14 days Mozambique & Zimbabwe Camping Explorer (North)

Overview

Mozambique & Zimbabwe Camping Explorer

Head out on an adventure of a lifetime! Mozambique & Zimbabwe Camping Explorer,’Big 5′ Game viewing experiences in Zimbabwe’s and South Africa’s premier National Parks ‘Hwange’ and ‘Kruger’. Relax on the sun kissed beaches of Mozambique. Wander around the ancient Great Zimbabwe Ruins and enjoy a game drive and walk with the Rhino’s at Matobo National Park before arriving to Victoria Falls, one of the nature 7 wonders of the world.Group Size: Maximum 12. Age Group: 18-39’ish. This tour can also be done in reverse Mozambique & Zimbabwe Explorer (South)

Mozambique & Zimbabwe Explorer Included Highlights:

Kruger NP, Open Vehicle Game Drive with Resident Guide
Great Zimbabwe Ruins
Matobo NP, Open Vehicle Drive and Wilderness Walk with
Resident Guide*
Hwange NP, Open Vehicle Game Drive with Resident
Guide*
Victoria Falls Visit
Bilene and Tofo Beach, Inhambane
Dhow Safari, Vilanculos – Magaruque Island snorkelling
*Highlights are included in the Adventure Pass

INCLUDED:

1. All tour highlights
2. 2-person dome tents
3. Fully equipped safari vehicles
4. Camping and cooking equipment, Mattresses
5. Service of two crew
6. All road and vehicle taxes
7. All ground transportation
8. Meals as indicated

EXCLUDED:

1. Adventure Pass activities
2. Visas
3. Travel insurance
4. Flight departure taxes
5. Airport transfers
6. Optional activities
7. Tips
8. Drinks
9. Sleeping bag and items of personal nature
10. NB: Lunch on Day 1 and lunch and dinner in Victoria Falls on Day 13 are not included in the tour price.

Click here to see our Overland Tips

***Price is quote per person sharing. Price excludes single supplement, any additional meals or activities not set out in the itinerary.

***Prices are subject to change.

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Pretoria – Hazyview
Distance travelled: +/- 410 Km
Approx. driving time: 7 Hours

From Pretoria, South Africa’s Administration city – we travel via the panoramic region of Mpumalanga with its beautiful scenery and dramatic escarpment views, to South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park and spend the night outside the reserve. Fences between the National Park and surrounding private reserves were removed several years ago to form the Greater Kruger, an area of some 24000 sq. km. Wildlife is free to roam the whole enormous area and it has become incredibly diverse in both fauna and flora. From the dwarf mongoose to the ‘Big Five’, almost every major African mammal (148 species) is present. There is also prolific birdlife (over 505 species) and over 330 varieties of trees.

This evening we immerse ourselves in the local culture and enjoy Shangaan tribal dancing and singing around an open fire to learn more about these fascinating people.

Hazyview – Kruger National Park
Approx. driving time: Full day with game drives

Waking early, we board our 4×4 game viewing vehicles with a resident guide for an intense but rewarding day in Kruger National Park. The impressive atmosphere of the park enables you to see why it is held in such high esteem amongst visitors from all over the world. We game drive in the morning and afternoon in search for the abundance of wildlife including the ‘Big 5’ – Rhino, elephant, buffalo, leopard and lion together with a high density of other mammals and diverse bird species such as eagles, hornbills,vultures and bee eaters. We break during the middle of the day to enjoy the peace of the rest camp and wait out the hottest part of the day (when wildlife is usually less active).
We then continue our game drive through the park exiting in the late afternoon and continue to our accommodation for the night.

Kruger National Park – Praia do Bilene
Distance travelled: +/- 410 Km
Approx. driving time: 10 Hours

Today, we leave the Greater Kruger area and cross picturesque landscapes to the Mozambique border.

Once formalities are complete we make our way to Bilene for our first night along the tropical coast. You’ll immediately notice the pace of the tour change in Mozambique. Travelling is generally slower and road conditions more demanding making for an excellent opportunity to take in the surrounding scenery and village life. Campsites are not as well appointed but compensate with amazing location and views. Towns and shops have fewer goods or less variety so it’s essential to pack must have items before arrival to Mozambique. While this can sometimes be frustrating most travellers find they’ve settled into the surroundings and realise this is one of the more appealing and attractive aspects of their overland tour. Over-landing is an adventurous type of travel and these are ‘unconventional’ holidays. We are sure you will enjoy Mozambique but do try to warn you not to expect things to be the same as elsewhere in Southern Africa.

Bilene, also known as Praia do Bilene and was once called San Marthino is located 180km north of Mozambique and famous for the Uembje Lagoon (or San Marthino lake) where you can try out one of the best loved activities in Bilene – snorkelling! Our camp for the evening is located on top of the dunes overlooking the stunning lagoon itself. It’s here we spend the night lulled by the sound of the ocean and enjoy the fresh breeze as we unwind from our day.

Praia do Bilene – Inhambane
Distance travelled: +/- 360 Km
Approx. driving time: 6 – 7 Hours

Today we travel along this scenic coast via Inhambane to Tofo where we will spend the next 2 nights. Tofo is a small beach town with lovely open beaches, where the pace of life slows allowing you to relax and soak up the atmosphere. There are many activities on offer such as horse riding, snorkelling and scuba diving. Whale Sharks and Manta Rays inhabit the coastline all year round but are in larger numbers in the summer months (November to March). Humpback whales usually arrive around mid-Juneand are present until mid-October. The natural vegetation of the coastal plain is dune forest, but this has largely been replaced by coconut palms, planted by the Portuguese and local Bitonga people to supply the thriving copra trade.
There are some exciting bars and restaurants in the area – sample the local seafood, the area is famous for it – and the local beer (called ‘2M’) or else simply relax and enjoy a good read.

Today is a free day to enjoy the local tropical beaches and the many activities on offer. Nearby Inhambane has a rich history and offers a great opportunity to go out and explore the old city. Climb the ladder at the Cathedral of our lady of Conception Inhambane for fantastic 360-degree views of the surrounds. The local markets are also a highlight with fresh fish, seafood and farm produce on sale. You’ll soon see the mix of Arabic and African cultures that create a vibrant, eclectic style of its own.

If the delights of the ocean are your forte, then head out and explore the reefs and colourful marine life found in this warm watery haven.

Inhambane – Vilanculos
Distance travelled: +/- 320 Km
Approx. driving time: 6 Hours + Boat trip to camp

Leaving Inhambane we take the coastal route arriving at Vilankulo (or Vilanculos), the Gateway to the Bazaruto Archipelago. Named after a local tribal chief Gamala Vilankulo Mukoke, the town itself is only 5km long yet is a hive of activity, has a lively atmosphere and friendly people. On arrival, we gather our luggage and snorkels for the following day’s island trip and board our traditional dhow boat to our ‘rustic ‘bush camp. The beach camp is located on a remote stretch of the coast approximately 90 minutes sail from Vilanculos town itself. We arrive in the late afternoon and settle in to our beach camp for the next 2 nights.

After breakfast we take our dhow boat to Magaruque Island, the third Island in the archipelago and the closest to Vilanculos. Here you can enjoy the island at leisure, snorkelling, swimming, walking or simply enjoy lazing on the pristine beach. A delicious seafood lunch is included in our Dhow Safari. With its powdery-white beaches, turquoise waters, and superb all-year round climate, Magaruque is perfect to relax, unwind and explore the local marine life. We return to our beach camp in the late afternoon to overnight.

Vilanculos area – Bandula Area
Distance travelled: +/- 510 Km
Approx. driving time: 10 Hours

We bid our seaside camp farewell and head back to our truck and then inland of Mozambique where we stop for the night in the Bandula area near the Chicamba Dam. Our campsite is located within a 550-hectare conservancy. The dam is a favourite for bass fishing where a catch and release program ensures the fish are conserved and can continue to grow in number. There is also a local environmental centre that aims to educate the local school children in the importance of conserving the local fauna and flora.

We set up camp close to the dam and enjoy our last night in Mozambique before we cross the border into neighbouring Zimbabwe

Bandula Area – Masvingo, Zimbabwe
Distance travelled: +/- 380 Km
Approx. driving time: 7 Hours

We depart early in the morning and cross the border into Zimbabwe and if time allows stop at the spectacular Birchenough Bridge (named after Sir Henry Birchenough). The bridge spans the Save River on its 400 km journey through Zimbabwe and Mozambique and is one of many scenic features of eastern Zimbabwe. We then make our way to Masvingo. Nearby is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southern Africa: the Great Zimbabwe National Monument. Dating back to 1200 AD this was once the home to an indigenous population of some 10,000 people. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the area holds special significance to the country which took its name.
Legend says this was the city where the Queen of Sheba resided, and archaeological finds uncovered gold, coins and porcelain from as far afield as Persia and China, highlighting the importance of the city as a trading post.

We camp nearby for easy access and ample time to explore the ruins at leisure with a resident guide who will explain the significance, history and culture of the area. If you have the energy there is the opportunity to trek to the top of the Hill Enclosure to enjoy a wondrous African sunset with
spectacular views of the surrounds

Masvingo – Bulawayo
Distance travelled: +/- 430 Km
Approx. driving time: 8 Hours

Departing Masvingo, we drive to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city where we stop for supplies before heading to our campsite. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore the surrounds at leisure.

Matobo National Park is located a short distance outside Bulawayo and knowledgeable guides will take us to this very impressive park. This reserve has the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and, provided conditions are right, our guides will lead us on foot to some of the more concealed places in search of these magnificent animals. The park also has the densest population of leopard and black eagle in the world and we keep our eyes peeled high and low for these creatures. This half day tour will end after the walk and a vehicle will transfer you back to the camp for an afternoon at leisure.

Bulawayo – Hwange National Park
Distance travelled: +/- 330 Km
Approx. driving time: 7 Hours

Today we leave the picturesque Matopos area and head for the world-famous Hwange National Park. This is Zimbabwe’s largest and best-known park and was (in the early 19th century) the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi. In 1929 it was set aside as a National Park for the benefit of all Zimbabwe’s peoples. The park covers an area of over 14,600 sq km and is particularly known for its elephant but contains over 100 mammal species including Africa’s “Big 5″ (leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo), as well as giraffe, cheetah, gemsbok and the brown hyena and abundant bird species. Hwange is also known for its population of the Wild (Painted) Dog. Late in the day we take a locally guided open vehicle game drive and hope to glimpse some of the wildlife in the park before returning to camp for overnight.

Hwange National Park – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Distance travelled: +/- 230 Km
Approx. driving time: 3 Hours

Leaving the wilderness of the Hwange National park, we make our way to Victoria Falls, where we have the
opportunity to enjoy the spectacular ‘Falls’ themselves and the mighty Zambezi River. The Zambezi boasts one of the world’s highest rated rivers for best white river rafting with its many challenging as well as novice rapids. After our visit to the falls there are many optional activities to do and you will have the opportunity to enjoy these at leisure. Explore the colonial town on foot and visit the local trading markets. Some choose to cross the border for a day to visit into the neighbouring Zambia town, Livingstone; or take a leap of faith bungee jumping to the foot of the falls. From game walks, helicopter flips or jet boating to name a few, Victoria Falls will capture and fulfil your imagination, validating the myths of the African spirit.

After breakfast this morning our journey comes to an end, however we do recommend spending some extra time in the area after your tour – to fully enjoy the sights and many activities on offer.