Luxury Kruger National Park & Victoria Falls Exploration – Nine Days

Overview

Countries visited: South Africa and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls

This 9-day tour features two of Southern Africa’s top destinations; the Kruger National Park and astounding Victoria Falls.

Your safari starts at Jock Safari Lodge where you’ll spend your days on morning and afternoon game drives tracking Africa’s Big 5. From there you venture to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, an award-winning lodge just a five-minute drive from Victoria Falls and well placed for all the phenomenal activities on offer in the area such as elephant-back safaris, scenic flights and river cruises.

This journey is perfect for couples, groups of friends, honeymooners, romantic getaways, wildlife and photographic enthusiasts.

Itinerary

Day 1: Travel to the Kruger Park

Fly to Skukuza aiport / Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport where you’ll be met on arrival and transferred to Jock Safari Lodge for your three-day safari.

Jock Safari Lodge sits at the confluence of two rivers in a 6,000 hectare private concession in the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. This traditional safari lodge has just 12 thatched chalets each opening onto a private deck with your own plunge pool and daybed where you can while away the heat of the day watching for elephant and other wildlife in the riverbed below.

Day 2 – 3: Kruger National Park, South Africa

Set off on morning and afternoon game drives along the dirt roads and riverbeds of this private concession. Game drives at Jock last up to three hours, and are led by extremely knowledgeable and passionate guides who go out of their way to track and find the wildlife that you most want to see. Most guests who spend a few days at Jock manage to see all of Africa’s Big 5 along with a whole host of other creatures including, if they’re lucky, the highly endangered African wild dog.

One morning, why not leave the game vehicle behind and go on a guided walking safari? Moving through the bush on foot gives you a heightened awareness of your surroundings as your guide focuses in on the plants, insects and smaller creatures, and shares fascinating facts about animal behaviour. You can also go on a guided walk to some of the rock art sites found close to the lodge, where you’ll see San Bushman art dating back an incredible 3,000 years!

Between all these activities there’s plenty of time to relax on your private deck or go for a massage at the Pilgrims Rest Spa (which also has a sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy bath). In the evenings join the other guests for a drink and a chat about your day’s sightings; then sit down together to a delicious dinner served either in the dining room or in the outdoor boma under the stars.

Day 4: Overnight at O.R Tambo Airport

On arrival at O.R Tambo Airport you will transfer to your one nights stay at the  Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo Airport.

Day 5: Travel to Victoria Falls

Today you will transfer to the airport to board your flight to Victoria Falls.

On arrival you will be met and be transferred to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.

Set high on a plateau overlooking the Zambezi National Park, Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a fantastic choice for anyone who wants to stay close to Victoria Falls (only four kilometres away) yet still have that feeling of being on safari. Voted ‘Best Safari Lodge’ in Zimbabwe for 17 consecutive years, this really is a fantastic place to stay, and even offers a free hourly shuttle service down to the falls or into Victoria Falls Town.

Day 6 – 8: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

There’s plenty to keep you busy over the next three days. First on the list is the falls themselves: this itinerary includes a guided walking tour of Victoria Falls, your guide telling you how the falls were formed and what local customs surround them, as you wander along paths through dripping rainforest and out into clearings offering up incredible views.

Seeing the falls is just the beginning, this destination is also renowned for its unforgettable activities including scenic helicopter and microlight flights, elephant-back safaris, white water rafting (water levels dependent) and for those who love that rush of adrenaline there’s bungee jumping, bridge swinging and zip lining (all of which can be arranged at extra cost).

If you’d prefer something a bit more sedate why not wander around the Artist’s Village and colourful craft markets or opt for a relaxing massage back at the lodge. As the day draws to an end, look forward to a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River (included in the tour) followed by dinner at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge’s award-winning restaurant MaKuwa-Kuwa.

Day 9: Departure

After one final breakfast at the lodge (choose from the substantial buffet or opt for a full English breakfast), you’re transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight.

Accommodation

3 Nights Jock Safari Lodge

1 Night Protea Hotel O.R Tambo Airport

4 Nights Victoria Falls Safari Lodge

Wildlife

Kruger Park

Jock Safari Lodge has exclusive traversing rights to a private concession spanning an impressive 6,000 hectares. All of the Big 5 can be found in this game-rich region of the Kruger Park, along with regular sightings of cheetah, hippo, brown hyena and the endangered African wild dog. With over 350 bird species recorded, avid birders are certain to add a few ticks to their list, and this concession is particularly well known for its raptors including the Martial, Tawny and Fish Eagle.

If you’re travelling during the rainy season (from November through to March) you might want to try a frogging safari. The Kruger Park has an estimated 34 species of amphibians, and Jock Safari Lodge is rated as one of the best places to see these tiny creatures – some no bigger than your thumb!

Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge overlooks a waterhole where elephant, buffalo, impala, kudu and warthog are often seen. There are also many beautiful bird species, and of particular interest is the feeding of the vultures which happens at around noon each day, just below the rear deck of the lodge.

While staying at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge you can also go on game drives in the next-door Zambezi National Park. The game viewing here is particularly good during the dry season when, along with elephant, buffalo, antelope and giraffe, you’ve got a good chance of seeing lion and even leopard too! You also have the option of a daytrip to Chobe, a national park famous for its large elephant herds and excellent predator sightings.

More Info

For best flight options contact our travel experts who will arrange all international and internal flights, including last minute flights.

Tour cost includes:

Inclusions at Jock Safari Lodge:

– Return Road transfers from Skukuza Airport / KMIA to Jock Safari Lodge
– Breakfast, Lunch, dinner, high tea
– Game Drives, guided walks
– Tea, coffee, water
– Game drive beverages

Inclusions at Protea Hotel O.R Tambo Airport:

– Breakfast included

Inclusions at Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
– Return Road transfers from Vic Falls International Airport to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
– 2 dinners at Makuwa-Kuwa Restaurant
– 1 Boma Dinner
– 1 Sunset Cruise
– 1 Guided Tour of Victoria Falls

Tour cost excludes
Conservation levies
Flight costs – we will arrange flights

Minimum 2 guest required