See Africa at its best on this small group safari tour. Experience the spiritual Matobo National Park, the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, huge elephant herds at Chobe National Park and Mokoro safaris though the Okavango Delta. Marvel at sunsets over the Kalahari Desert and encounter rhinos at Khama Rhino before heading back to the city of Pretoria.
Details
Overview
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Book by 28th February 2025
Itinerary Highlights
- Sunset cruise along Victoria Falls
- Open Vehicle Game Drives in Matobo National Park
- Cultural village walk in Gweta
- Visit to Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Itinerary in Brief
- Day 1: Pretoria, South Africa - Polokwane
- Day 2: Polokwane - Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Day 3: Bulawayo - Matobo National Park
- Day 4: Bulawayo - Victoria Falls
- Day 5: Victoria Falls
- Day 6: Victoria Falls - Kasane, Botswana - Chobe National Park
- Day 7: Kasane - Nata
- Day 8: Nata - Maun
- Day 9: Maun - Okavanga Delta
- Day 10: Okavango Delta - Maun
- Day 11: Maun - Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Stevensford Game Reserve
- Day 12: Stevensford Game Reserve - Pretoria, South Africa
Travelling with Eclipse
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- Eclipse Travel is Australian owned and run, and an ATAS accredited travel agent.
- 24/7 emergency numbers and local contacts provided for support while you’re abroad.
- We provide all the information you need to organise your visas and vaccinations, making travel preparation stress-free.
- No currency surcharges. Once your deposit is paid, your price is guaranteed.
Specialists
- Our consultants are true destination experts, with firsthand experience and extensive travel in the regions we offer.
- Expect quick, professional responses and dedicated service from our knowledgeable team.
- We conduct regular checks on destinations, hotels, and services to ensure quality for every trip.
Authentic Travel
- Tailor-made itineraries designed around your unique requirements.
- Freedom to select your preferred style and standard of accommodation.
- Unique itineraries that take you beyond the major highlights, immersing you in each location.
- Committed to responsible travel: we reinvest in the environment and local communities across our destinations.
Day 1: Pretoria, South Africa - Polokwane
Distance travelled: +/- 300 km
Approx. driving time: 5 - 6 Hours (excluding stops)
We depart by shuttle via the bustling city and on to the beautiful scenic bushveld of the Limpopo Province. Previously known as the Northern Province, this is a land of myths and legends and is also highly rated as a southern Africa Eco-tourism destination.
Arriving in Polokwane, we head to our lodge to meet up with our guide and the rest of the group before we head off to learn more about the local Bakone culture. This interesting open-air museum allows us to learn about traditional methods of the Bakone tribe who were settled in this area from historic times to the present day. Learn how they made fire, harvested, and prepared the staple mielie meal, and about the interesting decorations that adorn their dwellings.
We later make our way to our accommodation nearby.
NB: We join passengers coming from Kruger National Park on arrival to Polokwane.
Dinner included.
Day 2: Polokwane - Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Distance travelled: +/- 550 km
Approx. driving time: 9 - 10 Hours (excluding stops / border crossing)
This morning, we make our way north crossing out of South Africa and into Zimbabwe. Immigration formalities at the busy Beitbridge border may be lengthy, as this is South Africa’s busiest land border, but once completed we continue to Bulawayo, a pleasant city with broad tree lined avenues and wide-open spaces. The area around the city offers much in the way of historical, geological, and natural interest. Several national parks are nearby including the well-known Matobo (sometimes written Matopos) which we shall visit. Our accommodation for the evening is in a quiet garden setting on the outskirts of town.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 3: Bulawayo - Matobo National Park
Approx. driving time: Half day including game drive and wilderness walk
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.
Optional Full Day: The wind sculptured Matobo Hills are home to numerous Bushman paintings of which we get to visit on this optional full day tour. The hills are also home to the grave site of Cecil John Rhodes who chose this as his burial place owing to the intense natural beauty and startling views from the hills. His grave can be visited at World’s View - a place of continual debate owing to his involvement in claiming the land and its people for Queen & Country in colonial times.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 4: Bulawayo - Victoria Falls
Distance travelled: +/- 450 km
Approx. driving time: 8 - 9 Hours (excluding stops)
Departing Bulawayo, we continue north to Victoria Falls. We usually arrive at Victoria Falls by early afternoon. This is a relatively small town built along the southern banks of the Zambezi River and is Zimbabwe’s primary tourist centre. The Victoria Falls themselves are only a short walk and the town has a variety of markets, shops, cafes within easy distance. Your tour leader will arrange a briefing to explain the numerous optional excursions typically available here. We end our day joining a peaceful sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi River. Soak up the African ambience with drink in hand as you cruise slowly up and down and look out for elephant, buffalo, buck, hippo, and birdlife along the shallow muddy banks of one of Africa’s great rivers. We return to our accommodation for overnight or to try some of the local nightlife.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 5: Victoria Falls
Rising early, we visit the Victoria Falls National Park itself to witness one of Africa’s most enduring sights. Please take care when wandering along the pathways inside the reserve - the Falls are almost 100 metres deep and the drops are sheer! The rest of the day is at leisure giving you the opportunity to explore and Victoria Falls.
The Zambezi boasts one of the world’s highest rated rivers for white river rafting with its many challenging rapids. Alternative options include canoeing, scenic flights, bungee or (more relaxed) afternoon tea at the colonial styled Victoria Falls Hotel.
NB: Some group members may be ending their tour in Victoria Falls today.
Breakfast included.
Day 6: Victoria Falls - Kasane, Botswana - Chobe National Park
Distance travelled: +/- 80 km
Approx. driving time: 1 - 2 Hours (excluding stops / border crossing)
From Victoria Falls we travel the short distance to the Botswana border and cross into the small town of Kasane, and on to our lodge. This afternoon we head out onto a boat cruise in the Chobe National Park.
Chobe is widely known for its populations of elephant, but the park also contains lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe and a host of antelope and birdlife. The Chobe floodplains and Chobe River provide a sensitive eco system which attracts much of the wildlife of the region especially in the dry season when it is not uncommon to see between 500 and 2000 elephants on the floodplains at one time. One highlight of Chobe is the combination of wildlife, birdlife and reptiles seen along the banks of the Chobe River.
We take the afternoon cruise for a unique perspective of river-side wildlife. This evening, we relax and overnight at the lodge.
NB: Some group members may be starting their tour in Victoria Falls today.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 7: Kasane - Nata
Distance travelled: +/- 315 km
Approx. driving time: 5 - 6 Hours (excluding stops)
We head out to explore the Chobe National Park in an open vehicle game drive where we may have the opportunity to spot not only elephant that are so prolific in the park, but also lion and different antelope species. Driving south we may be lucky to encounter elephant or buffalo alongside (or on) the road, often strays to the migratory herds which roam freely throughout the area in search of pasture and water. We stop in the small settlement of Nata for the night. If we are lucky, we will see plenty of bird species including Southern yellow-billed hornbills, pied and arrow-marked babblers, glossy starlings and paradise whydahs from the comfort of the pool deck, bar or breakfast table.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 8: Nata - Maun
Distance travelled: +/- 320 km
Approx. driving time: 5 - 6 Hours (excluding stops)
After an early breakfast we join a guided walk through a local village to learn something of the life of the local community. We then depart and head west to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Maun has experienced rapid growth in recent years and is a bustling provincial centre. Options here include scenic flights, but our priority is to prepare for our excursion into the Okavango Delta. The afternoon is at leisure to relax with a cool beverage and pack for the Delta excursion for the following day.
Breakfast and Dinner included.
Day 9: Maun - Okavanga Delta
Distance travelled: +/- 50 km
Approx. driving time: 1 - 2 Hours (excluding stops)
Heading out early after breakfast we begin our excursion into the Okavango Delta. The first part of the journey is by 4x4 over rough sandy paths to the ‘mokoro’ station, where the river level reaches. Here we are introduced to the local Tswana ‘polers’, our guides for the excursion and transfer our luggage and equipment to the mokoros (dug-out canoes). We travel by these shallow canoes amongst giant lily pads, tall grasses, and labyrinthine channels to our camp on the edge of the Okavango.
From our camp we venture out on guided walk, in search of some of the prolific birdlife and larger mammals that inhabit the reserve. The whole area is a natural wetland spreading over some 1,600,000ha of northern Botswana offering a perfect habitat for the wildlife that roams here freely. The Okavango River rises in Angola (far to the north) and flows south dividing repeatedly to form an intricate floodplain of channels and swamps which then spreads out into a broad flat inland delta - the only one of its kind in the world. We enjoy the afternoon wilderness experience and for many people the feeling of being at camp overnight is an unforgettable experience.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 10: Okavango Delta - Maun
Distance travelled: +/- 50 km
Approx. driving time: 1 - 2 Hours (excluding stops)
This morning, we explore the surrounds on a nature walk where you have the thrilling experience of being out in the natural wilderness. This is a great way to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the wilderness and enjoy nature as it wakes for the day. After the bush we enjoy breakfast and then pack up again onto our mokoros, leaving nothing behind but footprints. Returning to our 4x4 and bidding our polers farewell, we return to Maun.
The afternoon offers the opportunity to join the guide for a trip into town for a little shopping. Another popular activity here is an optional scenic flight over the ‘Delta’ for a bird’s eye view of the wilderness you have just explored by mokoro and on foot. Prices depend on number of people interested but seeing the vastness of the Okavango from the air gives a further appreciation of the beauty of this part of Africa. We return to our lodge for dinner and overnight.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 11: Maun - Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Stevensford Game Reserve
Distance travelled: +/- 710 km
Approx. driving time: 12 - 13 Hours (excluding stops)
Another early rise for our long journey skirting the greater Kalahari, where we may glimpse in the distance the vast salt pans of central Botswana to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary which we normally reach by late afternoon.
In 1989 a group of local people wished to convert the Serowe Pan, previously a hunting area, into a conservation region for the rhino that inhabited the area. The ‘Pan’ was chosen because of its rhino-friendly habitat (and for its proximity to the Botswana Defence Force base for 24-hour protection against poachers). Khama is a prime habitat for white rhino, zebra, wildebeest, and giraffe and with its community-based wildlife project, allows the local people to benefit from tourism. We take a game drive to catch sight of some of the rhino with guides often pointing up interesting facts about the local fauna and flora.
Our last night on safari is spent at the Stevensford private nature conservancy situated on the Limpopo River in Botswana’s Tuli Block. At 3500 ha, this reserve is home to many species of antelope, crocodile, hippo, zebra, giraffe, and a plethora of bird species.
Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner included.
Day 12: Stevensford Game Reserve - Pretoria, South Africa
Distance travelled: +/- 400 km
Approx. driving time: 7 - 8 Hours (excluding stops / border crossing)
Our last morning sees us joining the main route along Martin’s Drift border post. Crossing the mighty Limpopo River into South Africa, we take in the scenic views and notice changes to vegetation, infrastructure, and populated areas. We arrive in Pretoria where our tour ends normally by mid to late afternoon.
Breakfast included.
- Day 1: Pretoria, South Africa - Polokwane
- Day 2: Polokwane - Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
- Day 3: Bulawayo - Matobo National Park
- Day 4: Bulawayo - Victoria Falls
- Day 5: Victoria Falls
- Day 6: Victoria Falls - Kasane, Botswana - Chobe National Park
- Day 7: Kasane - Nata
- Day 8: Nata - Maun
- Day 9: Maun - Okavanga Delta
- Day 10: Okavango Delta - Maun
- Day 11: Maun - Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Stevensford Game Reserve
- Day 12: Stevensford Game Reserve - Pretoria, South Africa
| Dates | From | Special Offer |
|---|---|---|
| 24 Feb 2025 - 07 Mar 2025 | AUD$6065pp | Contact us |
| 10 Mar 2025 - 21 Mar 2025 | Save 10% | |
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| 29 Dec 2025 - 09 Jan 2026 | Save 10% |
** Prices are per person based on twin / shared accommodation.
** Single supplements may apply
Suggested Accommodation
| City | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Polokwane | Destiny Inn Lodge or similar |
| Bulawayo | Traveller's Guest House or similar |
| Victoria Falls | Cresta Sprayview Hotel or similar |
| Chobe National Park | Thebe River Safaris or similar |
| Nata | Nata Lodge or similar |
| Maun | Sitatunga Camp or similar |
| Okavango Delta | Elephant Bush Camp or similar |
| Stevenson Game Reserve | Stevenson Game Reserve or similar |
Whats included?
- Accommodation with private facilities
- Tours led by experienced Guide(s)
- Activities as specified
- Meals: 11 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 10 Dinners
- Transport in minibus & 4x4 safari vehicle (Vehicles are not air-conditioned)
What’s not included?
- International and internal airfares
- Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable
- Optional activities
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities
- Any items not mentioned as included
- Mandatory Safari Pass*
Notes
- Mandatory Safari Pass: USD770 per person
- Single Supplement: AUD600
*Please note the Safari Pass is mandatory and it covers selected park entries, activities and excursions along the way where payment goes directly to the local supplier to ensure local suppliers benefit directly from the income. The Safari Pass is subject to change should local operators update activity rates.
This is a Small Group Safari:
- Minimum age: 8, no maximum age.
- Family friendly
- Min number of passengers: 2, Max: 12
- Vehicles are not air-conditioned.
Price Assurance
At Eclipse Travel, our expert destination knowledge and decades of travel planning experience come at no extra cost to you. While many think booking through a tour operator is more expensive than planning a trip independently, that’s not the case. We’re paid by our travel partners—such as hotels, activity operators, and cruise providers—via commissions, not by our clients.
Our team negotiates the best rates for you and ensures you receive unbiased advice, with no preference for any particular supplier. In fact, where we secure higher commissions, we often pass the savings on to you, giving us a competitive price edge.
Additionally, we lock in exchange rates at the time of your deposit, ensuring no surprise costs when it’s time for final payment. You can rest easy knowing we’ll handle the details with our suppliers. The only exceptions are national park fee increases or fuel surcharges imposed after your booking, though these are rare.
Take advantage of our team’s expertise and let us help you plan the perfect holiday—hassle-free!
Destination: Africa
From its endless deserts and burning sunsets, to its abundance of wildlife and diversity of culture, the African Safari has it all. There is nowhere else on the planet with such incredible natural beauty and rich traditions than Africa. Discover your own Africa with a tailored tour through some of the most dynamic and stunningly beautiful natural landscapes the world has to offer.
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