Experience Southern Africa

16 Days | Visit South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe for the ultimate southern Africa experience.

4.5 out of 5 based on 30 reviews submitted.
Overland
Wildlife
From
NZD $5,661
View dates and book

Explore Southern Africa, embarking from Johannesburg and journeying through the Kruger National Park, and Victoria Falls, before circling back to South Africa via the Okavango Delta, and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This adventure promises golden sunsets, remote wilderness camping, thrilling safaris, and serene river cruises teeming with iconic wildlife. Traverse South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe and be amazed by powerful waterfalls, enchanted by encounters with endangered species and inspired by the resilience of local communities. Immerse yourself in Southern Africa and depart with newfound inspiration and cherished memories to last a lifetime.

Trip overview

Map of Experience Southern Africa including Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe
Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Destinations
Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa
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
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
UBSCC
This trip generates 47 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
  • Head out on a very special bush walk with members of the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit, the Black Mambas. During this exclusive experience, learn how they're deterring poachers and patrolling 20,000 hectares of nature reserve, then spend the evening listening to their stories by the campfire.
  • Go in search of Africa’s Big Five on full-day 4WD game drive in Kruger National Park.
  • Spot wildlife in Chobe National Park during a sunset river cruise. This is when many animals – such as elephants, cheetahs and lions – come to drink, so get your cameras ready!
  • Experience the untouched wilderness of Botswana's Okavango Delta by staying on a remote island bush camp. At night, the sounds of the African bush are the only things you will hear.
  • Visit the only place in Botswana where both the white and black rhinos still remain: the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.
  • Cycle through the colourful streets of Soweto with a local and hear firsthand about the townships’ rough but inspired history.

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 (unless you’re on an Original or Comfort style trip), occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of the ‘big five’. 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. 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
  • Camping on a remote island in the heart of the Okavango wilderness is an experience you’ll never forget. However, there are no facilities. Dig a bush toilet and go without a shower; it's all part of the Delta experience.
  • Camping beds/stretchers, sleeping bags, blankets and pillows are provided for camping nights to provide an extra level of comfort.
  • A cycle tour in Soweto is included on the final day of the trip. It is not an overly strenuous ride, but Soweto is not completely flat, so you should have a reasonable fitness level.
  • Wildlife viewing requires some sacrifices, like getting up before daybreak for dawn game drives. However, the lack of sleep is worth it for the exhilaration and excitement of spotting your first lion or rhino!
  • As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make the most of the safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

Itinerary

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

Inclusions

Meals

15 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 11 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, Boat, Mokoro, Bicycle, Open Safari Vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (2 night), Lodge (1 night), Meru Tent (1 night), Permanent Tented Overland Camp (2 night), Camping with facilities (5 nights), Basic Camping with no facilities (2 nights), Guesthouse (1 night)

Activities
  • Black Mambas HQ - Dinner by Lantern Light
  • Black Mambas HQ - Campfire Story Time
  • Black Mambas HQ - Snare Walk
  • Kruger National Park - Night 4x4 Game Drive
  • Kruger National Park - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
  • Goo Moremi Gorge - Waterfall Three Hike
  • Nata - 4x4 Pan Excursion
  • Victoria Falls - Brewery Tour
  • Chobe National Park - River cruise
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
  • Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
  • Okavango Delta - Brewery Tour
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle
  • Soweto - Cycle tour
Add on activities
  • Victoria Falls - Entrance & Visit - USD50
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
  • Victoria Falls - Gorge swing - USD103
  • Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
  • Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
  • Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive - BWP580
  • Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - From USD250 - USD280
  • Johannesburg - Art Gallery - ZAR60
  • Johannesburg - Gold Reef City And Heritage Mine Tour - ZAR360
  • Johannesburg - Museum Africa - ZAR40
  • Johannesburg - Apartheid Museum - ZAR100

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip 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 includes a mixture camping and other accommodation. While camping, tents, sleeping mats and sleeping bags will be provided and set up for you by our crew.

4. This trip finishes in Soweto on Day 16 after our cycle adventure. Please don't book any international flights until after 8 pm this evening.

5.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.

7. 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

4.5 out of 5 based on 30 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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Ellen · Traveled December 2023
Nolo’s food was divine! I can’t believe she was able to create such wonderful authentic African dishes from a camp site kitchen. 10/10 food!!
Review submitted 18 Dec 2023

James · Traveled December 2023
Excellent trip. Excellent itinerary. Excellent food. Our chief was very funny and provided top quality food. Great group! The best end to the year I could have asked for!
Review submitted 18 Dec 2023

Marius · Traveled December 2023
Africa is not for sissies, so please do expect to find some few bathrooms and facilities throughout the trip that you may find below average. Keep that aside, the tour was stunning. We‘ve had a lovely group and all places visited were simply great. Our driver (Goodman), our chef (Nolo) and our guide (Spha) were fantastastic throughout the 16 days and I highly recommend this trip.
Review submitted 17 Dec 2023

Kathleen · Traveled September 2023
Experience Southern Africa was the trip of a lifetime. Highlights included seeing hundreds of animals and birds, mokoro rides in the Okavango Delta, experiencing Soweto by bike with a local guide, and getting to know fellow travelers from around the world. I highly recommend it.
Review submitted 19 Oct 2023

Andrew · Traveled September 2023
Great trip. Main highlight was seeing animals in their natural environment. Great crew. Long days - the drive times in the notes are accurate but on camping days lots of time spent setting up and taking down tents to factor into the day. Folk need to remember that the nature of the trip and infrastructure means things aren’t logistically perfect always. A highlight was rafting at Victoria Falls - the rather arduous hike in and out of the gorge is not highlighted but should be taken into account.
Review submitted 02 Oct 2023
Experience Southern Africa
From
NZD $5,661