This Budget Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari takes you on an authentic African bush and wildlife adventure at a great price!
Start with game drives and a guided nature walk with a San tracker in the wide-skied Central Kalahari Desert region. Then explore the diverse Khwai River and Moremi areas of the Okavango Delta, traveling via the arid Makgadikgadi Pans area. Next, experience superb game viewing in the Savuti Marsh and Chobe Floodplains of Chobe National Park, taking game drives and a boat cruise. Lastly, head to Victoria Falls Zimbabwe where the natural wonder of Victoria Falls waterfall awaits, along with a myriad of optional adventure activities.
During this safari trip, you are likely to come across activities that encourage tourists to participate in lion, elephant, or other wildlife interactions. This includes walking with lions, riding elephants, and any other tourist operation putting travelers in close contact with animals that would normally live wild and separate from human contact.
We absolutely do not encourage or endorse this type of wildlife interaction operation. For more information on why this is not good for Africa's wild animals, please see our detailed blog post on the subject.
__large.jpg "Hippo in Moremi by Michael Jansen")
This Budget Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari begins in Maun. Your safari guide meets you at the Maun Airport at 14h30 and welcomes you to northern Botswana.
From Maun, we drive south to a private game reserve on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve of Botswana. Arriving at the game reserve there is time to settle into the comfortable safari lodge and freshen up before your guide briefs you on the African safari adventure ahead.
On day two of our Budget African Safari, we explore the fascinating central Kalahari Desert region of northern Botswana.
Set off on a game drive in the Central Kalahari where desert-adapted animals roam. Keep your eyes open for antelopes such as oryx (gemsbok), springbok, and eland. With luck, you may even spot predators, including lions, brown hyenas, and cheetahs. Sit back and enjoy the open space of the Kalahari Desert with its unspoiled landscapes and wide skies.
Embark on a guided walk led by a local San tracker. This is a unique opportunity to find out more about San culture and their ancient African traditions, as well as the local flora and fauna.
At night, we return to our lodge in the private Kalahari game reserve and savor the starry desert skies.
Today we get an early start, to enjoy one more short game drive in the Kalahari Desert region. Then we travel north to the Makgadikgadi Pans of Botswana.
We stay at a comfortable lodge on the edge of Makgadikgadi Pans National Park tonight. The oasis-like safari camp is located in Khumaga village, overlooking the Boteti River.
Spend the late afternoon sipping on sundowners while you enjoy the river views or take a refreshing dip in the pool.
After breakfast on day four of our Budget Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari, we travel west to Maun. In Maun, we pause for lunch (own expense) at a local eatery in the bustling frontier town. Then your guide takes you north to the Khwai River Area, on the fringes of Botswana's Okavango Delta. Along the way, you drive through scenic wildlife areas where various animals and birds can be seen.
Alternatively, you can fly from Maun to the Khwai River Area this afternoon. This one-hour air transfer includes a short scenic flight and can be booked during the safari. This optional activity is not included in the tour price and is payable in USD cash. Scenic flights over the Okavango Delta region are very popular and highly rated as they offer an excellent overview of the wetland system and its wildlife. You may even spot large animals such as giraffes, elephants, buffalos, and hippos from above.
Whether you travel overland or by air, the wildlife-rich Khwai River Area is today's destination. Located between Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, this region is renowned for its outstanding game viewing year-round. The Khwai River Area shares unfenced borders with both of these famous African wildlife parks so wildlife roams freely between Chobe, Khwai, and Moremi.
Arriving in the village of Khwai we check in at our comfortable guesthouse and settle in for a peaceful night on the outskirts of the Okavango Delta.
Over the next two days of our Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari, we explore the Khwai River and Moremi Game Reserve areas of the Okavango Delta region, Botswana's crowning natural treasure. Spend your days taking in this pristine environment and watching its wild animals, birds, and smaller inhabitants.
Embark on game drives in the Khwai River area (northeast of Moremi and Khwai Concession). And join a mokoro trip into a wildlife concession area run by the local community. The mokoro trip entails a scenic drive to the mokoro station where you switch to dug-out mekoros and proceed deeper into the delta. Local guides pole you along the waterways and lagoons in the traditional style canoes as you sit back and enjoy the wild surroundings.
During the mokoro trip, you'll also get to experience the wild Okavango Delta on foot stopping for guided nature walks on remote delta islands. The locals can tell you more about this unique ecosystem and its myriad of creatures as you go.
At the end of your adventure-filled days in one of the wildest places in Africa, you'll return to your comfortable guesthouse for a good night's rest. Accommodation is at a guesthouse in the small rural village of Khwai, near the northeastern border of Moremi Game Reserve.
On day seven, we travel from the Khwai River Area to our next safari lodge on the edge of Chobe National Park. Botswana's top national park, Chobe is one of Africa's finest safari destinations. The park is home to one of the largest elephant populations on the continent, along with a diversity of other animals.
We get up early for our full day of wildlife adventures in Botswana. First, your guide takes you to the Savuti Marsh region of Chobe Park. The Savuti Channel is renowned for its high concentration of predators and other wildlife. Keep an eye out for lions, hyenas, and other animals as we drive north toward the Chobe River floodplains. Along the way, we stop for a picnic lunch in the wildlife park.
In the late afternoon, we arrive at our safari lodge in the Chobe floodplains area, just outside of the national park.
Day eight of our Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari is set aside for game viewing in Chobe National Park. Our wildlife adventures take place in the wildlife-rich northern region of Chobe Park.
Here the Chobe River flows all year round attracting an abundance of wild animals, including antelopes, buffalos, and hippos, as well as plenty of birds such as African Fish Eagles. Large herds of elephants are frequently seen along the Chobe River, the main source of water in Chobe Park. The high density of herbivores in turn attracts many predators including lions and leopards, which can be seen in the national park too.
We stay at a comfortable lodge bordering Chobe, from where you will embark on an early morning game drive in Chobe National Park and a relaxing sunset river cruise on the Chobe River in the late afternoon.
Today we make our way out of Botswana, crossing into Zimbabwe (visa required). In Zimbabwe, we drive to Victoria Falls, where we spend the last two nights of our budget African safari at a comfortable lodge.
In the afternoon you can visit the thunderous Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world. Witnessing Mosi-oa-Tunya, which translates as 'The Smoke that Thunders' is an unforgettable experience! You can also explore Victoria Falls town, shop for curios and enjoy optional adventure activities.
Spend day 10 enjoying some of the many adventure and outdoor activities on offer in and around Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Optional adventure activities include White Water Rafting and Canoeing on the Zambezi River, Bungee Jumping, Tram Rides, and Microlight or Helicopter Flights over Victoria Falls.
For assistance with choosing and booking optional activities, and making travel arrangements contact African Budget Safaris.
The Budget Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari officially ends after breakfast at the lodge in Victoria Falls this morning.
We recommend booking optional activities at Victoria Falls in advance to avoid disappointment. Our experienced travel experts are happy to help you choose and pre-book activities in Victoria Falls. Please note that optional activities in Victoria Falls are not included in the price of this safari.
On certain dates, this safari tour runs in the opposite direction (reverse order) from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to Maun in Botswana. Contact African Budget Safaris for the reverse itinerary and see the departure dates tab (above) for details.
This Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari departs from Maun Airport in Botswana, at 14h30 on day one. Contact us for help with pre-tour arrangements, such as accommodation and transfers from Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) or Maun (Botswana). Post-tour accommodation, activities, and transfers to Victoria Falls airport/lodges or Kasane in Botswana, can also be arranged with us at an additional cost.
For assistance with pre-safari and post-safari accommodation and travel arrangements contact African Budget Safaris.
Transport on this Budget African Safari is in a custom-built game-viewing vehicle designed for safari trips in the African bush. Each safari vehicle carries up to 11 passengers, ensuring excellent visibility on game drives, as well as great mobility in the wilderness.
Accommodation throughout this lodge safari is at comfortable 2 to 3-star lodges, B&Bs, tented camps, and guesthouses.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
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