In mid April to early May of 2024, I embarked on a three week solo backpacking journey through Southern Africa. I started and ended my journey in Johannesburg, South Africa and over the course of 21 days I managed to visit Eswatini (formerly known as Swaziland), Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. This is a part of the world filled with some of the oldest ancient cultures, abundant biodiversity, breathtaking landscapes, and complex modern history. Often times we as solo female travelers have been told to avoid it completely -that’s certainly what my parents told me when I told them I was embarking on this journey. I was met with the usual hesitations and qualms that come with having a passion for exploring “atypical” destinations. As I would come to learn throughout my journey, the hospitality and kindness of the African people in conjunction with the sheer vastness and beauty of their landscapes and wildlife is unparalled.

ITINERARY

Overview:

Start and end in Johannesburg, South Africa

Eswatini (2 days)

Botswana (6 days)

Zimbabwe and Zambia (3 days)

South Africa with Lesotho Day Trip (8 days)

If I had to do it over, I would have visited Botswana towards the beginning of May and spent more time in South Africa to visit Mpumalanga and spent a couple more days exploring more of Lesotho. The highlights of Botswana include the Okavango Delta which floods every year from mountain runoff from nearby Angola resulting in a magical landscape through which you can embark on boat safaris, however the times can vary. While I still enjoyed my time in the Okavango Delta, I missed the floods by a couple weeks.

A partially flooded Okavango Delta, Botswana

Day 1: Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa

ATL to JHB via nonstop Delta flight and landed at 7:30 p.m. (UTC+2)
Stay in Johannesburg

Day 2: Fly to Eswatini: Swaziland Highlights Tour

Fly from Johannesburg -> Eswatini

Swaziland Highlights Tour: Swazi Candle Factory, Lobamba, Ezulwini Valley, Capital City-Mbabane, Sibebe Rock, Ngwenya Glass, Maguga Dam, Nsangwini Bushmen Paintings
Stay in Manzani

Day 3: Eswatini: Hwange National Park

Safari Day (one of the only places in the world to see white rhinos)
Stay in Manzani

Day 4: Botswana- Okavango Delta (Safari Day 1)

Fly from Eswatini -> Maun, Botswana
This is the start of the all inclusive 6 Day Safari tour, which included glamping accommodations, all activities and safaris, charter flights). I booked the package with Lelobu Safaris. The 1st four nights were with the Kwando Safari team (HIGHLY RECOMMEND) and the last 2 nights were with the Bakwena Lodge team (also amazing)
Charter Flight from Maun -> Okavango Delta
Afternoon Tea and Sunset Game Drive
Stay in Kwando Moremi Camp

Day 5: Botswana- Okavango Delta (Safari Day 2)

Sunrise Game Drive
Lunch and relax by the pool
Afternoon Tea and Sunset Game Drive
Stay in Kwando Moremi Camp

Day 6: Botswana- Kalahari Desert (Safari Day 3)

Charter flight from Okavango Delta -> Nxai Pan
Afternoon Tea and Sunset Game Drive
Stay in Kwando Nxai Pan

Day 7: Botswana- Kalahari Desert (Safari Day 4)

Day trip to Baines Baobab trees and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Stay in Kwando Nxai Pan

Day 8: Botswana- Fly to Kasane and head to Chobe National Park (Safari Day 5)

Bushman Walk at Nxai Pan: learning about the customs and traditions of the ancient Bushman tribe
Fly from Nxai Pan -> Kasane
Afternoon Tea
Village Tour
Chobe National Park Sunset Boat Tour
Stay in Bakwena Eco Lodge

Day 9: Botswana- Chobe National Park (Safari Day 6)

Morning Game Drive
Boat Tour to the world’s only Quadripoint: the point where Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Zambia meet!
Sunset Game Drive
Stay in Bakwena Eco Lodge

Day 10: Cross the border into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Land border crossing from Kasane to Victoria Falls

I hired a local guide to show me around Zimbabwe who also helped get me a taxi from Kasane to the border where he met up with me and took me through immigration. His name is Taurai and I would highly recommend him if you are planning a trip to Victoria Falls