tuuur.com - Worldwide Trips

Basix

18 to 35s

Overland

Wildlife

Essential Botswana

9 days • 4.7

4.5

Excellent

46 reviews

9 days

Start

Johannesburg, South Africa

Finish

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Trip Code

UBYB

Min Age

Trip Size

1 - 22

Physical Rating

Meals

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4WD safari vehicle, Mokoro

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (5 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Hotel (1 night)

From £1,111(9 days)

Trip Informations

Why you’ll love this trip

Safari through Chobe National Park for a chance to see lions, elephants, zebras, impalas, wildebeest, giraffes, leopards, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, baboons, monkeys and much more.

Take a sunset 4WD ride through the Khama Rhino Sanctuary – did you know that rhinos come out to play when the sun goes down?

Cruise through wildlife-filled waterways – there's nothing more relaxing than feeling the African sun on your face as you lie back in a mokoro with your eyes closed, while your expert poler propels you through the Okavango Delta.

Make the most of your free time and maybe cruise down the river in Chobe National Park – home of the world's highest concentration of African elephants!

Try and tell the difference between your fellow traveller’s snores and the sounds of wild hippos while camping in the heart of the Okavango wilderness under a brilliant night sky.

Is this trip right for you?

This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, visiting remote communities, setting up your own tent, occasionally roughing it in the bush with no facilities, and getting the best possible views of Africa's iconic wildlife. While the trucks don’t have air conditioning, they do have sliding windows, which let in the breeze and make it even easier to take spectacular snaps of the local wildlife. The drive days can be long, but it’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie. For more info on this style of travel, see our Africa overland page: https://www.tuuur.com/africa/overland https://www.tuuur.com/africa/overland (https://www.tuuur.com/africa/overland)

As this trip only has limited time in Victoria Falls, we highly recommend staying a few extra days after your tour to enjoy all this amazing destination has to offer.

The African wild comes alive at sunrise, so there will be some early starts for game drives. The thrill of spotting your first lion or rhino is well worth the early start!

This trip is a great way to see a lot in a short period of time and it can be part of a longer itinerary if you have more time to explore. You might like to check out Real Southern Africa.

Itinerary

Take on an epic adventure packed with wildlife, waterfalls and wide plains

Time to break out your best Attenborough impression – you’re going on safari! This nine-day trip doesn’t skimp on the savannah, but it mainly follows the rivers and watering holes that sustain life (human and wild) throughout Africa. Drive across the sands of the Kalahari Desert in search of rhinos, then spot elephants and warthogs while you cruise down the Okavango Delta in a dugout mokoro canoe. Travel through the Caprivi Strip, try to spot hippos on a sunset river cruise and search for wildlife in Chobe National Park. How many species can you spot?

DAY 1
Day 1 • Johannesburg
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Touch down in Jo’burg (as the locals like to call it) where your adventure begins, ready for your welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Apartheid Museum to start your journey with some local history, crucial in understanding this region. After your meeting, why not head out for a group dinner and get to know your fellow travellers. Your leader can point you in the right direction if you’re looking for local bars and restaurant recommendations.
Accommodation
Hotel (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Optional activities
Johannesburg - Apartheid Museum - ZAR190
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 make sure that if you explore Johannesburg on your own that you get local advice on where it is safe to walk, especially in the evening. We recommend your wear a money belt, walk with purpose and avoid ostentatious displays of wealth.
DAY 2
Day 2 • Khama Rhino Sanctuary
See ya South Africa – this morning, you’ll cross the border into Botswana and travel to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. It sits on the Kalahari Desert and is an old hunting area transformed into a conservation project. It now protects what’s left of Botswana's black and white rhino populations, but you can also see zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest, all of which chill out around the natural waterholes. Not only do you get to check out the animals here, but you’ll also be benefitting local communities and helping protect the white rhino. When the sun begins to set, hop in a jeep to see the rhinos at their most active. About 35 rhinos roam around this 400-hectare community-based reserve, so don’t forget your binoculars!
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Included activities
Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Entrance
Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 10 hours.
DAY 3
Day 3 • Maun
Get up nice and early and drive to Maun. When you arrive, you’ll have the chance to stock up on any supplies you might need for the journey ahead. This town is the gateway to one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems – the Okavango Delta, a 16,000 square km maze of wetlands made up of waterways, green islands, lush plains and loads of wildlife. You might see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats within the diverse ecosystem here. Tonight, you'll stay on the outskirts of Maun at a simple campsite with shared facilities, wi-fi and optional upgrades.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Optional activities
Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - USD280
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 9 hours.
Due to the popularity of today’s optional activity, please advise your leader on Day 1 of the tour if you would like to take a scenic flight of the Okavango Delta as this needs to be booked in advance.
DAY 4
Day 4 • Okavango Delta Pan Handle
Make your way to the north-western part of the Okavango Delta, close to the Pan Handle. Leave the truck and take a 4WD for the last 12 km to your campsite in the bush. Your accommodation for the next two nights sits on the edge of the Guma Lagoon area and might just be one of the trip’s highlights! When you arrive, set up camp, take in the incredible views of the Delta and relax on the edge of the water for the rest of the afternoon. Tonight, watch as the sunset turns into a brilliant sky full of stars, far away from any light pollution. Then, fall asleep to the sounds of the hippos in the distance.
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
DAY 5
Day 5 • Okavango Delta Pan Handle
Today, you get to paddle the mighty Delta. There's nothing more relaxing than feeling the African sun on your face as you lie back in a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), while your expert poler propels you down calm waters through papyrus and reed beds to lily covered lagoons. Watch out for elephants, lechwe, warthogs and sitatunga. Stop at one of the islands for a swim before returning to camp. If you are interested in the culinary side of Southern Africa, feel free to join your cook for a cooking class while they prepare tonight's meal.
Accommodation
Camping (with basic facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari
Optional activities
Okavango Delta - Cook-led Cooking Class - Free
DAY 6
Day 6 • Caprivi Strip
This morning, transfer in 4WDs back to the truck and then make your way to the border to cross into Namibia. Your next camp is in the Caprivi Strip – sandwiched between Botswana and Angola, this strip connects with Zambia and Zimbabwe at its end. Take the opportunity to discover your new surroundings on a sunset river cruise, keeping your eyes peeled for hippos and crocodiles. Then, relax at your lodge to the sounds of the bush and look out for some of the 330 species of birds in the area.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Included activities
Caprivi - Sunset River Cruise
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours including border crossing.
DAY 7
Day 7 • Chobe National Park
This morning, zip over to the edge of Chobe National Park, further through the Caprivi Strip and back into Botswana. 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, lots of birdlife, crocodiles sunning themselves and cheetahs and lions venturing out for a drink. When you arrive, kick back at camp with a book and relax.
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours including border crossing.
DAY 8
Day 8 • Chobe National Park
Today, you'll head out on a 4WD game drive in Chobe National Park. There's a huge range of wildlife here, all packed into one tiny area, making it unlike anywhere else in the world! Huge herds of buffalo and elephants are often seen roaming around the savannah, matched by the size of the local lion prides. An estimated 70,000 Kalahari elephants roam the park, too – these amazing beasts are the largest known subspecies of elephant in the world. You might also see zebras, impalas, wildebeest, giraffes, lions, leopards, hyenas, jackals, warthogs, baboons, monkeys and heaps of birds!
Accommodation
Camping (with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Dinner
Included activities
Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive
Optional activities
Chobe National Park - Sunset Game Drive - BWP580
Chobe National Park - Sunset River Cruise - BWP580
DAY 9
Day 9 • Victoria Falls
This morning there will be time to join an optional game drive in the Chobe National Park. Then, it’s on to the town of Victoria Falls this afternoon. Cross the border into Zimbabwe and arrive in the early afternoon. Before your trip officially ends, your leader will provide a quick orientation walk through town. There is so much to discover in Victoria Falls that it's highly recommended you stay a few extra days. If you'd like to extend your stay, just speak to your booking agent.
Meals
Breakfast
Included activities
Victoria Falls Town - Leader-led orientation walk
Optional activities
Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126
Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168
Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins - excludes USD25 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD150
Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins - excludes USD30 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD284
Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
Chobe National Park - Morning Game Drive - BWP580
Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
If you are departing this evening, please do not book flights out of Victoria Falls until after 9 pm.
If you want to book a scenic helicopter flight, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only Intrepid-endorsed operator. Your leader can help you arrange this and other optional activities.
Some optional activities require the National Park and fuel surcharges to be paid for in cash. Please refer to the above list for further information.
You may notice businesses offering an optional 'Walk with the Lions' experience. As a business with a strict Responsible Travel policy, we ask all Tuuur travellers to avoid this activity. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many of our itineraries, we strive to only view animals in their natural habitats. The lion walking industry directly contributes to the captive breeding and canned hunting of lions. Read more about animal welfare and our ‘Born to Live Wild’ pledge at
.

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners

Transport

Overland vehicle, 4WD safari vehicle, Mokoro

Accommodation

Camping (with facilities) (5 nights), Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights), Hotel (1 night)

Included activities

Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Entrance

Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle

Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari

Caprivi - Sunset River Cruise

Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive

Victoria Falls Town - Leader-led orientation walk

Optional activities

Johannesburg - Apartheid Museum - ZAR190

Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - USD280

Okavango Delta - Cook-led Cooking Class - Free

Chobe National Park - Sunset Game Drive - BWP580

Chobe National Park - Sunset River Cruise - BWP580

Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126

Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110

Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55

Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68

Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168

Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins - excludes USD25 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD150

Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins - excludes USD30 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD284

Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45

Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75

Chobe National Park - Morning Game Drive - BWP580

Dates and availability

Starting

Ending

Remaining

Prices From

Saturday Jul 12, 2025

Sunday Jul 20, 2025

Trip size max: 22 - 1 space left

£1,326

Saturday Jul 26, 2025

Sunday Aug 03, 2025

Trip size max: 22 - Sold Out

Saturday Aug 16, 2025

Sunday Aug 24, 2025

Trip size max: 22 - Sold Out

Saturday Sep 06, 2025

Sunday Sep 14, 2025

Trip size max: 22 - Sold Out

Saturday Sep 27, 2025

Sunday Oct 05, 2025

Trip size max: 22 - 4 spaces left

£1,315

Saturday Oct 18, 2025

Sunday Oct 26, 2025

Trip size max: 22 - 12 spaces left

£1,139

Saturday Nov 01, 2025

Sunday Nov 09, 2025

Trip size max: 22 - 13 spaces left

£1,150

Saturday Nov 15, 2025

Sunday Nov 23, 2025

Trip size max: 22 - 17 spaces left

£1,128

Saturday Dec 13, 2025

Sunday Dec 21, 2025

Trip size max: 22 - 17 spaces left

£1,111

Saturday Jan 10, 2026

Sunday Jan 18, 2026

Trip size max: 22 - 18 spaces left

£1,139

Saturday Feb 21, 2026

Sunday Mar 01, 2026

Trip size max: 22 - 22 spaces left

£1,139

Saturday Apr 18, 2026

Sunday Apr 26, 2026

Trip size max: 22 - 21 spaces left

£1,139

Saturday May 02, 2026

Sunday May 10, 2026

Trip size max: 22 - 21 spaces left

£1,139

Saturday May 16, 2026

Sunday May 24, 2026

Trip size max: 22 - 19 spaces left

£1,139

Saturday Jun 06, 2026

Sunday Jun 14, 2026

Trip size max: 22 - 22 spaces left

£1,139

Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

2. This trip finishes upon arrival in Victoria Falls on Day 9. Please do not book any flights until after 9pm this evening.

3. Border crossing delays in the region can be sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.

Reviews (50)

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

Olivia

Jun 03, 2025

This trip was magical. Be prepared for early morning camp tear downs, naps on long bus rides, a plethora of animal sightings, and delicious camp meals. In particular, the game drives were SO COOL!

Samantha

May 28, 2025

This trip was my first time in Africa and my first group trip, it fully exceeded my expectations. From the people to the game drives I will remember this trip forever. The driver, leader, and cook were truly amazing.

Jenifer

May 28, 2025

The reviews about the long car rides are correct but don’t let this dissuade you. This was my first time in Africa and my first time on a group trip and it was absolutely amazing. 10/10 recommend to a friend and will be sure to book with intrepid again.

Nick

May 25, 2025

Such an amazing experience. The campsites all had their own unique charm, the included activities were fantastic, and there was a good ratio of activity to down time.

Kristian

May 02, 2025

The trip was excellent. Met new people, made new friends. The crew was amazing. Another Intrepid trip in the books.

Nikka Pearl

May 02, 2025

The whole trip was wonderful! Really great people to be with. Would highly recommend.

Macy

Apr 29, 2025

Had a fantastic trip with the group. Siya, Ivan and Mr. T were fantastic. Traveling as a solo female from the US had no problems and the group easily meshed right off the bat. Would recommend to anyone interested in seeing Africa.

Jack

Apr 03, 2025

A truly excellent trip from Joburg to Vic Falls. Basic? Yes. Long travel days? Yes. One of the best group trips I've done? Absolutely! Being out in Africa with no phone, up close and personal with The Big 5 and sharing the memories with a fantastic group, it truly was a trip of a life time and I would recommend to anyone looking to discover more of Southern Africa!

Rory

Mar 31, 2025

A phenomenal trip - once in a lifetime, seeing incredible animals in a variety of safari styles (land, water), and camping underneath the stars in national parks, AND much less basic than they prepare you for - USB charges in the van and hot showers! 10/10 would recommend, fantastic experience and value for money

ANJULI

Feb 21, 2025

An unforgettable adventure through Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe! Tshepo’s excellent leadership, Christian’s safe and friendly driving, and Irvin’s delicious meals truly made this trip stand out. The activities were diverse, from safaris to cultural experiences, and the team ensured we were always comfortable and well taken care of. A perfect mix of adventure, wildlife, and cultural exploration, with plenty of opportunities to relax and connect. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an enriching and memorable journey!

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