Exotic South African Tour Experience
Explore Tours
Experience the breathtaking waterfalls, rivers, and inland canals of southern Africa on this ten-day overland adventure. Paddle through the verdant waterways of the Okavango Delta, observe hippos lounging along the Chobe River’s shores, and take a sunset cruise to spot exotic bird species. Marvel at the mirage-like Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and the thunderous white waters of Victoria Falls, with a full free day to tailor your visit. After a serene mokoro cruise, you’ll camp overnight in the remote Okavango wilderness, falling asleep to the pure sounds of nature. With early morning game drives to spot Africa’s iconic wildlife and expert guides sharing their knowledge, this journey promises to be the experience of a lifetime.
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Tour Plan
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure kicks off in Johannesburg with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive ahead of schedule, consider visiting the insightful Apartheid Museum to delve into some essential history before gathering with your group. After the meeting, you might want to join an optional group dinner to bond with your new travel companions. Your leader will be happy to suggest the best bars and restaurants in the area.
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Please ensure that if you choose to explore Johannesburg on your own that you take local advice and consult your group leader as to where it is safe to walk, especially at night.
This morning, we bid farewell to South Africa and cross the border into Botswana, heading towards the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Located at the edge of the Kalahari Desert, this sanctuary has transformed from a former hunting ground into a vital conservation project. Established to safeguard Botswana's remaining black and white rhino populations, the sanctuary also hosts various other wildlife, including zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches, and wildebeest, all visible around the numerous waterholes. Visiting this sanctuary supports local communities and directly aids in protecting the endangered white rhino. Later, we’ll embark on a dusk game drive, hoping to spot the rhinos at their most active.
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
At tonight’s camp, there may be the option to upgrade to a room for an additional cost (subject to availability).
This morning, you'll drive to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, one of the world's most intricate ecosystems. Spanning 16,000 square kilometers, this lush maze of wetlands and waterways is teeming with wildlife and offers an experience like no other. Upon arrival, you'll have the chance to stock up on any supplies needed for the adventure ahead. Keep an eye out for resident hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and big cats. But it's not just the animals that make this place special—the stunning waterscapes and shimmering horizons are truly postcard-worthy.
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
Tonight, you'll stay on the outskirts of Maun at a simple campsite with shared facilities, wi-fi and optional upgrades. .
Today, you'll dive straight into the adventure by boarding a traditional mokoro—a dugout canoe navigated by friendly local polers. As you cruise through the Okavango waterways, keep an eye out for the delta's unique wildlife and exotic birds. You'll also have the chance to explore the maze of lagoons, lakes, and streams on foot with experienced local guides. Tonight, you'll camp on a remote island in the heart of the wilderness, falling asleep to the sounds of the African heartlands and savoring the feeling of being far from home.
In this far-out camping location, facilities are almost non-existent, so be ready to dig a bush toilet and go without a shower. This is the African wild in all its glory!
Wake up nice and early this morning 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 bone shield that's fittingly known as a 'boss'. Return to camp for breakfast, where you’ll have the rest of the day to relax. A refreshing swim, or maybe a nap could be on the cards – both good ideas in the warmer part of the day. Alternatively, take another optional mokoro trip to soak up that serene river atmosphere.
After taking down your camp, return to the ‘poler’ station by mokoro, before continuing to Maun by vehicle. When you arrive, you’ll visit a local brewery that produces beer with millet grown by small-scale farmers. The brewery is supported by the travellers, and they in turn support the farmers. This initiative enhances the benefits of sustainable farming and ties them to the region’s wildlife economy. After touring the brewery, you’ll sit down for an included dinner and a beer tasting. Around midday, you might also have the opportunity to take a scenic flight (depending on the flood water levels). Tonight, settle in at a camp on the outskirts of town.
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Tonight, you’ll stay in a simple campsite with shared facilities, with w-fi and optional upgrades also available.
The scenic flight prices are dependent on the number of passengers in the plane or helicopter. See your group leader for more details.
Rise early and set out for Nata, a small town located near the breathtaking Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, which span about 12,000 square km and are among the largest on Earth. This afternoon, you'll embark on an excursion in an open-air vehicle to explore the vast plains of the Nata Bird Sanctuary. Surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, the pans are typically dry and salty for much of the year, creating an eerie, disorienting landscape with heat mirages. However, after the rains, the pans transform into a grassy haven for migratory birds and animals, making it an ideal spot for wildlife enthusiasts.
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Your campsite tonight is situated on the edge of the pans. It has a restaurant, swimming pool, gift shop, ATM and bar/lounge area. Upgrades are also available (subject to availability).
Hit the road this morning and make tracks for Chobe National Park – Botswana's first ever national park. This area 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, crocodiles by the water's edge, cheetahs, lions and a huge variety of birdlife. When you arrive, you’ll be treated to a sunset cruise on the Chobe River – an ideal way to spend the afternoon, watch the sun descend and toast to another day in Africa.
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
Your camp tonight has wi-fi available and optional upgrades (subject to availability). It's also close to a supermarket, so you can stock up on supplies while you're here.
Why not wake up early and see Chobe National Park from a different perspective with an optional morning game drive. After, the group will travel to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe just in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River. Then, you’ll have free time to experience the sights and sounds of the mighty falls at your own pace. This thundering curtain of water is about 1.7 km wide, falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray can rise an incredible 400 m 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.
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
Your campsite tonight has wi-fi, an ATM and optional upgrades.
The Victoria Falls entrance fee is not included, as it’s mandatory for tour groups with pre-purchased tickets to have a local escort. We feel that seeing these waterfalls for the first time should be an uninterrupted experience.
Your leader may take you to a local activity centre. Intrepid has not risk-assessed all activities and only those listed in Optional Activities are recommended. It is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of anything that has not been risk-assessed or does not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities.
We also ask travellers to avoid the Walk with the Lions experience as it is contrary to our Responsible Travel policy. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many itineraries, we strive to view animals in their natural habitats and with the greatest level of respect.
There are no scheduled activities after breakfast today, marking the end of your adventure. You are free to depart anytime after checking out. If you wish to extend your stay, contact your booking agent in advance to arrange extra accommodation. For those staying longer in Victoria Falls and seeking adventure, consider trying whitewater rafting or canoeing. For a breathtaking helicopter flight, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only operator endorsed by Intrepid. Your leader can assist with the arrangements.
While at Victoria Falls you may hear about Devil’s Pool. Intrepid does not recommend the activity here due to the high risk involved. Our leaders cannot assist in organising this activity, as it is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of anything that has not been risk-assessed or does not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos.
