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Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks

8 days, Victoria Falls to Johannesburg

Map of the route for Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks
Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Itinerary

Day 1Victoria Falls

Arrive at any time.

Tonight, head out with your CEO and group to further explore together in Victoria Falls. Sip a drink at Shearwater Village after your welcome meeting. Sit back, relax, enjoy the rushing sound of the falls, down a beer, and get to know your fellow travel mates as the adventure begins.

Victoria Falls is a great base to kick-off a southern African adventure to see some natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Arrive before your tour starts and opt to get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, or for the more adventurous, bungee jump with Victoria Falls in view.

Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to make sure which visas you will need, if any. Please note that not all nationalities are able to obtain a visa on arrival at the border.

Your accommodation is in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT Livingstone (Zambia). Please make sure you have the necessary visa.

For anyone with a later arrival time on Day 1 we recommend booking a pre-night if you want to spend time seeing Victoria Falls, as the group leaves in the morning of Day 2.

Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group

Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.

Your First Night Out Moment: Connect With New Friends

Connect with new friends on your first night out in a new destination. Only available on 18-to-Thirtysomethings tours.

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Optional Activities - Day 1 HideShow

Livingstone Island (Devil's Pool) Morning Breezer
Livingstone2h30m-3h
125USD per person

Take a short morning boat ride down the Zambezi River to the west side of the island overlooking Main Falls. Take in the incredible, close-up view of the rushing waters cascading over the steep rock face. Keep your eye out for rainbows on a sunny day. Due to high demand, we strongly recommend speaking to your CEO at the beginning of the tour to book this activity in advance.

Please note that this activity takes place in Livingstone, Zambia, and visa fees are not included in the price of this activity.

Livingstone Island (Devil's Pool) Swim
Livingstone2h-3h
125USD per person

Take a swim on the wild side. Travel to Livingstone Island and take the opportunity to swim in the Devil's Pool - a rock pool at the lip of Victoria Falls, offering visitors the incredible experience of peering over the edge of one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Please note that this activity is only offered in the low water season (August to December), and on the Lunch and High Tea excursions. Due to high demand, we strongly recommend speaking to your CEO at the beginning of the tour to book this activity in advance.

Please note that this activity takes place in Livingstone, Zambia, and visa fees are not included in the price of this activity.

Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 25min
Victoria Falls
284USD per person

You don't want to miss the opportunity to see Victoria Falls from above. Watch the Zambezi River make its way toward the gorge and form the largest waterfall in the world. During your 25 minute ride, you will have time to take in the incredible views over the falls, Livingstone Island, and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park while snapping as many pictures as you like. This extended ride also includes time flying over the vast and towering walls of the Batoka Gorge. You may be lucky enough to see some giraffes and elephants in the surrounding landscape and even catch a rainbow over the falls. Includes pick-up and drop-off from hotel and a 25min flight.

Please note there is a cost for an additional park fee paid for on-site at time of the activity.

Bridge Swing over the Zambezi
Victoria Falls
168USD per person

Get strapped up, step over the Victoria Falls Bridge and free fall for 80 meters into the Batoka Gorge. Enjoy the views as you swing back and forth over the roaring Zambezi river, with cascading waterfalls at your side. Don't think you can hack it alone? Swing with a partner.

Microlight Flight over Victoria Falls
Livingstone
360USD per person

Take a 12-15 Microlight flight over the falls to get an unparalleled, unobstructed view of the spectacular gorge that the Zambezi River has carved into the surrounding landscape over thousands of years.

Please note that this activity takes place in Livingstone, Zambia and visa fees are not included in the price of this activity.

Canoeing the Zambezi
Victoria Falls
160USD per person

Opt to canoe above the Falls on the upper Zambezi for a unique and tranquil bird and animal sighting experience.

Full Day Excursion to Chobe National Park
Victoria Falls9h-10h

Depart Victoria Falls in the morning for a full-day guided tour of Chobe National Park in Botswana - a wildlife-abundant region covering about 11,700km² of the Northern Kalahari. Begin your adventure with a cruise down the Chobe River, taking in the sweeping views and witnessing the wildlife grazing along the riverbank. Enjoy an included lunch on land before boarding 4x4 safari vehicles for an afternoon wildlife safari drive with an expert guide. Keep an eye out for lions, elephants, and buffalos. Transfer back to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, arriving in the early evening. Please note that this activity includes two border crossings between Zimbabwe and Botswana. The ordering of activities is susceptible to change.

** Please note that you need to get a double-entry visa or a Univisa when arriving in Zimbabwe to ensure you can return again without needing to pay an extra visa fee.

Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 15 Mins
Victoria Falls

You don't want to miss the opportunity to see Victoria Falls from above. Watch the Zambezi River make its way toward the gorge and form the largest waterfall in the world. During your 15-minute ride, you will have time to take in the incredible views over the falls, Livingstone Island, and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park while snapping as many pictures as you like. You may be lucky enough to see some giraffes and elephants in the surrounding landscape and even catch a rainbow over the falls. Includes pick-up and drop-off from hotel and a 12-15min flight.

Please note there is a cost for an additional park fee paid for on-site at time of the activity.

Zambezi Bungee Jump
Victoria Falls
168USD per person

Get the adrenaline pumping with a bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge over the Zambezi River. Hear the rush of Victoria Falls as you enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.

Victoria Falls Whitewater Rafting
Victoria Falls4h-7h
120USD per person

Take the opportunity to go whitewater rafting on the Zambezi River while Victoria Falls roars above. Depart in the morning and navigate through the canyon that forms the famous falls. The dramatic rapids will fill you with excitement and complete your experience. Includes a full-day of rafting on class III-V rapids, transfers, and lunch.

Please note: River conditions and activity pricing vary depending on the seasons. High water season is from about February to July. Low water season generally runs from August to January each year - this is when the Zambezi is at its very wildest. The "closed season" is dependent on the season’s rains, and usually is from March to April; during this time rafting on the river is not permitted. Additionally, this activity requires passengers to hike down and up the Batoka Gorge (approx. 45 minutes each way) to access the river; an average level of fitness is required.

This activity price excludes a $10 park entrance fee.

Accommodation

Below is an example of the hotel we may use in this city. For the actual hotel your specific departure will be using, please check your voucher.

Explorers Village Camping (or similar)
Campground

Day 2Victoria Falls/Matobo National Park

Rise early to the sounds of Victoria Falls thundering in the distance before the group heads out on the long, but scenic drive to Matobo National Park. Take this time to enjoy the scenery, get to know your group more, and reflect on what you hope to gain from taking this trip.

Lando
Victoria Falls – Matobo National Park6h08:00475km

Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!

Accommodation

African Wanderer Campsite (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 3Matobo National Park

Huge granite masses, land that has been walked on for forty thousand years, and a peaceful quiet that will have you wondering why you would ever want to return to the hustle and bustle of the modern world are what await you on this visit to Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe. Hop aboard an open wildlife safari vehicle and have an immersive experience in the park focussing on edible plants, visit a Khoisan cave with historic cave paintings, and enjoy close encounters with wildlife, while learning about rhino conservation efforts.

Guided Rhino Walk
Matobo National Park – Bulawayo

Set off on foot into the bush and enjoy a guided walk while tracking white rhinos.

Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive
Matobo National Park

Set off in an open safari vehicle and be on the lookout for wildlife, particularly the white rhinos this national park is known for -- it's one of the best places to see these magnificent animals in the world.

Accommodation

African Wanderer Campsite (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 4Matobo National Park/Tshipise

Another day, another slice of adventure! Make the most of your day getting to know the people in your group. Share past travel stories, take backseat bus selfies, and watch as the African scenery passes you by on your way across the border into South Africa. In the evening sit back, relax, tip your head to the sky and bask in the warm water of the mineral pool at our campsite.

Lando
Matobo National Park – Tshipise7h600km

Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!

Border Crossing (Zimbabwe - South Africa)
Beitbridge

Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.

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Optional Activities - Day 4 HideShow

Hot Springs Soak
Tshipise

After a long day of traveling, take a relaxing soak in the warm water mineral pool at the campsite. “Tshipise” meaning “something warm”, refers to the mineral springs feeding the pool. The famous Tshipise koppie (hill) towers protectively over the charming resort, set amongst a host of indigenous trees.

Accommodation

Tshipise a Forever Resort Campsite (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5Tshipise/Kruger National Park

Welcome to wildlife country! Kruger is the kind of place that you’ll visit, but still want to return to over and over again. With nearly 5 million acres this park offers some of the best access to wild animals in Africa, so prepare for an epic time… (but you already knew that!) Keep those cameras at the ready and experience your ultimate African safari fantasy become a reality.

Search for lions, elephants and many other animals on a full-day wildlife safari drive. Word of advice? Remember that it’s not all about the animals. This sprawling sanctuary is home to much more; think giant baobab, fever, and marula trees towering over the savannah in a place that feels older than time itself. Stop at prime viewing areas like Hippo Pool, the Kruger Tablets, and the Red Rocks, while you simply revel in your primitive surroundings as nature moves around you.

Lando
Tshipise – Kruger National Park1h-1h30m

Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!

Kruger Wildlife Safari Drive
Kruger National Park6h

Jump into our touring vehicle and get ready to spot elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, lions, and many other species in one of Africa's greatest wildlife areas.

Accommodation

Satara Rest Campsite (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6Kruger National Park/Greater Kruger Area

Yesterday was only a taste of the beauty that resides in the National Parks of South Africa. Today, you will head out into Kruger NP again on another wildlife safari drive in the Lando. (Upgrade alert! You can choose to embark on this experience in a 4x4 safari vehicle instead.)

Take your gaze to the sky today and try to search for all of the things you didn’t get to yesterday. In the evening fill your bellies with a traditional dinner together, then grab someone’s hand and work up a sweat with some local dancing as the night settles around you.

Kruger Wildlife Safari Drive
Kruger National Park6h

Jump into our touring vehicle and get ready to spot elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, lions, and many other species in one of Africa's greatest wildlife areas.

Lando
Kruger National Park – Hazyview7h200km

Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!

Traditional Dinner and Local Dancing
Hazyview

Enjoy a cultural evening with the local community. Dive into local fare with a delicious traditional dinner, then watch a local dance performance.

1

Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow

Kruger Open Vehicle Safari Drive
Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park has been dubbed the most famous safari destination in the world. Whenever it is mentioned images of African wildlife and wilderness immediately spring to mind. The vastness of this park is what sets it apart. The breath-taking area with expansive and varied nature makes it a wonderful place to view the African “Big Five”.

Hop in a 4x4 safari vehicle and get yourself one step closer to the surrounding nature. Be ready to spot elephants, giraffes, hippos, lions, zebras, and many other species in this impressive South African national park.

Accommodation

Aan De Vliet Holiday Resort (or similar)
Campground

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7Greater Kruger Area/Johannesburg

While you may be leaving the bush behind today, the memories will stay with you forever. So don’t despair, instead look ahead with excitement as you journey back to Johannesburg, South Africa’s largest city and economic heart.

Lando
Hazyview – Johannesburg8h407km

Climb aboard our custom built ride …. overlanding G-style!

Accommodation

Hotel Sky Sandton (or similar)
Hotel

Meals included:

Breakfast | Lunch

Day 8Johannesburg

Depart at any time.

Alas, it’s time to go home, but not before giving "Jozi" some love! Perhaps you’ll extend for a few days and enjoy this vibrant, up and coming South African city? Wander through important cultural spaces like the Apartheid Museum and the Mandela House, soaking in the history that shaped Johannesburg. Sample food, music, and art in the city’s trendy neighbourhoods like Melville and give yourself time to relax and unwind before returning home.

Meals included:

Breakfast

Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks

| 8 days - Victoria Falls to Johannesburg - from $1119 USD