The Ultimate Southern Africa Safari: Botswana and Kruger

Cheetah on the African savanna

What to expect on this itinerary

Southern Africa’s mythical landscapes are filled with secrets and stories. A stunning collection of wildlife provides the poetic narration, but which tale do you follow? This itinerary combines Southern Africa's three most abundant national parks, offering the ultimate safari experience and ensuring you experience everything. Kruger, Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, and Victoria Falls; this is Southern Africa’s finest wonders in 12 days of nonstop action.

Countries Visited

Botswana, South Africa, Zambia

Places Visited

Sabi Sands Private Game Reserve, Moremi Game Reserve, Savuti, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls

Suggested Duration

12 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1 - 3

Sabi Sands Game Reserve – Big Five Safari

Every vacation should start with a warm welcome. But it’s hard to guess who will say hello first as you fly into Kruger National Park. A good bet will be on a slumbering greeting from a few rhinos; this park has so many that you’ll quickly lose count of how many you’ve seen. Perhaps an elegant zebra herd will be your first safari sighting? Maybe it will be an elephant emerging from the woodland? It could be a lion pride lounging in the middle of the path, content in the sun as you are transferred to the remote Sabi Sands. Settle into your luxury lodge and gaze out of the floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows. You probably came to Africa to see the Big Five. Over three days, there’s a good chance that you’ll see all five and more from the comfort of your bed.

Kruger National Park stretches for over two-million hectares, but the wildlife roams even further, wandering into a handful of private concessions that share unfenced boundaries. In an untouched animal kingdom of this scale you’re not going to be restricted to a few glimpses. This is complete submersion. Jump in with two feet and shake your head at the baffling abundance that surrounds you. Elephants prefer the forest, thumping away at trees as you slowly drive past. Hippos are magnetically attracted to the swamps, fighting over mating rights as they plow into the water. Out on the savannah and grasslands you’ll find dozens of antelope species, each bringing something new to the landscape. When it rains they’re spread far and wide, ferociously grazing on nature’s banquet. Arrive in dry season and they congregate around water, easily found by you and easily picked upon by Kruger’s predators.

Each day usually includes two long game drives. Wake early and explore the park at its most active. As a layer of mist still hangs in the distant valley the ungulates are on full alert. This is prime hunting time and it doesn’t take long before you spot a cat on the prowl. A leopard is advancing in the insipid light, dipping its neck and coldly moving through the grass. The impala seem to be a safe enough distance away, but one youngster has strayed a little far from the herd. It all happens in a flash, the leopard’s stealth perfectly complimented by its powerful jaws. It's just one example of the drama that welcomes early risers. During the hottest part of the day you relax at the lodge, soaking up the Kruger landscape from the pool, your room, or a raised wooden balcony.

Two rivers make game viewing around here remarkably easy. Sabi Sands becomes a haven for thirsty wanderers, and it’s easy to spend a few hours watching the procession pass by. Rhinos never seem to be far away when you’re in Kruger and they’re usually down at the river. Less than 20,000 wild rhinos remain in the world. Over half can be found here. Swap the wheels for hiking boots and go on walking safari through the riverine forest, armed game trackers ensuring that you’re safe amidst this world of rhinos and big cats. Smaller wildlife like bushbuck and springbok provide a charming alternative to the raw power elsewhere, while graceful kudu and hartebeest are best admired from this new angle. Over these three days you’re guaranteed to see a lot. And it’s all going to be experienced from a breathtaking proximity.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Activity
Transfer
Dinner, Lunch, Breakfast
Day 4 - 6

Moremi Game Reserve – The Landscapes of the Okavango Delta

Day 7 - 8

Savuti – Botswana’s Surreal Secret

Day 9

Chobe National Park – More Safari Adventures

Day 10 - 11

Livingstone – The Drama of Victoria Falls

Day 12

Livingstone – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Spend three days on safari in Kruger National Park soaking up the remarkable abundance of the Big Five and watching rhinos wander past your room
  • Discover the enchanting world of the Okavango Delta and shake your head at the dramatic scenes in this big cat paradise
  • Lose yourself in Southern Africa’s top three national parks and completely surround yourself with the charms of the wild
  • Marvel at huge herds and admire the wandering nomads that are making the Savuti Channel one of Africa’s top safari destinations
  • Explore a huge array of different habitats and customize a unique program of different safari activities
  • Make a remarkable journey through the heart of Chobe National Park and lose count of how many thousands of elephants you’ve spotted.
  • Complete the trip with two days indulging in the power and beauty of Victoria Falls

Starting Price

$12,100 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 1207 reviews

Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

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Anil M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Tour Review: 10 Nights

Our first trip to southern Africa was amazing, exceeding all expectations. We saw everything we came to see, and more. The game rides were well structured and safe, the visuals were unbelievable, and taking a side trip to Victoria Falls was a great idea. The accommodations were quite luxurious, despite being considered mid-range. There was always someone there to greet us and guide us at every travel point.

Zicasso's tour operator tailored our itinerary to our wishes and was wonderful to work with. Things couldn’t have gone better.

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Grace J.
South Africa Travel Review: Safaris, 1 Week

We had an awesome trip. Zicasso's travel expert was amazing. She accomplished everything.

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Nancy H.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Tour Review: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Wine Tasting, Elephant Experience, River Cruise, Wildlife, Nature, Scenery, 13 Nights

Zicasso's trip planner arranged the most fabulous trip for my family. She knew exactly what I wanted and delivered a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa! She always answered my questions promptly. She chose memorable experiences for us, our lodgings were top-notch, and she "kept in touch, behind the scenes," to ensure all elements were going smoothly. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone planning a trip to Africa!

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LESLIE W.
Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique Trip Review: Gorilla Trek, Bush Camps, 3 Weeks

It was very well planned. Zicasso's travel specialist was responsive and flexible in the planning process and throughout the final details.

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Catherine R.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Safari, 11 Nights

The trip was amazing. Zicasso's trip expert did an awesome job planning the trip. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and exceeded all of our expectations. The “in-country” travel was seamless. Our accommodations and tours were all top-notch. I can‘t thank her enough for planning this awesome experience.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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