An 18 day overland holiday, travelling by bespoke truck with a small group, through South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe. Camping along the way. Long dusty journeys to vast, dramatic landscapes.
JohannesburgKhama Rhino SanctuaryMaun Okavango DeltaMakgadikgadi Salt PansChobe National ParkVictoria FallsHwange National ParkMatobos National Park Makushu homestayKruger National Park
Price
£2380£1771To£3095excluding flights
Duration
18 Days
Countries
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Type
Small group
CO2
732.6kg
More info
Single supplement £120.
Offers
Up to £750 off selected dates. Late availability on these dates: 25 Sep, 02 Oct, 09 Oct, 16 Oct, 06 Nov, 13 Nov, 11 Dec, 18 Dec
Description of Southern Africa overland camping holiday
This Southern Africa overland holiday is a small group tour, travelling in a purpose built overland vehicle, and camping along the way in some of the region’s most magnificent landscapes. Starting and ending in Johannesburg, we head into Botswana almost immediately where highlights include paddling a traditional ‘mokoro’ canoe across the Okavango Delta, seeing elephants in Chobe National Park and driving across the extraordinary sight of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. One particular highlight here, and there are many, is wild camping on an island in the heart of the Okavango wilderness.
There are few border crossings like the one into Zimbabwe, where the great Victoria Falls awaits nearby and where we spend a couple of days. Our next wildlife wonder is Hwange National Park, south of the Falls and Zimbabwe’s biggest national park. It is also famous for its prolific elephant population, and where you can spot four out of the Big Five here.
There are several long journeys on this trip, and the one between Hwange and the Matobo National Park is 7-8 hours, although we break it up with a detour through the city of Bulawayo. In Matabos, we get to track rhinoceros on foot with a local expert guide and also take in the magnificence of this ancient place which has particular sacred significance for local people.
Our last leg of this overland itinerary is back in South Africa, and enables us to spend a day with the Venda people in Makushu in the Limpopo region. There are two more big drives after this, one to Kruger National Park where we spend two days, and the final one back to Johannesburg. In Kruger, not only do we get to enjoy a full day game drive in one of South Africa’s most famous national parks, but we also camp within the park itself for one last, superb night under the African stars.
Map
Price information
£2380£1771To£3095excluding flights
Single supplement £120.
Contact Us
If you'd like to chat about this holiday or need help finding one, we're very happy to help
The Okavango Delta floods life into Botswana. It's a waterhole on an epic scale.
Holiday information
Small group budget tour, ideal for solos or couples:
This is one of our budget trips, designed specifically for travellers who still want the security of group travel without lots of added inclusions. These trips don't have many included activities & meals are rarely included in the price, giving you the opportunity to search out local restaurants and sample regional specialities to your heart's content. The amount of free time in these itineraries means that these trips often appeal to younger travellers looking to explore independently and tailor the trip to your own interests. You often won't spend too many days in any one place and you'll pack lots of different locations into your holiday.
Responsible Travel
As the pioneers of responsible tourism, we've screened this (and every) holiday so that you can travel knowing we've worked to maximise the benefits of your holiday to local people and places, and minimise any negative impacts.
Planet
The very ethos of our style of travel is responsible. As a global tour operator, we take our role in tourism very seriously.
We are committed to operating in a responsible manner, incorporating the principles of sustainable development in the way we provide our travellers with real life experiences. These values are more than just words on a page; they are ingrained in our culture and the daily operations of every office and every trip. In addition, we expect our staff and travellers to demonstrate the principles of responsible travel - respecting people, cultures and local environments; in the distribution of wealth; in good will and cross-cultural sharing; and in contributing to sustainable development.
We believe that responsible travel is about the attitude you take with you and the choices you make when travelling - to respect and benefit local people, their cultures, economy and the environment.
CARBON REDUCTION
As this tour uses largely camping accommodation, it has some of the least carbon emissions in comparison to accommodated tours.
We provide most of the meals on this tour and always source our produce locally. Vegetarian and vegan food is available.
ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
On many of our Africa trips, we visit National Parks and conservations and the entrance fees are always included on the tour price. On this tour, we visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Chobe National Park, Hwange National Park, Matobos National Park and Kruger National Park. The entrance fees help towards conservation of the Parks and to ensure the safety and welfare of the animals.
All game drives are accompanied by an expert local guide and animal welfare is a top priority - we do not disturb animals or get too close.
We operate a Leave No Trace policy in every campsite and this is strictly enforced by the crew.
Our own in house foundation has been in operation for over 11 years; donations come from our travellers and are then matched by us dollar for dollar. On this trip we visit two of our foundation partners, the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust in Zimbabwe and the Black Mambas in South Africa. If travellers wish to donate to either cause, we match their donation. We also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre where travellers can donate to help protect these misunderstood and endangered animals.
People
LOCAL ECONOMY
Unemployment is a serious issue for the countries we visit on this trip and so every job that can be provided through the tourism sector is making a difference. On this itinerary we employ a Tour Leader, a chef and a driver who will all be locals. This provides much needed regular employment.
The itinerary also includes many game drives in National Parks where we employ the services of local wildlife guides. We operate a tipping kitty to ensure we show our appreciation for their expertise. Similarly, while wild camping in the Okavango Delta we employ the services of two guides and a team of mokoro polers who receive income from our stay.
There are many chances to buy souvenirs from local stalls on this trip and our Tour Leaders are on hand to offer advice about purchasing - negotiation is part of life here, but we never exploit.
Victoria Falls is an expensive tourism hub, but money does not necessarily trickle down to normal people. Through our regular tours here, we are able to provide a regular source of income for a few local people - we work with a man called Kosa who prints custom t-shirts as souvenirs and a woman who helps travellers with their laundry. This means a great deal in a country where wealth inequality is high and there are few opportunities to work.
EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY
The biggest impact of this trip is the employment opportunities and income it provides for local people - the tour leader, chef and driver, wildlife guides, mokoro polers, homestay mothers and service providers.
The tour includes a day and night spent with the Venda community in Makushu, a town in Limpopo. During the day travellers learn about Venda culture, enjoy 3 meals cooked by the community and stay overnight in local homes with homestay 'mothers'. Our weekly homestays in Makushu bring valuable income and homestays are shared amongst the community to ensure all in the town benefit.
