Experience Southern Africa

Day 1: Johannesburg

Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1. 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, you may wish to arrive a day early so you're able to attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please ensure you have all these details to provide to your leader. Johannesburg is a sprawling city of remarkable contrasts. In the townships, mansions stand alongside tin shacks and there are as many green parks on the outskirts of the city as there are conglomerations of concrete in the centre. This is a good place to spend a couple of days to get an insight into South Africa's history, and it's a great base for exploring the rest of the country. 

Days 2-3: Kruger National Park

Leave Johannesburg and travel through the Mpumalanga Province, journeying along the famous Panorama Route through some of the most stunning scenery South Africa has to offer. The sights en route include God's Window, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Three Rondavels (Sisters) and the magnificent Blyde River Canyon (600km, approx 8-10 hrs). One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog. Our wildlife experience begins as soon as we enter the park. We head straight into prime game viewing areas where we hope to catch a glimpse of some of the amazing animals found here. Arriving at our camp within the park, there's time to freshen up before heading out on an open vehicle night drive, an amazing experience and a chance to witness the nocturnal activities of the many animals within the park. Rise early and have a light breakfast of coffee and rusks before embarking on a morning game drive. Most of the day will be spent game viewing, bird watching and stopping at various waterholes and viewpoints. Our campground within the park has shared facilities and hot and cold water. 

Day 4: Eastern Botswana/Palapye

Enjoy a final game drive while travelling out of Kruger National Park. Our next destination is Palapye in Botswana (600 km, approx 8-9 hrs). As we cross a border today our travel time will varying depending how long this process takes - generally it's smooth, but at times we do encounter some delays. Palapye is a typical Botswanan town. 

Day 5: Northern Botswana

Depart Palapye early and drive north via Francistown to our camp at Elephant Sands, a private conservancy in northern Botswana (430 km, approx 6-7 hrs). Elephant Sands is not only home to elephants, but also lots of antelope species, lions, giraffes, zebras and hundreds of different bird species. Arrive in time for an afternoon game drive hoping to spot some of this area's amazing animals. Camp in the conservancy at a basic camp with shared facilities. 

Days 6-7: Victoria Falls

Travel on to Victoria Falls (330 km, approx 5-6 hrs). Cross the border into Zimbabwe in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi. Visit the magnificent Victoria Falls. The Victoria Falls are an enormous curtain of water, about a mile wide, falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 m and the falls are an impressive raging torrent. The spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away. It's no wonder that the local name Mosi oa Tunya means the 'smoke that thunders'. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and it's possible to see little islets in the river below. As this is a combination trip, your group leader and the composition of your group may change at this location. There will be a group meeting to discuss the next stage of your itinerary and you're welcome to attend, as this is a great chance to meet your new fellow travellers. Responsible Travel Note: During your visit to the Victoria Falls area you may notice businesses offering an optional 'Walk with the Lions' experience. We recommend that Intrepid travellers bypass this activity as it is contrary to Intrepid's Responsible Travel guideline stating that we 'actively discourage the participation of Intrepid groups in activities which exploit animals - wild or domestic.' Professional wildlife conservation organisations, including Born Free and the World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA), advise that habituating lions to humans can shorten their life and may result in lion-human conflict issues. While there is some merit in the argument that the money that you pay for the activity goes towards lion research, we feel that the negative impacts on the lions' rehabilitation far outweigh this. 

Day 8: Chobe National Park

Travel to Chobe National Park in Botswana (100 km, approx 3 hrs). Botswana's first national park, Chobe, 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 which come down to drink. Enjoy a cruise on the Chobe River, a very relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Our camp is outside of Chobe National Park and has flush toilets and hot/cold showers. 

Day 9: Maun

There's time for an optional dawn game drive for those who would like to further explore this beautiful park. Head to Maun (600 km, approx 8-10 hrs), gateway to one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. Camp on the outskirts of town at a simple campsite with shared facilities. 

Days 10-12: Okavango Delta/Maun

Travel into the unspoiled wilderness for an adventurous bush camping experience. Formed by the Okavango River as it flows from the highlands of Angola down to a basin on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, the Okavango Delta is unlike anything else in the world. The river has no outlet from the desert and spreads out into thousands of small streams to form a wilderness that is totally unspoilt. The 16,000 sq km maze of wetlands is a wonderland of clear meandering waterways, green islands, lush plains and prolific wildlife. The delta is filled with a diversity of flora and fauna that includes hippos, crocodiles, elephants and the big cats. However, it's not for the game that we come as it can't always be found. The delta is about exploring one of the world's most fascinating ecosystems. Traverse the waterways by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe navigated by friendly local 'polers'. With luck, you might spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and prolific birdlife. Spend time exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. Camp on a remote island in the heart of the wilderness. Dig a bush toilet and go without a shower, it's all part of the Okavango experience. At night, the sounds of the African bush are the only things you will hear - a true wilderness experience! Wake up early the following morning and venture out on a sunrise walk hoping to catch a glimpse of some elephants and Cape buffalo. Returning to camp for breakfast, take the rest of the day to relax, take a swim or test your poling skills before heading out for an afternoon walk or perhaps another mokoro trip - the choice is yours. After taking down our camp, take the mokoro back to the poling station before transferring back to Maun (60 km, approx 2-3 hrs). Camp on the outskirts of town at a simple campsite with shared facilities. 

Day 13: Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Travel to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary (520 km, approx 7-9 hrs). Situated on the edge of the vast Kalahari Desert, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a result of local efforts to convert a former hunting area into 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, which have all moved in and can be seen around the many natural waterholes. Visiting this project benefits local communities, as well as contributing to the protection of the highly endangered white rhinoceros. Head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they are at their most active before returning to camp. Our campsite has shared facilities. Please note: Our dusk game drive will be replaced with a dawn game drive if the tour arrives at the sanctuary late for any reason. 

Days 14-15: Soweto/Johannesburg

Cross the border into South Africa and travel on to Soweto, a township of Johannesburg (600 km, approx 9-10 hrs). Johannesburg is a sprawling city of remarkable contrasts. In the townships, mansions stand alongside tin shacks and there are as many green parks on the outskirts of the city as there are conglomerations of concrete in the centre. This is a good place to spend a couple of days to get an insight into South Africa's history, and it's a great base for exploring the rest of the country. Take to the streets of Soweto on bicycle and learn about the Soweto uprising and the resistance against apartheid, how the community has changed and developed to what it is today, and visit a former migrant workers' hostel and many other local landmarks. We should finish our cycle adventure at around 3pm. No accommodation is provided for Day 15, but we are able to book you additional accommodation in Johannesburg. Please ask at time of booking. Please don't book any international flights until after 8pm this evening.