Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Vic Falls Safari

A fantastic 12 day Safari departing from Johannesburg, South Africa to Botswana's Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

We depart from Johannesburg and head for the Okavango Delta, Botswana's Crown Jewel. We spend our days on game walks in search of the wildlife in the Delta and relaxing in the natural pools created by the waterways of the Delta.

Its then off in search of Africa's "Big 5" in Chobe National Park before we head across the border to the Adventure Capital of Southern Africa, the mighty Victoria Falls where you will have the opportunity to partake in a range of optional adventure activities including White Water Rafting, Elephant Back Safaris and bungy jumping to name a few.

Then is back across the border into Botswana and onwards to our end destination, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Day 1: Nata (Botswana)

We will collect you from your accommodation in Johannesburg or Pretoria. While we are still on the South African side of the border we will stop along the way for breakfast (which is for your own account) and to do any last minute shopping. Once we cross the Botswana border your guide will assist you to change money into the local currency which is the Botswana Pula. We head in a northerly direction for Nata where we camp for the night.
Accommodation: Camping with the option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Dinner

Day 2: Maun (Botswana)

We get up in the early morning for breakfast after which we head west along the northern most border of the Kalahari Desert to the town of Maun arriving around midday. Maun is the official gateway to the Okavango Delta. In the town we stock up on supplies for our adventure into the Okavango Delta.

We will spend the night a few kilometres outside the town at Sitatunga campsite. During the afternoon you can relax at the campsite pool or visit a crocodile farm in the area which has crocodiles from 10cm in length to 4 meters!
Accommodation: Camping with the option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 3, 4, 5: Okavango Delta (Botswana)

The Okavango Delta is the jewel of Botswana and one of the top destinations for travellers to Southern Africa. The Delta is made up of a series of rivers, flood plains and waterways that gets its water from the plains of Angola during the rainy season. It takes a good 6 months for the waters to make their way down into the Okavango Delta. Not only is the Delta a visual delight but it is also home to an abundance of fauna and flora. (Including some amazing birdlife). If you focus is on game viewing then the best time to visit the Delta is during the winter months (May - September when the water levels are at their highest. During the summer months the birdlife is spectacular but the wildlife is less abundant as they migrate north where there is more water.

We head out of Maun after breakfast in 4x4 open sided game viewing vehicles which will take us into the National Park to the edge of the waterways. We dismount the vehicles and meet our local guides (Also referred to as polers). We will load all out possessions into traditional dugout canoes known as mokoros. The polers will then guide us deep into the Delta along the waterways.

The camping we do in the Okavango is a real bush experience. The reason for this is that there are no official campsites in the concession we make use of. This means that there will be no showers, electricity, fences, running water or buildings. We camp in traditional Bush Camps with only the supplies we bring with us. After we set up camp we enjoy a light lunch. We generally cool off this time of day as it tends to be very warm. (Especially in the summer months). The delta has some great natural pools that act as swimming pools for us. These natural pools come with white sand and crystal clear water a pool experience you will not forget in a hurry! In the mornings we will do a game walk as well as in the late afternoon. We will search for the wide variety of animal life that call the Delta home. The guides we make use of are experts in the area and will give you a full overview of the fauna and flora and the Okavango Ecosystem. Game viewing on foot in the Delta is a true wildlife experience.

We enjoy our dinner and then it's time to relax around the campfire listening to the sounds of the Delta as a backdrop. It is often the case where we hear Lions roaring, hyenas and jackals crying and the sound of the elephants rumble.

On the last day you will start your morning with a morning game walk after a cup of coffee. After the walk it's time for breakfast before we break down of campsite and return back to the 4x4 vehicles via our mokoros.

On our return to Maun the guide will prepare lunch. In the afternoon you will have the chance to do a 1 hour flight over the Delta. (At your own expense). The amount of game you will see by air is amazing and it's the perfect time to take some photos of this amazing ecosystem.
Accommodation - Days 3 & 4: Free bush camping
Accommodation - Day 5: Camping with the option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Nata (Botswana)

In the morning after our breakfast we depart for Nata or Elephant Sands ( This will depend on the guide and availability). You will spend the afternoon at your own leisure.
Accommodation: Camping with the option to upgrade to bedded accommodation.
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Chobe National Park - Botswana

An early morning start sees us continuing in a northerly direction, through the Kasane forest. It is here in the Kasane forest that we will almost certainly get to see herds of roaming elephants. Visitors frequently see various antelopes and even lion, wild dog and hyena. At around noon we arrive in Kasane, where we will set up camp on the shores of the Chobe River. We will sleep in the campsite, located close to the gate of Chobe National Park. This stop is the perfect chance for you to relax at the swimming pool or get those last minute things done, such as changing some money.

In the afternoon we enter Chobe park and enjoy a game drive in an open-air safari vehicle. The game drives are always a great success with Chobe National Park being well known for its great numbers and wide variety of wildlife making for some very impressive game viewing. After spotting large numbers of wildlife we get to enjoy dinner, served back at the camp.
Accommodation: Camping (optional upgrade to bedded)
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

This overland trip is the only scheduled tour offered by a budget tour operator to include two game drives into Chobe. At sunrise we head off on our second and very early morning game drive into Chobe park, in search of the animals that have thus far evaded us. A short drive after breakfast and we reach the border, crossing into Zimbabwe. Victoria Falls is an hours drive further, which is where we spend the following three nights. We will be staying within 10 minutes walk from everything, at a campsite in the heart of the town. The tour guide will help you if you want to make bookings for the extra activities and also to assist with changing money. On one of the three days spent here we will go to the Victoria Falls waterfall as part of the paid trip. At 1700 meters (1,1 mile) wide, Vic Falls is a spectacular sight to behold. This waterfall is recorded as the largest sheet of falling water in the world. Victoria Falls is also classed as one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

We take a sunset cruise in the late afternoon on the mighty Zambezi River. This relaxing experience is almost certain to present you with many fantastic photo opportunities of the river at sunset, weather cooperating. The river forms the natural border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. The Zambezi is flanked by national parks on both sides of the river, giving us a fantastic opportunity to game watch. Numerous animals and birds are often seen at the water's edge bathing and drinking. The animals sighted from the riverboat include elephants, zebra, blue wildebeest, rhino, buffalo and a variety of antelope species. It goes without saying that hippo and crocodile are found in abundance in this part of Africa. On the cruise drinks, including all soft drinks, wine and beer, are included in the trip cost.
Camping (optional upgrade to bedded)
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 & 10: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

At Victoria Falls and surrounds there are plenty of different activities and attractions to keep you entertained. There will be ample time at Vic Falls to explore the town at your leisure, meet the local people or lounge by the swimming pool.

There will also be loads of time to visit the African markets to shop for authentic arts and crafts made out of beads, wood and stone at affordable prices.

The Victoria Falls area is considered the adventure capital of Africa and rightly so. Around Victoria Falls there are a large variety of exciting activities to choose from including bungi jumping and elephant back safaris. On the Zambezi River you can take a white water rafting excursion, considered by some to be the best one-day rafting trip in the world. There is the 111-meter high bungi jump off the bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia to tempt the adventurous. If the elephant back safari is not what you're looking for, you can go on one of the horse riding safaris. The optional day trips take you into one of the national parks, fishing, or on game walks. There are also scenic flights over the Victoria Falls waterfall, or for water sports enthusiasts there are canoe safaris. Enjoy eating out at a local restaurant for dinner on day 10 (own account).
Accommodation: Camping (option upgrade to bedded)
Meals included: Day 9 Breakfast, Dinner
Meals included: Day 10 Breakfast

Day 11: Palapye - Botswana

After a light breakfast we depart from Victoria Falls crossing into Botswana once more to drive southwards stopping for lunch on the way to Palapye, where the next night is spent.
Accommodation: Camping (option upgrade to bedded)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12: Return to Johannesburg & Pretoria - South Africa

Early morning departure puts us on the road heading south and back over the border into South Africa. In Johannesburg and Pretoria the guide will take you to your choice of backpackers hostel, hotel, guesthouse or to the airport, making en-route stops for breakfast and lunch (your own account).
Meals Included: None of the meals are included

Accommodation description:

We make use of camping for our accommodation for this tour.
It is important to note that at each campsite we make use of along our journey you will have the opportunity to upgrade to a private room, chalet etc.
If you choose to upgrade we will pay the camping rate and you will pay the upgrade balance. It is not possible to book an upgrade beforehand and will need to be done en-route. Your guide will assist you in this matter.
We provide all camping equipment except for sleeping bags which you will need to bring along. ( We can provide a sleeping bag for you at a small additional fee).

Accommodation in the Delta

We will be making use of Bush Style camping for our stay in the Delta. What this entails is us finding a cluster of trees along the delta's waterway that is suitable for setting up camp. This is a true wild experience with no electricity, bathrooms, buildings or fences! The only items that we will have are those we will bring along with us.
For the toilet the local guides will dig a hole and construct a toilet. It is important to note that there will be no showers while we are in the Delta, but the delta will provide natural swimming pools for us in crystal clear water! (A swim is a must especially during the hot afternoon).

No upgrades available while in the Delta.
   
Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls stretch:
 
Camping is the accommodation used for this section.
Every camp we stay at on this tour offers a variety of chalets, private rooms and bedded accommodation. Therefore clients do have the option to upgrade from camping accommodation to bedded accommodation. The Guide will pay the camping rate and clients who upgrade their accommodation will be asked to pay the balance. Upgrades depend on availability and cannot be booked in advance.  You can change to bedded on the tour, once you have arrived and viewed the bedded accommodation.
You will be provided with all camping equipment, except sleeping bags (available for hire).

Note:

It is possible to leave this tour in Victoria Falls after breakfast on day 11.

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