SOUTHERN AFRICA ADVENTURE SAFARI HOLIDAY

Exploring South Africa, Botswana,

Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe

At Select Travel Holidays, we’ve been curating luxury safaris and tailor-made African holidays for our discerning clients since 1999. With decades of first-hand travel experience and deep destination knowledge, we’re proud to offer immersive, expertly crafted itineraries that go beyond the brochure. This journey through Southern Africa is no exception—crafted with care and passion by seasoned travel professionals.



Join us on a once-in-a-lifetime Southern Africa adventure, as we journey through five remarkable countries on an Intrepid Premium Safari tour. From the awe-inspiring landscapes of Kruger National Park and the thunderous roar of Victoria Falls to the tranquil beauty of the Okavango Delta and the cultural riches of Soweto, this immersive travel experience offers unforgettable encounters with wildlife, nature, and history. Here's our day-by-day account of this epic African adventure.

By Rachel Wright, Managing Director and Owner at Select Travel Holidays

Last updated on 16 July 2025

Arrival in Johannesburg

We arrived a day ahead of the Intrepid group, giving us time to explore Johannesburg and Pretoria before embarking on our safari adventure. South Africa is just two hours ahead of the UK, which meant no jet lag! We stayed at the Radisson Blu hotel, ideally located just a few minutes from Mandela Square. The tower in view from the hotel changed colour beautifully at night.



Bill forgot to pack his trainers, so we visited the shopping centre at Mandela Square (not my favourite place, but needs must!). The hotel provided a car for the round trip. That evening, we dined at the Butchers Cut in the square. The ribeye steaks were exceptional and incredibly good value—two mains and a bottle of red wine came to just £35. South Africa really is fantastic value for money.

Guided Tour of Johannesburg and Pretoria

The following day, we joined our guide Chris for a tailored tour of Johannesburg and Pretoria. A local with a fascinating background, Chris was incredibly knowledgeable and adapted the tour to our interests.

He began by sharing the history of Johannesburg, including the Witwatersrand gold rush of 1886 which led to the city’s founding. A highlight was Constitution Hill, a moving and well-presented living museum located at the site of the former Old Fort Prison complex. Exhibits detailed South Africa’s journey to democracy, with areas like the Awaiting Trial Block and the Flame of Democracy leaving lasting impressions.

We then headed to Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. We drove along Church Street, a very long street, starting from Church Square. Church Square is the historical hub, with a huge statue of the late Boer leader and president, Paul Kruger. Here you will also find the Palace of Justice, where the Rivonia Treason Trial took place and where Nelson Mandela made his famous three-hour speech, explaining and justifying the actions of the ANC. As I mentioned, Church Street is the longest street in South Africa, some 26 kilometre long, it encompasses the ‘old era’ and has many significant buildings.   

We passed through Waterkloof, one of Pretoria’s most prestigious suburbs filled with embassy residences, and had lunch at Café 41. Sadly, Freedom Park was closed for VIP visits (and it wasn't us!)

Further up the hill is the enormous Voortrekker monument an imposing monolithic structure that dominates the southern skyline of the city. This monument honours the Voortrekkers ‘Great Trek’. Inside there is a marble frieze around the wall, made up of twenty-seven-pieces telling the story of life, works, beliefs and culture of the Boers. The monument is surrounded by a wall with sixty-four granite images Ox Wagons, this represents the ‘Battle of Blood River’ where the Voortrekkers battled against a group of Zulu worriers, they used their wagons to form a protection circle around them. Situated on the same site is the Wall of remembrance. 

Meeting Our Intrepid Group

Chris returned us to the Radisson Blu in time for our 6pm meeting with the Intrepid group. We had opted for a Premium tour—ideal for travellers who enjoy a bit more comfort. With private transport, feature accommodation and most meals included, it was the perfect balance of adventure and luxury.

Maximum group size with Intrepid is sixteen, however on average the size is ten to twelve people. Our group of eleven included travellers from the UK, Australia, Canada, and the USA. Our guide, Sandi, greeted us with a warm smile and checked our documents. He asked what animals we were hoping to see; I mentioned lion cubs, which sadly we didn’t see—though we did witness how they’re made!

Journey to Kruger National Park

An early start the next day saw us journey to Kruger in a comfortable vehicle. The drive was interesting passing through towns and villages. There had been flooding around Kruger which delayed our arrival at the Pansy Lodge; however we had the bonus of a boat ride in the Blyde Canyon, which was beautifully scenic. 

Blyde Canyon Photo Album

No journey through South Africa would be complete without marvelling at the natural wonder of the Blyde River Canyon. As one of the largest green canyons in the world, it offers dramatic panoramic views that will stop you in your tracks. The winding cliffs and lush vegetation seem to stretch endlessly, and from popular viewpoints like God’s Window or the Three Rondavels, you can gaze out over layer upon layer of ancient rock formations carved by millennia of river flow. Whether you’re admiring waterfalls cascading into misty pools or spotting vervet monkeys in the trees, the Blyde Canyon delivers yet another unforgettable moment on this epic adventure.

Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park is one of South Africa’s largest parks and is home to members of the Big Five, but also 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species, plus the endangered African wild dog, we saw a pack of these dogs when we first arrived at the park hanging out with the Hyenas. 

Panzi Lodge, Kruger

We arrived at the Panzi Lodge  with a warm welcome from a Zebra wondering around, the safari had started! The Panzi Lodge is one of Intrepids ‘feature stays’ during our trip.

We spent three nights here at Panzi Lodge, a small intimate lodge hidden away on a private reserve, with just ten spacious chalets spread out in the bush. All chalets are very private with incredible views from the full-length windows and terrace. Our room was tastefully laid out, inside and outside shower, air-con, and fridge. All chalets are connected by a raised wooden pathway that leads to the pool area and the main lodge where homemade meals and drinks are served. The pathways also lead to several viewing decks with views of the Drakensburg Mountains, and watering hole. The lodge is run by two lovely ladies, Irene and Charmaine who were fantastic nothing was too much trouble including glueing my trainers back together! 

First Game Drive

After enjoying a luscious home cooked lunch, we headed out in our open 4X4 vehicles to a neighbouring reserve for our first drive, we entered via Orpen gate which is a central entry point. I’m only 4 foot 9 inches so I had my own unique way of getting in and out of our 4X4, I was beyond excited as we headed off on our first game drive. This afternoon we saw Impala, Giraffes, Hyenas, Buffalos, Elephants and a hard-working Dung Beetle. Now the sad part of nature, in a tree was a Zebra hanging limply from a branch, we spotted a Leopard in the long grass admiring his kill, we had interrupted his afternoon tea! 

Wildlife Encounters in Kruger

We departed the lodge early the next morning, venturing into the depths of Kruger National Park. The skilled 4X4 drivers communicated effectively via radio, sharing vital updates on the action happening around us. Our driver, Harrison, received a tip-off about a couple of lions lounging by the roadside, prompting him to accelerate towards the park. Despite the presence of numerous vehicles, the adept drivers skillfully maneuvered in and out, ensuring everyone had equal chances to view the magnificent lions—I was thoroughly impressed and captured some stunning photographs. As we admired these majestic creatures, we had the privilege of a front-row seat to their mating ritual, a brief yet fascinating affair before they ambled off in opposite directions—how romantic! After such an exhilarating morning, it was time for a late packed breakfast, lovingly prepared by Irene and Charmaine.

Rejuvenated and eager for more wildlife encounters, we spent the remainder of the day observing animals around the waterholes; witnessing them in their natural habitat is truly a wonderful experience.

We concluded our day by sharing photographs over a drink or two, enjoying a delightful BBQ beneath the starry sky.

Our time in Kruger spanned two and a half days, and we cherished every moment. Our driver Harrison and guide Sandi were adept at spotting things we might have overlooked, like a tiny green frog. Safaris foster a sense of camaraderie, with everyone working as a team to keep their eyes peeled. Did we spot the Big Five? Unfortunately, we didn’t see a rhino.

Kruger Photo Album

A Happy Traveller: A Magical Southern Africa Experience

Victoria Falls and Zimbabwe

Early the next day we took short flight flew to Zambia, landing at Victoria Falls airport, this is much easier than flying into Livingstone. Exiting the airport, we were welcomed by local singers and dancers who also wished one of our fellow travellers a ‘Happy Birthday’.

From here we crossed Victoria Falls bridge into Zimbabwe, where we got our first glimpse of the magnificent falls. We went directly to our hotel; Victoria Falls Safari Lodge  for our one-night stay. Our accommodation was great (somehow, I have lost the photos of our room!) This lodge has spectacular views from the multiple viewing decks of the waterholes where we spotted lots of birds and wildlife.  

Sundowner River Cruise

Our evening was spent on the Zambezi River where we enjoyed a Sundowner River Cruise. Our jet-propelled boat is specially designed to reach the shallow water among the islands directly above the Victoria Falls. The crew were wonderful; we enjoyed drinks and an array of canapes whilst we sat back and enjoyed the view and sounds of the Falls. There were lots of Hippos around us and the odd Croc or two. A couple of our fellow travellers took a Helicopter flight over the Falls, the cost is approximately USD 165 for twelve minutes, there are longer rides available too, judging by the photos, it was well worth it. 

The day has come to get soaking wet! We visited the Falls in the morning. Victoria Falls is one of the worlds true natural wonders, forming the largest sheet of falling water in the world when in full flow. A guide takes you through the falls area, stopping at various vantage points for photos, you then have an option of two walks, one near the edge of the falls where you get soaked or another path away from the edge where you just get a little spray, I took that option as I didn't want to damage my camera.... that was my excuse. Bill walked the other route and looked like a drowned rat! 

Crossing into Botswana: Chobe Safari

After an exhilarating morning at the falls, we say farewell to Zimbabwe and crossed into Botswana, via the Kazungula border crossing point. Time crossing the border can vary, and for us it was around 90 minutes to show your documents, and vehicles must drive through a dip filled with disinfectant. Also, everyone must disinfect their shoes, by placing them in a footbath, that’s all shoes, so pack them separately to make it easier to grab then. This is to stop foot and mouth being spread. On safari holidays most people only take trainers and strappy waterproof sandals, so it's no big deal. 

We arrived at Chobe Safari Lodge where we are based for the next three nights, it is smack bang on the river and around fifteen minutes' walk into Kasane town. We decided to have a walk into town, it was very hot so found a little bar, sat in the shade and watched the world go by and the cute wandering Warthogs.

Later in the afternoon we enjoyed a game drive, Botswana has a big population of elephants and they really are everywhere. Our guide, Maud was fabulous she explained Elephants are more relaxed in Botswana as opposed to Kruger, whilst Kruger has game wardens on alert for poachers, in Botswana the policy of ‘shoot to kill’ keeps poachers away very effectively, so the Elephants do not feel threatened. We loved the Chobe Safari Lodge, in the evenings we sat out on the riverside listening to the wildlife, including the sound of Hippos and the passing of an occasional Crocodile. 

The next day, we enjoyed an early safari followed by a delicious buffet breakfast back at the lodge, there was a huge choice of hot and cold dishes, lots of different juices and to satisfy a ‘sweet tooth’ a good variety of pastries too. 

No road transfer needed, as we set off from the lodge’s private jetty for a cruise along the Chobe River.  It’s incredible seeing the wildlife from the river, we saw families of Elephant with their young, bathing in the river, not a care in the world. Watching the herd protect the babies, it was an amazing experience and so heartwarming. I was fixated on watching the calf's behaviour, trying to mimic the older Elephants, learning to use and control their trunks, and their feet, sometimes taking a tumble! 

Two teenage Elephants kept me amused, play fighting in the water and on the riverbank, they had great fun tussling each other and I managed to get some great shots and videos too. The Matriarch, called time on their fun and the herd followed her into the bush while another large female followed at the rear. 

We returned to the lodge to find Warthogs running around the reception area, was hilarious and quite a normal occurrence apparently. To round off another fabulous day we enjoyed a great meal with local entertainment consisting of musicians and dancers with views over the river. 

Birdlife and Wildlife Encounters

Our last day in the Chobe National Park in Botswana, we headed out in our 4 X 4’s, all eyes peeled! I must mention the birds, there are approximately 450 different species, our guide, Sandi pointed birds out to us and told us their names, which I must confess I cannot remember all their names! Some of birds we came across were Rollers, Egrets, Herons, Lapwings, Weavers, Pelicans, Red Bishops, a wide variety of Kingfishers and the not so handsome, Kori Bustards and Marabou Storks.  As usual, I took lots of photos and hope I have named them correctly!   

Today, we encountered a Hippo up close! Whilst driving through the bush we came across a rather large Hippo in our path, or shall I say we were in his path.  Respecting his space, we reversed back to the riverbank in time to witness the Hippo running into the river, really pleased with myself, I got a great action video of his belly flop.

Namibian Chobe River Camp

Time to move on to the Namibian side of the Chobe River for the next couple of nights. There were now just six of us left in the group, not because the other five got eaten by Crocs, it’s because they booked the first part of the trip, we had chosen to book the whole trip, to cover Namibian side, Makgadikgadi Pans and the Boteti River. 

It is around a two-hour drive, at the border crossing into Namibia we had to complete a simple form to gain entry, no fees. The last part of the journey was a small boat that took us directly to the Chobe River Camp, another ‘Feature Stay’ for the next two nights. This property occupies a prime position across the river from the Chobe Nature Reserve, our tented chalet is built in line with the camp’s green philosophy, using indigenous Mopane timber and canvas and is solar powered. Our chalet was beautifully laid out, it was clear a lot of thought had gone into the design. All chalets have their own private viewing decks, only a few meters from the river's edge. 

The main lodge area was idyllic it has a great lounge/bar area where we enjoyed a drink or two with views and sounds of the riverbank. We saw local fishermen in their rather dodgy looking wooden canoes, some were sitting on the riverbanks waiting patiently for their catch, very daring in my opinion considering the river is full of Hippos and Crocs! The sunsets were stunning, the trees around us brimming with very noisy birds getting ready for the night, was spectacular. 

The next day, we headed out for the day on the Chobe River, because of the privileged position of the Chobe River Camp it allows access to a part of the river that most visitors don’t get to see, it gave us the opportunity to view abundant wildlife without the crowds, in fact the only people we saw were the fishermen. Spending the day on the river was pure pleasure watching the wildlife up close, apart from a coming across a Zebra floating in the water with a Croc looking rather pleased with himself. I know this is nature, but I don’t like this part! 

For lunch, the crew, Austin and Nelson carefully guided the boat ashore on a sandy island, known locally as Baxter Island, we enjoyed a walk on the island whilst our lunch was being prepared. Austin and Nelson put together a wonderful lunch which we all enjoyed on board before heading off on the river, back to the lodge. 

Later in the afternoon, Bill and I opted for a sunset cruise on a smaller boat which took us over to another park of the Chobe River, in the distance we spotted a few lions, however much closer to us were herds of Elephants, monkeys and Pelicans. Heading back to the lodge just before sunset was magical watching the sun set behind the trees, the sky was painted orange. 

Our last night we enjoyed a delicious home cooked dinner under a bright star-studded sky. 

Makgadikgadi Pans and Meerkats

Late morning we head south, roughly a six-hour drive, crossing the Ngoma border from Namibia back into Botswana, to discover the vast salt flats and grassy plains of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Located in the north-east of Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Pans sit in the middle of a dry savanna and are all that remain of the former Lake Makgadikgadi, it is one of the largest salt flats in the world. We stayed at the Nata Lodge situated on the edge of the Salt Pans and just 10 km from the Nata Bird Sanctuary. Our home for the night was in a wonderful thatched wooden chalet on stilts, a bath on legs and a great outdoor private shower set around Mokolwane Palm trees. 

After a quick freshen up we jumped into the 4 X 4’s for a drive on the Makgadikgadi Pans, this area is a breeding ground for thousands of water birds, and when the conditions are right it will be overflowing with Flamingos and Pelicans. There were lots of Wildebeest on the pans and a variety of water birds too. There is a great viewing deck area where we sat, had nibbles and a drink to watch the sun go down over the pans. 

The following day we embraced a very early start in search for Meerkats; I was really excited about this. We drove to the edge of the Ntwetwe salt pan, home to a resident family of entertaining Meerkats. With the aid of a bush tracker, we were hoping to observe their morning rituals as the sun rises, before they head out for their daily foraging. I thought I saw a Meerkat popping up and standing on its hind legs, it was a furry tailed ground squirrel! Sadly, the Meercats didn't want to come and play today, very disappointed, but that's nature, never guaranteed. 

Nata Lodge Slideshow

The Boteti River and San Bushmen

We continued our journey to the Boteti River, stopping for lunch at Gwete Lodge. During the dry season the river attracts some 25,000 zebras each year who migrate from the neighbouring Makgadikgadi Pans Game Reserve. As the only permanent source of water in the area, the river also receives visits from lions, cheetah, oryx, springbok, giraffe and elephants. 

We arrived for our two-night stay at the Leopard Plains Lodge, an eco-lodge operated by solar power and bio friendly sewage systems. Until now all the lodges had air conditioning! I’ll be honest I was dreading sleeping without AC; in fact, I was naughty and hadn’t told Bill! This eco-friendly lodge has just seven tented rooms, generous in size and tastefully designed and all very private. 

Our guide, called ‘Chief’ introduced us to two young ‘San’ Bushmen, a must if you have the opportunity. Wearing traditional dress, they greeted us with big smiles, they didn’t speak English, but a smile is a language we all understand. They took us on a short walk to find Scorpions. This was a game they used to play and has been passed down the generations. 

They look around for a while and then start digging with a long stick, about a foot into the ground and pulled out a wriggling scorpion, carefully holding its pincers with one hand and using his other hand for the stinger and tail. The bushman proceeded to put the scorpion in his mouth and clean it, eek! This relaxes the scorpion to sleep. I was relieved to learn scorpions burrow deep in the soil and not near the surface and not near my feet! Respecting nature, the other bushman dug a new hole for it and popped the scorpion into his new home where it disappeared out of sight. 

How to make a fire. One bushman untied his sandal and placed the base of his sandal, put some dung on it, which i thought was odd. Using a notched stick and a sharp ended stick they vigorously twizzled the stick until a whiff of smoke emerged, placing a thin layer of dried grass and a few gentle blows on the embers, it became a small fire. 

The Bushmen (meaning ‘the men of the forest’) are the indigenous people of Southern Africa who have lived there for over ten thousand years and are one of the most threatened cultures of Southern Africa. We learned from our guide that San bushmen tribes were not permitted to hunt and put in settlements back in 1994 forcing them out of their nomadic lives. Living in settlements and trying to cope with the modern world, not all have been given jobs so many help out by doing these traditional San bushmen walks to earn money whilst helping the younger tribe members learn survival skills, their culture and way of life from their elders, handed down by their ancestors. I understand, Botswana’s president has promised to restore some of their rights, which were taken away from them. Fingers crossed! 

We had one last game drive, an evening game drive, through the private conservancy of the Leopard Plains to search for animals that reveal themselves as the sun goes down, this was a special opportunity not always possible in the national parks. As we left the lodge, there was a Blue Wildebeest, named Billy, he is always on his own after being rejected by his herd, apparently, he lives a very lonely life, bless him. Before the sun went down, we parked up at a water hole, our guides set up chairs and served us drinks to enjoy while watching the sunset. Nearby we saw Wildebeest and Kudu’s having a mini stampede creating a large dust cloud. On our way back we spotted Giraffes, still nibbling away on tree leaves and a Puffer snake zigzagging past us. 

Final Stop: The Okavango Delta

We spent two nights at Thamalakane River Lodge near Maun.  It has 34 Babbler chalets and two larger family chalets, all cleverly positioned in the shade, on the banks of the river. It has a swimming pool larger than most of the other lodges we stayed at, a great restaurant with a patio where we chose to eat as it has great views of the riverbanks. 

How to end this truly amazing holiday on a high, a helicopter ride of course, over the Okavango Delta, of course! I have only been in a helicopter once over the Grand Canyon and said I would never fly in one again, it was very bumpy and rattled a lot! However, we decided we just had to see the wildlife from the air and extremely pleased we did take the plunge, not literally though! We arrived at Maun airport, met our pilot, who looked like he has just left school!

What we didn’t bargain for was an open sided Helicopter, we lifted off with me holding on for dear life whilst trying get videos and photos. I soon relaxed as the flight was extremely smooth and I stopped hanging on. Flying over the Okavango Delta and seeing the animals below, were out of this world, a memory I will treasure for life. 

Soweto and Farewell to Africa

Back in Johannesburg, we squeezed in one last tour with Chris through Soweto. We visited the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Mandela House Museum, and had lunch at Wandie’s Place. The stories, history and food left a lasting impression.



We passed the Soweto Towers before heading to the airport, reflecting on what was truly a trip of a lifetime.

Why We Chose This Intrepid Itinerary

We are both approaching our 63rd birthdays, we still have a long-haul bucket list of places we would like to tick off before we start ticking off short haul destinations. 

Why? 

• Long haul flights can be cumbersome the older you get, unless you go Business Class 
• Increase in airfares as they continue to go up (notable over the last 6-12 months) 
• Travel insurance don’t get me started! Some of our clients pay more for their ‘Worldwide’ insurance than their holidays once they reach 75-80+ years old, despite being in great health 
• Including Botswana in an African itinerary does put the price up however we wanted to cover Southern Africa in one go as we have too many other places in the world we would like to see. 
• Intrepid offer different styles of travelling, we chose the Premium style as we love our creature comforts plus Premium style includes amazing ‘feature stays’ 
• Small groups, in my opinion is essential, to get the best experience 
• Intrepid give back to local people, communities and places 
• All guides are local to the areas visited 

Rachel’s Tips for Travel in Southern Africa

• Botswana is one of Africa’s safest countries
• Neutral clothing is best (avoid bright colours)
• Mornings can be chilly—bring a jumper
• Pack trainers and/or strappy sandals
• Check vaccinations (Tetanus, Hepatitis etc.) and consult a travel clinic
• We took Malarone for malaria prevention (no side effects)
• Bug spray is essential (I didn’t get a single bite!)
• Wi-Fi is available but often slow

It's hard to sum up our trip in just a few words, but if I had to, I'd say: magical, tranquil, a blissful escape into nature—far removed from the chaos of the 'rat race.' 

Real Client Feedback: A Family Adventure to Remember