Botswana Adventure

10 Days | Brave the wilds of Botswana in style on an exhilarating adventure

4.6 out of 5 based on 25 reviews submitted.
Overland
Wildlife
From
NZD $6,052
View dates and book

Who says overland adventures through Africa can’t be comfortable? On this 10-day African journey, you’ll travel through Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe from Windhoek to Victoria Falls. Discover Botswana’s rich natural beauty, thrilling wildlife and fun locals. Experience exciting game drives through national parks looking out for elephants, impala and thousands of birds. Acclimatise to life aboard a houseboat and soak in the sunset every night from the comfortable deck. See ancient rock art and feel the power of Victoria Falls – one of the world’s natural wonders. Keeping comfort, ease and hospitality in mind along the way, this wildlife-focused adventure is a nature-lover's dream.

Trip overview

Map of Botswana Adventure including Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe
Start
Windhoek, Namibia
Finish
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Destinations
Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe
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
Comfort
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 13
Trip code
UBKF
This trip generates 39 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
  • Immerse yourself in the spectacular Okavango wilderness with two nights on a houseboat. Listen to the melodies of the African wildlife outside your door as the sun sets and night descends each night.
  • Enjoy an unforgettable sunset cruise in Chobe National Park. Spot African elephants and other wildlife while enjoying a sundowner and breathtaking views.
  • Venture out on an exhilarating morning game drive in open 4WDs through Chobe National Park, home to an impressive concentration of African wildlife. You may encounter elephants, buffalo, giraffes, antelope, and many other fascinating animals that thrive here.
  • Explore the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt flats in the world, with local Kalahari Bushman and keep your eyes peeled for adorable meerkats and majestic elephants. Enjoy refreshments in the wild while watching the sunset over baobab trees.
  • Experience the awe-inspiring force of Victoria Falls and savour a taste of the local brew after. Take advantage of your free time to participate in a multitude of optional activities.

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, and getting the best possible views of Africa's iconic wildlife. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows that let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but 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
  • This itinerary includes two nights on a houseboat at the Okavango Delta Panhandle. Cabins are very small and basic, with shared facilities.
  • Botswana temperatures rise in the hot dry period of September and October before the rains hit and temperatures can get as high as 34 to 38°C. Not all accommodation will have air-conditioning. This is quite common across Africa, particularly in remote locations where lodges or camps operate on solar power or generators.
  • Botswana is a very seasonal destination. What you see and experience can differ quite dramatically depending on the time of year you visit. Please consider this before you choose your departure date. See the 'Climate and seasonal information' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
  • There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
  • This trip can be partnered with other adventures into a ‘combo’, which means that some of your fellow travellers may have begun their journey before today. If you’d like to spend more time in Africa, have a look at the combo itinerary: Amazing Southern Africa (UBKEC)

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Botswana Adventure including Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, Mokoro, Open Safari Vehicle, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Houseboat (2 nights), Lodge (4 nights)

Activities
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
  • Okavango Delta - Nature Walk
  • Makgadikgadi Pans - Meerkat & Kalahari Bushman Experience
  • Chobe National Park - River Safari Cruise
  • Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
  • Victoria Falls - Entrance & Visit
  • Victoria Falls - Brewery Tour and Tasting
Add on activities
  • Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - USD280
  • Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126
  • Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
  • Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
  • Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
  • Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. If you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, you may purchase a single supplement, subject to availability. The single supplement excludes Days 3 & 4 (House Boat), where you will be in shared accommodation. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

3. The weight of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the packing space and weight restrictions of the truck. The weight limit for luggage on all of our trucks is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack. Backpacks shouldn’t have an external frame unless it can easily be removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people’s luggage. We strongly advise passengers to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag, and it is essential that no hard suitcases be brought on tour. For valuables, like passports, we offer a safe on each vehicle that is shared by all passengers to keep their documentation safe during their journey.

4. 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.

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.

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

4.6 out of 5 based on 25 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.

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Melanie · Traveled September 2024
This trip was amazing and I encourage anyone to do it!! The animals are breathtaking & the whole African experience was surreal.
Review submitted 14 Sep 2024

Prudence · Traveled August 2024
Make sure your trip does not have any very frail or disabled people on it otherwise you and your group will need to be carers the whole trip and it takes a lot of enjoyment out of the trip which you pay a lot of money to be on.
Review submitted 23 Sep 2024

charles · Traveled August 2024
This was my 6th Intrepid trip and definitely the worst. Our leader was non-communicative, didn't engage with us and seemed indifferent to us. The first day and a half is just one long drive. Better to start in Maun. The truck was very very noisy so conversation wasn't possible. However, the activities were very good.
Review submitted 05 Sep 2024

Hui-chang · Traveled August 2024
The travel days on this trip are long and can be uncomfortable, but the payoff is terrific. Each place we visited was packed with exciting activities, sights and experiences - all unforgettable. Highly recommended!
Review submitted 22 Aug 2024

Louise · Traveled July 2024
A wonderful trip with informative guide and excellent driver. There are so many opportunities to see the local wildlife by air, boat, car and foot. From delta to desert its all here.
Review submitted 13 Jul 2024
Botswana Adventure
From
NZD $6,052