Discover Africa’s rich and fertile waterways, worthy of World Heritage
See southern Africa’s iconic waterfalls, rivers and inland canals on this ten-day Lonely Planet Experience – an overland journey highlighting the magic of Mother Nature. Canoe down the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta, watch hippos wallowing along the shores of the Chobe River, be mesmerised by the mirage of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and marvel at the crashing white water of Victoria Falls. Pack a camera and an eye for adventure because these lush pockets of wilderness will reward you with incredible animal encounters, awesome photography opportunities and memories to last a lifetime.
Sawubona – welcome to South Africa! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, get out and explore Johannesburg; the country’s largest city. Perhaps visit the cultural hotspots of Newtown, Braamfontein or Maboneng. Otherwise, the sobering Apartheid Museum is well worth your time. After your important meeting this evening, why not head out for an optional group dinner and get to know your newfound travel crew – your local leader will point you in the right direction with bar and restaurant recommendations.
Accommodation: Hotel (1 night)
Meals Included: There are no meals included on this day.
Special Information: 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.
Leaving South Africa behind, cross the border into Botswana and travel towards the Khama Rhino Sanctuary (approximately 8–10 hours). Situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary has drastically changed from a former hunting area to a conservation project. Built to protect Botswana’s only remaining populations of both black and white rhinos, the sanctuary is also home to other wildlife including zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest, all of which can be seen grazing the many waterholes. Visiting this project benefits local communities and directly contributes to protecting the endangered white rhinoceros. Later on, head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they are most active.
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities: Khama Rhino Sanctuary – Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Special Information: At tonight’s camp, there may be the option to upgrade to a room for an additional cost (subject to availability).
Jump aboard your vehicle and head to Maun (approximately 8–9 hours). Here there will be an opportunity to stock up on any supplies you might need for your adventure ahead. Maun is the gateway to one of the world’s most complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. This place is unlike anything in the world – a 16,000 square kilometre maze of lush wetlands and waterways teeming with wildlife. You might see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats, but it’s the animals aren’t the only drawcard here – the waterscapes and shimmering horizons will have you gazing for days.
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Special Information: Tonight, you’ll stay on the outskirts of Maun at a simple campsite with shared facilities, wi-fi and optional upgrades.
Get right in the action today, jumping aboard a traditional mokoro – a dugout canoe steered by friendly local ‘polers’ – for an Okavango waterways experience. With some luck, you could spot some of the delta’s unusual wildlife and exotic birdlife. Spend some time today exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot too, led by experienced local guides. Tonight, you’ll camp on a remote island right in the heart of the wilderness, falling asleep to the humming and buzzing of the African heartlands.
Accommodation: Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities: Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Special Information: 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 early 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 a kind of bone shield that’s fittingly known as a ‘boss’. Returning to camp for breakfast, you’ve got the rest of the day to relax. A refreshing swim, or perhaps a nap, could be on the cards – both good ideas in the warmer part of the day. Alternatively, take another mokoro trip to soak up that serene river atmosphere.
Accommodation: Bush camp (no facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities: Okavango Delta – Sunrise Walk
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After taking down your camp, return to the ‘poler’ station by mokoro, before continuing your Lonely Planet Experience to Maun by vehicle (approximately 2–3 hours). Today you’ll visit a rural village and interact with some of the locals, providing insight into daily life along the Okavango Delta. The waterways are the lifeblood of so many in this area, so learn more from locals about how important these fertile lands are. Tonight, settle in at camp on the outskirts of town.
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities: Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari
Optional Activities:
Okavango Delta – Plane Scenic Flight – From USD75 – USD390
Okavango Delta – Helicopter Scenic Flight – From USD150 – USD450
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Get up early and hit the road for Nata (approximately 6–7 hours). This small town is situated near the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans which are some of the largest on earth, covering around 12,000 square kilometres. This afternoon, take the opportunity to explore the salt pans in an open vehicle. They are naturally dry and salty for a large part of the year, and during this time, the arid landscape has an eerie feel to it as the shimmering mirages disorientate the senses. At other times they take on a layer of grass and, as soon as the rains hit, become a refuge for migratory birds and animals.
Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities: Nata – Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Special Information: 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 to Chobe National Park (approximately 6–7 hours). Botswana’s first national park 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, a variety of birdlife, crocodiles sunning themselves by the water’s edge, and cheetahs and lions coming down to drink. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe – an ideal way to spend the afternoon and toast to another day in Africa.
Accommodation: Camping (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Included Activities: Chobe National Park – River Cruise
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Special Information: 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, booking yourself in on an optional morning game drive. Afterwards, travel on to Victoria Falls (approximately 2–3 hours), crossing the border into Zimbabwe just in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River. Then it’s free time to experience the sights and sounds of the mighty falls. This thundering curtain of water is about 1.7 kilometres wide, falling 108 metres into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise an incredible 400 metres 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.
Accommodation: Camping (with shared facilities) (1 night)
Optional Activities:
Victoria Falls – Victoria Falls Entrance Fee – USD30
Chobe National Park – Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive – BWP410
Victoria Falls – Sunset Cruise – USD50
Meals Included: Breakfast
Special Information: Your campsite tonight has wi-fi, an ATM and optional upgrades.
The Victoria Falls entrance fee is not included in the price of the trip as it is 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.
Your Okavango Experience ends after breakfast and there are no further activities planned. If you’re staying longer in Victoria Falls and are feeling adventurous, you might like to try whitewater rafting, canoeing and flying fox rides. For an incredible scenic helicopter flight, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only Intrepid-endorsed operator. Your leader can help you arrange this.
Optional Activities:
Victoria Falls – Whitewater rafting (full day) – USD130
Victoria Falls – Helicopter flight (25 mins) – USD299
Victoria Falls – Village & township tour – USD61
Victoria Falls – Helicopter flight (12 mins) – USD165
Victoria Falls – Whitewater rafting (half day) – USD130
Victoria Falls – Gorge swing – USD103
Victoria Falls – Flying fox – USD50
Meals Included: Breakfast
Special Information: 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.
B = BREAKFAST L = LUNCH D = DINNER
Terms & Conditions:
The “Starting at” or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is CAD per person based on twin occupancy. Airfare, travel insurance, visas, vaccinations are not included. Please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Tour prices, dates, details and itinerary are subject to change. Tour details are based on a 2022 Tour. Additional conditions may apply. Prices were valid at time of publishing and are subject to change without notice. Terms and Conditions may apply.
Price was valid at time of posting and is subject to availability. Offers are subject to change or be withdrawn at any time.
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