Budget Delta, Chobe & Kruger Accommodated Safari

This affordable accommodated safari explores the top wilderness areas and game parks of Botswana and South Africa, and takes you to mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Highlights on the 13 Day Budget Okavango Delta, Chobe & Kruger Safari include:

• Game drive in Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana
• Okavango Delta trip bush walking & mokoro canoeing
• Chobe River boat cruise & game viewing in Chobe, Botswana
• Witness the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
• Game walk and evening game drive in Kwa Madwala Game Reserve
• Stay in Kruger Park, South Africa, & embark on game drives

An excellent Southern African Wildlife Safari deal!

Day 1: Johannesburg to Khama Rhino Sanctuary & Palapye – Botswana

This Botswana, Vic Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia Safari leaves Johannesburg city in South Africa on the morning of day one, travelling north towards the Botswana border.

After completing border formalities we cross into Botswana and head to Palapye, situated halfway between Johannesburg and Maun in Botswana. We overnight in Palapye, previously called Phalatswe, located on the banks of the Lotsane River.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Khama Rhino Sanctuary to Maun – Botswana

Today we take a guided game drive in Khama Rhino Sanctuary to visit this community based wildlife project.

This conservation project was established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino and a nearby Botswana Defence Force base offers the conservation area 24 hour protection. The 4,300 hectare sanctuary consists of a grassy pan dotted with watering holes providing a habitat highly suitable for rhinos. 

After visiting the rhino sanctuary we travel to Maun, the gateway to the famous Okavango Delta, arriving in the afternoon. In Maun we spend some time preparing for our adventure into the pristine Okavango Delta. Our shaded camp is just outside of Maun and features a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - 4: Okavango Delta - Botswana

Leaving our safari truck in Maun we drive into the Okavango Delta in a 4x4 safari vehicle or travel by boat (when water levels are high enough). We spend the next two nights in one of the most unique wilderness areas in the world, exploring the network of delta channels and estuaries.

Meeting up with some of the local people we settle in at our safari camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta. In the remote Delta we encounter untamed wild animals that are not used to seeing people. We venture into the unspoiled bush on foot getting a closer look at the various plants and smaller creatures in this spectacular area. When water levels in the channels are high enough we also explore this watery wildlife haven by mokoro (traditional dug out canoe).

The source of the beautiful Okavango Delta is found in the western highlands of Angola from where it flows through Namibia, before emptying into the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. The Okavango water system is the world's largest inland delta, watering around 15,000 square km’s of the desert. This labyrinth of waterways and lagoons flowing between secluded islands and floodplains boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The tranquil delta offers a truly wild and unforgettable African bush experience.

Optional activities: To participate in additional Mokoro rides or nature walks, apart from what is included in the activity package, please speak to your safari guide.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Gweta – Botswana

On day five we leave the magical Okavango Delta admiring this wildlife gem as we travel. Next we make our way east to Gweta, a small village on the outskirts of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, one of the world's largest salt flats. Gweta is located half way between Maun and Nata in a secluded part of the world where you can experience vast open spaces and solitude.

We stay at a lively safari camp in an area dotted with ancient Baobab trees, just outside of Gweta. The camp features a funky bar and restaurant, a swimming pool and communal open-fire dining area. You have the option of exploring the bush on foot seeing some of the oldest giant Baobab trees (averaging around 4000 years old!) in this stark area. 

Optional Activity: Flight over the Delta.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Kasane to Chobe National Park – Botswana

We make our way north today to our next safari stop of Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park. Kasane is ideally located near the meeting place of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers not far from neighbouring Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

In the afternoon we embark on a relaxing Chobe River boat cruise, keeping an eye out for the abundance of wildlife and birdlife found in the famous Chobe National Park. Home to one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa, the game viewing boat cruise provides excellent opportunities for spotting wild animals up close, including hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants. 

Chobe Park is the second largest National Park in Botswana, encompassing diverse habitats from lush plains and wooded grasslands to dense forests and swamps. Chobe is best known for its huge population of elephants that migrate within the wilderness area.  

Our overnight stay is at a safari camp a few kilometers from the Chobe Park. The camp overlooks the Chobe River and surrounding bush, featuring a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Today we head for Victoria Falls, crossing into Zimbabwe. Arriving at our next safari destination we visit the mighty Vic Falls in the afternoon to experience the "Smoke that Thunders" or Mosi-oa-Tunya as the locals call it.

Witnessing the mighty falls is an awe inspiring experience as the Zambezi plummets over 100 feet into the gorge below forming the largest curtain of falling water in the world at 1,7km wide. Listen to the thundering of Victoria Falls and see the impressive smoke-like spray rising up to 400 meters above the Falls making it visible from as far as 50 km away!

After visiting Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, we have the option of taking a popular Zambezi River sunset cruise which includes dinner and drinks.

We stay at a comfortable resort perched on a hilltop a few kilometers from Victoria Falls for the next two nights of this Southern African Safari. The resort features a world-class golf course, tennis courts, two squash courts, a swimming pool, bowling greens and a gym. There is a selection of restaurants to choose from, a casino and a poolside bar. 

Optional Activities: Chobe morning game drive, Zambezi sunset dinner cruise, dinner out.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Victoria Falls to Palapye / Martinsdrift - Botswana

Leaving the magnificent Victoria Falls early in the morning, we drive south through Botswana to Palapye, or the border post at Martinsdrift. Here we will spend the night at a lively safari camp.

Optional activities: South African Braai (BBQ) / All Meals.

Meals: No meals included

Day 9: Palapye to Johannesburg – South Africa

In the morning we set off early along the Great North Road to our next stop, the dynamic city of Johannesburg.

We travel south through the changing landscapes of northern South Africa passing from open bushveld dotted with giant baobabs to fields of citrus and maize and then into the densely populated and industrialised Highveld and Gauteng Province, the economic powerhouse of southern Africa.

Along the way we pass through Pretoria, South Africa’s administrative capital city, known as Jacaranda city because of the lovely Jacaranda trees growing here. Our Delta, Chobe & Kruger Accommodated Safari arrives in the bustling Johannesburg, the City of Gold in the late afternoon.

In the evening you have the option of eating out at one of the many excellent restaurants in Johannesburg and experiencing some of the exciting nightlife of the city.

Optional activities: All meals

Meals: No meals

Day 10: Johannesburg to Kwa Madwale Reserve – South Africa

This Delta, Chobe & Kruger Budget Safari adventure departs from Johannesburg early in the morning, heading east towards the world-renowned Kruger National Park via the scenic Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.

In the afternoon we arrive at our first game-viewing destination in South Africa, the Kwa Madwale Game Reserve, just south of Kruger Park.

We have time to settle in and relax before embarking on our thrilling game drive, a three-hour long exploration that lasts into the evening. This is an excellent time for game viewing, as many wild animals are at their most active in the early evening when the heat is subsiding and predators start prowling. We keep a look out for nocturnal animals that start stirring and keep the cameras ready to catch exciting wildlife encounters.

Returning from our exhilarating evening game drive we enjoy dinner and a traditional dance performance at our affordable, yet comfortable safari lodge. Tonight we stay at a spacious safari lodge located in Kwa Madwale Game Reserve, overlooking an active watering hole. Lodge features include an outdoor dining boma, a well-equipped games room and swimming pool, as well as a bar, lounge and dining area.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

About Kwa Madwala Game Reserve

The Kwa Madwala Private Game Reserve, covering 4000 hectares of wilderness, is home to healthy populations of four of Africa’s Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant and rhino (buffalo being the Big Five animal missing). This well-managed independent game park is inhabited by a wide variety of wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles and herds of zebra, wildebeest and various antelope species such as impala, kudu and nyala.

Day 11: Kruger National Park – South Africa

Our day starts with an early morning coffee and rusks, before venturing into the bush with a ranger on an exciting morning game walk in Kwa Madwala Game Reserve. The guided bush walk is an excellent opportunity to get a closer look at the bush, learning more about the plants, insects and smaller animals in the game reserve.

After our bush walk adventure we depart for Kruger National Park, South Africa’s premier national park.

We enter Kruger Park and make our way to our overnight camp inside Kruger Park. Once we have settled in at the camp we head into this world-class game park on an afternoon game drive in our safari truck. Our Kruger game drive takes us in search of the abundance of wildlife, including the Big Five of Africa, found in this vast wilderness area.

Our elevated safari truck offers better views out over the game park, improving your chances of sighting game and big cats that would otherwise be hidden in the bush.

Returning from our rewarding game drive we spend the night at one of Kruger Park’s main rest camps, boasting an array of facilities and amenities to ensure your comfort. The rest camp generally used for our overnight stay features a swimming pool and all rest camps are fenced in to keep you safe from roaming predators.

Optional Activities: Night game drives with SANP Game Ranger (Subject to availability)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Kruger National Park  

We spend a full day game viewing in Kruger Park, teeming with wildlife. Our game drives are conducted in an open 4x4 safari vehicle designed to maximize photographic opportunities and views of the wildlife encountered.

We look out for any wild animals that have not been spotted yet, especially Africa’s iconic Big Five (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino and buffalo) as well as numerous other game and bird species found in Kruger Park.

For those not participating in the activity package, the safari truck will also do a full day game drive in Kruger Park. We spend another night staying inside Kruger National Park.

Optional Activities: Night game drives with SANP Game Ranger (Subject to availability)

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

About Kruger National Park

South Africa’s flagship game park, Kruger Park, covers almost 2 million hectares of South African Lowveld. Considered one of the best safari destinations in Africa, Kruger Park is also recognized as a world leader in terms of its wildlife management practices and environmental policies.

Kruger Park protects an unrivalled diversity of plant and animal species, including around 336 tree species, 49 fish species, 34 amphibian species, 114 species of reptiles, 507 bird and 147 mammal species.

Day 13: Panorama Route – Johannesburg

On the last day of this fantastic Delta, Chobe & Kruger Budget Tour we depart from Kruger Park travelling back to the vibrant city of Johannesburg. 

Our return drive takes us via the Panorama Route through the rugged northern Drakensberg mountain range, one of the most scenic parts of South Africa.

Along the way we stop to admire the spectacular views of the impressive Blyde River Canyon, the world’s 3rd largest canyon. After taking in the stunning views of the Three Rondavels and Bourke’s Luck Potholes formations in Blyde River Canyon, we continue to God’s Window for more breath-taking panoramas.

This affordable Delta, Chobe & Kruger Safari comes to an end when we arrive back in Johannesburg. Most tour groups choose to enjoy dinner together at a local restaurant on the last evening.

Optional Activities: Morning Game Walk with SANP, Dinner in a local Restaurant

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch