Southern Africa Overland: Canoes & Camp-Outs

Land in Victoria Falls, get to the campsite, and drop your bags. You'll meet the rest of the crew this evening for a first-night drink. If you want to properly see the falls or do any of the big activities here, your best move is to book a pre-night. The real road trip starts early on Day 2.

It's an early rise to the sound of Victoria Falls in the distance before settling in for the first big drive day. This is a long, scenic overland journey south to Matobo National Park. It's a full day in the truck, which is your first real chance to get to know the crew, trade travel stories, and watch the Zimbabwean landscape roll by.

Today is spent exploring Matobo National Park, a landscape of huge granite outcrops. You'll hop in an open safari vehicle to get around, stopping to check out historic Khoisan cave paintings and learn about the local plant life. The main event is tracking white rhinos on foot with a local guide, a rare chance to get close to the animals and learn about conservation efforts firsthand.

Another day, another border crossing. Today's drive takes you out of Zimbabwe and across the border into South Africa. It's a long haul, so settle in for more bus selfies and watching the scenery change. The day ends at a campsite in Tshipise, where you can soak in a warm mineral pool under the stars.

After a short morning drive, you'll arrive at the gates of Kruger National Park. The rest of the day is a wildlife safari drive from the high vantage of the overland truck. Keep your camera ready for lions, elephants, and the rest of the Big Five. The drive includes stops at prime viewing areas like Hippo Pool and the Red Rocks viewpoint as you cut through the nearly 5 million acres of savannah.

The day starts with one last safari drive through Kruger. You can stick with the truck or opt for a ride in a proper open-sided 4x4 safari vehicle for a different perspective. Afterwards, it's a long drive out of the park towards the town of Hazyview. The night wraps with a traditional dinner hosted by a local community, followed by some music and dancing.

Time to trade the bush for the city. Today is a full travel day, leaving the wildlife of Kruger behind for the urban energy of Johannesburg. There isn't much on the agenda besides the drive itself, so use the time to recharge before arriving in South Africa's largest city and checking into a proper hotel.

You've got a full free day to explore 'Jozi' on your own terms. The essential stops for understanding South Africa's history are the Apartheid Museum and Mandela's former house in Soweto. If you're looking for something more contemporary, check out the art, food, and bars in a trendy neighborhood like Melville. Or just enjoy the hotel.

It's another big travel day as you cross the border from South Africa into Botswana. The landscape gets noticeably more remote and desolate through this part of the country. You'll cover a lot of ground before arriving at the campsite for the night, which is located inside the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a community-based conservation project. Set up your tent and settle in around the campfire.

Before hitting the road, you'll take an open-air vehicle for a morning wildlife drive through the Khama Rhino Sanctuary to spot rhinos and other animals. Afterwards, it's back in the truck for the long haul to Maun. This is the main hub for trips into the Okavango Delta, and you'll see the landscape get progressively greener and more fertile as you get closer to town.

Today you're heading deep into the Okavango Delta. The day starts with a wildlife walk where local guides teach you how to track animals. From there, you'll board a traditional mokoro, or dugout canoe, and get poled quietly through the winding, reed-lined channels to a basic bush camp. This is a chance to completely unplug. The evening is spent around the campfire, sharing stories with the crew and local guides.

Wake up early for a classic delta sunrise over the water. After breakfast, you'll glide back out of the channels by mokoro and transfer by safari vehicle back to Maun for a quick, much-needed shower. Cleaned up, the crew gets back in the truck and drives to Nata. Tonight's campsite is set among massive, ancient baobab trees.

It's a travel day to Kasane, the town on the edge of Chobe National Park. This region is famous for having the largest concentration of elephants in Southern Africa. Your best move for the afternoon is to take the optional sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. It's the ideal way to see the huge herds of elephants, plus hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife, as they come to the water's edge.

The trip comes full circle today as you cross the border from Botswana back into Zimbabwe. Before reaching Victoria Falls, the group stops for a traditional lunch at the Lusumpuko Women's Club, a community-run project in a local township. The afternoon is your last chance to explore Vic Falls, whether that means taking a helicopter flight, rafting the Zambezi, or just feeling the spray from the viewpoints.

The trip officially ends this morning in Victoria Falls. Pack your bags and head out at any time. If you're not ready to go home, Vic Falls is a major travel hub, making it an easy place to extend your trip and explore more of the region.