Visiting some of Africa’s best national parks, this 17-day small group adventure encompasses three countries, with vehicle safaris and boat cruises to view the prolific wildlife and hundreds of bird species.
The tour begins at the almighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, before travelling south to Hwange National Park to follow the trail of large herds of elephant. The next stop is Matobo National Park, where there is an opportunity to look for the last remaining rhino in Zimbabwe.
Next, travel to Botswana to the Nata Sanctuary, on the border of the Makgadikgadi Pans to capture the picturesque sunsets across the horizon, before continuing to Moremi Game Reserve, where more than 400 bird species are found, as well as a variety of mammals including lion, leopard, wild dog, elephant, giraffe and many antelopes. The next two nights are spent on a secluded island in the Okavango Delta, where there are opportunities to explore the waterways, to see African fish eagles in abundance. .
The tour continues across the Caprivi border into Namibia, to a lodge on the Kwando River for an afternoon’s river safari in Mahango Game Reserve. After one night here, return to Botswana to visit Chobe National Park for the final safari along the river’s edge.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart UK
Day2: Arrive Victoria Falls
On arrival, you will be transferred from the airport to your overnight accommodation close to the spectacular Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side. In the afternoon, set out to explore the tropical rainforest in search of magnificent birdlife such as fan-tailed widowbird and Burchell’s starling, and visit the mighty falls. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Travel to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest national park, for a visit to an African wild dog centre and, on the following day, a full day's safari in search of Africa’s big mammals. The diverse habitats, from wild grass plains of the west, to the forested woodland in the east, are home to large herds of elephant as well as buffalo, sable and giraffe.
Accommodation: Miombo Lodge, 2-nights
Days5-6: Matobo National Park
It is approximately six hours' drive to your next destination, Matobo National Park, home to the last of the rhino in Zimbabwe, where you can explore the rounded granite boulders and undulating valleys in search of common species including klipspringer, zebra, giraffe and black eagle.
Accommodation: Big Cave Camp, 2-nights
Day7: Nata Sanctuary
This morning, head west towards the Botswana border, crossing at Plumtree, to Nata for an overnight stay. In the late afternoon, venture out onto the Makgadikgadi Pans to explore and capture the golden sunsets over the vast horizon.
Travel to the southern end of the Okavango Delta towards Maun to a lodge looking out across the Thamalakane River. The afternoon is free for you to enjoy the prolific birdlife along the river, relax by the pool or take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.
Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge, 1-night
Days9-10: Explore Moremi Game Reserve
This morning, drive to Moremi, with plenty of wildlife viewing along the way. As the waters of the Okavango flood into the drier Kalahari, this creates the rich wilderness of Moremi Game Reserve, where the combination of rivers, lagoons, savannah and woodland offer superb wildlife viewing.
Accommodation: Elephant Pools Camp, 2-nights
Day11: Return to Maun
Return to Maun for another overnight stay, ready for the journey to the Okavango Delta tomorrow.
Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge, 1-night
Days12-13: Okavango Delta
Drive around the Okavango Delta to your next lodge on the Okavango Pan Handle, and explore the Okavango Delta by mokoro or by motor boat, to enjoy the abundant birdlife and diversity of mammals amidst these spectacular waterways.
Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp, 2-nights
Day14: Transfer to Caprivi, river cruise in Mahango Game Reserve
Today, you travel across from Botswana into Namibia's Mahango Game Reserve in the Caprivi strip, a thin segment of Namibia which separates Botswana in the south and Angola in the north. You should see plenty of wildlife on the journey, and once you reach the Kwando River, there will be an opportunity to search for wildlife on a relaxing river cruise.
Accommodation: Camp Kwando, 1-night
Day15: Chobe National Park
Cross Caprivi back into Botswana at Ngoma and head to your next lodge in the town of Kasane. Here there are prime opportunities to observe the wildlife of Chobe National Park on river cruises, including large herds of elephant, large crocodiles, hippo, while watching the stunning sunset at the water’s edge.
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge, 1-night
Day16: Transfer to Kasane or Victoria Falls and depart
Today, there is opportunity for an optional final vehicle safari in Chobe, before transfering to either Kasane Airport in Botswana or Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe for your overnight flight back to the UK.
Day17: Arrive UK
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 17 daysfrom £5,095 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 15 daysfrom £3,785 pp
Combining perfectly with a safari in Zambia, Botswana, Namibia or Zimbabwe, the Victoria Falls are not only a wonderful place from which to begin or end a trip, but offer enough interest to be a safari destination in their own right. The wildlife in the tributaries is active all year round, and the birdlife is superb.
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Where: Matabeleland North
Ideal for viewing: waterbuck, African elephant, hippo, black eagle, Taita falcon
Bordering Botswana, Zimbabwe’s largest park is a haven for over 100 mammal and 400 bird species. Formerly occupied by San bushmen, it became a national park in 1928. The diverse landscapes of teak forests, sandveld, ilala palm islands, savannah and woodland offer a rewarding and interesting wildlife safari.
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Where: Matabeleland North Province
Ideal for viewing: African wildcat, honey badger, leopard, sable, wild dog
Established in 1953, this park was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2003. The terrain is littered with huge granite boulders that balance in striking rock formations. One highly protected area is used to safeguard endangered black and white rhinos, and the grave of Cecil Rhodes is an obvious attraction.
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Where: Bulawayo Province
Ideal for viewing: black eagle, black rhino, Burchell’s zebra, South African giraffe, white rhino
One of Africa’s most important wetland sites, Makgadikgadi is the only area in Southern Africa to witness a migration of tens of thousands of blue wildebeest and Burchell’s zebra when, during the rains, the dry salt pans transform into lakes, attracting vast flocks of flamingos and migratory birds.
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Where: Northern Botswana
Ideal for viewing: blue wildebeest, brown hyena, lesser flamingo, gemsbok, Burchell’s zebra
Moremi is an unspoilt and stunningly beautiful reserve, considered to be one of Africa’s finest sanctuaries. Its 3,000 sqkm of woodland, floodplain and reedbed includes the waters of the Okavango Delta, attracting high concentrations of plains game and predators which can be viewed by river or on land.
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Where: Northern Botswana
Ideal for viewing: Pel’s fishing owl, red lechwe, sitatunga, fire-crowned bishop, scops owl
Excellent for: Walking safaris, Vehicle safaris, River safaris
This 1.6 million hectare wildlife paradise is a vast tapestry of crystal clear water channels, lagoons and small islands, and is known for its concentrations of large wildlife and birds. Outings by boat or on land, at day or night, yields fantastic sightings within the private concessions of exclusive accommodation.
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Where: Northern Botswana
Ideal for viewing: hippo, Nile crocodile, red lechwe, sitatunga, tsessebe
Excellent for: Walking safaris, Vehicle safaris, River safaris, Birdwatching
A hidden gem, the Caprivi Strip is a long, narrow strip of land along the Okavango. Here the Zambezi’s tributaries form a complex system of waterways, islands and riverine forests – protected by parks and wilderness areas. It is rich in wildlife and makes an ideal combination with nearby Botswana or Zambia.
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Chobe sits on the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers. The mosaic of bush, waterway, floodplain and woodland is home to a vast array of wildlife, most notably Africa’s largest concentration of elephant, but also huge herds of buffalo that congregate along its fertile floodplain during the dry season.
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Where: Northern Botswana
Ideal for viewing: Cape buffalo, African elephant, lion, puku, wild dog
Situated in lush tropical gardens, Bayete Guest Lodge is a relaxing family-run retreat just a short drive from the almighty Victoria Falls. The lodge boasts 25 comfortable rooms set in a tropical garden, a large teardrop swimming pool, and a central dining boma adjoined to the characterful Ingwezi Tavern.
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Located on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Nata Lodge offers traditional chalet and tented camp accommodation among Mokolwane palms. It is also situated close to the wildlife-rich Nata River within the Nata Sanctuary, where flamingos and pelicans are found in their thousands.
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