A portion of this tour runs as a group tour where you will be escorted by an expert tour leader. Another portion is self-guided, whether conducted by rail, cruise or land, and you will travel between destinations on your own, with free time to explore at your own pace.
This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
These tours are our proudest creations. They have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for exact group size. Enjoy features such as hand-picked accommodation, a sampling of the region’s best culinary delights, and a range of optional activities to choose from to best suit your travel style.
✓ Add return international airfares from only $999 per person
✓ Small group safari experiences, up to 12 guests only
✓ Incredible sightseeing including the thundering power of Victoria Falls, thrilling game drives through Hwange, Chobe, Moremi, Okavango Delta & South Africa’s Kruger
✓ 18 nights boutique lodge accommodation, safari camps and 2 nights hotel accommodation in Johannesburg
✓ Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 11 dinners
✓ Internal flights from Kruger National Park to Maun, and Victoria Falls to Johannesburg with airport transfers
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transport throughout
✓ Escorted through Botswana and Zimbabwe by expert, English-speaking guides
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Upon arrival in Johannesburg, take the free shuttle bus to your hotel.
This morning you will be transferred to Hazyview to check in at Umbhaba Eco Lodge.
In the afternoon, before the sun sets in the African bushveld, your afternoon safari will depart from Umbhaba Eco lodge in Hazyview. Hopefully you will get to see the great predators like the leopard, cheetah, wild dogs and of course, the mighty lion.
Tonight, enjoy dinner back at your eco lodge.
Another Game Drive awaits in Kruger National Park. Visiting waterholes, and with local guides equipped with all the knowledge and experience of travelling the park, you will enjoy another stunning day in one of the best national parks in the country.
Transfer from your safari lodge to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in time to board your flight to Maun.
On arrival into Maun International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your lodge. Thamalakane River Lodge is located on the banks of the Thamalakane River outside of Maun en route to the famous Okavango Delta. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available at the Lodge.
Tonight at 6pm, meet your fellow travellers and guide in the hotel lobby for a tour briefing and what to expect over the next two weeks.
This morning after breakfast we head to Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique.
After checking into our safari camp, we enjoy an included dinner before a day of adventure tomorrow.
Today is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. We have the opportunity to stop at a secluded island to take an hour guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals living in this water filled paradise.
Return to safari camp for another included dinner to reflect on a great day of safari.
After breakfast we head south travelling via Maun to our camp which is situated in a private concession in the Greater Moremi area. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas.
Our accommodation for the next three days to experience Botswana’s finest game viewing areas is an unfenced, mobile bush camp closely located to Moremi Game Reserve. Twelve safari tents under Acacia trees, alongside a homely communal dining area is the perfect way to experience the surrounding wildlife.
Today, another full day on game drives await. On an open 4x4 vehicle we will explore the Greater Moremi area on both morning and afternoon game drives, including a night drive after dinner in which we hopefully see some rare nocturnal animals.
Today we head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.
Today we travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, leaving the bush behind us. Once a large river fed lake which has now become saline and empty. This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands and forms the Great Makgadikgadi which comprises the largest area of salt pans in the world, covering some 37,000 square km overall. We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.
This morning, we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary, which offers us the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. After breakfast, we continue our journey north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephants found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool.
First up this morning, we enter Chobe National Park itself for a spectacular game drive. After returning to the lodge for a late breakfast, we enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River mid afternoon. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, making for excellent up close photo opportunities.
After breakfast, we depart Botswana and make our way across the border into Zimbabwe and onto our lodge located in a private concession near Hwange National Park, where we will spend the next three nights in this wildlife-rich area. This afternoon you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows.
Over the following two days, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on game drives. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to massive herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffes. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife.
Today we enjoy another day of game drives in Hwange National Park. We will also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to witness the work that is done to protect these endangered species. During your stay, you can engage with the anti-poaching unit. Guests will learn what motivates these conservation warriors and can ask them any burning questions.
After breakfast we head back towards Victoria Falls. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available in Victoria Falls.
After breakfast today, you can explore Victoria Falls at leisure, including the town itself which hosts a range of activities from adventure to cultural experiences. This afternoon, we enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight to Johannesburg. After arriving, take the free shuttle bus to your hotel. Your evening will be at leisure.
After breakfast, take the free airport transfer to the airport in time for your flight home.
Inspiring Vacations has been globally recognized and awarded for its handling of COVID-19 during the pandemic. The safety and well-being of our guests are our highest concern during this time of uncertainty, and we are continuously monitoring the evolving COVID-19 situation.
We have adopted the advice of the WHO to ensure all customers can travel with the knowledge of how to travel safely and with confidence.
Australian owned and operated
We are proudly 100% Australian-owned and now operating across Australia, New Zealand, the United States, and Canada. Our head office is located in Melbourne, Victoria, with offices around the globe to provide you with 24/7 support while you travel. When you book with Inspiring Vacations, you'll receive the support of travel professionals who are committed to the mission of inspiring people everywhere to experience the world.
Cooling off period
If you change your mind within 7 days of making your booking online, you can request a refund of your initial deposit payment as part of our cooling-off period. Once your purchase date falls outside of the 7-day period, our standard terms and conditions will apply.
Please ensure that any request to cancel your booking is received via email to support@inspiringvacations.com, including the reason for cancellation.
We offer two payment options – the choice is yours. Our advertised price is based on our 'Pay in Full' option, which includes a discount by making full payment at the time of booking. Alternatively, choose our 'Installment Payment Plan' option for the flexibility of incremental payments, beginning with a low deposit.
Please click 'Book Now' and proceed to the payment page to select your preferred option under the heading ‘Choose how to pay’. The total due will be reflected accordingly.
Pay In Full Option:
Installment Payment Plan Option:
Booking Process
This package includes international airfares or has the option of adding international airfares to your booking when selecting your departure city.
If international airfares are included this will be stated in the ‘Inclusions’ section
Alternatively, if international airfares can be added to your booking you will be able to select your departure city after clicking ‘Book Now’ and a cost will be stated next to your selected departure city. This cost will then be added to your booking and flights will be added to your booking.
Conditions of flights for this package bookable by Inspiring Vacations:
Baggage
Included baggage differs based on your country of origin. Included baggage will be as per the following:
|
Country of Origin |
Carry-on Baggage |
Checked Baggage |
|
Australia |
7kgs |
20kgs |
|
New Zealand |
7kgs |
20kgs |
|
United States of America |
15lbs |
45lbs |
|
Canada |
15lbs |
45lbs |
|
India |
7kgs |
20kgs |
|
United Kingdom |
7kgs |
20kgs |
Baggage allowances provided by the airline might differ to the values stated above. However limitations are required due to transport storage restrictions on your selected tour or package.
Flight requests, amendments or preferences
We understand customers may wish to request changes to their included airfares. If you wish to fly with a certain airline, land at a certain time or change your flight in other ways we will gladly provide you with a personalised quote tailored to your specific requirements.
To make a flight request, please click ‘Book Now’ and select Would you like us to contact you around our flight service? By selecting this option you will be sent a request form after completing your purchase to make your request.
We would be more than happy to provide you with a quote for the following requests:
We are currently unable to provide a quote for the following requests:
If we can’t fulfill your request and you still wish to proceed with the booking, please select Land Only (excluding UK customers). This will allow you to travel on the land portion of the package without the included airfares. You will then be able to arrange your own flights separately.
FAQs
For more frequently asked questions please view our FAQs section.
Online check-in
Some airlines may not permit online check-in where flights have been booked by a travel company. Where unavailable to do so online, you will be required to check-in at the airport. Inspiring Vacations cannot check-in online on behalf of our customers.
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”3”
3 – Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
For our guests are above the age of 65 years, we require the medical declaration document to be signed by a medical practitioner confirming that the guests are fit (both physically and emotionally) to travel.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. Tipping is not compulsory on your trip, but they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry and is a welcome way to show your appreciation. If you feel that your guide/s and driver have done an impeccable job, you can choose to give a gratuity, but this is entirely your decision.
The suggested tipping amounts for Africa is AUD$5-7 per person per day for the guide and AUD$3 per person person day for your driver, to be paid in either local currency or USD, so you will need to convert your currency depending on your preference. Please note that this information is to be used as a guideline only and is subject to change based on the recommendations that we receive from our ground operator. Tipping is not compulsory and should be done at your discretion.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $2,637.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Tour Length
The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is recommended to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book Comprehensive or Essentials cover for your domestic, international or multi-trip journeys simply by clicking HERE.
Note that Inspiring Vacations cannot provide advice with regards to any insurance product.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Inspiring Vacations is not responsible for delays or missed portions of the holiday package resulting from incorrect travel documents or visas, or for denial of entry for not having the appropriate visa or valid passport.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
4-12 people
Children
Children must be 12 years old or above (subject to confirmation) and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
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