Upon arrival, clients are warmly greeted and promptly transferred to their hotel, ensuring a smooth and comfortable start to their journey. Once settled in, guests have some time to relax and acquaint themselves with their new surroundings. The tour officially begins with a pre-departure meeting at 18:00, held in the hotel’s reception area. This crucial gathering provides an opportunity to meet the tour guide and fellow travelers. During the meeting, the guide will present a detailed overview of the itinerary, highlighting key activities and experiences to expect in the days ahead. Important information regarding safety protocols, travel logistics, and local customs will also be shared to ensure everyone is well-prepared for the adventure. This initial meeting is not only informative but also a chance to ask any questions and address any concerns. It sets the tone for the journey, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the group and building anticipation for the exciting experiences that lie ahead.

Your South African safari begins with an early departure from Safari Club Johannesburg at 08h00, heading east toward the world-renowned Kruger National Park. The day’s journey is as captivating as the destination itself, unfolding along the legendary Panorama Route. This scenic drive reveals some of South Africa’s most celebrated landscapes, blending dramatic geological formations, lush escarpments, and far-reaching Lowveld vistas that set the tone for the safari adventure ahead. As the road winds through Mpumalanga, your first highlight is the Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest green canyons in the world, where towering cliffs and deep gorges frame breathtaking views. Continue on to Bourke’s Luck Potholes, remarkable cylindrical rock sculptures carved by centuries of swirling water at the confluence of the Blyde and Treur Rivers. A little further along, God’s Window lives up to its name, offering panoramic views across the escarpment into the Lowveld below—on clear days, the horizon seems to stretch endlessly toward Mozambique. Each stop provides both scenic grandeur and insight into the natural beauty that defines this region. By late afternoon, you arrive at your lodge bordering Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa and home to the iconic Big Five—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo—as well as hundreds of bird species and diverse flora. After a day filled with natural wonders, settle into the comfort of your lodge and take in the bushveld surroundings, anticipating the wildlife encounters and safari adventures that await in the coming days.

The day begins with the excitement of an early morning departure as you set off into the world-famous Kruger National Park for a full day of exploration. Travelling in open 4×4 safari vehicles, the fresh breeze and panoramic views set the stage for an authentic African safari experience. The park is one of the largest and most celebrated reserves in the world, renowned for its abundant wildlife, diverse habitats, and the chance to encounter the legendary Big Five. As the morning unfolds, your experienced ranger and tracker guide the way, using their knowledge of animal behaviour to maximize your chances of spotting lions on the prowl, elephants wandering through the bush, or leopards resting high in the branches of a tree. Alongside these iconic sightings, you may also encounter giraffes gracefully feeding, zebras crossing the plains, and herds of antelope grazing in the morning light. Birdwatchers will delight in spotting everything from lilac-breasted rollers to African fish eagles. As the afternoon draws to a close, you continue your game drive, seeking out those last memorable encounters before returning to your lodge. A full day in Kruger offers not just game viewing, but an unforgettable connection with one of Africa’s most iconic wildernesses.

After breakfast, the journey continues as we leave the Kruger region behind and travel north through South Africa’s Limpopo Province. The road leads us toward the Botswana border, passing through landscapes that grow more rugged and remote the further we travel. Along the way, the anticipation builds for Mapungubwe National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for both its natural beauty and its extraordinary historical and cultural significance. At the heart of the park lies Mapungubwe Hill, the centre of southern Africa’s first kingdom, which flourished in the 13th century as a thriving trade hub. Here, archaeologists uncovered treasures of gold, glass beads, and pottery that revealed the scale of the ancient civilization that once called this area home. As you walk in the footsteps of these early settlers, the landscape itself tells a story—sandstone hills, wide rivers, and sweeping views of the confluence where the Limpopo and Shashe Rivers meet. The park is also rich in San rock art, offering insight into the spiritual and cultural life of the hunter-gatherer communities who painted these vivid depictions of daily life and rituals. Wildlife thrives here as well, with elephants, giraffes, and antelope frequently sighted against the dramatic backdrop of baobab trees and cliffs. Birdlife is prolific, adding sound and colour to the wilderness experience. This day offers a rare blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. By combining game viewing with exploration of ancient heritage, Mapungubwe provides a unique perspective on southern Africa, linking its deep past with the living landscapes of today.

The day begins with an exploration on foot, as you set out into the Mapesu Private Game Reserve to discover one of its most treasured cultural highlights. The reserve is home to remarkable Kaoxa Bushman rock paintings, vivid depictions of daily life and spiritual rituals created by the San people thousands of years ago. Standing before these ancient artworks, you gain a profound sense of connection to the deep history of southern Africa, where culture and landscape are inseparably linked. The guided walk takes you across terrain dotted with striking sandstone outcrops and framed by baobab trees that tower above the bush. Along the way, your guide shares insights into the San’s traditions, symbolism, and storytelling, helping the paintings come alive in their historical context. It’s a moving reminder of how humans have interacted with this land for millennia. After a restful afternoon at leisure, the day draws to a spectacular close with a sunset game drive through Mapesu’s diverse habitats. The golden light casts long shadows across the baobab-studded landscape, enhancing the reserve’s wild beauty. As the vehicle winds along game trails, there’s the chance to spot wildlife such as giraffe, kudu, and elephants roaming against a fiery sky. The vast views from elevated lookouts reveal the endless sweep of bushveld stretching toward Botswana and Zimbabwe. This combination of cultural heritage and wilderness immersion captures the unique character of Mapesu Private Game Reserve—a place where ancient artistry, dramatic scenery, and thriving wildlife meet in perfect harmony.

The day begins with an early departure as we journey north toward the Beit Bridge border post, a two-hour drive that marks our crossing from South Africa into Zimbabwe. From here, the landscape shifts as we travel deeper into the heart of southern Africa, arriving at our lodge on the edge of the UNESCO World Heritage–listed Matobo Hills. Known for its dramatic granite kopjes and sweeping valleys, this area is steeped in both natural beauty and cultural significance. Settling into your lodge, you are surrounded by breathtaking views of Matopos National Park, a sanctuary recognized for its striking landscapes, San rock art sites, and exceptional wildlife. The reserve holds a special place in Zimbabwe’s heritage and is revered as a place of spiritual and historical importance, once serving as a stronghold for ancient civilizations. The following morning brings a rare and unforgettable highlight: a rhino tracking experience that takes you closer than ever to one of Africa’s most iconic creatures. Matopos is home to both black and white rhinos, offering a chance to observe these ancient and endangered animals in their natural environment. With the guidance of experienced trackers, you’ll set out by vehicle and on foot, reading signs in the bush and learning the intricacies of rhino behaviour. When you finally come face to face with these magnificent animals, the moment is both humbling and exhilarating. Few wildlife encounters in Africa compare to standing just metres away from a rhino, a living relic of prehistoric times, within the extraordinary landscapes of Matopos.

After concluding our morning excursion, the journey continues through Zimbabwe’s scenic landscapes, bringing us by late afternoon to the edge of Hwange National Park. As the largest and most famous reserve in the country, Hwange is celebrated for its vast elephant herds and remarkable biodiversity. On arrival, the adventure begins immediately with a sunset game drive in an open 4×4 vehicle across a private concession bordering the park, where the evening light casts a golden glow over the savannah. This private concession offers an exclusive safari experience, with fewer vehicles and the opportunity to explore areas not accessible within the national park itself. As dusk settles, wildlife becomes particularly active—elephants gathering at waterholes, predators preparing to hunt, and nocturnal species beginning to stir. The thrill of the bush at sunset is a fitting introduction to Hwange’s wilderness. The following day is dedicated to exploring more of the concession with both morning and afternoon open 4×4 game drives. With expert guides leading the way, you’ll search for the park’s famed elephant population, estimated to be one of the largest in Africa, along with lions, buffalo, giraffes, and an impressive variety of antelope. Birdlife flourishes here too, from soaring raptors to colourful bee-eaters. Morning drives often reveal predators still active from the night before, while afternoon excursions highlight the drama of the golden hours, when the savannah teems with life. Between drives, there’s time to relax at the lodge, taking in the sounds of the bush. Hwange’s private concession ensures intimate encounters and unforgettable wildlife viewing.

Crossing into Botswana, you continue to your lodge set along the tranquil banks of the Chobe River. This region is one of Africa’s most celebrated safari destinations, known for its sweeping scenery, dramatic sunsets, and extraordinary concentration of wildlife. As you settle in, the river’s shimmering waters and surrounding floodplains create a breathtaking backdrop, offering your first glimpse of the wilderness that makes Chobe such an iconic part of any Botswana safari experience. The following day begins with an early morning game drive inside Chobe National Park. In the cool morning hours, wildlife is most active—herds of elephants moving between woodlands and water, lions patrolling the savannah, and buffalo grazing the open floodplains. Chobe is renowned for its elephant population, estimated at over 120,000, providing unparalleled opportunities to witness these giants in their natural habitat. Along the way, keep watch for giraffes stretching toward the treetops, antelope grazing in the grasslands, and predators on the move. After a relaxed break at the lodge, the afternoon brings a different perspective: a sunset boat cruise along the Chobe River. This experience is a highlight of any visit, as it allows you to approach animals from the water—hippos bobbing in the shallows, crocodiles basking on the banks, and elephants swimming across the channel. Birdlife is prolific too, with fish eagles, kingfishers, and herons often sighted. As the sun sinks into the horizon, painting the sky in golds and reds, the river comes alive with reflections and sounds of the wild.

After breakfast, the journey continues across the border to Victoria Falls, arriving around midday at one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders,” the Falls are without doubt one of the continent’s most breathtaking sights. From the moment you arrive, the roar of cascading water and the mist rising high into the air set the stage for an unforgettable experience in Zimbabwe’s adventure capital. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. You may wish to enter the Victoria Falls National Park (entrance fee on own account) for your first glimpse of the mighty curtain of water plunging into the Batoka Gorge. Viewing points along the forested pathways offer different perspectives, from the thundering Main Falls to the delicate cascades of the Rainbow Falls. The sheer power and beauty of the scene are overwhelming, often leaving visitors awestruck. Your time here is flexible, with the afternoon and following morning free to experience Victoria Falls as you wish. You might browse local craft markets filled with handmade art and carvings, or simply relax and take in the surroundings. For those seeking adventure, Victoria Falls offers an array of optional activities (own account). Take to the skies on a thrilling helicopter “Flight of Angels” for a bird’s-eye view, glide along the Zambezi River on a serene sunset cruise, or embrace adrenaline with white-water rafting, zip-lining, or bungee jumping. With its unique blend of natural wonder, cultural vibrancy, and adventure opportunities, Victoria Falls provides a spectacular finale to your safari journey.

After breakfast, your journey through Southern Africa draws to a close. A final transfer will take you to Victoria Falls Airport, marking the end of your adventure. As you depart, the roar of the falls and the memories of Africa’s wildlife, landscapes, and cultural encounters remain vivid—moments that will stay with you long after your safari has ended. This seamless conclusion ensures your onward journey begins with ease and unforgettable impressions. Your final morning offers a chance to reflect on the extraordinary experiences of the past days. From the sweeping savannahs of Kruger National Park and the cultural immersion of eSwatini to the baobab-studded landscapes of Botswana and the mighty Chobe River, each destination has revealed a different face of Africa’s wild beauty. Victoria Falls, with its thundering waters and mist-shrouded viewpoints, provided a fitting finale—a natural wonder that embodies the scale and grandeur of this region. As you travel to the airport, you may recall encounters with elephants along the Chobe Riverbank, rhinos in the Matobo Hills, or lions resting in Hwange’s grasslands. The blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation has offered not only a holiday but a deeper connection with Africa’s diverse environments and people.