18 to 35s Real Southern Africa (including Makgadikgadi Pans)

Traveler Reviews

• JB

  Jasper3.7•October 2026
  Amazing staff and incredible destinations — but a seriously misleading itinerary and unacceptable additional costs...
  Amazing staff and incredible destinations — but a seriously misleading itinerary and unacceptable additional costs I have deliberately waited before writing this review because I wanted to give Intrepid the opportunity to address the issues privately first. Unfortunately, some of the problems with this trip are too significant to simply overlook. Let me be absolutely clear: the staff on the ground were fantastic. Joseph and the entire team worked incredibly hard, were friendly, professional and went above and beyond to make the trip special. The destinations were spectacular and many of the activities were genuinely unforgettable. My criticism is therefore not directed at the guides or local teams. It is directed at Intrepid's management and, in particular, the way this itinerary is presented to customers. The start of the trip We were told — and had reconfirmed — that the tour would begin at the Holiday Inn Rosebank. When we arrived, we discovered that this was no longer the meeting location. This created completely unnecessary stress at the very beginning of an expensive international trip, as we had to desperately try to establish where we were actually supposed to go and arrange additional transport. I subsequently asked for the additional taxi costs to be refunded. More than three weeks later, I was still waiting for this to be resolved. It is not even the amount of money that bothers me particularly. It is the fact that a straightforward issue apparently cannot be dealt with properly. The $50 "tip" This was one of the most uncomfortable moments of the trip. At the traditional dinner and cultural dance, we were happy to give the dancers a tip. We gave $20, which we felt was perfectly reasonable for the performance. We were then told that $20 wasn't enough and that we had to give $50. I'm sorry, but that is not a tip. A tip is discretionary. If customers are required to pay a fixed amount, then it is a charge and should be presented as such when the trip is sold. The incident caused a significant amount of frustration and upset within the group and completely changed the atmosphere of what should have been an enjoyable evening. If Intrepid is going to describe something as tipping, then it needs to actually be tipping. "Optional" activities that aren't actually optional This is by far my biggest criticism of the entire trip. Intrepid repeatedly describes certain activities as optional, when in reality some of them are effectively unavoidable if you don't want to spend the day sitting around doing absolutely nothing. The clearest example was Matobo National Park. The rhino tracking excursion was presented as an optional activity and cost us more than £180 extra. The problem is that the camp is incredibly remote. There are no shops, restaurants or alternative attractions nearby. The campsite is miles from the entrance and there is essentially nowhere else to go. So what exactly is the "option"? Pay £180+ for the activity, or sit at an extremely remote campsite for the entire day with virtually nothing to do. That isn't what I would consider an optional excursion. For someone travelling on a limited budget, this is particularly unacceptable. We had already paid a substantial amount for the tour and were then put in a position where spending another £180+ was effectively the difference between actually experiencing the destination and sitting around at camp all day. If an activity is effectively the only thing available to do at a particular location, it should be included in the advertised tour price. It should not be presented as an optional extra simply because customers technically have the ability to decline it. The same issue occurred in Maun. The helicopter flight was optional on paper, but when most of the group went, those of us who couldn't justify the additional cost were effectively left behind. Thankfully there was a pool and bar, so this wasn't as bad as Matobo, but it still illustrates the same problem. The problem is transparency This is what disappoints me most. I don't object to Intrepid offering expensive optional excursions. People have different budgets and different interests. What I object to is selling an itinerary in a way that makes these costs appear genuinely optional when, in reality, the geography and structure of the tour can make them extremely difficult to avoid. A customer budgeting for a trip should be able to look at the itinerary and understand what they are realistically going to need to spend. Being told that an activity is "optional" is meaningless if the alternative is effectively spending an entire day stranded in the middle of nowhere. For a company like Intrepid, which markets itself around responsible and transparent travel, I think this needs serious attention. Overall This is frustrating because there was the foundation of an absolutely incredible trip here. The countries were amazing. The wildlife was incredible. The activities that were included were fantastic. The local teams were brilliant. But the experience was repeatedly undermined by poor communication, unexpected costs and an itinerary that, in my opinion, does not accurately represent what customers can realistically expect once they are actually on the ground. I have travelled with Intrepid before and that previous experience gave me confidence in booking this trip. I still believe Intrepid is capable of running fantastic tours, and I would consider travelling with them again. But that goodwill shouldn't mean customers overlook problems. Intrepid needs to be much more honest about the real cost of this itinerary and stop describing activities as "optional" when, in practical terms, they aren't. I sincerely hope Intrepid takes this feedback seriously. Because the staff deserve an enormous amount of credit for the work they do — but the people designing and selling the itinerary need to take a hard look at how this trip is presented to customers.Show more
  Traveled in September 2026
  

  Reply from: Intrepid Travel

  Thank you so much Jasper, for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We're pleased to hear that the destinations, wildlife experiences and, in particular, Joseph and the local team left such a positive impression. At the same time, we're sorry to learn that concerns around communication, additional costs and aspects of the trip's presentation impacted your overall experience. A member of our Customer Care team will be reaching out directly to discuss your feedback in more detail.

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• MJ

  Matthew5.0•July 2023
  I couldn’t have asked for a better, more eventful, and more memorable experience. Besides the hundreds of wild...
  I couldn’t have asked for a better, more eventful, and more memorable experience. Besides the hundreds of wild animals we spotted and encountered (1000+ photos to show for it), this trip gave me massive insight into the lives and cultures of the residents of the regions. It was very eye opening and I felt privileged to have met locals and share our stories with them in turn for hearing there stories. As an inexperienced traveller, I was feeling nervous about visiting all of these regions. But our guide Goodman, driver Siyabonga, and cooks Faria and Leonna were all very supportive and ensure that we had secure passage across the countries and regions, as well as keeping us safe when camping in the wild, and ensuring that we didn’t go hungry. I’ve valued their support, insight and willingness to listen to feedback along the course of the trip. There were a few mishaps (as with any trip); however for me the good heavily outweighed the bad on this trip. It was so surreal, and I can’t recommend this trip enough to any young traveller wanting to experience the wilds and cultures of Southern Africa.Show more
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  Traveled in July 2023
  

  Reply from: Intrepid Travel

  Thank you for your wonderful review Matthew! We are thrilled to hear that your trip was filled with unforgettable moments, from encountering wild animals and capturing incredible photos to gaining deep insights into the lives and cultures of the regions you visited. We're especially delighted to know that our team, including Goodman, Siyabonga, Faria, and Leonna, provided you with the support and care you needed throughout the journey. Ensuring your safety and comfort is always our top priority, and we're glad they made you feel secure during your travels, especially when camping in the wild. It warms our hearts to hear that you had the opportunity to connect with the locals and share stories, creating meaningful exchanges that enrich both your journey and their lives. We believe that genuine connections like these make travel experiences truly special and rewarding. While every trip may have a few mishaps, we are thrilled to hear that the positive moments heavily outweighed any challenges you encountered. Thank you for choosing us to be a part of your adventure, and we can't wait to welcome you back for more incredible journeys in the future. Until then, may your memories of this surreal trip stay with you for a lifetime!

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