From
NZ $4,624

Southern Explorer

32 days
From Lusaka to Cape Town
5.0
3 traveler reviews

Southern Explorer

32 days
From Lusaka to Cape Town
5.0
3 traveler reviews
From
NZ $4,624
Find this price
+ $951 Local Payment
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $929 now + easy payments of $266 Learn More

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:
Overland Truck
Off-the-grid adventures with a rugged edge
Fully Guided
An experienced guide will be with you for the entire tour
Guided in English
Group Size 4 - 28
Age range 18 to 80
Image of a map showing the route of the tour

Highlights

  • Relax by Lake Kariba with optional houseboat cruise
  • Explore Great Zimbabwe ruins and Matopos National Park
  • Adventure activities at Victoria Falls
  • Experience Chobe and Okavango Delta safaris
  • Discover Namib Desert and Sossusvlei dunes

Itinerary

Expand All
  1. Introduction
  1. Day 1-3 ZAMBIA - ZIMBABWE
  2. Day 4-6 ZIMBABWE
  3. Day 7-9 ZIMBABWE
  4. Day 10-15 BOTSWANA
  5. Day 16-20 NAMIBIA
  6. Day 21-24 NAMIBIA
  7. Day 25-28 NAMIBIA
  8. Day 29-32 SOUTH AFRICA
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What's Included

Expand All
  • Accommodation
  • Guide
  • Meals
  • Additional Services
  • Transport
  • Free eSIM
    TourRadar offers the lead traveler (the person who booked) a free 1GB eSIM for the trip. The eSIM is redeemable only through the TourRadar app 72 hours before departure.

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Insurance
  • Optional
  • Additional Services

Operated by

Absolute Africa

4.5
(181 reviews)

Number of tours

46

Age Range

18 to 80 years old

Response time

9 hours

Response rate

100%

With over thirty years of experience running safaris from London to Cape Town...

Read more

Your Peace of Mind Options

Cancellation Policy

A transparent overview of applicable fees.

Travel Insurance

Be covered for any unforseen circumstances.

Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating
    Excellent
    5.0
  • Itinerary
    Excellent
    5.0
  • Guide
    Excellent
    5.0
  • Transport
    Excellent
    4.7
  • Accommodation
    Excellent
    4.7
  • Food
    Excellent
    5.0
  • 4.5
  • Southern Explorer reviewer 1
    · June 3rd, 2019
    Just one word: Fabulous!
    Show more
    Absolute Africa commented on this review
    Thank you for leaving a review, Vicki. We are glad to hear you thoroughly enjoyed your time in southern Africa :)
    Trip date: February 2019
  • EK
    · November 15th, 2017
    Amazing experience. We had a great tour guide who knew a lot about the places we visited and cooked nice meals for us. Really cool optional activities and a good place to meet like minded travellers
    Show more
    Absolute Africa commented on this review
    Thanks Elena, great to hear you enjoyed your tour!
    Trip date: October 2017
  • Southern Explorer reviewer 3
    · December 14th, 2014
    The tour to Zim, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa was absolutely amazing. We were sooo lucky to have Vee as our guide. She was superfriendly, knowledgable, a true party queen yet always in control. Her cooking was awesome, her enthusiasm and ability to give everybody a great time impressive. I would love to go on another tour with her!
    Show more
    Absolute Africa commented on this review
    Thank you so much for leaving a review, we very pleased that you enjoyed the Southern Explorer!
    Trip date: October 2014

Dates & Availability

32 days
Southern Explorer
From Lusaka to Cape Town

Why book with TourRadar?

    • Trusted and vetted operators
    • Rated excellent on
    • Best price guarantee
    • 24/7 customer support
    • Earn $50 in travel credits
    • Free eSim with every purchase

    To protect your payment and ensure your booking will be processed in Australia, never transfer or communicate outside of the TourRadar website or app.

More benefits
Select a departure month
  • Upcoming departures
  • July 2025
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  • January 2026
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  • November 2026
  • January 2027
Select The Travel Month

Upcoming departures
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Ends on 24 Jun, 2025
  • From Saturday
    5 Jul, 2025
    To Tuesday
    5 Aug, 2025
    English
    Filling Fast
    From:
    NZ $4,624
    Local Payment
    $951
  • From Monday
    4 Aug, 2025
    To Thursday
    4 Sep, 2025
    English
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  • From Tuesday
    9 Sep, 2025
    To Friday
    10 Oct, 2025
    English
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  • From Thursday
    9 Oct, 2025
    To Sunday
    9 Nov, 2025
    English
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    Local Payment
    $951
  • From Tuesday
    4 Nov, 2025
    To Friday
    5 Dec, 2025
    English
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  • From Friday
    28 Nov, 2025
    To Monday
    29 Dec, 2025
    English
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  • From Sunday
    18 Jan, 2026
    To Wednesday
    18 Feb, 2026
    English
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    NZ $4,624
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    $951
  • From Tuesday
    10 Mar, 2026
    To Friday
    10 Apr, 2026
    English
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    From:
    NZ $4,624
    Local Payment
    $951
  • From Thursday
    9 Apr, 2026
    To Sunday
    10 May, 2026
    English
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    Local Payment
    $951
  • From Wednesday
    3 Jun, 2026
    To Saturday
    4 Jul, 2026
    English
    From:
    NZ $4,624
    Local Payment
    $951

What our customers ask about this tour

The content in our FAQ section is subject to change.
All questions
  • E

    Eileen

    Asked on May 14th, 2025

    Where is the meeting point ? Which country and place will you pick us up from And I am planing to join alone .Will I stay in the tent alone or with somebody ?

    Accommodation
    Tour Details
    • Absolute AfricaOperatorWritten May 2025

      The meeting point for this tour is at Eureka Camp in Lusaka, Zambia. We can also organise a transfer from the airport to Eureka Camp as well for you. We do advise to arrive at least the afternoon prior to departure. Normally, tents would be shared with another traveller of the same sex. However, if you would like your own tent, we are usually able to accommodate this if you do request this in advance.

  • L

    Lawrence

    Asked on February 29th, 2024

    Where would I meet this tour group in Lusaka? Airport? Hotel? Would there be detailed instructions on how and where to meet the tour group?

    Tour Details
    Travel Support
    • Absolute AfricaOperatorWritten February 2024

      For the 3rd April Southern Explorer we meet at Eureka Campsite which is located just outside Lusaka on the day prior to departure - 2nd April. The truck and group you would be joining will have travelled down from Malawi and so they will arrive into Eureka usually around mid afternoon and will be expecting you there. If you fly into Lusaka on 2nd April, we can organise an airport transfer to Eureka if you would like and this would be 60 USD. If you arrive any earlier we can also book accommodation for you at Eureka if needed (availability depending). We confirm all arrangements for transfers and accommodation in writing about two weeks prior to the tour so that you know where to look out for your driver at the airport and how to identify him. We will then let your tour leader know of your flight arrival time so they also know what sort of time to expect you to be arriving at camp. They will also be notified if you will already be at the campsite so they can look out for you as soon as they arrive.

  • A

    Alyssa

    Asked on October 8th, 2023

    how hot (or muggy to put it better) will it be, especially during the Zambia/Zimbabwe/Botswana part of the trip. I don't enjoy sweltering temperatures, especially at night. Where is it that we stay in a lodge? How much of an issue are mosquitos? Is there a chance to shower each day?

    Accommodation
    Travel Support
    • Absolute AfricaOperatorWritten October 2023

      Weather is start of summer in Zimbabwe and Botswana with day time temperatures into the mid thirties and night time temperatures in the late teens/early twenties. Rain may start to fall during this month as the summer is the wet season in southern Africa. We advise to be cautious with mosquitos all year round to avoid malaria risk. Apply DEET mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening. Trips are mainly camping with dorm accommodation in local lodges at Swakopmund, Stellenbosch, and Cape Town. Showers are available nearly every day. Optional Okavango Delta is a bush camp experience with no facilities.

    • A

      Alyssa

      TravelerWritten October 2023

      do I need to bring a sleeping bag? What about other camping gear? My friend is presuming to buy these things in Lusaka.

    • A
      1 more answer
  • S

    Stephanie

    Asked on August 23rd, 2022

    Is there a guide with the group 24/7?

    Tour Details
    Travel Support
    • Absolute AfricaOperatorWritten August 2022

      All our tours have a tourleader and driver who are with the group the whole way.

  • R

    Rick

    Asked on August 1st, 2016

    I would also like to know if the price is inclusive of activities like bungee jumps in Victoria Falls?

    Price / Availability
    • Absolute AfricaOperatorWritten August 2016

      Adrenalin activities like bungee jumping, gorge swing, skydiving etc are not included, these you book and pay for locally.

  • S

    Sandra

    Asked on August 1st, 2016

    What are the inclusion of the tour price?

    Other
    • Absolute AfricaOperatorWritten August 2016

      The trip includes the following: • Matopos
      • Etosha National Park (2 nights)
      • Namib Naukluft National Park
      • The Cheetah Sanctuary
      • Cape Cross Seal Colony
      • Spitzkoppe or similar
      • Sossusvlei dunes
      • Fish River Canyon
      • 27 breakfasts, 26 dinners
      • Incl. contribution to final group meal
      • 30 nights accommodation, incl. 26 nights camping
      • Incl. 3 nights lodge stay, Swakopmund
      • & 1 night Ashanti Lodge, Cape Town
      • Fully equipped expedition truck incl - fridge, gas, tents, sleep mats

  • J

    Jean

    Asked on February 15th, 2016

    What is the local payment?

    Other
    • Absolute AfricaOperatorWritten February 2016

      The local payment is a separate payment from the initial price you pay before you leave. If a local payment is required it will be shown with the trip price. This second payment is made in Africa at the start of your trip. It is payable in USD. The local payment provides us with the means for expenses that need to be paid in cash to local businesses en route to be arranged in the most cost effective manner possible, a saving we can then pass on to you. It also means we can operate in a way that directly supports local businesses and wildlife authorities as we travel. Local Payment will not be changed once you have booked your travel arrangements.

  • M

    Monique

    Asked on February 15th, 2016

    How much will this trip really cost me?

    Price / Availability
    • Absolute AfricaOperatorWritten February 2016

      The costs to consider when travelling overland are:

      Safari price & Local payment,
      Optional excursions,
      Personal spending money,
      Visas.

      We are always very transparent about what a tour will cost and are happy to go through personal, tailored budgets to give you a very realistic idea of what you will spend on your tour - whether you are an adrenaline junkie, souvenir-shopaholic or travelling on a shoestring…

Can’t find the answer to your question?
Reach out to the experts at Absolute Africa with your enquiry, they usually respond within 9 hours.
From
NZ $4,624
Find this price
+ $951 Local Payment
Save and compare this adventure
Payment plan $929 now + easy payments of $266 Learn More

Best price guarantee Learn More

Plan your adventure:

Good to Know

Tour ID: 268

  • Currencies
    P
    Pula
    Botswana
    $
    Namibia Dollar
    Namibia
    R
    Rand
    South Africa
    $
    US Dollar
  • Plugs & Adapters

    As a traveler from New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types D, M, G.

    Type D
    Botswana
    Type M
    Botswana
    Type G
    Zambia and Zimbabwe
  • Vaccines
    • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
    • Typhoid - Recommended for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ideally 3 months before travel.
    • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ideally 2 months before travel.
    • Rabies - Recommended for Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ideally 1 month before travel.
    • Yellow fever - Certificate of vaccination required if arriving from an area with a risk of yellow fever transmission for Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Ideally 10 days before travel.
    • Cholera - Recommended for Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
    • Meningococcal meningitis - Recommended for Zambia. Ideally 3 weeks before travel.
  • Visa
    • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
    • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • Payment information
    • For any tour departing before August 18th, 2025 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after August 18th, 2025, a minimum payment of 20% is required to confirm your booking with Absolute Africa. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
    • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Absolute Africa will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
    • The following cards are accepted for "Absolute Africa" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Cancellation Policy
  • Accessibility
    Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveler, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team, who are ready and waiting to help you.