Honeybadger 9days the Road to Zimbabwe

Done on

Camping/ Holiday

Accommodated / Holiday

This trip covers some of the best natural beauty, cultural heritage and wildlife encounters that southern Africa has to offer. The wildlife rich Kruger National Park and the stunning Blyde River Canyon set the scene for the wonders of Zimbabwe, where we visit the Great Zimbabwe Ruins, Gweru Antelope Park “ walk with the lions”, Matobo National Park and the Hwange National Park, before arriving at the majestic Victoria Falls. There’s plenty of adrenaline rushes on offer in Victoria Falls “The smoke that thunder” and the trip finished here with a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River!!

Day 1 – 2: Blyde River Canyon, Three Rondavels, Bourke’s Luck Potholes, Kruger National Park

Leaving Johannesburg we enter Mpumalanga Province to explore the natural spectacles of Blyde River Canyon, the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes. Then it’s on to our private game reserve bordering Kruger for our first night on safari. We enter the famed Kruger National Park each day for game drives. Kruger is South Africa’s best known wildlife reserve, an enormous reserve which offers unrivalled opportunities for game viewing including the “big five” (leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and elephant), good stocks of grazing animals – giraffe, zebra, antelopes and prolific birdlife.

Day 3: Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Entering Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post, we travel to the town of Masvingo and the Great Zimbabwe Monuments. The well preserved ruins are some of the oldest and largest stone structures in Southern Africa and second from Egyptian Pyramids and were built during the 1100AD to 1400AD Centuries. We explore on foot and wonder at the mysteries of these ancient stone structures and the civilization that built them.

Day 4 - 5: City of Kings, Matopos National Park

Crossing Matabeleland we reach Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city with its broad tree lined avenues and its semi colonial feel. The afternoon is free to relax and explore town at leisure. The following day we visit Matopos National Park accompanied by knowledgeable local guides. A place of tranquil scenic beauty, the wind sculptured Matobo Hills contain Bushman paintings some of which are believed to be as old as 4,000 years. Whilst in Matopos we leave our vehicle to walk in the bush in search of the enormous white rhino as well as and various antelope – a true African experience.

Day 6 - 7: Hwange National Park

Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14 650square kilometres. Home to 400 bird species and 105 species of mammals including the “Big Five” Once the royal hunting grounds to the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi, Hwange was set aside as a National Park in 1929. We accommodate ourselves on the edge of the Park and after check in we visit the Hwange Wild Dog project. These endangered animals are in constant threat from disease and conflict for habitat and our visit allows us to learn something of the efforts being made to protect these friendly animals. We take an evening game drive in an adjacent game concession area, searching for a variety of nocturnal animals including the elusive leopard. We spend time the following day game driving in the national park!!

Day 8 – 9: Victoria Falls

During our stay here we will view the spectacular fall’s and the other highlights of this “Africa’s Adventure Capital”. Those seeking adrenaline may wish to try the Bungi jump, White Water Rafting or a variety of aircraft flips (own expense). One night we enjoy traditional dancing and a “braai” at the pool. On the last night we eat at a local restaurant (own expense).

End of tour

Extension is welcome