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Essential African Safari

9 Days | Take on the ultimate African adventure from Zimbabwe to South Africa

5 out of 5 based on 3 reviews submitted.
18 to 35s
Overland
From
GBP £680
View dates and book
This trip is for the 18 to 35 year olds

Get to know southern Africa’s big three most exciting destinations – Hwange and Kruger national parks and the jaw-dropping Victoria Falls. From South Africa's sprawling modern capital to the best wilderness areas in the world, you'll experience a dizzying diversity of communities, cultures and landscapes in just over a week. Oh, and did we mention the animals you’ll see? You can expect 4x4 safaris in the day, and by night, you'll head out in search of the Big Five - keep your eyes (and ears) peeled.

Trip overview

Map of Essential African Safari including South Africa and Zimbabwe
Start
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Theme
18 to 35s, Overland
Destinations
Zimbabwe, 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
YBYV
This trip generates 38 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
  • Discover the stunning cascades of Victoria Falls whichever way you please, with so many options to choose from – helicopter, anyone?
  • 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.
  • Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about the rehabilitation of wildlife from conflict and poaching and have the possibility of meeting some rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care.
  • Pay the famous elephants and lions of Hwange National Park a visit from an open-air 4x4 vehicle on an exciting overland adventure.
  • Cool off with a cold one made from pure Zambezi water with a taste and a tour of the biggest micro-brewery in Victoria Falls.
  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll learn about our Intrepid Foundation partner, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. Donations help employ a team of Community Guardians who collaborate with locals to find sustainable solutions to human-wildlife conflict and conservation in Southern Africa.Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The African wild comes alive at sunrise, so there will be some early starts. Don't worry, the thrill of spotting your first lion or rhino will be well worth any loss of sleep.
  • 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’. 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
  • Please note that 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, and some may carry on to further destinations at the end of this tour. If you’d like to spend more time in Africa, have a look at the combos that include this trip’s itinerary: Epic African Adventure (YGYSC) & Real Southern Africa (UBYSC).

Itinerary

Map of Essential African Safari including South Africa and Zimbabwe

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, Open safari vehicle

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (7 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)

Activities
  • 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
  • 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

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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 trip finishes upon arrival in Johannesburg on Day 9. 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.

5. 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

5 out of 5 based on 3 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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Andre · Traveled September 2023
Intrepid were amazing at organising the trip you get to meet great people and make new friends. You feel safe and you don’t have to worry or organise a thing. You can relax.
Review submitted 19 Sep 2023

Shannon · Traveled September 2023
This trip was a wonderful experience and I would likely do it again. If however you are booking this trip for Kruger National Park I would not recommend. Kruger was a bit of a let down and slightly ruined the end of the trip for me
Review submitted 21 Sep 2023

Sarah · Traveled August 2023
I was nervous about doing a trip like this for the first time, as soon as the trip started any hesitations I had went away. Our crew was so friendly and accommodating. They made everything so fun! I would recommend doing this trip to anyone who would like to visit Africa and be close to the nature and wildlife.
Review submitted 04 Sep 2023
Essential African Safari
From
GBP £680