Our Price From
1,415
Per Person
Trip Length
9 Days
Trip Starts
Johannesburg
Trip Finishes
Victoria Falls
Trip Styles
Basix , 18 to 35s
Departures
Budget
Affordable
Max. Group Size
22
Pace
Leisurely
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
UBYB
Overview
Book online and enjoy exclusive savings on Intrepid's 9 Day Essential Botswana. Time to break out your best Attenborough impression – you’re going on a safari. This 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. Camp on the shore of the Kovongo River, and search for wildlife in Chobe National Park.
Itinerary
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.
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! (B/D)
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. (B/D)
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. (B/L/D)
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. (B/L/D)
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. (B/D)
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. (B/D)
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! (B/D)
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. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- 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.
- Camping (with facilities) (5 nights)
- Camping (with basic facilities) (2 nights)
- Hotel (1 night)
- 8 Breakfasts included
- 2 Lunches included
- 7 Dinners included
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- Intrepid regularly update their itineraries throughout the year based on feedback and local conditions. Therefore the itinerary you see now may differ from when you booked. Global Journeys will provide you with detailed trip notes at the time of quoting, along with a finalised itinerary and trip notes before your trip departs.
Brochure
Intrepid 18 to 29's Worldwide (2024-25)
Discover with our brochure a world of curiosity-driven adventures. Being Intrepid could mean dancing salsa in Cuba, facing a silverback gorilla, or embracing the unfamiliar on a solo trip. Whether you're a seasoned traveller or a first-timer, we're here to quench that thirst for discovery. The world awaits the Intrepid spirit.
Availability
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Cancel up to 56 days before departure and your deposit becomes a credit for future travel.
Guaranteed Departures
Your Intrepid trip is guaranteed to depart as soon as one full paying traveler is booked!
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26 Jul 2025
Sunday
03 Aug 2025
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26 Jul 2025
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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Intrepid. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Intrepid. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Intrepid. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
