Yomps, Adventure Travel Experiences

Mozambique Transfrontier Overland Tour
Full Itinerary

Explore Southern Africa overland to experience the unique scenery, culture and wildlife of South Africa and Mozambique. Go on game drives in Kruger National Park seeing an amazing variety of wildlife, swim in the azure waters of the Indian Ocean in Mozambique, see some of the sights of South Africa’s Zululand, explore bustling villages filled with markets and curios, and witness the variety of other remarkable off-the-beaten track highlights that this fantastic 17 day overland tour has to offer!

South Africa and Mozambique

Days 1 to 7 - Explore the gold mining village Pilgrims Rest, the Three Rondavels and Blyde Rive Canyon; go on game drives and guided walks in South Africas ‘Big 5’ region, visiting the world famous Kruger National Park; cross the border into Mozambique; and camp in the wilds of the Transfrontier Park

Day 1 - Departing at 06h30 from Johannesburg (also know as the ‘City of Gold’), you will begin your journey heading for the spectacular scenery of the Mpumalanga province. Here a variety of spectacular sights await, including the pioneer gold mining village Pilgrims Rest and the Three Rondavels that tower over the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve. Late in the afternoon you descend the escarpment into the Lowveld area, where you overnight in the comfortable Drifters Bushveld Camp within the Balule Game reserve, which is part of the Greater Kruger National Park. After dinner you will enjoy an open vehicle night game drive to see the variety of nocturnal wildlife the reserve is home to.

Day 2 - Arising with the African sun, you set out on foot in this “Big 5” (lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants and buffaloes) reserve for a lengthy walk. Your tracker will attempt to show you animals in their natural habitat and give you some insight into the art of tracking. Returning to camp for a healthy brunch and swim, you will then pack up and move onto the world-renowned Kruger National Park – widely acclaimed as being Africa’s most successful nature reserve. You will spend your time here game driving in search of the many animal and bird species that inhabit the area, and will camp two nights in the park’s rest camps.

Day 3 - This entire day is for viewing animals in the Kruger Park from the well-equipped vehicle to try and spot the “Big 5” as well as the variety of other wildlife the park is home to, including zebras, cheetahs, spotted hyenas, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeest, 120 species of reptiles, and nearly 520 species of birds. You will then camp the night.

Days 4 & 5 - This morning you cross the border into Mozambique, where the road becomes a bush track you will follow, venturing into the heart of the wilderness. The area that you traverse over the following days is the Mozambique side of the Transfrontier Peace Park, which has remained virtually unexplored by humans. The bush is exceptional, offering areas of exquisite natural beauty and wildlife, with a diversity of flora ensuring some of the finest birding in Africa. You will spend two nights here camping wild, exploring both on foot and by vehicle, and enjoying the serenity of the wilderness. Road conditions are rough and river crossings numerous, so clients will be expected to assist in difficult sections, yet for anyone seeking true adventure and unspoiled Africa, there are few areas that compare with this.

Days 6 & 7 - Leaving the Transfrontier Park, you will make your way across the Limpopo River and into the heart of the Banhine / Zinave wilderness region to spend two nights camping wild in the bush. You will attempt to traverse some of the Zinave Park, once renowned for its abundant wildlife. Few people have visited these areas in the last two decades.

Mozambique

Days 8 to 14 - Drive through the country visiting a variety of villages, snorkel in crystal clear sea, go on a traditional Dhow boat trip, soak up the cultural sights of Maputo, and visit an elephant reserve

Days 8 & 9 - Leaving the wilderness behind, today you pass through a variety of vibrant and bustling villages en-route to the coast. Your next stop is Vilanculos, which sits on the shores of the warm azure Indian Ocean overlooking the idyllic Bazaruto archipelago. You will spend two nights here in casitas, which are situated gloriously on the beach. You can enjoy a traditional Dhow trip to the surrounding islands and have the opportunity to snorkel along a reef in this marine reserve (though this trip is dependant on weather conditions). One night you will enjoy a meal at a local restaurant (at own expense).

Days 10 – 12 Moving south along the coast, your next stop is the ancient trading port Inhambane, where you will enjoy a trip across the bay on a traditional Dhow while the guide drives around to meet you in town. You will spend some time exploring and visiting the bustling local market before continuing to your Drifters Barra Beach Camp under the shade of the coconut palms on the beach. Here you will enjoy three nights in relative comfort, staying in casitas at the camp. During your time here you will relax, snorkel, and soak up the sun whilst exploring the deserted beaches that Mozambique is so well known for. On the last night you will enjoy a catered meal (at own expense). Those who wish have the option to scuba dive or horse ride on the beach (at own expense).

Day 13 – Feeling well relaxed and sun-drenched, you will continue down the coast to the capital Maputo to spend some time driving around and exploring this once-grandiose city. Maputo boasts a Latino culture of street cafés, music and bustling markets, where you can loose yourself in the vibrant colours of the city. You cross the bay on the Catembe Ferry to stay overnight in a comfortable hotel, and will eat in a local restaurant in the evening to sample some of the local seafood (at own expense). For the brave, Peri–Peri is a must!

Day 14 - It is with renewed excitement that you venture back into the bush. Driving on sandy tracks you wind your way south to the elephant reserve where you will spend the entire afternoon exploring the coastal flood plains and surrounding forests in search of these larger-than-average African elephants. Somehow, during the war years these elephants survived by moving down the Futi channel into South Africa, and it is one of nature’s miracles that they have now returned in large numbers. You will camp the night.

Mozambique and South Africa

Days 15 to 17 - Cross the border into South Africa, visit Zululand, ongo on game drives in Hluhluwe game reserve, visit a Zulu school and return to Johannesburg

Days 15 & 16 - Returning to South Africa today via the Ponta do Ouro border post, you enter the area once ruled by the famed Shaka Zulu. You will spend two nights at the Drifters Zululand Camp – a rustic camp in the sand forest on a private reserve adjoining Lake St Lucia near Hluhluwe. During your stay you will enjoy game walks through the forest, experience an open vehicle game drive in Hluhluwe National Park and will visit a rural Zulu school that Drifters sponsors through the benefits of tourism.

Day 17 - Your journey today takes you through the heart of Kwazulu, Natal, passing a variety of rural Zulu villages and some spectacular scenery en-route back to Johannesburg. You will arrive back at the Drifters Johannesburg Inn in the late afternoon.

Meals Included - The following meals are included in the price during the tour

• Day 1 Dinner
• Day 2 Brunch and dinner
• Days 3 - 12 Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Day 13 Breakfast and lunch
• Days 14 - 16 Breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Day 17 Breakfast

Optional Activities (at own expense) -

• Snorkelling
• Boat trip
• Scuba diving
• Horse riding

Important Information -

• This tour covers areas of Mozambique that are virtually unexplored and as such, have little or no road and other infrastructure.
• A 4x4 expedition vehicle is used but even this is no guarantee that we will always be able to stick to our planned route.
• Road conditions, rising rivers or other factors beyond our control may necessitate major detours and/or inconvenience - particularly after heavy rains.
• Due to the extreme nature of this tour we insist that clients travel with an open and flexible attitude, and are prepared to accept inconvenience and discomfort if necessary.
• For those that are looking for true adventure this is the ultimate journey, and on parts of the tour clients will be rewarded with experiencing unspoiled wilderness seldom visited by other humans.
• Besides an adventurous spirit, visas are required by most nationalities for Mozambique. These are the client's responsibility and must be obtained in advance.
• Seasonal Malaria precautions are advised and are locally obtainable.
• If available, bring a mask and fins for snorkeling.
• Scuba diving will be available at some of the beach resorts - clients wishing to partake must bring the necessary certification.
• The recommended currency for this tour is the South African Rand, and this can be purchased at Johannesburg airport.
• Our price includes all transport, accommodation, meals as specified, entry fees, and permits, group equipment, and professional guide.
• Alcohol, soft drinks, curios, tips, visas, taxes, optional excursions and items of a personal nature are for the client's own expense.

- Malaria Awareness

Travelling to long-haul destinations can be a wonderful and exciting experience. Before you go, make sure you take the right travel advice about visiting Malaria risk countries. At Yomps we are committed to stopping traveller deaths from malaria which is why we support the campaign being run by Malariahotspots.com. Click here to download our free guide about Malaria Awareness (opens in a new window).