Mozambique Transfrontier
| Duration: |
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17 days |
| Starts: |
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Johannesburg |
| Ends: |
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Johannesburg |
| Rates from: |
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| Dates: |
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Click here for Tour Dates
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| Countries Visited: |
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Mozambique
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| Transport: |
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Vehicle 4 x 4 Vehicles
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| Safari cook: |
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Not Included
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This 17-day tour invites you to experience the history, culture, wildlife and natural beauty of Mozambique.
This tour combines South Africa's well-known Kruger National Park and Hluhluwe Game Reserve with the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park and Maputo's Elephant Reserve in Mozambique.
Visit scenic and cultural attractions, spend time on deserted beaches and explore the breathtaking Bazaruto Archipelago - all part of an exciting overland adventure.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Drive Through the Panorama Route
Meals: D
Departing Johannesburg, the 'City of Gold', at 06h30, you head for the spectacular scenery of the Mpumalanga province.
Today you visit numerous sights including the pioneer gold mining village of Pilgrim's Rest and the 3 Rondavels that tower over the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve.
Late in the afternoon you descend from the escarpment to the Kruger area where you overnight in a comfortable wilderness camp within the Balule Game reserve adjoining the Kruger National Park.
After dinner you head out into the reserve on an open vehicle night game drive.
Day 2: Camp in the Kruger Bush
Meals: FB
Rising with the African sun, you set out on a lengthy game walk. Your tracker will attempt to show you animals in their natural habitat and to give you some insight into the art of tracking.
You return to camp for a healthy brunch and a swim before packing up and moving on to the world-renowned Kruger National Park - widely acclaimed as being Africa's most successful nature reserve.
You spend your time here on game drives in search of the many animal and bird species that inhabit the area, and camp for 2 nights in the park's rest camps.
Day 3: Search for the Big 5 in Kruger
Meals: FB
This entire day is set aside for viewing animals in the Kruger National Park from your well-equipped vehicle.
You search for Africa's 'Big 5' - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. You camp for the night, surrounded by the sounds of the wilderness.
Days 4-5: Explore the Transfrontier Park
Meals: FB
This morning, after a visit to Crook's corner (the point marking the border between South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, and renowned as a hideout for poachers in the colonial days), you cross the border into Mozambique. At this point the road becomes a wilderness track.
The area that you traverse over the next few days is what forms the Mozambique side of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, and has remained virtually unexplored by people.
The wilderness is exceptional, and offers areas of exquisite natural beauty and wildlife. The diversity of the flora ensures some of the finest birding in Africa.
You spend 2 nights camping wild, exploring both on foot and by vehicle, (remember road conditions are tough) and enjoying the serenity of the wilderness.
Days 6-7: Head into the Banhine Wilderness
Meals: FB
From the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, you make your way across the Limpopo River and into the heart of the Banhine / Zinave wilderness region where you will spend 2 nights camping in the wilderness.
The vehicle will attempt to traverse some of the Zinave Park, once renowned for its abundant wildlife. Few people have visited these areas in the last 2 decades.
Days 8-9: Snorkle the Waters of Vilanculos
Meals: HB
Leaving the wilderness behind, you pass through the many vibrant and bustling villages en route to the coast. Your next stop is Vilanculos, set on the shores of the warm azure Indian Ocean, overlooking the idyllic Bazaruto Archipelago.
You spend 2 nights here in casitas, situated literally on the beach. You have the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Dhow trip to the islands, and snorkel along a reef in this marine reserve (this trip is dependant on weather conditions).
On one of the nights you can sample some of Mozambique's delicious seafood in a local restaurant (own expense).
Days 10-12: Wander Around Inhambane
Meals: FB
Moving south along the coast, your next stop is the ancient trading port of Inhambane. Here you can enjoy a trip across the bay on a traditional Dhow while the guide drives around to meet you in town. You spend some time exploring and visiting the bustling local market before continuing to your beach camp under the coconut palms.
You enjoy 3 nights in relative comfort, and, during your time here, you can relax, snorkel, and soak up the sun whilst exploring the deserted beaches that Mozambique is so well known for.
On the last night you enjoy a catered meal (own expense). There are also the options of scuba diving or horse riding on the beach (own expense).
Day 13: Take to the Maputo Markets
Meals: HB
Well-relaxed and sun-drenched, you continue down the coast to the capital Maputo where you spend some time driving around and exploring this once grandiose city.
Maputo boasts a latino culture of street cafés, music and bustling markets. You cross the bay on the Catembe Ferry for your overnight stay in a comfortable hotel. Tonight you eat in a local restaurant, sampling some of the local seafood (own expense). For the brave, peri-peri is a must.
Day 14: Venture into the Elephant Reserve
Meals: FB
It is with new excitement that you venture back into the wilderness. Driving on sandy tracks, you wind your way south to the elephant reserve where you will spend the entire afternoon exploring the coastal flood plains and surrounding forests in search of these larger than average African elephants.
Somehow, during the war years these elephants survived by moving down the Futi channel into South Africa.
It is one of nature's miracles that they have now returned in large numbers. You camp the night in the wilderness.
Days 15-16: Camp in Rural Zululand
Meals: FB
Returning to South Africa today via the Ponta do Ouro border post, you enter the area once ruled by the famed Shaka Zulu.
You spend 2 nights in a rustic camp in the sand forest on your private reserve, adjoining Lake St Lucia near Hluhluwe. During your stay you go on game walks through the forest, experience an open vehicle game drive in the game reserve and visit a rural Zulu school which is sponsored by the local tourism industry.
Day 17: Journey onto Johannesburg
Meals: BB
Your journey today takes you through the heart of Kwazulu-Natal.
You pass many rural Zulu villages and some spectacular scenery en route back to Johannesburg. You arrive in Johannesburg in the late afternoon.
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