Southern Zimbabwe Overlanding Safari
Embark on an epic 12-day overlanding Zimbabwe safari in the breathtaking Gonarezhou National Park via the iconic Kruger National Park. Hosted by our expert guides, we explore the parks diverse landscapes, the iconic Chilojo cliffs, huge baobab trees, hidden oases, and vibrant rivers that give life to an abundance of big game. Experience remoteness as we camp at exclusive wilderness campsites along the Runde River, surrounded only by the sounds of the African bush and the gentle hum of hippos. Soak in the breathtaking beauty of Africa as you uncover this secluded park’s hidden gems. With customisable options to meet your individual needs, we guarantee an unforgettable and authentic African adventure.
ITINERARY
Day 1: Central Kruger Is Lion Country
Welcome to South Africa’s Lowveld, where adventure awaits! From Hoedspruit airport, we’ll take you on a game drive to the heart of Kruger National Park’s central region, known for its large predator population. We spend the afternoon unwinding at Satara rest camp and at dinner enjoy a welcoming feast with your fellow travelers. Get ready to experience the beauty of the Lowveld region!
Activities
Curio Shopping in Hoedspruit | Afternoon Game Drive | Special Arrival Dinner | Night Drive (Optional)
Day 2 - 3: The Famous Limpopo Valley
We start the day early and set off on northwards into the Mopane veld. It’s a long leisurely game drive to Punda Maria, stopping at scenic picnic spots along the way to refresh.
Upon arrival at Punda Maria Rest Camp, you’ll be charmed by its old-world atmosphere. This serene corner of Kruger sees fewer tourists, making it a true gem. The area is renowned for its incredible biodiversity, with breathtaking trees, rare antelope species, and an abundance of birdlife.
We spend two rejuvenating days in Kruger’s far north, we enjoy game drives, picnic sites, and spectacular lookouts over the Limpopo and Luvhuvu rivers. This is the perfect opportunity to relax and prepare for the next chapter of our journey in Gonarezhou.
Activities:
Visit Letaba Elephant Hall | Morning game drives | Afternoon game drives | Brunch at Pafuri picnic site | Fever Tree Forrest | Limpopo River lookout at Crooks Corner | Night Drives
Day 4: Gateway Into Gonarezhou
We bid farewell to Kruger and embark on a new adventure via the Pafuri border post into Mozambique as we cross the Limpopo River. Hold your breath as we shift to low range and carefully navigate the river, knowing that civilization is left behind, we enjoy a quick brunch on the northern bank of the river. The road ahead is long and dusty and we carefully navigate through rural villages exchanging hand signal greetings as we pass friendly locals, we eventually reach the Sango border post and enter Zimbabwe, where we are immediately surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Gonarezhou National Park.
We drive through the park’s southern section and eventually arrive at our overnight campsite, Chipinda Pools (warm showers and running water!), where you can relax and unwind. Enjoy sundowners on the banks of the Runde River and settle in for a night of storytelling around the campfire. The soothing hum of hippos in the background and, with a bit of luck, the distant roar of a lion adds to the magical atmosphere.
Activities:
Sundowners on the Runde River
Gonarezhou National Park
Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe
Gonarezhou is in the remote south east corner of Zimbabwe on the border with Mozambique, with which it shares a 100km boundary. The park forms an integral part of the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Park (GLTP), established in 2022. GLTP joins some of the iconic national parks of Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa.
The park is known as the place of many elephants and is home to over 11 500 of these gentile giants, one of the highest densities of pachyderms in any protected area in Africa. History talks of elephants taller than the trees and whilst this may be a stretch – several uniquely impressive bulls still roam the wilderness of Gonarezhou, descendants of famed bulls such as “Dhulamiti” (the one who is taller than trees).
Apart from being “the place of elephants”, Gonarezhou is home to a rich diversity of species including lion, buffalo, leopard and over 450 species of birds, 89 large mammal species, 61 small mammal species, over 50 fish species, 116 identified reptile species and 34 amphibian species. Gonarezhou is a spectacular park with amazing vistas from the Chilojo Cliffs and many hidden away pans that attract a huge variety of animal and birdlife. Relatively speaking because of its tucked away remote location the park has a low amount of tourists and it is not uncommon to not encounter other visitors for days on end. Gonarezhou is a must see destination for any adventurous safari goer, the park offers incredible game viewing and amazing scenery in a very remote location.
Day 5- 6: Tiger Fishing In The Runde River
We take it slow the next morning as we leisurely head to our next campsite, just 30 km away along the banks of the Runde River. When we reach Runde Gorge Campsite, a feeling of desolation is tangible. This campsite offers a truly authentic wilderness experience, with no amenities and animals roaming freely.
Spend the first-afternoon fishing for Tigerfish and settle in for a hearty meal and tales of the day’s catch in the evening. The next day, we head out on a morning game drive. We stop for brunch under a magnificent baobab tree and spend the mid-day hours relaxing under the watchful eye of our guides. In the afternoon we’ll try our hand at more fishing or depart for a sundowner game drive.
Activities
Morning game drives | Afternoon game drives | Bushveld Brunch | Tiger fishing in the Runde River
Day 7 -9: Vistas & Baobabs
After two nights spent exploring Runde Gorge, it’s time to continue following the river eastwards. Our next destination is the famous Chilojo Cliffs and the Bopomela Wilderness Campsite. During this three-day chapter, you’ll have the chance to witness the amazing vistas Gonarezhou offers and the large breeding herds of elephants in the area. We’ll visit oases like pans that attract animals and rare birds from all over, enjoy a scenic brunch atop the Chilojo Cliffs, and take a dip in the shallows of the Runde River (we’ll keep an eye out for the massive crocodiles that reside in the river). As the days tick on by and we near the end of our adventure we start to reflect on friendships made and adventures shared.
Activities:
Cool-down in the Runde River | Morning game drives | Afternoon game drives | Brunch at Chilojo Cliffs lookout | Sundowners at by the river
Day 10 - 12: The Return Journey
After three days in Kruger National Park and six adventure-filled days along the Runde River in Gonarezhou, it’s time to depart on our journey back to civilization. Our final night in Gonarezhou will again be spent at Chipinda Pools communal campsite, where we can indulge in the comforts it offers, and with a farewell dinner, we celebrate the majesty of Africa. The next day, we’ll leave the park, traverse southern Zimbabwe, and exit through the Beitbridge Border Post into South Africa. A night’s rest at a lavish lodge in the Musina area will break up the long journey. On the final day, we’ll travel back to Johannesburg.
The final leg of the journey can be shortened by 2 nights with a charter flight from Chiredzi Airport in Zimbabwe to O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg South Africa. This shortens your safari by 2 days, speak to us to arrange this option)
Activities:
Final farewell dinner | Morning game drives