Exploring South Africa

Welcome to Zimbabwe and the majestic Victoria Falls. Our journey will begin with a welcome meeting at 18:00. If we arrive early, why not take part in some of the optional activities around Victoria Falls? The Zimbabwean side of the falls offers the widest view of this colossal natural wonder, and the helicopter scenic flights are incredible, or among other activities we find: Standard sunset cruise, Flying Fox / Bridge Slide / Zipline, bridge tour, bridge swing, traditional village tour, white-water rafting (seasonal), sunset cruise on the Song river or the jet Boat (seasonal).

After exploring a bit, we will leave behind the Victoria Falls and head towards the Hwange National Park, passing through the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. Here, we will learn about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, human-wildlife conflict, and the Trust's role in the fight against poaching. There might also be a chance to meet some of the rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. Hwange National Park, once a hunting ground for the Ndebele warrior king Mzilikazi in the early 19th century and turned into a national park in 1929, is now home to an extraordinary variety of wildlife, with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 species of birds. The elephants of Hwange are known worldwide for being one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. In the afternoon, we will explore Hwange National Park and discover this wonderful wildlife reserve aboard an open 4WD vehicle, led by local experts. We will keep our eyes peeled to spot animals and listen carefully to the guides' explanations about this area and the animals that inhabit it.

This morning we are heading towards the Matobo National Park. Shortly after leaving Hwange, we will stop at the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. The loss of quality habitat and poaching are pushing the painted dog (also known as the African wild dog) towards extinction. We will discover how the locals are working to protect and increase the range and number of painted dogs in Zimbabwe and the Hwange ecosystem as a whole. Then we will continue towards Bulawayo, the second-largest city in Zimbabwe. We will take a walk through the streets lined with old colonial buildings and stop at a local bar or restaurant for lunch before heading to our camp for the next two nights. Matobo National Park, home to a large population of both white and black rhinos that can be tracked on foot, is also the site of Cecil John Rhodes' grave, the founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company. The Matobo area holds great spiritual and cultural significance for the local population, and there are many sites within the park where important ceremonies are still held.

Matobo National Park boasts an extraordinary variety of birds and wildlife, including both white and black rhinos. This morning, we'll have the unique opportunity to track white rhinos on foot with the help of expert local guides. We'll also have the chance to observe other wildlife: the park is home to klipspringers, leopards, warthogs, and jumping hares, among others. We'll also get to know the various local plants and trees, such as the wild pear and paper bark, as we explore the San paintings and the park's fascinating rock formations. After a cold lunch, we'll venture into a nearby village to meet some local inhabitants. We'll gain a better understanding of these people's lives when they lived on the hills, and we'll meet some local communities and personalities, including the elderly chief Pondo, a real character.

This morning we will leave behind the Matobo National Park and Zimbabwe, crossing a very busy border post, the only direct crossing between Zimbabwe and South Africa. We should arrive at our campsite located on the edge of the Honnet Nature Reserve in the late afternoon. We will relax and enjoy the numerous facilities available, including indoor and outdoor pools, mini golf, nature trails, and optional safaris.

We will head towards Makushu, a small village in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Upon arrival at Makushu, we will be greeted by a local village guide, who will ensure that we are well taken care of. We will stay with host mothers in their family homes. Having our own room within the family house, we will get an authentic idea of what life is like in the village: certainly a unique and memorable experience for us travelers. Since no two days are the same for the local villagers, some of the activities we might organize include beadwork, dancing, local beer tasting, and cooking. This evening will represent a true opportunity to interact with the local villagers and learn about the traditional Venda ways.

Today, after breakfast, we will embark on the epic journey towards the Greater Kruger National Park. Along the way, we will have the opportunity to stop at a shop or market for any camping supplies we or the group may need. Tonight, we will have the extraordinary opportunity to camp at the headquarters of the Black Mambas, located just outside the Kruger National Park. The Black Mambas are the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit, made up of 36 young African women. Challenging a traditionally male-dominated field, they are using their feminine skills to protect the wildlife of the Kruger National Park in an unconventional way. We will join them on a bush walk to learn how they identify and destroy the traps left by poachers. In the evening, we will enjoy a lantern-lit dinner, then relax by the fire and listen to the inspiring personal stories of the Black Mambas.

We will rise early and have a light breakfast of coffee before embarking on a full-day off-road safari in the Kruger National Park. This vast hunting reserve in the south of Africa is home to over 500 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles, and 150 species of mammals, including the Big Five and the rare African wild dog. Our wildlife experience will begin as soon as we enter the park, heading straight for the main animal viewing areas, where we can spot everything from antelopes to elands, from cheetahs to rhinoceroses. Later, we will take a night drive with the park's local guides to search for nocturnal animals and perhaps even spot one or two nocturnal predators. Night drives are a unique opportunity to observe Kruger National Park's elusive nocturnal creatures in their natural habitat. This excursion usually lasts between 2 and 3 hours, and we expect to see a wide range of nocturnal animals, such as nightjars, servals, African wildcats, spring hares, and owls.

It's time to head towards Johannesburg. We will have plenty of time to make stops and explore along the way. A noteworthy stop is the 3 Rondavels viewpoint at Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes. This place offers incredible views and the cloud coverage is usually minimal. Our African safari adventure will conclude this evening with our arrival in Johannesburg.