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Travel to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe and see some of the world’s greatest waterfalls and wildlife

Embark on an action-packed, teen-friendly adventure in south-east Africa. See the thundering spectacle of Victoria Falls, say hello to some new friends at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, explore the far-out Okavango Delta by traditional canoe and watch elephants drink from the Chobe River. Pack plenty of spare camera batteries, because this snap-happy trip, brimming with exciting animal encounters and landscapes like you’ve never seen, is one for the photo album.

Start
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Destinations
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Style
Basix
Theme
Family, Wildlife
Code
UWFB
Physical rating
Ages
Min 10
Group size
Min 2, Max 16

Why you'll love this trip

  • Get a load of Victoria Falls, an amazing thundering spectacle. Optional activities for those arriving early include white water rafting, canoeing and flying fox rides

  • Go wildlife-spotting along the river at Chobe National Park, home of the world's highest concentration of African elephants

  • Enjoy some truly unique accommodation in Elephant Sands. Greet elephants as they come to drink from the pool!

  • Get familiar with the fine art of 'poling' as you and your family ride a traditional dugout canoe through the waterways of the Okavango Delta

  • Camping on a remote island in the heart of the Okavango wilderness is an experience you and your family will never forget. As night falls, the sounds of the African bush are like nothing else

  • Support local conservation by visiting the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, the only place left in Botswana where both black and white rhinos reside

Is this trip right for you?

  • This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, setting up your own tent with some long travelling days. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. There will be some early starts and long travelling days.  It's as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland

  • Camping out in the Okavango wilderness means digging a bush toilet and going without a shower. For most travellers this is a small price to pay for such a gorgeous remote island location. It’s all part of the adventure.

  • The going can be slow over the long distances and often bumpy roads. A little bit of patience will go a long way towards your enjoyment of this beautiful land. There are some long travelling days.

  • This is a participatory camping trip, so team spirit is key. You and your family will be helping out with camp setup, food preparation and cleaning.

Map of Botswana Family Safari with Teenagers including Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe
Teenager on safari, Botswana
Elephant spotting while on Chobe National Park cruise, Botswana
Cruising down the Okavango Delta at dusk, South Africa
Rhinos in the Khama rhino sanctuary, Botswana

Itinerary
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Welcome to Africa! Once you arrive at the Victoria Falls Rest Camp, reception will advise you where our campsite is located. Make your way to the site, meet your leader and get settled in. Your adventure begins at 2pm with a group meeting at our campsite. After which we will visit Victoria Falls

This thundering curtain of water is about a mile wide, falling 108 metres into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 metres and the falls become an impressive raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and you can see little islets in the river below.

If you arrive early, get out and explore Victoria Falls. You can choose from various activities and excursions, including white water rafting, canoeing and flying fox rides. For an incredible scenic helicopter flight, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only Intrepid-endorsed operator.
Accommodation
  • Victoria Falls Rest Camp or similar (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance
Meals Included
There are no meals included on this day.

After some breakfast and packing up camp we travel to Chobe National Park. Botswana's first national park is perhaps best known for its high concentration of elephants, which can often be seen swimming in the Chobe River. The river also attracts wallowing hippos, a variety of birdlife, crocodiles sunning themselves by the water's edge, and cheetahs and lions which come down to drink. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River, a relaxing way to spend the afternoon with the family.

Driving time: 2-3 hours
Accommodation
  • Thebe River Safaris or similar (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Chobe National Park - River cruise
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Hit the road early and head to Elephant Sands for the night. Elephant Sands has a natural waterhole right in front of the lodge where the local elephants come to drink. Watch these awesome creatures whilst they drink at only a couple of meters away from you. There is plenty of other wildlife around as well on this unfenced 16000 ha private conservancy. The lack of fences allows all animals to roam freely. After setting up camp, head off on a bush walk activity which is a wonderful chance to learn about the smaller things in the bush which are often not noticed on game drives.

Driving time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation
  • Elephant Sands or similar (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Nata - Elephant Sands Bush Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After packing up camp it's another long travelling day to Maun. Maun is the gateway to one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. This place is unlike anything in the world – a 16,000 square kilometre maze of wetlands made up of meandering waterways, green islands, lush plains and prolific wildlife. You might see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats. But it's not the animals that are the main attraction – it's the extremely diverse ecosystem and atmospheric waterscapes. Tonight you'll stay on the outskirts of Maun at a simple campsite with shared facilities and WiFi before heading into the Delta in the morning.

Driving time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation
  • Sedia camping ground or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Cruise around the waterways by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe navigated by friendly local 'polers'. With some luck, you might spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and exotic birdlife. Spend time exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. Tonight you will camp on a remote island in the heart of the wilderness. In this far-out spot, facilities are non-existent, so you will dig a bush toilet and go without a shower. It's all part of the Okavango experience. At night, fall asleep to the humming and buzzing of the African wilderness.
Accommodation
  • Okavango Delta Camping (camping with no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Wake up early and head out for a sunrise walk. Along the way, keep watch for some elephants. You might also come across some Cape buffalo, if the timing is right. These rather noble-looking creatures are more dangerous than they look, and their horns make for a kind of bone shield that's fittingly known as a 'boss'. Returning to camp for breakfast, take the rest of the day to relax. A refreshing swim, or perhaps a nap, is a good idea in the warmer part of the day. Alternatively, take another mokoro trip to soak up more of that delightful river atmosphere.
Accommodation
  • Okavango Delta Camping (camping with no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast take the mokoro back to the poling station and then travel once again to Maun. Today you'll visit a rural village and interact with some of the locals. This will give you an insight into daily life on the Okavango Delta and perhaps some background history on these awesome sprawling waterways that are the lifeblood of many.

Driving time: 2-3 hours
Accommodation
  • Sedia camping ground or similar (1 night)
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

It's an early morning start as we hit the road to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a conversion of a former hunting area into a conservation project. Built to protect Botswana's only remaining populations of both black and white rhinos, the sanctuary is also home to other wildlife including zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest, all of which can be seen around the many natural waterholes. Visiting this project benefits local communities and contributes to the protection of the highly endangered white rhinoceros. Later, head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they are at their most active.

Driving time: 8-9 hours
Accommodation
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Leaving Botswana behind, cross the border into South Africa and arrive at your overnight stop of Blouberg this afternoon. Here at the base of a mountain, where there are no roads, you'll find the Hanawa people, a small village community, many of whom still lead an age-old way of life. Take a walk with your local guide, following paths along the base of the Blouberg Mountains and listening to stories of the tribe. You'll visit a Lutheran missionary village (Bochum) and be guest to some locals who will provide an evening meal – perhaps mazie and watermelon (Thopi), chicken-based stews (Malana) or a green vegetable called marogo. You can also sample their traditionally brewed beer (for the adults). Note that vegetarians will have limited options – speak to your leader to arrange an alternative.

Driving time: 6-7 hours
Accommodation
  • African Ivory Route Camping or similar (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities
  • Blouberg- Cultural Dinner
Meals Included
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

After breakfast we start the drive to Johannesburg. The group arrive late afternoon where the trip will end. if you have additional time why not get out and explore Johannesburg, a city of remarkable contrasts. Perhaps visit the culturally rich areas of Newtown, Braamfontein or Maboneng. The eye-opening Apartheid Museum is well worth your time.

We recommend you don't book your departure flight until after 8pm.. 
Meals Included
  • Breakfast

Meals

9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners

Transport

Truck

Accommodation

Camping with facilities (7 nights), Camping with no facilities (2 nights)

Included activities

  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance
  • Chobe National Park - River cruise
  • Nata - Elephant Sands Bush Walk
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
  • Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
  • Blouberg- Cultural Dinner

Dates & availability

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Important notes

FAMILY TRIPS: Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
AGES: Minimum age for children on this trip is strictly 10 years old due to government safety restrictions in the Okavango Delta.
DISCOUNT: A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children under 17 years of age at time of travel.
STARTING/FINISHING TIME: This trip starts at 2PM on Day 1 with a group meeting at the campsite followed by a visit to Victoria Falls. On the last day you will arrive into Johannesburg late in the afternoon on Day 10. We recommend you don't book any departing flights until 8PM onwards
PASSPORT: Travelling with children: Children travelling on a valid passport with one or both parents are no longer required to present a birth certificate, parental consent letter and other supporting documentation. To check the requirements for other situations, such as legal guardianship or unaccompanied travelling minors, visit the South African Department of Home Affairs.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A Single Supplement is available on this trip, please ask your booking agent for more information.
PACKING NOTE: you will need to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow and towel.
UPGRADING: During this trip you can upgrade to a lodge/hotel at the campgrounds we are staying in along the way with the exception of our time in the Okavango Delta (Days 5 & 6). If you wish to upgrade you can organise this directly during the trip with your leader and pay locally. Prices start at BWP 740 per person. All updates are subject to availability.

Essential trip information

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