Südliches Afrika intensiv II

[die Tourbeschreibung ist momentan nur auf Englisch verfügbar]

Day 1:
We suggest that you might like to arrive in Johannesburg a couple of days prior to joining your tour if you wish to see the city and surrounding areas as this tour will depart early on Day 1.

Johannesburg to Hazyview. Today there is an early departure from Johannesburg at 7 am. We then travel to Hazyview on the outskirts of Kruger National Park.

Days 2-3:
Kruger National Park And Maputo. Today we enter the world-renowned Kruger National Park, home to a staggering amount of wildlife and birds. We camp for the night within the park and there is an option of a night safari. Kruger is one of the few places in Africa where it is possible to observe nocturnal wildlife and this makes a unique experience. On our final morning we will take an early game drive when the animals are at their most active.

Next we travel to Mozambique and Maputo. Maputo is a lively city with tree-lined streets, ocean views and interesting Portuguese colonial architecture. We overnight in a lodge in Maputo.

Days 4-5:
Inhambane And Ponta da Barra. Next we travel further north along the palm-fringed coast to Inhambane – a small town with a colourful market and friendly atmosphere. We camp at the idyllic Ponta da Barra for a couple of nights and enjoy relaxing on the beach, or walking along the peninsular where there are more opportunities for snorkelling, scuba diving, whale watching or quad biking.

Days 6-8:
Vilanculos. For the next two days we will be based in Vilanculos in order to enjoy a Dhow safari to the islands of the Bazaruto Archipelago – classed as a World Heritage Site for its outstanding natural beauty. We also use a motorboat to visit the outer reefs where the snorkeling is best.

Days 9-11:
To Zimbabwe And Antelope Park. Leaving the beautiful coastline behind us, we camp on the shores of picturesque Lake Chicamba or cross into Zimbabwe and stay near Mutare. Next we depart for a relaxing day at the Antelope Park where you will have the rare opportunity to take a walk with some lion cubs, go horse riding, a boat cruise, or even ride and swim with an African elephant. The two full days driving will be quickly forgotten once the contrast of scenery, culture and animals of land-locked Zimbabwe become apparent.

Day 12:
Bulawayo. From Antelope Park we will travel to Bulawayo, the second city of Zimbabwe and join a full day tour to Matopos National Park, home to a large population of white rhino and the site of Cecil Rhodes grave.

Days 13-14:
Victoria Falls. Today is spent travelling from the Zimbabwe Midlands to Victoria Falls where we will be based for two nights. Known locally as Mosi oa Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’, the falls themselves are one of the world’s natural wonders although they are neither the highest nor the widest. They do, however, create a visual spectacle as they cut a massive gorge in the earth and crash 111 metres to the river below. This gorge actually forms the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. There are numerous optional activities on the Zimbabwe side, the most famous being white water rafting on the Lower Zambezi. This excursion takes a full day and has 14 plus rapids, none below grade 4 (rapids are graded from 1 to 6). Please note that at certain times of the year the rafting may be restricted or even closed due to high water levels (March – May). Bungy jumping is also an option for all those who wish to throw themselves 111 metres head first off a bridge! Various flights are on offer including light fixed wing aircraft, helicopter, microlight and ultralight, all offering wonderful views of the falls. As well as these there is horse riding, elephant riding and canoeing, not to mention a walk to the falls themselves. Videos and still photographs are available for purchase of most activities, and are a great reminder of your adrenaline filled visit to the mighty Victoria Falls and Zambezi River.

We would advise that you spend a few days at Victoria Falls after the tour ends, this will allow you the time to take full advantage of the activities on offer.

NB Entrance (approximately 20 USD) to Mosi oa Tunya (Victoria Falls) National Park is not included in your tour price.

Day 15:
Chobe National Park. Departing the falls we go into Botswana and visit the Chobe National Park on the Chobe River. Here we do an afternoon boat cruise on the river, this cruise is very good for seeing all the aquatic animals that are not normally seen during a game drive. We also take in a morning game drive (3hrs). Both the boat cruise and the game drive give us great game viewing opportunities in one of the largest parks in southern Africa. From Chobe we head to Maun, the base for our trip into the Okavango Delta.

Days 16-19:
Maun And The Okavango Delta. The town of Maun is the gateway to the Delta and is also Botswana’s third largest city. While in Maun we have the option to take flights in light aircraft over the Delta. These are optional and can be organised by your tour leader.

The Okavango Delta is formed by the Okavango River, which flows into the desert and disappears as it fans out to form the Delta. We go into the Okavango Delta for 3 days (2 nights). We camp in the bush at designated free camps as a lodge or hotel is not the best way to see this region. There are bush walks and trips in Mokoros where it is possible to see some wildlife. We take all our own equipment and food and bring it all back out (including the rubbish) of the area. The method of transport is by 4 wheel drive vehicle, motorboat and Makoro (dug out canoe in Setswana). The Makoros are traditionally made of wood but as they come to the end of their useful life fiberglass canoes are now replacing them. These are not quite as authentic but the old canoes take a whole tree to build them and the environment is beginning to suffer.

The delta region is home to a vast amount of animals and it is possible to take some walks to view the flora and fauna. This region has a lot of environmental problems. This is due to the fact that the water level is dropping due to the over use of water from the river before it dissipates into the delta. There are now restrictions on the amount of hotels and tourists allowed into the region in an attempt to reduce the environmental hazards that it faces.

Days 20-21:
Maun To Johannesburg. Departing Maun we head south towards South Africa via Francistown. We drive on the edge of the Kalahari before crossing over to South Africa. We then continue onto Johannesburg where the tour will end late evening.

Accommodation is NOT included on Day 21.