Secure your spot on the trip and book now by paying your deposit of USD 2000$/person. Contact us if you wish to be added on the waiting list instead.
For many, a safari holiday is one of those trips we start dreaming about in our childhood. And then to have a 100% vegan safari trip, well, that’s just a pipe dream…
Dream no more!
We’re off to Africa to see animals in their natural habitat on 5 days of safari while staying at 2 remote deluxe safari lodges.
This is the trip you’ve been dreaming of!
Our trip starts in nearby Cape Town, South Africa, with a welcome dinner to remember.
The next morning, we fly into Botswana, an absolute animal-lover’s paradise. For 5 days and 4 nights, we’ll visit with lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, birds, the list goes on — all doing their own thing in their natural habitat. Botswana focuses on a quality-over-quantity approach to tourism, which means we won’t be encountering the crowds and zoo-like atmosphere of other safari destinations.
We’re bunking up at 2 luxurious and remote camps, and getting there by small bush-planes. Exciting!
You’ll be spending your mornings and afternoon on blissful safaris, returning each time to our deluxe camps for 100% vegan meals and snacks, with plenty of free time to relax with a book and a glass of wine and maybe even a swim, while elephants gather by the local watering hole nearby. Your nights will start with a drink by the campfire before going to sleep amongst the sounds of nighttime animal activity.
We’ll then return to Cape Town, South Africa, for a full day of exploring. After checking out Cape Peninsula, we’ll head over to Boulders Beach to swim with penguins, before a very memorable final last dinner together.
So charge those camera batteries, order the best binoculars you can afford, dust off that safari hat you’ve always wanted to wear, and join us on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure to one of the best wildlife spotting place on earth.
Botswana & Cape Town, here we come!
This video was made by one of our travelers, Jeremy Evans. Click here to see more of his work.
USD 9695$/person EARLY-BIRD DISCOUNT 500$
USD 1750$/person
maximum 22 fellow travelers
Cape Town, South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa
March 2024
To ensure that our vegan safaris are the best holiday you can have, we’ve partnered with an amazing lodge company to ensure your downtime in between activities is as memorable as your time spent wildlife spotting!
Our first destination is Camp Okavango, a hidden treasure that offers unparalleled water wilderness experience. Hidden amongst beautiful mangosteen trees, it will provide us with the opportunity to do water-based safaris to get close to hippos and crocs, and even a walking safari with the Rangers to get close to the amazing animals! Back at the lodge, a separate raised viewing deck overlooks the floodplains, and is a good spot to view various animals walking about.
Our 2nd destination, Savute Safari camp, is located in the Savute marsh region, renowned for its intense predator encounters and exceptional animal viewing. The camp is located right by a watering hole, where many animals — including elephants!!!! — come for a drink. Perhaps some will join us for sun-downers?
In both camps, the rooms are big with private terraces, while the public spaces are amazing. Expect a dining area with a view, a campfire spot to meet up after a day of wildlife spotting and even a pool!
We’ve worked very hard with the chefs to create an amazing menu comprising of veganized local dishes and specialties, as well as some of your favorites. Come hungry!
Check out two camps videos below, and start dreaming!
Do note that the itinerary below is subject to change. Some activities, times and even days may get switched around, but once you sign up you will be kept updated. Please rest assured that if anything does change, it will be for the best and make the trip even better. We’re hoping that the itinerary below should, at the very least, whet your appetite — pun definitely intended!
Welcome to South Africa! Our adventure begins in beautiful Cape Town. Your trip includes an airport pickup, regardless of what day or what time you arrive. If you arrive one or more days before the trip and decide to stay in your own accommodation, no worries — we’ll drive you there too!
There are no planned activities during the day, up until our first meeting (at around 2pm), where you’ll first get to meet your tour leaders and fellow travelers. A few glasses of bubbly and all-around introductions later, and we’re off to our first dinner.
It’s a World Vegan Travel tradition by now that our first meal together is often an event in itself. You shouldn’t expect anything less this time around. Oh, and make sure to come hungry 😉
Once we’re all fed, we’ll head back to our hotel for an “early” night. We’re off on an adventure tomorrow!
Accommodation:
TBC (4-star)
Included:
welcome meeting & drinks
dinner
non-premium drinks during dinner
all transportation once the trip begins
Excluded:
breakfast & lunch
premium drinks
Today is a day of travel. After our vegan breakfast, we’ll pack up our bags and head to Cape Town airport for our 2h45 flight to Maun, Botswana.
Of important note: while in Botswana, we will be taking small planes in order to reach our remote bush accommodation. As such, the following luggage restrictions are strictly enforced:
If your bags are bigger/heavier than this, they may be left behind at our hotel in Cape Town for retrieval upon our return.
Back to our trip: once in Maun, we’ll transfer over to our small planes which will take us to our 1st camp. The flight time will be around 25 minutes and we’re heading for the Okavango Delta, a swampy inland delta, and was named as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa in 2013. In 2014, it became the 1000th site to be officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage!
Situated on the remote Nxaraga Island in the heard of the Delta, our home for the next 3 nights, Camp Okavango, is a hidden treasure that offers unparalleled water wilderness experience. Hidden amongst beautiful mangosteen trees, the property comprises two lounge areas, a dining room, library, a self-service bar and, of course, a pool! A separate raised viewing deck overlooks the floodplains, and is a good spot to view various animals walking about.
The activity options here are completely different than at our previous camp, and include the following:
Motorised boat safaris: Guided excursions through the deeper channels and lagoons of the Okavango Delta in hard-bottom aluminum boats. The boats are equipped with comfortable seats, a foldaway canvas roof and life jackets.
Mokoro (canoe) excurisions: a must do! Guided mokoro excursions in traditional dug out canoes through the shallower channels and floodplains of the Okavango Delta.
Guided bush walks: Bush walks on the surrounding islands for a chance to track the larger species that inhabit the water wilderness. Guided walks are conducted in small groups with two guides.
We will have the time to do one activity (at least) upon arrival, before settling in for the next 3 nights. Soon thereafter, it’s time of our first dinner and our New Year’s Eve party in the bush! We will be joined by the camp staff and do an early countdown as we of course have some safari to do early the next morning!
Accommodation:
Camp Okavango: luxurious camp with full en-suite bathrooms, fans (no air-con), indoor/outdoor dining, swimming pool, private and public viewing decks and a fully stocked bar
Included:
all meals & drinks
flight from Cape Town to Maun, Botswana, and onwards to camp #1
all safari activities: game drives, motorized boat & mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions
laundry
tips to guides & camp staff (you are more than welcomed to add to this, of course)
Excluded:
premium drinks
Waking up in the heart of Africa is something that can only be experienced. And experienced early!
We set off at the crack of dawn. That’s when the animals are at their most active! Following a light vegan breakfast, you’ll head off on your first safari activity.
The water-based activities here at Camp Okavango provide for a very different safari experience, as we maneuver the maze-like waterways of the Delta in search of thirsty animals. Expect to see a lot of birds and hippos, as well as a variety of animals having their morning drink.
There are 2 types of ways to navigate these waters: motorized boats, and by Mokoro. The motorized boats are equipped with comfortable seats and a foldaway canvas roof and provide for a very enjoyable experience as our guide twists and turns in every nook and cranny to get the best possible animal sighting chances.
The Mokoro is a totally different affair. Basically a dug-out canoe and suitable for 2 people, it allows you to go to shallower channels and, since it’s human-powered, provides for a very quiet, relaxing outing. Your guide will paddle for you, so all you need to do is sit back, relax, and try not to doze off from the gentle rocking of the boat!
The morning activity will lead to lunch and an afternoon rest period where you can enjoy your room or go for a swim in the camp’s own swimming pool!
Once the midday heat subsides a bit, the animals will start getting active again, and so we’re off on another safari activity. This is the perfect time to sit back and watch some lions nap or stroll about with a glass of wine in-hand.
We’ll be back at the lodge in time for sun-downer drinks, maybe a campfire if the weather cooperates, and a dinner under the stars.
Below is an example of a daily schedule, though please note that it serves only as an example. The daily program is flexible based on the guests’ interests, travel times and availability of activities.
Accommodation:
Camp Okavango: luxurious camp with full en-suite bathrooms, fans (no air-con), indoor/outdoor dining, swimming pool, private and public viewing decks and a fully stocked bar
Included:
all meals & drinks
all safari activities: game drives, motorized boat & mokoro (dug-out canoe) excursions
laundry
tips to guides & camp staff (you are more than welcomed to add to this, of course)
Excluded:
premium drinks
Today we leave the Okavango Delta behind and board our small plane for the 25-minute flight to our next home for the next 3 nights.
Savute Safari Lodge is located in Chobe National Park, Botswana’s first national park and also the most biologically diverse. Located in the north of the country, it is Botswana’s third largest park and has one of the greatest concentrations of animals in all of Africa. The park is widely known for its large elephant population, estimated to be around 50,000. Elephants living here are Kalahari elephants, the largest in size of all known elephant populations. They are characterized by rather brittle ivory and short tusks. If this wasn’t spectacular enough, the park is also noted for having a population of lions which has been known to actually prey on African elephants, mostly juveniles or sub-adults, but occasionally fully-grown adults!
Our camp is located in the Savute marsh region, renowned for its intense predator encounters and exceptional animal viewing. The camp is located right by a watering hole, where many animals — including elephants!!!! — come for a drink. Perhaps some will join us for sun-downers?
Depending on our time of arrival today, we may only have time for a safari drive on the way to the lodge, and perhaps a short one before dinner. No worries — we have 2 more full days to explore this awesome region, so settle in, unpack your bags, grab a cold beer, enjoy a sunset by the campfire and get hungry for our first vegan dinner surrounded by the sounds of the African bush!
Accommodation:
Camp Savute: luxurious chalets with full en-suite bathrooms, fans, indoor/outdoor dining, campfire area, swimming pool, private and public viewing decks and a fully stocked bar
Included:
all meals & drinks
flight between our 2 camps
all safari activities: game drives
laundry
tips to guides & camp staff (you are more than welcomed to add to this, of course)
Excluded:
premium drinks
Good morning! How about some coffee/tea/orange juice… and a game drive to start the day?
Savute is all about game drives. Its flat, wildlife=packed expanses and rocky outcrops make it one of the most rewarding safari destination on the continent. It’s especially teeming with lions so — fingers crossed — it won’t take too long before spotting a pride!
As we’ll be visiting during the rainy season, zebras and other grazing animals will have migrated over, rendering the scenery awash with animals of all sorts… including the following predators!
We’ll be back at the lodge for brunch and a rest before setting out again in mid-afternoon.
Accommodation:
Camp Savute: luxurious chalets with full en-suite bathrooms, fans, indoor/outdoor dining, campfire area, swimming pool, private and public viewing decks and a fully stocked bar
Included:
all meals & drinks
all safari activities: game drives
laundry
tips to guides & camp staff (you are more than welcomed to add to this, of course)
Excluded:
premium drinks
Today is more game drives, and our guides will make sure to take you to different areas. Don’t forget to rest and enjoy the lodge and a good book!
Accommodation:
Camp Savute: luxurious chalets with full en-suite bathrooms, fans, indoor/outdoor dining, campfire area, swimming pool, private and public viewing decks and a fully stocked bar
Included:
all meals & drinks
all safari activities: game drives
laundry
tips to guides & camp staff (you are more than welcomed to add to this, of course)
Excluded:
premium drinks
After our last breakfast in the bush, we’re off to the airfield (once again, expect to see animals along the way!!) to catch our 40-minute bush-plane flight to the small city of Maun, where we’ll transfer over to our international flight back to Cape Town (2h45).
Once back in South Africa, we’ll head back to our Cape Town hotel where we’ll be able to freshen up before our dinner.
Accommodation:
TBC (4-star)
Included:
all meals & drinks
flight from camp #2 to Maun and onwards to Cape Town
non-premium drinks during dinner
all ground transportation
Excluded:
premium drinks
Today is an exciting exploration of Cape Town’s peninsula, starting with a drive along the Indian Ocean coastline to Boulders Beach, where we get to spend time with a colony of African penguins (pack your bathing suits for a swim!).
We continue on to the Cape of Good Hope Reserve, home to the smallest yet richest plant Kingdom in the world where you can spot birds and antelope and visit the SW tip of the African continent and Cape Point, the traditional meeting place of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
Our route back to the city follows the Atlantic coastline and traverses the spectacular cliff hugging Chapman Peak drive.
This evening we will enjoy our final dinner feast at one of Cape Town’s restaurants.
Accommodation:
Cape Town 4 star hotel – hotel TBC upon sign-up
Included:
all meals & drinks
all transportation
Excluded:
premium drinks
All good things must come to an end, and so after breakfast it’s time to check out and say our goodbyes.
If this was your first time in Africa, it probably won’t be your last. The continent has a way to seep into your soul and steal your heart. It becomes an addiction, one that you are more than happy to satisfy. It’s a huge place with so much more to see… so here’s to next time!
Included:
breakfast
transfer to Cape Town airport and downtown Cape Town
Excluded:
lunch & dinner
Solo Travelers can choose to:
SHARING ROOM WITH ANOTHER SOLO TRAVELER: let us know if you are interested in sharing and we will put you in touch with another traveler of the same gender who is also interested. You can then decide if you want to share or not. Please note that this is not guaranteed!
We expect this trip to sell out quickly so ensure your spot on the trip and sign up early by paying the sign-up fee (2000$/person).
The sign-up fee is non-refundable unless the trip is not confirmed by the deadline date, in which case we refund in full.
In order to sign up, fill in the form on this page. Any problems or questions? Email us!
If you are signing up as a single, do so quickly! We have limited single rooms. Please read our single travelers section for more information and the single supplement cost.
PAYMENT SCHEDULE
Following the sign-up fee (PAYMENT #1), the remaining balance will be due in 2 installments:
We can work with you on a payment plan: pay your trip in the usual 2 installments, or opt for several. Contact us to discuss what works best for you!
PAYMENT METHODS
We currently accept US DOMESTIC BANK TRANSFERS and CREDIT CARDS PAYMENTS.
EXTRA PAYMENT FEES
Online Bank Payment – US only: also called eCheck or ACH, we do not charge a fee for this, although your bank may do so. Please inquire with them directly.
Credit card payment: the following fees will be added to the total:
Since our trips are highly catered and made of activities that need a lot of planning and organization, all payments (the initial 2000$ sign-up fee, First Payment and Final Payment) are all non-refundable. This is because we must forward payments for accommodation, transportation, suppliers, etc. very early on, in order to privatize our accommodation, activities and our meals.
To see our booking terms and conditions you can click here. You will find the cancellation policy in section 9 and 10.
TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE – MANDATORY
This is a requirement to join a World Vegan Travel trip. We need to know you are covered for any medical situation, including evacuation, in case of emergency. You will need to provide a policy and emergency contact number in order to join the trip. This can be done just prior to the trip’s date.
Trip Insurance (ie. covering your flight tickets, luggage, etc.) is definitely recommended as well, but not mandatory.
ITINERARY
The itinerary is therefore subject to change, especially if we find an experience that we believe would make the trip even better.
DIET RESTRICTION & ALLERGIES
We do try to accommodate everyone’s food restrictions, especially allergies. We can only do so if you let us know of any requirements when you sign up. We begin working with all our hotels and restaurants a long time in advance, and meals are usually locked several months before the trip. At this point, it is often no longer possible to change menus.
In other words: it is your responsibility to alert us of any dietary requirements, restrictions, allergies and needs, when you sign up.
We do realize that this is quite an expensive trip. However, when compared to many other tours to the region, we are actually comparatively priced when you take into accounts that our trips include all meals (and vegan to boot!) and drinks, all the tips for drivers, guides and camp staff (this does add up!), extras like a gift/essentials bag and free laundry (in Botswana), and the support of 2 full time tour leaders (most tours have only one).
Still, there are a few more important reasons to point out on why the cost is high:
Absolutely! We have many people on our trip that sign up as solo travelers. However, in order to get your own room there is a single supplement (details in our booking terms & conditions).
If you would like to room with someone else of the same gender, please let us know. We will put you on the waiting list until another solo traveler signs up, and we will put you both in contact with each other to ensure you are a good match. If you decide to room together, there will not be any single supplement to pay.
FLIGHTS
You are in charge of your own flights to and from our starting city. We ask that you try and arrive early on the first day, as our first meeting tends to be around 3pm. This exact time will be confirmed at a later date.
Even better is arriving one or more days before. This would provide you with a chance to take care of jet-lag and visit the town. Once the trip starts. We can book your a room in our trip’s hotel if you’d like. We will be sending out the cost for this once the trip is confirmed.
Regardless of your arrival date, we will provide an airport pickup.
Please note that check-ins at our hotel are not guaranteed BEFORE 3PM. We will try and have the hotel accommodate early arrivals, but it’s possible you will be asked to wait until a room becomes available. We are situated right downtown, so worst case it’s nice and exciting to go and explore the neighborhood!
VISAS
For most citizens of European and western countries (ie USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, etc), no visas are necessary for South Africa and Botswana.
VACCINATIONS
There are no mandatory vaccinations required for South Africa and Botswana, and the final decision is entirely up to you. Please inquire directly with your doctor when making your decision.
Having said that, and according to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the following vaccinations are recommended for Botswana: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid, and boosters for tetanus, diphteria and measles. Yellow Fever is not a risk in the region, but the certificate is an entry requirement if you’re coming from an infected region.
Botswana is a malaria risk area, and you may choose to take anti-malaria medication. Once again, please consult your doctor in this regard.
Our included stay in South Africa includes Cape Town and Greyton, both somewhat urban areas, and therefore very little risk is posed in terms of disease and malaria/dengue. If you plan on extending your holidays and visit more rural areas, or a National Park, it could be a good idea to get proper vaccination.
Yes, you will need medical travel insurance. This is not only a requirement from World Vegan Travel, but also from Botswana. The camps need to know that you are fully covered in the event of a medical emergency, including repatriation. You will need to send us your policy detail and emergency contact number before the trip’s start date.
As we are not a travel agency or booking agents, we can’t book any flights or ongoing travel (ie hotels, transportation, etc) for you. However we can surely help with recommendations, suggestions and tips as you look into flights, or extending your holiday. It never hurts to ask, so don’t hesitate to contact us with any queries whatsoever!
Early November is the start of the wet season and happens to be a great time to visit Botswana as the hot daytime temperatures immediately cool down after the rain, and the dust settles.
It rarely rains all day. Storms and short showers in the afternoon become the general pattern. It’s hot throughout the month, and afternoon temperatures rise to about 32°C/90°F.
Early mornings are the most comfortable, with average temperatures around 19°C/66°F. Evening return to that temperature as well which makes it comfortable to sleep with a fan.
First and foremost, please be aware that due to our taking small bush-planes in Botswana, there is a strict luggage restriction in place.
You should view this as a good chance to practice minimal packing, and please note that laundry is included at our Botswana camps, so you should focus on bringing 2 sets of clothes and rotate them each day. Wear one set as the other gets cleaned!
In terms of clothing, it’s a good idea to bring some summer garb, such as shorts, t-shirts, etc. And a swimsuit, as we will have swimming pools at our accommodation.
On safari, long and light cotton pants and shirts are a good idea, to block both the sun and (hopefully!) pesky mosquito. A hat is a good idea to block off the sun… and it looks cool in photos 😉
Do bring some comfortable, but sturdy, shoes, especially if you intend on taking a guided bush walk. Overall we’re not going on any big hikes, so there’s no need to bring your best pair of hiking boots. Bring something comfortable to wear in the evening, both in terms of clothing and footwear, as we relax at our camps, either by the campfire or on the decks with a cocktail in hand.
Sunglasses are a must, and it’s highly recommended to bring some good binoculars. Both the camps and your tour leaders will carry spear binoculars, but it’s always nice to have your own.
Other essentials should include:
We will be sending an info packet several weeks before the trip that will include, amongst other bits of information, a packing list.
You will be able to leave a bag behind at our hotel in Cape Town.
In South Africa, we will have full WIFI internet at our accommodation as well as on our busses.
In Botswana, there is WIFI at our camps, although usually only in your room. Expect internet speeds to be VERY SLOW and spotty at best! You won’t be able to get a lot of work done (why would you!) and definitely no Netflix streaming.. but then why would you want to when the best show in the world is definitely outside!
Overall, this is an all-inclusive trip and you shouldn’t need a huge amount of extra funds. In Botswana, the only possible extra expenses would be for any premium alcoholic drinks and souvenirs at our camps’ curio shops. They do accept credit cards if you prefer to not carry any cash. If you would like to give extra tips to the guides and camp staff, do bring some small denomination currency, though please note that we have included tips already in the tour costs.
In South Africa, you will need to cater for yourself on day 1 until we meet in the afternoon.
Overall it’s a good idea to have some emergency cash (preferably in euros or US dollars) but otherwise you should be fine with using only credit cards and bank cards.
This is generally not a problem, but we do need to be informed at the time of booking so we may prepare the meals accordingly. Please be as precise and detailed as possible. Once on the trip, it is difficult and/or not possible to change our meal plans.
In Botswana, each day is made up of 1 morning activity, and one late afternoon activity. You can choose to join the activities or remain behind and enjoy your room. That’s entirely up to you!
In terms of included activities, very little is physical. This truly is a relaxing trip! We do have a guided bush walk at Camp Okavango, but this is very easy, on flat ground, and entirely optional so you can opt out if you wish. Otherwise we’re mostly being driven around by 4×4 or boat and as long as you don’t get motion sickness, you should be fine!
We are taking a total of 5 flights so you should be able to carry your luggage to/from the plane/bus, etc. The luggage restriction does help in this matter, ensuring your bag will be small-ish and no heavier than 20kg.
Youth above 16 years young are welcome. We are currently not accepting any younger children.
There’s no upper age limit, though do note that there is a fair amount of walking on this trip.
Botswana is one of the safest countries in Africa, though this really is only of concern in cities, which we will not be visiting. We will be staying in the heart of the country, surrounded by all kinds of animals, big and small, including a large amount of predators. However our camps are very safe and secure, with small fences around and a very knowledgeable staff, who do patrol and make sure that no animals come too close. While on safari, there’s a good chance you will get quite close to lions and other predators, but overall they seem completely uninterested in us humans… which is a good thing! Your guides will try to stay somewhat at a longer distance to larger mammals such as elephants, buffalos and hippos. They are the expert and emphasize safety over anything else. They will never take unnecessary risks.
South Africa has its fair amount of crime but the downtown area of Cape Town where we will be staying, is relatively safe. In Cape Town, using common sense and sticking to well trafficked areas will ensure you have a very safe trip. On the tour, we will be visiting as a large group of ~24 or so, with safety at the top of our list, so there is nothing to worry about.
South Africa has 11 (!!!) official languages, with some spoken more than others. While English is recognized as the language of commerce and science, it’s actually ranked fourth and the first language of only 9.6% of South Africans! Still, it remains the de facto lingua franca of the nation, and you should have no problem getting yourself understood in Cape Town and Franshhoek.
In Botswana, English is an official language as well, which means all our guides and camp staff will speak it perfectly. The other official language is Setswana, which is widely spoken across the country. There are several other prevalent languages spoken by minority groups.
World Vegan Travel and Joyful Vegan Trips aim to be a safe place for all LGBTQ travelers. We have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination of any sort.
In Bostwana: While there are technically laws against homosexuality, they are unenforced and Botswana is among the most tolerant of African nations for the LGBTQ community. You should still refrain from too much public display of affection, but as we will be in our own remote camps, and the staff are used to hosting many travelers from around the world, you don’t need to be completely reserved.
South Africa is the first and only African nation where the government recognizes same-sex relationships and homosexual marriages are recognized by law. Displays of affection may generate unwelcome attention though they should be tolerated and respected, especially in the areas we will visit (Cape Town and Greyton).
8-15 June, 2024
8 Days, 7 Nights
Group size: 14-20
Our own 100% vegan villa
Visit hill-towns and a winery
Cooking demo from Colleen
2-10 September, 2023
9 Days, 8 Nights
Group size: 15-26
stay in a château
Tons of castles and quaint villages
17,000 year-old prehistoric cave art