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Journeys: The Great Southern Africa Safari

Southern Africa harbours indescribable natural wonders: here, majestic creatures roam their native lands much as they have for centuries. Embark on an unforgettable safari adventure through South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Botswana, travelling from the wilds of Kruger National Park to awe-inspiring Victoria Falls and the lush green waterways of the Okavango Delta. Watch for the African “big five” in the region’s finest wildlife reserves, meet with National Geographic–supported researchers in the field, and experience local life and culture in vibrant cities.

21 DaysCape Town to Maun
Valid on May 5 2026Trip Code: DSBNG
From $11999 USDIncluding taxes and fees

Is this tour for me?

Travel Style: National Geographic Journeys

Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.

Service Level: Upgraded

Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.

Physical Grading: 2 - Light

Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.

Trip Type: Small Group

Group trips average 12 travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The maximum is usually no more than 16, but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.

Age requirements: 12+

All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Check Your Visa Requirements

Before booking, use our handy entry requirements tool so you know which documents you need to enter and travel through the countries on your trip.

Journeys: The Great Southern Africa Safari - Itinerary

Trip Start: Cape TownTrip End: Maun

DAY 1

Cape Town

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Transport:
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting:
Meet your Cape Town G Adventures representative at the hotel - please have a look at the information board in the hotel for the meeting time. Your rep will go through your tour details, help you with booking optional activities, and be your contact person for the next few days.

The Portswood Hotel:
The Portswood Hotel

Journeys: The Great Southern Africa Safari - Itinerary

Trip Start: Cape TownTrip End: Maun
DAY 1
Cape Town

DAY 1

Cape Town

Arrive at any time. Arrival transfer is included.

Transport:
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.

Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting:
Meet your Cape Town G Adventures representative at the hotel - please have a look at the information board in the hotel for the meeting time. Your rep will go through your tour details, help you with booking optional activities, and be your contact person for the next few days.

The Portswood Hotel:
The Portswood Hotel

DAY 2
Cape Town
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DAY 3
Cape Town
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DAY 4
Cape Town/Johannesburg
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DAY 5
Johannesburg/Greater Kruger Area
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DAY 6
Kruger National Park
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DAY 7
Greater Kruger Area/Karongwe Private Game Reserve
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DAY 8
Karongwe Private Game Reserve
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DAY 9
Karongwe Private Game Reserve/Johannesburg
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DAY 10
Johannesburg/Victoria Falls
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DAY 11
Victoria Falls
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DAY 12
Victoria Falls
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DAY 13
Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park
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DAY 14
Hwange National Park
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DAY 15
Hwange/Chobe NP
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DAY 16
Chobe NP
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DAY 17
Kasane/Okavango Delta
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DAY 18
Okavango Delta
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DAY 19
Okavango Delta
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DAY 20
Okavango Delta/Maun
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DAY 21
Maun
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What’s Included

  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Kirstenbosch Guided Walk, Cape Town
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Carnivore Conservation Experience, Karongwe Private Game Reserve
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Zimbabwean Family Dinner, Victoria Falls
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Painted Dog Conservation, Hwange National Park
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Okavango Wilderness Project Experience, Okavango Delta
  • Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Botswana Storytelling and Traditional Dinner, Maun
  • Your Foodie Moment: Boma Braai, Karongwe Private Game Reserve
  • Your Discover Moment: Victoria Falls
  • Arrival transfer
  • Excursion to Cape Point and Boulders Beach
  • Soweto tour
  • Panorama Route scenic drive with entrances
  • Private nature reserve wildlife safari drives in open vehicles
  • Open-vehicle wildlife safari drives in Kruger, Hwange and Chobe National Parks
  • Tour of Victoria Falls
  • Chobe boat safari
  • Wildlife excursions by boat and on foot in the Okavango Delta
  • Internal flights
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
  • Hotels – 6 nts, safari lodges/camps – 9 nts, comfortable safari tent – 3 nts, comfortable tent or chalets – 2 nts.
Meals
  • 20 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 15 dinners
Transportation
  • Plane, air-conditioned touring vehicle, open safari vehicle, 4x4, walking, boat, mokoro.
Staff & experts
  • National Geographic Expedition Leader for Kruger and Botswana, local Expedition Leader in Cape Town and Victoria Falls, local guides/rangers.

Journeys: The Great Southern Africa Safari Departure Dates

All Years

StartEndingAvailabilityPrices from
Wed, Mar 04 2026Tue, Mar 24 2026Sold Out $11,999 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Wed, Apr 22 2026Tue, May 12 2026Sold Out $11,999 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)
Wed, Apr 29 2026Tue, May 19 2026Sold Out $11,999 USD
(price includes taxes and fees)

USEFUL INFO

Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Kirstenbosch Guided Walk, Cape Town
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Carnivore Conservation Experience, Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Zimbabwean Family Dinner, Victoria Falls
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Painted Dog Conservation, Hwange National Park
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Okavango Wilderness Project Experience, Okavango Delta
Your Journeys Highlight Moment: Botswana Storytelling and Traditional Dinner, Maun
Your Foodie Moment: Boma Braai, Karongwe Private Game Reserve
Your Discover Moment: Victoria Falls. Arrival transfer. Excursion to Cape Point and Boulders Beach. Soweto tour. Panorama Route scenic drive with entrances. Private nature reserve wildlife safari drives in open vehicles. Open-vehicle wildlife safari drives in Kruger, Hwange and Chobe National Parks. Tour of Victoria Falls. Chobe boat safari. Wildlife excursions by boat and on foot in the Okavango Delta. Internal flights. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

The information in this trip details document has been compiled with care and is provided in good faith. However it is subject to change, and does not form part of the contract between the client and the operator. The itinerary featured is correct at time of printing. It may differ slightly to the one in the brochure. Occasionally our itineraries change as we make improvements that stem from past travellers, comments and our own research. Sometimes it can be a small change like adding an extra meal along the itinerary. Sometimes the change may result in us altering the tour for the coming year. Ultimately, our goal is to provide you with the most rewarding experience. Please note that our brochure is usually released in November each year. If you have booked from the previous brochure you may find there have been some changes to the itinerary.

VERY IMPORTANT: Please ensure that you view a final copy of your Trip Details a couple of days prior to travel, in case there have been changes that affect your plans.

While it is our intention to adhere to the route described below, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. The itinerary is brief, as we never know exactly where our journey will take us. Due to our style of travel and the regions we visit, travel can be unpredictable. The Trip Details document is a general guide to the tour and region and any mention of specific destinations or wildlife is by no means a guarantee that they will be visited or encountered. Aboard expedition trips visits to research stations depend on final permission.

Additionally, any travel times listed are approximations only and subject to vary due to local circumstances.

1. TRAVEL DAYS
This is not a physically demanding journey; however, travelling can be difficult, with long drives and poor road conditions at times. Despite this, most clients feel that the diversity of the African landscape, countries, culture and wildlife are all well worth the experience. We use a comfortable and safe air-conditioned vehicle for the long drives.

2. INTERNAL FLIGHT WEIGHT RESTRICTIONS
Planes used to fly into the Delta are small and weight restrictions are mandatory. For this reason luggage restrictions are 15kg per person for checked in luggage and 5kg for Hand luggage for a maximum of 20kg per person. As well, the airline requires the weight of each passenger, your Expedition Leader will collect this information from you privately, at the beginning of the trip.

3. COMBO TRIP
Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.

4. ACCOMMODATION
Please note, if you have not booked MOR (my own room) for this trip, you might be sharing a room for your stay in Cape Town, as well as for the rest of the tour. Please ask at check-in at the hotel in Cape Town if you will be sharing your room.

5. EXTRAS
Looking to add to your experience? Check out our Extras! Specially designed for travellers with unique interests, Extras are optional add-ons to your G adventures trip that make your adventure more you-centric. Extras must be booked prior to departure, please see details in our optional activities field and ask your sales GCO or travel agent about booking.

6. YELLOW FEVER
According to the WHO and CDC, there is no risk of yellow fever in Botswana. It is compulsory to show a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate if you are travelling to Botswana from a Yellow Fever endemic country, or have recently travelled to a Yellow Fever endemic country (with entry stamps in your passport), including the following countries (but not limited to): Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Zambia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela.

**We advise all travelers to Botswana who are coming from one of the above countries, or who have visited them in the last 10 years, to be prepared with a Yellow Fever vaccination certificate or letter from your doctor with proof of vaccination. Yellow Fever inoculations need to be administered at least 10 days prior to your entry into the country. Border officials in Botswana have been strictly enforcing these requirements. Travelers without the correct documentation run the risk of being denied entry, and will not be able to continue with the tour. (Any additional travel expenses will be on your own account.) **

7. Water-wise tips when visiting Cape Town:

- Bring a reusable water bottle, that you can fill with Cape Town’s tasty tap water.
- Reuse your towels in the hotel, for at least two days, before getting new ones.
- Keep your laundry until you have a full load to do, rather than just doing a handful of items.
- Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, or shaving.
- Keep your showers to two minutes or less, and don’t use the bath.
- Use hand sanitizer, instead of washing hands.

8. MONEY EXCHANGE
We strongly advise that you bring ZAR or USD from your home country or exchange money before the start of the tour, to avoid delays on tour. Please see the Money Exchange section for more details.

9. DRONES
The use of drones in national parks in Southern Africa is prohibited.

10. ACCOMMODATION NOTE:
Please be aware that properties we stay in with only two stories may not have elevators installed and climbing the stairs with your luggage will be necessary.

On this tour, you will be accompanied by a National Geographic Expedition Leader.

The Expedition Leader will be the group manager and leader. All of our leaders in southern Africa are registered and licensed tourism guides, meaning they’ve studied to have a broad knowledge base of the region’s history, cultures, and wildlife, and are legally certified to lead/guide tours in the regions visited. Most of our leaders in the region are from Southern Africa, though it may be possible that you’ll have a leader from another country in the southern African region. As the group manager and leader, the aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places where we are travelling, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. He/she will take care of the small things so you can concentrate on enjoying your adventure. In addition, your Expedition Leader is a skilled and experienced driver who has intimate knowledge of the vehicle and routes travelled. We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting.

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