From $ 4,789.00 per person
This journey takes us through some of Botswana’s and Zimbabwe’s most magnificent game reserves.
Small-group lodge safari through Botswana and Zimbabwe, starting in Maun and ending in Victoria Falls. The tour takes you through some of Botswana and Zimbabwe’s most magnificent game reserves.
Tour Highlights
- Maun
Arrival in safari town, gateway to your Botswana experience - Okavango Delta
Traditional mokoro excursion - Moremi
Day and night game drives in private concession Full day wildlife viewing in game rich reserve - Makgadikgadi Pans
Visit to Nata Bird Sanctuary - Chobe
Morning game drive in the national park Sunset game cruise on the Chobe River - Hwange
Full-day game viewing in Hwange National Park Half-day game drives on private concession - Victoria Falls
Tour of the Victoria Falls Sunset cruise experience, on the mighty Zambezi River. Various optional activities available
B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner
DAY 1: MAUN, BOTSWANA – D
On arrival into Maun International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your lodge. Thamalakane River Lodge is located on the banks for the Thamalakane River outside of Maun en route to the famous Okavango Delta. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available at the Lodge. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of your group at the lodge at 18h00 for your pre-departure meeting.
Accommodation:Thamalakane River Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Lunch: For your own account
Dinner: At Thamalakane River Lodge
DAY 2 & 3: MAUN TO OKAVANGO DELTA, BOTSWANA – BLD, BLD
This morning after breakfast we head to Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique. The next day is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. We have the opportunity to stop at a secluded island to take a 1½ hour guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals living in this water filled paradise.
Distance: 320 km Departure: 9h00
Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Breakfast: At Thamalakane River Lodge or similar
Lunch: Guma Lagoon Camp or similar
Dinner: At Guma Lagoon Camp or similar
DAY 3:
Breakfast: At Guma Lagoon Camp or similar
Lunch: Lunch packs by Guma Lagoon or similar
Dinner: At Guma Lagoon Camp or similar
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES AT GUMA LAGOON
Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. The rates are per person and quoted in US Dollars. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate. Certain activities only operate at specific times of the year. Please contact our reservation office for further information.
Scenic Helicopter Flight 30 Minute One Person
Scenic Helicopter Flight 30 Minute Two Persons
Scenic Helicopter Flight 30 Minute Three Persons
*Please note prices are subject to change.
DAY 4: GREATER MOREMI AREA, BOTSWANA – BLD
After breakfast we head south travelling via Maun to Mankwe Adventure Camp, situated on a private concession on the doorstep of the Moremi Game Reserve. The Reserve is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors.
Distance: 398 kmDeparture: 06h00
Accommodation: Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar (Meru-style canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms).
Breakfast: At Guma Lagoon Camp or similar
Lunch: Lunch in Maun at a local restaurant
Dinner: At Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar
DAY 5: GREATER MOREMI, BOTSWANA – BLD
We have the opportunity to spend the day on game drives. In our open 4×4 vehicle, we’ll venture into the Greater Moremi area for morning and afternoon game drives, aiming to encounter the diverse wildlife that inhabits this region. Following dinner, your guide will lead a night drive, offering opportunities to spot elusive nocturnal creatures.
Distance:150 kmDeparture: 07h00
Accommodation: Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar (Meru-style canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms).
Breakfast: At Mankwe Adventure Campor similar
Lunch: At Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar
Dinner: At Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar
DAY 6: KHWAI, BOTSWANA – BLD
Today, we embark on a full-day game drive in Khwai, situated on the fringes of the Moremi Game Reserve and boasts a diverse ecosystem of lagoons, plains, and forests. With a small population living in harmony with wildlife, Khwai attracts large herds of elephant and buffalo in the dry season, offering excellent opportunities for lion and leopard sightings alongside abundant birdlife and varied flora.
Distance: 150 kmDeparture: 07h00
Accommodation: Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar (Meru-style canvas tents with en-suite bathrooms).
Breakfast: At Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar
Lunch: Lunch pack from Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar
Dinner: At Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar
DAY 7: MOREMI GAME RESERVE TO NATA, BOTSWANA – B
Leaving the bush behind us, we travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, once a large river fed lake which has become saline and empty. This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands and forms the Great Makgadikgadi which comprises the largest area of salt pans in the world, covering some 37,000 square km overall. We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon.
Distance:406 kmDeparture: 07h00
Accommodation: Nata Lodge or similar (permanent safari tents with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar)
Breakfast:At Mankwe Adventure Camp or similar
Lunch: For your own account
Dinner: For your own account
DAY 8 & 9: NATA TO CHOBE, BOTSWANA – BD, BD
We head off to Nata Bird Sanctuary in the morning, which offers us the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans (please note a visit to the pans is subject to the road conditions and water levels as well as time constraints). After breakfast, we continue our journey north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephant found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool.
Start your morning of day 9 with a hopefully spectacular game drive in Chobe National Park. You will return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relaxation until our boat cruise on the Chobe River starts around 3pm. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, making for excellent up close photo opportunities.
Distance: 320 km Departure: 08h00
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Breakfast: Breakfast pack from Nata Lodge or similar
Lunch: For your own account
Dinner: At Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
DAY 9:
Breakfast: At Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
Lunch: For your own account
Dinner: At Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
DAY 10-12: CHOBE, BOTSWANA TO HWANGE, ZIMBABWE – BLD, BLD, BLD
Today, we make our way into Zimbabwe to Nantwich Lodge, situated in the northwest corner of Hwange National Park, the largest national park in Zimbabwe, covering an area of approx. 14 650 km2. Named after a local chief, Hwange is situated in the northwest corner of the country about
one hour south of the Victoria Falls. Due to its close proximity to the Falls, Hwange boasts an incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna, and a plethora of African wildlife. There are over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded here. Upon your arrival, you’ll have the opportunity
to partake in an afternoon game drive, allowing you to immediately immerse yourself in the rich wildlife experience this pristine location has to offer.
The following day, is spent on a full day game drive where you will discover a variety of animals, including some predators among them. In the evening, you will be able to enjoy a night game drive, offering a unique opportunity to witness the fascinating nocturnal wildlife in their natural habitat.
This morning, you will have the chance to extend your quest for African wildlife on an exciting game drive.
Distance: 162 km (day 10)Departure: 08h00
Accommodation: Nantwich Lodge or similar (chalets with en-suite bathroom, swimming pool & bar area)
DAY 10:
Breakfast: At Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
Lunch: At Nantwich Lodge or similar
Dinner: At Nantwich Lodge or similar
DAY 11:
Breakfast: At Nantwich Lodge or similar
Lunch: At Nantwich Lodge or similar
Dinner: At Nantwich Lodge or similar
DAY 12:
Breakfast: At Nantwich Lodge or similar
Lunch: At Nantwich Lodge or similar
Dinner: At Nantwich Lodge or similar
DAY 13: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE – B
After breakfast we head back towards Victoria Falls. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available in Victoria Falls.
Accommodation: Shearwater Explorer Village or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Breakfast: At Nantwich Lodge or similar
Lunch: For your own account
Dinner: For your own account
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES IN VICTORIA FALLS
Below is a list of some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Victoria Falls. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. The rates are per person and are quoted in US Dollars. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate. Certain activities only operate at specific times of the year. Please contact our reservation office for further information. Should you wish to partake in an activity that is not listed below, we will gladly assist you with rates and reservations.
15 Minute Helicopter Flight Flying Fox (Cable Slide)
22 Minute Helicopter Flight Gorge Swing
Boma Dinner Incl. Transfers Zip Line
12-13 Min. Flight of Angels Horse Back Safaris (Novice)
25 Minute Flight Livingstone Island: Lunch Departure
Bungee Jump Victoria Falls Bicycle Tour
Bridge Slide Canopy Tour
DAY 14: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE – B
Today you will have at leisure to explore Victoria Falls, the town and all of its unique offerings, from adventure activities to cultural experiences. Your guide will take you on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya- “the Smoke that thunders”. In the afternoon we embark on a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River.
Accommodation: Shearwater Explorer Village or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
Breakfast: At Shearwater Explorer Village or similar
Lunch: For your own account
Dinner: For your own account
DAY 15: VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE – B
Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight, kindly note it is advisable to book international flights not earlier than 13h00. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures.
Distance: 30 km
Breakfast: At Shearwater Explorer Village or similar
DEPARTURE:
Please note that the daily departure times are a guideline only and are subject to change due to seasonal variations, as well as unforeseen circumstances. The final decision rests with your guide who will advise you at what time you will be departing each day.
On the evening of day 1, there will be a meeting presented by your guide, at 6pm, at your lodge. It is imperative that all clients attend this meeting so as not to miss out on any critical information.
Whilst it is our every intention to adhere to the above mentioned itinerary, there may on occasion be a necessity to make alterations in order to make the tour more enjoyable or practical. Therefore please treat the itinerary as a guide only.
TRANSPORT:
We use fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, Mercedes All-Terrain vehicle, 12-seater 4×4 safari vehicles or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, a music and PA system. We endeavor to ensure that air-conditioning is provided, however we are unable to guarantee this for vehicles travelling through Namibia. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle. Some game drives may be conducted in open-sided safari vehicles. For transfers between Kasane and Victoria Falls or Hwange and Victoria Falls (or vice versa), 2×4 vehicles may be utilised.
TRAVELLING TIMES AND DISTANCES:
All travelling times are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a lot of distance to be covered. Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100 km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer. Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your travelling comfort at all times.
ACCOMMODATION:
We make use of mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps with en-suite bathrooms.
MEALS:
Where included most breakfasts and dinners will be enjoyed in the restaurants of the various accommodation establishments. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.
VISAS:
The onus is on the client to organize all visas required to visit the countries stated on the itinerary. Please note that travellers entering Botswana will be required to present a valid international health certificate of vaccination for yellow fever should they originate from or have travelled through countries which have been declared yellow fever infected areas within the preceding 6 months.
TRAVEL INSURANCE:
Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling with us. All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance.