Southern Africa Encompassed: Bush Camps & Wildlife Spotting

Now's the time to explore Africa on your terms with this tour that's affordable for young travellers. When it comes to raw, in-your-face wildness, South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe is where it's at — and from the vantage of our rugged Lando, even more spectacular. Witness traditional dancing, explore the Okavango Delta with a wildlife walk and bush camping, track wildlife on foot in Zimbabwe’s Matobo National Park, and capture the "big five" (in photo form, of course) in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, while camping keeps you close to the incomparable scenery. This quick tour isn't simply a taste of Africa; it's a full-course meal — with seconds.

Day 1 Johannesburg
Arrive at any time.

Tonight, get to know your group on your first night out together in Johannesburg. After your welcome meeting at the hotel choose to enjoy an Amarula cocktail at the bar or go to Emperors Palace with a wide array of restaurants and bars to choose from. Sit back, relax, eat some grub, sip a cocktail, and get to know your fellow travel buddies as the adventure begins.

Day 2 Johannesburg/Serowe
Get ready to check another country off those travel lists as you and the group pass across the border into Botswana. We’re not going to lie today will be a lot of driving, but use this opportunity to talk with your group, swap stories, and watch as the landscape changes around you from the desolate scenery of central-eastern Botswana to the wild bush within the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The group will stop here for the night to set up camp, enjoy each other's company around a fire, and fall peacefully asleep beneath the stars.

Day 3 Serowe/Maun
You didn’t think the group was leaving before taking part in a wildlife drive through the Khama Sanctuary did you? Good, because there’s not a chance. Get out there in an open air vehicle with a guide to spot some wildlife.

Jump in the Lando and continue on to Maun, scroll through your camera roll checking those pictures while the land outside your window becomes more fertile as you approach the area of the Okavango Delta.

Day 4 Maun/Okavango Delta
Today is going to be busy, but fun and man do we wish we were going with you on this epic adventure.

You’ll wake to the sound and smell of the bush around you, later dive right into some nature with a wildlife walk. The cool thing about being on foot is that you will get to learn about tracking the animals and gain insight into their movement patterns and behaviour on a much more intimate level.

From there the group will begin an exciting excursion deep into the Okavango delta in a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) to do some birdwatching on the way to our basic bush camp for the evening (get ready to completely unplug). Set up camp, sing with the locals, and simply unwind with a sundowner around the campfire… cheers!

Day 5 Okavango Delta/Gweta
Africa is home to some of the most beautiful sunrises in the world and today (if the weather is just right) you will get to experience the almost too vibrant colours of that quintessential sunrise that we all picture when we think of going on safari to Africa.

Then, tip your heads back, take a deep breath, and feel the mokoro cut through the crystal clear channels as you ride out of the Okavango Delta. The group will take some time to freshen up in Maun (showers everyone!) before embarking in the Lando to Gweta where the group will camp under massive baobab trees for the night.

Day 6 Gweta/Kasane
Travel to Kasane and choose to embark on a river cruise through Chobe NP, home to the largest elephant population in southern Africa.

Drive through the verdant lands between Gweta and Kasane. Witness how rain brings life to the pans awakening the dormant fish and aquatic shrimps from the mud. The surrounding grasslands also teem with life and are home to many antelope, which attract a wide variety of predators. Keep your eyes focused as the world passes you by and then reward yourself with a group toast as you camp under the great big African sky.

Day 7 Kasane/Victoria Falls
Buckle those seat belts and cross the border from Botswana to Zimbabwe; home of epic Victoria falls. All that driving is bound to make you hungry and we have a treat for you today! The group will be having a traditional lunch at the G Adventurers supported Lusumpuko Women's Club. With full bellies and even more full hearts get ready to feel the mist in the air as you enter the town of Victoria Falls.

Get up close and personal with one of the largest waterfalls in the world. For the adventurous we recommend going whitewater rafting, taking a scenic helicopter flight over the falls (epic selfies anyone?), or taking the plunge (literally) while bungee jumping with Victoria Falls in sight. (Oh man... just thinking of that makes our heads spin and our palms sweat!) Not looking to turn your hair gray today? That’s okay we understand, either way the choice is yours, but remember you’re here now so why not escape those comfort zones?

Day 8 Victoria Falls
Get close and personal with one of the largest waterfalls in the world on this free day in Victoria Falls. Feel the strength of the water splashing your skin on the observation deck, taking in the sound of tons of water thundering in over the edge of the falls in the distance, and make your day as relaxing or hair-raising as you like.

Opt to try whitewater rafting. Maybe take a scenic helicopter flight over the falls (epic selfies anyone?), or take the plunge (literally) while bungee jumping with Victoria Falls in sight.

Day 9 Victoria Falls/Matobo National Park
Rise early to the sounds of Victoria Falls thundering in the distance before the group heads out on the long, but scenic drive to Matobo National Park. Take this time to enjoy the scenery, get to know your group more, and reflect on what you hope to gain from taking this trip.

Day 10 Matobo National Park
Huge granite masses, land that has been walked on for forty thousand years, and a peaceful quiet that will have you wondering why you would ever want to return to the hustle and bustle of the modern world are what await you on this visit to Matobo National Park in Zimbabwe.

Hop aboard an open wildlife safari vehicle and bump along past huge granite masses shaped by time and the elements in search of the stunning wildlife that call this small park home.

Day 11 Matobo National Park/Tshipise
Another day, another slice of adventure! Make the most of your day getting to know the people in your group. Share past travel stories, take backseat bus selfies, and watch as the African scenery passes you by on your way across the border into South Africa. In the evening sit back, relax, tip your head to the sky and bask in the warm water of the mineral pool at our campsite.

Day 12 Tshipise/Kruger National Park
Welcome to wildlife country! Kruger is the kind of place that you’ll visit, but still want to return to over and over again. With nearly 5 million acres this park offers some of the best access to wild animals in Africa, so prepare for an epic time… (but you already knew that!) Keep those cameras at the ready and experience your ultimate African safari fantasy become a reality.

Search for lions, elephants and many other animals on a full-day wildlife safari drive. Word of advice? Remember that it’s not all about the animals. This sprawling sanctuary is home to much more; think giant baobab, fever, and marula trees towering over the savannah in a place that feels older than time itself. Stop at prime viewing areas like Hippo Pool, the Kruger Tablets, the Red Rocks and simply revel in your primitive surroundings as nature moves around you.

Day 13 Kruger National Park/Greater Kruger Area
Yesterday was only a taste of the beauty that resides in the National Parks of South Africa. Today, you will head out into Kruger NP again on another wildlife safari drive in the Lando. (Upgrade alert! You can choose to embark on this experience in a 4x4 safari vehicle instead.)

Take your gaze to the sky today and try to search for all of the things you didn’t get to yesterday. In the evening fill your bellies with a traditional dinner together, then grab someone’s hand and work up a sweat with some local dancing as the night settles around you.

Day 14 Greater Kruger Area/Johannesburg
While you may be leaving the bush behind today the memories will stay with you forever so don’t despair, instead look ahead with excitement as you journey back to Johannesburg; South Africa’s largest city and economic heart.

Day 15 Johannesburg
Depart at any time.

Alas, it’s time to go home, but not before giving "Jozi" some love! Perhaps you’ll extend for a few days and enjoy this vibrant, up and coming South African city. Wander through museums like the Apartheid Museum and historic properties like the Mandela House soaking in the history that shaped Johannesburg. Sample food, music, and art in the city’s trendy neighbourhoods like Melville and give yourself time to relax and unwind before returning home.