15 Day Unleash Your Explorer: Southern Africa Bush & Wildlife (Camping)

Day 1: Johannesburg, South Africa

You are welcome to arrive at any time.

Let’s spend the first night of your trip together in Johannesburg getting to know each other. You may choose to drink an Amarula cocktail at the hotel’s bar following your welcome meeting, or you may choose to go to Emperors Palace, which includes an array of restaurants and bars. During this adventure, you will have the opportunity to sit back, relax, eat some grub, sip a cocktail, and get to know your fellow travel buddies.

Accommodation: Airport Game Lodge (or similar)
Included Highlights: Welcome Meeting- Meet Your Guide and Group
Optional Activities: Apartheid Museum, Soweto Tour

Day 2 : Johannesburg – Serowe, Botswana

As you and your group cross the border into Botswana, you can check another country off your travel list. It will certainly be a long day of driving today, but use the time to talk to your group, swap stories, and observe the landscape change from the desolate scenery of the central-eastern part of Botswana to the wild bush within the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. It is here that the group will set up camp, enjoy one another’s company around a fire, and fall asleep peacefully.

In today’s travels, we will pass through a very desolate area of central-eastern Botswana. At the end of the day, we will camp within the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a unique community-based wildlife conservation initiative in Botswana.

Accommodation: Khama Rhino Sanctuary Camp (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route: Johannesburg – Groblersbrug – Martins Drift – Serowe
Distance: 570 km

Day 3 : Serowe – Maun, Botswana

You did not expect the group would depart before taking part in a wildlife drive through the Khama Sanctuary, did you? Fortunately, there is no chance of this happening. Discover some wildlife in an open-air vehicle with a guide.

The land outside your window becomes more fertile as you approach the Okavango Delta as you jump in the overland vehicle and continue on to Maun. Scroll through your camera roll and check those pictures while the land outside your window becomes more fertile as you approach the area of the Okavango Delta. Taking a scenic flight over the delta is a great way to get your heart thumping like the beat of African drums after a long day of travel.

Accommodation: Sedia Riverside Lodge (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: Khama Rhino Sanctuary Drive
Optional Activities: Okavango Delta Flight
Route: Khama Rhino Sanctuary – Serowe  – Maun
Distance: 524 km

Day 4 : Maun – Okavango Delta, Botswana

Our day is going to be busy, but fun, and we wish we were going on this epic adventure with you.

Your morning will begin with the sound and smell of the bush around you, followed by a wildlife walk. The advantage of being on foot is that you will gain a much deeper understanding of the movements of the animals as well as their behavior on a much more intimate level.

On the way to our basic bush camp for the evening (get ready to completely unplug), we will embark on an exciting excursion deep into the Okavango delta in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe). Enjoy a sundowner around the campfire, sing along with the locals, and unwind at camp.

NB: We will leave our large luggage with the overland vehicle for this overnight excursion. It should be noted that there are no showers or running water available for toilets. Be sure to bring along five liters of water for drinking and cleaning.

Accommodation: Okavango Delta Camping (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Highlight: Okavango Delta Excursion
Route: Maun – Okavango Delta

Day 5: Okavango Delta – Gweta, Botswana

It is no secret that Africa is home to some of the most beautiful sunrises in the world, and today (if the weather is just right) you will get to experience those almost too vibrant colors that we all picture when we picture going on safari to Africa. As you ride out of the Okavango Delta, tip your heads back, take a deep breath, and feel the mokoro cut through the crystal clear channels. After freshening up in Maun (showers everyone!) the group will embark in the overland vehicle to Gweta, where they will camp under massive baobab trees.

You can cool off in the pool if you need to during your stay at the campsite tonight with the towering baobab trees surrounding the campsite.

Accommodation: Planet Baobab (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Route:  Okavango Delta – Maun – Gweta
Distance: 240 km

Day 6: Gweta – Kasane, Botswana

Explore Chobe National Park on a river cruise from Kasane, where you will find the largest elephant population in southern Africa.

The rains bring life to the pans, awakening dormant fish and aquatic shrimp from their slumber. Grasslands surrounding the site are also teeming with life and are home to a large number of antelope that are preyed upon by a variety of predators. The best way to take in the scenery is by keeping your eyes focused on the passing world and then rewarding yourself with a toast as you camp under a great big African sky.

Our journey today takes us to Chobe National Park, which hosts the largest population of elephants in southern Africa. There is no better way to appreciate one of Botswana’s national parks and the thousands of elephants, crocodiles, and hippos that can be viewed from a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. Travel agents can assist you in pre-booking this service. A safari drive in an open vehicle may be another option for those who wish to see lions, antelope, and, of course, elephants.

Accommodation: Thebe River Safaris Camping (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: Chobe National Park
Optional Activities: Chobe River Sunset Cruise, Chobe National Park Safari Drive
Route: Gweta – Kasane
Distance: 420km

Day 7: Kasane – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Get your seat belts buckled and cross the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe, the home of the magnificent Victoria Falls. After all that driving, you are bound to be hungry, and we have a treat in store for you today! In the afternoon, the group will have a traditional lunch at the Lusumpuko Women’s Club. The mist in the air will greet you as you enter Victoria Falls with a full belly and even more full hearts.

Discover one of the world’s largest waterfalls up close. Those seeking adventure may wish to consider going whitewater rafting, taking a scenic helicopter flight over the falls (epic selfies anyone?) or taking the plunge by bungee jumping while viewing Victoria Falls.

Choose to prebook the Chobe National Park Safari Drive and explore the park early in the morning before crossing the border into Zimbabwe and continuing on to the town of Victoria Falls. Experience the awesome Victoria Falls up close (and get wet from the spray), or bungee jump (with Victoria Falls in sight).

NB: You will be staying in Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) and NOT in Livingstone (Zambia). It is important that you obtain the necessary visa.

Accommodation: Explorers Village Camping (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Included Highlight: Lusumpuko Women’s Club Lunch
Optional Activities: Zambezi River Sunset Cruise, Victoria Falls Visit, Chobe National Park Safari Drive
Route: Kasane – Kazungula – Victoria Falls
Distance: 85 km

Day 8: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Take advantage of this free day at Victoria Falls to get up close and personal with one of the largest waterfalls in the world. Enjoy the strong splash of water on the observation deck, listen to tons of water thundering in over the edge of the falls in the distance and make your day as relaxing or thrilling as you wish.

If you are seeking adventure, we recommend whitewater rafting, scenic helicopter flights over Victoria Falls (epic selfies anyone?) or bungee jumping with Victoria Falls in sight.

Accommodation: Explorers Village Camping (or similar)
Optional Activities: Victoria Falls Visit 30USD per person, Zambezi Bungee Jump 160USD per person, Zipline over the Zambezi 47USD per person, Bridge Swing over the Zambezi 168USD per person, Zambezi River Sunset Cruise, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride – 15min, Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride – 25min, Victoria Falls Whitewater Rafting 4h-7h 130USD per person, Full Day Excursion to Chobe National Park, Princess Laundry Service 10USD per person

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.