Expedition to South Africa and Botswana 2026

Guided South Africa and Botswana Tour

March 22 – 31, 2026  |  Led by Tahuayo Lodge Owner Dolly Beaver

Against the backdrop of the grandiose Drakensberg Mountain Range lies Karongwe Reserve. Bordering Kruger national Park, but without the crowds. Enjoy a private, intimate viewing experience of the wildlife of the African plains from a small lodge offering personalized tours. This is followed by a visit to the wetlands of Botswana, hosting the greatest biological diversity in South Africa.

Trip Length

10 Days / 9 Nights

Group Size

18

Difficulty Level

Easy

Trip Length: 8 Days / 7 Nights
Group Size: 12-15 Travelers
Difficulty Level: Easy

Start Your Adventure

Trips start at a cost of $5095 and include private safari experiences, all lodging, meals, and more. Please review the trip details below for more information.

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN! 

Hosted by Local Guides and Amazonia’s Experienced Trip Leaders

Your South African Tour Highlights

This 10-day expedition, led by Amazonia Expeditions’ Tahuayo Lodge owner Dolly Beaver, will take you deep into the heart of South Africa’s wild landscapes and Botswana’s renowned Chobe National Park. Starting in Johannesburg, you’ll journey to Karongwe Game Reserve, where you’ll witness breathtaking wildlife, including Africa’s iconic Big Five, on daily game drives. Continue to Botswana, where you’ll cruise the Chobe River and wetlands before embarking on thrilling safaris, encountering large herds of elephants, hippos, lions, and other incredible species. With comfortable lodges, rich biodiversity, and expertly guided excursions, this trip promises an exceptional African wildlife experience.

    Enjoy a Comfortable Stay During Your South African Tour

    Your Accomodations

    During your trip, you will be staying primarily around the Karongwe Game Reserve and the Chobe National Park and will be staying at two separate Game Lodges. Fringing the Karongwe Game Reserve, Shiduli Private Game Lodge exudes unsurpassed warmth and hospitality while providing a reliable hub for daily game drives. The Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge will provide our base while visiting the Chobe National Park. Situated under the shade of towering knob thorns and jackelberry trees, the camp is made up of relaxing tented suites connecting guests with the warmth and vibrancy of the African wilderness. Please note that locations are subject to change with equivalent accommodations based on availability.

      Day 1 - Johannesburg

      On arrival, meet your English speaking guide for your transfer to Peermont Mondior
      Day at leisure
      There are various restaurants within walking distance of your hotel
      Overnight: Peermont Mondior – Classic Room – Bed & breakfast basis

      Day 2 - Johannesburg – Karongwe Game Reserve

      After breakfast, transfer to OR Tambo International Airport
      Check in for your flight to Hoedspruit Airport (cost of flight not included)
      On arrival, transfer to the lodge
      Afternoon game drive
      Dinner at your lodge
      Overnight: Shiduli Private Game Lodge – Standard Room – Full board and afternoon game drive

      Day 3 - Karongwe Game Reserve

      Early morning game drive
      Breakfast at your lodge
      Lunch at your lodge
      Afternoon game drive
      Dinner at your lodge
      Overnight: Shiduli Private Game Lodge – Standard Room – Full board and morning and afternoon game drives

      Day 4 - Karongwe Game Reserve

      Early morning game drive
      Breakfast at your hotel
      Lunch at your lodge
      Afternoon game drive
      Dinner at your lodge
      Overnight: Shiduli Private Game Lodge – Standard Room – Full board and morning and afternoon game drives

      Day 5 - Karongwe Game Reserve

      Early morning game drive
      Breakfast at your hotel
      Lunch at your lodge
      Afternoon game drive
      Dinner at your lodge
      Overnight: Shiduli Private Game Lodge – Standard Room – Full board and morning and afternoon game drives

      Day 6 - Karongwe Game Reserve – Kasane

      Breakfast at your lodge
      Transfer to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport (3 hours)
      Flight from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport to Victoria Falls or Livingstone (cost of flight not included)
      Transfer to Mowana Safari Lodge clearing customs and immigration into Botswana en-route
      Afternoon activity
      Dinner at your lodge
      Overnight: Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge – Standard Room – Full board including scheduled morning and afternoon activities. Activities include game drives in Chobe National Park and game cruises on the Chobe river.

      Day 7 - Kasane

      Breakfast at your lodge
      Morning game drive
      Lunch at your lodge
      Afternoon game drive
      Dinner at your lodge
      Overnight: Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge – Standard Room – Full board including scheduled morning and afternoon activities. Activities include game drives in Chobe National Park and game cruises on the Chobe river.

      Day 8 - Kasane

      Breakfast at your lodge
      Morning game drive
      Lunch at your lodge
      Afternoon game drive
      Dinner at your lodge
      Overnight: Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge – Standard Room – Full board including scheduled morning and afternoon activities. Activities include game drives in Chobe National Park and game cruises on the Chobe river.

      Day 9 - Kasane

      Breakfast at your lodge
      Morning game drive
      Lunch at your lodge
      Afternoon game drive
      Dinner at your lodge
      Overnight: Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge – Standard Room – Full board including scheduled morning and afternoon activities. Activities include game drives in Chobe National Park and game cruises on the Chobe river.

      Day 10 - Kasane – Johannesburg

      Breakfast at your lodge
      Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your commercial flight to Johannesburg (cost of flight not included).
      End of services

      Costs and Logistics to Prepare for your Journey

      Practical Details

      Deposit: $100 / person

      $5095.00 per person (double occupancy)

      For a single room + $900.00

       

      This Trip Includes:

      • Meet & Greet on arrival
      • Accommodation in standard rooms at hotels, lodges and camps, unless otherwise indicated in the itinerary.
      • Meals as indicated in itinerary.
      • Peermont Mondior – Bed & breakfast basis
      • Shiduli Private Game Lodge – Full board basis including morning and afternoon game drives
      • Mowana Safari Lodge – Full board basis and two game activities (morning and afternoon)
      • Road transfers:
        • OR Tambo Int. Airport / Peermont Mondior / OR Tambo Int. Airport
        • Hoedspruit Airport / Shiduli Private Lodge / Kruger Mpumalanga Int. Airport
        • Victoria Falls Airport / Mowana Safari Lodge / Victoria Falls Airport
      • A guide will be on-board the coach to assist with transfers from OR Tambo to Peermont Metcourt.
      • Green Seat
      • Porterage at OR Tambo Int. Airport on arrival

      This Trip Excludes:

      • Porterage
      • Personal extras for example curios and gifts
      • Any gratuities / tips to guides, rangers
      • Entrance fees not mentioned
      • All meals and drinks not mentioned
      • Flight: Johannesburg / Hoedspruit
      • Flight: Kruger Mpumalanga Int. Airport / Victoria Falls
      • Flight: Victoria Falls / Johannesburg
      • Any airfare or airport departure taxes
      • Any medical or travel insurance
      • Any international or domestic airfare or airport departure taxes

      What Our Guests Are Saying

      ★★★★★

      “We had the most memorable trip of our lives. To be in the midst of tens of thousands of wild animals was mind-blowing. Thank you for arranging this. Thank you fantastic trip leader Dolly, attentive, thoughtful, energetic and kind.”

      Mac and Julie: Serengeti Expedition

      ★★★★★

      “Outstanding, life changing experience. I was just in awe of so much beautiful nature. Everything went smoothly with leader Dolly always ready to assist.”

      Karen and Tom: Serengeti Expedition

      ★★★★★

      “Incomparable with anything we’ve ever seen. To be in the middle of so many animals was just pure joy.”

      Catherine and Sarah: Serengeti Expedition

      ★★★★★

      Best trip of my life. Incredible abundance of wildlife. We hit the mass of migration in the right place and time.

      Roger: Serengeti Expedition

      Amazonia Expeditions, Inc., Travel Agency, Tampa, FL

      Estefani Mishel Maytahuari

      Mishel got her degree in tourism from Nauta Institute in 2016. After working as a guide with other companies, Mishel came to study with Amazonia Expeditions as a training guide in 2023. Mishel was promoted to head guide in 2025.

      Leyner Arian Ijuma

      Leyner got his degree as a tour guide in 2010 at the Nauta Institute and came to work at Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. He has biological field work experience from supporting Nicholas Gardner of the University of Florida who he helped study the adaptations of birds in seasonally flooded igapo forests. Birding is one of Leyner's strongest skills.

      Julio Pacaya

      Julio finished his studies as a tour guide at the Nauta Institute in 2016 and came to work as a training guide with Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. Nature photography and birding are among Julio's strongest skills. Julio is fluent in English and French, as well as his native tongue of Spanish.

      Claudio Huayllahua Sánchez

      Claudio was born and grew up in El Chino Village on the Tahuayo River. He studied primary school in El Chino and continued his education in Iquitos, earning a technical degree from SENATI Institute. He started working for Amazonia Expeditions in 2014 as a field research assistant with several biologists and as an assistant guide. Claudio was promoted to head guide in 2017 and is our camping and jungle survival specialist.

      Hersog Chavez Yuyarima

      Hersog first got the idea of becoming a guide after watching the tourist boats going by his village every day. He was fascinated that tourists would come to see his home and he loved the way that the guides he saw did their work. He knew that someday he wanted to be just like them. Hersog studied at technical school for 3 years leaning the basics of guiding. After graduating, Hersog worked as a guide for several years working with Peruvian tourists, later coming to work for Amazonia in 2017. Hersog was promoted to head guide in 2019. He has worked as a field research assistant in the study of the elusive pygmy marmoset. Hersog is known for his sharp eyes and his unique stories about the jungle.

      Lander Juan Peña Ramirez

      Lander was born in the remote jungle community of Santa Victoria. His boyhood dream was to become to best jungle guide in the Amazon. Lander studied at a local institute for several years where he learned basic English and the foundations of the being a tour guide. Later he worked for several years at other jungle loges as a guide, honing his skills as a survival camping guide. Lander came to work for Amazonia Expeditions in 2017 and along with a strong interest in birding and fishing is also one of our lead camping and survival guides.

      Aladino Jr. Hidalgo

      Aladino was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River and attended school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. During this period, Aladino worked with his father as a trailblazer, assisting primate researchers who came to study at a local field station. Afterwards, he moved to Lima where he worked for several years while studying guiding & English. Upon returning in 2019, he was hired by Amazonia as a field assistant and actively supported researchers studying giant river otters, pygmy marmosets, and various bird species. He then joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was later promoted to head guide in 2022.

      Jhony Hidalgo

      Jhony was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. He attended primary school in his home village and high school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. Jhony later pursued further studies in Iquitos, where he obtained a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. After graduating, he worked at the Amazon Rescue Center in Iquitos (CREA), guiding visitors to the center. In 2021 he joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2023.

      Sila Hidalgo

      Sila was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. She attended primary school in Diamante village and high school in the community of “El Chino” on the Tahuayo River. Her family moved to El Chino so Sila could attend high school, as it was the closest village offering secondary education. Later, Sila joined our Angels (AoA) scholarship program to further her education in Iquitos, where she earned a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. She completed her internship at Tahuayo Lodge. After graduating, Sila began her career with Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2022.

      Welister Perez

      Welister grew up in the small community of Padre Cocha just outside of Iquitos City. He lived there for most of his life, and later worked at several jungle lodges before starting at Amazonia Expeditions. Welister has proven himself as both a talented jungle man and team player with an eagle eye for spotting wildlife. After several months of training with Amazonia he was promoted to a head guiding position in 2017.

      Javier Anibal Alván Arévalo

      Javier has worked at the Amazonia Expeditions lodges for 10 years, starting as a young teenager as an assistant in building repair, then moving up to motorboat pilot, then camping assistant and assistant guide, and after passing his guide exams with high grades was promoted to head guide in 2014. Javier is also our Canopy Zipline specialist and has taken professional certification classes in Costa Rica. Javier is also a fishing specialist and is beloved by families with children.