Elephants crossing Okavango Delta in Botswana

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Operated by Intrepid Travel

Okavango Experience

From

CAD 1,896

Duration

10 days

Countries

Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Activity

moderate

Group size

Max 22

Rating

4.9 · 480 reviewsvia Intrepid Travel

The adventure

See southern Africa's incredible waterfalls, rivers and inland canals on this ten-day overland adventure. Canoe down the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta, watch hippos wallowing along the shores of the Chobe River, take a sunset cruise to spot exotic birdlife, witness the mirage of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans and see the crashing white water of Victoria Falls with free time to customise your experience. After cruising in a mokoro, you’ll spend a night at camp in the remote Okavango wilderness and fall asleep to the uninterrupted sounds of the wild. With early morning game drives to spot Africa’s iconic wildlife and expert guides with all the knowledge, this is set to be an experience of a lifetime.

At a glance

Duration

10 days

Route

Johannesburg → Victoria Falls

Countries

Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Activity level

moderate

Style

Multi-Country / Grand Tour, National Parks & Wilderness, Overland & Road Trips, Wildlife & Safari

Group size

Max 22

Ages

15+

Flights

Not included

Solo travellers

Welcome

Day by day

A group of hippos in a tranquil wetland setting, with one yawning widely.

Your journey through

Botswana

Day 1JohannesburgSawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins in Johannesburg with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the eye-opening Apartheid Museum to start your journey with some crucial history before meeting up with your group. After the meeting, 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 the best bar and restaurant recommendations.

Johannesburg

Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa. Your adventure begins in Johannesburg with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, maybe visit the eye-opening Apartheid Museum to start your journey with some crucial history before meeting up with your group. After the meeting, 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 the best bar and restaurant recommendations.

Day 2Khama Rhino SanctuaryLeaving South Africa behind, cross the border into Botswana this morning and travel towards the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. 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 rhino. Later, you’ll head out on a dusk game drive to hopefully spot the rhinos when they’re most active.

Close-up of a young rhinoceros calf outdoors in the wild of South Africa, captured during the golden hour.

Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Leaving South Africa behind, cross the border into Botswana this morning and travel towards the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. 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 rhino. Later, you’ll head out on a dusk game drive to hopefully spot the rhinos when they’re most active.

Day 3MaunThis morning you’ll drive to Maun – the gateway to one of the world's most complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. A 16,000 square km maze of lush wetlands and waterways teeming with wildlife, the Okavango Delta is one of very few delta systems that doesn’t flow into the sea. When you arrive, there will be an opportunity to stock up on any supplies you might need for your adventure ahead. Look out for the resident hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats in the delta. The animals aren’t the only drawcard, though! The waterscapes and vast horizon are enough to write home about.

Wild African elephants in Botswana's savannah, displaying natural behavior.

Maun

This morning you’ll drive to Maun – the gateway to one of the world's most complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. A 16,000 square km maze of lush wetlands and waterways teeming with wildlife, the Okavango Delta is one of very few delta systems that doesn’t flow into the sea. When you arrive, there will be an opportunity to stock up on any supplies you might need for your adventure ahead. Look out for the resident hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats in the delta. The animals aren’t the only drawcard, though! The waterscapes and vast horizon are enough to write home about.

Day 4Okavango DeltaToday you’ll get right into the action and jump aboard a traditional mokoro – a dugout canoe steered by friendly local 'polers'. Cruise the Okavango waterways and look out for the delta's unusual wildlife and exotic birds. Spend some time today exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot too, with your experienced local guides. Tonight, you’ll camp on a remote island right in the heart of the wilderness! Fall asleep to the humming and buzzing of the African heartlands and soak up one of those ‘I’m so far from home’ moments.

A yawning hippopotamus in a serene water scene at sunset in Botswana.

Okavango Delta

Today you’ll get right into the action and jump aboard a traditional mokoro – a dugout canoe steered by friendly local 'polers'. Cruise the Okavango waterways and look out for the delta's unusual wildlife and exotic birds. Spend some time today exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot too, with your experienced local guides. Tonight, you’ll camp on a remote island right in the heart of the wilderness! Fall asleep to the humming and buzzing of the African heartlands and soak up one of those ‘I’m so far from home’ moments.

Day 5Okavango DeltaWake up nice and early this morning 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 bone shield that's fittingly known as a 'boss'. Return to camp for breakfast, where you’ll have the rest of the day to relax. Take another optional mokoro trip to soak up that serene river atmosphere or maybe a nap could be on the cards.

Two giraffes walking in the vibrant African savannah landscape.

Okavango Delta

Wake up nice and early this morning 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 bone shield that's fittingly known as a 'boss'. Return to camp for breakfast, where you’ll have the rest of the day to relax. Take another optional mokoro trip to soak up that serene river atmosphere or maybe a nap could be on the cards.

Day 6MaunAfter taking down your camp, return to the ‘poler’ station by mokoro, before continuing to Maun by vehicle. When you arrive, you’ll have the option to embark on a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta, where you'll be treated to a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the shimmering waterways and lush landscapes, a captivating perspective of one of the world's most unique ecosystems.

Maun

After taking down your camp, return to the ‘poler’ station by mokoro, before continuing to Maun by vehicle. When you arrive, you’ll have the option to embark on a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta, where you'll be treated to a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the shimmering waterways and lush landscapes, a captivating perspective of one of the world's most unique ecosystems.

Day 7NataGet up early and hit the road for Nata. This small town sits near the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, which are some of the largest on Earth covering around 12,000 square km. This afternoon, you’ll take an excursion in an open-air 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, and the heat mirages can make you feel disoriented. After the rains hit, the pans become a grassy refuge for migratory birds and animals – a perfect setting for wildlife lovers!

Three people posing on railway tracks in Soweto, showcasing vibrant fashion and urban scenery.

Nata

Get up early and hit the road for Nata. This small town sits near the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, which are some of the largest on Earth covering around 12,000 square km. This afternoon, you’ll take an excursion in an open-air 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, and the heat mirages can make you feel disoriented. After the rains hit, the pans become a grassy refuge for migratory birds and animals – a perfect setting for wildlife lovers!

Day 8Chobe National ParkHit the road this morning and make tracks for Chobe National Park – Botswana's first ever national park. This area 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, crocodiles by the water's edge, cheetahs, lions and a huge variety of birdlife. When you arrive, you’ll be treated to a sunset cruise on the Chobe River – an ideal way to spend the afternoon, watch the sun descend and toast to another day in Africa.

An African elephant partially submerged in a water body in Botswana's lush wildlife habitat.

Chobe National Park

Hit the road this morning and make tracks for Chobe National Park – Botswana's first ever national park. This area 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, crocodiles by the water's edge, cheetahs, lions and a huge variety of birdlife. When you arrive, you’ll be treated to a sunset cruise on the Chobe River – an ideal way to spend the afternoon, watch the sun descend and toast to another day in Africa.

Your journey through

Zimbabwe

Day 9Victoria FallsWhy not wake up early and see Chobe National Park from a different perspective with an optional morning game drive. After, travel to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe just in time to have lunch. Set up camp and enjoy some free time to relax, freshen up and plan out your next couple of days at Victoria Falls. Be sure to ask your local leader for their tips and advice. This evening, dine on a traditional Zimbabwe dinner hosted by Inguquko White Star – a local community group committed to preserving and promoting African culture through the arts. Enjoy a performance of traditional song and dance and learn how this initiative has created opportunities for youth arts education and provided a platform for local talent.

A stunning view of a waterfall cascading surrounded by dense forest.

Victoria Falls

Why not wake up early and see Chobe National Park from a different perspective with an optional morning game drive. After, travel to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe just in time to have lunch. Set up camp and enjoy some free time to relax, freshen up and plan out your next couple of days at Victoria Falls. Be sure to ask your local leader for their tips and advice. This evening, dine on a traditional Zimbabwe dinner hosted by Inguquko White Star – a local community group committed to preserving and promoting African culture through the arts. Enjoy a performance of traditional song and dance and learn how this initiative has created opportunities for youth arts education and provided a platform for local talent.

Day 10Victoria FallsThere are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you’re staying longer in Victoria Falls and are feeling adventurous, you might like to try whitewater rafting and canoeing. For a scenic helicopter flight, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only Intrepid-endorsed operator. Your leader can help you arrange this.

Victoria Falls

There are no activities planned after breakfast today and your adventure comes to an end. You're free to leave at any time after check out. If you'd like to extend your stay, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation. If you’re staying longer in Victoria Falls and are feeling adventurous, you might like to try whitewater rafting and canoeing. For a scenic helicopter flight, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only Intrepid-endorsed operator. Your leader can help you arrange this.