Okavango & Chobe
Okavango & Chobe
Okavango & Chobe
8 Days Starting in Johannesburg, South Africa and ending in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Visiting: Johannesburg, Ghanzi, Maun, Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Kasane, Victoria Falls
Tour operator:
Tour code:
347
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 20
Age range:
8-85
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
This 8-day overland adventure starts in Johannesburg with its extensive flight connections, and then finishes at the spectacular Victoria Falls. We connect the two with a week exploring the highlights of Botwswana. After leaving Johannesburg we head into Botswana and the Kalahari desert, home to the nomadic San hunter gatherers. We then continue to the jewel of Botswana, the Okavango Delta where we take a Mokoro ride on the waterways and a game safari into Moremi National Park. A 2-night fly in upgrade to a deluxe lodge is also available here. Chobe National Park, famous for its large numbers of wild elephants as well as numerous other big game is next, before we arrive at the iconic Victoria Falls. We have some time to see the falls and do some of the many activities available here before the tour ends. A 2 day transit back to Johannesburg is available if you would like to fly out of the airport there, or if you have onward travel plans in South Africa. The tour is available either based mainly on camping in traditional 2-person tents (which we provide together with camp beds), or as an upgraded 'accommodated' version where you sleep in lodges, hotels, or permanent camps (with proper beds & facilities). Details of each night's stay are given in the Facilities section of the daily itinerary. Pricing shown is based on camping - please contact us for prices to upgrade to the accommodated level.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Johannesburg To Kalahari Gateway
Location: Johannesburg
Accommodation Name: Kang Ultra Stop or similar
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
We start our tour early this morning in Johannesburg, as we travel through the North-West Province until we reach the Botswana border. After completing border formalities we’ll carry on through the Trans-Kalahari highway until we reach our overnight accommodation.
As we depart Johannesburg first thing this morning you will need to book at least one night's pre-tour accommodation.
Route: Johannesburg to Kang
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms
Day 2 : Kalahari Gateway To Ghanzi
Location: Ghanzi
Accommodation Name: Ghanzi Trail Blazers
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we start the morning travelling deeper into Central Kalahari until we reach the Ghanzi District, where we will be learning about and interacting with the local San people.
Later the day there is the option to join local San guides where we will explore the many of survival techniques needed for the Kalahari Desert – we will also learn about different plants and animals that play a vital role in the everyday lifestyle of the San people.
The day ends off with getting a first-hand experience of the culture, traditions, songs, dances, and stories of the San people.
Route: Kang to Ghanzi
Included Highlight: San Evening Dance Performance
Optional Activity: San Guided Walk (late afternoon or following morning)
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms
Day 3 : Maun: Gateway To The Delta
Location: Maun, Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: South Gate Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning we start early and drive to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Time and weather permitting there is the option to take a scenic flight over the Delta.
After the flight finishes, you'll be transferred into the Greater Moremi Game Reserve area in smaller safari-style vehicles. In the evening your guides will provide information about the Delta excursions coming up later in the tour.
Note: You will be away from the truck for the next two nights and it's therefore important to pack and gather the personal belongings that you'll need this morning as time may be tight later. Please pack lightly and only take what you'll need for these two nights. The rest of your kit will be stored securely on the truck.
Route: Ghanzi to Maun to Moremi South Gate
Optional activity: Scenic Flight over Okavango Delta
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per permanent tent with en-suite bathrooms
Day 4 : Greater Moremi Game Reserve Area
Location: Moremi Game Reserve, Maun
Accommodation: Camp
Accommodation Name: South Gate Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We start early today - travelling by safari vehicle to the mokoro polling station where we meet up with pollers who will be escorting us into the Delta, taking us through the beautiful, reed-lined channels which open out into wider lagoons.
After reaching our island destination, a nature walk may be taken with your poller. While these mokoro trips are not predominantly game viewing excursions, a wide variety of game may be spotted, including giralffe, impala, elephant, kudu and zebra. We then return by mokoro back to the mooring station.
After lunch, we take an afternoon game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicles through the Moremi Game Reserve. Your guide will choose the route taken based on recent sightings and the current water levels, as during high flood conditions many roads and tracks may be closed or impassable.
Route: Moremi South Gate - poling station - Okavango Delta - Moremi South Gate
Included Highlight: Morning Delta Mokoro excursion; Afternoon Moremi Reserve game drive
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per permanent tent with en-suite bathroom
Day 5 : Savuti Game Reserve
Location: Chobe National Park
Accommodation Name: Thebe River Safaris
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We start the day bright and early and head for the Savuti Game Reserve. Bordered to the west by the Okavango Delta and to the east by Chobe National Park, Savuti is renowned as being a big game area with one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Southern Africa. We'll spend most of the day today travelling through the Reserve on safari in 4x4 vehicles, looking out for the various species that roam the plains. Savuti features a wide range of habitats incluging open water and wetland, to grasslands and Savannah woodlands, with a corresponding wide diversity of wildlife to see. This afternoon we arrive at the banks of the Chobe River and are reunited with our truck and luggage in the town of Kasane.
Route: Moremi South Gate - via Savuti Game Reserve - Kasane
Included Highlight: Savuti Game Reserve full day game drive
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms
Day 6 : Chobe National Park
Location: Chobe National Park
Accommodation Name: Thebe River Safaris or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
There is an optional game drive in Chobe National Park this morning, and those taking it will head out early in open 4x4 safari vehicles. After returning to the camp for lunch and a rest, in the afternoon we all head out to explore Chobe National Park from the river. We'll enjoy a leisurely boat cruise which allows for an up and close experience seeing some of the many elephants that frequent the river in the afternoons.
Route: Chobe National Park
Included Highlight: Chobe National Park Boat Cruise
Optional Activity: Chobe National Park Game Drive
Facilities - Camping: Campsite with shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms
Day 7 : Kasane To Victoria Falls
Location: Kasane, Victoria Falls
Accommodation Name: Shearwaters Explorers Village
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We leave Chobe reluctantly this morning, full of the memories of all the wildlife encounters we've enjoyed over the last few days. It's only a short distance to the border into Zimbabwe and then on to Victoria Falls. You'll have time at your leisure to visit the spectacular falls, known locally as 'Mosi-oa Tunya', or 'the smoke that thunders'. You'll also have time to visit the bustling adventure town of Victoria Falls with its craft markets and coffee shops, as well as numerous options for booking extra activities. Victoria Falls offers a wide selection of options to suit both adrenaline junkies who could take a bungee jump or do some white water rafting, helicopter flights over the falls, or perhaps a High Tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel would be more your style.
Route: Kasane to Victoria Falls
Optional Activity: Visit the Victoria Falls, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, Boma Dinner Experience
Facilities - Camping: Pre-erected dome tents with camper beds and shared ablutions
Facilities - Accommodated: Two per Room with En-suite Bathroom
Day 8 : Tour Ends In Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Meals Included: Breakfast
The day is yours free to take on activities that best suits your style - from rafting the mighty Zambezi River or enjoying a scenic flight over the falls below. Additional nights accommodation and departure airport transfers are available on request. A 2-day transit option is also available departing tomorrow to take you back to Johannesburg if you would like to fly out from there, or have further onward travel plans in South Africa.
Optional Activity: Visit the Victoria Falls, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, White water rafting, Boma Dinner Experience
What's Included
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Accommodation
6*
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- 8 night's accommodation either camping or in hotels/lodges/guesthouses (supplement applies)
- All transport using our 25-seat expedition vehicle
- All 'included highlights' as mentioned in the itinerary
- 2 truck crew (driver/gui
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- 7 nights accommodation either camping or in hotels/lodges/guesthouses (supplement applies)
- All transport using our 25-seat expedition vehicle
- All 'included highlights' as mentioned in the itinerary
- 2 truck crew (driver/guid
What's Not Included
More Info
This 8-day overland adventure starts in Johannesburg with its extensive flight connections, and then finishes at the spectacular Victoria Falls. We connect the two with a week exploring the highlights of Botwswana. After leaving Johannesburg we head into Botswana and the Kalahari desert, home to the nomadic San hunter gatherers. We then continue to the jewel of Botswana, the Okavango Delta where we take a Mokoro ride on the waterways and a game safari into Moremi National Park. A 2-night fly in upgrade to a deluxe lodge is also available here. Chobe National Park, famous for its large numbers of wild elephants as well as numerous other big game is next, before we arrive at the iconic Victoria Falls. We have some time to see the falls and do some of the many activities available here before the tour ends. A 2 day transit back to Johannesburg is available if you would like to fly out of the airport there, or if you have onward travel plans in South Africa. The tour is available either based mainly on camping in traditional 2-person tents (which we provide together with camp beds), or as an upgraded 'accommodated' version where you sleep in lodges, hotels, or permanent camps (with proper beds & facilities). Details of each night's stay are given in the Facilities section of the daily itinerary. Pricing shown is based on camping - please contact us for prices to upgrade to the accommodated level.
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
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Are all entrance fees included in the price?
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
Reviews from travellers on this tour
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Aug 01, 2024 - Aug 08, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Sep 26, 2024 - Oct 03, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Dec 05, 2024 - Dec 12, 2024Thursday - Thursday
Dec 19, 2024 - Dec 26, 2024Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.