Compare Southern Africa: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Botswana by Overseas Adventure Travel vs Southern Africa Safari Experience by G Adventures

DAY 1 Fly to Johannesburg

South Africa You depart from the U.S. on an overnight flight to Johannesburg, South Africa.

DAY 2 Arrive Johannesburg

Today, arrive in Johannesburg. You will be met and transferred to your hotel for an overnight stay.

DAY 3 Fly to Kruger National Park

This morning, you will fly to Nelspruit (Mbombela). Upon arrival, we  will be transferred to our camp in Kruger National Park.

The largest of South Africa’s parks, with a total area of 7,500 square miles, Kruger is also one of the largest parks in the world. Bordered by the Limpopo and Crocodile Rivers, the land spreads a stunning 200 miles at its widest point. Late this afternoon, we’ll get our first taste of this vast natural canvas in a game-viewing drive. Here we may spot herds of elephant and buffalo, antelope, nyala, and eland, the kind of game you travel to South Africa to see. 

Your game-viewing drives will be led by knowledgeable guides who know the best locations for viewing and are adept at helping you spot wildlife both near and far.

DAY 4 Explore Kruger National Park

We begin our day with an early morning bush-walk. Be on the lookout for species which live here in lesser numbers, including African wild dogs (of which only 150 remain).

After returning to camp for breakfast, we'll have the rest of the morning and the early afternoon at leisure. After lunch, you'll enjoy a final afternoon game-viewing drive. Perhaps you'll see giraffes “necking”—a sport for young males showing off—or hear the clucking conversations of long-horned greater kudu.

This evening, we enjoy dinner together at the camp as evening falls and we compare notes on all that makes it special to travel to South Africa.

DAY 5 Wildlife-viewing in Kruger National Park

Today, you'll enjoy a full-day game-viewing drive in Kruger National Park. Kruger is home to 147 species of land mammals, the highest number in Africa, including all of the "Big Five": lion, elephant, Cape buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. Thousands of zebra roam the land here as well, but no species can keep up with the impala, which number more than a million here.

After enjoying a picnic lunch in the park, our game-viewing drive continues in the afternoon. One needn't only scan the grasses for activity—the trees and sky are busy, too. More than 500 species of birds are found here, including what African birders call "The Big Six" (in answer to the famous mammals); the lappet-faced vulture, martial eagle, saddle-billed stork, kori bustard, ground hornbill, and the elusive Pel's fishing owl are all residents of the sprawling park.

This evening, we return to our camp for dinner

DAY 6 Wildlife viewing in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

After breakfast, we'll depart camp and return to Nelspruit for our flight to Livingstone, Zambia. From there, we'll drive a short distance to Victoria Falls—where we will be met and transferred to our lodge near Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest park.

As we pass grasslands and acacia woodlands en route to our lodge, we’ll enjoy a taste of the unspoiled beauty for which Hwange is famous. Comparatively undiscovered, the bush country park is known for its herds of sable antelope, an elegant animal with large, graceful horns, which we may see on this first game-viewing drive.

The evening is yours to spend at leisure before dinner at the lodge.

Please note: If Day 6 of this itinerary falls on a Sunday, travelers will fly from Nelspruit to Johannesburg, with a connecting flight to Victoria Falls and a land transfer to Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe.

DAY 7 Discover Hwange National Park

Today, we rise early for breakfast before setting out for a morning game-viewing walk. In the afternoon, we'll return to our lodge to enjoy lunch and some time at leisure, before heading into the bush again for an afternoon game-viewing drive.

During our safari, we'll soak in a variety of Hwange's habitats, from teak forests to palm islands to vast, savannah plains. Adding to your sightings from the day before, you may encounter a menagerie of animals which could include lion, leopard, cheetah, and more than 400 known bird species.

We'll return to our lodge for dinner.

DAY 8 Explore Hwange National Park

Today, we have the opportunity to enjoy a full day of game viewing with one of our professional guides. During this drive, you will learn about the region's flora and the intricate cycle of life in the bush. We will learn to identify which animals have passed through the area. Our expert guides may also expound on everything from how elephant dung can be used as mosquito repellent, to how the giraffe is able to eat leaves off of the thorny acacia trees.

After enjoying a packed lunch at the park, we journey into the bush once again to continue our game-viewing drive.  Perhaps we’ll spot elephant, buffalo, eland, wildebeest, and impala, before we return to our camp for dinner. Depending on the season, we might even be lucky enough to dine with a view of elephants grazing nearby.

DAY 9 Transfer to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

After breakfast this morning, we depart our lodge and travel overland to Victoria Falls.

Mosi-oa Tunya, as the falls are known in the local language, live up to their name as “the smoke that thunders.” On a clear day, you can see the mist from these crashing waters from more than 50 miles away. That’s not surprising when you consider the size of the falls: nearly twice as high as Niagara, as well as one and a half times as wide, generating three times as much water. With 1.4 billion gallons of water per minute passing over its edge at peak flood, Victoria Falls is the largest curtain of water in the world.

This afternoon, on our guided tour, we explore walking trails and lookout points—each with different views. There are five main cataracts, including the most dramatic, the Main Falls and Devil’s Cataract. Considering the endless spray here, it may be a good idea to wrap your camera equipment, cash, and other valuables in plastic before our discoveries. We’ll find the rain forest surrounding the falls is particularly lush as a result of the insistent moisture, yielding profuse flora, including ebony, fig trees, and many flowering species.

Dinner is at a local restaurant tonight.

DAY 10  Victoria Falls Community • Optional tours

Today, we have several opportunities to gain insight into daily life in Victoria Falls. After breakfast, we'll set out to spend some time at a village market, which is partially supported by Grand Circle Foundation to benefit the local economy. Following our market visit, we'll venture to Jabulani Primary School, where we’ll have a chance to interact with students and staff, enjoying a glimpse of Zimbabwe’s future.

We'll spend additional time exploring the community and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. With the rest of the afternoon at leisure, you might choose to explore the town of Victoria Falls. Or perhaps, join one or more optional tours, which include an Elephantback Safari or a Helicopter ride over Victoria Falls.

Dinner is at a local restaurant.

DAY 11 Discover Victoria Falls • Optional Tours

With a full day at leisure, you might choose to continue your explorations of Victoria Falls. In the center, you can find local handcrafts, such as the famous Shona stone carvings and a variety of wooden carvings. You’ll also find a selection of brilliant African textiles, malachite, basketry, and more—and don’t be afraid to barter, which is both expected and fun. (You can even use American goods like T-shirts, sweatshirts, and baseball caps with designer logos for “currency”). Please ask your Trip Leader for advice about where else it may be appropriate to barter in this manner.

Perhaps you’ll decide to take another one of our optional tours from the choices offered on Day 10.

We enjoy dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

DAY 12 Transfer to Impalila Island, Namibia • Sundowner cruise on Zambezi River

After breakfast this morning, we travel overland to Kasane, Botswana, where we transfer by boat for our 3-night discovery of Impalila Island. Impalila Island is one of the gems of the Caprivi Strip, a slender eastern arm of Namibia extending to Zambia and Botswana. We arrive in time to settle in and enjoy lunch together at the lodge. Our setting is beneath the limbs of a 700 year-old baobab tree that once sheltered 19th-century explorer David Livingstone.

This afternoon, discover the serenity of Impalila, surrounded by 60 miles of waterways—including the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers. With its interconnected rivers and channels varying in personality from rapids to limpid lily ponds, Impalila's environs offer a bounty for lovers of nature. We'll explore its flora and fauna during a sundowner cruise along the Zambezi River.

We return to our lodge for dinner together this evening.

DAY 13 Discover Impalila Island • Boat Cruise • Island Walk

Early this morning, you might choose to experience what life is like on Impalila Island, during a walk through a local village. Or perhaps you'll opt to explore the Zambezi River on a boat cruise. The Caprivi Strip is especially well known for bird-watching, with 450 species found here from the Heuglin's robin to Yellow-bellied bul-buls and more. This is the best time of day to spot the black and copper-tailed coucals (a cousin to cuckoos). As you ply the waters of this legendary river, you may encounter crocodiles, hippos, and the many elephants that thrive here.

After lunch back at camp followed by time for tea in the afternoon, your choices continue. You may opt to take a river cruise or explore the island by foot. From your boat, keep your eyes peeled for the Roan antelope, bushbuck, buffalo, and puku who call the Zambezi riverbanks home.

We enjoy dinner together at our lodge this evening.

DAY 14 Explore Impalila Island • Fishing Excursion • Island Walk

After breakfast this morning, we stroll to a nearby village to learn about traditional daily life in the Caprivi Strip. Depending on the village and season, this may include an introduction to the use of medicinal plants and trees in this region. This morning is sure to offer rich insight into the rhythms of local life.

After lunch, you may explore the Chobe River by boat or go fishing, taking your shot at snagging the tricky Tigerfish, the king of the river. With its striped silver flank and enormous, sharp teeth, the Tigerfish makes quite an impression. It is said that Tigerfish are among the most clever river fish and can escape from hooks like swimming houdinis. Tigerfish typically tend to weigh just a few pounds, but every season someone raises a monster—up to 20 pounds—from the waters.

Whether you seek the rich variety of wetland fowl, from herons to ibis and crakes, or perhaps a chance to angle for fish, the afternoon offers you the perfect leisurely pace. On either excursion, you'll likely be under the watchful gaze of noble Fish Eagles.

Tonight, we dine together at our lodge.

DAY 15 Transfer to Chobe National Park, Botswana

After breakfast and your choice of either a nature walk or boat cruise, we bid farewell to Impalila Island, returning by boat to Kasane. We’ll have time to explore the town before arriving at our lodge in time for lunch. 

This afternoon, we enjoy our first game-viewing drive in Chobe. Chobe National Park was the first national park established in Botswana and it remains one of its largest, with 4,500 square miles of area. The vast size allows for incredible diversity of terrain, from floodplains and marshes to forest and mopane woodlands. More than 50,000 elephants call this park home, making it one of the world’s largest populations.

DAY 16 Game-viewing in Chobe National Park

The next two safari days feature a wealth of game-viewing by land. We’ll begin our morning with breakfast at our lodge before setting out for a game-viewing drive in Chobe National Park. Then, we return to our lodge to relax for a quiet siesta during the heat of the day, followed by lunch. Late afternoon, we'll enjoy another game-viewing drive in the park. In addition to spotting elephants, we'll see zebra, Cape buffalo, wildebeest, among many other species. But it's not just land animals that fill the scene. Eagles, plovers, and bee-eaters wing through the clear air. 

In the evening, we return to camp to enjoy dinner together by candlelight.

DAY 17 Discover Chobe National Park

We follow our traditional pattern today, following the wildlife in safari vehicles this morning and enjoying a game-viewing boat cruise along the Chobe River in the afternoon. We're likely to encounter Chobe’s famed elephants—which are the largest in size of any elephant breed, yet have the smallest tusks. And we’re sure to see some of the beast’s African peers, perhaps including buffalo, hippo, red lechwe, sitatunga, and crocodile. 

Over dinner at our lodge together tonight, we can compare notes on all we’ve seen during these safari days.

Day 18 Fly to Johannesburg • Return to U.S. or begin post-trip extension

After breakfast, we travel overland to Kasane. We then drive to the Victoria Falls airport and board our flight to Johannesburg. Both the flight for the post-trip extension Cape Town & the Cape of Good Hope and the return flights to the U.S. depart in the early evening.

Day 1 Johannesburg

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

Our accommodation is in the Kempton Park area in a guesthouse or family-run lodge. The location is convenient to the airport and should you have additional time, taxi's can be easily arranged to get you around.

If you are interested in spending more time in Johannesburg, it is recommended to book pre-accommodation to enjoy the sights of the city at your own leisure.

Day 2 Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area

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 Potholes, and take in panoramic views of the forest-covered valley from the God's Window viewpoint. Continue to our lodge near Kruger National park, savour a delicious South African Dinner in this picturesque location.

Today is a very long driving day; however, we will make many stops along the way at sites along the Panorama Route.

Day 3 Kruger National Park

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 elusive leopards as we explore this breathtaking wilderness of savanna and scrubland. Return to our lodge in the evening, where you can take some time to relax and enjoy the nocturnal sounds of the bush.

At over 19,000 sq km (7,500 sq mi), South Africa’s Kruger National Park is one of the largest and most impressive animal reserves in the world. With 147 species, Kruger has more species of large mammals than any other park on the continent.

Day 4 Greater Kruger Area/Karongwe Private Game Reserve

Travel to the Karongwe Private Game Reserve, a pristine wildlife sanctuary located in the Greater Kruger area. Meet with a researcher from the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Cheetah Metapopulation Project—a program funded in part by National Geographic’s Big Cats Initiative—and learn about efforts to protect the region’s cheetahs and other carnivores. The researcher then joins us for a wildlife-viewing excursion through the reserve.

For the next two days, enjoy ranger-led morning and evening wildlife safari drives in an open safari vehicle in Karongwe Nature Reserve, searching for Africa's famed Big Five. With over 9,000 hectares (22,240 acres) of supreme African bushveld, Karongwe Private Game Reserve is home to many creatures, and our safari drives provide several opportunities for wildlife viewing. We use various accommodations within the reserve (the location is based on availability). During your time here, you will either stay in lodge rooms or very comfortable permanent tents (both of equal quality and with similar amenities).

Wildlife safari drives are conducted with qualified wildlife rangers and local expert trackers who will share their vast experience of the African bush. On some occasions, if space is unavailable, we may need to change accommodations or even use a different private reserve. In such a case, be assured we will choose other lodges or comfort camps (of equal quality) within the Greater Kruger area.

Day 5 Karongwe Private Game Reserve

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.

Wake up before the sun (around 5am) and sip your morning coffee before heading out on a morning wildlife safari drive. Return to the lodge for brunch and some leisure time. Converse on the deck, walk the grounds and gardens, and enjoy high tea. Following tea, it's time for a late afternoon safari drive. After spotting tons of wildlife, it’s time to return to camp and freshen up before dinner.

Day 6 Karongwe Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg

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 family run lodge.

Day 7 Johannesburg/Victoria Falls

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 bustling market. Then sit down with a local family for dinner, helping your hosts prepare a traditional Zimbabwean meal using the ingredients you picked out, and hear stories about local life and culture.

The mist off Victoria Falls can rise to a height of more than 400m (1312 ft). Local tribes used to call the falls Mosi-o-Tunya or “the smoke that thunders.” Explorer and missionary David Livingstone renamed the falls after Queen Victoria when he first saw them in 1855.

Day 8 Victoria Falls

Set out for a tour of magnificent Victoria Falls. Scottish explorer David Livingstone named them after Britain’s Queen Victoria, while their older, indigenous name is Mosi-oa-Tunya—“the smoke that thunders.” Opt for a scenic sunset cruise on the Zambezi River; and much more.

If you have an activity planned for this morning, we will reschedule your Falls tour for this afternoon, or tomorrow morning before departure. Please note if you wish to partake in both the Full Day Chobe National Park and the River Cruise optional activities, they cannot both be done on the same day.

Day 9 Victoria Falls

Continue your exploration of majestic Victoria Falls on a variety of optional excursions. Go whizzing over the Zambezi River on a zip line, glide down the river on a sunset cruise, or feel the spray of the falls on your face as you explore the surrounding paths.

The town of Victoria Falls is a great base to see both natural wonders and take part in some exciting activities. Get up close (and wet from the spray) while awing at the immense Victoria Falls. Today, new travellers may join you for the rest of your adventure. You are welcome to join them at a group meeting this evening, followed by an optional dinner.

Any optional activities listed on this day can also be booked upon arrival in Victoria Falls.

Day 10 Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park

Explore Victoria Falls at leisure this morning, and opt to take a guided tour of this thundering natural wonder and UNESCO World Heritage site. Later, transfer to the headquarters of Painted Dog Conservation. Learn about this non-profit organization’s work to protect and rehabilitate injured painted dogs (also known as African wild dogs), and hear from a conservationist about the threats to these endangered animals. Afterward, venture out on safari in Hwange National Park, one of Zimbabwe’s largest wildlife reserves and an important elephant sanctuary.

Examine the life and struggles faced by the Painted Dog (wild dog) population in and around Hwange national park and the efforts made by the conservancy to prevent poaching and the damage done by snare traps that have endangered the Painted Dog population in Zimbabwe. The ultimate goal of the project is to release rehabilitated animals back into the wild and to work with local children and communities in an effort to educate and shift behaviors away from poaching.

Road conditions in the region can range from good to very poor. As such, we slow our traveling speed in the rough spots and enjoy some sand and bumps – all part of the adventure of traveling in Africa. Please note that hot water shortages, low water pressure and power outages can occur in Southern Africa. We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control. Wifi is available in most places (extra charge may apply), but in remote areas there can be service interruptions. A/C is not generally available in the accommodations we use, really it isn't needed as evenings tend to cool down. Floor or ceiling fans are usually available.

Day 11 Hwange National Park

Set out on morning and late afternoon safaris through the sweeping grasslands of Hwange National Park and Dete Vlei. Track resident elephant and buffalo herds, as well as giraffes, lions, zebras, and the rare African wild dog. This evening, relax on the deck of your lodge or visit the underground hiding area which is perfect for photography enthusiasts, keeping an eye out for the wild creatures that visit the lodge’s watering hole.

Day 12 Hwange/Chobe NP

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 boat safari on the Chobe River, the lifeline of the park. Look out for submerged hippos, basking crocodiles, bathing elephants, and an abundance of birdlife from the boat’s deck, and witness a spectacular fiery sunset over the river.

Keep an eye out for Chobe bushbuck and puku antelope, which are found only in this part of Botswana. The Chobe River is home to the world’s largest elephant herds; buffalo, hippos, and lions can also be seen here.

Day 13 Chobe NP

This morning, continue your exploration of Chobe National Park, home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations. On a safari along the banks of the Chobe River, keep an eye out for elephants, buffalo, lions, zebra, and rare semi-aquatic antelope, as well as an incredible variety of birds. In the afternoon, opt to take a photography river safari on a specialized photography boat.

Opt into the photo wildlife safari on the Chobe River at sunset; you’ll be accompanied by an expert wildlife photographer and guide who will help you get the perfect shot.

Day 14 Kasane/Okavango Delta

Take in the views on a scenic flight into the heart of the Okavango Delta. Climb into a mokoro (dugout canoe) and glide along the waterways around our remote camp to catch a first glimpse of the area’s abundant wildlife. Settle into comfortable tents, explore the camp, or opt to go for a swim. After lunch, embark on a wildlife cruise, watching for hippos and elephants as well as aquatic birds drawn by the region’s unique fish and insects. Enjoy a sundowner deck back at the camp before dinner under the stars.

Please note that the Okavango Wilderness Project talk may be moved to the day that the group arrives in Maun due to the availability of lecturers within the region.

Planes used to fly into the Delta are small and weight restrictions are mandatory. For this reason luggage restrictions are 15kg per person for checked in luggage and 5kg for Hand luggage for a maximum of 20kg per person. As well, the airline requires the weight of each passenger, your CEO will collect this information from you privately, at the beginning of the trip. Please note that during your time at camp any dietary requirements can be catered for – please just let our managers know on arrival so that special meals may be prepared.

Day 15 Okavango Delta

Get an early start today, hopping into mokoros to maneuver through narrow channels of the delta. Arrive at Chief’s Island, part of the Moremi Game Reserve , and set out on a thrilling bush walk. Follow a guide into the wilderness, in search of giraffe, zebra, lion, kudu, elephant, and hippo as well as all manner of birdlife. Identify tracks and other signs of wildlife and learn about the medicinal uses of native plants and trees. Return to camp for brunch, then enjoy free time to relax or observe wildlife from the deck. After high tea, head out for another boating activity or wildlife drive. This evening, take time to stargaze and listen to the enchanting sounds of the delta after dark.

Tonight, the group will stay at Moremi Crossing accommodation, in en suite meru tents equipped with running hot and cold water, full beds, linens and a towel. Each tent is on its own deck dotted along the fringe of the island tucked away amongst the pristine riverine ecosystem filled with wildlife. There are animal sightings from the decking area on a regular basis.

Day 16 Okavango Delta

Embark on both morning and late afternoon wildlife excursions by boat, on foot, or by jeep, depending on current conditions and water levels. In between, enjoy the amenities at the camp, go for a swim, or relax with a book on the deck. Remember to keep your eyes open and binoculars close to observe passing wildlife.

Chief’s Island is a large area and the animals are free to move as they choose – and they do! During your guided walk there’s a chance you’ll see: lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, impala, kudu and hippo as well as a plethora of birdlife – particularly when the migratory species return to us between October and March. There is a huge difference to being on foot rather than in a vehicle for such encounters!

Day 17 Okavango Delta/Maun

After an early-morning wildlife excursion, fly to the frontier town of Maun. Meet with an expedition member on National Geographic’s Okavango Wilderness Project, a multi-year collaboration between international and local experts to survey the Okavango watershed’s biodiversity and ensure its future protection. Watch the National Geographic documentary “Into the Okavango,” and learn about delta conservation projects in the area. In the evening, experience a night of storytelling and traditional foods with celebrated local author Bonty Botumile. Born in Maun, Bonty’s work is dedicated to preserving Botswana’s literary heritage and providing youth with employment opportunities in the arts. Listen as she shares her in-depth knowledge of the region’s cultural history, and cap off the night with a delicious meal and colourful stories around a warm fire.

Please note that today you will be served a brunch between 10-11 before boarding your flight to Maun.

Day 18 Maun

Depart at any time.