Southern Africa Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 - Pilanesberg (South Africa)

After meeting your guide at the airport, we will make our way out of the city to Pilanesberg Game Reserve for the night. There is an open vehicle game drive for the late afternoon with local guides who work in the game reserve.

Pilanesberg Game Reserves is the fourth largest national park in South Africa. The park is 572 square kilometers (221 sq mi) with most of the 188 kilometers of road not surfaced, though maintained in good condition. There are many camps and lodges located along the perimeter and inside of the park. You will find many stops in the park, both for wildlife viewing, as well as bars and gift shops. Near the center of the park, there is a constructed lake called Mankwe Dam and many freshwater and salt springs where animals come to drink. Close to the center of the park is Thabayadiotso, “the Proud Mountain.”

The park has many sightings of the Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and African Buffalo. The Big Five game animals are native to southern Africa and live amongst the many other game animals in the park: zebras, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs, kudu, wildebeest, springbok, impala and many more.

Accommodation: Pilanesberg Chalets
Meals: Dinner
Drive time to Pilanesberg: 2 Hours

Day 2 - South Africa; Botswana

Departing early in the morning after breakfast, we will make our way towards Botswana. After you pass the border, the road takes you to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. You will go for an afternoon game drive before heading to the lodge. Once at the lodge, you will have time to relax for the rest of the afternoon.

Accommodation: Lodge or Hotel
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Drive time: 4.5 Hours with border crossing

DAY 3 - Ntwetwe Pan (Botswana)

After breakfast, we will make our way through the country and arrive in the village of Gweta in the early afternoon. Once at the lodge, you will meet your local guides who will take you onto the Ntwetwe Pan for the night out under African skies. This is one of the best places to see the stars at night and is where you will be sleeping for the night.

Accommodation: Sleep out on the Ntwetwe Pan under the stars

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Drive time: 5 Hours with stops

DAY 4 - Elephant Sands (Botswana)

This morning starts with coffee and tea before returning to the base camp in Gweta. You will visit the meerkats that call the Ntwetwe Pan home. Once back in camp, we then will make our way to Elephant Sands and arrive early afternoon. You can relax for the rest of the afternoon until around 4:00pm, when elephants start to arrive at the watering hole. Oftentimes, there are up to 50 elephants that visit Elephant Sands. Other animals such as kudu, warthogs, leopards, and lions also visit the watering hole from time to time.

Accommodation: Chalets
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Drive time: 1.5 Hours with stops

DAY 5 - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Leaving after breakfast, we will make our way north to the border. Once through the border (around 90 km), we will arrive at the small town of Victoria Falls. In the town, your guide will show you around and inform you of the optional activities offered in Victoria Falls. Late afternoon, you will have a dinner boat cruise on the mighty Zambezi River. The cruise will end around 7:00pm, local time.

Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast; River Cruise Dinner
Drive time: 5 Hours with border crossing

DAY 6 - Victoria Falls Zimbabwe

This is a free day for you to enjoy some of the activities offered in town or you can just relax and enjoy the day. Your guide will also be on hand should you want to visit the local markets.

There are many small restaurants for you to enjoy and your guide will take you out for dinner.

Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast; Dinner

DAY 7 - Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park (Botswana)

This morning starts off with a visit to the famous Victoria Falls National Park (Mosi-oa-Tunya).

After your visit to Victoria Falls, we will make our way back to Botswana. After we pass the border, it is a short drive to the lodge, which is situated on the banks of the Chobe River. Here you can enjoy the rest of the afternoon on the banks of the river.

Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast; Dinner
Drive time: 1.5 Hours with border crossing

DAY 8 - Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Today starts off with an early morning game drive that takes you into the Chobe National Park for around 4 hours. Once back at the lodge, you can enjoy a hearty breakfast. In the early afternoon, your local guide will drive you down to the departure place for your river cruise on the Chobe river. This cruise also takes you into the Chobe National Park and is one of the best wildlife river cruises in Africa.

Accommodation: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch; Dinner