Trip Info
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From $3,450
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9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 8 dinners
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Truck
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Camping with facilities (7 nights), Camping with no facilities (2 nights)
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Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe
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Family, Wildlife
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10
Overview
Travel to South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe and see some of the world’s greatest waterfalls and wildlife
Embark on an action-packed, teen-friendly adventure in south-east Africa. See the thundering spectacle of Victoria Falls, say hello to some new friends at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, explore the far-out Okavango Delta by traditional canoe and watch elephants drink from the Chobe River. Pack plenty of spare camera batteries, because this snap-happy trip, brimming with exciting animal encounters and landscapes like you’ve never seen, is one for the photo album.
Why you'll love this trip
- Get a load of Victoria Falls, an amazing thundering spectacle.
- Go wildlife-spotting along the river at Chobe National Park, home of the world's highest concentration of African elephants
- Enjoy some truly unique accommodation in Elephant Sands. Greet elephants as they come to drink from the pool!
- Get familiar with the fine art of 'poling' as you and your family ride a traditional dugout canoe through the waterways of the Okavango Delta
- Support local conservation by visiting the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, the only place left in Botswana where both black and white rhinos reside
Itinerary
Welcome to Africa! Once you arrive at the joining point accommodation, reception will advise you where our campsite is located. Make your way to the site, meet your leader and get settled in. Your adventure begins at 2pm with a group meeting at our campsite. After which we will visit Victoria Falls
This thundering curtain of water is about a mile wide, falling 108 metres into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise up an incredible 400 metres and the falls become an impressive raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray and you can see little islets in the river below.
If you arrive early, get out and explore Victoria Falls. You can choose from various activities and excursions, including white water rafting and canoeing. For an incredible scenic helicopter flight, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only Intrepid-endorsed operator.
Accommodation
Shearwater Explorers Village or similar (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
There are no meals included on this day.
Included activities
Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance
Optional activities
Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) - USD150
Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168
Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
After some breakfast and packing up camp we travel to Chobe National Park. 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 which come down to drink. Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River, a relaxing way to spend the afternoon with the family.
Accommodation
Thebe River Safaris or similar (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Chobe National Park - Sunset Cruise
Special information
Driving time: 2-3 hours
This morning embark on an exciting game drive through Chobe NP before hitting the road to Nata where you'll spend the evening at Elephant Sands. Elephant Sands has a natural waterhole right in front of the lodge where the local elephants come to drink. Watch these awesome creatures whilst they drink at only a couple of meters away from you. There is plenty of other wildlife around as well on this unfenced 16000 ha private conservancy. The lack of fences allows all animals to roam freely.
Accommodation
Elephant Sands or similar (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive
Special information
Total driving time: 6-7 hours
After packing up camp it's another long travelling day to Maun. Maun is the gateway to one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. This place is unlike anything in the world – a 16,000 square kilometre maze of wetlands made up of meandering waterways, green islands, lush plains and prolific wildlife. You might see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats. But it's not the animals that are the main attraction – it's the extremely diverse ecosystem and atmospheric waterscapes. Tonight you'll stay on the outskirts of Maun at a simple campsite with shared facilities and WiFi before heading into the Delta in the morning.
Accommodation
Sitatunga Camp or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Special information
Driving time: 6-7 hours
Cruise around the waterways by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe navigated by friendly local 'polers'. With some luck, you might spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and exotic birdlife. Spend time exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. Tonight you will camp on a remote island in the heart of the wilderness. In this far-out spot, facilities are non-existent, so you will dig a bush toilet and go without a shower. It's all part of the Okavango experience. At night, fall asleep to the humming and buzzing of the African wilderness.
Accommodation
Delta Rain or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
Wake up early and head out for a sunrise walk. Along the way, keep watch for some elephants. You might also come across some Cape buffalo, if the timing is right. These rather noble-looking creatures are more dangerous than they look, and their horns make for a kind of bone shield that's fittingly known as a 'boss'. Returning to camp for breakfast, take the rest of the day to relax. A refreshing swim, or perhaps a nap, is a good idea in the warmer part of the day. Alternatively, take another mokoro trip to soak up more of that delightful river atmosphere.
Accommodation
Delta Rain or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
After breakfast take the mokoro back to the poling station and then travel once again to Maun, where you will have the rest of the day free back at the campsite.
Accommodation
Sitatunga Camp or similar (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
It's an early morning start as we hit the road to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, the Khama Rhino Sanctuary is a conversion of a former hunting area into 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 around the many natural waterholes. Visiting this project benefits local communities and contributes to the protection of the highly endangered white rhinoceros. Later, head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they are at their most active.
Accommodation
Khama Rhino Sanctuary (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle
Special information
Driving time: 8-9 hours
Leaving Botswana behind, cross the border into South Africa and arrive at your overnight stop of Marakele National Park this afternoon. The national park has diverse terrain making it easy to spot wildlife. In the park you can spot gemsbok, mongoose, wild cat, warthog, all kinds of birds and may even be lucky to spot black mane lions, If time allows we will do an afternoon game drive in the park before settling into camp for your final night in the wilderness.
Accommodation
Bontle Rest Camp or similar (camping with facilities) (1 night)
Meals
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Included activities
Marakele National Park - game drive
Special information
Driving time: 7-8hours
On occasion, especially during the peak months of May, June, July, Aug & Sep and December, if we are unable to secure campsites within the Marakele National Park, we will camp at an alternative camping site outside of the Park.
After breakfast we start the drive to Johannesburg. The group arrive late afternoon where the trip will end. if you have additional time why not get out and explore Johannesburg, a city of remarkable contrasts. Perhaps visit the culturally rich areas of Newtown, Braamfontein or Maboneng. The eye-opening Apartheid Museum is well worth your time.
We recommend you don't book your departure flight until after 8pm..
Meals
Breakfast
Special information
Driving time: 5-6hours
Includes/Excludes
Inclusions
- Accommodation - Camping with facilities (7 nights), Camping with no facilities (2 nights)
- Transport - Truck
- Meals - 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls entrance
- Chobe National Park - Sunset Cruise
- Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive
- Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
- Okavango Delta - Sunrise Walk
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Sunset Game Drive Open Vehicle
- Marakele National Park - game drive
Exclusions
- International flights and visas
- Additional meals and drinks unless specified
- Optional activities & additional attractions unless specified above
- Tipping - an entirely personal gesture
Send us a message
Before you book you should know
- This is an overland trip. That means you’ll be travelling with a group in a purpose-built vehicle, setting up your own tent with some long travelling days. 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. There will be some early starts and long travelling days. It’s as much about the journey as the destination, and half the fun is the camaraderie.
- Camping out in the Okavango wilderness means digging a bush toilet and going without a shower. For most travellers this is a small price to pay for such a gorgeous remote island location. It’s all part of the adventure.
- The going can be slow over the long distances and often bumpy roads. A little bit of patience will go a long way towards your enjoyment of this beautiful land. There are some long travelling days.
- This is a participatory camping trip, so team spirit is key. You and your family will be helping out with camp setup, food preparation and cleaning.
Visa information is provided by Sherpa, a third-party. The “Add connection” feature shows transit visa requirements only and does not include full entry visa needs. Please note, additional service fees apply if you choose to purchase a visa through Sherpa.
Camping with facilities (7 nights), Camping with no facilities (2 nights)
Camping accommodation on this trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied. A sleeping bag is not included but is available for hire if you do not wish to bring your own. Please advise your booking agent if you would like to hire a sleeping bag.
‘Camping with facilities’ means that there are facilities, but they usually aren’t to the same standard you would find in western countries. For example the bathroom facilities can be very basic (the toilets may be a squat-style hole in the ground). There is rarely toilet paper provided and shower facilities can be as simple as a hose pipe spurting out cold water. Nights indicated as ‘Camping with no facilities’ means that there are no facilities. Not all campsites are as basic as this description – it’s just to make sure there are no surprises for you.
Shearwater Explorers Village
Adam Stander Dr Victoria Falls ZIMBABWE
Phone: +263 832844471
Description
Shearwaters Explorers Village is located in the middle of Victoria Falls town, with just about everything you need within walking distance.
The Village has all the facilities you need for your stay, including lounge, bar, pool and WiFi access.
Instructions
If you have pre-booked a transfer, your driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals area near the point you clear customs. Please look out for a Shearwater Adventure sign board.
If you are unable to find your driver please make your way to the ‘Shearwater Adventure’ desk which is located in the arrivals terminal. Shearwater Adventure operate our ground transfers and a representative will be able to help you. If you are still unable to find your driver, you can call +27 82 822 9407 during business hours, or +27 82 822 9407 after hours. If you are delayed beyond one hour after your scheduled arrival time, please make your own way to the hotel.
If you are making your own way to the hotel, there is a taxi stand outside the airport building. A taxi should cost approximately 20USD.
Map
Important notes
1. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you.
2. Minimum age for children on this trip is 10 years old.
3. A discount of 10% applies on this trip to children under 17 years of age at time of travel.
4. This trip starts at 2PM on Day 1 with a group meeting at the campsite followed by a visit to Victoria Falls. On the last day you will arrive into Johannesburg late in the afternoon on Day 10. We recommend you don’t book any departing flights until 8PM onwards
5. It is a requirement that all children aged 17 or under travel with an original or certified copy of their full, unabridged birth certificate when entering or leaving the country.
Any parents who aren’t travelling will need to provide a legal document giving their consent for the child to travel.
6. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer to have your own room/tent 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.
7. Camping accommodation on tihs trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied. A sleeping bag is not included but is available for hire if you do not wish to bring your own. Please advise your booking agent if you would like to hire a sleeping bag. Pillows and towels are not provided when camping.
8. During this trip you can upgrade to a lodge/hotel at the campgrounds we are staying in along the way with the exception of our time in the Okavango Delta (Days 5 & 6). If you wish to upgrade you can organise this directly during the trip with your leader and pay locally. Prices start at BWP 740 per person. All updates are subject to availability.
9. 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.
- Victoria Falls – Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins – Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) – USD150
- Victoria Falls – Jet Boat (Seasonal – excludes USD10 NP Fee) – USD110
- Victoria Falls – River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) – USD75
- Victoria Falls – Traditional Village Tour – USD55
- Victoria Falls – Bridge Swing – USD168
- Victoria Falls – Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) – USD45
- Victoria Falls – Bridge Tour – USD68
