Explore Southern Africa

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

4.9 out of 5 based on 87 reviews submitted.
Overland
Wildlife
From
NZD $4,092
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
Botswana, South Africa, 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
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Trip code
UBOQC
This trip generates 36 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 Africa's iconic wildlife. 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/africa/overland
  • 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.
  • Camping out in the amazing Okavango wilderness means digging a bush toilet and going without a shower. It's all part of the delta experience.

Itinerary

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

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025

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) (13 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 - Visit to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
  • 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 - 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 - 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

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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 Day 15 (Homestay), where you will be in shared accommodation. 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

4.9 out of 5 based on 87 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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Polly · Traveled August 2024
What an amazing trip! The inclusions were all incredible, the chef, trip leader and driver all so capable and went above and beyond. The campsites were great! Don’t hesitate to book this trip!
Review submitted 10 Sep 2024

Michael · Traveled August 2024
Excellent trip; its difficult to get a sense of it from reading the itinerary; lots of wildlife & scenery; camping in the bush (which is the way to do it; good facilities); there is a fair of driving, but also early starts - overall a lot was packed in; long periods of digital detox. Really glad I went.
Review submitted 03 Sep 2024

Lyndel · Traveled August 2024
This trip is truly incredible. We saw so much wildlife and scenery. It was everything I had hoped for and much more. The camping element lives up to the title of “Basic” but I think it makes the whole experience more authentic. There’s nothing quite like the first night you hear lions roaring in the distance. Just so exciting and fantastic. I loved every moment and the food was sensational! Thanks Amo our talented chef, and thanks Intrepid! I shall never forget the experience.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2024

Julia · Traveled July 2024
The whole experience of Africa has been life changing due to the crew and the variation of the trip.highlights were the okavango delta,chobe,Victoria falls,home stay and Kruger.chris had extensive knowledge,lizzie is a great cook and vayani a skilled driver.we had a good group which made the trip all the better
Review submitted 17 Aug 2024

Genevieve · Traveled July 2024
This trip was truly amazing and life changing. The crew made it that much better, with full tummies, amazing driving and a fantastic tour leader. I’ve recommended this trip to everyone who is interested and would definitely go back.
Review submitted 16 Aug 2024
Explore Southern Africa
From
NZD $4,092