Southern Africa Highlights

18 Days | Brave the wilds of Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa in style on an exhilarating adventure with lashings of comfort

Overland
Wildlife
From
USD $10,495

Visit Africa and travel through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa on a tour from Windhoek to Johannesburg. Embark on a journey through bountiful Botswana, rich in natural beauty, thrilling wildlife encounters, and fun local interaction. Experience exciting safaris, enjoy life aboard a houseboat, see ancient rock art and feel the power of Victoria Falls. Continue south to Hwange National Park, known for its elephant population, Matobo National Park to track rhinos, visit a 13th-century grave site and head out on a night safari to see some nocturnal wildlife around Mapungubwe National Park and, finally, visit the famous Kruger National Park in search of Africa's iconic wildlife.

Trip overview

Map of Southern Africa Highlights including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe
Start
Windhoek, Namibia
Finish
Johannesburg, South Africa
Theme
Overland, Wildlife
Destinations
South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, 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
Comfort
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 13
Trip code
UBKHC
This trip generates 31 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
  • Immerse yourself in the spectacular Okavango wilderness with two nights on a houseboat. Listen to the melodies of the African wildlife outside your door as the sun sets and night descends each night.
  • Discover the beauty of Chobe River with a morning game drive in open 4WDs before spotting bird life and hippos on a sunset cruise with a sundowner in hand.
  • Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about wildlife rehabilitation from conflict and poaching, then meet some rescued or orphaned wildlife in their care.
  • Explore the World Heritage site of Mapungubwe National Park, where the ancient ruins of a once-thriving kingdom meet stunning landscapes of baobab trees and sandstone cliffs. Then, head out on a night safari to spot nocturnal wildlife in a private game reserve next door.

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, and getting the best possible views of Africa's iconic wildlife. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows that 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
  • This itinerary includes two nights on a houseboat at the Okavango Delta Panhandle. Cabins are very small and basic, with shared facilities.
  • Southern Africa temperatures rise in the hot, dry period of September and October before the rains hit, and temperatures can get as high as 34 to 38°C (93 to 100°F). Not all accommodation will have air-conditioning. This is quite common across Africa, particularly in remote locations where lodges or camps operate on solar power or generators.
  • Southern Africa is a very seasonal destination. What you see and experience can differ quite dramatically depending on the time of year you visit. Please consider this before you choose your departure date. See the 'Climate and seasonal information' section of the Essential Trip Information for more details.
  • There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

Itinerary

Map of Southern Africa Highlights including Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe

Inclusions

Meals

16 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 14 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, Open 4WD Safari Vehicle, Mokoro, Boat

Accommodation

Hotel (4 nights), Houseboat (2 nights), Lodge (11 nights)

Activities
  • Complimentary Arrival Transfer
  • Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
  • Okavango Delta - Nature Walk
  • Makgadikgadi Pans - Meerkat & Kalahari Bushman Experience
  • Chobe National Park - River Safari Cruise
  • Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
  • Victoria Falls - Entrance & Visit
  • Victoria Falls - Brewery Tour and Tasting
  • Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer (shared)
  • Hwange National Park - Guided 4x4 Game Drive
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit
  • Hwange - Painted Dog Conservation visit
  • Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking
  • Kruger National Park - Full Day 4WD Safari
  • Panorama Route - Bourke's Luck Potholes
  • Panorama Route - God's Window Viewpoint
Optional activities
  • Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - USD280

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. If you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, you may purchase a single supplement, subject to availability. The single supplement excludes Days 3 & 4 (Houseboat), where you will be in shared accommodation. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.

3. This is a combination trip made up of two shorter trips. This means the composition of your group may change in Vic Falls as some group members leave, and new ones join you.

4. The weight of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the packing space and weight restrictions of the truck. The weight limit for luggage on all of our trucks is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack. Backpacks shouldn’t have an external frame unless it can easily be removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people’s luggage. We strongly advise passengers to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag, and it is essential that no hard suitcases be brought on tour. For valuables, like passports, we offer a safe on each vehicle that is shared by all passengers to keep their documentation safe during their journey.

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.

6. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document to delegate their authority.

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

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Southern Africa Highlights
From
USD $10,495