Okavango Delta, Chobe and Victoria Falls Safari

A great getaway to Botswana's beautiful Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park and Zimbabwe's mightly Victoria Falls.

Leaving Johannesburg you can quickly relax into holiday mode as we travel to game-rich Northern Botswana where your first night on safari will be spent on the tranquil banks of the Lotsane River. Next on this African safari we visit a community based wildlife project, Khama Rhino Sanctuary in Botswana.

We then journey into the Okavango Delta by 4X4 heading into the maze-like wilderness of its waterways. Two days in the Delta allows you to come face to face with nature as you explore the marshlands on foot and with the use of local mokoros (dug out canoes).

Leaving the luscious greenery of the Delta we head to one of Botswana's top game parks, the Chobe National Park home to an abundance of game, especially elephant, and phenomenal birdlife.

We then cross over the border to Zimbabwe where you can witness the rolling waters of Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world! You will have the chance to partake in some of the best adventure activities in Southern Africa including white water rafting, elephant back Safaris and canoeing on the mightly Zambezi to name a few.

Day 1: Johannesburg to Palapye – Botswana

This Okavango Delta, Chobe and Victoria Falls Safari leaves Johannesburg city in South Africa on the morning of day one, travelling north towards the Botswana border.

After completing border formalities we cross into Botswana and head to Palapye, situated halfway between Johannesburg and Maun in Botswana. We spend our first night near Palapye, previously called Phalatswe, located on the banks of the Lotsane River. 

We camp in the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, a community based wildlife project, established in 1992 to help save the rhino.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Khama Rhino Sanctuary to Maun – Botswana

Today we take a game drive in Khama Rhino Sanctuary to visit this community based wildlife project, aimed at helping to save the rhino from extinction. The 4,300 hectare sanctuary consists of a grassy pan dotted with watering holes providing a habitat highly suitable for rhinos. A nearby Botswana Defence Force base offers the conservation area 24 hour protection. 

After visiting the rhino sanctuary we travel to Maun, the gateway to the famous Okavango Delta, arriving in the afternoon. In Maun we spend some time preparing for our adventure into the pristine Okavango Delta. Our shaded camp is just outside of Maun and features a swimming pool, bar and restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - 4: Okavango Delta - Botswana

Leaving our safari truck in Maun we drive into the Okavango Delta in a 4x4 safari vehicle or travel by boat (when water levels are high enough). We spend the next two nights in one of the most unique wilderness areas in the world, exploring the network of delta channels and estuaries.

Meeting up with some of the local people we set up camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta. In the remote Delta we encounter untamed wild animals that are not used to seeing people. We venture into the unspoiled bush on foot getting a closer look at the various plants and smaller creatures in this spectacular area. When water levels in the channels are high enough we also explore this watery wildlife haven by mokoro (traditional dug out canoe).

The source of the beautiful Okavango Delta is found in the western highlands of Angola from where it flows through Namibia, before emptying into the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. The Okavango water system is the world's largest inland delta, watering around 15,000 square km’s of the desert. This labyrinth of waterways and lagoons flowing between secluded islands and floodplains boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The tranquil delta offers a truly wild and unforgettable African bush experience.

Optional activities: To participate in additional Mokoro rides or nature walks, apart from what is included in the activity package, please speak to your local guide.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Gweta – Botswana

On day five we leave the magical Okavango Delta admiring this wildlife gem as we travel. Next we make our way east to Gweta, a small village on the outskirts of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, one of the world's largest salt flats. Gweta is located half way between Maun and Nata in a secluded part of the world where you can experience vast open spaces and solitude.

We stay at a lively safari camp in an area dotted with ancient Baobab trees, just outside of Gweta. The camp features a funky bar and restaurant, a swimming pool and communal open-fire dining area. You have the option of exploring the bush on foot seeing some of the oldest giant Baobab trees (averaging around 4000 years old!) in this stark area. 

Optional Activity: Flight over the Delta.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Kasane to Chobe National Park – Botswana

We make our way north today to our next safari stop of Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park. Kasane is ideally located near the meeting place of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers not far from neighbouring Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

In the afternoon we embark on a relaxing Chobe River boat cruise, keeping an eye out for the abundance of wildlife and birdlife found in the famous Chobe National Park. Home to one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa, the game viewing boat cruise provides excellent opportunities for spotting wild animals up close, including hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants. 

Chobe Park is the second largest National Park in Botswana, encompassing diverse habitats from lush plains and wooded grasslands to dense forests and swamps. Chobe is best known for its huge population of elephants that migrate within the wilderness area.  

Our overnight stay is at a safari camp a few kilometers from the Chobe Park. The camp overlooks the Chobe River and surrounding bush, featuring a restaurant, bar and swimming pool.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Today we head for Victoria Falls, crossing into Zimbabwe. Arriving at our final safari destination we visit the mighty Vic Falls in the afternoon to experience the "Smoke that Thunders" or Mosi-oa-Tunya as the locals call it.

Witnessing the mighty falls is an awe inspiring experience as the Zambezi plummets over 100 feet into the gorge below forming the largest curtain of falling water in the world at 1,7km wide. Listen to the thundering of Victoria Falls and see the impressive smoke-like spray rising up to 400 meters above the Falls making it visible from as far as 50 km away!

After visiting Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, we have the option of taking a popular Zambezi River sunset cruise which includes dinner and drinks.

We stay at a comfortable resort perched on a hilltop a few kilometers from Victoria Falls on the last night of this Okavango Delta, Chobe and Victoria Falls Safari. The resort features a world-class golf course, tennis courts, two squash courts, a swimming pool, bowling greens and a gym. There is a selection of restaurants to choose from, a casino and a poolside bar. 

Optional Activities: Chobe morning game drive, Zambezi sunset dinner cruise, dinner out.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

This camping safari adventure officially ends after breakfast today, bringing your unforgettable African wildlife and wilderness experience to an end.

Most people spend an extra day or two exploring Victoria Falls and participating in some of the numerous adventure activities available. Adding an extra few days stay after the tour gives you time to enjoy optional activities such as White Water Rafting, Flights over the Falls, Elephant Back Safaris, Lion Encounters, Bungee Jumping and Game Viewing amongst other exciting alternatives at Victoria Falls.

Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive in Chobe, White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Walking with Lions, Elephant Excursion, Dinner out.

Meals: Breakfast

Please Note:

This Okavango Delta, Chobe and Victoria Falls Safari is also available in the reverse order as the Victoria Falls, Chobe and Okavango Delta Safari starting in Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls and ending in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Looking for departure date info? It's up here…