16 Day Zimbabwe and Botswana Game Tracker Safari

For a varied, diverse, exciting and fulfilling holiday, one would  be hard pressed to find a country in Africa, or the world, which offers more. South Africa has it all, including wildlife, mountains, deserts, beaches, forests, numerous cultures, first world cities, untouched landscapes, casinos, amusement parks, exciting activities, excellent roads and infrastructure, off road 4 x 4 routes, fantastic food, good wine, great sports stadiums, incredible people and a triumphant history.

The idyllic Letaba Rest Camp is situated on a sweeping bend of the Letaba River, midway between the southern and northern boundaries of the Kruger National Park. The name means “river of sand”, and the sandy riverbed is an excellent location for game viewing, particularly elephant, which thrive in the area. Letaba is a green oasis in the surrounding mopane veld, and remains a firm favourite with visitors. At night the stars overlook a symphony of sounds. Owls, nightjars, frogs, fruit bats, crickets and cicadas all vie to be heard, until the lion roars, then all are silent.

Zimbabwe - Making its way back into the tourist market, Zimbabwe is able to offer some incredible wilderness and exciting wildlife, along with the wonder that is Victoria Falls.

Zimbabwe's political climate and issues have been well documented through the world's media, and it is no secret that tourist numbers to the country have dropped substantially. 

However, everything which made Zimbabwe one of the most popular safari destinations is still available, with operators moving back into the world famous areas of Hwange, Mana Pools, the Lower Zambezi and Lake Kariba.

Victoria Falls thunders mightily on the Zambezi River, and the canoeing and rafting experiences are as exciting as ever.

The people of  Zimbabwe have always been one of the major highlights, and it is particularly pleasing that tourists are filtering through the borders again, rewarding the patience of the fantastic guides and conservation workers who have remained dedicated to Zimbabwe's wildlife areas.

Straddling its own grounds and the World Heritage Site is the Great Zimbabwe Hotel. Only a short walk away from the Monument itself, the hotel has its own tradition – The Great Zimbabwe Hotel is made up of 47 neat rooms all with wall to wall carpeting.

All rooms are decorated with quaint conservative furniture that gives them a modest and homely feel. The standard and single rooms overlook a lush garden courtyard. These rooms are conveniently laid out in a half moon shape encasing the courtyard, giving the hotel the feel of an intimate family unit similar to the layout of the nearby Great Zimbabwe Monuments. The deluxe, family and standard suites are located in separate nearby satellite buildings giving them an added sense of privacy. Each room is complimented with the following facilities: DSTV, telephone, tea and coffee facilities, hairdryer (provided on request) and bathroom (shaving socket, toilet and bathtub).

The swimming pool, tennis court and beach volleyball pitch are only a 2 minute walk from the majority of the rooms. The Sunset Bar is a favourite with locals and guests. The hotel has a range of activities and facilities to cater for the whole family. From the modest restaurant to the comfortable bar this hotel carries the affectionate atmosphere of the countryside. The hotel is located only 800 meters from the Great Zimbabwe Monuments where guests can take part in informative guided tours.

Miombo is a quirky and intimate lodge situated on the edge of Hwange National Park.  

The main central area looks out onto the pool and garden areas, beyond which is the main waterhole and views into the Miombo woodland. 

The standard rooms are quaint units, each under thatch, offering simple but comfortable accommodation. The standard rooms each have stargazer outside showers and semi en-suite basin and flush toilet. There are thatched tree houses and elevated tented suites as well as ten Msasa tented suites. Tea and coffee facilities, mosquito nets and fans are in each room to make your stay more comfortable.

Guests have the option of driving into the Park in their own vehicle or can join one of the game drives offered by Miombo Safari Camp in comfortable open sided, 4x4 vehicles, equipped with radio and accompanied by an experienced and knowledgeable local guide. The early morning game drive and afternoon drives take you into the famous Hwange National Park. The afternoons especially are prime time to sit around the main waterholes in the Park and enjoy seeing the many herds of elephant as they come to drink. The Ingonyama Dance Troupe provides scintillating evening entertainment on request and we can arrange tours of the Painted Dog Conservation project and Dete Village for longer stays.

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.

Thebe River Safaris is ideally situated for visitors to Chobe National Park and the Chobe River area in Northern Botswana. Our lodge and camp overlook the placid Chobe River and echo the surrounding bush with a rustic design. We are 12km from the Kazungula border and 5km from the entrance to Chobe National Park. Our restaurant and bar provide welcoming food and drinks and visitors can enjoy our sparkling swimming pool. Free WiFi is also available throughout our public areas and lodge.

Thebe River Safaris was started in 1994 by Jan Van Wyk with a single Land Cruiser. The business has expanded over the subsequent years into a bustling lodge and camp, and most recently a new luxury tented camp Jackalberry Chobe, all located in the heart of Kasane, Botswana. Jan’s original idea of sharing the wonders of Chobe National Park with visitors has continued with game drives, boat cruises and mobile safaris, taking guests into the true African wilderness. The operation now includes Jan’s sons Jannie and Louis and daughter Franci.

Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and an en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire. Tents have built-in insect nets. We need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild tented camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. The wilderness tented camp supplies all linen blankets and pillows. The camp chairs have a backrest. You will need to bring your own towel. WiFi not available. 

Khama Rhino Sanctuary has a variety of accommodation facilities. We have facilities that are ideal for a family, individuals and for a group. We also have campsites that are ideal for anybody that wants to experience solitude and the sounds of the wild.

There are eight chalets to choose from located in different areas. Bedding &towels, braai facilities, bar fridge and electric kettle will be provided for all the chalets. Electric kettle and bar fridge is not available in the A-frame chalet since it does not have power. Basic cooking utensils are no longer provided. Clients can bring their own or use The Restaurant to buy meals. The chalets are A, B, C, D, E, F, G and A-frame.

• A & B accommodates two people each. They each sleep one couple, holding one double bed.
• C & D are located at Makongwa Camp, accommodates four people each and have two rooms and two beds in each room.
• F & G chalets are next to the restaurant area. Each chalet has two rooms and two beds in each room.
• A-Frame Chalet is situated on the edge of Serwe pan. This is a two storey chalet which sleeps up to six people. A- Frame has a separate bush toilet and a hot shower. This chalet was designed to give an African way bush life. This chalet does not have electricity, but lantern lamps are provided for lighting.