Kruger to Vic Falls (Family) 12 days Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Johannesburg

On arrival in Johannesburg you met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Please note this is just an arrival day, but your overnight accommodation for tonight is covered.

Day 2: Elephant Sanctuary - Ohrigstad

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

We are met by our local guide between 7:00am and 7:30am and are soon off on our journey. We drive for a total of 350km today, which will take us about 4½ hours in travelling time. Our first stop is the Elephant Sanctuary at Hartebeespoort Dam, where we meet the resident elephants. The local guides explain to us many of the myths surrounding these gentle giants. They will even show us how clever elephants are by asking the animals to perform normal 'elephant behaviour' on command. Here we also get the unique opportunity to take a short walk trunk-in-hand with these wonderful animals and feed them lunch! On hot days, we may even get the chance to see them having a bath. Our base for the next two nights is at a private game reserve near Ohrigstad, in the heart of the beautiful Panorama Region. Accommodation is in comfortable chalets, each with en suite bathrooms and interconnecting rooms. From our private balcony we may see some of the numerous herds of game passing by at the waterhole.

Day 3: Blyde River Canyon - Ohrigstad

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

This morning we explore the nearby Blyde River Canyon area. This is the largest green canyon in the world and our drive through this region offers spectacular views of this breathtaking gorge from various aspects. As there is so much to see and do, today's itinerary is pretty flexible and dependant upon the season and also our group's interests. We will definitely peer out God's Window and visit Bourke's Luck Potholes. The educational centre at Bourke’s Luck is a great source of information and has a number of hands-on exhibits, making it a great place for both children and adults. We may also choose to visit Mac Mac Pools, Mac Mac Falls and Lone Creek Falls or explore the beautiful town of Graskop. There are lots of opportunities to be out of the vehicle and walking around in this beautiful region.

Day 4: Cheetah Sanctuary - Greater Kruger National Park

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

This morning, after an early breakfast, we may pause at the Three Rondavels viewpoint en route to the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre. This centre has established itself as one of the leading private research and breeding facilities for endangered species in the country. It places particular emphasis on the breeding and maintenance of cheetah in captivity, but also concerns itself with several other endangered indigenous wildlife species in southern Africa. The centre is a non-profit enterprise and is funded from gate takings, sales from the curio shop and the tours of the centre, which is what we enjoy this morning. After the tour of the sanctuary we continue into Timbavati Game Reserve (part of Greater Kruger National Park), where we spend three days looking for wildlife – including the famous 'Big Five' – elephant, rhino, buffalo, lion and leopard. It’s sure to be an absolute highlight of our trip! We arrive in time for a late lunch at the delightful Umlani Camp, which is our camp for the next three nights. Here we stay in thatched huts, which are lit by oil lamps and candlelight, and shower in open-air (warm) bush showers. We also enjoy our first afternoon-evening safari drive tonight.

Day 5-6: Greater Kruger National Park

Meals included: 2 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

We depart with our local resident guides on morning and afternoon game drives in open 4WD vehicles looking for giraffe, zebra, elephant and hopefully some of the predators too (although you should remember you are not in a zoo, so nothing is guaranteed!). The length of the drives will be tailored to suit the group members and included is time for us to get out of the vehicle and stretch our legs. We return mid-morning for a big brunch. After this you may like to take a game walk with the ranger before some eating some lunch and enjoying relaxation time. You may like to cool down with a dip in the pool or a lie in the hammocks before we head out for our afternoon drive. As is traditional in southern Africa, we pause at sunset for a 'bush sundowner' before continuing our game drive using spotlights – keep a look out for some of the many nocturnal animals of the bush that are rarely sighted during the day. We are welcomed back into camp and after freshening up we meet around a blazing fire in an open-air boma under the stars before being served a delicious South African dinner. A very special feature of this camp is the tree house, which is set approximately two kilometres away from the main camp and overlooks a dam. The camp staff can set up bedding for you in the tree house so that you can spend a night sleeping there (please note there are no bathroom facilities). You are dropped off at the tree house after dinner and collected in the morning, before the game drive. A two-way radio is provided so that you may contact the camp staff at any time should you wish to return to the main camp. A spotlight is also provided to allow you to watch for any animals coming to drink at the waterhole during the night. This tree house experience is offered at no extra cost, but needs to be booked in advance. It is also dependent on weather and is therefore not guaranteed.

Day 7: Greater Kruger National Park - Johannesburg

Meals included: 1 breakfast

After another morning game drive and another big breakfast, we bid farewell to Greater Kruger National Park for the return drive to Johannesburg. Upon arrival in Johannesburg we are transferred to the Metcourt Laurel Hotel, near the airport, where we spend the evening. There are several restaurants located in the Emperor's Palace complex for our dinner tonight (own expense). There is also an entertainment area for children will a multitude of games and activities, including an indoor roller coaster!

Day 8: Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

This morning we enjoy breakfast at the hotel before checking out and taking the airport shuttle from our hotel to Johannesburg's Oliver Tambo International Airport for our flight to Livingstone (flight not included). On arrival at Livingstone we are met and transferred to our Lodge. (please note it is important that we are provided with details of your flight from Johannesburg to Livingstone before you start your tour). The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to wander around town and to book any optional tours or activities through local agents. In the evening we enjoy a sunset dinner cruise on the Upper Zambezi River. Our cruise begins in the late afternoon with some game viewing, as our boat captain looks out for elephant, hippopotamus and the elusive white rhinoceros, whilst cruising along the banks of the Zambezi River. The sunsets here can be quite spectacular and the cruise makes for a memorable and relaxing evening.

Day 9: Livingstone (Victoria Falls)

Meals included: 1 breakfast

Today our time in Livingstone is our own to use as we see fit. In addition to visiting the falls, there are many various activities that you can partake in. These include canoeing and inflatable kayaking along the upper Zambezi (well above the falls!), whitewater rafting beneath the falls (along the lower section of the river) and morning or afternoon game drives or walks in Zambezi National Park. Alternatively, an excellent range of curio and craft shops provide a pleasant distraction for those seeking a more sedate kind of day. Details of optional activities are set out in these notes (below) and can be booked through our local operator.

Day 10: Chobe National Park

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

This morning we are taken on a guided tour of Victora Falls from the Livingstone (Zambian) side. Once inside the park our guide takes us through the falls area, stopping at different viewpoints and explaining about the history of the falls and its surroundings. After returning from the tour we check out of the lodge and are collected by our Botswanan operators at 10.30am and transferred to Kazangula. Here we complete border formalities (please bring along your passport and sufficient US dollars to purchase a new Zambia visa, if necessary, when returning) and then take the ferry across to Botswana. It is then just a short drive to Chobe Safari Lodge which is situated on the river-front a little way out of the park. After settling in and having lunch, there is time to relax until the mid-afternoon when we take a game drive into the park. Chobe National Park is home to the world’s largest population of elephants. The sunsets on the river can be breathtakingly spectacular. We return to our lodge soon after sunset for dinner and overnight. Chobe Safari Lodge is a delightful lodge comprising various styles of accommodation. We stay in family safari rooms with private facilities and balcony/veranda. The lodge is situated on the southern bank of the mighty Chobe River bordering Chobe National Park. The pool is a great place to relax during the hotter part of the day. Today we drive for about 100km - a journey that takes us about two hours.

Day 11: Chobe National Park

Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

A full day is planned with an early morning game drive followed by relaxation during the heat of the day and a mid-afternoon boat trip out on the river. The bird life on the water is often spectacular and hopefully we also get a chance to see families of hippos taking a bath! Keep your eyes open for crocodiles sunning themselves on the banks of the river – although they are surprisingly shy creatures! We might even see a large monitor lizard trying to steal the crocodile’s eggs. Please note that a visit to Chobe National Park itself is not a complete wilderness experience - we will see other people, boats and vehicles when inside the national park. However, we also see wildlife that can be the equal of anything anywhere in Africa.

Day 12: Livingstone

Meals included: 1 breakfast

This morning we get to have a sleep-in before enjoying breakfast. Our Botswanan operator will meet us at 10:00am for our group transfer back to Livingstone town and/or airport, where our arrangements end on arrival at about midday. If departing from Livingstone today please do not book a flight to depart before to 1:00pm. Additional accommodation and transfers can be pre-booked, at additional cost, if you would like to extend your stay in Livingstone.