
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