Botswana and Victoria Falls Safari

This Botswana and Vic Falls Safari starts and ends in Johannesburg, South Africa.

A perfect African getaway to Botswana and Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. This tour takes in some of the top Game Parks in Botswana including Chobe National Park, Moremi and Savuti.

You will go in search of Africa's "Big 5" while staying in several off the beaten track camps, making this Wildlife Safari ideal for travellers wishing to get away from it all, while at the same time enjoying all that Botswana's Parks have to offer.

You will spend a few days in one of the last true "Gardens of Eden", the Okavango Delta, enjoying scenic game flights into and out of the pristine northern delta area. During your exclusive Okavango Delta experience you will go on game walks, explore the delta by Mekoro and be able to take in the magnificence of this extraordinary place.

You will visit the mightly Victoria Falls, the adventure capital of Africa where you will be able to partake in some great optional activities such as white water rafting, canoe safaris, elephant back safaris to name a few.

This is truly a wondeful wildlife, scenic and adventure African Safari.

DAY 1: Johannesburg to Nata - Botswana

Departing from a selected lodge in Johannesburg, the trade and industry hub of South Africa, in the early morning, we head north towards the Botswana border. After customs and immigration formalities we make our way to Nata where we spend our first overnight in Botswana.

Our safari lodge is located on the outskirts of the impressive Sowa salt pan in an oasis-like camp. In the evening there is time for you to familiarize yourself with the tour procedures whilst enjoying a catered meal at the lodge (at own expense).

DAY 2: Nata to Makgadikgadi Pans B L D

Day two starts with a leisurely breakfast before transferring to a 4x4 safari vehicle for our first bush excursion. After our safari drive we return to our lodge in Nata for lunch and a rest. We spend the hottest part of the day relaxing and taking a refreshing dip in the pool.

In the afternoon we pack up camp and travel towards Maun heading to the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the biggest salt flats in the world.

We explore these dramatic depressions experiencing the wide open space of this remote place. The pans are known for the unique birdlife and the other desert animals inhabiting this isolated area. We keep an eye out for springbok, gemsbok, zebra, wildebeest and other unique species found in this arid region.

In the evening we camp out under starry African skies in this tranquil and secluded wilderness. 

DAY 3: Maun (13-day fly-in passengers join here) B L D

In the morning we spend some more time exploring the spectacular Makgadikgadi Pans before driving to our own private camp in Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta. We arrive at the safari camp set on the banks of the Boteti River, close to Maun, and enjoy a warm shower, washing off the Makgadikgadi dust.

After freshening up we take an afternoon walk to a local village to get a glimpse of how the local people cope under such harsh conditions. Fly-in passengers joining the safari will be collected from Maun in the afternoon. In the evening we return to our bush camp for a traditional "braai" (barbecue) and another night of camping under star-studded African skies.

DAY 4 - 7: Maun - Okavango Delta B L D

Today we fly into the pristine Okavango Delta in a light aircraft. This scenic flight from Maun takes us deep into the Delta from where we continue by Mekoro canoes to our exclusive camp in the northern part of the Delta.

The flight over the Okavango provides great opportunities for spotting game from above.

The Okavango, a massive river system emptying into the Kalahari Desert in northern Botswana, is the world's largest inland delta. This unique delta consists of several ecosystems that support a huge diversity of animals and plant species. The delta, with its source in the western highlands of Angola, is known for its untamed beauty and abundant wildlife.

We look out for the shy red lechwe and rare situanga antelope in the delta swamps and flood plains and keep an eye open for African Jacana also known as lily-trotters. The delta is home to lion, elephant, leopard, buffalo, giraffe, hyena, wild dog, kudu, impala, roan, zebra, hippo and crocodile amongst other wild animals. Around 500 bird species inhabit the delta where the cry of the African Fish Eagle is frequently heard.

We spend three nights at our remote camp set in this truly African wilderness, exploring the unspoiled delta on foot and by Mekoro - the traditional dug-out canoe. There will be time to simply appreciate the remoteness and serenity of this exclusive wilderness area.

On day 7 our exclusive Okavango experience comes to an end as we take another exciting game flight back to our camp in Maun. You have the option of extending the scenic flight to an extensive game flight over the Delta on either day 4 or day 7.

Back at the Maun Camp there is time to freshen up before enjoying a catered meal.

DAY 8-12: Moremi, Savuti & Chobe Game Reserves B D L

We return to Maun early in the morning to stock up on supplies for the next exciting leg of our safari adventure, which is focused on game viewing. We drive north via remote villages in our well-equipped and elevated safari vehicle making our way to some of Botswana's best game parks.

The next five days are spent exploring these top game reserves on thrilling game viewing drives.

Our first overnight stop is in the diverse Moremi Game Reserve, where we camp near the well-known 3rd Bridge. Fall asleep to hyena calls and the distant roar of a lion, or even the deep grunt of a nearby hippo in this beautiful wilderness area.

The various habitats of Moremi are home to elephant, buffalo, leopard, cheetah, jackal and high numbers of endangered African Wild Dog. An abundance of birds and a wide range of antelope species as well as giraffe are also found in Moremi.

From Moremi we travel north passing through the Xakanaxa area on our way to our next overnight camp situated near the North Gate. We embark on afternoon and morning game drives along the wetland areas, an excellent region for game viewing.

Next we visit the rugged Savuti area of Chobe Park, a wild part of this famous game park, known for its high concentration of lions and scavenging hyenas, as well as numerous plains game.

In Savuti, where we have an array of game drive options to choose from, we stay at a campsite visited by various wild animals. It's best to hide your fruit from roaming elephants, and meat from scavenging Hyenas at this wild bush camp. Savuti offers excellent game viewing year-round and is also home to an abundance of birds. Vegetation in Savuti ranges from open plains, palm trees and marshland, to dense Mopane woodlands and Acacia scrub, as well as scattered granite hills. 

After the starkness of Savuti we drive into Chobe Park, renowned for its huge elephant herds and boasting one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa. We spend the morning along the banks of the perennial Chobe River in northern Chobe looking out for Puku antelope (only found on the Chobe flats) and the variety of other wildlife drawn to Chobe's waters.

Once our game viewing exploration in Chobe game park is complete we cross the border into Zimbabwe where we travel to our next safari destination, Victoria Falls. We overnight in a private lodge situated in Victoria Falls Town. 

DAY 13 - 14: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe B

Today we visit the mighty Victoria Falls, to witness "Mosi o Tunya", meaning the "The smoke that Thunders". Vic Falls is considered the largest sheet of falling water in the world, sending up a spray of water 400m and higher that can be seen from as far as 50km away. Admiring this UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, is an unforgettable experience! 

We spend the next three nights at our Victoria Falls lodge allowing plenty of time to participate in optional adventure activities (at extra expense) and explore the Vic Falls area by foot or bicycle.

Optional activities at Vic Falls, Africa's Adventure Capital, include scenic helicopter flights over the Falls, Zambezi River Boat Cruises, White Water Rafting, Elephant Back Safaris, and Bungee Jumping from the bridge between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Or you could visit a local village to encounter traditional tribes, the African curio market or the crocodile farm among other attractions.

On two of the nights we will eat out in local restaurants (at own expense). Soak up the sounds of the African night and the distant roar of the famous Victoria Falls, toasting to your exhilarating adventures.

DAY 15: Victoria Falls to Nata - Botswana B L

Today the Botswana and Victoria Falls Safari ends for travellers on the 13-day Fly-in Safari Package, whilst the overland passengers will head back into Botswana returning south to Nata. We spend our last night camping near Nata, swapping tales with fellow travellers and the newly arrived tour group starting their African safari adventure (dinner at own expense).

DAY 16: Nata to Johannesburg - South Africa

On the final day of this remarkable Botswana & Victoria Falls Safari we transfer to the bus again for our journey back to Johannesburg in South Africa. We arrive in the dynamic city of Johannesburg in the early evening bringing this memorable wildlife and adventure safari to an end (all meals own expense).

Important Information

A 13 day Fly-In Package is available where you will join the tour in Maun and end the tour Victoria Falls (or vice versa) shortening the duration of your tour. The fly-in package is a convenient option for those wanting to avoid the long-distance road travel, or with limited time on their hands. Despite the premium for extra flights and missing out on certain destinations this is still a great option.

These trips require a valid passport and for certain nationalities, a visa for Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Seasonal Malaria precautions are necessary and are locally obtainable. A barrel bag or internal frame backpack is best suited for this trip (suitcases do not fit into the space provided).
An extra tog bag or camera bag is advised. Spending money required will be for the restaurant meals, drinks, visas, tips curios, Zimbabwe airport tax US30-00 if applicable (price subject to change), and airport transfer for flying clients only, and any other optional excursions.

All trips are accompanied by two professional guides for optimum efficiency, catering for a maximum of 14 people per vehicle.
A flexible attitude and active participation on this tour will help us to help you get the best out of your trip.