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Highlights of Botswana & Zimbabwe
10 days, Victoria Falls to Maun
Itinerary
Day 1Victoria Falls
Arrive at any time. Please note that your arrival transfer is included.
If you are interested in spending more time in Victoria Falls, it is recommended to book pre-accommodation to fully experience everything Victoria Falls and the Zambezi area has to offer.
Arrival Transfer
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Arrival Day and Welcome Meeting
The adventure begins tonight. Feel free to explore before your welcome meeting, but make sure you’re back in time to meet the group. Check for the meeting time on the welcome note at the hotel. After introductions, your CEO will review the details of your tour. Please note that normal check-in times apply at our start hotels, but you can usually store your luggage for the day if you arrive early.
Day 2Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park
The morning is yours to get to know Victoria Falls. Perhaps you’ll choose to go on a guided tour of these magnificent falls and UNESCO World Heritage site. Afterwards, the group will travel to the headquarters of the Painted Dog Conservation where you’ll listen to a talk about the efforts of this organization to protect and rehabilitate injured African wild dogs. Then enjoy a safari into Hwange National Park which happened to be an important elephant sanctuary in Zimbabwe and one of the largest wildlife reserves.
Learn about the life and hardships that the Painted Dog faces. This population of dogs lives in and around Hwange national park. There’s an effort being made by a nonprofit organization to put an end to the poaching and harm done to these animals in the wild. The project's main goal is to release their rehabilitated animals back into their environment in the wild and to work with local communities in order to educate and change the behaviours surrounding poaching.
Road conditions in the region can range from good to very poor. As such, we slow our traveling speed in the rough spots and enjoy some sand and bumps – all part of the adventure of traveling in Africa.
Please note that hot water shortages, low water pressure and power outages can occur in Southern Africa. We appreciate your patience and understanding that these occurrences are outside of our control. Wifi is available in most places (extra charge may apply), but in remote areas there can be service interruptions. A/C is not generally available in the accommodations we use, really it isn't needed as evenings tend to cool down. Floor or ceiling fans are usually available.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Painted Dog Conservation
During your visit to the Painted Dog Conservancy you will meet with a senior conservationist to learn about the work being done to rehabilitate animals that have been injured from poaching. Learn about the dangers wild dogs face in and around Hwange National Park. The ultimate goal of the project is to release rehabilitated wild dogs back into the wild and to work with local children and communities in an effort to educate and shift behaviours away from poaching.
Afternoon Wildlife Safari Drive in Hwange National Park
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive in the lodge's private concession, bordering the Hwange National Park. Keep an eye out for Africa's Big Five, as well as other predators, and over 300 bird species.
Optional Activities - Day 2 HideShow
Victoria Falls Tour
50USD per personHead out for an unforgettable experience at Victoria Falls. Explore the rainforest and learn about the geology, history, and local legends of this world wonder. After your immersion, get up close to the falls and discover the beauty of “the smoke that thunders.” Be sure to have your camera ready!
Victoria Falls Helicopter Ride - 15 Mins
You don't want to miss the opportunity to see Victoria Falls from above. Watch the Zambezi River make its way toward the gorge and form the largest waterfall in the world. During your 15-minute ride, you will have time to take in the incredible views over the falls, Livingstone Island, and Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park while snapping as many pictures as you like. You may be lucky enough to see some giraffes and elephants in the surrounding landscape and even catch a rainbow over the falls. Includes pick-up and drop-off from hotel and a 12-15min flight.
Please note there is a cost for an additional park fee paid for on-site at time of the activity.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 3Hwange National Park
Enjoy a full-day safari through the grasslands of Hwange National Park. Spend time tracking elephant, buffalo herds, giraffes, lions, and zebras that call this place home. As the day comes to a close, take some time to unwind on the deck of the lodge and keep a lookout for more wild animals at the lodge’s watering hole.
Afternoon Wildlife Safari Drive in Hwange National Park
Enjoy a wildlife safari drive in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest park, and home to elephant herds, lions, and the rare African wild dog. Get your cameras ready and keep an eye out for Africa's "big five," as well as other predators, over 300 bird species, and discover a remote portion of Hwange National Park where you will seldom see another vehicle.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 4Hwange/Chobe NP
Leave Hwange and its animals behind to travel north where the group will cross the border into Botswana to arrive in Kasane. Kasane happens to be known as the entryway of Chobe National Park. Relax into the lodge you’ll be staying in before hopping on a boat safari along the Chobe River which winds through the park. Search for hippos and crocodiles hiding in the water, elephants taking a bath, and the variety of birdlife that call the banks of the river home. If you’re lucky the sunset over the river from the boat’s deck will be spectacular.
Keep an eye out for Chobe bushbuck and puku antelope, which are found only in this part of Botswana. The Chobe River is home to the world’s largest elephant herds; buffalo, hippos, and lions can also be seen here.
Private Vehicle
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Border Crossing (Zimbabwe - Botswana)
Ready for a little more ink in your passport? Grab your bags and get ready to check another country off your bucket list.
Chobe River Sunset Cruise
Get a fantastic perspective of one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. Bring a few drinks and a camera, sit back, and enjoy the view.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 5Chobe NP
There’s always more to see in Chobe National Park which is why you’ll head out on another safari this morning along the banks of the river. See how many different kinds of wildlife you can spot before finishing back at the lodge. For the rest of the day you can choose to relax or embark on another river safari, but this time on a specialized photography boat.
Opt into the photo wildlife safari on the Chobe River at sunset; you’ll be accompanied by an expert wildlife photographer and guide who will help you get the perfect shot.
Chobe National Park Safari Drive
Immerse yourself in Chobe National Park in an open-backed, open-seated safari vehicle, and experience the stunning wilderness of the game-rich park in the care of a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. Explore with your eyes as the tour drives along routes that overlook the beautiful Chobe River and keep an eye out for the remarkable variety of animals that are drawn to this permanent water source.
During the safari drives it is not uncommon to spot several of Africa’s “big five” in the greater Chobe area and the early morning drive lasting 3 hours is a wonderful opportunity to have some unique sightings.
Free Time
Relax, or opt to improve your wildlife photography skills on a Chobe River photo safari.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 6Kasane/Okavango Delta
Hop on a short flight to the heart of the Okavango Delta. You'll be transported to the remote camp by mokoro (dugout canoe). As you glide through the waterways search for the area's wildlife, then take some time to relax and get settled at the camp. Enjoy some lunch before embarking on a wildlife cruise through the delta. In the evening have a sundowner on the deck back at camp before a dinner beneath the stars.
Please note that the Okavango Wilderness Project talk may be moved to the day that the group arrives in Maun due to the availability of lecturers within the region.
Planes used to fly into the Delta are small and weight restrictions are mandatory. For this reason luggage restrictions are 15kg per person for checked in luggage and 5kg for Hand luggage for a maximum of 20kg per person. As well, the airline requires the weight of each passenger, your CEO will collect this information from you privately, at the beginning of the trip.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 7Okavango Delta
Today the group will set out into the Okavango Delta with expert local guides. Spot wildlife the mokoro navigates the channels of the river. In the evening relax and explore the bush camp before enjoying a three-course meal around the campfire as you listen to the sounds of the delta.
Tonight, the group will stay at Moremi Crossing accommodation, which features en suite meru tents, running hot and cold water, full beds, linens and a towel. Each tent is on its own deck dotted along the fringe of the island. Some are tucked away amongst the pristine riverine ecosystem filled with wildlife. There are animal sightings from the decking area on a regular basis.
Okavango Delta Excursion
Enjoy wildlife walks and viewing, mokoro trips, and birdwatching in the pristine wilderness area of the Okavango Delta, the world's largest inland delta. In the evening, count the shooting stars, sing with the locals, or simply unwind with a sundowner (cheers!) around the campfire.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 8Okavango Delta
The group will go on two wildlife excursions today in the afternoon and morning on foot, boat, or by jeep. In between take advantage of free time to swim, relax on the deck, or enjoy other camp amenities.
Chief’s Island is a large area and the animals are free to move as they choose – and they do! During your guided walk there’s a chance you’ll see: lion, elephant, giraffe, zebra, impala, kudu and hippo as well as a plethora of birdlife – particularly when the migratory species return to us between October and March. There is a huge difference to being on foot rather than in a vehicle for such encounters!
Okavango Excursion
Continue exploring the Delta on a bush walk or by mokoro through the channels, searching for wildlife as you go.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 9Okavango Delta/Maun
Enjoy an early morning wildlife excursion and then board a short flight to Maun. Once there you will learn about the Okavango Wilderness Project. The group will watch the documentary, "Into the Okavango" and learn more about delta conservation projects in the area. In the evening experience a storytelling session given by celebrated local author Bonty Botumile. Her work is preserving Botswana's literary heritage while providing youth with employment opportunities in the arts. Cap off the night with a meal of traditional foods around a warm fire.
Please note that today you will be served a brunch between 10-11 before boarding your flight to Maun.
Plane
Look! Up in the sky! It's a bird! It's a plane! It's... yup, it is a plane, actually.
Okavango Wilderness Project Experience
The Okavango Wilderness Project is a multi-year collaboration between international and local African experts to survey the Okavango watershed's biodiversity and ensure its future protection. Join one of the project members to watch and discuss the new documentary Into the Okavango, and learn about the delta conservation projects in the area
Free Time
Relax at the hotel or head into Maun to check out the local craft markets.
Botswana Storytelling and Traditional Dinner
Enjoy an evening of culture with celebrated author Bonty Botumile and the Thari-E-Ntsho Storytellers, a local enterprise dedicated to preserving Botswana’s heritage and providing youth with employment opportunities in the arts. Born in Maun, Bonty is a recipient of the Bessie Head Literature Award. Listen as she shares her in-depth understanding of the region’s cultural history. Cap off the night with traditional fare and storytelling around a warm fire.
Meals included:
Breakfast | Lunch | DinnerDay 10Maun
Depart at any time.
Departure Day
Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.