17 Days Overland Camping Safari - Mozambique, Kruger Park, Zimbabwe, Adventure, Travel

Mozambique-Kruger-Zimbabwe
17 Days
Overland Camping Safari
A crossroads of civilisations, cultures and landscapes, influenced from the early days by Arab traders, Portuguese colonials, and then torn apart by over 20 years of civil war. With new found peace, and a fast growing economy recently reopened to tourism, Mozambique offers the

explorer a wealth of treasures in the form of natural beauty, unspoilt coconut palm-lined beaches, remote villages, unique architecture, seafood and sunshine. Combined with the renowned game parks of Kruger, and Save, this safari offers unlimited action and adventure, excellent game viewing and a taste of developing Africa. Due to the conditions experienced on this tour, clients must expect delays, detours etc., and come with an open and flexible mind set.

DAY 1: JOHANNESBURG - HAZYVIEW
Departing from Johannesburg, we travel to the spectacular Mpumalanga region where we cross the winding Long Tom Pass to the pioneer gold-mining town of Pilgrims Rest, the Blyde River Canyon and God's Window. After a full day of sightseeing, we descend to the DRIFTERS FOREST INN, a log cabin built on stilts overlooking the Sabie River. D
DAY 2 & 3: KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
After an early morning forest walk, we travel the short distance to the world-renowned Kruger Park, where we spend two days in search of the "Big Five' and other wildlife that inhabit this, Africa's finest example of a National Park. Most animals tend to be more active during the early and late parts of the day, and it is these periods that we will concentrate on, allowing relaxation time during the heat of the day. Both nights will be spent at rest-camps within the park. B L D
DAY 4: MAPUTO
Leaving the park, we travel to Komatipoort where we enter Mozambique. Our first stop is the capital city of Maputo, one of the largest harbors in Africa. Here we spend time exploring the markets and waterfront of this once grandiose city. In the late afternoon we leave the capital, and venture a short distance north to our overnight stop. B L D

DAY 5: BILENE
Our drive today takes us across the coastal plains and through forests of cashew nuts to the retreat of Bilene, our first beach camp. This afternoon we partake in a boat cruise on the coastal lagoon which offers excellent snorkeling and birding opportunities. B L D
DAY 6: MAXIXE
Leaving Bilene, we continue through numerous rural villages, up the coast and across the Limpopo Rriver bridge into Gaza province. The azure waters of the Quissico and Polela lake systems offer spectacular views. Our camp tonight is in the busy town of Maxixi. A good opportunity to experience the local way of life, we will take a walk through the town from our campsite. B L D

DAY 7 - 8: MORUNGULO
This morning we take a dhow taxi from the beach in front of our camp, across the bay to the former trading port of Inhambane. This port was established by the Portuguese in 1534 and offers a wealth of exploring with its ancient buildings, markets and oriental atmosphere. The vehicle is driven around to collect us, and this afternoon we continue to the remote beach resort of Morrungulo where we spend the next two nights camping literally on the beach. This is an ideal location, a bay of deserted beaches lapped by the warm Indian Ocean, and surrounded by groves of coconut palms. The entire area offers excellent snorkeling so be sure to bring a mask and fins.
Scuba diving and resort courses are available at reasonable cost. All equipment can be hired - own expense. B L D

DAY 9 - 11: VILANCULOS
Our last stop on this magnificent coast is Vilanculos, a sleepy fishing village from where you can clearly see the islands of the Bazaruto archipelago. We spend three nights here in relative comfort, allowing us time to enjoy the many experiences and activities that the area has to offer. Included is a guided tour of the area, including a traditional homestead, and a boat trip out to the islands and to a reef where the snorkeling is not to be missed. We also have time to simply soak up the sun on a deserted tropical beach. One night we will enjoy a seafood feast at a local restaurant. ( own expense ). B L D
DAY 12: CASA MSIKA
Leaving the coast and crossing the Save River, we travel through the sparsely populated central region, and then begin our climb up to the forests of the escarpment. Our camp tonight will be near the Zimbabwe border at Casa Msika. B L D

DAY 13 - 14: SAVE
After crossing the border, we travel through the city of Mutare, and then descend into the Save river valley, which offers some of the finest game viewing in Zimbabwe. We will spend two nights here in our rustic bush camp, completely surrounded by wilderness, and will partake in open vehicle game drives both day and night as well as numerous bush walks that will allow us to better understand, and to investigate the smaller aspects of the bush. B L D
DAY 15: ZIMBABWE RUINS
A short drive today to the Zimbabwe ruins.
This enormous complex of ruins is still relatively unexplained , and allows the mind to wander into the happenings in Africa during the fifteenth century. We will spend the entire afternoon exploring, and will then celebrate the night with a restaurant meal at the local hotel. ( own expense ) B L

DAY 16: MACHETE
A leisurely start today , after admiring the views from our camp, we continue south to the border at Beit Bridge. After completing formalities we re-enter South Africa and then follow the Limpopo river to our camp at Machete. Our last night in the bush is in typical Kalahari sandvelt, and offers some of the best bushman paintings yet discovered. We will spend time admiring these paintings, and the surrounding bush. Camp the night. B L D
DAY 17: JOHANNESBURG
All that remains today is the journey back to Johannesburg. We cross the Tropic of Capricorn to arrive back in the city in the afternoon. Clients may book additional nights at the DRIFTERS JOHANNESBURG INN, and those flying out this evening should allow at least three hours for transfer and check in. B