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2026

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Who is travelling?

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US $1,482 per person

Essential Botswana

9 days
From Johannesburg to Victoria Falls
4.4
13 traveler reviews
From
$1,560
-5%
US $1,482 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

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2026

Jan
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2027

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Jul
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Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
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Jul
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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Plan your adventure:
Overland Truck
Off-the-grid adventures with a rugged edge
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Low Intensity
Travelers can expect some light physical activities
Guided in English
Group Size 1 - 22
Ages 18-35
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Itinerary

  1. Day 1

    Johannesburg

    Optional Activities

    • Visit Apartheid Museum
    Landmarks
    Apartheid Museum
    Itinerary Image 1
  2. Day 2

    Johannesburg to Khama Rhino Sanctuary

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Sunset Game Drive at Khama Rhino Sanctuary (open vehicle)
    Landmarks
    Khama Rhino Sanctuary
    Kalahari Desert
  3. Day 3

    Maun

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Helicopter scenic flight over Okavango Delta (from USD 250-280)
    Landmarks
    Okavango Delta
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  4. Day 4

    Okavango Delta Pan Handle

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
    Landmarks
    Guma Lagoon
    Itinerary Image 1
  5. Day 5

    Okavango Delta Pan Handle

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Mokoro safari in the Okavango Delta

    Optional Activities

    • Cook-led cooking class (free)
  6. Day 6

    Maun

    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Optional Activities

    • Helicopter scenic flight over Okavango Delta (from USD 250-280)
  7. Day 7

    Gweta

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Sundowner Bush Walk in baobab forest with local guide
    Landmarks
    Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2Itinerary Image 3
  8. Day 8

    Chobe National Park

    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner

    Included Activities

    • Open safari vehicle morning game drive in Chobe National Park

    Optional Activities

    • Sunset game drive
    • River cruise (BWP 580)
    Landmarks
    Chobe National Park
    Itinerary Image 1
  9. Day 9

    Chobe National Park to Victoria Falls

    Meals
    Breakfast

    Included Activities

    • Victoria Falls town leader-led orientation walk

    Optional Activities

    • Whitewater rafting - seasonal (excludes USD 10 national park fee) - USD 126
    • Jet boat - seasonal (excludes USD 10 national park fee) - USD 110
    • Traditional village tour - USD 55
    • Bridge tour - USD 68
    • Flying fox / bridge slide / zipline - USD 48
    • Bridge swing - USD 168
    • Helicopter flight 12 minutes (excludes USD 25 fuel and national park fee) - USD 150
    • Helicopter flight 25 minutes (excludes USD 30 fuel and national park fee) - USD 284
    • Standard sunset cruise (excludes USD 10 national park fee) - USD 45
    • River Song sunset cruise (excludes USD 10 national park fee) - USD 75
    Landmarks
    Victoria Falls
    Itinerary Image 1Itinerary Image 2
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Intrepid Travel

4.5
(11,995 reviews)

Number of tours

874

Age Range

5 to 99 years old

Response time

7 hours

Response rate

84%

Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and...

Read more

Sustainability Initiatives

Reduce Carbon Emissions

Animal Welfare

Supporting Destinations

Sustainability Programs

Other

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Traveler Reviews

4.4
Overall rating based on 13 Reviews
  • Itinerary
    3.0
  • Transport
    3.8
  • Guide
    2.7
  • Accommodation
    4.2
  • Food
    4.3
  • 4.5

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  • Essential Botswana reviewer 1
    August 2nd, 2024
    4
    The group was amazing, we all got along really well and made great memories!
    Traveled in July 2024
    Reply from: Intrepid Travel
    Thank you for taking the tome to post a review. We are delighted to know you group was amazing and that you got along well and made some amazing memories. We do hope you find another of our itineraries to your liking and we can welcome you on another of our adventures soon.
    Show more
  • O
    January 13th, 2020
    5
    I've never camped for that long before and it was an incredible experience! So glad I got to see so much of Botswana...
    Show more
    Traveled in December 2019
    Reply from: Intrepid Travel
    Thanks so much Omar!
    Show more
  • Essential Botswana reviewer 3
    December 6th, 2019
    3
    Intrepid tour problems: Day 6 and leader still doesn't know that there are 3 veggies for dinner. Leader doesn't know...
    Show more
    Traveled in November 2019
  • A
    September 18th, 2019
    5
    Great food, lots of assistance from the guides. Learnt a lot from everyone working on this tour including jay,...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2019
  • A
    September 18th, 2019
    4.5
    As a travel agent, knowing first-hand how genuine the experience is to local culture & sustainable travel/tourism....
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2019
  • A
    September 18th, 2019
    4.5
    It was everything that we wanted out of a Africa Safari trip. The team that we had was great everyone was friendly...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2019
  • A
    September 18th, 2019
    4
    Having guides such as Doc really gave a sense of authenticity.He does not only come from south Africa but knows 11...
    Show more
    Traveled in March 2019
  • A
    September 18th, 2019
    4.5
    Overall a really great trip, loved the small group size and itinerary.
    Traveled in January 2019
  • A
    September 18th, 2019
    4.5
    The itinerary packed in so much within the limited days and the guides David and Gift were fantastic always willing...
    Show more
    Traveled in January 2019
  • A
    September 18th, 2019
    5
    David and gift we’re amazing they made the trip so fun and I never felt unsafe or dissatisfied with anything Africa...
    Show more
    Traveled in January 2019

Dates & Availability

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2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
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2027

Jan
Feb
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Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
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1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
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    To Sunday
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Want to read it later?

Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline

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What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
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  • S

    Steven

    Asked on December 8th, 2023

    Can a 45 yr old go on this tour. I'm extremely active and fit.

    Age Range
    Tour Details
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten December 2023

      Unfortunately this trip is an age restricted tour which is only for travelers between the ages of 18-29. We can suggest you below tours which are similar and are not age restricted: Premium Botswana, Botswana Adventure, Botswana Highlights, Premium Botswana & Namibia

  • J

    Jess

    Asked on March 19th, 2023

    Is the tent provided in the campsites? I'm a single traveller do I have to build my own tent?

    Accommodation
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten March 2023

      Yes, you will need to assemble your own tent however your guide will teach you and assist on tour. On my Africa trip, I had some helpful new friends in my group pitch the tent with me.

  • L

    Luke

    Asked on January 25th, 2023

    do you still need the proof of vaccination certificate

    Travel Support
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten February 2023

      Currently, Intrepid no longer requires proof of vaccination to join our tours but different countries have different requirements that may change at any time. We would suggest checking frequently with government websites and embassies to ensure you meet entry requirements.

  • A

    Ashley

    Asked on January 10th, 2023

    Is there a lot of driving in this tour and do you offer one around botswana that starts and ends in Victoria Falls

    Tour Details
    Transport
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten March 2023

      Yes, you will be driving to each city included in the itinerary, and driving distance will vary daily. Our Botswana Highlights tour is Victoria Falls round trip.

  • J

    Judy

    Asked on June 27th, 2022

    We'll be in Vic falls around the 17th of July. We are looking to visit Livingstone, Zambia (1 night), Caprivi/Katima lilo, Namibia (1 night) and Chobe (1 night) then return to Zim. In Zim (17th-19th), we are looking for an evening river cruise, entry to the Vic falls park and possibly a meal at the Boma restaurant. If meals are included, they need to have vegan options. Also, due to a significant health issue, we would need as much shade from the sun as possible. Can you let us know your pricing for a package that includes transport, all transfers, 3-4 star accommodation and one game drive in Chobe. Can you also include a quote if we were to exclude Namibia? And one which includes the options mentioned in Zim?

    Accommodation
    Meals
    Price / Availability
    Tour Details
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten July 2022

      We don't have an itinerary that would suit your request. We do offer a tailor made service, but that requires a lead time of at least 12 weeks, and minimum of 2 travelers. We have a large variety of trips to these areas, though the nature of travel is quite varied (including things like trekking), as are the accommodations. With trips to this area, we typically offer accommodations that can range from tents in the desert and homestays, to basic hotels.

  • M

    Megan

    Asked on May 9th, 2022

    Do I need to fly between each country? How many flights does this involve besides the beginning and end of the tour?

    Flights / Transfers
    • Intrepid TravelOperatorWritten June 2022

      The transportations used on our Essential Botswana tour are Overland vehicles, Open safari vehicles, and Mokoro. This tour does not include any flights.

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Intrepid Travel with your enquiry, they usually respond within 7 hours.
From
$1,560
-5%
US $1,482 per person

Price based on Cheapest Room

Price based on Shared Room

Price based on Private Single Room

Price based on Private Double Room

Select Date

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
1 Adult2 Adults, 1 Child2 Children

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0
Save and compare this adventure

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 92945

  • Currencies
    P
    Pula
    Botswana
    $
    Namibia Dollar
    Namibia
    R
    Rand
    South Africa
    $
    US Dollar
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types D, M, G. As a traveler from England you will need an adaptor for types D, M. As a traveler from South Africa you will need an adaptor for type G.

    Type D
    Botswana
    Type M
    Botswana
    Type G
    Zimbabwe
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Botswana.Namibia.South Africa.Zimbabwe. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Botswana.Namibia.South Africa.Zimbabwe. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Botswana.Namibia.South Africa.Zimbabwe. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Botswana.Namibia.South Africa.Zimbabwe. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Rabies - Recommended for Botswana.Namibia.Zimbabwe. Ideally 1 month before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Botswana.Namibia.South Africa.Zimbabwe. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Cholera - Recommended for Namibia.South Africa.Zimbabwe. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before May 15th, 2026 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after May 15th, 2026, a minimum payment of $400 is required to confirm your booking with Intrepid Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Intrepid Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Intrepid Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.

Who is travelling?

AdultsAges 18 or above

2

ChildrenUnder 18

0

Select departure month

2026

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2027

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

2028

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec