Self-Launched Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water (Johannesburg to Victoria Falls)
15 days · South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe
Collette charges £7,900
No-markup version: ~£3,420 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, book-it-yourself version of Collette's 15-day Johannesburg-to-Victoria-Falls safari: Chobe National Park game drives and river cruises, Hwange's elephant country, a houseboat-style stay on Lake Kariba, and the smoke that thunders at Victoria Falls, plus a responsible-tourism day in Chinotimba township. Instead of a fully guided coach group, you build the trip from budget guesthouses and tented camps, small-group game drives booked via GetYourGuide or directly with lodges, and inter-city transport by regional flights, buses and shared transfers. All costs are rough backpacker/budget estimates for one person sharing a twin, excluding international flights to Johannesburg and home from Victoria Falls.
Day-by-day
Fly to Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Overnight/positioning flight into OR Tambo International. Take the Gautrain or an airport shuttle to a hostel in Rosebank or Maboneng (Maboneng is livelier, Rosebank is safer and easier for onward logistics). Pick up a local SIM (Vodacom/MTN, ~£6 for data) and change a little ZAR. Sleep early — you fly to Kasane tomorrow.
🚌Airport transfer via Gautrain ~£10 one way, or hostel shuttle ~£12
🛏Hostel or budget guesthouse in Rosebank/Maboneng, £22–30 (e.g. Once in Joburg or Curiocity Backpackers)
- →SIM card and currency setup
- →Optional evening stroll in Maboneng/Melrose Arch
Johannesburg — cultural day
Johannesburg, South Africa
Use the day for Soweto: book a small-group Soweto & Apartheid Museum tour (GetYourGuide, ~£45–60) or DIY it with a local guide from the hostel. Alternatively, the Apartheid Museum plus Constitution Hill. Eat at a hostel braai or a Mall of Africa food court (~£8). Repack for safari — soft bag, neutral colours, head torch, insect repellent.
🚌Gautrain plus ride-hailing (Uber/Bolt) ~£10
🛏Hostel/budget guesthouse in Rosebank/Maboneng, £22–30
- →Soweto & Apartheid Museum small-group tour (~£50)
- →Constitution Hill (alternative)
Fly Johannesburg to Kasane, transfer to Chobe
Kasane, Botswana
Fly OR Tambo–Kasane direct with SA Airlink (the cheapest 2026 fares run ~£170–260 one way booked early; alternatively fly to Victoria Falls and cross by shared taxi, ~£25 plus border formalities). From Kasane airport take a shared taxi to Chobe Safari Lodge area (~£5). Afternoon: easy sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River — the wildlife-to-cost ratio here is outstanding (~£25 with drinks, booked at the waterfront or via GetYourGuide).
🚌SA Airlink Kasane flight ~£200; shared taxi to town ~£5
🛏Budget chalet or tented room in Kasane, £25–40 (e.g. Thebe River Safaris or Chobe River Cottages)
- →Sunset Chobe River cruise (~£25)
- →Optional Kasane town wander
Chobe National Park game drives
Kasane, Botswana
Full safari day in Chobe: book a small-group morning game drive (3–4 hrs, ~£40–55) and an afternoon game drive (~£40–55) through your lodge, Chobe Safari Lodge's activity desk, or GetYourGuide. The Savuti/Chobe riverfront holds the continent's largest elephant herds. This replaces Collette's private game drives and private boat cruise at a fraction of the price. Lunch back at the lodge (~£7).
🚌No extra transport — park drives include pickup
🛏Budget chalet or tented room in Kasane, £25–40
- →Morning game drive in Chobe NP (~£45)
- →Afternoon game drive in Chobe NP (~£45)
- →Optional Kasane village walk
Chobe river cruise & border crossing to Zimbabwe
Kasane → Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Morning boat safari on the Chobe River (~£40) — the best way to see hippos, buffalo and huge elephant crossings. Then cross into Zimbabwe at Kazungula by shared taxi (~£10–15 including border fees) to Victoria Falls town, roughly an hour. Check into a tented camp or backpackers. In the evening join a budget Zambezi sunset cruise (~£35 with drinks/snacks).
🚌Shared taxi Kazungula crossing to Vic Falls ~£12
🛏Tented camp/backpackers in Victoria Falls, £20–30 (e.g. Shoestrings Backpackers or Victoria Falls Backpackers)
- →Chobe River boat safari (~£40)
- →Zambezi sunset cruise (~£35)
Victoria Falls & transfer toward Hwange
Victoria Falls → Hwange, Zimbabwe
Morning at the Falls: walk the rainforest trail on the Zimbabwe side (~£28 entry) — allow 2–3 hours and go early to avoid the spray and crowds. Lunch overlooking the Zambezi gorge at a viewpoint restaurant (~£12). Afternoon shared transfer or bus to Hwange (Detema/Main Camp area) — the overnight bus via Bulawayo is not needed; a local shuttle or pre-booked shared transfer takes 3–4 hrs, ~£25.
🚌Shared transfer Victoria Falls–Hwange ~£25
🛏Tented camp or self-catering lodge near Hwange Main Camp, £25–40
- →Victoria Falls rainforest walk (~£28)
- →Zambezi gorge viewpoint lunch
Hwange National Park game drive
Hwange, Zimbabwe
Book a full-day game drive into Hwange through your camp's activity desk or a Hwange-based operator (~£75 including park fees and a picnic lunch). Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest park — huge elephant concentrations around the pumped waterholes in the dry season. Bring your own picnic or pay the operator's lunch supplement.
🚌Included in the game drive operator pickup
🛏Tented camp or self-catering lodge near Hwange Main Camp, £25–40
- →Full-day Hwange NP game drive with picnic lunch (~£75)
Hwange: walking safari and afternoon drive
Hwange, Zimbabwe
Split the day: a professionally guided bush walk in the morning (~£35 — the closest equivalent to Collette's guided game walk) and an afternoon open-vehicle game drive (~£45). If you're watching the budget, swap the morning walk for self-guided birding around camp. Dinner at the camp (~£8).
🚌Local pickup included by operators
🛏Tented camp or self-catering lodge near Hwange Main Camp, £25–40
- →Guided bush walk (~£35)
- →Afternoon game drive (~£45)
Hwange to Lake Kariba
Hwange → Kariba, Zimbabwe
Final sunrise game-viewing from camp, then travel north to Kariba: bus/shared transfer Hwange–Bulawayo–Kariba is long (10+ hrs); the practical budget option is a shared transfer to Victoria Falls then a domestic flight or the overnight bus, or the more scenic route via Binga (~6–7 hrs by shared transport, ~£30). Board a two-night Kariba houseboat cruise — book directly with a Kariba houseboat operator in advance (~£140–180 pp for full board and activities).
🚌Shared transfer/flight legs to Kariba ~£60
🛏Kariba houseboat cabin (full board), ~£160 pp including meals/activities
- →Sunrise game viewing at Hwange
- →Houseboat boarding
Lake Kariba by water
Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe
A full day on the lake: morning nature/game viewing from the tender boat, a guided visit to a local village (arrange a respectful, community-approved visit through the houseboat operator), fishing for tiger fish and bream, and an afternoon sunset cruise among the drowned mopane trees. Dinner on board. This entirely replaces Collette's private safari boat chapter.
🚌Tender boats included in houseboat package
🛏Kariba houseboat cabin (full board)
- →Game cruise
- →Village visit
- →Fishing from tender boat
- →Sunset cruise
Kariba stargazing and disembark
Lake Kariba → Kariba Town
Sail in the morning, take a guided nature walk on the shoreline, and fish from the tenders. Evening: stargazing on deck with dinner as you moor. Depending on your houseboat schedule, disembark and spend a night in Kariba Town (~£25–35 budget lodge) rather than paying for the luxury lodge option Collette uses.
🚌Transfers to town by houseboat operator, ~£5
🛏Budget lodge in Kariba Town, £25–35
- →Shoreline nature walk
- →Fishing
- →Stargazing dinner
Kariba back to Victoria Falls
Kariba → Victoria Falls
Travel back to Victoria Falls — the cheapest is the overnight/early bus via Harare or Bulawayo (12–14 hrs, ~£20), or a domestic flight Kariba–Victoria Falls (~£120) if your time is tight. Afternoon free to rest by the pool. Second visit to the Falls in the late afternoon if you want a different light and lower entry crowds.
🚌Bus ~£20 or domestic flight ~£120 (budget assumes the bus plus a small taxi allowance)
🛏Tented camp/backpackers in Victoria Falls, £20–30
- →Optional second Falls entry (~£28)
Chinotimba township & local life
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Book a community-run Chinotimba township walking tour (many local guides run these for ~£20–30, book in town or via GetYourGuide) including the market visit and a home-cooked lunch with a local family (~£10 contribution). Afternoon: relax, then an optional budget Zambezi sunset cruise (~£35) or a walk to the Victoria Falls bridge for the bungee viewing platform (free to watch).
🚌Local taxis ~£5
🛏Tented camp/backpackers in Victoria Falls, £20–30
- →Chinotimba township walking tour (~£25)
- →Local market visit
- →Home-cooked family lunch (~£10)
- →Optional Zambezi cruise (~£35)
Elephant sanctuary & wildlife trust
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Morning with the elephants: book the Wild Horizons or Elephant Hills sanctuary interaction/ride-free experience directly (~£60–90). Afternoon visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (entry ~£10, arrange in advance). Farewell dinner overlooking the Zambezi at a mid-range restaurant — a 3-course meal costs ~£25–35 rather than the operator's private catered dinner.
🚌Taxi or sanctuary shuttle ~£8
🛏Tented camp/backpackers in Victoria Falls, £20–30
- →Elephant sanctuary visit (~£75)
- →Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (~£10)
- →Zambezi-view farewell dinner (~£30)
Departure from Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Optional early-morning guided Falls walk on the Zambia side via the border (free visa-on-arrival for many passports) or a last-minute curio market shop. Then fly out of Victoria Falls (VFA) — the cheapest routing back to the UK is usually VFA–Johannesburg–London, book well ahead. Alternatively, connect overland to Livingstone for cheaper flight options.
🚌Airport transfer ~£8
🛏None (departure day)
- →Optional Zambia-side Falls walk
- →Curio market shopping
Self-launched vs. Collette
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Collette | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£3,420 | £7,900 |
| Duration | 15 days | 15 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £4,480 per person (57%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Collette-style trips? Check them out here.~£3,420
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 Self-Launched Wilderness of Southern Africa: Safari by Land & Water (Johannesburg to Victoria Falls) cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £3,420 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 Collette?+
Yes — Collette charges around £7,900 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £3,420 — a saving of roughly £4,480 (57%) 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, hiking 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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