Support local conservation efforts by visiting the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, the only place left in Botswana where both black and white rhinos reside.

Go wildlife-spotting with your small group and expert guides along the river at Chobe National Park, home to the world's highest concentration of African elephants.

Camping on a remote island in the heart of the Okavango wilderness is an experience you’ll never forget. As the sun sets and night falls, the sounds of Africa come alive.

Your first glimpse of the thundering Victoria Falls is undeniably captivating. With additional time for optional adventures, you’ll get to view the waterfalls from all angles!

By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust. Donations help employ a team of Community Guardians who collaborate with locals to find sustainable solutions to human-wildlife conflict and conservation in Southern Africa.

Day 1: Johannesburg

Sawubona – welcome to South Africa! Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, we recommend visiting the eye-opening Apartheid Museum to start your journey with some crucial history before meeting up with your group.
After your important meeting this evening, why not head out for an optional group dinner and get to know your newfound travel companions? Your leader can point you in the right direction with bar and restaurant recommendations.

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 ensure that if you choose to explore Johannesburg on your own that you take local advice and consult your group leader as to where it is safe to walk, especially at night.

Day 2: Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Leaving South Africa behind, cross the border into Botswana and travel towards the Khama Rhino Sanctuary (approximately 8–10 hours). Situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary has drastically changed from a former hunting area to 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, all of which can be seen grazing the many waterholes. Visiting this project benefits local communities and directly contributes to protecting the endangered white rhinoceros. Later on, head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they are most active.

 Included activities

• Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle

Special information: At tonight’s camp, there may be the option to upgrade to a room for an additional cost (subject to availability).

Day 3: Maun

Jump aboard your vehicle and head to Maun (approximately 8–9 hours). Here there will be an opportunity to stock up on any supplies you might need for your adventure ahead. Maun is the gateway to one of the world's most complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. This place is unlike anything in the world – a 16,000 square kilometre maze of lush wetlands and waterways teeming with wildlife. You might see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats, but it's the animals aren’t the only drawcard here – the waterscapes and shimmering horizons will have you gazing for days.

Special information: Tonight, you'll stay on the outskirts of Maun at a simple campsite with shared facilities, wi-fi and optional upgrades.

Day 4: Okavango Delta

Get right in the action today, jumping aboard a traditional mokoro – a dugout canoe steered by friendly local 'polers' – for an Okavango waterways experience. With some luck, you could spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and exotic birdlife. Spend some time today exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot too, led by experienced local guides. Tonight, you’ll camp on a remote island right in the heart of the wilderness, falling asleep to the humming and buzzing of the African heartlands.

 Included activities

• Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari

Special information: In this far-out camping location, facilities are almost non-existent, so be ready to dig a bush toilet and go without a shower. This is the African wild in all its glory!

Day 5: Okavango Delta

Wake up early and head out on a sunrise walk. Along the way, keep watch for elephants, and if the timing is right, you might also come across some Cape buffalo! These noble-looking beasts are more dangerous than they look, and their horns double as a kind of bone shield that's fittingly known as a 'boss'. Returning to camp for breakfast, you’ve got the rest of the day to relax. A refreshing swim, or perhaps a nap, could be on the cards – both good ideas in the warmer part of the day. Alternatively, take another mokoro trip to soak up that serene river atmosphere.

 Included activities

• Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk

Day 6: Maun

After taking down your camp, return to the ‘poler’ station by mokoro, before continuing on to Maun by vehicle (approximately 2–3 hours). Today we will visit a local brewery that produces beer containing millet grown by small-scale farmers, rewarding them for their efforts to coexist with elephants and promoting an inclusive economy. This initiative enhances the benefits of sustainable farming practices and ties them to the region’s wildlife economy. After touring the brewery, we'll stick around for lunch and an included beer tasting.
Tonight, settle in at camp on the outskirts of town.

 Included activities

• Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
• Okavango Delta - Brewery Tour

 Add on activities

• Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - From USD250 - USD280

Special information: Tonight you will stay in a simple campsite which has shared facilities. Wi-fi and optional upgrades are available.

The scenic flight prices are dependent on the number of passengers in the plane or helicopter. See your group leader for more details.

Day 7: Nata

Get up early and hit the road for Nata (approximately 6–7 hours). This small town is situated near the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, which are some of the largest on earth, covering around 12,000 square kilometres. This afternoon, take an excursion in an open vehicle to explore these seemingly endless plains in the Nata Bird Sanctuary. Surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, the pans are naturally dry and salty for a large part of the year. During this time, the arid landscape has an eerie feel to it as heat mirages disorientate the senses. Then, after the rains hit, it becomes a grassy refuge for migratory birds and animals.

 Included activities

• Nata - Makgadikgadi Salt Pans 4x4 Excursion

Special information: Your campsite tonight is situated on the edge of the pans. It has a restaurant, swimming pool, gift shop, ATM and bar/lounge area. Upgrades are also available (subject to availability).

Day 8: Chobe National Park

Hit the road to Chobe National Park (approximately 6–7 hours). 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, a variety of birdlife, crocodiles sunning themselves by the water's edge, and cheetahs and lions coming down to drink. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe – an ideal way to spend the afternoon and toast to another day in Africa.

 Included activities

• Chobe National Park - River Cruise

Special information: Your camp tonight has wi-fi available and optional upgrades (subject to availability). It's also close to a supermarket, so you can stock up on supplies while you're here.

Day 9: Victoria Falls

Why not wake up early and see Chobe National Park from a different perspective, booking yourself in on an optional morning game drive. Afterwards, travel on to Victoria Falls (approximately 2–3 hours), crossing the border into Zimbabwe just in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River. Then it's free time to experience the sights and sounds of the mighty falls. This thundering curtain of water is about 1.7 kilometres wide, falling 108 metres into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise an incredible 400 metres as the falls become a raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and you can see the little islets in the river below.

 Add on activities

• Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Entrance Fee - USD50
• Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive - BWP580
• Victoria Falls - Sunset Cruise - USD50

Special information: Your campsite tonight has wi-fi, an ATM and optional upgrades.

The Victoria Falls entrance fee is not included in the price of the trip as it is mandatory for tour groups with pre-purchased tickets to have a local escort. We feel that seeing these waterfalls for the first time should be an uninterrupted experience.

Your leader may take you to a local activity centre. Intrepid has not risk-assessed all activities and only those listed in Optional Activities are recommended. It is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of anything that has not been risk-assessed or does not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos. This includes organising transport to and from these activities.

We also ask travellers to avoid the Walk with the Lions experience as it is contrary to our Responsible Travel policy. While wildlife viewing is a big part of many itineraries, we strive to view animals in their natural habitats and with the greatest level of respect.

Day 10: Victoria Falls

Your Okavango Experience ends after breakfast and there are no further activities planned. If you’re staying longer in Victoria Falls and are feeling adventurous, you might like to try whitewater rafting, canoeing and flying fox rides. For an incredible scenic helicopter flight, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only Intrepid-endorsed operator. Your leader can help you arrange this.

 Add on activities

• Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
• Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
• Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126
• Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
• Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
• Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
• Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168
• Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
• Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
• Victoria Falls - Flying Fox / Bridge Slide / Zipline - USD48

Special information: While at Victoria Falls you may hear about Devil’s Pool. Intrepid does not recommend the activity here due to the high risk involved. Our leaders cannot assist in organising this activity, as it is against company policy for leaders to facilitate the booking of anything that has not been risk-assessed or does not adhere to our company’s Responsible Travel policy and ethos.

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 the Big Five. 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 this tour is as much about the journey as the destination. For more information on this style of travel, please ask your travel agent.

Camping out in the Okavango wilderness means digging a bush toilet and going without a shower. For most travellers this will be a small price to pay for time spent in such a beautiful and remote island location.

As the early bird catches the worm, so the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make better use of the safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days. The thrill of spotting your first lion or rhino is well worth any loss of sleep.

You may also want to check out our Explore Southern Africa trip if you have longer to explore in southern Africa.

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.Please make sure that passengers are aware that overland trucks used on this itinerary are not air-conditioned.

3.The weight of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the packing space and weight restrictions of the truck. The weight limit for luggage on all of our trucks is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack. Backpacks shouldn’t have an external frame unless it can easily be removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people’s luggage. We strongly advise passengers to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag, and it is essential that no hard suitcases be brought on tour. For valuables, like passports, we offer a safe on each vehicle that is shared by all passengers to keep their documentation safe during their journey.

4.The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document, to delegate their authority.

5.Border crossing delays in the region have been 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.

Price is per adult sharing and includes:

• 10-day Okavango Delta Experience tour
• Meals: 9 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 7 dinners
• Transport: Overland vehicle, Open safari vehicle
• Accommodation: Camping (with facilities) (6 nights), Bush camp (no facilities) (2 nights), Hotel (1 night)
• Included activities:
  • Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
  • Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
  • Okavango Delta - Brewery Tour
  • Nata - Makgadikgadi Salt Pans 4x4 Excursion
  • Chobe National Park - River Cruise

These activities are available to add on:

• Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - From USD250 - USD280
• Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Entrance Fee - USD50
• Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive - BWP580
• Victoria Falls - Sunset Cruise - USD50
• Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD284
• Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
• Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126
• Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
• Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
• Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
• Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168
• Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
• Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
• Victoria Falls - Flying Fox / Bridge Slide / Zipline - USD48

Please ask us about adding great value:

• Flights from Ireland- we'll find the best fare for your chosen travel dates and departure airport
• Travel Insurance
• Want your own room? A single supplement is available for all nights of your trip, subject to availability.

Subject to availability. Terms & conditions apply.

For more information please call us on 021 427 7094 or 01 696 5135, email info@shandontravel.ie, request a call back using the red button or submit an enquiry through the form below.