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Peregrine Travel Centre

Southern Africa Safari

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Southern Africa Safari

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Description

On this nine-day wildlife journey, you’ll explore the epic game parks of Southern Africa. Start in Victoria Falls, where in your free time, you can experience the thunderous falls however you like. Then, head to Hwange National Park, known for its elephant population, and Matobo National Park to track rhinos and learn about the local San people and their culture. Take game drives, look out for all the big cats and then spend some time in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mapungubwe National Park. Visit a 13th-century grave site and head out on a night safari to see some nocturnal wildlife that doesn’t come out while the sun’s up! Finally, you’ll go in search of lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and the African buffalo in the famous Kruger National Park.

Trip Name
Southern Africa Safari
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
9
Capacity
13
Highlights
  • Explore Kruger National Park for an unforgettable experience, where lions, elephants, and rhinos roam freely amid stunning natural beauty.
  • Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about wildlife rehabilitation from conflict and poaching, then meet some rescued or orphaned wildlife in their care.
  • See the huge elephant populations of Hwange National Park on a 4WD game drive. This national park is also home to lots of other wildlife, with over 100 species of mammals!
  • Track rhinos on foot with an expert local guide in Matobo National Park – an exhilarating way to experience the animals of Zimbabwe. Then, see some of the ancient rock paintings here and learn about the local San people.
  • Explore the World Heritage site of Mapungubwe National Park, where the ancient ruins of a once-thriving kingdom meet stunning landscapes of baobab trees and sandstone cliffs. Then, head out on a night safari to spot nocturnal wildlife in a private game reserve next door.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway. OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk. NAMIBIA AND BOTSWANA IN PEAK SEASON Namibia and Botswana are becoming increasingly popular tourist destinations. Despite the influx of travellers, bed numbers are not being increased to match the demand. This intentional move is aimed at minimising the environmental impact of tourism and keeping the destinations exclusive. It is therefore becoming more and more difficult for us to confirm our allocation with our usual suppliers, particularly in peak season. We may use alternative accommodation which could affect driving times and distances listed in the Essential Trip Information. However we will always use properties of the same standard and ensure that no included activities will be affected. ROAD CONDITIONS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IN AFRICA: Roads in Africa are often in very poor condition, which makes it hard on our vehicles. Our vehicles are serviced regularly and are generally in good condition, but breakdowns can and do happen. Sometimes the going on this trip is quite tough, the distances covered fairly large and some of the roads and tracks are not exactly smooth or free from dust, but the rewards are exceptional. The travelling times indicated in our Essential Trip Information is just a rough guide and is dependent on various factors that may be outside our control, such as road conditions, weather and time spent at borders. DRIVE TIMES: The travel times listed in the day to day itinerary are a guide only. Please be aware that delays may occur and please be patient - it's all part of the experience afterall! Additionally, the travel times do not include time spent on game drives as these can vary with each departure.

Day 1 - Victoria Falls
Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your adventure begins in Victoria Falls, known traditionally as Mosi-oa-Tunya or ‘The Smoke that Thunders’. When you arrive, you’ll be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. You’ll then have a welcome meeting at the hotel at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe check out this incredible natural wonder your own way or visit the Shearwater Adventures activity centre to book an optional activity. You could even book a scenic helicopter flight over the falls! After the meeting, maybe get to know your group better over an optional welcome dinner.
Day 2 - Hwange National Park
Depart Victoria Falls and hit the road to Hwange National Park, stopping at the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust along the way – one of The Intrepid Foundation projects. Here, you’ll learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and their role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. This afternoon, take a game drive within the Hwange National Park in 4WDs. Hwange, the largest park in Zimbabwe, was designated as a national park in 1929 after acting as the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19th century. The park is famous for its elephants and is home to one of the largest populations in the world, as well as a huge variety of wildlife including over 100 mammals and nearly 400 bird species!
Day 3 - Matobo National Park
Leave Hwange as you make tracks for Matobo National Park. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. Learn how the loss of quality habitats and poaching are driving the painted dogs towards extinction, and how the centre protects painted dogs and the Hwange ecosystem. After, it's onto Bulawayo – Zimbabwe's second-largest city. Take a stroll through the streets and stop in at a local restaurant for lunch. Continue to Matobo, where you'll spend the next two nights. The rocks balanced in Matobo Hills are thought to be the seats of God and ancestral spirits. The park is home to the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company, and is especially known for its rhino population.
Day 4 - Matobo National Park
Enjoy an unforgettable day of tracking rhinos on foot with your local guides. You'll learn about the local plants and trees and their traditional uses, and there'll be plenty of chances to spot wildlife other than rhinos. The park is home to leopards, hippos, antelope and more! Learn about the San people who have called this area home for thousands of years and visit their rock paintings in the hills. Spend some time in the nearby villages to meet some of the local community before returning to your lodge for the evening.
Day 5 - Mapungubwe National Park
Say goodbye to Zimbabwe and cross the border into South Africa. Your bush lodge for tonight sits inside Mapesu Private Game Reserve – a 12,500 hectares property surrounded by unique sandstone formations, woodlands and wildlife. The reserve focuses on biodiversity, conservation and the protection and reintroduction of species including efforts specifically on endangered animals. When you arrive, have dinner here with your group and watch the night sky come alive with stars.
Day 6 - Mapungubwe National Park
Today, you’ll explore Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site – home to South Africa’s most significant Iron Age site. Visit the 13th-century grave site on Mapungubwe Hill, which contains ornaments, jewellery, bowls and amulets covered in gold foil. The most spectacular of these pieces is a small, gold-covered rhinoceros. Apartheid kept this discovery a secret as the regime attempted to suppress any historical information that proved black cultural sophistication. Later, you have free time to relax at the lodge or you can take an optional game drive in through the park. Tonight, you’ll head out on a night safari in Mapesu Private Game Reserve. Look out for bush babies (galagos), bushpigs, hyenas, genets and tiny chameleons – all of which don’t come out much during the day. Maybe you’ll even get lucky and encounter a leopard!
Day 7 - Kruger National Park
Wake up early this morning and drive to Greater Kruger National Park. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy. Maybe kick back at the lodge and relax with a good book, chat to your fellow travellers over cards, take a dip in the on-site swimming pool or venture out for more wildlife spotting on an optional safari in a private game reserve within the national park.
Day 8 - Kruger National Park
Start the day early and head into Kruger National Park – one of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa and home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species including all the big cats. Your wildlife experience begins as soon as you enter the park, as you're taken into prime viewing areas. Enjoy a picnic breakfast here before spending the rest of the day wildlife-spotting in the park, watching game, birds and stopping at various waterholes as you go. The group will leave the park in the late afternoon and return to the lodge for another relaxed evening.
Day 9 - Johannesburg
Enjoy the scenic route back to Johannesburg filled with beautiful views of stunning landscape. Along the way, you’ll visit the breathtaking Three Rondawels Viewpoint and the impressive Bourke's Luck Potholes, perfect stops to break up the drive and enjoy the scenery. When you arrive in Johannesburg, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay here, and it’s recommended that you do, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
24-05-202501-06-2025AUD $ 5,861-
07-06-202515-06-2025AUD $ 5,861-
14-06-202522-06-2025AUD $ 5,861-
28-06-202506-07-2025AUD $ 6,094-
23-08-202531-08-2025AUD $ 6,094-
02-09-202510-09-2025AUD $ 6,094-
11-10-202519-10-2025AUD $ 6,094-
15-11-202523-11-2025AUD $ 5,861-
28-03-202605-04-2026AUD $ 6,895-
25-04-202603-05-2026AUD $ 6,895-
16-05-202624-05-2026AUD $ 6,895-
30-05-202607-06-2026AUD $ 6,895-
06-06-202614-06-2026AUD $ 6,895-
20-06-202628-06-2026AUD $ 6,895-
04-07-202612-07-2026AUD $ 6,895-
11-07-202619-07-2026AUD $ 6,895-
25-07-202602-08-2026AUD $ 6,895-
01-08-202609-08-2026AUD $ 6,895-
15-08-202623-08-2026AUD $ 6,895-
29-08-202606-09-2026AUD $ 6,895-
12-09-202620-09-2026AUD $ 6,895-
26-09-202604-10-2026AUD $ 6,895-
10-10-202618-10-2026AUD $ 6,895-
14-11-202622-11-2026AUD $ 6,895-

Accommodation

Lodge (8 nights)

Transport

Overland vehicle,Open Safari Vehicle

Map

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