Self-Launched Ultimate Southern Africa Safari: Kruger, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Chobe & the Okavango Delta
18 days · South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana
G Adventures charges £4,520
No-markup version: ~£1,747 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
An 18-day DIY version of G Adventures' "Ultimate African Safari" — Johannesburg to Maun across three countries, hitting Kruger, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Chobe and the Okavango Delta by self-booked budget lodges, hostels, shared backpacker shuttles, buses and independently booked safari drives. You skip the group leader and included set-menu dinners, but keep every headline wildlife experience: open-vehicle Big Five drives, the Chimp Eden sanctuary, the Painted Dog centre, the Chobe sunset cruise, a guided bush walk and a full day in the Delta with a mokoro poler. Costs are backpacker/mid-budget estimates in GBP and assume a shared dorm or twin room, self-catered or local café meals, and directly booked activities via GetYourGuide, Klook or the operators' own sites. Prices are approximate and vary by season (July–October is peak and roughly 20–30% pricier).
Day-by-day
Arrive Johannesburg
Johannesburg, South Africa
Land at OR Tambo and take the Gautrain (approx. £8) or a shared shuttle into Rosebank/Maboneng. Check into a hostel dorm or budget guesthouse. Grab dinner at a local spot near your hostel and sort your SIM/data bundle (approx. £6 for 5GB). Pre-book tomorrow's Baz Bus or shuttle to Hazyview tonight if you haven't already.
🚌Gautrain from OR Tambo ~£8
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Johannesburg (£15-20)
- →Gautrain airport transfer
- →Maboneng or Rosebank evening wander
- →Buy local SIM
Johannesburg to Hazyview / Kruger gate area
Hazyview, South Africa
Long road day. Take the Baz Bus or a shared budget shuttle down the N4 to Nelspruit/Hazyview (approx. £30-38, 5-6 hours) — book at least 48 hours ahead. Stock up on groceries in Nelspruit for self-catering. Arrive late afternoon at a backpacker lodge in Hazyview, the standard base for Kruger's southern gates. Evening braai at the hostel if they run one, or cook for yourself.
🚌Baz Bus/shared shuttle Johannesburg–Hazyview ~£34
🛏Hazyview backpacker lodge, dorm or twin (£15-22)
- →Scenic N4 drive through Mpumalanga
- →Self-catering braai at hostel
Kruger: sunrise and sunset game drives
Hazyview / Kruger National Park
Book a sunrise open-vehicle game drive through your lodge or GetYourGuide (approx. £55-70 including park fees). Back for brunch and a nap, then a sunset drive in the late afternoon (approx. £50-60). Alternatively, if you have a rental car or a group of four, drive yourself into the park via Phabeni or Numbi gate — the SANParks entry fee is roughly £25 per person per day and self-drive is the cheapest way to see Kruger. Braai dinner back at the lodge.
🚌Lodge transfers to the gate, ~£8
🛏Hazyview backpacker lodge (£15-22)
- →Sunrise open-vehicle safari drive
- →Sunset safari drive
- →Self-drive option via Phabeni Gate
Full-day Kruger safari
Kruger National Park
Full-day game drive in an open 4x4 with a qualified guide — book direct with a Hazyview operator or through GetYourGuide (approx. £80-95 including park fees and a packed lunch). Expect early starts and long, hot hours in the vehicle; bring water, binoculars and sunscreen. Late afternoon return; low-key dinner at the lodge.
🚌Included in tour vehicle
🛏Hazyview backpacker lodge (£15-22)
- →Full-day Big Five game drive
- →Picnic lunch in the bush
Kruger 4x4 deep-drive day
Kruger National Park
A second full day, this time on a smaller, more intimate 4x4 drive (approx. £75-90) or, for a proper budget option, hire a car with other travellers and self-drive the southern loop (Skukuza–Lower Sabie road is the classic Big Five stretch). Evening at leisure.
🚌Tour vehicle or shared car hire ~£20 per person
🛏Hazyview backpacker lodge (£15-22)
- →Small-group 4x4 safari
- →Self-drive alternative on the Skukuza–Lower Sabie loop
Panorama Route or rest day
Blyde River Canyon / Hazyview
Flexible day. Cheapest strong option: a full-day Panorama Route shared tour (Blyde River Canyon, Bourke's Luck Potholes, God's Window) — approx. £45-60 booked locally or via GetYourGuide. Budget alternative: a morning self-drive or a R60 taxi to God's Window and back. Or just rest, do laundry and prep for the transfer to Joburg.
🚌Shared tour vehicle ~£50
🛏Hazyview backpacker lodge (£15-22)
- →Panorama Route day tour
- →Blyde River Canyon viewpoints
- →Optional rest day
Chimp Eden and back to Johannesburg
Umhloti Nature Reserve / Johannesburg
Visit Chimp Eden (Jane Goodall Institute sanctuary) for a guided tour of the rescued chimpanzee enclosures — entry is about £12-16, pre-book the tour slot online. Then take a Baz Bus or shuttle back up to Johannesburg (approx. £34). Check into a Joburg hostel; dinner at a nearby café.
🚌Baz Bus/shuttle Hazyview–Johannesburg ~£34
🛏Hostel dorm or budget guesthouse, Johannesburg (£15-20)
- →Chimp Eden guided sanctuary tour
- →Return transfer to Johannesburg
Fly to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Cheap flight from Johannesburg to Victoria Falls (book 6-10 weeks ahead; approx. £120-170 one-way with Fastjet or Airlink). Cross into Zimbabwe at the airport — KAZA uni-visa (approx. £40) is the simplest option if you'll be entering Zimbabwe and Botswana. Check into a backpacker lodge in the Victoria Falls town centre. Sunset at the falls (entry approx. £25) or a free riverside walk.
🚌Flight JNB–VFA ~£145
🛏Victoria Falls backpacker lodge, dorm (£12-18)
- →Flight to Victoria Falls
- →Sunset at Victoria Falls
- →Village walk
Victoria Falls activity day
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Pick your adventure: white-water rafting on the Zambezi (approx. £130-150 booked direct or via GetYourGuide), the 15-minute helicopter flight (approx. £110-130), the zipline/gorge swing (approx. £40-55) or the historic Bamba Tram. Vibe without the adrenaline: spend the day at the falls itself and the rainforest walk. Book locally at your lodge — they'll have current rates and availability.
🚌Walking; local taxi ~£5
🛏Victoria Falls backpacker lodge (£12-18)
- →Zambezi white-water rafting
- →Victoria Falls helicopter flight
- →Gorge swing or zipline
- →Falls rainforest walk
Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Shared shuttle or local bus to Hwange (approx. £30-45, 3-4 hours), with a stop at the Painted Dog Conservation centre near Dete — entrance and guided visit around £8-12. Check into a budget lodge or campsite near the park boundary (Hwange Main Camp or a lodge in Dete). Optional afternoon drive into the park or a night safari (approx. £30-50 direct with a Hwange guide).
🚌Shared shuttle Victoria Falls–Hwange ~£38
🛏Hwange budget lodge or self-catering camp (£18-28)
- →Painted Dog Conservation centre visit
- →Optional night drive into Hwange
Hwange safari drive
Hwange National Park
Pre-book a morning game drive with a Hwange-based operator (approx. £45-60 including park fees and guide) — Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest park and has enormous elephant herds. Rest through the heat of the day at the lodge pool, then self-guided birding or an optional late-afternoon drive. Bring your own food from Victoria Falls or Dete to keep meal costs down.
🚌Safari vehicle ~£55
🛏Hwange budget lodge or camp (£18-28)
- →Morning game drive in Hwange
- →Afternoon birding / rest at camp
Hwange to Kasane via Victoria Falls
Kasane, Botswana
Return shuttle to Victoria Falls (approx. £30), quick lunch, then take a local shared taxi or shuttle across the Kazungula border to Kasane (approx. £8-15). Pay the Botswana tourism levy (approx. £24, cash or card at the border). Check into a Kasane backpacker lodge or budget guesthouse, then book the Chobe River sunset cruise for tomorrow.
🚌Shared shuttle Hwange–Vic Falls–Kasane ~£45
🛏Kasane budget guesthouse or lodge (£18-28)
- →Kazungula border crossing
- →Sunset over the Chobe River from town
Chobe River cruise and game drive
Kasane / Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe River sunset cruise (approx. £30-45 booked direct in Kasane or via GetYourGuide) — huge elephant concentrations along the water and decent hippo/croc action. Consider pairing it with a morning game drive in Chobe (approx. £45-60). Evening braai at the lodge or a cheap restaurant in town.
🚌Lodge pickup included in activity
🛏Kasane budget guesthouse or lodge (£18-28)
- →Chobe River sunset cruise
- →Optional Chobe morning game drive
Kasane to Nata
Nata, Botswana
Local bus or shared combi to Nata (approx. £12-18, 3-4 hours). Check into a basic lodge or campsite near Nata. Optional late-afternoon guided walk or a short drive to the Makgadikgadi pans edge — Nata's birdlife and the elephant-frequented waterholes are the appeal. DIY pans walk on your own is free.
🚌Shared combi Kasane–Nata ~£15
🛏Nata budget lodge or camp (£12-20)
- →Travel day
- →Makgadikgadi pans edge walk
Nata to Maun
Maun, Botswana
Bus or shared combi to Maun (approx. £18-25, 5-6 hours). Check into a backpacker lodge in Maun — the town is the launching point for all Delta trips. Sort your Delta excursion for tomorrow: pick a 1-day or 2-day mokoro trip booked direct with an independent polers' trust or operator (1-day approx. £80-110 including 4x4 transfer, mokoro, poler and food; 2-day overnight island camping approx. £150-190).
🚌Bus/shared combi ~£22
🛏Maun backpacker lodge (£15-25)
- →Travel to Maun
- →Book Okavango Delta mokoro excursion
Okavango Delta mokoro day
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Full-day Delta experience: 4x4 transfer to the mokoro station, then a guided mokoro (traditional canoe) glide through the reeds with a local poler, a walking safari on the islands, and lunch in the bush. Pre-book direct with a Maun operator or via GetYourGuide and tip your poler (100-150 BWP is the going rate). Sunset back in Maun.
🚌Included in Delta excursion
🛏Maun backpacker lodge (£15-25)
- →Mokoro canoe trip
- →Guided bush walk in the Delta
- →Island lunch
Maun buffer / scenic flight option
Maun, Botswana
Free day. Optional: doors-off scenic flight over the Delta (approx. £180-220, book direct with a Maun aviation operator) or a cheaper light-aircraft flip over the Delta (approx. £95-130). Budget alternative: kayak trip on the Thamalakane River (approx. £25-35), visit the Nhabe Museum, or just relax. Final dinner out — try a Maun restaurant for Botswana beef.
🚌Local taxi ~£4
🛏Maun backpacker lodge (£15-25)
- →Optional scenic Delta flight
- →Kayaking on the Thamalakane
- →Nhabe Museum
Depart Maun
Maun, Botswana
Airport drop-off and outbound flight (Maun–Johannesburg connections typically around £130-170 one-way). Note that flights from Maun to JNB aren't included in the total — if you need to route via Joburg, add that to your budget. Travel insurance, visas and international flights are not included in this itinerary's cost estimate.
🚌Airport shuttle ~£8
🛏None
- →Airport transfer and departure
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£1,747 | £4,520 |
| Duration | 18 days | 18 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,773 per person (61%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£1,747
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 Ultimate Southern Africa Safari: Kruger, Victoria Falls, Hwange, Chobe & the Okavango Delta cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £1,747 per person for 18 days in 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 £4,520 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £1,747 — a saving of roughly £2,773 (61%) per person.
How long is the South Africa, Zimbabwe & Botswana trip?+
This itinerary runs 18 days, covering 18 day-by-day stops through 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, backpacker trip through 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.
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