Southern Africa Adventure

30 Days | Take the scenic route from Cape Town to Johannesburg

4.6 out of 5 based on 5 reviews submitted.
Overland
Wildlife
From
USD $4,320
View dates and book

Get set for an adventure packed with majestic wildlife, remote desert landscapes and natural wonders in southern Africa. This is the ultimate small-group adventure, from the stunning beauty of Cape Town and burnt orange sunsets over Namibia's Fish River Canyon to a river cruise through Chobe National Park. Get set to canoe down the Okavango Delta, embark on a game drives in Kruger and Etosha national parks and admire the raw power of Victoria Falls from multiple angles. With plenty of time to explore at your own pace, plus a local crew with all the best advice, see this chunk of Africa with ease and independence in 30 unforgettable days.

Trip overview

Map of Southern Africa Adventure including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe
Start
Cape Town, South Africa
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Destinations
Botswana, South Africa, 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
Basix
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 22
Trip code
UXOGC
This trip generates 25 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
  • Enjoy an unforgettable opportunity to camp at the headquarters of the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit, the Black Mambas. Join them on an exclusive bush walk by day and then listen to their inspiring stories by the campfire in the evening.
  • Glide through the lily pad-clad waterways of the Okavango Delta on a mokoro (a small dugout canoe) and escape civilisation with an overnight stay at your island camp.
  • Take an early morning game drive in Chobe National Park, which is Botswana's first national park, and look out for lions, buffaloes, exotic birds and the high concentration of elephants the park is known for.
  • Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust and learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and anti-poaching efforts after seeing the cascades in all their glory.
  • Track rhinos on foot with an expert local guide in Matobo National Park, and camp under a starry African sky within Kruger National Park.

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. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/africa/overland
  • The African wild comes alive at sunrise, so there will be some early starts on this trip. The thrill of spotting your first lion or rhino will be well worth any loss of sleep!

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 Southern Africa Adventure including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Inclusions

Meals

26 breakfasts, 17 lunches, 23 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Mokoro

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (23 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night), Camping (without facilities) (1 night), Cabin (3 nights), Hotel (1 night), Homestay (1 night)

Activities
  • Fish River Canyon - Canyon entrance
  • Sossusvlei - 4x4 Tour
  • Sesriem - Sand dunes visit
  • Cape Cross Nature Reserve - Cape Cross seal colony
  • Etosha National Park - Overland Vehicle Game Drive
  • Grootfontein - San Bushman cultural experience
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
  • Okavango Delta - Boat Safari
  • Okavango Delta - Nature Walk
  • Okavango Delta – Mokoro Safari
  • Okavango Delta - Nature walk
  • Chobe National Park - Dawn 4WD Safari
  • 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
  • Kruger - Visit to Black Mambas HQ
  • Kruger National Park - Full Day 4x4 Game Drive
  • Panorama Route - Bourke's Luck Potholes
Add on activities
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Hike - ZAR1600
  • Cape Town - Table Mountain Aerial Cable - ZAR380
  • Cape Town - Robben Island tour - ZAR550
  • Cape Town - Best of the Cape Combo Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula and SUP Tour - Full Day - ZAR2100
  • Cape Town - Robben Island Ferry & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
  • Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Full Day - ZAR1800
  • Cape Town - Winelands Tour - Half Day - ZAR1350
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Table Mountain Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - Cape Malay Cooking Tour - Half Day - ZAR1200
  • Cape Town - Township Experience - Half Day - ZAR965
  • Cape Town - City and Waterfront Tour - Half Day - ZAR1100
  • Cape Town - Cape Peninsula & Kirstenbosch Tour - Full Day - ZAR2000
  • Cape Town - District Six & Bo-Kapp Cultural Tour - Half Day - ZAR965
  • Klawer - Winery visit & tasting - ZAR140
  • Orange River - Canoe trip - NAD550
  • Swakopmund - Swakopmund Museum - USD2
  • Swakopmund - Sea kayaking - USD85
  • Swakopmund - Seal and dolphin cruise - USD60
  • Swakopmund - Horse riding - USD65
  • Swakopmund – Living Desert Tour - USD60
  • Swakopmund – Township Tour - USD45
  • Spitzkoppe - San People rock painting guided walk - ZAR50
  • Etosha National Park - Evening Game Drive - ZAR750
  • Bagani - Sunset Cruise - USD25
  • Chobe National Park - Boat Cruise - BWP270
  • Chobe National Park - 4WD Safari - BWP580
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance - 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. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes Days 7, 8 and 9 (Chalet), Day 17 (Camping) and Days 26 and 27 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation 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 will change in Victoria Falls as your crew and some group members leave and new ones join you.

3. This trip finishes upon arrival in Johannesburg on Day 30. 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. 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

4.6 out of 5 based on 5 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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Lucy · Traveled August 2023
This is a fast paced tour seeing lots of amazing sights. Be aware of long days in the truck. It is also made up of two tours joined together rather than one continuous tour.
Review submitted 25 Sep 2023

Ethan · Traveled July 2023
Review submitted 03 Sep 2023

Natalia · Traveled June 2023
Great trip to explore S. Africa. A lot a places to see and a lot of stuff to try. Be aware about style if this trip: some people can be not happy about tent style of this trip. Cooking? Yes- different cooks- different meal experience. Hopefully you will be lucky with you cook.
Review submitted 31 Jul 2023

Andrew · Traveled May 2023
Cape Town to JBurg loop. Many highlights wildlife, good crews, great food, amazing vista's, Namibia, Okovango island camp, particularly good group of fellow travelers amplified an exciting adventure. Makushu homestay and expert rhino tracking stood out on the VF to Kruger leg.
Review submitted 11 Jun 2023

Gary · Traveled August 2022
Hildon was a Fantastic Tour Leader. He is extremely well versed in the Wildlife Management of this spectacular area and truly works For Us, the travelers.
Review submitted 05 Oct 2022
Southern Africa Adventure
From
USD $4,320