Best of Zimbabwe and Mozambique  

  Duration20 Days

​Please note: This itinerary is flexible and can be changed without notice. A detailed, up-to-date dossier itinerary is available to download.​

Day 1 – Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park  

This morning we leave the rumble and adventure of Victoria Falls behind us as we make the journey south to Hwange National Park.  Hwange is the largest of Zimbabwe’s national parks and offers excellent opportunities for viewing the diversity of wildlife that calls the park home.  

Day 2 – Hwange National Park 

Home to the big-5, Hwange National Park also offers a wide variety of plains game and birdlife.  We will spend the day game driving (in open 4×4 vehicles) through Hwange in search of the animals.  

Day 3 – Matopos National Park 

After breakfast we continue south towards Bulawayo, the second largest city in Zimbabwe. Our afternoon will be spent exploring the Matopos National Park with a local guide. The park received recognition as a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site in 2003 and includes an intensive protection zone that is home to both Black and White Rhinoceros. Named after the Ndebele word “Matobo “, whose meaning “bald heads” refers to the rounded granite hills that surround it. We return to Bulawayo and our overnight stop for the night. 

Day 4 – Great Zimbabwe Ruins 

Our journey today takes us to Masvingo and the Great Zimbabwe Ruins. This afternoon we will enjoy a guided walking tour of this historic site. Dating back to the Late Iron Age, this UNESCO World Heritage Site was once the capital of the Kingdom of Zimbabwe. We take time this afternoon to marvel at the intricate stone work and experience the heritage of this monument to early Zimbabwean civilisation.  

Day 5 – Mapesu Private Game Reserve 

Leaving the sites of Zimbabwe behind we cross the Limpopo River and enter South Africa this afternoon.  

Day 6 – Johannesburg 

This morning we take the highway south to Johannesburg, we arrive in Johannesburg in the late afternoon.  

Day 7 – Johannesburg – Eswatini 

We depart Johannesburg and travel through scenic Mpumalanga until we reach Eswatini. Crossing into the country we enter Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary where we spend the next 2 nights. 

Day 8 – Eswatini 

An interwoven network of 9 trails traverse Mlilwane and this morning you will have the opportunity to explore these trails with your guide.  After enjoying lunch the afternoon will be spent at leisure.  Mlilwane offers an array of activities and adventures in the Ezulwini Valley. 

Day 9 – Eswatini 
We depart Mlilwane and head to another great reserve, Hlane Game Reserve.  Our stay in Eswatini presents us with an opportunity to enjoy a  game drive through the reserve.  

Day 10 – Xai Xai, Mozambique 

With the beaches of the Indian Ocean beckoning we enter Mozambique and make our first stop near the town of Xai Xai, arriving in the late afternoon we have time for a walk on the beach or a sundowner say ‘Hello!’ to the Indian Ocean and the pristine beaches of Mozambique. 

Day 11 – Vilanculos 
This morning we travel north to our next stop, the costal town of Vilanculos, which is renowned for its idyllic white sandy beaches and azure waters. It’s the gateway to the greater Bazaruto Archipelago, offering fantastic snorkeling, diving, and fishing opportunities. With vibrant local culture, diverse marine life, and picturesque dhow safaris, Vilanculos epitomizes tropical serenity and adventure. 

Day 12 – Vilanculos – Magaruque Island Tour 

We board a traditional dhow this morning and set sail to the island of Magaruque. We spend the day exploring the island, snorkelling and enjoying the beaches of this island paradise. Be sure to keep your sunblock handy as today is filled with sun, sea, sand and exploration. We return in the afternoon and enjoy a well-earned night of rest. 

Day 13 – Inhambane – Barra Beach 

Our journey takes us to the palm lined beaches of the Inhambane District for two days of relaxation and ocean fun. We travel back south along the coast, passing the many villages and plantations of coconuts, cashews and sugar cane. Inhambane is a historic city, steeped in Portuguese colonial charm. Known for its rustling palm trees and tranquil beaches, the city offers a delightful blend of African and colonial architecture. It’s a gateway to diving hotspots like Tofo Beach, renowned for its whale shark and manta ray sightings. 

Day 14 – Inhambane 

With two days of beach time we have an opportunity to relax and enjoy the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, the more adventurous can sign up for a variety of optional activities. While the beaches at Barra are safe for swimming, the reefs on this stretch of coast offer excellent opportunities for diving or snorkelling. 

Day 15 – Inhambane 

Today we make the short drive to Tofo to spend the day enjoying yet another of Mozambique’s iconic beach destination. With safe swimming, a charming market and a number of popular beach bars, Tofo is perfect for a day’s outing. A second day not only ensures that you have the opportunity to make the most of the activities on offer; it also allows us some flexibility to adapt to the weather. 

Day 16 – Maputo 
With the beaches of the Indian Ocean behind us, we enter Maputo, the capital city offers a vibrant and eclectic mix of cultures. Maputo offers interesting and varied architecture and no visit to the city would be complete without a browse through a market.  

Day 17 – Mozambique to Kruger National Park, South Africa 

Shaking the sand from our shoes, we pack up and depart Mozambique for the sounds of the bush of Kruger National Park.   This evening we will enjoy a sunset game drive through the Nkambeni reserve.  

Day 18 – Kruger National Park 

Rising early this morning we enter the Kruger National Park to enjoy a full-day of game viewing. The abundance of wildlife presents us with opportunities for excellent sightings, while the Kruger is also home to the famed members of Africa’s Big-5. The game drive offers the excitement of experiencing the park from an open-sided 4×4 vehicle. Returning to camp this afternoon, and after a short break, there will be an opportunity to join an optional sundowner drive. Booking is essential and your guide can assist on departure this morning. 

Day 19 – Panorama Route 

We set out a little later today and travel the short distance to the Panorama Route. Strung along the escarpment that divides the central plateau and low-lying bushveld of the Kruger, the sights of the Panorama Route offer us a day of scenic delights. We will visit the highlights of Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondavels and God’s Window before returning to camp in the late afternoon. This evening there is an opportunity for the optional Sundowner Drive. 

Day 20 – Johannesburg 
We enjoy our last drive through the park before setting off for Johannesburg. We arrive in Johannesburg in the late afternoon, where your tour ends upon arrival.