Real Southern Africa

17 Days | Safari all the way from South Africa to Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and back again

4.8 out of 5 based on 24 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
From
NZD $3,095
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 35 year olds

Four countries, eight national parks, 17 days, hundreds of animals and countless birds make this one unforgettable journey through the best of Southern Africa. Track rhinos at sunset in Zimbabwe, search for the Big Five in Kruger National Park, laze in the lagoons of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, learn about ongoing rhino conservation in Zimbabwe and Xwe Bushmen tribes in Namibia. This overland camping trip brings you everything wild and wonderful about Southern Africa plus a crew of good pals to take it all in with. 

Trip overview

Map of Real Southern Africa including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe
Start
Johannesburg, South Africa
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Theme
18 to 35s
Destinations
Zimbabwe, Namibia, 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
Basix
Ages
Min 18 - Max 35
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Trip code
UBYSC
This trip generates 34 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
  • Safari through Chobe National Park for a chance to see lions, elephants, zebras, impalas, wildebeest, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, baboons, monkeys and much more.
  • There's nothing more relaxing than feeling the African sun on your face as you lie back in a mokoro, eyes closed while your expert poler propels you through the Okavango Delta.
  • Victoria Falls is made for thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. Peer over the edge of this crazy cascade, then stay on for adventures on land and in the sky.
  • What is the sound of a roaring lion if not a sweet soothing lullaby? You'll be camping right in the grounds of Kruger National Park, so you be the judge.
  • Elephants might never forget, but you’ll get the unforgettable experience of cruising down the river in Chobe National Park, home of the world's highest concentration of African elephants.
  • Pay the famous elephants and lions of Hwange National Park a visit from an open-air 4x4 vehicle.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The African wild comes alive at sunrise, so there will be some early starts. The thrill of spotting your first lion or rhino is well worth any loss of sleep.
  • 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.
  • This is a participatory camping trip, so team spirit is key. You'll be helping out with camp setup, food preparation and cleaning.
  • While the overland vehicles 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

Itinerary

Map of Real Southern Africa including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Inclusions

Meals

16 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 13 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, Mokoro, 4WD safari vehicle

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night), Camping (with facilities) (13 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights)

Activities
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Entrance
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari
  • Mukolo Camp - Mokoro Safari
  • Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive
  • Victoria Falls - Brewery Tour and Tasting
  • Hwange National Park - 4x4 Game drive
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
  • Kruger National Park - Overland Vehicle Game drive
Add on activities
  • Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - From USD250 - USD280
  • Okavango Delta - Cook-led Cooking Class - Free
  • Mukolo Camp - Sunset Cruise (excluding park fees) - NAD700
  • Chobe National Park - River Cruise - BWP580
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Entrance Fee - USD50
  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
  • Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
  • Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168
  • Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
  • Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins - excludes USD25 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD150
  • Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins - excludes USD30 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD284
  • Matobos National Park - Cook-led Cooking Class - Free
  • Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking - USD140
  • Kruger National Park - Night Game Drive - ZAR290
  • Kruger National Park - Sunset Game Drive (from) - ZAR380

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 applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. This trip finishes upon arrival in Johannesburg on Day 17. Please do not book any flights until after 10pm this evening.

3. 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.

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.

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 24 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

Lucrezia · Traveled September 2023
I wanted to book this experience for more than a year and I have no regrets in doing it. It has been a memorable experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. The people I met there were wonderful, the crew was ok (a big thanks to Irvin, our chef!). Your eyes will be full of beauty: animals, stars, nature, sunsets and sunrises. However, we have had some difficulties throughout our stay that have made this experience a bit upsetting. Miscommunication with our tour leader, delays and last minute changes that we weren't aware of it. We arrived to a camp site and didn't have waters left in the trucks, therefore we had to buy waters. with that being said, this trip has been so good for my soul, my heart and for my mental health.
Review submitted 09 Jan 2024

Katherine · Traveled August 2023
This is an amazing trip and would thoroughly recommend it, a true trip of a lifetime. The truck is comfortable and spacious, so you can forgive the long drives, just download a good audio book and you're sweet - or grab some beers and get the speaker on! We were lucky enough to see all of the big 5 in the first week, the trip itinerary is really good and moves at a good pace. The accommodation exceeded expectations, the tents are large, easy to put up and down, the mattresses are comfortable and 90% of where we stayed had hot showers. If you're lucky enough to have Dinaeo be your chef - the food is absolutely unreal. I would strongly recommend doing the whole round trip from Joburg (everyone who left at Vic Falls was gutted to be leaving and I think those who joined would have enjoyed part one more than part two). All in all, just book it!
Review submitted 06 Sep 2023

Andrew · Traveled August 2023
An incredible experience, full of joy, learning, and lifetime memories
Review submitted 01 Sep 2023

Fabienne · Traveled July 2023
Review submitted 13 Aug 2023

Eloise · Traveled July 2023
I would like to write a review after our feedback as been assessed and sorted :)
Review submitted 21 Jul 2023
Real Southern Africa
From
NZD $3,095