14-day Kruger to the Delta, Chobe Victoria Falls Accommodated

Departing from South Africas administrative city, Pretoria, we drive across the scenic mountainous Mpumalanga province and enjoy the spectacular Blyde River Canyon and the Three Rondavels rock formation. The Blyde River, the third largest canyon in the world and a wet canyon, making it different from the wind-carved dry canyons of the Grand Canyon and the Fish River Canyon. After lunch, we continue our journey to our accommodation for 2 nights, set in attractive gardens situated an hour or so drive from Kruger National Park.

We are off on our first Game Drive today. Waking before dawn, we aim to enter the park as the gates open at sunrise and spend the whole day game driving in this world famous national park.Established in 1898 the park is home to a wide variety of species including 336 trees, 49 fish, 34 amphibians, 114 reptiles, 507 birds and 147 mammals.We have the whole day in specialised open 4x4 game drive vehicles enjoying the sights and sounds of the park with our local professional guide. We return to our accommodation near Hoedspruit and overnight.

Our journey today takes us northwards to the undulating hills of South Africas Limpopo province.This afternoon we head off to learn more about the local Bakone culture at an interesting open-air museum. Its here we learn about traditional methods of the Bakone tribe who were settled in this area from historic times to the present day.

Leaving South Africa and entering Zimbabwe at the busy Beitbridge border crossing we wait patiently as the border formalities are completed before continuing our journey onto Bulawayo.We have a lot of ground to cover today and eventually arrive at the second largest city in Zimbabwe, easily recognisable by its wide tree lined avenues.To allow for the number of highlights experiences included in this tour, some long distances need to be travelled. In order for this to not affect every day on tour, we have allocated this as a driving day in which we cover quite a lot of ground and have minimal stops.

Again, we are swapping into more suitable open 4x4 game drive vehicles today with a local guide to visit the nearby Matobo National Park, easily recognisable by its wind sculpted hills. Provided the conditions are right we will also explore the area on foot and track some of the wild animals in the park, a truly exhilarating experience.We have the option of extending our excursion to a full day including historical tour.

Onwards after breakfast this morning to Victoria Falls, the adventure and activity capital of Southern Africa.Settling into our accommodation over lunch we are met by our local team who will run through with us what amazing activities are on offer in the area to ensure that all our bucket list items are ticked off.We finally round off our day with a peaceful sunset cruise on the upper stretches of the Zambezi.

Rising early, we visit the falls themselves and wander around the rainforest that has grown up from the spray from the falls. After our morning adventure, the rest of the day is free to partake in some of the many activities that are on offer or simply relax at the hotel and explore the small town and markets.

We travel the short distance this morning from Victoria Falls across into neighbouring Botswana and the small town of Kasane.Our lodge, on the banks of the Chobe River where we head out on a boat cruise in the Chobe National Park. Chobe is widely known for its populations of elephant, but the park also contains lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe and a host of antelope and birdlife.

We head out to explore the Chobe National Park in an open vehicle game drive where we may have the opportunity to spot not only elephant that are so prolific in the park, but also lion and different antelope species.We stop in the small settlement of Nata for the night. If we are lucky, we will see plenty of bird species including Southern yellow-billed hornbills, pied and arrow-marked babblers, glossy starlings and paradise whydahs from the comfort of the pool deck, bar or breakfast table.

After a morning tour to a local village to learn more about their every day life we are back in the vehicle and on further west to Maun, the gateway to the famed Okavango Delta.In preparation for our excursion into the delta we stock up on some provisions and have the afternoon relaxing under the trees in the grounds of our comfortable lodge.

Transferring out to the mokoro station this morning in the 4x4 safari vehicle we meet the local Tswana guides who are going to accompany us through the labyrinth of islands and channels to our tented camp which is home for the night.The delta is a natural wetland where the Okavango River spills out into the sands of the Kalahari Desert and never actually reaches the sea. This wetland is a haven for birds and other animals, an amazing wilderness experience.

After an exhilarating nature walk this morning, we pack up and return via mokoro and 4x4 transfer to our comfortable lodge outside Maun. This afternoon, we have the opportunity to explore the small town or possibly take a flight over the delta where we have just spent the night.

Were up early this morning to hit the road. Travelling through the Greater Kalahari Region via Mopipi and we eventually arrive at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.The sanctuary was set up in 1989 by a group of locals wanting to convert a hunting area to a conservation area. It has subsequently been very successful and now plays an important part in educating the local population on the benefits of conservation.We enjoy an afternoon game drive with the local rangers.

Crossing the border one final time on the tour and back into South Africa at the Martins Drift border post over the Limpopo River.The gradually increasing population indicates our arrival into the city of Pretoria, where, late this afternoon the tour ends.