8 Days Southern Africa Safari and Okavango Trips

Your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips adventure begins with a warm welcome at Cape Town International Airport, followed by a 30-minute transfer to your accommodation in the vibrant city center near the V&A Waterfront. This Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips journey starts with an afternoon ascent of iconic Table Mountain (locally known as "Hoerikwaggo" by the indigenous Khoi people), either by hiking the 2-hour Platteklip Gorge route or via the revolving cable car. After enjoying panoramic views from 1,085 meters above sea level, your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips experience continues with a welcome dinner at a waterfront restaurant showcasing Cape Malay cuisine, preparing you for the adventures that lie ahead.

Day two of your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips focuses on exploring the magnificent Cape Peninsula, beginning with an 8:00 AM departure for the scenic 65 km coastal drive to Cape Point, along what locals call "Die Blou Dam Pad" (The Blue Dam Road). Your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips expedition includes stops at the charming fishing harbor of Hout Bay, the African penguin colony at Boulders Beach, and the dramatic sea cliffs of Cape Point Nature Reserve, where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. The afternoon portion of your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips day features a visit to the historic Cape of Good Hope, followed by a return journey through the picturesque Chapman's Peak Drive before arriving back at your accommodation approximately 8 hours after departure.

Your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips journey transitions today with a morning flight from Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (2-hour flight), followed by a 90-minute transfer to your lodge situated in the southern section of the 19,485 square kilometer Kruger National Park, known locally as "Skukuza" after its first warden. This exciting phase of your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips begins with an afternoon game drive in an open safari vehicle through the acacia-dotted savanna, where your expert guide introduces you to the remarkable biodiversity of an area that hosts 147 mammal species and 517 bird species. Your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips day concludes with a traditional South African braai (barbecue) dinner while listening to the nocturnal sounds of the bush from your luxury accommodation.

Wake before dawn on your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips to depart at first light (approximately 5:30 AM during summer months) for a full-day game drive through the varied landscapes of central Kruger, known to local rangers as "Nkulu" (Great) territory. Your immersive Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips experience today includes traversing approximately 150 km of prime wildlife habitat, from the open plains around Satara to the riverine forests of the Sabie River, with dedicated stops for wildlife viewing and a picnic lunch at one of the park's scenic rest camps. The afternoon Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips activity continues with more game viewing opportunities, focusing on finding members of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo) before returning to your lodge in time for dinner and fireside stories about conservation efforts in the region.

Day five of your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips features a morning transfer to the adjacent Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a 65,000-hectare private wilderness sharing an unfenced border with Kruger National Park and known locally as "Ingwe" (Leopard) territory due to its high concentration of these elusive cats. Your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips adventure today includes afternoon and evening game drives with skilled trackers who can follow wildlife off-road, providing exceptional viewing opportunities as nocturnal creatures emerge in the golden light of sunset. The highlight of today's Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips experience is the night drive with spotlight, offering rare glimpses of elusive species like aardvark, serval, and bushbaby before returning to your exclusive lodge for a sumptuous dinner under the African stars.

Your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips journey continues with a morning transfer back to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for your flight to Maun, Botswana (approximately 2 hours), the gateway to the extraordinary Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta covering 15,000 square kilometers. This transition in your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips adventure includes a 20-minute light aircraft transfer from Maun to your remote tented camp situated in the heart of the delta, known to locals as "Okavango Noka," offering aerial views of the intricate waterways and wildlife below. Your afternoon Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips experience features settling into your luxury accommodation and an orientation game drive or boat cruise (water levels permitting) to introduce you to this unique ecosystem that supports over 200,000 large mammals and 400 bird species.

Immerse yourself fully in the Okavango experience as your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips adventure continues with a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion gliding silently through papyrus-lined channels of the delta, locally referred to as "Diphuduhudu" (hidden waters). Your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips day includes approximately 3 hours exploring the delta's waterways with an expert poler who navigates the shallow waters while pointing out tiny reed frogs, water lilies, and the abundant birdlife that makes this UNESCO World Heritage site so special. The afternoon portion of your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips features a guided walking safari on one of the delta's many islands, where you might encounter elephants, zebras, and giraffes before returning to camp for sundowners overlooking the floodplains teeming with red lechwe antelope.

The final day of your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips begins with an early morning game drive to an area known locally as "Moremi" (Chief's Island), approximately 45 minutes from camp, offering one last opportunity to encounter the delta's remarkable wildlife. Your Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips experience concludes with a hearty brunch back at camp before your light aircraft transfer to Maun Airport (20-minute flight), where you'll connect with your international departure flight. As your unforgettable Southern Africa Safari and Okavango trips journey ends, you'll carry home memories of two countries, three distinct ecosystems, and countless wildlife encounters that showcase the incredible biodiversity of southern Africa.