Mozambique and Zimbabwe Explorer (Southbound)

Itinerary

Enjoy the warm waters of Mozambique along with the safari highlights of Kruger and Zimbabwe...

Enjoy Big Five Game viewing experiences in both Hwange and Kruger National Park. Marvel at the ancient Zimbabwe Ruins and enjoy a game drive and walk to see the Rhinos at Matobo National Park. Take the coastal route in Mozambique to relax on the sun-kissed beaches and explore the amazing marine life of the warm Indian Ocean. A terrific way to experience both wildlife and the seaside!

This safari is also available in reverse starting in Johannesburg and ending in Victoria Falls.

Day 1. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Highlights. Victoria Falls National Park.

We start our adventure with a visit to the Victoria Falls themselves, and walking around the trails provides amazing views from a variety of different angles. Falling 100m down into the Batoka gorge, the spray from the falls can make it quite a wet experience!

The rest of the day is at leisure to enjoy some of the many different activities that are on offer in the area. The team at camp will be able to help organise excursions and activities. 2 images Victoria Falls National Park

Day 2. Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park Highlights. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

Formed in 1929, Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest park and probably the most well known. Covering an area of over 14,600 sq km its home to over 100 animal species notably Africa's Big Five along with wild dog and cheetah.

This afternoon, we take an open 4x4 game drive in the park with a local professional guide.

Home to over 40,000 elephants, Hwange is home to some of the largest herds where up to 100 individuals can be seen together. 106 Different species of animals can be found around the reserve with more than 400 species of birds. Whichever way you look at it, you're in for a treat when visiting this fantastic National Park! 3 images Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Day 3. Hwange National Park to Bulawayo Highlights. Bulawayo.

Continuing on through Zimbabwe we traverse the edge of Hwange National Park down to the second largest city in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo.

Bulawayo is an open city with wide avenues owing to being wide enough to be able to turn a span of oxen around in. After visiting the curio market and stocking up on supplies in town we head on to our camp located in the leafy suburbs of Bulawayo.

Day 4. Matobo National Park Highlights. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.

This morning we head to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Matobo National Park. This remarkable area has a large mass of granite boulders scattered throughout the park seeming as if giants had made this their playground. These rocks and overhangs allow for plenty of caves which made this area ideal for settlement and a number of cave art sites are located within the hills.

We visit the nearby Matobo National Park in open 4x4 game drive vehicles with a professional guide and have the opportunity to take a walking safari, tracking some of the big game, including rhino, on foot.

If we wish to do so, we can extend this to a full day experience including an historical tour. 4 images Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

Day 5. Bulawayo to Masvingo Highlights. Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Zimbabwe.

Leaving Bulawayo we cross towards the east of the country to the small town of Masvingo. Nearby our camp is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southern Africa: the Great Zimbabwe National Monument which we explore in the afternoon.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to 1200AD and was once the home to an indigenous population of some 10,000 people. Rumoured to be the city of the Queen of Sheba, it was an important trading centre and evidence of trades with Persians and Chinese have been found at the site despite it's remote, inland location.

Take a walk around the ancient site and climb the steep route to the fortress on the mountainside for magnificent views of the surrounding countryside. 5 images Great Zimbabwe National Monument, Zimbabwe

Day 6. Masvingo to Bandula area, Mozambique

Today, we travel via Mutare and if time allows we stop at the spectacular Birchenough Bridge (named after Sir Henry Birchenough) and one of many scenic features of eastern Zimbabwe.

We then head on to the border post where we leave Zimbabwe and enter Mozambique. After formalities are done, we make our way to the Bandula area which is located alongside the Chicamba Dam where our campsite is located within a 550-hectare conservancy.

Day 7. Bandula area to Vilanculos

Rising early today, we pack up camp and make our way to the spectacular Indian Ocean coast. Our first coastal stop is at Vilankulo (or Vilanculos) some 500km south of Beira and the Gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. After setting up camp, the late afternoon and evening is yours at leisure to enjoy the town and its vibrant beach nightlife.

Day 8. Vilcanculos Highlights. Magaruque Island, Vilanculos, Mozambique.

Packed and ready, we take a dhow boat safari to Magaruque Island, the third Island in the archipelago and the closest to Vilanculos. Here you can enjoy the island at leisure, snorkelling, swimming, walking or simply enjoy lazing on the beach. A delicious lunch will be served before setting sail back to the mainland in the late afternoon.

The warm waters of the Indian Ocean are home to a number of magnificent marine species and Mozambique is well known as a prime location to explore these. The highly endangered Dugong can be found in the surrounding waters of the Archipelago which contains the rich seagrasses these strange looking creatures feed on. 6 images Magaruque Island, Vilanculos, Mozambique

Day 9. Vilanculos to Tofo, Inhambane

Moving on, we travel the coastal road past villages and via Inhambane to Tofo where we will spend the next 2 nights. Tofo is a small beach town with lovely open beaches and resorts dotting the shoreline.

Optional activities such as horse riding, snorkelling and scuba are on offer as well as exciting bars and restaurants to sample some of the local drinks and cuisine.

Day 10. Tofo, Inhambane Highlights. Inhambane, Mozambique. Tofo, Inhambane, Mozambique.

Sit back and relax on this free day and enjoy the local tropical beaches and the many optional activities on offer. If the delights of the ocean are your forte, then head out and explore the reefs and colourful marine life on a scuba dive or head to Inhambane to soak up its rich history.

Climb the ladder at the Cathedral of our lady of Conception Inhambane for fantastic views of the surrounds. The local markets are also a highlight with fresh fish, seafood and farm produce on sale. 3 images Inhambane, Mozambique 2 images Tofo, Inhambane, Mozambique

Day 11. Tofo, Inhambane to Xai-Xai Highlights. Xai-Xai, Mozambique.

We continue south to Xai Xai (pronounced Shy-shy) for our last night along Mozambique’s rugged coastline. The town of Xai Xai is the capital of Gaza Province and is situated on the banks of the Limpopo River.

Our accommodation is on the stretch of the beach near the coral reef (which runs parallel to the shore). We spend the night lulled by the sound of the ocean and enjoy the fresh breeze as we unwind from our day. 2 images Xai-Xai, Mozambique

Day 12. Xai Xai to Hazyview, South Africa Highlights. Shangaan tribal dancing .

From Xai Xai we cross the border into South Africa, where we head for southern Africa’s premier game reserve, The Kruger National Park. We spend the night outside the reserve in the town of Hazyview.

After settling in, this evening we immerse ourselves in the local culture and enjoy Shangaan tribal dancing and singing around an open fire to learn more about these fascinating people and their culture. 2 images Shangaan tribal dancing

Day 13. Kruger National Park Highlights. Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Today we have a full days game driving in this magnificent park. We meet our local guides and board the 4x4 safari vehicles in search of the wildlife in this park with nearly 150 mammals and over bird species living here.

Kruger National Park itself is a little larger than the country of Belgium so there is a lot of terrain to cover today. Our guides will choose the route dependent on local game movements and sightings and the day is spent exploring the magnificent park. We take a break at a rest camp over the hotter hours of the day and continue on our drive again in the afternoon before heading back to camp in the later hours of the day.

For those seeking an unusual game drive experience, there is an option for a night game drive in the park - chat to your guide for details.

6 images Kruger National Park, South Africa

Day 14. Hazyview to Johannesburg

Packing up camp one last time we head towards the beating heart of South Africa, Johannesburg. Our journey takes us through scenic countryside and up to the highveld with big open skies.

We arrive in Johannesburg late this afternoon.

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