This fantastic Botswana & South Africa Safari explores the Kalahari Desert, Okavango Delta, Chobe, Kruger, and Victoria Falls.
Highlights of the 14-Day Africa Overland Tour include:
Explore the top wilderness and wildlife parks of Botswana and South Africa and visit the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe on this budget-friendly Southern Africa lodge safari!
This 14-Day Africa Overland Tour leaves Johannesburg city in South Africa. From Johannesburg, we travel through the North-West Province towards the Botswana border. Border crossing complete, we head into the Kalahari Desert, travelling northwest along the Trans-Kalahari Highway. We spend our first night staying in en-suite rooms at a comfortable hotel in the village of Palapye.
Start Day 2 with breakfast before we continue along the Trans-Kalahari, making our way to Maun. We drive through rural Botswana, passing through several small towns and past Orapa Diamond Mine, one of the world’s most extensive diamond mines. We then skirt the southern end of the Makgadigadi Pans, an extensive string of salt pans and all that remains of a giant lake that stood here in ancient times. There are a number of waterholes dotted through the pans so keep an eye out for wildlife drawn to the watering holes.
The next lodge on our Botswana & South Africa Safari is located in the vibrant town of Maun, the base for travelers exploring the mighty Okavango Delta. Tomorrow we head into the delta for a two-day excursion so you will need to pack a smaller overnight bag as we will travel on smaller 4x4 safari vehicles.
If time allows, you may wish to book an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. Viewing the delta from above reveals the grand scale and beauty of this unique ecosystem – a mighty river with no route to the sea and irrigating some 15 000 square kilometers of the Botswana desert. The flight also allows you to spot wildlife from above.
Today our Africa Overland Tour travels into the Okavango Delta, the world’s largest inland delta. Early risers have the chance to take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.
We leave the overland truck behind and are collected in smaller 4x4 safari to drive into to the Khwai River Conservation Area which makes up the north-eastern portion of the delta sharing a border with Moremi Game Reserve. We spend the next two nights in permanent tents in a comfortable tented camp on the Khwai River floodplains.
After settling in, we drive out to a mokoro station to meet our local guides who will take us out onto the delta waterways in traditional mokoro boats. Gliding along the reed-lined channels and tranquil lagoons dotted with lilypads is the ideal way to experience the watery Okavango Delta and get a close-up look at the unique flora and fauna as we move along slowly and quietly. Stopping at one of the delta islands, you can take a nature walk with your local guide. The bush walk gives you a chance to learn about the fascinating plants and creatures encountered, looking out for signs of wildlife. The mokoro excursion is not about viewing big game, it is all about experiencing the beauty of the wild delta. However, we may come across some wildlife including elephants, giraffes, zebras, and antelopes like kudu and impala.
Day 4 of our Botswana & South Africa Safari is devoted to a full day exploring Moremi Game Reserve, the heart of Okavango Delta. Moremi Game Reserve, named after Chief Moremi of the BaTawana tribe, is a preserve of seasonal and perennial floodplains that is home to an impressive array of animals and birds.
This wilderness area is known for its excellent game viewing throughout the year. It is home to the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and the rare rhino). Amongst others you may spot cheetah, wild dog, hyena, large herds buffalo and antelopes like springbok, tsessebe, impala and red lechwe who are specially adapted to living in marshlands.
Today we leave the Khwai River behind, driving through the delta for the last time on our way back to Maun. Once in Maun, we rejoin our overland vehicle and head out into the desert once more.
Our drive takes us through rural Botswana toward the next destination of our Africa Overland Tour, Makgadigadi Pans. Makgadigadi is actually a string of salt pans, all that remains of an ancient lake that once covered some 200 square kilometers. The dry, salty, clay crust receives seasonal water once a year, miraculously sparking new growth that attracts large numbers of birds and animals in this very arid part of the world. We stop to take in the surreal landscapes before heading to our lodge for the night near the village of Nata. The lodge has a waterhole right in front of the restaurant which is popular with local elephants that can often be spotted visiting for a drink.
Day 6 of our overland adventure sees us continue north, leaving the pans behind and heading to the lusher region around Chobe National Park and the Chobe River. Chobe is the second largest national park in Botswana, renowned for its huge population of migratory elephants and large buffalo herds.
Our destination for the night is the town of Kasane, near the meeting point of four countries – Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. We will stay at a lodge on the banks of the Chobe River.
After lunch and a rest, we take a boat cruise on the Chobe River to enjoy excellent birdwatching and close-up wildlife sightings such as hippos, antelopes, buffalos, crocodiles, and elephants. Our boat-based game viewing provides excellent photographic opportunities for capturing the birds and wildlife attracted to the Chobe River.
On Day 7 of our budget lodge safari, we travel further east and cross into Zimbabwe. Border formalities complete we drive to the nearby town of Victoria Falls, located at the natural wonder of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Today you are free to visit the mighty Victoria Falls waterfall to experience the "Smoke that Thunders" or Mosi-oa-Tunya as the local Kololo 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, one mile wide at the height of the wet season. Be sure to go listen to the thundering of Victoria Falls and see the impressive smoke-like spray rising 400 meters (1,300 feet) above the Falls.
Spend time relaxing at the lodge located close to the falls, explore the town of Victoria Falls, or embark on one of the many optional adventure activities on offer. Tonight, you have the option of eating out in Victoria Falls and your guide will assist you with bookings for the following day.
Day 8 is free for you to participate in the many optional activities at Victoria Falls, ranging from cultural tours to extreme sports and game-viewing trips.
Victoria Falls is best known for its adventure activities, with favorite options including bungee jumping and gorge swinging. The Victoria Falls area of the Zambezi River is also famous for its world-class rapids, so a white-water rafting excursion is a must. Take to the skies to view the magnificent waterfall from above - by plane, helicopter, or microlight. Wander the historical town of Victoria Falls for some shopping and sightseeing. The Victoria Falls Hotel also offers a delightful high tea in the afternoons. Alternatively take some time out to simply relax at the lodge and take a dip in the pool.
Leaving the magnificent Victoria Falls early in the morning, we cross back into Botswana and head south. In the late afternoon, we reach our safari lodge on the fringes of Francistown - one of the oldest cities in Botswana.
In the morning we set off early along the Great North Road to our next stop, the dynamic city of Johannesburg. Our Africa Overland Tour travels south through rural Botswana and the changing landscapes of northern South Africa. We pass from open bushveld dotted with giant baobabs to fields of citrus and maize into the densely populated and industrialized Highveld of the Gauteng Province. Our Botswana & South Africa Safari arrives in the bustling Johannesburg, the City of Gold in the late afternoon.
This Delta, Chobe & Kruger Safari adventure departs from Johannesburg early in the morning, heading east to Kruger National Park via the scenic Mpumalanga Province of South Africa.
Our safari lodge is in a private wildlife concession area within Kruger National Park, South Africa’s flagship game park. Arriving at our base camp for the next 3 nights, we set off on a sundowner game drive in Kruger. As the heat subsides many of the animals become more active, offering excellent chances of sighting various diurnal and nocturnal species. We pause at sunset to toast the setting sun and enjoy some snacks with our sundowners in the African bush. After our exciting sunset game drive in Kruger, we return to the safari camp for dinner and a relaxing evening around the campfire.
Today we venture into the Kruger National Park for a full day of 4x4 game viewing. This famous South African national park protects an unrivaled diversity of plant and animal species, including around 336 tree species, 49 fish species, 34 amphibian species, 114 species of reptiles, 507 bird species, and 147 mammal species. We go in search of Africa’s iconic Big 5 (elephant, lion, leopard, rhino, and buffalo), as well as numerous other animal and bird species found in Kruger Park.
Considered one of the best safari destinations in Africa, Kruger National Park covers almost 2 million hectares of South African Lowveld. The open-sided 4x4 safari vehicles are designed to offer excellent visibility and better photographic opportunities than enclosed tour vehicles. Returning to our safari lodge at the end of a rewarding day of game viewing, spend a laid-back evening around the campfire.
On day 13 of this fantastic Delta, Chobe & Kruger Safari we spend the day exploring the Panorama Route of South Africa. The Panorama Route is one of the most beautiful parts of the country. The scenic Panorama Route travels the heights above the impressive Blyde River Canyon, one of the world’s biggest canyons and one of few green canyons of this scale. Our trip takes us to spectacular viewpoints at God's Window and the Three Rondavels to marvel at the spectacular views, and we visit Bourke's Luck Potholes, potholes carved into the riverbed at the base of the canyon from aeons of swirling waters.
Our last evening is spent around the campfire back at our safari lodge looking back at the incredible wilderness adventures we have experienced.
The final morning of our Botswana & South Africa Safari begins with an early morning game drive in Kruger National Park. Enjoy your last chance to spot the wild animals and birds of Kruger National Park as we explore in our overland truck.
After our final game drive, we depart the Kruger Park and travel back to the vibrant city of Johannesburg. This affordable Okavango Delta, Chobe & Kruger Safari comes to an end when we arrive back in Johannesburg.
We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this Botswana & South Africa Safari is scheduled. Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
There is a minimum age limit of 8 years of age, for travellers on scheduled departures, however, children aged 8 and 9 years of age are accepted on a request basis only.
A maximum of 4 children, aged between 10 - 15 years will be allowed per scheduled tour departure date.
Should there already be 4 children confirmed on a tour, any further children requests will be dealt with on a request basis only.
Age restrictions may apply to certain items listed in the respective tour activities and it is important that you are aware of these restrictions prior to confirming children on tour.
Please contact African Budget Safaris for further information.
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Our team has the destination knowledge to help you plan an unforgettable African adventure. We're based in Cape Town and ready to help.
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