Enjoy magnificent wildlife viewing opportunities in famed parks and reserves, across the diverse landscapes of three southern African countries on this circular safari that starts and ends in Victoria Falls.
Journey through Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia, traversing renowned national parks and game reserves bursting at the seams with wildlife, on this adventure across southern Africa. Be wowed by vast sweeping panoramas and hugely diverse scenery as you safari by game drive, sunset cruise, traditional mokoro and even on foot.
From the mighty Victoria Falls, set out for your first safari in Hwange National Park, where elephants are nothing short of prolific, followed by two nights in stunning Matobo National Park, a haven for Zimbabwe's remaining rhino. Crossing into Botswana, visit the extraordinary salt flats of Makgadikgadi Pans, continue on to the flourishing fauna of Moremi Game Reserve and then let the abundant birdlife of the legendary Okavango Delta take the limelight. Here, more than 400 bird species are found in addition to smaller wondrous creatures such as butterflies, dragonflies, reed frogs, otter, hippo, crocodile and the occasional wandering elephant. Namibia will be for one night only, but a sunset cruise on the Kwando River for an afternoon safari in Mahango Game Reserve should result in up close and personal encounters with elephants, hippos, and more bird life than you can shake a stick at. The final hoorah then lies back in Botswana with another sunset cruise, this time on the elephant-tastic Chobe River.
We are delighted to offer frequent departures of this holiday between March and November. During the dry season (May – October), wildlife amalgamates by water sources so this is often considered the prime time to travel whilst life giving rains fall between November – April resulting in an explosion of flora and colour. Birders will appreciate the plethora of migrant species that arrive between October – April. The flow of Victoria Falls is at its height in April and May, diminishing as the year progresses. Tour accommodation has been carefully selected to offer comfort, great service and wildlife viewing potential (where applicable) with en suite facilities being standard, even during two nights of non-participatory camping. There is nothing quite like experiencing Africa under canvas!
Typical Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
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Day 2:
Arrive Victoria Falls
A transfer to your overnight accommodation is followed by a welcome meeting and then a visit to the Zimbabwe side of the falls this afternoon. Witnessing the mighty Zambezi River tumbling over Victoria Falls as you tune in to the sights and sounds of abundant birdlife all around will certainly get your trip off to a good start! Some of the bird species you may encounter include fan-tailed widowbird and Burchell’s starling.
Accommodation: PheZulu Guest House,1-night
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Days 3-4
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Safari in Hwange National Park
Let the overland adventure really begin, as the magnificent wildlife of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest national park, awaits. Visiting the Painted Dogs Conservation Centre en route to the park, learn about the plight of endangered African wild dogs and their work through education, research, employment and outreach programmes, all designed to minimise human-wildlife conflict.
Your time in the Hwange region is spent on safari, experiencing a full day game drive within the national park. In addition to the large herds of elephants, for which the surrounding area is famed, spot wildlife including buffalo, sable and giraffe, and let your guides introduce you to all manner of creatures, great and small, that call this diverse habitat home. Enjoy lunch in the bush, and later, at the end of a fulfilling day, return to your safari lodge as the sun sets, the sky ablaze before night descends and the stars of the southern skies, including the Milky Way, dazzle with their luminosity.
Accommodation: Gwango Heritage Resort, 2-nights
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Days 5-6
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Matobo National Park exploration & walking safari
The transfer to Matobo National Park, the last resting place for Cecil Rhodes, will take in the region of six hours. Here, huge granite outcrops dominate the landscape, with precariously balanced boulders seemingly defying gravity beneath a huge and often cloudless sky. Between them, in the shadows, view ancient bushmen rock paintings and marvel at their resilience against the elements.
Wildlife is plentiful too, with the national park being a haven for Zimbabwe’s last rhino. A highlight is a guided nature walk, tracking rhino on foot as antelope watch shyly from a safe distance away and Verreaux’s eagles soar effortlessly above. Other wildlife you may see include klipspringer, zebra and giraffe.
Accommodation: Big Cave Camp, 2-nights
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Day 7:
Nata Sanctuary
A full day of travel, crossing the border into Botswana, is in store today. Your exposure to the most varied landscapes continues as just a short distance away from your comfortable accommodation in Nata, lies the incredible Makgadikgadi Pans. This vast sea of salt (or water – depending on the time of year that you visit) stretches into infinity, lying timeless beneath an enormous sky. By visiting in the late afternoon, try to capture striking images as the sun sets below the vast horizon.
Accommodation: Nata Lodge, 1-night
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Day 8:
Transfer to Maun
Heading due west, this morning’s transfer sees you in Maun ready for a relaxing afternoon by your lodge’s outdoor pool, or perhaps not! As the gateway to the Okavango Delta, there are a host of optional activities that can be organised from here including scenic flights over the Okavango Delta with light aircraft or helicopter options available for a bird’s eye perspective of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Accommodation: Sedia Hotel, 1-night
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Days 9-10
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Game drives in Moremi Game Reserve
Where the floodwaters of the Okavango Delta drain into the Kalahari Desert lies the wildlife rich Moremi Game Reserve. This will be the setting for your next adventure, so fill your safari boots exploring this biodiverse and paradisiacal wilderness through morning and afternoon game drives.
Magnificent wildlife will be yours to view with, we hope, predators such as endangered African wild dogs and big cats taking centre stage. Large herds of buffalo, elephant and antelope shall rub shoulders with a plethora of smaller creatures such as mongoose and endearing warthogs. Abundant birdlife ranges from secretary birds to sunbirds, with an incredible array of raptors represented.
Accommodation: Sunway Tshaa Camp, 2-nights
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Day 11:
Return to Maun
Following your morning game drive, return to Maun to ready yourself for the Okavango Delta itself tomorrow. Time permitting, head into Victoria Falls town for some curio shopping or sit on the lodge terrace overlooking the gardens and the Thamalakane River beyond in order to indulge in a little birding.
Accommodation: Sedia Hotel, 1-night
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Days 12-13
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Okavango Delta water safaris
Let life slow down with two nights in the glorious Okavango Delta ahead. Glide through lily pad strewn waters by mokoro or by motorboat as butterflies, prolific birdlife, amphibians, reptiles and insects take top billing. This quintessential Botswana experience is not to be missed!
Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp, 2-nights
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Day 14:
Transfer to Caprivi, river cruise in Mahango Game Reserve
Another day, another country! Today you travel across to Namibia’s Caprivi Strip (now known as the Zambezi region), a thin segment of land that separates Angola in the north and Botswana to the south. Taking much of the day to reach your lodge overlooking the Kwando River, keep a look out for wildlife during the journey. Late afternoon, take to the water for a relaxing sunset cruise bordering Mahango National Park viewing elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and more. Water birds will be plentiful, etched against an increasingly flaming sky as the sun sets.
Accommodation: Camp Kwando, 1-night
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Day 15:
Chobe National Park
After a whistle-stop trip to Namibia, return to Botswana today heading for Kasane positioned along the Chobe River, the northern boundary of Chobe National Park. Another river cruise is in store with elephants once again in the spotlight, - they may even swim, using their trunks as snorkels, which is always a delight to behold. However, there's plenty more to see besides, including large crocodiles and hippos, as you watch the stunning sunset at the water's edge.
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge, 1-night
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Day 16:
Transfer to Kasane or Victoria Falls & depart
There may be time to squeeze in more optional activities in Chobe National Park this morning before your time in southern Africa draws to a close. Your tour ends with a transfer to either Kasane or Victoria Falls airport in order to catch your onward international flights.
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Day 17:
Arrive UK
Please note: Why not extend your stay and see a little more of southern Africa. From Victoria Falls, it's possible to head west through the birding Mecca that's the Caprivi Strip and on to wonderful Etosha National Park. Alternatively, break your journey in South Africa, exploring the world in one country, which can offer further wildlife viewing opportunities, varied landscapes, and even whale watching (between June and November) for marine enthusiasts. And did we mention wine?!
