ESBT Highlights of Southern Africa September/October 2024

***SOLD OUT**** Email me to be added to waitlist.

Are you ready to explore some of Southern Africa? From chasing waterfalls to animal spotting on safaris to sipping wine, my ESBT Highlights of Southern Africa adventure is packed full of incredible experiences. Won’t you join me?

About the Trip

ESBT Highlights of Southern Africa is a group trip in partnership with Intrepid Travel and will run from September 23^rd– October 4^th, 2024. We will visit three countries in 12 days starting at the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. From there we head south to Botswana for safaris and wildlife spotting, then onto South Africa where we finish in Cape town with some sight-seeing and a full-day winery tour.

This is an adventure itinerary so you can expect 3* accommodation in most places but we will also spend 2 nights wild camping in the Okavango Delta; a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience to spend time up and close to the wildlife, but it does mean we need to rough it!

If you are looking for something more upscale, take a look at my Premium Kenya group trip running September 8-15, 2024.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Included in the pricing of this trip are all breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 5 dinners. All accommodation, activities, and transportation per the itinerary (including the flight to Cape Town) is included as well.

Anything extra not included in the itinerary will be an additional cost. This includes some meals, your international flights, travel insurance, visas if required, tips, and any additional activities you choose to add on.  

Note that we do not have a single guide for the entire duration of this trip but we will have a guide every day. We will have a mix of local guides for days 1 &2 and then 10-12 and a dedicated guide for days 3-9.

Itinerary

Day 1: Sept 23, 2024-Victoria Falls

On arrival at Vic Falls Airport, you will be met by your local guide and transferred through to your accommodation. The estimated travelling time is 30min. You will have today at your leisure for optional activities which are all booked and paid for locally. Meet Hannah and the rest of the group at 6pm in the hotel lobby for a meet & greet and optional group dinner.

Optional Activities:

• Village and township tours
• Gorge Swing
• Flying Fox
• Helicopter Flight of the falls
• Optional tours to Zambia
• White River Rafting
• Boma Dinner and Drum Show

Day 2: Sept 24, 2024-Victoria Falls

This morning we will enjoy a Private Tour of Victoria Falls with our local guide: one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

The rest of the day is at leisure for optional activities which are all booked and paid for locally (see list above).

Day 3:  Sept 2024- Chobe

Check out and meet your leader/driver who will accompany you throughout Botswana. This afternoon enjoy a cruise along the picturesque Chobe River, an ideal location for spotting bird life as well as hippos, crocodiles and large families of elephants often seen crossing the river between the boats. You will be joined by other travellers on the boat cruise. Enjoy a drink on board and watch the sunset.

Day 4: 26 Sept 2024-Chobe & Nata

Start the day with a game drive through Chobe National Park, the first designated national park in Botswana. Chobe is known for its huge population of elephants and buffalo.Then head back to the lodge for breakfast before checking out and making our way to Nata.

We hit the road for Nata (approximately 6 hours). This small town is situated near the stunning Makgadikgadi Salt Pans which are some of the largest on earth, covering around 12,000 square kilometres. This afternoon, take the opportunity to explore the salt pans in an open vehicle. They are naturally dry and salty for a large part of the year, and during this time, the arid landscape has an eerie feel to it as the shimmering mirages disorientate the senses.

Day 5: 27 Sept 2024- Maun

We check out after breakfast and make our way to Maun, (approximately 4 hours). This town is the gateway to one of the world’s most famous and most complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta. The afternoon and evening is at leisure.

Optional Activities

• Okavango Delta – Helicopter Scenic Flight – From USD220-USD450 – USD450
• Okavango Delta – Plane Scenic Flight – From USD100-USD390 – USD390

Day 6: 28 Sept 2024- Okavango Delta

Travel into the unspoiled wilderness for an adventurous camping experience. The Okavango Delta is unlike anything in the world – a 16,000 square kilometre maze of wetlands made up of meandering waterways, green islands, lush plains and prolific wildlife. The delta is filled with a diversity of flora and fauna that includes hippos, crocodiles, elephants and big cats. But it’s not the animals that are the main attraction – it’s the incredible ecosystem. You’ll explore the waterways by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe navigated by friendly local ‘polers’. You’ll also spend some time exploring on foot with your experienced and knowledgeable guides. Camp on a remote island in the heart of the wild. Toilets will be dug and there are no showers. Hear the nocturnal creatures of the African bush come to life as the sun goes down.

Day 7: 29 Sept 2024-Okavango Delta

It’s an early start this morning as you venture out for a sunrise walk, hoping to catch a glimpse of some elephants and perhaps the fascinating and rather noble-looking Cape buffalo. Return to camp to enjoy some breakfast and reect on the morning’s viewing with your fellow travellers. As it warms up, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax. You might like to take a refreshing swim. There is also the option of an afternoon walk or another mokoro trip. You may notice that the mokoros of today are made with fiberglass but retain their original shape – this strikes a balance between tradition and sustainability.

Optional Activities

• Okavango Delta – Mokoro safari
• Okavango Delta – Afternoon Walk

 

Day 8: 30 Sept 2024-Maun

After taking down your camp, it’s time to return the mokoro to the poling station and board the vehicle once again. Travel back to Maun (approximately 2–3 hours). Today, we will tour a local brewery that uses millet grown by small- scale farmers in their beer production. By doing so, they support these farmers’ efforts to coexist with elephants and promote an inclusive economy. This initiative not only promotes sustainable farming practices but also contributes to the region’s wildlife economy, adding to the benefits.

Day 9: 1 Oct 2024- Cape Town

We transfer to Maun Airport for your included flight to Cape Town.  Arrive Cape Town in the afternoon. On arrival at Cape Town International Airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel. Evening is at leisure.

Day 10: 2 Oct 2024-Cape Town

This morning, travel down the spectacular coast to rugged Cape Peninsula. Some of the highlights including Clifton Beach, Camps Bay, Cape Point Nature Reserve, the Cape of Good Hope and the Boulders Beach Penguins. Don’t forget to bring a camera!

This afternoon we summit Table Mountain via Cape Car. Please note that this activity is weather dependent and may have to be moved to afternoon or day 3 depending on the weather conditions.

The rest of the evening is at leisure.

Day 11: 3 Oct 2024-Cape Town

Spend a full day travelling the beautiful Cape Winelands, visiting both colonial and more recent estates for a taste of the region’s best wines. The Winelands region features almost 100 different estates, of which the group will visit three today.

Start off with a cellar tour and a wine tasting at Hidden Valley Estate in the Stellenbosch area. There is also the option of adding a chocolate and wine pairing experience for an additional fee. After learning more about the region’s wine, visit the college town of Stellenbosch. Take an hour to wander the boulevards and town center, then head to the hills and visit Franschhoek. The view of the valley from here, which is lined with manicured rows of vineyards, is spectacular. Soak up the scenery and enjoy a ne wine from La Cabriere Estate. While here, perhaps take the opportunity to lunch at the estate’s gourmet restaurant, or choose to dine at one of the village’s many cafés instead.

In the afternoon, enjoy a relaxing drive to Paarl, driving past the Groot Drakenstein Prison, where Nelson Mandela was released in February 1990. Arrive at Fairview Estate for more wine and cheese tastings before returning Cape Town.

Day 12: 4 Oct 2024-Cape Town

Today your trip comes to an end. A departure transfer to Cape Town Airport will be arranged for your departure according to your flight schedule

Cost of the Trip

In order to keep costs as low as possible I offer tiered pricing. This means the more people who join, the cheaper it gets. We will need a minimum of 7 travellers (+ me) to run this trip and I will bring a maximum of 12. The goal is to get as many people on for cheaper prices but when you agree you need to be comfortable paying the highest rate. 

Please note that all pricing is in Canadian dollars and based on double occupancy. Single supplement is available for an additional cost. Note that single supplement is only if you want a private room. Otherwise, you will be paired with a fellow traveller in our group.

Cost per person:

*Sold out*

How to Book

The trip is officially open for sale now. It is first come first serve so please email me at: hannahlogan21@gmail.com and include the following details:

This is going to be an incredible adventure to explore some of the highlights of Southern Africa and I hope you join me!

As always, please feel free to get in touch if you have any questions. You can reach out through email or social media.