Compare African Insight (Southbound) by Acacia Africa vs Kruger, Falls & Zimbabwe: Mineral Pools & National Parks by G Adventures
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 1,100 | $ 1,162 |
| Price Per Day | $ 157 | $ 145 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Camping |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 5 Dinners |
7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners |
| Description |
This short overland safari tour from Livingstone to Johannesburg is ideal for the traveller who is short of time. It includes some of the best attractions Southern Africa has to offer including the Kruger National Park in South Africa, Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, and the Victoria Falls in Zambia |
Now's the time to explore Africa on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. For once-in-a-lifetime chances to see wildlife in the flesh (or fur), this eight-day tour through Southern Africa can’t be topped. In Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park, you’ll track wildlife on foot and see the resident wildlife on an open-vehicle safari drive, search for the "big five" in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, and witness the unique traditions of the local people. This is the Africa you've seen in all those incredible travel photos happening right before your eyes. |
Day 1 – 3: Victoria Falls, Bulawayo - Matobo National Park
Our tour begins in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), where there are numerous activities and excursions to choose from, easily enough for an extra day or two if time allows you a bit more time in Africa before our safari starts: white water rafting, bungee jumping, abseiling, gorge swinging, scenic flights (microlight, helicopter or small aircraft) and horse riding. But don’t leave without seeing the Victoria Falls themselves. At over a mile wide and some 100 metres deep, in high water it forms the largest curtain of falling water in the world with spray visible from 20 kilometres away; hence their local name Mosi au Tunya ( ‘smoke that thunders')
We depart Victoria Falls and drive south to the second city Bulawayo where we explore the majestic Matobo National Park on Game Drive and on foot with a resident guide. This is a great opportunity to experience being out in the African bush and possibly spot some Rhino too!
Day 4 – 6: Bulawayo – Tshipise - Kruger National Park, South Africa
Leaving Bulawayo, we continue south to the border at Beitbridge. Completing formalities we cross the Limpopo River -the second largest in South Africa and an important water source for this arid region. From here we visit southern Africa’s most famed national park - Kruger. The fences between the private game reserves on the fringes of the park, and the park’s borders with adjoining Mozambique and Botswana, have been taken down to form Greater Kruger and the park’s animals are free to roam the whole area. Kruger and Greater Kruger cover over 24,000 sq km and is home to an incredible wealth of African animals from the dwarf mongoose to Africa’s ‘Big Five’ (leopard, lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo). There is also an incredible diversity of birdlife and flora to be discovered. We spend two nights within the Kruger area and take game drives across the savannah to glimpse some of the wildlife that inhabits the park.
Day 7: Johannesburg
On the last day of the tour, we travel via the Panorama region of Mpumalanga with its beautiful scenery and dramatic escarpment views, to Johannesburg where our tour ends. Also known as the ‘City of Gold’, it is one of the most cosmopolitan cities on the African continent.
Day 1 Victoria 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.
Day 2 Victoria 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.
Day 3 Matobo 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.
Day 4 Matobo 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.
Day 5 Tshipise/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.
Day 6 Kruger 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.
Day 7 Greater 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.
Day 8 Johannesburg
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.
