Southern Africa
Big Five Encounters & African Sunsets
Join us on an unforgettable journey through South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe, featuring iconic wildlife experiences, inspiring conservation stories and some of Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes.
From AUD$12499
18 June 2027
12 Nights
Women only
Inclusions
Trip Highlights and Activities
Experience the very best of Southern Africa on this unforgettable 13-day journey through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
From the vibrant streets of Soweto and the powerful history of Johannesburg to the vast wilderness of Kruger National Park, this itinerary combines incredible wildlife encounters, meaningful cultural experiences and breathtaking natural wonders.
Track wildlife on safari in some of Africa’s most celebrated game reserves, cruise the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers at sunset, stand in awe before the magnificent Victoria Falls, and fly into the world-famous Okavango Delta for a truly remote safari experience.
Along the way, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of conservation through visits with the inspiring Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit and the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, meeting the people working tirelessly to protect Africa’s wildlife for future generations.
Expect unforgettable wildlife encounters, stunning landscapes, luxury safari lodges, spectacular sunsets and the camaraderie of travelling with a group of like-minded women who share your sense of adventure.
If Southern Africa has always been on your bucket list, this carefully curated Ladies Who Travel journey offers the perfect blend of safari, culture, conservation and connection.
Please Note: This is an adventure-style journey featuring comfortable mid-range hotels, lodges and safari camps. While all accommodation includes private facilities, the focus of this trip is on exceptional wildlife experiences, cultural immersion and unique locations rather than luxury accommodation. Flexibility, curiosity and a spirit of adventure will greatly enhance your experience.
Sawubona! Welcome to South Africa!
Your trip begins in Johannesburg, where you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
The adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm.
Following your welcome meeting, head out on an included welcome dinner to get to know our fellow travellers and trip leader.
- Included Activities: Airport transfers
- Included Meals: Welcome dinner
- Accommodation: Indaba Hotel (or similar)
Today, explore Soweto on an immersive tuk-tuk tour, a unique and interactive way to experience this vibrant township. Travel through both the well-known historical landmarks and the lesser-visited backstreets, gaining valuable insight into local life. Moving easily from neighbourhood to neighbourhood in your three-wheeler, you’ll have opportunities to meet residents and step out to experience the culture, history and daily rhythm of Soweto up close.
Along the way, enjoy a traditional lunch that offers a taste of local flavours.
Afterwards, visit the former home of Nelson Mandela, where your local guide will share deeper insights into his life and legacy.
Continue to the Apartheid Museum, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading museums dedicated to 20th-century South Africa. Opened in 2001, the museum provides a powerful and thought-provoking account of the rise and fall of apartheid. Through its striking architecture, carefully curated exhibitions and immersive design, the museum offers a moving and comprehensive experience, helping visitors better understand this pivotal period in South Africa’s history.
- Included Activities: 4 hour Soweto Tuk-Tuk Tour, Nelson Mandela House & Apartheid Museum
- Included Meals: Breakfast & lunch
- Accommodation: Indaba Hotel (or similar)
After breakfast, check out and transfer to OR Tambo International Airport for your onward flight to Hoedspruit. On arrival at Hoedspruit Airport, you’ll be met and transferred to your lodge.
After time to settle in, enjoy lunch before heading out on a three-hour afternoon game drive in an open 4WD vehicle within a private game reserve. Keep an eye out for wildlife such as impala, zebra, giraffe and lion. As this reserve shares unfenced boundaries with Kruger National Park, there’s the potential to encounter many of the same species found throughout the greater ecosystem.
Midway through your safari, pause for refreshments at a scenic waterhole before continuing your drive into the early evening.
Tonight, you’ll stay at an intimate lodge in the Greater Kruger area. The property features a comfortable lounge, swimming pool, shaded deck, dining area, and Wi-Fi, providing a relaxed base for unwinding after your first safari experience.
- Included Activities: Private Game Reserve – 4×4 Game Drive
- Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Kubu Safari Lodge or similar
One of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa, Kruger National Park is home to over 500 bird species, 100 reptile species, and 150 mammal species, including the Big Five and the endangered African wild dog.
Spend the next two days exploring this stunning park. Each morning, make your way into the park for a special wildlife experience. You’ll head into prime game viewing areas for a glimpse of some of the amazing animals found inside the park. Have breakfast at one of the picnic spots here before continuing through the park and spotting all your favourite animals. You will have two full days of game viewing, bird watching and stopping off at the various waterholes.
- Included Activities: 4WD Safari Full Day x 2
- Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Kubu Safari Lodge or similar (two nights )
This morning, visit the inspiring Black Mambas Anti-Poaching Unit. This all-female ranger unit plays a vital role in protecting wildlife through: Gain insight into the realities of wildlife protection and the impact of grassroots conservation.
Following the visit, you’ll return to your lodge for the evening.
- Included Activities: Anti-poaching patrols, Community education, Conservation initiatives & Snare Walk
- Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Kubu Safari Lodge or similar
After breakfast, transfer to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport for your flight to Victoria Falls.
On arrival, transfer to your accommodation.
This evening, head above the falls onto the Zambezi River and embark on a small and intimate Sundowner River Cruise. The specially designed jet-propelled boats allow you to reach the shallow water among the islands directly above the Victoria Falls.
Your own chef will prepare canapes and serve drinks while the captain navigates the islands above the thundering Victoria Falls. Sit back in your comfortable lounge chair and look out for crocodiles lazing on the banks or elephants and hippos submerging themselves in the river – this is truly an experience to remember.
- Included Activities: Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
- Included Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Cresta Sprayview
Get up close to the world’s largest waterfall with a local guide. The Victoria Falls are an enormous curtain of water, about a mile wide, falling 108 m into a narrow gorge below. In the wet season, the spray created can rise an incredible 400 m, and the falls are an impressive raging torrent. The spray from the falls can sometimes be seen from kilometres away.
In the dry season, the view of the falls is unobstructed by spray, and it’s possible to see little islets in the river below.
This afternoon, head to a local centre with your guide, where you can book whatever activities take your fancy.
- Included Activities: Victoria Falls tour, Zimbabwe Side
- Optional Activities: Canoe trail (full day) – USD185, Gorge swing – USD103, Helicopter Flight of the Angels (12 mins – Excludes US$25 fuel surcharge and NP fees) – USD150, Helicopter Flight (25 mins – Excludes US$30 fuel surcharge and NP fees) – USD284, Village & township tour – USD61, Whitewater rafting (full day) – USD130 & Whitewater rafting (half day) – USD130
- Included Meals: Breakfast
- Accommodation: Cresta Sprayview
Today you’ll leave Victoria Falls behind and head to Chobe via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – one of the projects The Intrepid Foundation supports. Here, you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care.
Continue onto Chobe National Park – Botswana’s first ever national park. This area is perhaps best known for its high concentration of elephants, which can often be seen swimming in the Chobe River. The river also attracts wallowing hippos, crocodiles by the water’s edge, cheetahs, lions and a huge variety of birdlife.
When you arrive, you’ll be treated to an afternoon game drive through the park.
- Included Activities: Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust & Chobe Afternoon Safari
- Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Chobe Marina Lodge
This morning, rise early to enjoy a game drive in Chobe National Park, where you may see elephants drinking at the water’s edge, large herds of cape buffaloes, and many impalas. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and enjoy some free time to relax.
Later in the afternoon, you’ll head out on a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. At the right time of year, the river is frequented by large families of elephants crossing the banks to drink and play in the water. It’s also ideal for spotting birdlife such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles, and beautiful bee-eaters, as well as hippos and crocodiles.
Why not grab a sundowner from the small bar onboard, then sit back and watch the sunset over the river – a perfect way to end the day.
- Included Activities: Morning Game Drive & Chobe National Park Sunset Cruise
- Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
- Accommodation: Chobe Marina Lodge
This morning, after breakfast, check out and transfer to Kasane Airport for your onward Mack Air flight to Khwai (as this is a small aircraft, luggage restrictions of 20 kg and soft bags only). On arrival at the airstrip, you will be met by your lodge host and transferred to the lodge.
Saguni Safari Lodge is situated in Moremi East in the Okavango Delta. It is nestled in an island of mature riparian trees, typical of the Okavango Delta. The Lodge overlooks the ‘Mbudi Lagoon’, in the beautiful game-rich area of Khwai. The name ‘Saguni’ is a bushman name for Khwai, meaning “an area with abundance of game and spectacular sights”. Besides the day-time game drives, which can feature Africa’s big attractions – lion, cheetah, leopard, wild dog, elephant, buffalo, hippo and giraffe, there is also the option to experience a night drive.
Cultural visits and mokoro excursions are all available at Saguni. Saguni Safari Lodge offers the ultimate Okavango Delta experience, with a wide range of activities, a beautiful location, diverse wildlife and warm, local hospitality.
- Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner including drinks
- Accommodation: Saguni Safari Lodge (2 nights)
After your morning safari activity and breakfast, check out and take a Mack Air flight to Maun Airport. Your trip will conclude on arrival at Maun International Airport.
- Included Meals: Breakfast
A Note About This Journey
This is an adventure-style itinerary designed for travellers seeking authentic experiences rather than luxury resorts. Throughout the journey, you’ll stay in comfortable hotels, lodges and safari camps, many of which are located in remote wilderness areas where occasional interruptions to Wi-Fi, electricity or hot water can occur.
Southern Africa rewards travellers who embrace flexibility, curiosity and a sense of adventure. The incredible wildlife encounters, meaningful cultural experiences and spectacular landscapes are what make this journey truly unforgettable.
As with all travel in Africa, occasional delays at border crossings or changes to activity timings can occur. A little patience and flexibility will go a long way and are all part of the adventure.