Southern Africa Highlights
18 Days Starting in Windhoek, Namibia and ending in Johannesburg, South Africa
Visiting: Windhoek, Tintenpalast, Christuskirche, Ghanzi, Central Kalahari, Okavango Delta, Maun, Makgadikgadi Pans, Kasane, Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Hwange, Painted Dog Conservation Centre, Bulawayo, Matobo National Park, Mapungubwe National Park, Mapesu Private Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, Three Rondawels Viewpoint, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Johannesburg
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UBKHC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 13
Age range:
15-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Southern Africa, exploring the diverse landscapes and rich wildlife of Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. Experience the serene beauty of the Okavango Delta from a houseboat, and witness the majestic Victoria Falls. Discover the wildlife of Chobe National Park on a thrilling game drive and river cruise. Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust to learn about conservation efforts, and explore the ancient ruins of Mapungubwe National Park. Enjoy a night safari in a private game reserve and track rhinos in Matobo National Park. This tour offers a unique blend of adventure, culture, and natural beauty, providing an immersive experience in the heart of Africa.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Windhoek
Location: Windhoek, Tintenpalast, Christuskirche
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Welkom! Welcome to Namibia. Your adventure begins in Windhoek, where you‘ll be met by an Intrepid representative and transferred to your hotel. If you arrive early, maybe wander the old German architecture in the town, passing the Tintenpalast (Ink Palace) and the Christuskirche (church). Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm to get to know your local leader and fellow travellers. After, you might want to join your group for an optional welcome dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Ghanzi/Central Kalahari
Location: Ghanzi, Central Kalahari
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Basic Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today is a bit of a long travel day as you cross the border into Botswana and make your way to Ghanzi – known as the ‘Capital of the Kalahari’. Take the opportunity to grab a window seat and watch the landscape pass you by or get to know your fellow travellers a little better with some road trip games. When you arrive, settle into your lodge accommodation and soak up some Botswana sunshine or cool off in the pool.
Day 3: Okavango Delta Panhandle
Location: Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Houseboat (with shared facilities)
Accommodation Name: Houseboat (with shared facilities)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, you’ll head to the Okavango Delta – known for its sprawling grassy plains that flood seasonally, making the delta a lush animal habitat. When you arrive, board speedboats and make your way to your home for the next two nights – a houseboat in the Okavango Delta Panhandle. You can chill out on the deck or grab a few friends and attempt one of the onsite board games. For dinner, your captain will serve dinner on the deck, and you can watch the sunset while you eat and listen to the sounds of the nearby hippos on the water's edge.
Included Activities:
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Day 4: Okavango Delta Panhandle
Location: Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Houseboat (with shared facilities)
Accommodation Name: Houseboat (with shared facilities)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, take a speedboat and a 4WD to a nearby polling station. From here, you can explore the waterways in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) with a local guide. Your guide will take you on a short nature walk around one of the many islands in the Delta Panhandle. Then, return to the houseboat where you can relax, read a book or do some fishing. This evening, grab a sundowner, pull up a chair and watch the often striking sunset.
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Day 5: Maun
Location: Maun, Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave your houseboat behind and again board the speedboats that take you back to dry land. Drive on to Maun – the gateway of the Okavango Delta. For those seeking an extra adventure, there's an opportunity to fly over the delta in a helicopter for a bird's-eye view! Your leader can give you more information on this activity and how to book, so just ask them if you’re interested. Alternatively, the afternoon is free for you to sit by the pool and take a breather when you arrive in Maun.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Makgadikgadi Pans
Location: Makgadikgadi Pans
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leave your lodge after breakfast and head towards north-east Botswana. The next stop is the Makgadikgadi Pans – a large salt pan in the middle of the dry savanna. This pan is now all that remains of the former Lake Makgadikgadi. Head out to the Makgadikgadi Pans for an afternoon excursion in open 4WDs to one of the largest salt flats in the world, spending some time with a local meerkat community along the way. This visit to the local colony of meerkats will allow you to get close to them without disturbing their natural habitat. Then, take a bush walk with one of southern Africa's oldest inhabitants and learn their way of life within the Kalahari Bushman group. They will teach you how they interact with nature, keeping a well-balanced relationship with the local land. Tonight, sip on a couple of sundowners and enjoy some snacks as you watch the sun fall behind the old baobab trees.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Chobe National Park
Location: Kasane, Chobe National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
This morning, make tracks towards Kasane, which sits on the edge of Chobe National Park. The stretch of road between Nata and Kasane is known as the 'Elephant Highway'. With no fences, elephants are free to move between Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe and Botswana. So, this is the perfect time keep your eyes peeled for roadside elephants during your drive! When you arrive in Chobe National Park – Botswana's first national park, known for its high concentration of elephants – settle into your lodge on the banks of the Chobe River and soak in the sounds of the wildlife.
Day 8: Chobe National Park
Location: Chobe National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Wake up nice and early this morning to take a dawn game drive in Chobe National Park. In the park, you might see the resident elephants drinking at the waters' edge, large herds of cape buffalo or one of the many impalas that call this place home. In the afternoon, you’ll take a scenic cruise on the Chobe River – ideal for spotting local bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters. As well as birds, look out for hippos, crocodiles and large families of elephants. There will also be an opportunity to enjoy a drink and watch the sunset over the river after the boat cruise.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Travel on to Victoria Falls, crossing the border into Zimbabwe. Arrive in time to have lunch on the banks of the Zambezi River. Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and when in full flow, it forms the largest sheet of falling water on Earth. Your leader will take you to a local activity centre where various activities will be on offer to fill up your afternoon here. This evening, take a local brewery tour with your group and enjoy a tasting paddle to sample the brewery’s finest. After, maybe keep the night going and celebrate a trip well-travelled with your group.
Included Activities:
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Day 10: Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is a free day to enjoy the many activities on offer. There will be another Welcome Meeting at 6pm to meet the new group members joining today. Please let you leader know if you will not take part in this meeting.
Included Activities:
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Day 11: Hwange National Park
Location: Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Depart Victoria Falls and hit the road to Hwange National Park, stopping at the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust along the way – one of The Intrepid Foundation projects. Here, you’ll learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and their role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. This afternoon, take a game drive within the Hwange National Park in 4WDs. Hwange, the largest park in Zimbabwe, was designated as a national park in 1929 after acting as the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi in the early 19th century. The park is famous for its elephants and is home to one of the largest populations in the world, as well as a huge variety of wildlife including over 100 mammals and nearly 400 bird species!
Included Activities:
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Day 12: Matobo National Park
Location: Hwange, Painted Dog Conservation Centre, Bulawayo, Matobo National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave Hwange as you make tracks for Matobo National Park. Along the way, you’ll stop at the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. Learn how the loss of quality habitats and poaching are driving the painted dogs towards extinction, and how the centre protects painted dogs and the Hwange ecosystem. After, it's onto Bulawayo – Zimbabwe's second-largest city. Take a stroll through the streets and stop in at a local restaurant for lunch. Continue to Matobo, where you'll spend the next two nights. The rocks balanced in Matobo Hills are thought to be the seats of God and ancestral spirits. The park is home to the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, founder of Rhodesia and the De Beers diamond company, and is especially known for its rhino population.
Included Activities:
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Day 13: Matobo National Park
Location: Matobo National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy an unforgettable day of tracking rhinos on foot with your local guides. You'll learn about the local plants and trees and their traditional uses, and there'll be plenty of chances to spot wildlife other than rhinos. The park is home to leopards, hippos, antelope and more! Learn about the San people who have called this area home for thousands of years and visit their rock paintings in the hills. Spend some time in the nearby villages to meet some of the local community before returning to your lodge for the evening.
Included Activities:
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Day 14: Mapungubwe National Park
Location: Mapungubwe National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Say goodbye to Zimbabwe and cross the border into South Africa. Your bush lodge for tonight sits inside Mapesu Private Game Reserve – a 12,500 hectares property surrounded by unique sandstone formations, woodlands and wildlife. The reserve focuses on biodiversity, conservation and the protection and reintroduction of species including efforts specifically on endangered animals. When you arrive, have dinner here with your group and watch the night sky come alive with stars.
Day 15: Mapungubwe National Park
Location: Mapungubwe National Park, Mapesu Private Game Reserve
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, you’ll explore Mapungubwe National Park and World Heritage Site – home to South Africa’s most significant Iron Age site. Visit the 13th-century grave site on Mapungubwe Hill, which contains ornaments, jewellery, bowls and amulets covered in gold foil. The most spectacular of these pieces is a small, gold-covered rhinoceros. Apartheid kept this discovery a secret as the regime attempted to suppress any historical information that proved black cultural sophistication. Later, you have free time to relax at the lodge or you can take an optional game drive in through the park. Tonight, you’ll head out on a night safari in Mapesu Private Game Reserve. Look out for bush babies (galagos), bushpigs, hyenas, genets and tiny chameleons – all of which don’t come out much during the day. Maybe you’ll even get lucky and encounter a leopard!
Included Activities:
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Day 16: Kruger National Park
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation: Lodge
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Wake up early this morning and drive to Greater Kruger National Park. When you arrive, the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy. Maybe kick back at the lodge and relax with a good book, chat to your fellow travellers over cards, take a dip in the on-site swimming pool or venture out for more wildlife spotting on an optional safari in a private game reserve within the national park.
Day 17: Kruger National Park
Location: Kruger National Park
Accommodation Name: Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Start the day early and head into Kruger National Park – one of the largest game reserves in Southern Africa and home to over 500 bird species, 100 species of reptile and 150 mammal species including all the big cats. Your wildlife experience begins as soon as you enter the park, as you're taken into prime viewing areas. Enjoy a picnic breakfast here before spending the rest of the day wildlife-spotting in the park, watching game, birds and stopping at various waterholes as you go. The group will leave the park in the late afternoon and return to the lodge for another relaxed evening.
Included Activities:
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Day 18: Johannesburg
Location: Three Rondawels Viewpoint, Bourke's Luck Potholes, Johannesburg
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy the scenic route back to Johannesburg filled with beautiful views of stunning landscape. Along the way, you’ll visit the breathtaking Three Rondawels Viewpoint and the impressive Bourke's Luck Potholes, perfect stops to break up the drive and enjoy the scenery. When you arrive in Johannesburg, your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay here, and it’s recommended that you do, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (5 nights), Houseboat (2 nights), Lodge (9 nights) -
Meals
16 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 12 dinners -
Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Enjoy a complimentary arrival transfer to your hotel upon arrival.
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Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
Experience a thrilling speedboat cruise in the Okavango Delta.
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Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
Explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro canoe.
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Okavango Delta - Nature Walk
Take a guided nature walk in the Okavango Delta.
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Makgadikgadi Pans - Meerkat & Kalahari Bushman Experience
Engage with a local meerkat community and learn from the Kalahari Bushmen.
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Makgadikgadi Pans – Baobab Dinner
Enjoy a dinner under the baobab trees in the Makgadikgadi Pans.
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Chobe National Park - River Safari Cruise
Take a scenic river safari cruise in Chobe National Park.
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Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
Experience a game drive in an open safari vehicle in Chobe National Park.
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Victoria Falls - Entrance & Visit
Visit the majestic Victoria Falls and enjoy the entrance.
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Victoria Falls - Brewery Tour and Tasting
Tour a local brewery in Victoria Falls and enjoy a tasting session.
What's Not Included
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional activities, and tips are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as the Okavango Delta helicopter scenic flight are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
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International Flights
International flights to and from the starting and ending locations are not included.
Transport
- Overland vehicle , Mokoro , 4x4 Safari Vehicle , Private Vehicle , Plane
Included Activities
- Complimentary Airport Arrival Transfer
- Central Kalahari - San Cultural Experience
- Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
- Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
- Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
- Okavango Delta - Nature Walk
- Okavango Delta - Speedboat Cruise
- Makgadikgadi Pans - Meerkat Pan Experience
- Chobe National Park - River Safari Cruise
- Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
- Victoria Falls - Entrance & Visit
- Victoria Falls - Brewery Tour and Tasting
- Hwange National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
- Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
- Hwange - Painted Dog Conservation visit
- Matobo National Park - Rhino Tracking, Open Safari Vehicle Park Visit & San Rock Paintings
- Johannesburg - City Walking Tour
- Private Game Reserve - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
- Kruger National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Game Drive
- Kruger Lodge Reserve - Morning Nature Walk
- Panorama Route - God's Window Viewpoint
- Panorama Route - Bourke's Luck Potholes
Accommodation
- Hotel (5 nights), Houseboat (2 nights), Lodge (9 nights)
Mode of Transport
Travel through Southern Africa in purpose-built safari vehicles, with options ranging from trucks to vans depending on group size and route. Expect long drives on rough roads, with open windows for fresh air, and occasional route changes due to weather conditions.
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of hotels, lodges, and a unique houseboat experience in the Okavango Delta. While the lodges and hotels offer comfortable amenities, the houseboat provides a distinctive stay with shared facilities, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the natural surroundings.
Important Information
- 1. If you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip, you may purchase a single supplement, subject to availability. The single supplement excludes Days 3 & 4 (Houseboat), where you will be in shared accommodation. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- 3. This is a combination trip made up of two shorter trips. This means the composition of your group may change in Vic Falls as some group members leave, and new ones join you.
- 4. The weight of baggage that can be brought on this tour is limited by the packing space and weight restrictions of the truck. The weight limit for luggage on all of our trucks is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for your day pack. Backpacks shouldn’t have an external frame unless it can easily be removed and stored separately to avoid damaging other people’s luggage. We strongly advise passengers to travel with a backpack or a duffel bag, and it is essential that no hard suitcases be brought on tour. For valuables, like passports, we offer a safe on each vehicle that is shared by all passengers to keep their documentation safe during their journey.
- 5. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.
- 6. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travellers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document to delegate their authority.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
The tour includes a variety of accommodations such as hotels, lodges, and a houseboat with shared facilities. The accommodations are chosen to minimize environmental impact and maintain exclusivity, and alternative accommodations of the same standard may be used if necessary.
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What kind of wildlife experiences are included in the tour?
The tour offers numerous wildlife experiences including a mokoro safari and nature walk in the Okavango Delta, a game drive and river safari cruise in Chobe National Park, a guided 4x4 game drive in Hwange National Park, rhino tracking in Matobo National Park, and a full day 4WD safari in Kruger National Park.
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Are there any special activities included in the tour?
Yes, the tour includes unique activities such as a visit to the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust, a meerkat and Kalahari Bushman experience in the Makgadikgadi Pans, a brewery tour and tasting in Victoria Falls, and a night safari in Mapesu Private Game Reserve.
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What should I know about the transportation during the tour?
The tour uses purpose-built, self-contained safari vehicles, which may include trucks, vans, and luggage trailers depending on group size and availability. The vehicles are not air-conditioned but have windows that can be opened for fresh air. Long hours of driving on rough roads are common, and occasional breakdowns may occur due to tough African conditions.
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Is there a weight limit for luggage on the tour?
Yes, the weight limit for luggage on the tour is a maximum of 15-20kgs per person, plus a maximum of 5kgs for a day pack. It is recommended to use a backpack or duffel bag, and hard suitcases are not allowed.
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What is the minimum age requirement for this tour?
The minimum age for this tour is 15 years old. Travelers under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian or an appointed escort over the age of 18.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
