Southern Africa Safari Experience

18 days
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3.5/5 Great
30 reviews  
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Private Guided
Nature’s greatest spectacles on safari in southern Africa’s celebrated national parks, including Kruger National Park and Chobe National Park. Enjoy an unforgettable wildlife walk with a local guide in the panhandle of the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta system and a UNESCO World Heritage site; drive through Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe s...
From$8,399
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Overview

Trip type
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Meet with an expert on National Geographic’s Okavango Wilderness Project to learn about ongoing conservation projects in the delta.
    • Enjoy dinner at a family homestead in Zimbabwe, and hear from local storytellers in Botswana.
    • Go on safari with a researcher from the Cheetah Metapopulation Project, part of National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative.

What's this trip about?

    Nature’s greatest spectacles on safari in southern Africa’s celebrated national parks, including Kruger National Park and Chobe National Park. Enjoy an unforgettable wildlife walk with a local guide in the panhandle of the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta system and a UNESCO World Heritage site; drive through Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe searching for large herds of elephants; and sit down to a family dinner at a private home near Victoria Falls.

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Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityJohannesburg
End CityMaun

Travel Themes

  • Nature & Wildlife
  • Safari

Destinations

  • Africa
  • Zimbabwe
  • Botswana

Attractions

  • Chobe National Park
  • Hwange National Park
  • Johannesburg
  • Kruger National Park
  • Maun
  • Okavango Delta
  • Victoria Falls
  • Zambezi River

Activities

  • Culture
  • Game drive
  • Nature
  • Safari
  • Wildlife viewing

Trip includes

    • Accommodation: Hotels (6 nts), safari lodges/camps (6 nts), comfortable safari tent (2 nts), comfortable tent or chalets (2 nts), bush camp (1 nt).
    • Transport: Plane, air-conditioned touring vehicle, open safari vehicle, 4x4, boat, mokoro.
    • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Carnivore Conservation Experience, Karongwe Private Game Reserve
    • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Zimbabwean Family Dinner, Victoria Falls
    • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Painted Dog Conservation, Hwange National Park
    • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Okavango Wilderness Project Experience, Okavango Delta
    • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Botswana Storytelling and Traditional Dinner, Maun
    • Your Foodie Moment: Traditional South Africa Braai (Barbecue), Johannesburg
    • Your Discover Moment: Victoria Falls
    • Arrival transfer
    • Panorama Route scenic drive
    • Private nature reserve wildlife safari drives in open vehicles
    • Open-vehicle wildlife safari drives in Kruger, Hwange and Chobe National Parks
    • Tour of Victoria Falls
    • Chobe boat safari
    • Wildlife excursions by boat and on foot in the Okavango Panhandle
    • Internal flights
    • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

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Itinerary

Day 1: Johannesburg

Meals: Dinner

Accommodations: Malikana Guesthouse BB/ Braai (or similar)

Arrive at any time and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy a traditional South African braai (barbecue) for dinner tonight.

Day 2: Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodations: Muluwa Lodge (or similar)

Set out towards Kruger National Park via the magnificent Panorama Route, one of the world’s most picturesque drives. Make stops at the dramatic Blyde River Canyon and Bourke's Luck P...

Day 3: Kruger National Park

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodations: Muluwa Lodge (or similar)

Rise early and climb aboard an open jeep for a full-day safari in Kruger National Park—home to an extraordinary array of large mammals. Spot elephants, lions, giraffes, and perhaps e...

Day 4: Greater Kruger Area/Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Lodges (or similar)

Travel to the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, a pristine wildlife sanctuary located in the Greater Kruger area. Meet with a researcher from the Endang...

Day 5: Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Karongwe Private Game Reserve - Lodges (or similar)

Spend the day exploring Karongwe on morning and afternoon safaris with our local guides. Search for Africa's famed "big five" as we drive through the shrublands of the bushveld. Back at camp, relax on deck or take a walk around the grounds.

Day 6: Karongwe Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodations: Malikana Guesthouse (or similar)

Embark on one last safari this morning, keeping a lookout for Karongwe’s iconic inhabitants. Then head back to the city, where you’ll enjoy dinner in our local guest house.

Day 7: Johannesburg/Victoria Falls

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodations: Cresta Sprayview Hotel (or similar)

Catch a flight to the town of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, named after one of the most powerful waterfalls on Earth. Visit a nearby village and go grocery shopping in the bu...

Day 8: Victoria Falls

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities:Canoeing the Zambezi, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 15min, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 25min, Victoria Falls Whitewater Rafting, Zambezi Bungee Jump, Zambezi River Sunset Cruise

Accommodations: Cresta Sprayvie...

Day 9: Victoria Falls

Meals: Breakfast

Optional Activities:Bridge Swing over the Zambezi, Chobe National Park Day Trip , Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 15min, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 25min, Victoria Falls Visit, Victoria Falls Whitewater Rafting, Zambezi Bungee Jump, Zamb...

Day 10: Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Optional Activities: Victoria Falls Guided Tour , Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 15min

Accommodations: Ivory Safari Lodge & Khulu Lodge (or similar)

Explore Victoria Falls at leisure this morning, and opt to tak...

Day 11: Hwange National Park

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Ivory Safari Lodge & Khulu Lodge (or similar)

Set out on a full-day safari through the sweeping grasslands of Hwange National Park. Track the park’s resident elephant and buffalo herds, as well as ...

Day 12: Hwange/Chobe Np

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Accommodations: Chobe Safari Lodge (or similar)

Depart Hwange and head north, crossing the border into Botswana and arriving in Kasane—the gateway to the stunning Chobe National Park. Settle into your lodge and embark on a b...

Day 13: Chobe Np

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Optional Activities: Chobe River Photo Safari

Accommodations: Chobe Safari Lodge (or similar)

This morning, continue your exploration of Chobe National Park, home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations. On a ...

Day 14: Kasane/Okavango Delta

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Mopiri Camp (or similar)

Catch a flight to the Okavango Panhandle in Botswana, the narrow arm of the Okavango River that feeds into the famed Okavango Delta. Check in to our remote lodge, and enjoy a b...

Day 15: Okavango Delta

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Mopiri Camp (or similar)

Explore the breathtaking Okavango Panhandle with expert local guides. Navigate the wildlife-rich channels of the Okavango River aboard a mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, and...

Day 16: Okavango Delta

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Mopiri Camp (or similar)

Continue exploring the Okavango Delta’s untamed habitat on foot and by mokoro, spotting herons, storks, egrets, and other wading birds. Return to the lodge later this afternoon and opt to relax by an open fire, or take a swim.

Day 17: Okavango Delta/Maun

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodations: Cresta Maun (or similar)

Fly to the frontier town of Maun for an evening of storytelling and traditional foods with celebrated local author Bonty Botumile. Born in Maun, Bonty’s work is dedicated to pr...

Day 18: Maun

Meals: Breakfast

Depart at any time.

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Dates & Availability

Price From $8,399
Price per day$467
Last Updated: 2/23/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with National Geographic Expeditions.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Jan 2022

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Logistics

What's excluded

    • Airfare to and from destination
    • Minimum medical and emergency evacuation insurance
    • Trip cancellation insurance or any other travel insurance
    • Visas
    • Any activity not described in What's Included
    • Meals on your own
    • Gratuities
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Meals Included

17 Breakfasts, 7 Lunches, 15 Dinners

Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
Trip ID
nation-SouSafNat

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