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Vic Falls, Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari

Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari Explorer (Lodge Safari)

Tour Length15 days
Priced from pps $5752 R109049 £4520 5290 A$8772 C$7786 NZ$9457 Full pricing info
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Summary of this Lodge Safari

  • Max. Group Size 12 Travellers
  • Departs from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
  • Ends at Maun, Botswana
  • Accommodation Luxury Camping / Lodge / Safari Lodge
  • Transport Open 4x4 Game Viewing Vehicle
  • Wildlife Big 5, Elephant, Leopards, Lions, Rhino & More
  •  See Departure Dates

Quick Itinerary Overview

This 15-day Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari offers excellent value-for-money as a budget-friendly lodge safari with superb game viewing and unique wilderness experiences in Southern Africa.

Botswana safari highlights include Chobe National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans, Khwai River, and Moremi Game Reserve in the Okavango Delta. Zimbabwe safari gems include the famous Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Lake Kariba, and Matobo Hills.

A high-quality Budget African Safari to Botswana and Zimbabwe with comfortable safari lodge accommodation and expert guides.

Responsible Travel Note

During this safari tour, you are likely to come across activities that encourage tourists to participate in lion, elephant, or other wildlife interaction. 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.

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Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Our affordable Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari begins in the adventure capital of Victoria Falls. When you arrive at Victoria Falls Airport, our driver welcomes you to Southern Africa and transfers you to your first overnight safari lodge in Zimbabwe.

The remainder of the first day is free for you to do as you like. Get active and do one of the many adventure activities on offer at Victoria Falls, or rest and dip into the pool at the safari lodge. A pre-safari meeting is held at 18h00 to fill you in on the details and introduce you to your guide and fellow travelers.

  • Accommodation: Riverside safari lodge (en-suite rooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
  • Meals: Own expense

Day 2: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park – Botswana

Wake up beside the Zambezi River and have breakfast at the safari lodge before we set off for the spectacular waterfall - Victoria Falls.

Your guide takes you to viewpoints along the river, below the falls, so that you can admire the full scale of this natural wonder. The local Kololo name for the waterfall is Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning “the Smoke that Thunders”.

Leaving Victoria Falls we cross into neighboring Botswana and head to Kasane. This is the closest town to Chobe National Park, situated near the borders of Botswana and Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. This afternoon you can set off on optional activities (own account) in and around Kasane and Chobe, or laze by the pool at the riverside lodge.

  • Travel: 100 km / Departs: 08h00
  • Accommodation: Chobe safari lodge (en-suite rooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
  • Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Chobe National Park – Botswana

Day three of our lodge safari begins with a game drive in Chobe National Park - one of Africa's best game reserves and Botswana's top wildlife park. Chobe hosts an exceptional number of elephants, along with big predators such as crocodiles, lions, leopards, and hyenas. After spotting wildlife and birds in scenic Chobe Park, we return to the safari lodge for brunch.

Later we embark on a boat cruise along Chobe River, watching a beautiful sunset from the water and spotting a variety of animals, birds, and reptiles up close.

  • Accommodation: Chobe safari lodge (en-suite rooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
  • Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 & 5: Chobe to Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe

From one elephant stronghold to another - we drive from Chobe Park down to Hwange Park on day four. Our next safari lodge lies inside a wildlife concession adjacent to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's top safari destination.

First, we go to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to see endangered African wild dogs and find out about the conservation work being done here. Then you have the option of joining a game drive (own account) in the wildlife concession area, time allowing.

The whole of day five is set aside for exploring Hwange National Park on game drives. Frequent sightings include the elephant herds Hwange Park is famous for, and numerous buffalos, zebras, and giraffes, as well as predators, other herbivores, and birds.

  • Travel: 280 km / Departing: 08h00
  • Accommodation: Hwange safari lodge (en-suite chalets, swimming pool & bar area)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

Day 6 & 7: Lake Kariba – Zimbabwe

On day six of our Budget African Safari, we drive to Lake Kariba. This is one of the largest man-made dams in the world. We head to the small town of Binga on the south-eastern shores of Lake Kariba, where our luxury houseboat is moored.

Boarding the houseboat we cruise to Sengwe River and spend the afternoon sighting wildlife and birds in this remote area. Then we enjoy drinks and dinner on the boat, before retiring to our cabins.

Wake early on the morning of day seven and go fishing or take a guided walk and search for wildlife and birds. Climb back on board for brunch as we cruise to a sandy beach on one of the islands in Elephant Bay. Witness a beautiful sunset over Lake Kariba, from the beach as we barbecue. Then spend another night on the houseboat, under star-studded skies.

  • Travel: 185 km / Departing: 07h00
  • Accommodation: Houseboat (en-suite cabins, plunge pool & dining room area)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

Day 8 - 9: Matobo Hills National Park – Zimbabwe

Making our way back to Binga we enjoy some game viewing and bird watching from the houseboat. Then we leave Lake Kariba, driving south through Zimbabwe to Matobo Hills National Park.

On day nine we visit this intriguing national park, beginning the day with a guided rhino tracking walk and drive in Matopos Hills Park.

Later in the afternoon, we drive through the boulder-scattered hills searching out animals and birds. Matobo Hills National Park is an important wildlife sanctuary, home to an exceptionally dense leopard population and the highest concentration of black eagles on the planet. Other inhabitants include black and white rhinos, along with antelopes of various kinds. Our game drive takes us to the contentious burial site of imperialist Cecil John Rhodes before we leave the stunning park, which also holds great cultural and historical value.

  • Travel: 485 km / Departs: 08h00
  • Accommodation: Safari lodge (en-suite rooms, bar, & swimming pool)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

Day 10: Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe to Nata – Botswana

Today our Budget Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari travels across the grassy plains of southern Matabeleland, as we make our way back into Botswana.

This afternoon we go to Nata Bird Sanctuary. If time and conditions allow, we visit the wide-open terrain of Sowa Pan, which forms part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. If water levels and road conditions are favorable we experience the vast and barren saltpan before continuing to our next safari lodge.

  • Travel: 375 km / Departs: 06h00
  • Accommodation: Nata safari lodge (permanent safari tents with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Makgadikgadi Pans – Botswana

Rise extra early this morning for our exploration of Ntwetwe Pan, near Gweta. We explore Ntwetwe Pan to take in the otherworldly scenery and see the unusual creatures found out here.

Ntwetwe Pan is one of the two main pans in the Makgadikgadi Pans network in northern Botswana. This is one of the largest saltpans on earth. Ntwetwe is known for its lunar scenes - rocky outcrops, pale dunes, rugged islets, and deep channels. Keep your eyes open for desert-adapted animals, like bat-eared foxes, springbuck, kori bustards, and meerkats. With some luck, we get up close to the semi-habituated meerkats inhabiting the pans.

After lunch, you can visit a nearby village to get a feel for the local culture and learn about the Batswana people. Stop and meet the children at a school with outdoor classes and visit a traditional court. Find out about Batswana traditions and history from your local guide who shares age-old knowledge inherited from his forefathers.

Later this afternoon we visit a grove of big, old baobab trees on foot. The guide can tell you more about the baobabs growing here and baobabs (the world's largest succulents) in general.

  • Travel: 200 km / Departs: 05h00
  • Accommodation: Safari lodge (Bakalanga huts with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12: Maun – Botswana

Continue westwards to Maun, the tourism hub closest to the Okavango Delta.

This afternoon is free for you to rest and relax at the safari lodge, cooling off in the pool and taking it easy.

Alternatively, you can take an optional (own account) scenic flight over the Okavango Delta - Botswana's most prized natural treasure! Flying over this UNESCO World Heritage Site gives you breathtaking views over the winding channels and lush plains dotted with elephants, giraffes, and other animals.

  • Travel: 225 km / Departs: 07h00
  • Accommodation: Riverside safari lodge (en-suite chalets, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)
  • Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Greater Moremi Area – Botswana

After breakfast, we drive to a nearby mokoro station where mekoros (dug-out canoes) are launched.

Continuing in mekoros we glide into the pristine Okavango Delta soaking up the tranquil and wild scenery as our guides pole us along. Keep a lookout for wildlife and birds, along with the other weird and wonderful creatures of the diverse delta ecosystem.

Our mokoro trip is followed by lunch and then we head to our safari camp in a private concession of Greater Moremi. Settle in and have a hearty dinner at the camp before embarking on a thrilling night game drive in the Khwai Concession area of the Okavango Delta. The night drive is a great chance to spot the nocturnal animals of Africa, including leopards.

  • Travel: 150 km / Departs: 07h00
  • Accommodation: Tented safari camp (semi-permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms / no electricity at camp)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 14: Moremi Game Reserve – Botswana

On day 14 of our Budget Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari, we explore the prestigious Moremi Game Reserve, on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta. One of Africa's best game reserves, Moremi is famous for its natural beauty, habitat diversity, and high concentrations of wildlife.

We spend the whole day experiencing the African bush in the untamed Moremi Game Reserve, looking out for the rich array of wildlife and birds living here.

  • Distance: 150 km Departs: 07h00
  • Accommodation: Tented safari camp (semi-permanent tents with en-suite bathrooms / no electricity at camp)
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 15: Moremi to Maun – Botswana

Our Budget African Safari to Botswana & Zimbabwe finishes after breakfast at our safari lodge today.

You can take the included transfer to Maun Airport and continue your adventures from there.

  • Meals: Breakfast

Optional Extras and Excursions

For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.

Victoria Falls Activities:

  • Helicopter Flights
  • Boma Dinners   
  • Sunset Cruises  
  • Bungi Jumping 
  • Full Day Canoeing  
  • Full Day Rafting  
  • Flying Fox   
  • Gorge Swing   
  • Zip Line   

Child Policy

This tour does take children.

Please contact African Budget Safaris for further information, should you be travelling with children.

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+Where does the tour go to?
+Optional Activities & Day Trips
For confirmed pricing on these optional items, please drop us an enquiry

Victoria Falls Activities:

  • Helicopter Flights
  • Boma Dinners   
  • Sunset Cruises  
  • Bungi Jumping 
  • Full Day Canoeing  
  • Full Day Rafting  
  • Flying Fox   
  • Gorge Swing   
  • Zip Line   
+Included in the Tour Price
  • Safari lodge accommodation as per the itinerary
  • All transport in fully equipped 4x4 safari vehicle
  • Game drives as mentioned
  • Meals and activities as per itinerary
  • Park entrance fees
  • Experienced local guide
+Not Included in the Tour Price
  • Travel insurance
  • Flights & visas
  • Pre and post tour accommodation
  • All drinks, tips and curios
  • Personal expenses
  • Optional activities
+Departure Dates

This Botswana & Zimbabwe Tour requires a minimum of 4 people to guarantee departures.

Scheduled Tour Departures
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If you do not see departures listed for your dates, please do contact us for further info.

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