Southern Africa Encompassed: Self-Launched Bush Camps & Wildlife Spotting
15 days · South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe
G Adventures charges £1,839
No-markup version: ~£1,105 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, independent version of G Adventures' 15-day "Southern Africa Encompassed: Bush Camps & Wildlife Spotting" loop from Johannesburg through Botswana and Zimbabwe. Same route, same experiences — Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a mokoro and bush-camp night in the Okavango Delta, Chobe's elephants, Victoria Falls, Mapungubwe/Mapesu and a full day in Kruger — but booked yourself using public and shared transport, local operators and hostel/campsite accommodation. Expect long travel days, early starts and plenty of dirt roads: budget overland travel, not luxury safari. All costs are rough per-person estimates in GBP, excluding international flights.
Day-by-day
Arrive Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Fly into O.R. Tambo International and take the Gautrain or an airport shuttle to a hostel in Melville or Maboneng (about £5-8). Spend the afternoon acclimatising, then use the evening to sort out a Botswana SIM/eSIM, draw cash (ZAR and USD — Zimbabwe runs on USD and older notes are refused), and stock up on a sleeping bag, headtorch and padlock if you didn't bring them. If you have energy, the Apartheid Museum (about £9) is worthwhile.
🚌Gautrain/shuttle from O.R. Tambo (~£5-8)
🛏Hostel in Melville or Maboneng, dorm bed (£12-18)
- →Settle in and buy supplies
- →Optional: Apartheid Museum
Johannesburg to Serowe (via Groblersbrug/Martins Drift)
Serowe, Botswana
A long travel day. Take an Intercape or Greyhound-style coach from Johannesburg's Park Station to Gaborone (about 5-6 hrs, £18-25), cross into Botswana, then continue north by shared minibus-taxi or local bus to Serowe (about 4-5 hrs, £10-14). Alternatively, break the journey with a night in Gaborone. Pay the USD 30 Botswana tourism levy at the border. Camp or stay in a simple guesthouse near the Khama Rhino Sanctuary gate.
🚌Coach Joburg–Gaborone (~£20) + shared taxi/bus Gaborone–Serowe (~£12)
🛏Khama Rhino Sanctuary campsite (own/hired tent, ~£8-12) or Serowe guesthouse
- →Cross into Botswana at Martins Drift
- →Set up camp under the stars
Khama Rhino Sanctuary & on to Maun
Maun, Botswana
Book a two-hour open-vehicle game drive in Khama Rhino Sanctuary directly at the sanctuary gate (about £25-30) — a reliable place to see white rhino. Then take the local bus or shared combi north to Maun (about 6-7 hrs, £12-16). Maun is the gateway to the Okavango; use the evening to confirm your Delta trip with a local mokoro operator (Maun's Old Bridge area has plenty, or pre-book via GetYourGuide) and buy food for the bush.
🚌Local bus/shared combi Serowe–Maun (~£14)
🛏Maun backpackers/campsite, dorm £10-15
- →Khama Rhino Sanctuary game drive
- →Organise Okavango Delta logistics in Maun
Into the Okavango Delta by mokoro
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Head out early with a local poler-guide for a two-day/two-night Delta excursion: a slow glide through reeds and channels in a traditional mokoro dugout canoe with birdwatching en route, a guided walking safari to learn animal tracking, and a night at a basic fly-camp on an island. Carry in water and food, expect no facilities and no signal, and remember to tip your polers (50-100 BWP / £4-7 each).
🚌Mokoro (dugout canoe) and walking
🛏Basic bush camp in the Delta (fly-camp, no facilities)
- →Mokoro canoe excursion
- →Guided bush walk and animal tracking
- →Island bush camping
Delta sunrise, back to Maun, on to Nata
Nata, Botswana
Wake for sunrise over the Delta, mokoro back out and return to Maun for a hot shower. Then take a shared minibus or bus east to Nata (about 3 hrs, £6-9) and camp under the baobabs at a local campsite (Nata Lodge or similar backpacker-friendly spot, £8-12). If you have a free afternoon, the Nata Bird Sanctuary is a cheap detour in the pans.
🚌Mokoro + shared minibus Maun–Nata (~£8)
🛏Nata campsite or budget lodge, £8-12
- →Delta sunrise
- →Shower stop in Maun
- →Baobab camping at Nata
Nata to Kasane — Chobe at golden hour
Kasane, Botswana
Take the bus or shared taxi on to Kasane (about 4 hrs, £7-10), on the Chobe River and home to the densest elephant population in southern Africa. Book the classic Chobe sunset boat cruise (from about £35-45 direct with a Kasane operator, or via GetYourGuide) or a Chobe game drive (£40-55) — the cruise is the better value for elephants and birds. Camp in Kasane near the river.
🚌Bus/shared taxi Nata–Kasane (~£8)
🛏Kasane campsite/backpackers, £10-15
- →Chobe River sunset cruise
- →Optional Chobe National Park game drive
Kasane to Victoria Falls via Kazungula
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Cross into Zimbabwe at Kazungula (pay for the Zimbabwe visa/entry fee on arrival in USD if applicable) and take a shared taxi or minibus the short hop to Victoria Falls town (about £5-8). Drop bags, then walk to the Zimbabwean side of the falls in the late afternoon — entry is about USD 50 (£40) — and get soaked by the spray. Eat at a local spot or the Lusumpuko Women's Club-style community restaurant for a home-cooked lunch or dinner.
🚌Shared taxi/minibus Kazungula–Victoria Falls (~£6)
🛏Backpackers/hostel in Victoria Falls town, dorm £12-18
- →Cross the Kazungula border
- →Victoria Falls viewing (Zimbabwe side)
- →Community-run lunch/dinner
Victoria Falls adventure day
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Free day to pick your adrenaline level. Options booked directly: whitewater rafting on the Zambezi (about £95-120), a 15-minute helicopter flight over the falls (£120-180), bungee off the Vic Falls bridge (£130-160), or a zipline (£40). For a cheaper day, walk the rainforest trail for wildlife and spray views, visit the local craft market, or do a sunset drink at the Lookout Café. Book any water activity with a licensed operator — the town's activity desks all sell the same handful of companies.
🚌Walking and local taxi (~£5)
🛏Backpackers/hostel in Victoria Falls town, dorm £12-18
- →Optional: whitewater rafting
- →Optional: helicopter flight over the falls
- →Optional: bungee jump or zipline
- →Rainforest trail walk
Victoria Falls to Francistown area
Francistown area, Botswana
Long transit day south. Cross back into Botswana at Kazungula and take a coach or shared minibus via Nata toward Francistown (about 8-9 hrs in total, £14-20). Break the drive rather than rushing — an overnight camp just north of Francistown keeps the day manageable. Bring snacks; roadside food stops are your best bet for lunch.
🚌Coach/shared minibus Victoria Falls–Francistown (~£17)
🛏Campsite/guesthouse north of Francistown, £9-14
- →Border crossing back into Botswana
- →Camp under the open sky
Francistown to Mapungubwe & guided bush walk
Mapungubwe / Mapesu area, South Africa
Continue south, crossing back into South Africa at Martins Drift/Groblersbrug (about 4-5 hrs to the Mapungubwe area, £10-15). Stay at a camp or guesthouse in the Mapesu/Mapungubwe area and arrange a guided bush walk in the surrounding private reserve directly with your host or the reserve gate (about £25-35) — a proper on-foot look at elephant, leopard country and outstanding birdlife. Carry a packed lunch for the road.
🚌Bus/shared transport Francistown–Mapungubwe (~£12)
🛏Mapungubwe-area campsite/guesthouse, £12-18
- →Cross into South Africa at Martins Drift
- →Guided bush walk in Mapesu Private Reserve
Mapungubwe National Park
Mapungubwe National Park, South Africa
Spend the day in Mapungubwe National Park (SANParks entry about £15-20). Visit the Interpretation Centre and Museum to learn about the ancient kingdom that produced the golden rhino, have a picnic where the Limpopo meets the Shashe, and take a self-drive or a SANParks-guided morning game drive. In the evening, join a night drive in the private reserve near camp (£20-30) for a chance at nocturnal wildlife — book locally.
🚌Self-arranged game drive vehicle/driver (~£12 shared)
🛏Mapungubwe-area campsite/guesthouse, £12-18
- →Mapungubwe Interpretation Centre and Museum
- →Limpopo/Shashe river confluence picnic
- →Game drive in Mapungubwe NP
- →Optional night drive
Mapungubwe to Kruger National Park
Kruger National Park area, South Africa
Travel on to Kruger's northern or central gates by bus to Phalaborwa or Hoedspruit plus a local taxi (roughly 5-6 hrs, £15-22). Base yourself just outside the park in Hazyview or Phalaborwa. Book a full-day open-vehicle safari drive for tomorrow with a local operator (about £45-70, or £35 if you self-drive with a SANParks map). Buy groceries for self-catering and confirm your pre-booked SANParks Wild Card or conservation fee (about £22/day for international visitors).
🚌Bus to Phalaborwa/Hoedspruit + local taxi (~£18)
🛏Hazyview/Phalaborwa backpackers or campsite, £12-18
- →Travel to Kruger area
- →Book full-day safari drive
- →Self-catering stock-up
Full-day Kruger wildlife safari
Kruger National Park, South Africa
The headline day. Be at the gate for opening with a local safari operator in an open 4x4, chasing the Big Five across nearly two million hectares. Good stop-offs: Hippo Pool, the Kruger Tablets, Red Rocks and whichever waterholes are busy with game. Take binoculars, water, hat and a packed lunch. Sunset is the best light and best animal activity — try to be out on a loop until gate closing.
🚌Open safari vehicle (~£50 activity cost)
🛏Hazyview/Phalaborwa backpackers or campsite, £12-18
- →Full-day open-vehicle Kruger safari drive
- →Big Five spotting
- →Optional sunset drive
Kruger to Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Take a morning game drive on the way out of the park if you can face another early start, then take the bus back to Johannesburg (Phalaborwa or Hoedspruit to Joburg, about 6-7 hrs, £18-25). Check into a hostel in Melville, treat yourself to a proper meal and swap stories with other travellers at the bar — a fitting end to an overland loop.
🚌Long-distance bus to Johannesburg (~£22)
🛏Hostel in Melville or Maboneng, dorm £12-18
- →Optional short morning drive
- →Return bus to Johannesburg
- →Evening out in Melville/Maboneng
Depart Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Fly out or extend. If your flight is later in the day, use the morning for the Constitution Hill or the Neighbourhoods Market in Braamfontein, then take the Gautrain back to O.R. Tambo (about £8).
🚌Gautrain to airport (~£8)
- →Optional city morning
- →Transfer to O.R. Tambo
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,105 | £1,839 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £734 per person (40%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,105
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Southern Africa Encompassed: Self-Launched Bush Camps & Wildlife Spotting cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,105 per person for 15 days in South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £1,839 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,105 — a saving of roughly £734 (40%) per person.
How long is the South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe trip?+
This itinerary runs 15 days, covering 15 day-by-day stops through South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, wildlife, budget trip through South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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