Premium Southern Africa

Premium Southern Africa

289 Views
8 Days From

$7035

Premium Southern Africa

8 Days Starting in Sandton and ending in Kasane

Visiting: Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park

Tour operator:

Intrepid Travel

Tour code:

UBPK

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

1 - 12

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

15-99 years

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

From: $7035

NB: Prices correct on 07-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

Experience an abundance of wilderness, wildlife and waterfalls on an eight-day Premium adventure through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Spend three unforgettable days in Kruger National Park, cruise down the Zambezi River at sunset, marvel at the showstopping Victoria Falls and search for a wealth of elephants in Chobe National Park. From exhilarating game drives to nights spent under the stars, the glorious south of Africa has so much to fall in love with.

Highlights

  • Seek out the Big Five of Africa – lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino with two full days in South Africa’s biggest reserve, Kruger National Park, in 4x4s with an expert local guide.

  • Visit the thundering Victoria Falls, one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Admire their power then return to your comfortable lodge boasting magnificent views of uninterrupted wilderness.

  • Spot Chobe National Park's abundance of wildlife and the world’s highest concentration of elephants from multiple vantage points with an early morning 4x4 Game Drive, and an afternoon boat cruise along the picturesque Chobe River.

  • Spend three spectacular nights in touch with nature at your lodge Feature Stay within Kruger National Park. The Mdluli Safari Lodge is dedicated to sustainability and conservation, with their very own anti-poaching unit and partnership with the local Mdluli Community.

  • Enjoy a small and intimate sunset dinner cruise on the Zambezi River, a Premium Exclusive Experience. A private chef will prepare dinner as your boat navigates the islands above the thundering Victoria Falls.

  • By travelling on this trip, you’ll directly support our Intrepid Foundation partner, Helping Rhinos. Donations support their all-female ranger program in South Africa, which specialises in fighting wildlife crimes and protecting rhinos, and other critically endangered animals, from poachers.

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Johannesburg

Location: Johannesburg

Accommodation: The Maslow Hotel or similar

Meals Included: dinner

Welcome to South Africa! Your trip begins in Johannesburg, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Please ensure that you organise the details of your arrival transfer well in advance. You'll meet the rest of your group and leader for a welcome meeting at 6pm, but if you do happen to arrive early, the day is yours to spend at leisure. After your meeting, join your leader and fellow travellers for dinner at your hotel. South Africa enjoys a diverse food scene flavoured by its multicultural influences. This evening you may like to try some boerewors, a spiced South African sausage, or perhaps some springbok carpaccio.

Included Activities:
-Johannesburg - Welcome Dinner
-Complimentary Arrival Transfer - OR Tambo International Airport to Radisson Blu Gautrain

Day 2: Kruger National Park

Location: Kruger National Park

Accommodation: Mdluli Safari Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

Set off early for a drive to Kruger National Park, arriving just in time for lunch at Mdluli Safari Lodge, your Feature Stay accommodation for the next three evenings. Developed in partnership with the local Mdluli community, the lodge is in perfect harmony with its wild surroundings. Luxury tents feature first-class amenities, with private en suites, indoor and outdoor showers, air-conditioning and a gorgeous swimming pool for cooling off. Sit back and relax in the cosy lounge of the main lodge and take in spectacular views. In the afternoon you'll enjoy your first open 4x4 vehicle game drive. Experience close encounters with wild animals in their own habitat, and if you’re lucky, you may meet lions, elephants, rhinos and leopards. Retire to your lodge in the evening.

Included Activities:
-Kruger National Park - Afternoon Game Drive

Day 3: Kruger National Park

Location: Kruger National Park

Accommodation: Mdluli Safari Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Rise early and make the journey into the heart of Kruger National Park. Upon entry, you'll find yourself in the perfect position to catch a glimpse of one, or hopefully all, of the Big Five. Stop at a picnic spot to enjoy your packed breakfast then proceed with a full day wildlife safari, stopping off at waterholes and various other points to observe animals in their natural habitats. One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is not only home to members of the Big Five, but also 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species. The endangered African wild dog, herbivores like hippo, zebra, giraffe and numerous different types of antelope also enjoy the park’s rich mosaic of habitats, including savanna, mixed acacia woodland, rocky hills and mopane woodland. Return to the lodge this evening to relax and relive your favourite moments from the day.

Included Activities:
-Kruger National Park - Full Day Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive

Day 4: Kruger National Park

Location: Kruger National Park

Accommodation: Mdluli Safari Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Return to Kruger National Park for another thrilling game drive. This is an opportunity to catch a glimpse of any animals the group didn't see the day before. Today's game drive will finish in time for sunset and drinks, served on a kopje at your Feature Stay. Pronounced 'kopee' these large ancient rock formations provide scenic contrasts across Africa's vast landscapes. Take a moment to sit back and take in the sounds and sights of the bush as day turns to night.


Included Activities:
-Kruger National Park - Full Day Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
-Kruger National Park - Sundowner Drinks

Day 5: Victoria Falls

Location: Victoria Falls

Accommodation: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Rise early and depart for Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport, where you will say goodbye to South Africa and board a mid-morning flight to Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe. Continue to your lodge accommodation, which serves up stunning views of uninterrupted wilderness and a waterhole frequented by elephant, buffalo, kudu and more. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the pool or spotting wildlife from any of the multiple viewing decks around the lodge. This evening head above the falls onto the Zambezi River and embark on a small and intimate dinner cruise. The specially designed jet-propelled boats allow you to reach the shallow water among the islands directly above Victoria Falls. Two private chefs will prepare dinner with locally sourced fresh ingredients and serve drinks while the captain navigates the islands above the thundering Victoria Falls. Sit back in your comfortable lounge chair as you enjoy a four-course meal while looking out for crocodiles lazing on the banks or elephants and hippos submerging themselves in the river – this is truly an experience to remember.

Included Activities:
-Victoria Falls – Zambezi River Dinner Cruise

Optional Activities:
-Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight (25 mins - Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees)
-Victoria Falls - Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins - Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees)

Day 6: Chobe National Park

Location: Chobe National Park

Accommodation: Chobe Marina Lodge or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner

This morning, visit the unforgettable Victoria Falls – one of the world's true natural wonders, forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world when in full flow. Once inside the park, your guide will take you through the falls area, stopping at different vantage points along the way to explain the history of the falls and their surrounds. After an exciting morning at the falls, depart Zimbabwe and make the journey to Chobe National Park in Botswana, crossing the Kazangula border. The afternoon is free to walk in Kasane town (watch out for wandering warthogs!), sit poolside on the edge of the Chobe River and watch the sun set, or perhaps opt for an optional afternoon game drive in Chobe National Park.

Included Activities:
-Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls tour Zimbabwe Side

Day 7: Chobe National Park

Location: Chobe National Park

Accommodation: Chobe Marina Lodge or similar

Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner

Start the day with a game drive through Chobe National Park, the first designated national park in Botswana. Chobe is known for its huge population of elephants and buffalo and you may well see them drinking at the local watering hole during the drive. Then head back to the lodge for breakfast. Afterwards embark on a cruise along the picturesque Chobe River, an ideal location for spotting bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters as well as hippos, crocodiles and large families of elephants often seen crossing the river between the boats. You will be joined by other travellers on the boat cruise which has a toilet and small bar to purchase drinks. Enjoy a drink on board and watch the sun set over the river.

Included Activities:
-Chobe National Park - River cruise
-Chobe National Park - Morning 4x4 Game Drive

Day 8: Chobe National Park

Location: Chobe National Park

Meals Included: breaksfast

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you would like to spend more time in Chobe, or Victoria Falls, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). Airport transfers can also be booked (for an additional fee) for flights departing from Victoria Falls or Livingstone.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    Hotel (1 night), Lodge (6 nights)

  • Johannesburg - Welcome Dinner

  • Kruger National Park - Afternoon Game Drive

  • Kruger National Park - Full Day Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive

  • Kruger National Park - Sundowner Drinks

  • Victoria Falls – Zambezi River Dinner Cruise

  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls tour Zimbabwe Side

  • Chobe National Park - River cruise

  • Chobe National Park - Morning 4x4 Game Drive

  • Complimentary Departure Transfer

  • Meals

    7 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 7 dinners

show more

What's Not Included

  • Tipping and Gratuities

  • International Travel

Transport

  • Open 4x4 Safari Vehicle , Private vehicle , Plane , Riverboat

Accommodation

  • The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
  • Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
  • If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night.

Important Information

  • 1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
  • 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room?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.
  • 3. This trip includes a flight. The luggage allowance is 23kg for check-in luggage and 8kg for carry-on.
  • 4. 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.

Mode of Transport

  • Open 4x4 Safari Vehicle , Private vehicle , Plane , Riverboat

Check out our Q&As

  • Is this trip right for you

    As the early bird catches the worm, the early riser sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

    The Game Drive's in Chobe National Park and Kruger National Park are in an open 4WD vehicle, and it can be quite cold in morning and evening. It's important to bring some warm clothes with you.

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room

Reviews of this operator

Maroochy Dazza (Google Reviewer)  

Just leaving a review to...

24-Aug-2023

Just leaving a review to share how much I enjoyed my Central America trip. I thought the guide, Aura was so knowledgeable and organised and clearly a great ambassador for Intrepid. She gave us lots of information on each region, helped us organise anything we needed and dealt with queries from passengers very well and diplomatically. She made the trip run smoothly. She was also keen to explain the Intrepid vision and how the company values making a difference to locals and is a credit to your company. I did Guatemala and beyond and thoroughly enjoyed it - very fast paced, lots to see and do and a great overview of the region. I would definitely recommend 👍

LivvyGrace 4 (Google Reviewer)  

I just completed my first...

15-Jul-2024

I just completed my first Intrepid tour which was 33 days travelling around Central America - I had the time of my life! It was great to have the benefit of a guide (Fluffy was amazing!) and be able to ask questions at any point, but I also liked the freedom that you were permitted throughout. The group tour made boarder crossings seamless and the whole process felt easy - there was never one hiccup. As a solo female traveller, I felt safe throughout, and I cannot recommend Central America enough - the people, the food, the sun and the activities were just amazing :) Can't wait to book my next adventure soon!

V Open (Google Reviewer)  

I have just come back...

26-Oct-2022

I have just come back home after doing Intrepid's 10-day Vietnam Express Northbound tour. What a SUPERB tour. We saw lots and did lots, it was jam-packed full of sights and activities. Our tour leader, Tam, was the best ever. Very knowledgeable, organised and lots of fun too. The other 10 people on the group were all lovely. The places we visited were very interesting. We even visited local homes and ate just like the local people do. I highly recommend Intrepid to anyone considering touring a new country. This was my 5th tour with them and they have consistently been fantastic.

Jack Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I have travelled with Intrepid...

03-Jun-2024

I have travelled with Intrepid a number of times now and can't recommend them enough. The trips are always exciting, full of history and immersive in the culture and environment. The office staff are great too and always happy to help with any questions you might have. Everywhere I have gone with the company has been different but the guides and itinerary have always been excellent and full of knowledge and passion for their country. Add in the social responsibility angle the company has and it top quality ethical practice and you can't go wrong

Jo Clayton (Google Reviewer)  

I recently went on an...

15-Mar-2024

I recently went on an 11 day tour of India with Intrepid and was impressed with every aspect of the tour, the tour leader and the organisation behind the scenes. I always travel alone so it was a big deal to join a tour, I didn't want to feel less independent or ferried about. I loved being part of a group and the things we saw and did on the tour, I would never have known about or seen if I had been by myself. I loved it from start to finish. Yes the overnight trains were not easy to sleep on, but I managed. Meeting locals on board was a high light for me. English is widely spoken in India and its amazing who you strike up a chat with. I had two problems on the tour - one my own fault and one hotel related. The support from Intrepid was amazing. I cannot thank them enough for going the extra mile to support me. I recommend Intrepid 100% and have gone from thinking an organised tour is for people who don't know about Lonely Planet and can't do solo stuff, to realising its a faster, better, more fun way to get to know a country truly and deeply whilst on a bit of a budget. I will book again and again with Intrepid. I loved it that much! Big thanks to tour leader Daddy H. Devender for his help on day one, and Nick in the Oz office for his fab customer care skills. Also the person who staffed the emergency whatsapp in India - you saved my sanity helping me get there a day late! THANK YOU ALL X

Nicole  

North American Adventure

12-Oct-2021

This was my first international solo trip, but I never felt “alone” - there was always someone to go shopping, hike, or grab a quick bite with. The itinerary was a great balance between organized activities, while still allowing free time for exploring. Each location was unique and charming in its own way. Spending the night in the holy city of Moulay Idriss and wandering the winding streets of Chefchaouen were especially memorable. Thank you Mustapha and Intrepid for an incredible adventure!

Alice Norton (Google Reviewer)  

I have just completed a...

29-Feb-2024

I have just completed a 12 day food tour of Vietnam, and had an amazing time. Our tour leader was great, knowledgeable and kind, who helped throughout the trip with recommendations for places on our free days, and spas. All the food we tried was delicious. It is a very fast paced tour, and Bon tried to maximise our experiences for the best.

Henry Guy Robinson   United Kingdom

Cambodia Discovery

22-Jan-2024

The overall experience was fantastic. V good tour leader. All places visited had something special to do or see. I would book a tour with this company again. Only one negative tour hub is not I repeat not available to contact direct by phone.

Merouane Harkat   Uk

Explore Southern Africa

08-Mar-2024

Best trip ever was, 2 things I didn't like the black mamba stop was wasting day and village ,so 2 night I think was just wasting, I could do 2 days in Kruger, and one more night in delta

Alan Perrott (Google Reviewer)  

We had a fantastic time...

13-Aug-2024

We had a fantastic time on the Botswana Highlights tour recently. We chose Intrepid because it seemed to suit what we wanted - well planned itinerary, small group, comfortable without being overly luxurious (and pricey), and supportive of the local community and environment. We weren't disappointed, and as we met with other like-minded travellers then we all had a great time. We are already planning our next Intrepid tour - maybe Vietnam & Cambodia :-)

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Feb 15, 2025 - Feb 22, 2025
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$7745

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$7390

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$7385

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$7680

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$7975

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$7975

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$7975

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$7975

Saturday - Saturday

Aug 29, 2026 - Sep 05, 2026
$7975

Saturday - Saturday

Sep 05, 2026 - Sep 12, 2026
$7975

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Saturday - Saturday

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$7680

Saturday - Saturday

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$7385
Prices last published on 06-Nov-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Free Date Changes

    Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.

    Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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