Botswana Highlights

Intrepid Travel · 9 days
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
Botswana Highlights
9 Days
From AUD $4130
Trip Type
Small Group
Activity Level
Average

Rating


(20 reviews)

Botswana Highlights

Botswana Highlights

Intrepid Travel · 9 days
Duration

9 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

On this nine-day wildlife-filled adventure, you’ll get to see Botswana’s inland delta, herds of elephants and the world's largest salt pans!.

Highlights

  • Glide through the wildlife-filled waterways of the Okavango by mokoro – this traditional dug-out canoe is the best way to experience the delta up close.
  • Seek out pods of hippos wallowing in the waters and surround yourself with abundant birdlife on a river cruise through Chobe National Park.
  • Enjoy some truly unique accommodation in Elephant Sands. Greet herds of elephants as they come to drink and bathe from a natural watering hole right outside the lodge, only metres from your porch!
  • Visit Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – supported by The Intrepid Foundation – and learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching.
  • Arrive early or extend your stay in Victoria Falls to fully experience all this amazing place has to offer. Take an active adventure, see the thundering falls – the largest in the world – and maybe take a sunset helicopter flight to get the best views.

Trip Details

Duration

9 days

Transportation

Private Vehicle,Boat,Mokoro

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Victoria Falls, Botswana

Finishes

Victoria Falls, Botswana

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

1
Day 1: Victoria Falls
Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your adventure begins in Victoria Falls with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, and it’s recommended that you do, 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. Scenic helicopter flights are incredible – if you opt for one, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only operator Intrepid endorses. After the welcome meeting, why not get to know your fellow travellers over a group dinner.

Optional Activities:

  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour (68 USD)
  • Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) (45 USD)
  • Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour (55 USD)
  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing (168 USD)
  • Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) (110 USD)
  • Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) (126 USD)
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins - excludes USD25 Fuel & NP Fee) (150 USD)
  • Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) (75 USD)
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins - excludes USD30 Fuel & NP Fee) (284 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
2
Day 2: Elephant Sands
This morning, you’ll leave Victoria Falls behind and head to Elephant Sands 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. Then, travel across the Kazungula border into Botswana and make your way to your accommodation in Elephant Sands. Located in a private concession bordering on the Chobe Forest Reserve, the watering hole at Elephant Sands lodge attracts herds of elephants and other wildlife in season. You'll take a guided bush walk through the unfenced 16,000 ha private conservancy, which is home to a variety of wildlife. You may even spot some of Africa's lesser-known 'Little Five' species! Tonight, maybe soak up the sounds of the wilderness with a glass of wine as your overlook the waterhole, keeping an eye out for the roaming animals.

Included Activities:

  • Nata - Elephant Sands Bush Walk
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

Accommodation:

  • Basic Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
3
Day 3: Maun
After breakfast, drive to Maun – a bustling town on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Arriving here in the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to take in this UNESCO World Heritage site from above on a scenic flight in a helicopter flight (an optional activity that your trip leader can help you arrange). Tonight's accommodation is in a comfortable hotel situated on the town's outskirts.

Optional Activities:

  • Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight (280 USD)

Accommodation:

  • Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
4
Day 4: Okavango Delta Pan Handle
Leaving Maun after breakfast, make your way further to the northwestern part of the Okavango Delta, admiring the scenery along the way. Meet your 4WD transfer for the last 12 km and watch the scenery pass you by. When you arrive, settle into the lodge where you’ll be spending the next two nights, located on the edge of the Guma Lagoon.

Accommodation:

  • Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
5
Day 5: Okavango Delta Pan Handle
Today, you'll hop into mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) for a water-level exploration of the delta. Paddling through papyrus and reed beds to lily-covered lagoons and islands, keep an eye out for elephants, antelope, warthogs, and other wildlife. Afterward, enjoy a short bushwalk on one of the islands before returning to the lodge for a delicious lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure, relaxing by the pool, and finish the day with a sunset view over the lagoon.

Included Activities:

  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari
  • Okavango Delta - Nature walk

Accommodation:

  • Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
6
Day 6: Caprivi
After breakfast, take the 4WD transfer back to the vehicle and make your way to the Namibian border. The drive to tonight's camp on the Caprivi banks of the Okavango River, involves passing through the Mahango Game Reserve – keep your eyes peeled for the surrounding wildlife on the drive, like elephants and buffalo.

Included Activities:

  • Caprivi - Sunset River Cruise

Accommodation:

  • Basic Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
7
Day 7: Chobe National Park
Continue the journey along the Caprivi Strip, located in the newly formed Kavango-Zambezi Trans frontier park. After crossing the border back into Botswana you’ll arrive at Kasane – a town surrounded by the Chobe National Park. Taking its name from the river which marks the border between Namibia and Botswana, Chobe boasts the largest population of elephants in Africa, plus an abundance of birdlife, pods of wallowing hippos and more. Check out Kasane town, or maybe take a dip in the lodge pool, sit by the open outdoor fire or simply watch the setting sun change the colours of the sky above the Chobe River.

Accommodation:

  • Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
8
Day 8: Chobe National Park
Take the opportunity to wake up early and enjoy an optional dawn game drive in Chobe National Park, where you may see elephants drinking at the waters' edge, large herds of cape buffaloes and many impala within the park. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Later in the afternoon you’ll head out on a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. At the right time of year, the river is frequented by large families of elephants crossing the banks, drinking and playing in the water. It's also ideal for spotting bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters, as well as hippos and crocodiles. Why not grab a sundowner from the small bar onboard, then sit back and watch the sunset over the river – a perfect way to end the day.

Included Activities:

  • Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive

Optional Activities:

  • Chobe National Park - River cruise (580 BWP)

Accommodation:

  • Lodge (Number of Nights: 1)
9
Day 9: Victoria Falls
Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before heading to the Zimbabwean border. After completing the border formalities, drive the remaining distance to Victoria Falls. Your adventure ends when you arrive, at approximately 11 am, and no accommodation is included tonight. If you’d like to extend your stay in Victoria Falls, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. Those staying longer can visit the falls and choose from various activities and excursions, including white water rafting and canoeing.
Exclusions
  • Flights to and from origin and destinations
  • Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
  • Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
  • Recommended gratuities/tipping
  • Optional activities/tours
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
  • Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.
Important Information
Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

  • It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
  • Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
  • Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.
Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.
AUD $4,130
(Tour only)
Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 9 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

On this nine-day wildlife-filled adventure, you’ll get to see Botswana’s inland delta, herds of elephants and the world's largest salt pans!.

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 08 Apr 2026

Customer Reviews

Overall Rating
Excellent
4.5
Guide
Excellent
4.5
Itinerary
Excellent
4.5
Accommodations
Excellent
4.5
Transportation
Excellent
4.5
Tour Operator
Excellent
4.5
Food
Excellent
4.5
5.0
Priya
Traveled, April 2024

04/18/2024

AMAZING WILDLIFE i had to pinch myself it exceeded my expectations. Great group and great leader big up Bonnie

4.5
Vanessa
Traveled, April 2024

04/18/2024

The trip was amazing and very well planned. The places we went to were great, we saw such beautiful animals in their habitats, and the people were lovely. Our guide Bonnie did a wonderful job too! I will definitely come back.

Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989