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Embark on an action-packed, teen-friendly adventure in south east Africa. On this 10-day trip, you’ll witness the thundering spectacle of Victoria Falls, say hello to some new friends at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, explore the Okavango Delta in a traditional canoe and watch elephants drinking from the Chobe River. Pack plenty of spare camera batteries, because this trip is one for the photo album – brimming with wildlife encounters and set against the rich landscapes of the Okavango Delta and the Marakele and Chobe National Parks, this is a safari you and the kids won’t soon forget!
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Sarah
Petra
CharlotteWelcome to Africa! Your adventure begins at Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. You'll have a welcome meeting at 2 pm, where you’ll meet your trip leader and the other families who will be joining you for your adventure. After, you’ll start exploring this thundering curtain of water – about 1708 m (5600 ft) wide, falling 108 m (354 m) into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray can rise up to an incredible 400 m (1312 ft) and the Falls become an impressive, raging torrent. In the dry season, the view of the Falls is unobstructed by spray, and you can see little islets in the river below. If you arrive early, don’t hesitate to get out and start exploring on your own! You can choose from a range of activities and excursions, including whitewater rafting, canoeing and helicopter flights.
Have breakfast and pack up camp, then travel to Chobe National Park. Botswana's first national park, Chobe is perhaps best known for its high concentration of elephants, which can often be seen swimming in the Chobe River. The river also attracts wallowing hippos, cheetahs and lions in search of a drink, crocodiles lying in the sun by the water's edge and a variety of birdlife like the white-backed night heron, vibrant Schalow's turaco and the western banded snake eagle. Later, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River – a relaxing way to spend the afternoon with the family.
Head out on an exciting game drive through Chobe National Park. You might spot cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, buffalo, lions and antelopes. Then, hit the road and make your way to Nata, where you'll spend the evening at Elephant Sands Lodge. A natural waterhole right in front of the lodge is a popular spot for the local elephants, who frequently come for a drink. Watch these incredible creatures whilst they drink only a couple of meters away from you – a moment you and the kids are sure to remember. Keep an eye out for the other wildlife that roams this unfenced 16,000 ha private conservancy, including buffalo, lions, giraffes, wild dogs, hyena, steenbok, leopards and kudu.
Get ready for another long travelling day on the road to Maun, the gateway to one of the world's most renowned and complex ecosystems – the Okavango Delta. This 16,000-sq-km maze of wetlands is made up of meandering waterways, green islands, lush plains and prolific wildlife. You might see hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats. Tonight, you'll stay at a campsite on the outskirts of Maun. Get some rest as camp tonight – tomorrow morning, you’re heading into the Delta for a full day of cruising and exploring.
Cruise around the waterways of the Okavango Delta by mokoro – a traditional dugout canoe navigated by friendly local 'polers'. With some luck, you might spot some of the Delta's rare wildlife including hippos, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, buffalo and an abundance of birdlife (there are more than 560 recorded bird species here!). Spend time exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams on foot, led by experienced and knowledgeable guides. Tonight, you’ll camp on a remote island in the heart of the Okavango wilderness. In this remote spot, facilities aren't available – this means digging a bush toilet and going without a shower (all part of the Okavango experience). At night, fall asleep to the humming and buzzing of the African wilderness.
Wake up early and head out for a sunrise walk. Along the way, keep an eye out for elephants and maybe even some Cape buffalo, if the timing is right. These rather noble-looking creatures are more dangerous than they look, and their horns make for a kind of bone shield that's fittingly known as a 'boss'. Return to camp for breakfast, then enjoy free time for the rest of the day. You might like to take the opportunity to relax at camp, or you could take another mokoro trip to soak up more of the delightful river atmosphere.
After breakfast, take a mokoro back to the poling station. Then, continue to Maun, where you’ll have a free day at the campsite. There’s the option to go on a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta, where you'll get a bird's-eye view of the shimmering waterways and lush landscapes – a captivating perspective of one of the world's most unique ecosystems.
Embrace another early morning start as you hit the road to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. Situated on the edge of the Kalahari Desert, this former hunting area has now been turned into a conservation project. Built to protect Botswana's only remaining populations of both black and white rhinos, the sanctuary is also home to other wildlife including zebras, giraffes, leopards, ostriches and wildebeest, all of which can be seen around the many natural waterholes. Your visit to this project supports local communities and contributes to the protection of the white rhinoceros. Later, head out on a dusk game drive to see the rhinos when they’re at their most active.
Leaving Botswana behind, cross the border into South Africa and arrive at Marakele National Park in the afternoon. This national park has diverse terrain, making it easy to spot a variety of wildlife – you might see gemsbok, mongoose, African wild cats, black-backed jackals, warthogs, a range of birdlife and maybe even a black-maned lion, if you’re lucky. If time allows, you’ll go on an afternoon game drive in the park before settling into camp for your final night in the wilderness.
After breakfast, drive to Johannesburg. You’ll arrive in the late afternoon, bringing you to the end of your trip. If you'd like to extend your stay in Johannesburg, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.
1. Please note that these trips are for adults and children travelling together and there must be at least one child under 18 with you. 2. Minimum age for children on this trip is 10 years old. 3. CHILD PRICE: Children aged 17 years and under at time of travel on this trip, are eligible to receive 20% off the full adult price. 4. This trip starts at 2PM on Day 1 with a group meeting at the campsite followed by a visit to Victoria Falls. On the last day you will arrive into Johannesburg late in the afternoon on Day 10. We recommend you don't book any departing flights until 8PM onwards. 5. It is a requirement that all children aged 17 or under travel with an original or certified copy of their full, unabridged birth certificate when entering or leaving the country. Any parents who aren't travelling will need to provide a legal document giving their consent for the child to travel. 6. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer to have your own room/tent on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information. 7. Camping accommodation on tihs trip is mainly in two-person canvas dome tents with camping mattresses supplied. A sleeping bag is not included but is available for hire if you do not wish to bring your own. Please advise your booking agent if you would like to hire a sleeping bag. Pillows and towels are not provided when camping. 8. During this trip you can upgrade to a lodge/hotel at the campgrounds we are staying in along the way with the exception of our time in the Okavango Delta (Days 5 & 6). If you wish to upgrade you can organise this directly during the trip with your leader and pay locally. Prices start at BWP 740 per person. All updates are subject to availability. 9. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.
LUGGAGE LIMIT The luggage weight limit is maximum 20kg per person, but we recommend packing as lightly as possible. Day bags with items you'll need throughout the day/drives (phones, money, sunscreen, water bottles, etc.) can be stored near your seat on the overhead shelf or, on some trucks, in pockets in the seat in front of you. Each traveller will have a locker on the truck to store valuables like passports and items that you don't need during the drive. Locker sizes vary by truck, with an average size of 18 inches wide, 10 inches high, and 26 inches deep. You will need to bring your own lock. We recommend a 20-30mm sized padlock. Larger luggage can be stored in the compartments under the truck, but you won’t have access to it until you set up camp. We recommend backpacks or duffel bags, as large framed suitcases can be difficult to fit, especially when the truck is at full capacity. Please contact your booking consultant if you think you will have issues with this luggage limitation. On this trip, you will leave your main luggage behind for up to two nights at a time, taking with you everything you need in a smaller bag. Please ensure you have a small backpack or duffel bag for this purpose. CLOTHING - Lightweight, long shirts and pants for protection against the sun and insects. -Comfortable clothing for hot weather; shorts, t-shirts, activewear. - Closed-toed comfortable walking shoes to protect your feet in wilderness areas and campsites. - Water shoes or sandals suitable for wearing in the shower and during water activities. - Light waterproof/windproof jacket for rain and wind. - Fleece or jumper/sweater for cooler mornings/evenings. - Sun protection – sunglasses and securable sunhat. - Swimming costume. - Sarong, scarf, or buff for dusty roads and cooler temps. - Nightwear, especially if travelling on twin-share. - Beanie. TOILETRIES & PERSONAL CARE - Sunscreen - biodegradable, reef-safe, and waterproof if available. - Biodegradable shampoo, conditioner, soap, detergent, etc. - Toiletries - toothbrush, toothpaste, razor, nail clippers, etc. - Towel or travel towel. - Tropical strength insect repellent. - Antiseptic hand sanitizer. - Personal medical kit. Your guide will carry a large kit, but we recommend you carry items such as mild painkillers, electrolytes, anti-diarrhea, antibacterial gel, wet wipes, after-sun, band aids/plasters, etc. ELECTRONICS - Power bank or spare batteries. - Charging cords and necessary adapters for the countries you're visiting. - Head torch (recommended) or flashlight. LUGGAGE & SLEEPING GEAR - A smaller backpack to take with you on day excursions. - Sleeping bag: A 3-4 season from June to August, or if you are traveling to desert and mountainous regions due to colder temperatures. Otherwise, a two-season sleeping bag should suffice. Available for hire (pre-booked at least 14 days before departure). - Pillow or travel pillow. - Sleep sheet which can be used in addition to your sleeping bag for extra warmth or used alone if it’s hot. - Overnight bag that can hold 2 nights' worth of clothes and personal items. - Earplugs. OTHER ITEMS - Reusable water bottle (min 1 litre). Our vehicles have large tanks of treated water to refill bottles. - Camera. OPTIONAL EXTRAS - Camping mat (in addition to the one provided) for added comfort. - String and pegs for drying handwashed clothes. - Reusable dry bags to keep your belongings and clothes dry. - Binoculars. TOP TIPS - Ex-military or military style clothing and equipment is NOT recommended. - Pack layers to add or remove as the temperatures fluctuate throughout the day. - Wear neutral-colored clothing while on safari to blend in with the environment and avoid disturbing wildlife. - Account for your personal temperature preferences—if you tend to run hot or cold, pack accordingly to stay comfortable. LAUNDRY Some campsites located on hotel grounds offer laundry services, but this is not guaranteed due to limited time and availability on overland tours in Africa. Be prepared to handwash your clothes at campsites, as most provide simple facilities for this. We recommend bringing non-polluting, biodegradable soap and a roll of string to create a drying line for your clothes. If you arrive late in the afternoon or face poor weather, drying your clothes completely may not be possible. Laundry services may also be available at your start/end hotel for a fee. VALUABLES Please try to avoid bringing unnecessary valuables. Use your hotel safe and the lockers on the overland truck to store the bulk of your money, passport, and airline tickets. It’s also a good idea to purchase a money belt or pouch that is easily hidden. We strongly recommend that you photocopy all important documents e.g. air tickets, passport, vaccination certificate, etc. and keep the copies separate from the originals. While not valid, a photocopy makes it very much easier to obtain replacements if necessary. POWER Our overland vehicles are equipped with power sockets to use while on the road. Charging you personal items may be restricted if there is a risk of draining the vehicle’s batteries. Some camps will have powered sites where you can recharge your devices when not on the road. We recommend bringing a power bank and a universal travel adapter. If your devices are not compatible with different voltages, you may also need a voltage converter. DRESS CONSIDERATIONS FOR WOMEN AND GENDER-DIVERSE TRAVELLERS In certain parts of Africa, we recommend women and gender-diverse travellers dress in a way that respects local customs and traditions. While there’s a wide range of cultural practices, we recommend packing a few items like skirts or shorts that reach just above the knee, tops that cover the shoulders, or cover-ups when stepping off the beach in coastal areas. Your leader will be able to advise you on when it is appropriate to dress more conservatively. SLEEPING BAGS: You will be required to bring your own sleeping bag on this trip.
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