9 Day Victoria Falls to Maun Small Group Lodge Safari

Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe to Katimo Mulilo - Namibia

This 9-Day Victoria Falls to Maun Small Group Lodge Safari starts in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Please make sure that you arrive at the departure point at least 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Leaving Zimbabwe behind, we journey west into Namibia’s lush Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip). The drive carries us through river-rich landscapes alive with wildlife and local culture. We arrive at our riverside lodge by the afternoon, where the tranquil waters set the tone for the evening. Later, we embark on a scenic boat cruise, drifting along the Zambezi as the sun slips below the horizon. Keep watch for hippos, crocodiles, and an array of birdlife that thrives along the riverbanks.

• Included Activity: Afternoon Boat Cruise
• Meal: Dinner

Day 2: Katimo Mulilo to Divindu - Namibia

We depart for Divindu after breakfast beside the Zambezi this morning. Our journey takes us west along the Zambezi Strip, passing remote villages and green riverine landscapes. With luck, we may spot elephants or sable antelope near the roadside. By early afternoon, we reach our lodge on the banks of the Okavango River — a serene base from which to enjoy this wild and unspoiled region.

• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Divindu to Mahangu National Park - Namibia

This morning, we set out on a boat cruise upriver to Popa Falls. Though modest in scale, these rocky cascades create a peaceful setting, where crocodiles bask in the sun, hippos wallow in the shallows, and birds flit across the papyrus reeds. Returning to our lodge, there is time to unwind before the afternoon’s adventure — a game drive in Mahangu National Park. Compact yet teeming with wildlife, the park is home to elephants, buffalo, hippo, sable, roan antelope, and much more. As night falls, we rest in one of Namibia’s most biodiverse corners, at the point where the Okavango begins its journey toward the delta.

• Included Activity: Morning Boat Cruise to Popa Falls / Afternoon Game Drive in Mahangu National Park
• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Divindu to Northern Delta - Botswana

Day 4 sees us leaving Namibia and heading to our next destination, Botswana. Border formalities complete, we cross into Botswana and continue south toward the legendary Okavango Delta. The scenery shifts from open savannah to a mosaic of waterways and towering trees. Our lodge, tucked into the remote northern delta, offers a haven of peace surrounded by bird calls and rustling leaves. After settling in, enjoy a sunset boat cruise — your first taste of the delta’s serene rhythm. Dinner is served under the stars, accompanied by the chorus of frogs and night birds.

• Included activity: Sunset Boat Cruise
• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Northern Delta to Tsodilo Hills - Botswana

Following an early breakfast on day 5 of our epic Victoria Falls to Maun safari, we embark on an unforgettable day trip to Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned as the “Louvre of the Desert.” Rising unexpectedly from the Kalahari sands, the hills shelter over 4,500 ancient rock paintings — a living gallery of human history and spirituality. Guided walks take us along trails where some artworks date back thousands of years. We return to our lodge by late afternoon to relax and soak up the quiet beauty of the delta.

• Included Activity: Tsodilo Hills Day Trip
• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Northern Delta to Maun - Botswana

This morning, we continue our lodge safari with our route today taking us through the dry landscapes of the Kalahari, dotted with villages that offer glimpses into everyday life. A highlight along the way is the Orapa Diamond Mine, one of the largest in the world and a cornerstone of Botswana’s economy. Continuing south, we skirt the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, where wildlife often gathers at watering holes. By late afternoon, we arrive in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta.

• Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Maun to Khwai Conservation Area - Botswana

After a night at our Maun Lodge, we get ready to set off for a true bush experience in the Khwai Conservation Area. We prepare for two nights in the Khwai wilderness, packing only essentials for our mobile fly camp and leaving our larger luggage in Maun. Accommodation in Khwai is rustic yet comfortable, with Meru-style tents, bucket showers, and chemical toilets.

From Maun, we travel in safari vehicles into Khwai, with optional scenic flights over the Okavango Delta available for early risers (weather permitting). On arrival, we head out on a mokoro (dugout canoe) excursion — gliding silently through narrow waterways as the sun sets. (Depending on the season, this activity may take place the following morning.)

• Included Activity: Mokoro Excursion
• Optional Activities: Okavango Delta scenic flight
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Moremi Game Reserve - Botswana

Day 8 of our small-group lodge safari is dedicated to exploring the Moremi Game Reserve. We set out in 4x4 safari vehicles, traversing diverse habitats — from lagoons and wetlands to woodlands and savannah. Wildlife abounds, and with luck, we may encounter lion, elephant, wild dog, or giraffe among many others. After a full day of game drives, we return to our Khwai camp to share stories around the fire and enjoy another night in the wilderness

• Included Activity: Full-day Game Drive.
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9: Khwai Conservation Area to Maun - Botswana

We enjoy one last sunrise and breakfast in Khwai before we return to Maun, where our 9-Day Victoria Falls to Maun Small Group Lodge Safari comes to an end.

• Meal: Breakfast

Safari Notes

We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this 9-Day Victoria Falls to Maun Small Group Lodge Safari is scheduled. It is advisable to arrive the day before departure from Victoria Falls and fly out the day after the safari ends in Maun to allow for delays and changes, and to take advantage of the many activities on offer.

Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.

For more details, contact African Budget Safaris