Best of Southern Africa — Self-Launched
18 days · Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana)
G Adventures charges £3,200
No-markup version: ~£1,590 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An independent, self-launched version of G Adventures' 18-day "Best of Southern Africa" loop, running from Johannesburg to Maun through Kruger, Karongwe, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Chobe and the Okavango Delta. Instead of a guided group departure with catered lodges, you'll string together budget guesthouses, hostel dorm beds and self-catering camps, book day safaris directly with park operators, and use local buses, shared transfers and minibuses to move between countries. Same wildlife, same waterfalls, same mokoro sunsets — done your own way for a fraction of the tour price. All costs are rough per-person estimates in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive Johannesburg — Maboneng & Braai Night
Johannesburg, South Africa
Land at OR Tambo and take the Gautrain or an airport shuttle to your hostel in Maboneng or Melville (around £8-12). Settle in, then wander the Neighbourhoods Market or grab a craft beer on Fox Street. For dinner, book a seat at a local braai/restaurant in Maboneng or do a self-guided township food walk for a taste of the classic South African barbecue welcome without the group markup.
🚌Gautrain + shuttle from OR Tambo (~£10)
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Maboneng/Melville (~£14-20)
- →Self-transfer from OR Tambo via Gautrain/shuttle
- →Maboneng arts district walk
- →Braai dinner at an independent grill house
Panorama Route Drive to Greater Kruger
Blyde River Canyon / Hoedspruit, South Africa
Book a cheap one-way bus or shared shuttle from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit or Graskop and self-drive/join a day transfer along the Panorama Route, stopping at Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes and God's Window (entrance fees ~£3-5 each). Continue to a budget camp or backpackers near the Kruger gate. Many backpackers (e.g. in Hoedspruit) run their own boma dinners — join one or self-cater.
🚌Intercape/City to City bus or shared shuttle Jo'burg-Hoedspruit (~£20-28)
🛏Backpackers/camp near Kruger gate (~£16-22)
- →Blyde River Canyon viewpoints
- →Bourke's Luck Potholes
- →God's Window
- →Optional Panorama Route day tour via GetYourGuide
Full-Day Self-Booked Kruger Safari
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Skip the group vehicle and book a Kruger full-day open-vehicle safari directly through a SANParks-registered operator (or a GetYourGuide sunrise game drive). Look for the Big Five plus elephants, giraffes and hippos. If you have your own hire car, self-drive the park with a Wild Card and buy a map — cheaper but less guided. Evening back at camp for a braai.
🚌Included in day safari booking
🛏Backpackers/camp near Kruger gate (~£16-22)
- →Full-day open-vehicle game drive (operator-booked)
- →Optional self-drive Kruger with Wild Card
- →Sunset braai at camp
Blyde/Chase Bush Camp & Karongwe Transfer
Greater Kruger / Karongwe, South Africa
A relaxed travel day. Transfer south-west toward the Karongwe Private Reserve area near Hoedspruit. Use the downtime for a bush walk, curio shopping or a swim. Arrange your private-reserve safari drives directly with the reserve or via GetYourGuide/Klook, which is typically far cheaper than tour-operator add-ons.
🚌Local shuttle, ~£12-18
🛏Budget safari lodge/guesthouse near Karongwe (~£20-28)
- →Bush walk or self-guided nature trail
- →Local market/curio shopping
- →Arrival at budget lodge near Karongwe
Karongwe Private Reserve Safari Drive
Karongwe Private Reserve, South Africa
Book an open-vehicle morning or evening game drive with a qualified ranger and tracker in the Karongwe/surrounding private reserves. Private reserves offer excellent sightings with fewer vehicles. Afternoon for rest, then an evening drive if budget allows (some lodges offer combo pricing).
🚌Included in drive booking
🛏Budget safari lodge/guesthouse near Karongwe (~£20-28)
- →Open-vehicle game drive with ranger + tracker
- →Optional night drive
- →Birdwatching from camp deck
Second Karongwe Safari & Cultural Village
Karongwe, South Africa
A final morning game drive before a slower afternoon. Visit a local Shangaan or Venda cultural village for a community-led tour, or take a short hike in the surrounding bush. Self-arrange via local tourism office — far cheaper than operator-included cultural stops.
🚌Local taxi/shuttle for village visit (~£8)
🛏Budget safari lodge/guesthouse near Karongwe (~£20-28)
- →Morning game drive
- →Community cultural village visit
- →Local craft market
Transfer Towards Zimbabwe Border
Musina / Beitbridge area
Make your way north towards the Zimbabwe border. Take a bus or shared minibus to Musina, overnight cheaply, and prepare for a Beitbridge border crossing the next morning (allow plenty of time, it can be slow). Load up on snacks and change currency.
🚌Intercape/Greyhound-type bus or minibus, ~£20-30
🛏Budget guesthouse, Musina (~£15-22)
- →Long-distance bus travel
- →Border-area overnight
- →Stock up on supplies and cash
Cross into Zimbabwe — Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Cross at Beitbridge and take a shared taxi or bus to Bulawayo/Victoria Falls (or overnight bus). Once in Victoria Falls, book the Victoria Falls Guided Tour directly at the Zimbabwean entrance gate or via GetYourGuide — explore the rainforest and get soaked by 'the smoke that thunders'. Hostels here are plentiful and sociable.
🚌Bus/shared taxi to Victoria Falls (~£20-30) + border costs
🛏Backpackers/hostel, Victoria Falls (~£16-25)
- →Beitbridge border crossing
- →Victoria Falls Guided Tour (book direct)
- →Rainforest walk
Victoria Falls Free Day & Zambezi Sunset
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Free day for adrenaline. Optional extras: bungee jump, gorge swing, white-water rafting or a helicopter flip (book direct at the activity centre for best prices). In the evening, join a Zambezi sunset cruise (the 'Riversong' style cruise is bookable directly or via GetYourGuide/Klook) with snacks, drinks and hippo-spotting.
🚌Local taxis, ~£5-8
🛏Backpackers/hostel, Victoria Falls (~£16-25)
- →Optional rafting/bungee (book direct)
- →Zambezi sunset cruise
- →Elephant's Walk or craft market shopping
Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Travel to Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest national park and a Big Five stronghold. Book a dorm or budget tented camp near the main gate and arrange a self-booked game drive or self-drive into the park. Hwange's elephant herds are legendary.
🚌Shared minibus/bus Victoria Falls-Hwange, ~£15-25
🛏Budget camp/tented lodge near Hwange (~£18-28)
- →Transfer to Hwange
- →Afternoon game drive (book direct)
- →Camp evening under the stars
Hwange Safari Day
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Full day in Hwange: morning and afternoon game drives with a park-registered guide, searching for elephants, lions, wild dogs and buffalo. Many camps offer shared game drives at low cost. Rest and self-cater in the evening.
🚌Included in drive booking
🛏Budget camp/tented lodge near Hwange (~£18-28)
- →Full-day game drives
- →Birdwatching hides
- →Guided nature walk (if available)
Hwange to Kasane (Botswana Border)
Kasane, Botswana
Travel north to Kazungula and cross into Botswana at Kasane — the gateway to Chobe National Park. Settle into a budget lodge or campsite and enjoy a sunset over the Chobe River. Book your Chobe game drive and river cruise directly for tomorrow.
🚌Shared bus/taxi Hwange-Kasane, ~£20-30 + border
🛏Budget lodge/campsite, Kasane (~£18-28)
- →Kazungula border crossing
- →Kasane riverside walk
- →Book Chobe activity direct
Chobe National Park Safari Drive
Chobe National Park, Botswana
Book the classic Chobe open-vehicle game drive with a licensed Botswana operator (very affordable and commonly bundled with a river cruise). Chobe hosts Africa's largest elephant population — expect huge herds plus buffalo, hippos and big cats near the water.
🚌Included in drive booking
🛏Budget lodge/campsite, Kasane (~£18-28)
- →Open-vehicle game drive, Chobe
- →Optional Chobe River sunset cruise
- →Campsite braai
Kasane to Maun
Maun, Botswana
Long travel day south to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Take a bus or shared minibus (or a cheap domestic flight if you're short on time). Arrive, check into a backpackers, and book your Okavango mokoro excursion directly with a local poler/operator for tomorrow.
🚌Bus/shared minibus Kasane-Maun, ~£25-35 (domestic flight option ~£80+)
🛏Backpackers/hostel, Maun (~£15-22)
- →Long-distance travel to Maun
- →Book Okavango mokoro trip direct
- →Sunset at Maun backpackers
Okavango Delta Mokoro Excursion
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Paddle into the UNESCO-listed Okavango Delta by traditional mokoro canoe with a local poler, plus a motorised boat section to reach deeper channels. Spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants and abundant birdlife. Book direct with Maun-based operators for the best value — one or two-night fly-camp options are available if you want to stay in the delta.
🚌Operator transfer to mokoro station
🛏Backpackers/hostel, Maun (~£15-22)
- →Mokoro canoe excursion
- →Motorised boat delta trip
- →Wildlife and birdwatching
Okavango Delta Second Day / Moremi Option
Okavango Delta / Moremi, Botswana
Use this day for a second mokoro trip, a Moremi Game Reserve day safari, or a scenic flight over the delta (book direct, prices vary). Alternatively, rest in Maun and enjoy its cafes and craft markets. This mirrors the tour's extra days in the delta but on your own schedule.
🚌Operator transfers, ~£10-20
🛏Backpackers/hostel, Maun (~£15-22)
- →Optional Moremi Game Reserve day safari
- →Optional scenic delta flight
- →Maun town and craft markets
Maun Free Day & Delta Farewell
Maun, Botswana
A flexible buffer day — catch a sunrise game drive, visit the Nhabe Museum, swim, or simply relax after weeks of travel. Reconfirm onward flights or shuttle connections and enjoy a final Botswana dinner.
🚌Local taxis, ~£5
🛏Backpackers/hostel, Maun (~£15-22)
- →Optional sunrise drive
- →Nhabe Museum
- →Farewell dinner in Maun
Departure from Maun
Maun, Botswana
Check out and take a shuttle or domestic flight onward (Maun Airport flies to Johannesburg and Kasane). If continuing independently, onward bus options to Namibia or Zimbabwe are available. End of the self-launched southern Africa loop.
🚌Airport shuttle ~£8 (or onward domestic flight)
🛏None (departure day)
- →Airport transfer
- →Optional onward independent travel planning
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,590 | £3,200 |
| Duration | 18 days | 18 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,610 per person (50%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,590
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.
Customise with Tour BusterCreated by
Travel Crew
0 trips
Frequently asked questions
How much does Best of Southern Africa — Self-Launched cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,590 per person for 18 days in Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana). 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 £3,200 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,590 — a saving of roughly £1,610 (50%) per person.
How long is the Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana) trip?+
This itinerary runs 18 days, covering 18 day-by-day stops through Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana).
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, culture trip through Southern Africa (South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana), 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?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
No comments yet — be the first to share your take.
Sign in to leave a comment.