Compare Explore Southern Africa by Intrepid Travel vs Ultimate Africa: Botswana, Zambia & Zimbabwe Safari by Overseas Adventure Travel

Day 1 Johannesburg

Sawubona – welcome to South Africa! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, we recommend visiting the eye-opening Apartheid Museum to start your journey with some crucial history before meeting up with your group. After your important meeting this evening, why not head out for an optional group dinner and get to know your newfound travel companions? Your leader can point you in the right direction with bar and restaurant recommendations.

Day 2 Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Leaving South Africa behind, cross the border into Botswana and travel towards the Khama Rhino Sanctuary (approximately 8–10 hours). Situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary has drastically changed from a former hunting area to a conservation project. Built to protect Botswana's only remaining populations of both black and white rhinos, the sanctuary is also home to other wildlife including zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest, all of which can be seen grazing the many waterholes. Visiting this project benefits local communities and directly contributes to protecting the endangered white rhinoceros. Later on, head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they are most active.

Day 3 Maun

Jump aboard your vehicle and head to Maun (approximately 8–9 hours). Here there will be an opportunity to stock up on any supplies you might need for your adventure ahead. Maun is the gateway to one of the world's most complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. This place is unlike anything in the world – a 16,000 square kilometre maze of lush wetlands and waterways teeming with wildlife. You might see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats, but it's the animals aren’t the only drawcard here – the waterscapes and shimmering horizons will have you gazing for days.

Day 4 Okavango Delta

Get right in the action today, jumping aboard a traditional mokoro – a dugout canoe steered by friendly local 'polers' – for an Okavango waterways experience. With some luck, you could spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and exotic birdlife. Spend some time today exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot too, led by experienced local guides. Tonight, you’ll camp on a remote island right in the heart of the wilderness, falling asleep to the humming and buzzing of the African heartlands.

Day 5 Okavango Delta

Wake up early and head out on a sunrise walk. Along the way, keep watch for elephants, and if the timing is right, you might also come across some Cape buffalo! These noble-looking beasts are more dangerous than they look, and their horns double as a kind of bone shield that's fittingly known as a 'boss'. Returning to camp for breakfast, you’ve got the rest of the day to relax. A refreshing swim, or perhaps a nap, could be on the cards – both good ideas in the warmer part of the day. Alternatively, take another mokoro trip to soak up that serene river atmosphere.

Day 6 Maun

After taking down your camp, return to the ‘poler’ station by mokoro, before continuing on to Maun by vehicle (approximately 2–3 hours). Today we will visit a local brewery that produces beer containing millet grown by small-scale farmers, rewarding them for their efforts to coexist with elephants and promoting an inclusive economy. This initiative enhances the benefits of sustainable farming practices and ties them to the region’s wildlife economy. After touring the brewery, we'll stick around for dinner and an included beer tasting. Tonight, settle in at camp on the outskirts of town.

Day 7 Nata

Get up early and hit the road for Nata (approximately 6–7 hours). This small town is situated near the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans which are some of the largest on earth, covering around 12,000 square kilometres. This afternoon, take the opportunity to explore the salt pans in an open vehicle. They are naturally dry and salty for a large part of the year, and during this time, the arid landscape has an eerie feel to it as the shimmering mirages disorientate the senses. At other times they take on a layer of grass and, as soon as the rains hit, become a refuge for migratory birds and animals.

Day 8 Chobe National Park

Hit the road to Chobe National Park (approximately 6–7 hours). Botswana's first national park is perhaps best known for its high concentration of elephants, which can often be seen swimming in the Chobe River. The river also attracts wallowing hippos, a variety of birdlife, crocodiles sunning themselves by the water's edge, and cheetahs and lions coming down to drink. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe – an ideal way to spend the afternoon and toast to another day in Africa.

Day 9 Victoria Falls

Why not wake up early and see Chobe National Park from a different perspective, booking yourself in on an optional morning game drive. Afterwards, travel on to Victoria Falls (approximately 2–3 hours), crossing the border into Zimbabwe just in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River. Then it's free time to experience the sights and sounds of the mighty falls. This thundering curtain of water is about 1.7 kilometres wide, falling 108 metres into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise an incredible 400 metres as the falls become a raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and you can see the little islets in the river below.

Day 10 Victoria Falls

Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe and the mighty Victoria Falls. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, why not check out some of the optional activities around Victoria Falls. The Zimbabwe side of the falls offers the broadest view of this colossal natural wonder, and the scenic helicopter flights are incredible – if you opt for one, the Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe) is the only operator Intrepid endorses.

Day 11 Hwange National Park

After a little time to explore in the morning, you’ll leave Victoria Falls behind and head to Hwange National Park via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – one of the projects The Intrepid Foundation supports. Here you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. Hwange National Park became the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19th century and was set aside as a national park in 1929. Today, Hwange boasts a tremendous selection of wildlife, with over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species. The elephants of Hwange are world famous – here you'll find one of the largest elephant populations in Africa. Spend this afternoon exploring Hwange National Park and discover this stunning wildlife arena in an open 4WD vehicle with expert local guides. Keep your eyes out for wildlife and listen closely as your guides explain more about this area and the animals that call this place home.

Day 12 Matobo National Park

Leave Hwange in your dust as you make tracks for Matobo National Park this morning. Shortly after leaving Hwange, stop at the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. The loss of quality habitat and poaching are driving the painted dog (also known as African wild dog) towards extinction. Learn about how they protect and increase the range and numbers of painted dogs in Zimbabwe and the Hwange ecosystem as a whole. Then it's on to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second-largest city. Take a stroll through the streets lined with old colonial buildings and stop in at a local cafe or restaurant for lunch before heading to your camp for the next two nights. Home to a large population of black and white rhinoceroses that can be tracked on foot, Matobo National Park is also the site of the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, the founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company. The Matobo area has great spiritual and cultural significance to the local people and there are many sites within the park where important ceremonies still take place.

Day 13 Matobo National Park

Matobo National Park has an incredibly diverse range of birdlife and wildlife, and is home to both Black and White rhino. This morning, you have a unique opportunity to track white rhinos on foot with the help of an expert local guide. There will also be the chance to spot other game – the park is home to klipspringers, leopards, warthogs and springhares, among others. You can also learn about the various local plants and trees, including wild pear and paperbark, while discovering San paintings and the intriguing rock formations of the park. After a cold lunch, venture to a nearby village and meet some of the local people. You’ll gain a better understanding of the lives of these people when they were living in the hills, as well as meet with some of the local communities and personalities – including elderly chief Pondo, a character in his own right.

Day 14 Tshipise

This morning we leave Matobo National Park and Zimbabwe behind and cross a very busy border post, the only direct border crossing between Zimbabwe and South Africa. We should arrive at our camping site located on the edge of Honnet Nature Reserve in the late afternoon. Relax and enjoy the extensive facilities available including an indoor and outdoor pool, putt putt, nature trail, and optional Game Drives.

Day 15 Makushu Village

Make your way to Makushu – a small village in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Upon arrival in Makushu, you’ll be met by a local village guide, who will ensure you are well taken care of. You’ll be staying with homestay host mothers in their family homes. With your own room within the family home, you will get a true feeling of what it’s like in the village – certainly a unique and memorable experience for travellers. With no two days the same for local villagers, some things you may get up to include beading, dancing, beer tasting and cooking. This evening is a true opportunity to interact with the local villagers and learn of traditional Venda ways.

Day 16 Greater Kruger National Park - Black Mambas HQ

After breakfast today you’ll make the epic journey towards Greater Kruger National Park. Along the way, there will be an opportunity to stop at a shop or market for any camping supplies you or the group might need. Tonight you'll get the extraordinary opportunity to camp at the Black Mambas headquarters, located just outside of Kruger National Park. Supported by the Intrepid Foundation, the Black Mambas are the world's first all-female anti-poaching unit, made up of 36 young African women.​ Turning a traditionally male-dominated industry on its head, they’re putting their female prowess to work protecting the wildlife of Kruger National Park in an unconventional kind of way. You'll accompany them on a bush walk to discover how they find and destroy snares left by poachers. In the evening, enjoy dinner by lantern light then relax by the campfire and listen to the inspirational personal stories from The Black Mambas.

Day 17 Kruger National Park

Rise early and have a light breakfast of coffee before embarking on a full-day 4WD game drive in Kruger National Park. One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog. Your wildlife experience begins as soon as you enter the park. You will head straight into prime game viewing areas, spotting anything from antelopes and elands to cheetahs and rhinos. Later on, head out on a night drive with local park guides to spot nocturnal animals and perhaps even a night-time predator or two. Night drives provide the opportunity to spot Kruger National Park’s secretive nocturnal creatures and watch their activities in their natural environment. This drive traditionally lasts between 2 and 3 hours and you can expect to see a vast selection of nocturnal animals such as nightjars, servals, African wild cats, springhares and owls.

Day 18 Johannesburg

It's time to head to Johannesburg. There’s plenty of time to stop and explore along the way. A notable stop – you’ll take in amazing vistas at the 3 Rondavals viewpoint over Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck Potholes. This is a magnificent lookout where cloud cover is usually at a minimum. Your African safari adventure comes to an end once we arrive in Johannesburg this evening.

DAY 1
Depart U.S.
Trip Extension: Thornybush
Spot wildlife in a private reserve that is home to all of Africa's "Big Five" on this extension.
You depart from the U.S. on an overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.

DAY 2
Arrive Johannesburg, South Africa
Accommodations: Protea Hotel O.R. Tambo or similar
Today, arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa. You will be met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay. Here, you'll be joined by those who traveled on our optional Thornybush: Kruger's Northern Gateway extension.

DAY 3
Fly from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls • Transfer to Chobe National Park
Meals included: B D Accommodations: Baobab Safari Lodge or similar

This morning, we’ll fly to Victoria Falls, arriving early afternoon.

We meet our Trip Leader at the Victoria Falls airport, and we drive across the border to our lodge in Botswana. After a briefing on our upcoming explorations, we'll enjoy a Welcome Drink and later, mingle with your travel companions at our Welcome Dinner.

DAY 4
Wildlife viewing at Chobe National Park
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Baobab Safari Lodge or similar

The next two days are devoted to seeking out game in Chobe National Park, the second-largest (and first-established) national park in the country.

Chobe National Park is home to one of the world's largest elephant populations—the present herd is estimated at 50,000 animals. This enormous region offers variety in both wildlife and terrain. Riverine forest, flood plains, and mopane are home to large and small game. Elephants gather around baobab trees, drawn by the water stored in their bark.

During the dry season, the Chobe River attracts so much game that thousands of animals may congregate on its banks, and hippo are submerged in its waters. Some visitors have experienced the spectacular sighting of a zebra migration. Large groups of giraffe amble about the land, and hyena, cheetah, leopard, and wildebeest may also be glimpsed in this thickly populated habitat. The birdlife here is spectacular, ranging from eagles and bustards to plovers and rollers, and bee-eaters bustle near their sandbank nests. There are also water birds, such as egret, ibis, and heron, along the river.

The pace of most of our African safari days follows this general pattern: After our morning game-viewing, we will spend siesta time quietly during the heat of the day, followed by teatime in the late afternoon. Next we head out for our afternoon game-viewing drive. In the evenings, just before sunset, we gather to soak in the views of the golden sun sinking behind a nearby watering hole. We then sit down to enjoy dinner together by candlelight.

Today, we explore the Chobe National Park on morning and afternoon game-viewing drives, return to the lodge in time for afternoon tea, and then, after sundown, we have dinner at our lodge.

DAY 5
Explore Chobe National Park
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Baobab Safari Lodge or similar

Our safari schedule in Chobe today features a full-day game-viewing drive in Chobe National Park—which has one of the greatest concentrations of game found on the African continent and is sure to be a highlight of our safari adventure. During a full day of game-viewing in the park, we’ll spot some of these magnificent elephants, in addition to zebra, Cape buffalo, hippo, and crocodile. We will be out in our vehicles during lunchtime, so we will take along a picnic lunch.

Dinner tonight is a traditional South African braai, similar to our barbecue but more closely connected to the outdoor life, culture, and laid-back lifestyle of southern Africans. We’ll cap off the day with a relaxing sundowner with our fellow travelers.

DAY 6
Fly to Okavango Delta via Kasane
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Wilderness Tented Camp or similar

This morning, we'll enjoy a discussion with your Trip Leader on the region's history before boarding a minibus that takes us to Kasane, Botswana. From here, we catch a light aircraft flight to our camp in Botswana.

Our lodge is a private Wilderness Tented Camp adjacent to the border of the Moremi National Park in the northern region of the Delta. Upon arrival, we enjoy a game-viewing drive en route to our camp, where we'll have a briefing about the lodge and the surrounding area, along with an included lunch.

Afterward, you are free to relax at our lodgings before we gather together for a game-viewing drive before returning for dinner.

DAY 7
Explore Okavango Delta • Moremi area
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Wilderness Tented Camp or similar

We devote the next two days to in-depth exploration of the Okavango Delta. Each morning, we split into groups and choose from a variety of options for exploring the area: including a mokoro canoe ride (weather-permitting), or a game-viewing drive.

In the Delta, we'll see a variety of birdlife, including the vibrantly plumed lilac-breasted roller and the similarly striking pygmy goose (actually a species of duck). The elusive Pel's fishing owl, though nocturnal, can sometimes be spotted here during the day. Hippos spend the days submerged in the Delta waters, and sitatunga and red lechwe frequent both the swamps and dry land.

While on land, we are likely to see herds of buffalo, sable antelope, kudu, and elephant.

We return to the lodge in time for lunch, and enjoy our afternoon tea before departing on our next game-viewing excursion, returning to the lodge after sundown for dinner.

Please note: Mokoro excursions are dependent on safety and water levels, which fluctuate constantly in the Delta, regardless of the season. When you arrive in the Delta, your Trip Leader will monitor conditions and advise you of whether it's possible to explore by mokoro.

DAY 8
Explore Okavango Delta
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Wilderness Tented Camp or similar

Today, we continue to explore the Okavango Delta. We'll again split into groups and explore the area by mokoro on the Delta (if conditions permit), or enjoy a game-viewing drive in the neighboring savannah.

DAY 9
Fly to Kasane • Transfer to Kafue, Zambia
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Lufupa Tented Camp or similar

This morning, after an early breakfast, we fly by light aircraft from the Okavango Delta to Kasane Airport. We then travel by road and boat to Livingstone, where we'll take a light aircraft transfer to Lufupa Tented Camp in Kafue National Park this afternoon. One of Zambia’s most impressive parks, Kafue is one of the first to join an initiative to link the national parks of five African countries into what will eventually become a 108,000-square-mile park, to be known as the Kvango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (also the Okavango-Upper Zambezi TFCA).

After we settle in and enjoy afternoon tea in the cool of the shade of jackalberry trees, we enjoy our first game-viewing excursion by boat or 4x4 vehicle late this afternoon.

Kafue boasts a distinction that we’ll appreciate on our game-viewing drives: It is home to the greatest diversity of mammals in Zambia, with 55 large mammal species, including six varieties of large cat and 20 hooved species. Leopard and lion prowl the area around the Lufupa Channel in search of warthog, hartebeest, and the elegant puku, an antelope found only in Zambia and the Congo. Elephants gather here by day, while hippo venture out at twilight. Our guide will help us to spot these animals as we explore the park.

We return to camp in time for dinner. Our campsite is situated in the northern section of the park along the banks of the Kafue River, one of the three rivers nourishing the park. From the decks of our safari-style tented rooms, we can view the slow-moving river and the wildlife that it attracts. After dinner, we gather around the campfire to compare notes on the animals we saw today.

DAY 10
Explore Kafue National Park
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Lufupa Tented Camp or similar

Today, we’ll enjoy two game-viewing excursions by boat or safari vehicle during the most temperate hours—early morning and late afternoon—when the wildlife is at its most active. In addition to the mammal species such as graceful giraffes, Kafue boasts nearly 500 species of bird, including the yellow-billed oxpecker, trumpeter hornbill, and grey crowned crane. Along the rivers that feed the park, we might also encounter the white-backed night heron, African finfoot, or saddle-billed stork.

Between wildlife excursions, you may choose to linger at camp, enjoying Kafue River views at leisure, or elect to join our Trip Leader on a nature walk around the camp.

We gather for dinner this evening around the campfire.

DAY 11
Explore Kafue National Park
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Lufupa Tented Camp or similar

Two more game-viewing excursions await you this morning and afternoon, as you explore the outer reaches of the park by boat or safari vehicle. It’s impossible to exhaust the discoveries at Kafue, one of the continent’s largest national parks—at 8,600 square miles, it is roughly the size of the entire state of New Jersey. Kafue’s habitats span riverine forests, floodplains, woodlands, and dambos (open grasslands). There will also be opportunities to fish along the banks, as well as a sundowner cruise in the afternoon.

We gather for dinner and a campfire tonight, swapping memories of all we’ve encountered on our explorations in this truly stunning locale.

DAY 12
Kafue National Park • Transfer to Hwange, Zimbabwe
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Kashawe Tented Camp or similar

This morning, after an early breakfast, we enjoy a final game-viewing drive in the region during our transfer overland to the airstrip for our chartered flight to Livingstone Airport. From here, we board a minibus that takes us to Victoria Falls, the departure point for our drive to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest park.

This outstanding area of African bush country boasts plentiful wildlife—yet remains relatively "undiscovered." Our camp is located in the northern section of Hwange National Park and each tented unit offers views of the Sinamatella River and surrounding hillside from the veranda. We'll have lunch en route to our camp, arriving in the early afternoon.

Hwange is home to many diverse habitats, from teak forests to palm islands to vast savannah plains. Likewise, you may behold a rich menagerie of game that can include elephant, buffalo, eland, wildebeest, impala, lion, leopard, cheetah, and more than 400 known bird species. The park is also known for its herds of sable antelope, an elegant animal with large, graceful horns.

In the late afternoon, we gather to enjoy a talk regarding the local culture before dinner.

DAY 13
Wildlife viewing in Hwange National Park
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Kashawe Tented Camp or similar

This morning, we'll have the opportunity to enjoy a game-viewing drive with one of our professional guides. During this drive, you will learn about the region's flora and the intricate cycle of life in the bush. We will learn to identify which animals have passed through the area. Our expert guides may also expound on everything from how elephant dung can be used as mosquito repellent, to how the giraffe is able to eat leaves off of the thorny acacia trees. During our drive, we’ll stop to enjoy lunch in the bush.

After our game-viewing drive, we’ll return to our camp for some time at leisure. Tonight, we’ll experience traditional African drumming, followed by dinner together.

DAY 14
A Day in the Life of a Hwange Community • Game viewing FOUNDATION VISIT
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Kashawe Tented Camp or similar

A Day in the Life
Work side-by-side with locals to find fresh water and prepare sadza (porridge) in a Hwange village.
Today, we'll take a break from game viewing to learn more about Zimbabwe's human residents as we enjoy A Day in the Life of a village near the park. We'll meet a village leader, who takes us on a short tour that reveals how local people live, tend to their animals, and raise their crops. We'll learn a few words in the language of the local Ndebele people, before sitting down with a family to gain insight into their culture first-hand. We'll also have an opportunity for hands-on discovery when we take part in some farming activities (season permitting)—like planting, milking cows, and collecting eggs. Then, we'll visit St. Mary's Primary school (when in session), which is supported in part by Grand Circle Foundation. We have the unique opportunity to meet the teachers and share smiles with the children, and enjoy an included lunch at the school.

As on previous days, we enjoy a game-viewing drive in the afternoon and return to our camp after sunset.

DAY 15
Transfer to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Rainbow Hotel or similar

After breakfast, we depart our camp and drive to Victoria Falls. Here we visit the largest curtain of water in the world—and one of the world's Seven Natural Wonders. These awe-inspiring cataracts, whose African name (Mosi-oa Tunya) means "the smoke that thunders," are nearly twice as high as Niagara, one and a half times as wide, and generate three times as much water. On a clear day, you can see the mist sprayed into the air from these crashing waters from more than 50 miles away. At peak flood times, 1.4 billion gallons of water per minute pass over its edge.

After lunch, we'll enjoy a guided tour which includes exploring walking trails and lookout points—each with different views. There are five main cataracts, including the most dramatic, the Main Falls and Devil's Cataract. The flora around the falls is naturally profuse: You'll see ebony, fig trees, and many flowering species. The rain forest surrounding the falls is particularly lush, fed by Victoria's perpetual spray. (It's a good idea to wrap your camera equipment, cash, and other valuables in plastic.)

This evening enjoy dinner at our hotel.

DAY 16
Explore Victoria Falls • Optional tours OPTIONAL TOUR
Meals included: B L D Accommodations: Rainbow Hotel or similar

After breakfast, enjoy a walk through Chinotimba township, where we can observe everyday life in the neighborhood that is home to the majority of people living around Victoria Falls. Then, after lunch back at our hotel, you can join a combination of optional tours including an elephantback safari or helicopter ride over Victoria Falls. Or, you can walk through town on your own to check out the local handcrafts, such as the famous Shona stone carvings and a variety of wooden carvings. You'll also find a selection of brilliant African textiles, malachite, basketry, and more. This is one of the places where bartering is appropriate, often expected—and can be great fun. American goods like T-shirts, sweatshirts, and baseball caps with designer logos can be good “currency” here. Please ask your Trip Leader for advice about where else it may be appropriate to barter in this manner. This evening, we'll enjoy our Farewell Dinner while cruising along the Zambezi River.

DAY 17
Fly to Johannesburg • Return to U.S. or begin trip extension
Meals included: B

Trip Extension: Cape Town
Ascend Cape Town's Table Mountain and spot penguin colonies on this must-do extension.
After breakfast this morning, we’ll gather for a talk on the life of David Livingstone before we drive to the airport and board our flight to Johannesburg. Both the flight for the post-trip extension Cape Town & the Cape of Good Hope and the return flights to the U.S. depart in the early evening.