Premium Southern Africa in Depth

Intrepid Travel · 14 days

4.7

10 Reviews

Duration

14 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Uncover the true beauty of southern Africa on a 14-day Premium adventure through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (13), Lunch (7), Dinner (12)
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night), Lodge (12 nights)

Highlights

Enjoy two marvellous Feature Stays – a perfectly positioned camp on the Namibian banks of the Zambezi River and a scenic lodge in a private reserve within the Greater Kruger Region.
Let Signature Experiences take you closer to nature, including a 4WD adventure through the striking Makgadikgadi Pans and a privately catered cruise down the Zambezi River.
Seek out Africa’s most iconic wildlife – lions, elephants, buffalo, leopards and rhinos – with 4WD safaris in Kruger National Park (South Africa’s biggest reserve), Hwange National Park and Chobe National Park, where you’ll also go on an afternoon boat cruise along the Chobe River.
Visit the thundering Victoria Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Admire their power, then return to your comfortable lodge with magnificent views of uninterrupted wilderness.
Get a bird’s eye view of the Okavango Delta’s maze of lagoons, lakes and streams during scenic flights in and out of the delta. Plus, wind through the waterways on a traditional mokoro (canoe) with a team of expert guides to help you spot wildlife.

Trip Details

Duration

14 days

Transportation

4x4, Open 4x4 Safari Vehicle, Private vehicle, Plane, Riverboat

Guide Language

English

Starts

Johannesburg, Botswana

Finishes

Maun, Botswana

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Johannesburg

Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your trip begins in Johannesburg, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. You’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe introduce yourself to the area’s history at the Apartheid Museum, stroll through the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens or visit Constitution Hill. After your meeting, join your leader and fellow travellers for dinner at your hotel. South Africa is known for its diverse food scene flavoured by its multicultural influences – maybe try some boerewors (spiced South African sausage), or perhaps some springbok carpaccio (thinly sliced raw meat).

Included Activities:

Johannesburg - Welcome Dinner
Complimentary Arrival Transfer - OR Tambo International Airport to Johannesburg Hotel

Accommodation:

The Maslow Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Kruger National Park

Set off early for a drive to Kruger National Park, arriving just in time for lunch at Mdluli Safari Lodge – your Feature Stay accommodation for the next two nights. Created in partnership with the local Mdluli community, the lodge is in perfect harmony with its wild surroundings. In the afternoon, you'll set off on your first open 4WD safari. See some of your favourite wild animals in their own habitat, including lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards!

Included Activities:

Kruger National Park - Afternoon 4WD Safari

Accommodation:

Mdluli Safari Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Kruger National Park

This morning, make the journey into the heart of Kruger National Park, where you'll find yourself in the perfect position to catch a glimpse of one, or hopefully all, of Africa's iconic animals. Kruger National Park is one of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, home to 500 bird species, 100 reptile species and 150 mammal species. As you journey through the park’s diverse habitats, including savanna, mixed acacia woodlands and rocky hills, you’ll stop at waterholes and other various points to see animals such as zebras, giraffes and African wild dogs, going about their day. Today's game drive will finish in time for sunset and drinks, served on a kopje at your Feature Stay. Pronounced 'kopee', these large ancient rock formations provide scenic contrasts across Africa's vast landscapes. Take a moment to sit back and take in the sounds and sights of the bush as the day turns to night.

Included Activities:

Kruger National Park - Full Day 4WD Safari
Kruger National Park - Sundowner Drinks

Accommodation:

Mdluli Safari Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Victoria Falls

Say goodbye to South Africa as you board a flight to Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe. When you arrive, continue to your lodge accommodation, which serves up beautiful views of uninterrupted wilderness and a waterhole frequented by elephant, buffalo, kudu and more! Maybe spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or spotting wildlife from the multiple viewing decks around the lodge, before embarking on a small and intimate dinner cruise on the Zambezi River tonight. Sit down to a four-course meal of fresh, locally sourced ingredients as you navigate around the islands above the thundering Victoria Falls. Be sure to look for crocodiles lazing on the banks or elephants and hippos submerging themselves in the river as the sun sets.

Included Activities:

Victoria Falls - Zambezi River Dinner Cruise

Optional Activities:

Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes USD39 fuel surcharge and NP fees) (328 USD)
Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$29 fuel surcharge and NP fees) (173 USD)

Accommodation:

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Victoria Falls

Victoria Falls is one of the most magnificent natural wonders in the world, and today you’ll witness its might. Plunging over 100 m into a deep gorge, take in its raw power and beauty as you explore the rich flora, fauna, birdlife and fascinating history of this UNESCO World Heritage site with your local leader by your side. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Maybe continue to wander around Victoria Falls or relax with a swim at Devil’s Pool – a natural rock pool at the edge of the waterfall (season dependent).

Included Activities:

Victoria Falls - Guided Tour

Optional Activities:

Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour (74 USD)
Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD12 NP Fee) (141 USD)
Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD12 NP Fee) (173 USD)
Victoria Falls - Simunye Show (58 USD)
Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing (137 USD)

Accommodation:

Victoria Falls Safari Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Hwange National Park

Depart Victoria Falls this morning, headed for Hwange. When you arrive, settle into your lodge. This afternoon, you’ll go on a wildlife safari in Hwange National Park. This is the largest national park in Zimbabwe’s north-west, spanning more than 14,500 sq km. Keep an eye out for buffalo, leopards, lions, elephants (Zimbabwe’s largest population of elephants resides here!) and endangered wild dogs. Nearly 400 species of birds can be found here, as well as rare mammals like sables and roan antelope. End the day by soaking up your surroundings with a sundowner in hand.

Included Activities:

Hwange National Park - Afternoon Game Drive and Sundowners

Accommodation:

Ivory Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Hwange National Park

Embark on a full-day drive in Hwange National Park today to see more of the incredible wildlife that roams these vast savannas and teak forests. Return to your lodge in the mid-afternoon, where you’ll have some free time to relax.

Included Activities:

Hwange National Park - Full Day Game Drive

Accommodation:

Ivory Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Chobe National Park

Today, you’ll be transferred to your accommodation in Chobe National Park, where the next leg of your adventure begins. After you’ve settled in, you’re free to enjoy the rest of your day at your leisure. Relax at your hotel or perhaps go on a safari for yet another opportunity to spot the amazing wildlife that call this special part of Africa home. You'll meet your new group and leader for a welcome meeting at 6 pm. After, you’ll have dinner at the lodge. Enjoy a celebration of Indigenous food and the rich flavours of Africa as you dine next to the scenic Chobe River.

Included Activities:

Chobe - Welcome Dinner
Complimentary Arrival Transfer

Accommodation:

Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Zambezi River

Rise early for a morning safari in Chobe National Park. You might see elephants drinking at the water's edge, large herds of cape buffalo and many impalas within the park. Head back to the lodge for breakfast, then journey to the Ngoma Border Post before continuing to the Namibian side of the Zambezi River. Tonight you’ll stay in your Feature Stay accommodation – the Zambezi Mubala Lodge, a river hideaway where you can find hippos, vervet monkeys and more than 450 species of birds. Arrive in time for a hearty lunch at the lodge, then enjoy some downtime to relax by the pool, spot wildlife from the bar or soak up the wild surroundings on the banks of the Zambezi River. Speak to your leader about the optional seasonal activities for the afternoon, including a canoe trip, guided walking trail or a birding drive.

Included Activities:

Chobe National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
Zambezi River - Sundowner River Cruise

Accommodation:

Zambezi Mubala Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Zambezi River

Today, enjoy a restful morning at your Feature Stay. This afternoon, you’ll take a cruise down the Zambezi River. The privileged position of your camp allows you to access a part of the river that most visitors don’t get to see, which means you can view the abundant wildlife without the crowds – look out for large herds of elephants, buffalo and antelope. After, head back to the lodge for dinner and watch the sunset change the colours of the landscape.

Included Activities:

Zambezi River - Afternoon River Cruise

Optional Activities:

Zambezi River - Morning River Cruise (790 NAD)

Accommodation:

Zambezi Mubala Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Makgadikgadi Pans

Heading south, cross the Ngoma border back into Botswana and continue your journey to the vast salt flats and grassy plains of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Located in the north-east of Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Pans sit in the middle of a dry savanna and are all that remain of the former Lake Makgadikgadi. This afternoon, you’ll head out on a 4WD excursion. The immense, sprawling salt flat will unfold in front of you as you look out for birds and animals, some who are seasonal visitors and some who call the area home all year. Sit out on the pans and enjoy drinks and snacks as the sun sets, then return to the lodge for dinner.

Included Activities:

Makgadikgadi Pans - Sunset 4x4 Excursion & Sundowner

Accommodation:

Nata Lodge or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Maun

Travel to the edge of the Ntwetwe Salt Pans, home to a family of meerkats. With the aid of trackers, you'll observe their morning rituals – watch the meerkats bask in the morning sun before heading out to forage. When you’ve had your fill of watching these magnificent creatures, you’ll stop at a lodge for lunch, then continue to Maun – the gateway to the Okavango Delta, one of the world's most complex ecosystems.

Included Activities:

Makgadikgadi Pans - Meerkat & Kalahari Bushman Experience

Accommodation:

Sedia Riverside Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: Maun

Today, you'll fly into the Okavango Delta for a safari, giving you a chance to see the delta’s diverse wildlife from a fresh angle and get a sense of the vast scale of the landscape from up above. After you land, you’ll head out on a safari in the Moremi Game Reserve, accompanied by expert guides and wildlife spotters. This is a prime area for viewing elephants, lions, leopards, wild dogs and buffalo roaming the savannas, lagoons and forests. After, have lunch at a safari lodge, then hop into a traditional mokoro (a dugout canoe steered by friendly local 'polers') for an Okavango waterways experience. With some luck, you might spot some more of the delta's wildlife or birdlife. Spend some time exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams by mokoro before exploring on foot with a local guide. View plants, trees and animals from a different perspective and observe close-up details often missed on safaris. Your guide will provide expert knowledge and help you gain a deeper understanding of the environment. After, fly back to Maun.

Included Activities:

Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
Okavango Delta - Scenic Flights
Okavango Delta - Game Drive

Accommodation:

Sedia Riverside Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 14: Maun

Today, your trip comes to an end after breakfast, but this doesn’t mean the adventure has to end! If you’d like to spend more time here, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.

Optional Activities:

Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight (335 USD)
Okavango Delta - 45 Min Small Aircraft Okavango Delta Scenic Flight (165 USD)

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
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 will do 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.

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 $19,635

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 14 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Uncover the true beauty of southern Africa on a 14-day Premium adventure through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 13 Feb 2027

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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

Craig

Traveled, May 2025

05/17/2025

Overall an excellent trip which included many safaris. As nd the fantastic Victoria Falls.

4.5

David

Traveled, September 2024

09/25/2024

In use of expert tour guides and drivers added to the Majesty of our vacation. We not only saw wondrous sites in Africa, but met wonderful people and had the opportunity to develop lifelong friendships. I can’t see enough good things about the people that work for intrepid, and they other travelers on our small group tour.

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

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