Delta by dugout
Botswana Okavango Expedition
Explore the Okavango by mokoro, on foot and by 4x4, then connect onward to the Zambezi.
Gap Year · 12 weeks · Zimbabwe + Zambia + South Africa
Classic African Gap Year
Volunteer teaching, safari and cultural homestays across Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa.
Duration12 Weeks
EnquiriesWhatsApp
RegionZimbabwe, Zambia & South Africa
Group size4-16
DifficultyVaries by departure
What you’ll actually do
The definitive one
Volunteer teaching, safari and cultural homestays across Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa.
- Airport welcome and route briefing
- Locally led activities throughout
- Small group or private departure
- 24/7 in-country support
Day by day
The full itinerary
Your guide adapts each day to conditions, wildlife and how the group is going — the shape stays, the detail flexes.
Wildlife is free-ranging. Species and sightings vary with season and conditions, and no animal encounter is guaranteed.
- D1
Arrival & Orientation
Arrive in Harare and meet your volunteer coordinator. Full programme briefing, school introduction, and orientation walk through the city.
- Airport pickup
- Volunteer house briefing
- School and neighbourhood tour
- Welcome dinner with coordinator
- D2
Weeks 1-4: Teaching Placement
Four weeks of teaching in a community school — English, maths, arts, and sports coaching. After-school activities twice weekly. Weekend cultural excursions.
- Daily teaching sessions (7:30am-1pm)
- Twice-weekly sports coaching
- Weekend: Harare markets, craft villages, city culture
- Weekly coordinator check-in
- Victoria Falls weekend (Week 3)
- D3
Victoria Falls Weekend
The midpoint reward — travel to Victoria Falls for a two-night visit including both sides of the Falls, a Zambezi sunset cruise, and a village homestay.
- Travel to Victoria Falls (Friday evening)
- Saturday: Zimbabwe side rainforest walk
- Zambezi sunset cruise
- Sunday: Zambian side + village homestay dinner
- Monday: return to Harare
- D4
Week 5: Zambia and Chobe
Cross into Zambia and Botswana for a Victoria Falls and Chobe safari — a Chobe boat trip and time on the upper Zambezi. Africa's most concentrated wildlife experience.
- Travel to Kasane, Botswana
- Full-day Chobe River boat safari
- Look for elephant herds from a safe distance
- Look for hippos and crocodiles
- Zambezi sunset dugout canoe
- D5
Week 6: South Africa — Kruger
Fly or drive to South Africa and spend two nights in Kruger National Park — dawn and dusk game drives with an expert ranger. Big Five territory.
- Travel to Kruger National Park
- Dawn game drive (5am start)
- Big Five tracking with ranger
- Afternoon game drive
- Watering hole stake-out
- Night sounds from the bush camp
- D6
Week 7: Cape Town Finale
Fly to Cape Town for the final week — Table Mountain, Robben Island, the Cape Peninsula, and the Winelands. The perfect end to a Southern Africa gap year.
- Cape Town arrival
- Table Mountain hike or cable car
- Robben Island — former political prisoner guide
- Cape Peninsula drive — penguins at Boulders Beach
- Stellenbosch wine tasting
- Farewell dinner at the V&A Waterfront
- D7
Departure
Final morning in Cape Town. Debrief, certificates, and airport transfer.
- Final breakfast
- Debrief and certificate presentation
- Airport transfer
- International departure
One package
What is included
Check the lists alongside for this trip’s inclusions and exclusions. Message us for current booking details.
Included
- All accommodation (volunteer house, safari lodge, community homestay)
- All meals throughout
- Victoria Falls visit
- Kruger National Park game drive
- Chobe boat safari
- Volunteer placement with coordinator support
- All transport between countries
- Pre-departure briefing pack
Not included
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Tips
Before you ask
Common questions
What exactly is included in the price?
Everything on the included list on this page — accommodation, meals as stated, all ground transport, permits and park fees, your guide team, and every activity in the itinerary. International flights, travel insurance, visas and personal spending are not included, and we never add them later.
How much is the deposit and when is the balance due?
Message us on WhatsApp for current booking and payment details. It holds your place and is fully refundable if you cancel 90 or more days before departure. The balance is due 8 weeks before you fly, in a single payment.
Can I travel solo, or do I need to bring people?
Most travellers book alone and join a small group. If you'd rather have the trip run privately for you or your friends, tell us in the enquiry and we'll price it — private departures usually work from two people.
What if I'm not fit enough?
Tell us honestly in your enquiry and we'll say honestly whether it's realistic. On trekking routes we'll often suggest a shorter itinerary rather than sell you one you won't enjoy. Nobody is talked into a trip here.
Are the dates fixed?
The itinerary length is fixed but start dates are flexible on almost every trip. Give us the window you're working with — term dates, exam finish, a flight you've already found — and we'll build around it.
Your next step
Ask about Classic African Gap Year
Chat with us about dates, availability, inclusions and booking details.
Your message includes this trip and its page link, so we know exactly which plan you mean.
Enquire on WhatsAppAlso worth a look
If this one isn’t quite right
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Kruger & The Cape Highlights
Combine Kruger game drives, the Winelands and Cape Town with expert local guides.
Both sides of the Falls
Victoria Falls Classic Safari
See both banks of Victoria Falls, cruise the Zambezi at sunset and stay with a village host.
Classic African Gap YearWhatsApp us