Countries: Zimbabwe , Botswana , Namibia
Destinations: Victoria Falls , Makgadikgadi Salt Pans & Nxai Pan National Park , Okavango Delta , Maun , Kavango-Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi) , Chobe National Park
Group Size: 16
Duration (days): 12
Number of Adults: 16
Number of Children: 0
Explore the untouched natural beauty and wildlife of Botswana on this very comfortable Lodge Tour. Starting with the natural wonder of Victoria Falls and a breath taking sunset at Makgadikgadi pans. Enjoy big game viewing in open 4x4 vehicles in Moremi Game Reserve before boating, walking and mokoros in the pristine Okavango Delta. Continue with an overnight on the banks of the Zambezi River and end your tour with game viewing along the Chobe river. An incredible tour of the natural wonders of Botswana!
Itinerary Outline
Day 1 : Victoria Falls
Arrive today in Victoria Falls (arrival flight not included) , where you will be met and transferred to the Sprayview Hotel to spend 2 nights on a bed and brreakfast basis. The afternoon is free to explore Victoria Falls town.
Zimbabwe - a treasure trove of breathtaking wilderness, vibrant wildlife, and awe-inspiring natural wonders. From the iconic Victoria Falls, where the mighty Zambezi River plunges into dramatic gorges, to the serene waters of Lake Kariba and the untamed beauty of Hwange and Mana Pools, Zimbabwe is a safari destination like no other.
This remarkable country offers an unparalleled diversity of experiences. Explore the vast savannahs of Hwange National Park, home to one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, or paddle along the tranquil channels of the Lower Zambezi, where hippos and crocodiles linger at every turn. Thrill-seekers will delight in world-class canoeing and white-water rafting, while nature enthusiasts will revel in walking safaris led by some of Africa's most experienced guides.
What truly sets Zimbabwe apart is its people. Warm, resilient, and welcoming, Zimbabweans add a unique vibrancy to every journey. Their deep connection to the land and dedication to conservation make every visit more meaningful.
Whether you're drawn by the roar of Victoria Falls, the call of the wild, or the chance to experience one of Africa's most storied landscapes, Zimbabwe promises an adventure filled with wonder and unforgettable moments.
"Mosi Oa Tunya", or "The Smoke That Thunders", Victoria Falls are as magnificent on the 10th visit as they are on the 1st, and their thundering roar makes everything else seem strangely quiet once you leave them behind.
As the mighty Zambezi flows over a chasm of 1 mile wide, and 110 metres high, to violently crash on the rocks below, the resultant spray is sent tens of metres up into the air, before it lands back down in a continuous rainfall. The water then rushes through an opening of only 50 metres, as the Zambezi races further along, over churning rapids and through the deep Batoka Gorge.
While the Falls are the major drawcard, there is a thriving tourist industry developed around them, with adventure activities of all forms being available.
Tourism has been evident here ever since David Livingstone was the first European guided by the local tribes to this remarkable natural wonder.
Cresta Sprayview is just 1.4 km from the Victoria Falls Rain Forest entrance. When the Falls are in full flood, the spray from this majestic wonder is visible from the hotel, rising like a column of smoke. It is locally referred to as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or the “Smoke that Thunders”. Set on eight acres of manicured grounds, the accommodation offers a tranquil oasis from which to enjoy all Victoria Falls has to offer. Alfresco dining and the large swimming pool make the hotel a relaxing retreat for families, international travellers and honeymooners.
Day 2 : Victoria Falls
Today is spent at leisure to browse the local markets, to experience the many optional activities on offer in the adrenalin capital of Africa including sunset cruises, scenic flights over the Falls and to visit the Falls (activities on own expense).
Breakfast included today.
Day 3 : Makgadikgadi Salt Pans & Nxai Pan National Park
Departing after breakfast, we travel through Botswana to the Nata area. Late afternoon we visit the Makgadikgadi Pans for a truly unforgettable sunset over what remains of an ancient 6500km2 lake.
Breakfast and dinner included today (lunch on own expense)
Well known as one of the great safari destinations in Africa, Botswana offers some of the most beautiful, luxurious, and active safari experiences in Africa.
A Botswanan safari can never be long enough, and never experienced often enough. Although one of the flattest countries you will ever visit, Botswana is blessed with an incredible variety of landscapes and eco-systems.
It is the very flatness of Botswana which has created some of the world's most special wilderness areas, and exploring the Kalahari, Okavango Delta and Makgadikgadi Salt Pans rewards you with memories for a lifetime.
Easily accessible from Johannesburg, and simply combined with Victoria Falls, Botswana needs to be on your safari list if you are planning a visit to Southern Africa.
As soon as you land in Maun or Kasane, you will know that you have arrived in a country which operates like nothing you have experienced before.
With the warthogs running through the streets of Kasane, and the hippos grunting in the Chobe River, your welcome to Botswana is one which tells you straight away you are in Africa's wilds.
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans & Nxai Pan National Park
Pronounced "Makgadikgadi," these salt pans in the centre of Botswana are the remnants of the largest lake in Africa, which dried up thousands of years ago. The shimmering white, deadly landscape adds to Botswana's adventurous reputation, with only the bravest of early explorers having the courage to try and cross the seemingly endless wasteland.
We are fortunate nowadays to explore these pans from the comfort of a 4x4, and the luxury of lodges with swimming pools and shaded tents. However, even with these amenities, the Makgadikgadi Pans evoke a sense of adventure in travellers. Including the salt pans in a Botswana safari adds to the remarkable variety of your holiday, and to the beauty of your photo album.
North of the main pans is Nxai Pan National Park, which is a stunning destination for nature lovers and safari enthusiasts. The park is famous for its vast grass plains, seasonal salt pans, and diverse wildlife, including elephants, zebras, bat-eared foxes, leopards and lions. During the wet season, the landscape transforms, attracting migratory animals and a wide variety of birdlife, making it a prime spot for birdwatching and wildlife photography.
A highlight of the park is the ancient Baines' Baobabs, a cluster of majestic baobab trees that offer a striking backdrop for visitors. The dry season reveals a different beauty, with golden plains and wildlife gathering around scarce water sources, creating serene and memorable moments.
Nxai Pan is a hidden gem in Botswana, offering an authentic African safari experience where untamed nature and breathtaking scenery provide the perfect escape for adventurers and travelers alike.
Nata Lodge is an oasis set among the Mokolwane palms on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. It is ideally situated close to the entrance to the Nata Sanctuary and is the junction to the Okavango, Chobe and Francistown areas.
The lodge offers 22 luxury air conditioned thatched chalets built on stilts and set in rustic African style, with en suite bathrooms including indoor baths and outdoor showers.
10 luxury safari tents are built on raised wooden platforms which are nestled under the lodges many marula trees. These tents feature en suite bathrooms and include all the amenities offered in any of the lodge’s chalets.
The camping site provides full ablution facilities with hot and cold showers as well as central electrical power banks.
Guest areas include a restaurant, swimming pool, gift shop and a bar/lounge area.
The shady tree canopy surrounding the lodge is a hive of activity, with a bird feeding area and active water feature providing the bird watcher with the opportunity of viewing a variety of species from the comfort of the pool deck, open bar or restaurant.
The Nata River delta feeds the Sua Pan in the Nata sanctuary and forms the breeding ground for a host of water birds including pelicans and flamingo in their thousands, transforming the shore line into a pink haze blending into the western sky.
For keen bird watchers and naturalists, Nata Lodge offers open vehicle excursions into the Nata Sanctuary. Mammal species in the sanctuary include antelope such as springbok, as well as springhares, jackals and foxes.
However the main attraction is the abundance of bird life. Around 165 bird species, including king-fishers, eagles, ostriches, pelicans, spoonbills and both greater and lesser flamingos, have been recorded.
Day 4 : Okavango Delta
A 3 hour drive takes us to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango delta and Moremi game reserve. We change from our overland vehicle into open 4×4 vehicles and proceed to our accommodation situated at the edge of Moremi game reserve. Moremi is lush and varied, shallow flooded pans, plains and forests. It is one of Africa’s finest areas for wildlife, with particularly high game densities including all major naturally occurring herbivore and carnivore species in the region and over 400 species of birds.
Breakfast and dinner included today (lunch on own expense)
The very word "Okavango" evokes a sense of adventure and exploration, and this is exactly what the Okavango Delta is about. Often called the Okavango Swamps, this intricate maze of waterways and sandy islands is an explorer's dream, and the destination should be on the wishlist of anyone looking for a unique travel experience.
The geology of the Delta is fascinating, with its creation being attributed to tectonic plate action from thousands of years ago causing the Kavango River to flow from Angola into the Kalahari Desert as opposed to the Atlantic Ocean.
So while the vegetation is lush, and the wildlife plentiful, the waterways are actually cutting through Kalahari Desert sand, and the entire delta is an enormous oasis.
Termites are credited with the creation of the many islands around which the water slowly flows, as their mounds, common features of the landscape, are responsible for the formation of sand and foliage around them.
There is a continuous scurry of life in the Delta, from the smallest of creatures to the largest of elephants, and every twist and turn of the channels brings some new form of life into view. The Okavango Delta is truly one of nature's greatest creations.
Experience the ultimate Okavango Delta feeling at the legendary Gomoti river in our eco-lodge combining the best of all worlds.
Hold your breath when you see elephants bathing in front of your terrace in the morning. Listen to the sonorous grunting of hippos grazing while you are enjoying a sundowner at the bar. Feel the goosebumps on your skin when you hear a lion roar while you are sitting around the campfire.
Enjoy your exclusive view into this pristine wilderness from one of our 19 comfortable tented chalets. And save yourself the hassle of having to fly in, as the Gomoti River Lodge is only an hour’s drive away from Maun.
Be one with nature and listen to the mysterious sounds of the bush while enjoying the comfort of a cozy bed. Indulge in the warm shower of your private bathroom while you hear the calls of birds and the chewing of elephants.
Nineteen comfortable tented chalets on elevated wooden decks under shady Camelthorn and Jackalberry trees, each of them overlooking the river system with the Gomoti flood plains, offer exclusive opportunities for wildlife observation directly from your room.
The tented chalets are decorated in a classical safari style and offer all the amenities that make the stay a relaxing one: lots of open space, en-suite bathroom with solar-powered hot water, mosquito nets, electricity and a private wooden deck with fantastic Gomti views on the flood plains teeming with wildlife.
Hippos are frequent guests, peacefully grazing near the lodge. You are likely to see elephants and impala antelopes around the lodge, too, and sometimes even lions.
Elevated wooden walkways link the chalets to the main dining area and the main viewing deck. The whole lodge ist designed to perfectly blend into the majestic surrounding environment and to provide the best possible delta views.
Day 5 : Okavango Delta
Today is spent enjoying morning and afternoon game drives in the private concession and inside Moremi.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included today
Day 6 : Maun
A 2 hour transfer takes us back to Maun. The afternoon is free for an optional 1 hr scenic flight over the vast Okavango Delta (own expense).
Breakfast and dinner included today (lunch on own expense)
Botswana’s tourism capital lies on the southern fringes of the Okavango Delta, and still, despite recent modernisations, carries the feeling of a dusty, frontier town. For many tourists, Maun is the point of entry into the Delta, and often into Botswana, with direct flights from both Johannesburg and Gaborone.
Maun is the administrative centre of Ngamiland District, which is home to a fascinating variety of ethnic groups: the Hambukushu, Basubiya and Bayei – all of central African origins, who know the Okavango intimately, having expertly exploited and utilised its abundant resources for centuries. There are also the Banoka – the River Bushmen, who are the Okavango’s original inhabitants, the Bakgalagadi, and the Baherero, who originate from Namibia, and whose women can be seen wearing brightly coloured victorian style dresses as they stroll along the town roads, or sit outside their traditional rondavels.
Frequently, the ‘people’ side of the Okavango is overlooked, with tourists merely using Maun as a transit point to embark for the Delta. However, exploring the traditional villages along the western fringes of the Delta, in the panhandle area, is worth the time and effort, and for many tourists, becomes a real highlight of their travels in Botswana.
The dramatic surge in the numbers of tourists coming to Botswana in the 1980s brought equally dramatic changes to Maun. Safari companies abound, and their signposts dot the sandy parking lots. Modern malls, shops, hotels and guesthouses have sprung up everywhere; and now virtually any food item – from champagne, French cheeses, and chocolates down to commonplace necessities – can be purchased.
Today you can enjoy wilderness and wildlife by day and watch high tech DvDs by night, or walk into old government offices straight out of the colonial era.
Meanwhile, the timeless Thamalakane River meanders lazily through the town, setting the scene and mood for what lies ahead.
Thamalakane River Lodge is placed on the banks of the Thamalakane River, just 19kms from Maun, and en route to the famous Moremi Game Reserve.
En-suite stone chalets, some with private splash pools are positioned in the shade of the riverine forest, overlooking the river. Chalets and our swimming pool take advantage of the 180 degree view of the riverbanks lined with fluttering reeds visited by an ever changing array of water fowl, and birds and the occasional hippo. It is a delightful place to come home to after a day spent exploring.
Our widely acclaimed restaurant serves a la carte and buffet style meals from an ever changing menu. Dusk is spectacular, with the sun setting the river ablaze as is slowly dips behind the trees.
Thamalakane River Lodge’s acclaimed restaurant is something not to be missed. The splendour of the surroundings is matched only by the superb food. In addition to the famous signature dishes of the lodge, diners can also expect to find local seasonal treats on the regularly changing menu. The bar overlooks the pool area and the river, so enjoy a sundowner while watching the waterbirds come home at sunset.
Day 7 : Okavango Delta
Driving round the pan handle we traverse to the north west of the Okavango Delta. We arrive at Swamp Stop and our lodge on the edge of the Okavango Delta.
Breakfast and dinner included today (lunch on own expense)
Our iconic and authentic Safari camps, set dramatically on the Okavango River are the ultimate gateway for adventure travelers seeking to experience the best of the Okavango at an affordable price. Accessible by road and air we pride in offering the full suite of Wilderness Experiences unique to the Okavango.
Discover the soul and spirit of the Okavango with us and enjoy classic Okavango experiences including Makoro Trips, day boating and birding adventures, island walks, and sunset cruises where guests experience the incredible wilderness of the Okavango.
With over 30 years of owning and running Okavango Safari camps we have the depth of experience and local knowledge to guide you as you experience the iconic river ways and islands of this world heritage jewel.
Day 8 : Okavango Delta
Today we travel by boat 30 minutes into the delta. We do mokoro & boat excursions in the back channels of the Nxamasire area of the delta. Game walks are also done on the smaller islands in the area subject to the water levels of the delta.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included today
Day 9 : Kavango-Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi)
Departing the Delta we cross into Namibia and continue to the Eastern side of the Caprivi Strip. A 20 minute boat trip takes us to our lodge overlooking the flood plains of the Zambezi River.
Breakfast and dinner included today (lunch on own expense)
Out-of-this-world landscapes and panoramas make Namibia a photographer's dream destination. While not as much of a wildlife destination as other countries, Namibia makes up for this with phenomenal scenery, cultures and activities.
Namibia is a desolate and largely uninhabitable country, well-known mainly for its deserts and coastline. However, there is far more to the destination.
Namibia is home to some fascinating people, and in the right season, can provide you with some of the best game viewing on the continent.
When travelling Namibia, the distances are vast, and often you will go without seeing another vehicle, or person, for hours.
Around every bend of the road awaits another breathtaking landscape, with wide open spaces and incredible colours giving you photo opportunities at all times of day.
Below are a few of the popular areas frequented by travellers to Namibia, and they are places which will remain in your memories forever:
Kavango-Zambezi Region (formerly Caprivi)
In the north east of Namibia, bordering Angola, Botswana and Zambia, the Caprivi region is a mosaic of woodlands, rivertine forests, swamps and rivers and home to an abundance of game and birds. Community campsites and joint venture lodges are set in amazing places.
The wildlife is protected by several reserves: Mamili, Bwabwata, Lizauli and Mudumu. There are no fences, therefore the animals roam freely across the borders of Namibia's neighbouring countries, Botswana and Zambia.
Caprivi land based activities include exciting game drives and walking safaris, while the tranquil waterways are ideal for game viewing by boat, canoeing and tiger fishing. Birdwatchers will have a wonderful time spotting more than 400 species of bird..
Along the edge of the mighty Zambezi River, lies the water sanctuary of Zambezi Mubala Lodge & Camp. A bird-lover’s dream, this lodge is home to one of the largest colonies of Carmine Bee-eaters, that live along the banks of the majestic Zambezi. Birds are often joined by the occasional hippo or crocodile, baking in the shallow waters along the banks. Guests can relax and watch the colours of life sail along the steady current of the river.
Day 10 : Chobe National Park
Crossing back into Botswana we overnight on the banks of the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. The afternoon of arrival is free for an optional game drive (own expense).
Breakfast and dinner included today (lunch on own expense)
Accessed easily via a 1.5 hour flight from Johannesburg, or a 1 hour drive from Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park is the most visited park on a Boswana safari itinerary.
With an enormous elephant population, as well as magnificent birdlife and a huge array of herbivores and aquatic animals, it is often hard to believe that Chobe National Park is for real.
The game viewing starts from the moment you land at Kasane Airport, or drive across the border from Zambia or Zimbabwe, with warthogs foraging in the streets, buffalo being habitual visitors to the town, and hippos lazing around in the river.
Chobe Safari Lodge is situated in Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River and shares a border with Chobe National Park. It is the oldest lodge in Chobe and was established in 1959. Right on our doorstep is the meeting of four African countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Chobe Safari Lodge therefore offers an excellent getaway location to Chobe, Victoria Falls or Caprivi.
