10 Oct 2026
Twin share
£3,320pp
Single from £4,205
Escorted tour
Zimbabwe & South Africa Safari: Hwange, Matobo & Kruger – 9 Days
Hwange, rhino tracking in Matobo, Mapungubwe and Kruger, with conservation visits, in a group of up to 13.
9 days
From £3,230
Tour overview
This 9-day small-group safari travels from Victoria Falls through Zimbabwe's national parks and across the Limpopo into South Africa, ending at Kruger and the Panorama Route. Groups have up to 13 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout and local guides for walks and game drives. You stay in lodges and permanent tented camps, some powered by generators that are switched off at night, with all breakfasts, two lunches and seven dinners included. A shared airport arrival transfer is included.
From Victoria Falls you head to Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest national park and once a royal hunting ground, for an afternoon game drive in 4x4s among its elephant herds. On the way to Matobo National Park you stop at the Painted Dog Conservation Centre, which protects one of Africa's most endangered predators. The town of Victoria Falls has plenty of cafés, craft markets and viewpoints over the gorge.
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Matobo is a landscape of huge granite boulders and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You spend a day tracking rhinos on foot with local guides, learning about plants and their traditional uses, and see San rock paintings thousands of years old, along with a visit to the Whovi game park.
Crossing into South Africa, you stay at a bush lodge in Mapesu Private Game Reserve, among sandstone formations, with a night safari to look for nocturnal animals. Mapungubwe National Park, another World Heritage Site, protects the most important Iron Age site in southern Africa, where the famous golden rhinoceros was found. On the way to Greater Kruger you meet the Black Mambas, the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit, before a full day of 4WD game drives in Kruger National Park, home to all the big cats. The last day follows the Panorama Route past the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes to Johannesburg. Nearby is World's View, the hilltop grave of Cecil Rhodes, with sweeping views over the hills.
The physical rating is medium, with early starts, long drives and a rhino-tracking walk. This trip suits wildlife lovers who want to see lesser-visited parks as well as Kruger, with a strong focus on conservation.
Trip highlights
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A 4x4 game drive in Hwange National Park (Day 2)
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The Painted Dog Conservation Centre (Day 3)
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Rhino tracking on foot and San rock art in Matobo (Day 4)
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A night safari in Mapesu Private Game Reserve (Day 5)
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The Black Mambas anti-poaching unit (Day 7)
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A full day of game drives in Kruger (Day 8)
Your route
8 stops from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg
- Victoria Falls Day 1
- Hwange National Park Day 2
- Bulawayo Day 3
- Matobo National Park Days 3–4
- Mapungubwe National Park Days 5–6
- Kruger National Park Days 7–8
- Three Rondavels Viewpoint Day 9
- Johannesburg Day 9
Why choose this tour
Two countries' best parks in nine days, with rhino tracking on foot. A strong conservation focus, from painted dogs to the Black Mambas.
Best suited to
- Wildlife lovers who want more than one park
- Travellers interested in conservation
- Solo travellers looking for a small group
- Return visitors to Africa
Day-by-day itinerary
9 days from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Johannesburg, South Africa
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Day 1 · Victoria Falls Arrive in Victoria Falls
Transfer to your hotel for a welcome meeting at 6pm. Arrive early to see the falls.
- Hotel
- Hotel
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Day 2 · Hwange National Park Hwange National Park
Travel to Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest park, for an afternoon game drive in 4x4s.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 3 · Painted Dog Conservation Centre, Matobo National Park Painted dogs to Matobo
Visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre on the way to Matobo's granite hills.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 4 · Matobo National Park Rhino tracking
Track rhinos on foot with local guides, see San rock paintings and visit the Whovi game park.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
-
Day 5 · Mapesu Private Game Reserve Into South Africa
Cross the border to a bush lodge in Mapesu Private Game Reserve, with a night safari.
- Hotel
- Bush lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 6 · Mapungubwe National Park Mapungubwe
Explore the World Heritage Site of Mapungubwe, where the golden rhinoceros was found.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 7 · Black Mambas HQ, Greater Kruger Black Mambas to Kruger
Meet the all-female Black Mambas anti-poaching unit on the way to Greater Kruger.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 8 · Kruger National Park Kruger National Park
A full day of 4WD game drives in Kruger, home to all the big cats.
- Hotel
- Lodge
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
-
Day 9 · Three Rondavels, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Johannesburg Panorama Route to Johannesburg
Drive the Panorama Route past the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes to Johannesburg, where the trip ends.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Where you stay
- Victoria Falls (1 night) Hotel
- Hwange (1 night) Lodge
- Matobo (2 nights) Lodge
- Mapesu Private Game Reserve (1 night) Bush lodge
- Mapungubwe (1 night) Lodge
- Greater Kruger (2 nights) Lodge
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 8 nights in hotels, lodges and permanent tented camps
- Meals 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches and 7 dinners
- Game drives in Hwange and Kruger, and a night safari in Mapesu
- Rhino tracking on foot, San rock paintings and the Whovi game park in Matobo
- Painted Dog Conservation Centre, Mapungubwe heritage tour and Black Mambas visit
- The Panorama Route, including the Three Rondavels and Bourke's Luck Potholes
- Shared airport arrival transfer
- Leader throughout, with local guides
Not included
- Flights to Victoria Falls and from Johannesburg
- Zimbabwe visa
- Meals not listed
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You want luxury lodges — accommodation is comfortable but simple
- You want a slow pace — there are long drives and early starts
- You want a beach extension included — the trip ends in Johannesburg
- You want flights included — they are not
Good to know
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £3,230 per person, twin share, tour only. 26 upcoming departures.
14 Nov 2026
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£3,230pp
Single from £4,115
27 Mar 2027
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£3,355pp
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24 Apr 2027
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£3,355pp
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08 May 2027
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£3,355pp
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22 May 2027
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£3,355pp
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29 May 2027
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£3,455pp
Single from £4,340
05 Jun 2027
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£3,555pp
Single from £4,440
12 Jun 2027
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£3,555pp
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19 Jun 2027
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£3,620pp
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26 Jun 2027
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£3,620pp
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10 Jul 2027
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£3,620pp
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17 Jul 2027
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£3,620pp
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24 Jul 2027
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£3,620pp
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31 Jul 2027
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£3,555pp
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07 Aug 2027
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£3,555pp
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14 Aug 2027
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£3,555pp
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21 Aug 2027
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£3,455pp
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28 Aug 2027
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£3,455pp
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04 Sep 2027
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£3,455pp
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11 Sep 2027
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£3,455pp
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18 Sep 2027
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£3,455pp
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25 Sep 2027
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£3,455pp
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09 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,355pp
Single from £4,240
23 Oct 2027
Twin share
£3,355pp
Single from £4,240
06 Nov 2027
Twin share
£3,355pp
Single from £4,240
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
What is the accommodation like?
Lodges and permanent tented camps with beds and private facilities. Some run on generators that are switched off at night.
Is rhino tracking safe?
Yes. You walk with experienced local guides who keep a safe distance and brief you beforehand.
Which big animals might we see?
Elephants, rhinos, buffalo, lions, leopards and many antelope, though sightings can never be guaranteed.
Do I need a visa?
UK visitors need a visa for Zimbabwe, available on arrival. South Africa is visa-free for UK visitors.
Is malaria a risk?
Parts of the route are in malaria areas. Seek medical advice before you travel.
How many people travel together?
Up to 13 travellers aged 15 and over, with a leader throughout.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary