Cyber Sale ends soon! Last chance to book now and save up to 20% off* trips all over the world. Book Now!

Explore Southern Africa

18 Days | Cruise waterways and cross savannahs on a wild camping adventure

4.8 out of 5 based on 57 reviews submitted.
Overland
Wildlife
From
EUR €2,601
View dates and book

Discover Southern Africa's waterways, national parks and the wildlife that calls them home on this 18-day adventure. Canoe down the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta, watch hippos wallowing along the shores of the Chobe River, safari in the vast parks of Hwange, Kruger and Matobo and sleep under the stars in campsites, a bush camp on the Delta, and a village homestay. Join an adventure through southern Africa’s most beautiful landscapes in search of elephants, lions, rhinos, warthogs and leopards.

Trip overview

Map of Explore Southern Africa including Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe
Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Destinations
Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Trip code
UBOQC
This trip generates 40.7 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Track rhinos on foot with an expert local guide in Matobo National Park and support local conservation efforts with a visit to Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
  • Immerse yourself in the ancient culture of the Venda people during a village homestay in South Africa's Limpopo province.
  • Camping on a remote island in the heart of the Okavango wilderness is an experience you’ll never forget. As the sun sets and night falls, the sounds of Africa come alive.
  • Explore the magnificent Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, some of the largest salt flats in the world. These mind-bending plains make for some magical photography.
  • Marvel at the unforgettable views of Blyde River Canyon. This spectacular gorge is up there with the world's largest and probably the greenest.

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, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent, occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the Big Five. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page https://www.intrepidtravel.com/au/africa/overland
  • The African wild comes alive at sunrise, so there will be some early starts on this trip. The thrill of spotting your first lion or rhino will be well worth any loss of sleep!

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023

Map of Explore Southern Africa including Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Inclusions

Meals

16 breakfasts, 11 lunches, 14 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, Open safari vehicle, Mokoro

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (14 nights), Bush camp (no facilities) (2 nights), Hotel (1 night), Homestay (1 night)

Activities
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
  • Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
  • Okavango Delta - Brewery Tour
  • Nata - Makgadikgadi Salt Pans 4x4 Excursion
  • Chobe National Park - River Cruise
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
  • Hwange National Park - Guided 4x4 Game Drive
  • Hwange - Painted Dog Conservation visit
  • Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking
  • Matobo National Park - San Rock Paintings
  • Makushu Homestay - Beading, Cooking or Dancing
  • Black Mambas HQ - Dinner by Lantern Light
  • Black Mambas HQ - Campfire Story Time
  • Black Mambas HQ - Snare Walk
  • Kruger National Park - Night Game Drive
  • Kruger National Park - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
  • Panorama Route - Bourke's Luck Potholes
Add on activities
  • Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - From USD250 - USD280
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Entrance Fee - USD50
  • Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive - BWP580
  • Victoria Falls - Sunset Cruise - USD50
  • Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
  • Victoria Falls - Flying Fox / Bridge Slide / Zipline - USD48
  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168
  • Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
  • Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126
  • Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
  • Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins - excludes USD25 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD150
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins - excludes USD30 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD284

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Day 15 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. This is a combination trip made up of two shorter trips. This means the composition of your group may change in Victoria Falls as some group members leave and new ones join you.

3. This trip finishes upon arrival in Johannesburg on Day 18. Please do not book any flights until after 10 pm this evening.

4. On occasion, especially during the peak months of May to September and December we are not able to secure campsites within the Kruger National Park. In this instance we will camp at a backpackers outside the park.

5.The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.

6. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 57 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

Filter by rating

Stuart · Traveled October 2023
A very good experience, with a lot of opportunities to experience Africa. Lots of travelling as expected, pushing the driver to long driving hours. Poor lighting within the truck, better lighting needed at the rear entrance.
Review submitted 12 Nov 2023

Claire · Traveled October 2023
An amazing adventure and an experience that will be etched on my memory forever. A mixture of wildlife and culture, something for everyone.
Review submitted 24 Oct 2023

Lora · Traveled October 2023
This was a trip of a lifetime! It was well organized and managed. Every day brought a new adventure, with new sites to see and new experiences. Just when you thought you were going to parish from the heat, there would be a swimming pool, or swimming hole to cool down. The camp spots were excellent many had amenities like pools, bars, Wi-Fi and plug-ins. The option to upgrade was an inexpensive treat along the way. Our cook, driver and guide were excellent, always striving to take the best care of us. I can’t recommend this trip enough, just do it!
Review submitted 29 Oct 2023

Patricia · Traveled October 2023
Our safari was definitely an adventure I will treasure. It was very organized, but had choices along the way to suit personal taste. The staff was top notch. They were very personable, knowledgeable, and took their job seriously. We would use and Intrepid again with no hesitation.
Review submitted 08 Nov 2023

Claire · Traveled September 2023
This trip is bucket list material! I’ve had the time of my life and cried happy tears (at the beauty of the Delta) and sad tears (leaving my new friends). Fabulous crew, incredible Africa, and a wonderful bunch of fellow travellers. Special thanks to Bobalicious, Waka waka chef and Schumacher (AKA Njabulo, Enock and Clayton) for making this trip as great as it was.
Review submitted 16 Oct 2023
Explore Southern Africa
From
EUR €2,601