9-Day Travel From South Africa to Zimbabwe
Explore Tours
Immerse yourself in the serene landscapes of tranquil waterholes, winding creeks, and powerful rivers on this invigorating African journey. Southern Africa is home to some of the continent’s most iconic wildlife, including elephants, rhinos, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, and ostriches. Navigate the secluded waterways of Botswana’s remarkable Okavango Delta, marvel at the thunderous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, and cruise down the Chobe River at sunset as the wildlife emerges. The juxtaposition of Africa’s untamed plains and vibrant cities promises an enriching and exhilarating travel experience.
Included/Exclude
8 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 6 dinners
Overland vehicle, Boat, Mokoro, Bicycle, Open Safari Vehicle
Permanent Tented Overland Camp (1 night), Camping with facilities (2 nights), Hotel (2 nights), Basic Camping with no facilities (2 nights), Guesthouse (1 night).
- Chobe National Park - River cruise
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
- Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
- Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
- Okavango Delta - Brewery Tour
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle
- Soweto - Cycle tour
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
- Victoria Falls - Gorge swing - USD103
- Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
- Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
- Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive - BWP580
- Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - USD280
- Johannesburg - Art Gallery - ZAR60
- Johannesburg - Gold Reef City And Heritage Mine Tour - ZAR360
- Johannesburg - Museum Africa - ZAR40
- Johannesburg - Apartheid Museum - ZAR100
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm. You can arrive at any time as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. Please ask the hotel reception where it will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time for this, consider arriving a day early so you are able to attend. If you are going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting. If you are arriving earlier, we recommend you use your free time to partake in one of the many optional activities offered in and around Victoria Falls.
We recommend Shear Water activity centre to book any optional activities. We have not risk assessed all activities and only those listed in our trip notes are recommended. It is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of any activities that have not been risk assessed or do not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities in our vehicles.
- Permanent Tented Overland Camp (1 night)
There are no meals included on this day.
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
- Victoria Falls - Gorge swing - USD103
- Victoria Falls - Canoe trail (full day) - USD185
- Victoria Falls - Village & township tour - USD61
- Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
Travel to Chobe National Park in Botswana (approximately 3 hours) with a stop at the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, an Intrepid Foundation project. Here, you’ll learn about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, human-wildlife conflict, and anti-poaching efforts, and possibly meet rescued or orphaned animals.
Chobe, Botswana's first national park, is renowned for its large elephant population, which often swims in the Chobe River. The river also attracts hippos, diverse bird species, and sunbathing crocodiles, while cheetahs and lions come to drink. In the late afternoon, enjoy a scenic sunset cruise on the Chobe River with an expert local guide, a perfect way to end the day. Your camp, situated outside the park, offers flush toilets, showers, intermittent WiFi, and optional accommodation upgrades.
There's time for a morning game drive for those who would like to further explore this beautiful park (this is optional). As well as elephants, you might see some of Chobe's other noble creatures – from giraffe and zebra to impala and tsessebe. Then it's time to head to Maun (approximately 10–11 hours). This town is the gateway to one of the world's most famous and most complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive - BWP580
Head into the pristine wilderness for an adventurous camping experience in the Okavango Delta, a unique 16,000 square kilometer expanse of wetlands with winding waterways, verdant islands, lush plains, and abundant wildlife. This diverse ecosystem is home to hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and big cats, but the true marvel is the ecosystem itself. Navigate the waterways by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe steered by friendly local 'polers,' and explore on foot with experienced guides. Camp on a remote island in the heart of the wild, with dug toilets and no showers, as you listen to the sounds of nocturnal creatures awakening as the sun sets.
- Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
It's an early start this morning as you venture out for a sunrise walk, hoping to catch a glimpse of some elephants and perhaps the fascinating and rather noble-looking Cape buffalo. Return to camp to enjoy some breakfast and reflect on the morning's viewing with your fellow travellers. As it warms up, you'll have the rest of the day to relax. You might like to take a refreshing swim. There is also the option of an afternoon walk or another mokoro trip. You may notice that the mokoros of today are made with fibreglass but retain their original shape – this strikes a balance between tradition and sustainability.
- Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
After taking down your camp, it's time to return the mokoro to the poling station and board the vehicle once again. Travel back to Maun (approximately 2–3 hours). Today, we will tour a local brewery that uses millet grown by small-scale farmers in their beer production. By doing so, they support these farmers' efforts to coexist with elephants and promote an inclusive economy. This initiative not only promotes sustainable farming practices but also contributes to the region's wildlife economy, adding to the benefits.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
- Okavango Delta - Brewery Tour
- Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - USD280
Travel to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a journey of approximately 9–10 hours. Located on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, this community-based conservation project is run by local village residents. Established in a former hunting area to safeguard Botswana's remaining black and white rhinos, the sanctuary also hosts other wildlife such as zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches, and wildebeest, which can be seen around the numerous natural waterholes. Your visit supports local communities and contributes to the protection of the endangered white rhinoceros. In the evening, embark on a dusk game drive in an open safari vehicle with an expert ranger to observe the rhinos (a dawn game drive will be arranged if the group arrives too late). Tonight's camp offers shared facilities and optional upgrades.
- Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle
Cross the border into South Africa and travel on to Soweto, which is located in the Johannesburg area (approximately 10–11 hours). Johannesburg is a sprawling city of remarkable contrasts. As you come into town you'll likely see opulent mansions alongside tin-roof shacks, and verdant city parks alongside the concrete. About half of Jo'burg's 3 million residents live in Soweto and its surrounding areas. Enjoy a relaxing evening upon arrival.
- Guesthouse (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
Explore the streets of Soweto on a bicycle, learning about the Soweto uprising and the resistance against apartheid. Witness how the community has evolved over time, and visit a former migrant workers' hostel along with other local landmarks. Your cycling tour will conclude around 3 pm, marking the end of your trip. No further activities are scheduled, and accommodation for tonight is not included but can be arranged when booking. If you're planning to depart today, it's recommended to book a flight for 8 pm or later.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Soweto - Cycle tour
- Johannesburg - Art Gallery - ZAR60
- Johannesburg - Gold Reef City And Heritage Mine Tour - ZAR360
- Johannesburg - Museum Africa - ZAR40
- Johannesburg - Apartheid Museum - ZAR100