19 Day Ultimate African Safari
This tour features a combination of escorted and independent travel. Part of your journey will be enjoyed as a group experience, led by expert tour leaders or local guides. The remainder is self-guided—whether by rail, cruise, or overland—allowing you the freedom to travel between destinations independently and explore at your own pace.
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
Experience a superior level of comfort. Our Small Group tours have been crafted for Inspiring Vacations travellers exclusively, with personal and unique experiences in mind. Travel with no more than 26 people, allowing for a more personalised and immersive experience. Please see the Important Information on your selected tour for the exact group size.
✓ 18 nights 3 & 4 star hotels, lodge accommodation and safari camps with private facilities
✓ Airport transfers included on the first and last day of your tour
✓ Breakfast daily, 9 lunches and 13 dinners
✓ Game drives through Kruger National Park, The Okavango Delta, Chobe & Hwange National Park
✓ Witness the thundering power of Victoria Falls
✓ Internal flights from Kruger National Park to Maun, and Victoria Falls to Johannesburg
✓ Dedicated transport throughout
✓ Independent touring with included game drives in Kruger National Park (days 1-3)
✓ Fully escorted by professional, English-speaking guide through Botswana and Zimbabwe (days 4-17)
✓ Sightseeing including entry fees as per itinerary
✓ Option to add Cape Town with 21 Day Ultimate African Safari with Cape Town
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
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.
Welcome to Johannesburg and the start of your African adventure.
After collecting your luggage, make your way to your hotel.
The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Special Information
The standard check in is 2pm. Should you be arriving earlier in the day, the hotel can hold your luggage until your room is ready.
Airport transfers are included in your booking using the complimentary hotel shuttle. To access it, proceed to the shuttle bay located just outside the terminal, behind the Intercontinental Hotel.
This morning at 7am you will be met at the hotel by a local representative and transferred by road to your lodge.
On arrival, you will be greeted by a lodge representative, checked into your room and be given a briefing of your safari program for the next two days.
Maqueda Lodge is a small family owned boutique lodge on the outskirts of the park – so close to the world-famous Kruger National Park that guests frequently hear lions and other animals calling. Surrounded by the natural beauty of the African bush, it is not unusual to see giraffe and zebra roaming about the grounds and it is possible to walk unaccompanied to the Kruger fence line where you may see a variety of animals within Kruger come down to the Crocodile River.
In the afternoon, before the sun sets in the African bushveld, you will meet your expert safari guide in the lodge lobby before heading out into the Kruger National Park. 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.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
This morning, we begin our full-day game drive through Kruger National Park with an early start, accompanied by a sumptuous breakfast served during the safari. You’ll visit waterholes and, under the guidance of local experts with extensive knowledge of the park, enjoy another remarkable day in one of the country’s premier national parks.
Inspiring Highlights
Transfer from your safari lodge to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in time to board your flight to Maun.
On arrival at 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 6 pm, meet your fellow travellers and guide in the hotel lobby to commence the group touring portion of your trip. Your guide will provide a detailed tour briefing and what to expect over the next two weeks.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours, depending on flight connections.
Your flight will be unescorted.
For your comfort and safety during the land tour, luggage is strictly limited to a soft-shell suitcase, maximum 15 kg per person. This allows for optimal space and balance within the safari vehicle.
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.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
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 the safari camp for another included dinner to reflect on a great day of safari.
Inspiring Highlights
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.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
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.
Inspiring Highlights
Today, another full day on game drives awaits. 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.
Inspiring Highlights
Today we travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, leaving the bush behind us. Once a large river-fed lake, it 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.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours.
This morning we head to the Sowa pan where we can visit Nata Bird Sanctuary, with magnificent views of the pan, which is part of the Great Makgadikgadi Pans. 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.
Inspiring Highlights
Special Information
Access to the pans is dependent on road conditions, and during the dry season, lower water levels may limit bird activity in the area.
Your travel time today will be approximately 5 hours.
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.
Inspiring Highlights
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.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.
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.
Inspiring Highlights
Today we enjoy another day of game drives in Hwange National Park. Continue exploring this vast park and its varied topography. Seek out more sightings of your favourite species or perhaps see something new! The bush is always full of surprises.
Inspiring Highlights
Game drive in the Hwange National Park
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.
Special Information
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
After breakfast today, your guide will take you on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls. You will also have the opportunity to 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.
Inspiring Highlights
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your included flight to Johannesburg.
On arrival, please make your own way to your hotel, using the free shuttle bus.
Special Information
Your included flight allows one checked bag up to 20kg (44 lbs), and one 8kg (17 lbs) carry-on. Your flight will be unescorted.
Flight time will be approximately 2 hours
Depending on your flight details you have some time at leisure before it is time to head to the airport for your flight back home.
Thank you for travelling with Inspiring Vacations. We hope you had a memorable experience.
Special Information
Check out: Check-out time is generally between 10am-12pm. You are welcome to leave your luggage at the hotel reception and spend your final moments of free time exploring the area or alternatively please speak with hotel staff if you would like to extend your check-out time.
Airport transfers are included in your booking. A complimentary hotel shuttle is available every 15 minutes, providing convenient transport between the hotel and the airport for your onward journey.
Secure your trip with a $999.00 deposit per person.
Once we receive your deposit, we will send you an invoice with your remaining balance and payment options.
Instalment Schedule:
Travelling in Africa
Travelling by road in Africa can include some long travel days. Road quality can vary from comfortable sealed roads to rough & bumpy dirt roads. Distances covered can be in excess of 300 km (180 miles) per day or more than 6 hours journey time, subject to the road conditions.
Luggage
Due to limited storage capacity of your safari vehicle, we ask that luggage is kept to a manageable amount in a small soft bag – 15kg (33 pounds) max. Hard suitcases are not suitable. It is also recommended to bring a day pack for use throughout the day.
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 $1,853.00 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.
Group Size
4-14 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.
South Africa has implemented regulations for families travelling into or out of the country with children under the age of 18. Minors are required to have an unabridged birth certificate reflecting the particulars of the parents of the child.
Age Limits
Due to the physical nature of this trip and the remote locations visited, there is an age limit of 80 years. Every client over the age of 65 is required to submit a medical certificate or self-declaration of medical fitness before the start of the tour (please request this form from your travel consultant).
This package is sold as land only, however you do have the option of adding domestic & international airfares to your booking. Simply click on’ book now’, and under upgrades , you will be asked “Would you like us to contact you around our flight service?”. By selecting this option Inspiring Vacations will contact you to discuss adding flights to your chosen destination. We can then assist with turning your booking into a flight inclusive package.
Upon completing the purchase of your package and fulfilling the following booking requirements, you will be granted access to our flight portal via your Traveller Hub.
Once these criteria have been met, access will be made available to you via Traveller Hub to book your flights via our flight portal.
The following requests are able to be processed through the online flight portal:
The online flight portal is unable to process the following requests and you must book these yourself independently:
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.
Click HERE for more information on weather in South Africa.
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