The 18 days Southern Africa safari takes you to three countries including South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The trip starts and ends in Johannesburg. The safari features game viewing, bird watching, and mokoro experience in Kruger, Chobe, Okavango Delta, Hwange, and Victoria Falls National Parks.
18 Days Southern Africa safari – Trip summary
Day 1: Johannesburg
Day 2: Transfer to Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Day 3: Transfer to Okavango Delta
Day 4: Full day exploration of Okavango Delta
Day 5: Transfer to Moremi Game Reserve
Day 6: Game drive in Moremi Game Reserve
Day 7: Transfer to Nata
Day 8: Chobe National Park
Day 9: Transfer to Victoria Falls National Park
Day 10: Nature walk and sunrise in Zambezi River
Day 11: Hwange National Park
Day 12: Matobo National Park
Day 13: Matobo National Park
Day 14: Tshipise
Day 15: Makushu village
Day 16: Kruger National Park
Day 17: Kruger National Park
Day 18: Return to Johannesburg
Detailed itinerary – 18 days Southern Africa safari
Day 1: Johannesburg
On arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, you will be welcomed and picked by the company tour guide who will take you to the hotel where you will spend your night. If you arrive early you might choose to explore the nearby attractions. Visit the Apartheid Museum and learn about South Africa’s history. Afterwards, you can go for dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: Transfer to Khama Rhino Sanctuary
After breakfast depart for Khama Rhino Sanctuary via Palapye the journey takes about 7 to 8 hours drive, passing through South Africa’s North-West Province before crossing the border into Botswana. After completing border formalities, you’ll travel along the Trans-Kalahari Highway through the vast Kalahari Desert. Have lunch in Palapye town Okavango delta via Matlola the journey is 4 to 5 hours drive. The journey may take a half day drive to reach the park using one of the gates. Have lunch and go for an evening game drive drive.
Okavango delta lies in the Kalahari Desert in Northern Botswana. The area has got a variety of animal species for instance; endemic African wild dog, Spotted Hyena, Brown Hyena, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Buffalo, African Bush Elephant, Black Rhinoceros and White Rhinoceros, Warthog, Lechwe, Sable Antelope, Topi, Greater Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Plains Zebra, Giraffe, Chacma Baboon, African Hippopotamus, and Nile crocodile. Okavango delta is a home to more than 500 bird species and 85 recorded species of fish.
Day 3: Transfer to Okavango Delta
After breakfast depart for Okavango delta via Matlola the journey is a 9 to 10 hours drive. The journey may take a full day drive to reach the park using one of the gates. Have lunch and go for an evening game drive drive. Okavango delta lies in the Kalahari Desert in Northern Botswana. The area has got a variety of animal species for instance; endemic African wild dog, Spotted Hyena, Brown Hyena, Cheetah, Leopard, Lion, Buffalo, African Bush Elephant, Black Rhinoceros and White Rhinoceros, Warthog, Lechwe, Sable Antelope, Topi, Greater Kudu, Blue Wildebeest, Plains Zebra, Giraffe, Chacma Baboon, African Hippopotamus, and Nile crocodile.
Okavango delta is a home to more than 500 bird species and 85 recorded species of fish. There are also many other wild species that call delta home and they can be discovered in a greater number. The game drives in Okavango are conducted in open 4×4 vehicles when the water levels are low and by motorized boats or mokoro when it is high. Dinner and overnight stay at Divava Okavango Resort & Spa.
Day 4: Full day exploration of Okavango Delta
After breakfast depart for your full day mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta. You will explore sections of the permanent Delta by boats, traditional dugout canoes and nature walks all guided by the local guide. Your guide will share their knowledge of the region, highlighting the unique features and intricate ecosystems of this part of the Okavango Delta. Many of these guides are Bayei, believed to be some of the earliest inhabitants of the Delta.
You’ll have the chance to learn about the diverse life within this inland oasis, from tiny creatures like reed frogs to Big Five mammals along the shores. The guide will also explain the traditional and medicinal uses of the Delta’s wild plants. During your journey, you’ll stop at one of the islands for a packed lunch, followed by a nature walk. After resting, you’ll keep exploring the many channels and can stop at any islands you want to visit. Return from the activity at 6:00 pm. Dinner and overnight stay at Divava Okavango Resort & Spa.
Day 5: Transfer to Moremi Game Reserve
Have breakfast and embark on a 170 km, about 6 to 7 hour drive to Moremi game reserve via Disaneng road. The game reserve covers the central and eastern part of the Okavango river and contains the Moremi Tongue and Chief’s Island which has the continent’s richest and most diversified ecosystems. Dinner and overnight stay at Mombo camp, Eagle island camp, Stanley’s camp and Little Mombo camp.
Day 6: Game drive in Moremi Game Reserve
You will have breakfast and later go for game viewing in the Mopane Tongue region, a dry peninsula located in the east of the Moremi game reserve. The region is known for its abundant wildlife for instance, herds of Elephant, antelopes such as Tsessebe, Buffalo, lions among others. Explore the lush vegetation seeing other wildlife species. Return to your lodge for lunch. In the afternoon go for game drives in chief’s island located in Mombo Concession of the Moremi Game Reserve in the Delta.
You can take part in mokoro rides through the waterways of the Okavango Delta and bush walks where you feel at one with nature. You will find large herds of elephant, buffalo, leopard, lion, white rhinos, cheetah, and hippo plus many more species of wildlife all over the whole of Chiefs Island. The island is also an ideal for bird lovers and some of the species include; malachite kingfishers. Dinner and overnight stay at Mombo camp, Eagle island camp, Stanley’s camp and Little Mombo camp.
Day 7: Transfer to Nata
Wake up early and travel to Nata, a small town near the Makgadikgadi salt pans. It is the second largest salt pan in the world covering an area of 12000 square kilometers. They are made up of several large pans and smaller ones each having its own character. In the afternoon, you’ll go on an open air vehicle trip to the Nata Bird Sanctuary and explore the plains. In the dry season, the pans change to white plains but in the rainy season they are filled with water. The shallow waters attract huge flocks of flamingos to breed.
Day 8: Transfer to Chobe National Park
Day 8 of the 18 days Southern Africa safari starts with exploring the Nata Bird Sanctuary where you can see flamingos, pelicans and other water birds. Later drive north along the Trans- Kalahari Highway towards Kasane town. The journey takes 4 to 5 hours. Along the way you’ll pass small towns and the edge of the Kalahari Desert. Before reaching Kasane, take a stop at the Chobe River floodplains. Here you might spot elephants, antelope, and other animals grazing near the river. Take photos and enjoy the wide open African landscapes. Have a late lunch at the lodge and afterwards you might go for an afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River.
The Chobe River is the main water source in the area lying along the northern boundary of Chobe National Park. The river attracts wildlife from miles around for instance, huge numbers of buffaloes, elephants, and lions are often spotted and other plains game. Most safari activities are conducted on the river since it gives access to other inaccessible parts of Chobe National park. Boat cruises tend to last around 3 hours and give you an opportunity to see unparalleled animal encounters and great good points for photos too. Alternatively you can opt for a game drive along the riverfront. Dinner and overnight stay at River View Lodge, Chobe Marina Lodge, and Sunbirds Hotel Chobe.
Day 9: Transfer to Victoria Falls National Park
After breakfast, you will embark on an hour-long journey to Victoria falls in Zimbabwe depending on how long you spend at the border crossing. It’s a good idea to arrive early at the border to avoid the long queues which can escalate the whole day. You will need to pay for a visa on arrival and payments depend on your nationality. In case you want to view the falls from the Zambia side too you should mention it since you’ll need to be able to re-enter Zimbabwe after seeing falls in Zambia. It can take 10 minutes on border crossing and later drive through the mopane woodland. Different animals can be spotted at the side of the road.
Pass through the Victoria falls town which offers a gateway to Victoria falls, the world’s largest waterfall. The falls are 1.7 km wide and drop 108 meters into the Zambezi Gorge. Locally Victoria falls are known as “Mosi-oa-Tunya,” meaning “The Smoke that Thunders.” It takes around 3 hours to view Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side which is the most spectacular side. There are 16 different viewpoints and each offers breathtaking views than the last.
However, the last viewpoint can get you pretty wet so make sure to bring some rain coats. Afterward, cross the bridge into Zambia, go through immigration, and enjoy another perspective of the cascades from the other. You are allowed 3 hours for this side too. On the Zambian side there is Devil’s pool where travelers can swim up to the edge of the falls. This pool is usually open only between mid-August and mid-January. However many visitors combine a stop at Devil’s Pool with a boat trip to Livingstone Island which is in the middle of the river. Dinner and overnight stay at Victoria Falls Hotel, Shongwe Lookout,, and Pamarah Lodge in Zimbabwe’s Victoria falls town.
Day 10: Nature walk and sunrise in Zambezi River
Begin the day with a guided tour of Victoria Falls Town where you can visit the local market to observe daily life and maybe pick up some traditional crafts. Enjoy a cultural tour of a nearby village and involve yourself in Zimbabwean traditions and gain insight into the local way of life. You are allowed to participate in activities like traditional cooking, pottery making, or dance performances. Explore the Victoria Falls Bridge which was constructed in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes’ plan for a Cape-to-Cairo railway. The bridge offers views of the falls and the opportunity to learn about the region’s colonial history.
You can also visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about conservation efforts in the area. The trust works on various projects, including anti-poaching initiatives and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. In the evening, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, Africa’s fourth-longest river which flows through six countries before emptying into the Indian Ocean. Have an opportunity to learn about the Tonga people, who have lived along the Zambezi for centuries, and their traditional fishing methods. Return to your lodge for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 11: Transfer to Hwange National Park
Wake up for breakfast at 6:00 am and later transfer to Hwange National park. The drive will take approximately two hours of safe driving. Check in the lodge and embark on a full day game drive in the park. Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest national park . The park is home to over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species. The park is known for hosting the largest elephant populations in Africa, with over 40,000 individuals. Lunch will be provided at a picnic site. During game drives observe Hwange’s famous elephant herds. Your full game drive will end around 16:30 pm. Dinner and overnight stay at Hwange Safari Lodge or Ivory lodge.
Day 12: Transfer to Matobo National Park
After breakfast in Hwange, drive to Matobo National Park and the journey takes about 4 to 5 hours through Zimbabwe’s countryside. On the way stop at the Painted Dog Conservation Center. Learn about efforts to protect the endangered African wild dog also known as painted dogs which lost their habitat due to poaching and how they are helping increase their numbers in Zimbabwe. Later, continue to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s second largest city. If time allows, walk through streets lined with historical buildings and stop at a local cafe or restaurant for lunch.
After lunch proceed to Matobo National Park, a home to a large population of black and white rhinos that can be tracked on foot. The park is also the site of the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company.
Day 13: Matobo National Park
Matobo National Park is a home to birds and wildlife including both black and white rhinos. Start your 13th day with breakfast and later go for white rhino tracking with an expert local guide. Along the way you might spot other animals like warthogs, springhares, klipspringers among others. Your guide will also point out local plants and trees, such as wild pear and paperbark, and show you the famous San rock paintings and other rock formations in the park. In the evening you can visit the nearby village and meet with the local people including the community elders.
Day 14: Tshipise
After breakfast, leave Zimbabwe and depart for Tshipise, South Africa passing through Bulawayo, you can stop briefly to see historic buildings, local markets, or grab refreshments. The journey is about 6 to 7 hours by road. Continue to the north and the route takes you through Plumtree, a border post with direct border between Zimbabwe and South Africa.Once in South Africa, you’ll drive through Musina, a town in Limpopo Province, where you can stretch your legs and enjoy the small-town atmosphere.
From Musina, continue east toward Tshipise, passing through farmlands, low mountains, and small villages along the way. On your arrival Check in at your lodge and enjoy the extensive facilities offered by the lodge which include indoor and outdoor pool, putt putt, nature trail and other optional game drives. unwind in the warm mineral pools, and enjoy dinner while taking in the peaceful surroundings.
Day 15: Makushu village
In the morning explore the hot springs in Tshipse and later leave for Makushu, a small village in Limpopo Province. On arrival, a local village guide will welcome you and introduce you to your homestay host mothers, with whom you’ll be staying in their family homes. Life in the village is never the same each day, so you may join in different activities such as beading, dancing, tasting local beer, or helping with cooking. In the evening, spend time with the villagers, share stories, and learn about the traditional Venda culture and way of life.
Day 16: Kruger National Park
After breakfast in Makushu Village, say goodbye to your host family and begin the journey to Kruger National Park. The drive is about 250 to 300 km around 4 to 5 hours depending on the park gate you enter. Along the way, you’ll travel through the Limpopo Province, passing small villages, farms, and rolling hills. This offers an opportunity to see the everyday life of the local people and the beautiful landscapes of rural South Africa.
On the way, stop at the Black Mambas headquarters, the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit. Here, you’ll meet some of the women who protect wildlife in and around Kruger. They remove snares, patrol park boundaries, and help raise awareness about conservation. This stop gives you a deep insight into how communities are working to save endangered animals.
Continue with your journey and you may pass towns like Louis Trichardt (Makhado) or Phalaborwa depending on your route, however, both act as gateways to Kruger.
These stops give you a chance to see local markets, enjoy South African snacks, or stretch your legs before continuing. By afternoon, you’ll arrive at Kruger National Park. Kruger National Park is one of Africa’s most famous wildlife reserves covering about 19,485 square kilometres in northeastern South Africa. It forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park, a huge conservation area that links South Africa with Mozambique to the east and Zimbabwe to the north. This cross-border park allows animals to roam freely between countries, helping to protect biodiversity and support healthy wildlife populations.
Day 17: Kruger National Park
Wake up for early breakfast and later prepare for morning game drive so as you take advantage of the morning hours when the wildlife is active. You set off on a 4WD safari vehicle which offers excellent spotting of animals and photographic opportunities. Drive through the grasslands, woodland and along riverbanks in search of wildlife including Big Five like lions, leopards, elephants, buffalo, and rhinos. As well as other animals like zebras, giraffes, hippos, eland, cheetahs and other antelope species.
Day 18: Return to Johannesburg
After breakfast, you’ll transfer back to Johannesburg, a journey about 400 to 450 km (6-7 hours drive) depending on the route used. On the way, you’ll be at the Three Rondavels viewpoint where you will have the stunning views of Blyde River Canyon, one of the largest green canyons in the world. Further along the Panorama Route, you’ll stop at several view points and attractions, for instance God’s window offers views over the Mpumalanga Lowveld. Next, visit the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, a geological wonder created by swirling waters that carved dramatic cylindrical rock formations over centuries.By late afternoon or evening, you’ll arrive in Johannesburg, where your safari comes to an end.