Southern Africa Encompassed: Bush Camps & Wildlife Spotting
15 days, Johannesburg to Johannesburg
Itinerary
Day 1Johannesburg
Arrive at any time.
If you arrive a day or two early, we recommended booking an excursion to Soweto or the Apartheid Museum.
Please make sure you have all of the necessary visas for this tour by the time of the welcome meeting. It is very important to read the visa section in our trip details to make sure you have all visas you will need, if any. Please note that not all nationalities are able to obtain visas upon arrival at the border.
Your Welcome Moment: Welcome Moment - Meet Your CEO and Group
Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Opt to join the group for a local meal afterwards. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Day 2Johannesburg/Serowe
Cross the border into Botswana and experience a first night of camping under the African skies.
Today's travel takes us through a very desolate part of central-eastern Botswana. We cross into Botswana and finish the day at a campsite within the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a unique community-based initiative in wildlife conservation. Barring delays along the way, we will arrive in time for an optional rhino wildlife safari drive.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 3Serowe/Maun
Leave Khama Rhino Sanctuary and head to Maun. Opt to take a scenic flight over the delta.
Please note: if you have pre-booked the Okavango Delta Flight, today's likely the day for this activity! Your CEO will give you final confirmation when it will take place, as it is subject to change.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Optional Activities - Day 3 HideShow
Okavango Delta Flight
Get a fresh perspective on the vast wilderness of Africa with a once-in-a-lifetime view only a select few will ever see. Enjoy the hippos in the waterways and elephants and buffalo in the tree line. Gaze at the winding water channels as they make their way through the Delta.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Maun/Okavango Delta
Enjoy a wildlife walk, traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion, and birding. View wildlife up close. Sing and dance around the campfire with the locals.
Begin an exciting 2-day/1-night excursion into the delta on a safari vehicle to the "dock" where we hop into a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, that will take us deep into the delta. After a couple of hours in a mokoro, we arrive at our basic bush camp.
Pack a small bag for this overnight excursion; we'll leave our big bags with the overland vehicle. Please note that there are no showers or running water for toilets. Bring along 5 litres of water for both drinking and cleaning.
Safari Vehicle
Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.
Mokoro
Climb into a traditional canoe for a closer view of the shoreline.
Okavango Delta Excursion
Step into the heart of Botswana’s wilderness on an unforgettable journey into the Okavango Delta. Your adventure begins with a scenic drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicle, travelling deep into the Sankoyo Concession, a pristine area teeming with wildlife and rich in natural beauty.
Our secluded camp offers a true bush experience, with comfortable, fully-set-up tents and the sounds of nature all around. From here, you’ll explore the Delta the traditional way, gliding quietly through the waterways in a mokoro canoe, steered by skilled local polers who know the channels like the back of their hand.
Back on land, a guided walking safari gives you the rare opportunity to connect with the bush on foot. Learn about the plants, animal tracks, and smaller wildlife often missed from a vehicle, while keeping an eye out for the Delta’s bigger residents.
Evenings are spent relaxing by the campfire under a sky scattered with stars, swapping stories and listening to the night sounds of Africa. This is more than a trip, it’s an immersion into one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems, guided by the people who call it home.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 5Okavango Delta/Gweta
Relax on a mokoro ride out of the delta, then camp under under massive baobab trees for the night.
Enjoy the towering baobab trees found around tonight's campsite and go for a dip in the pool if you need to cool off.
Mokoro
Climb into a traditional canoe for a closer view of the shoreline.
Safari Vehicle
Get a better view and take better snapshots aboard this off-road ride.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 6Gweta/Kasane
Hop on an optional wildlife viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River in Chobe National Park.
Today we journey to Chobe National Park, home to the largest elephant population in southern Africa. The best way to appreciate one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos is on an optional sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. You may also choose to embark on a open vehicle safari drive in search of lions, antelope, and, of course, elephants.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Optional Activities - Day 6 HideShow
Chobe River Sunset Cruise
Get a fantastic perspective of one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. Bring a few drinks and a camera, sit back, and enjoy the view.
Chobe National Park Safari Drive
Immerse yourself in Chobe National Park in an open-backed, open-seated safari vehicle, and experience the stunning wilderness of the game-rich park in the care of a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. Explore with your eyes as the tour drives along routes that overlook the beautiful Chobe River and keep an eye out for the remarkable variety of animals that are drawn to this permanent water source.
During the safari drives it is not uncommon to spot several of Africa’s “big five” in the greater Chobe area and the early morning drive lasting 3 hours is a wonderful opportunity to have some unique sightings.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Kasane/Livingstone
Ferry crossing into Zambia, then visit Victoria Falls.
Cross the Zambezi River by ferry to enter Zambia, then continue on to Livingstone. Get up close (and wet from the spray) to the awesome Victoria Falls, opt to raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, or bungee jump (with Victoria Falls in sight).
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Ferry
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Border Crossing (Botswana - Zambia)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Victoria Falls Visit (Zambia)
One of the seven natural wonders, this waterfall is not the widest or highest, but it produces a horizontal curtain of falling water as it drops more than 152.4m (500 ft) into the gorge below, creating a spray of 396.2m (1,300 ft). If watching isn't enough, when the water levels are low, take a swim at the Devil’s Pool at the edge of the falls, or at Angel’s Armchair. The falls are visible from 48.2km (30 mi) away.
Optional Activities - Day 7 HideShow
Standard Zambezi River Sunset Cruise
Jump on a boat and cruise on the beautiful Zambezi River. Enjoy some snacks, drinks, a festive atmosphere, and, of course, gorgeous views of the sunset.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 8Livingstone
Opt to visit Victoria Falls, go whitewater rafting, or take a helicopter flight over the falls.
Livingstone is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls, raft the whitewater of the mighty Zambezi, and for the more adventurous, bungee jump with Victoria Falls in view.
Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.
Be sure to stop by the G Adventures help desk at your accommodation for advice, tips or help booking any local activities.
Free Time
Get out and explore the many things on offer in the Livingstone area.
Optional Activities - Day 8 HideShow
Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride (Zambia)
Charge up your camera and take flight over the massive Victoria Falls. From above, it's easy to capture the full breadth of the falls and their surroundings.
Victoria Falls Visit (Zambia)
One of the seven natural wonders, this waterfall is not the widest or highest, but it produces a horizontal curtain of falling water as it drops more than 152.4m (500 ft) into the gorge below, creating a spray of 396.2m (1,300 ft). If watching isn't enough, when the water levels are low, take a swim at the Devil’s Pool at the edge of the falls, or at Angel’s Armchair. The falls are visible from 48.2km (30 mi) away.
Zambezi Bungee Jump
168USD per personGet the adrenaline pumping with a bungee jump from the Victoria Falls Bridge over the Zambezi River. Hear the rush of Victoria Falls as you enjoy this once in a lifetime experience.
Zambezi Whitewater Rafting
150-160USD per personTick one off your bucket list! Raft the Class III-V rapids of the Zambezi River, considered by many to be one of the best whitewater rafting rivers in the world. It's exhilarating!
Please note: River conditions and activity pricing vary depending on the seasons. High water season is from about February to July. Low water season generally runs from August to January each year - this is when the Zambezi is at its very wildest. The "closed season" is dependent on the season’s rains, and usually is from March to April; during this time rafting on the river is not permitted. Additionally, this activity requires passengers to hike down and up the deep Batoka Gorge to access the river, which requires reasonable level of fitness. This activity price excludes a $10 park entrance fee.
Optional Welcome Meeting for Travellers on Combos
You may be a seasoned pro at group travel by now, but there will likely be some new travellers joining the group. Sit in on the welcome meeting to meet the newest members of your group and learn about the next leg of your tour.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Livingstone/Matobo National Park
Cross into Zimbabwe and opt to check out the falls from another side.
Opt to visit Victoria Falls town or the falls from the Zimbabwe side before we continue to Matobo National Park.
Border Crossing (Zambia - Zimbabwe)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Optional Activities - Day 9 HideShow
Victoria Falls Visit
50USD per personTake in the natural splendour of thundering Victoria Falls while viewing the massive falls from the Zimbabwean side. Entrance fee for the park - self guided.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Matobo National Park
Walk with rhinos and enjoy an open vehicle wildlife safari drive in Matobo National Park.
Guided Rhino Walk
Set off on foot into the bush and enjoy a guided walk while tracking white rhinos.
Open Vehicle Wildlife Safari Drive
Set off in an open safari vehicle and be on the lookout for wildlife, particularly the white rhinos this national park is known for -- it's one of the best places to see these magnificent animals in the world.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 11Matobo National Park/Tshipise
Cross the border into South Africa, and relax in the hot springs at our campsite.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Border Crossing (Zimbabwe - South Africa)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Optional Activities - Day 11 HideShow
Hot Springs Soak
After a long day of traveling, take a relaxing soak in the warm water mineral pool at the campsite. “Tshipise” meaning “something warm”, refers to the mineral springs feeding the pool. The famous Tshipise koppie (hill) towers protectively over the charming resort, set amongst a host of indigenous trees.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 12Tshipise/Kruger National Park
Enjoy a full-day wildlife safari drive in the overland adventure vehicle in Kruger National Park. Opt to upgrade to a 4x4 safari vehicle.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Kruger Wildlife Safari Drive
Jump into our touring vehicle and get ready to spot elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, lions, and many other species in one of Africa's greatest wildlife areas.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 13Kruger National Park/Manyeleti
Enjoy more spectacular wildlife on a wildlife safari drive in the overland adventure vehicle.
Experience a traditional dinner and local Shangaan dance in the evening.
Kruger Wildlife Safari Drive
Jump into our touring vehicle and get ready to spot elephants, hippos, giraffes, zebras, lions, and many other species in one of Africa's greatest wildlife areas.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Traditional Dinner and Local Dancing
Enjoy a cultural evening with the local community. Dive into local fare with a delicious traditional dinner, then watch a local dance performance.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 14Manyeleti/Johannesburg
Visit the G Adventures-supported G Hope Africa preschool and interact with the villagers.
We visit and interact with the local community of the Planeterra volunteer project , Hope Africa Children's Day School, in the Shalati village outside of Manyaleti. We will have an early breakfast in order to spend enough time at the project before driving back to Johannesburg.
Continue to Johannesburg, the economic heart of South Africa and the largest city in the country.
Your G for Good Moment: Hope Africa Children's Day School
Learn how G Adventures supports accessible early childhood education in South Africa through the Hope Africa Children’s Day School. This school provides education for over 80 children under the age of five. The parents of the children are mostly rangers and lodge staff in the Kruger area. This school provides families with access to safe childcare during the day, so they can rest assured while being employed in the tourism industry. The preschool also provides two meals a day for each student. A past G Adventures’ traveller who visited the school helped raise much needed funds to have a water line, borehole, and tank installed. Thanks to her efforts, the school and community have access to water.
Overland Adventure Vehicle (OAV)
Get into the thick of the action aboard this rugged ride built with the wild in mind.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 15Johannesburg
Depart at any time.