An authentic African adventure exploring Zimbabwe, Botswana and a little of Namibia in extra style and comfort, at a great price!
Highlights on this comfortable lodge tour, include:
This upmarket small group safari is conducted in a custom-built 4x4 vehicle and stays at exceptional 3 to 4 star lodges and tented camps in unique locations.
This morning we check in at our lodge, heading to the Victoria Falls National Park in the afternoon. Victoria Falls is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in Southern Africa, an absolute must-see!
The national park hosts not only the mighty Vic Falls but the lush rainforests that grow around the misty waterfall. We walk through the dense forests with a local guide, visiting various viewpoints to marvel at the powerful waterfall and take photos. The largest sheet of falling water in the world, Victoria Falls makes a loud thundering sound and sends up a massive plume of spray as it falls about 108 meters into the gorge below. This is where it gets its local name, Mosi-oa-Tunya, the 'Smoke that Thunders'.
Leaving Vic Falls behind on day two, we drive south to the top safari destination in Zimbabwe - Hwange National Park.
This park is renowned for its huge elephant herds and a large population of endangered African wild dogs. Hwange Park is home to healthy populations of Africa's classical wildlife species - the large cats and big game safaris are famous for, so get ready for some memorable wildlife action. The Big Five (lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant) are well represented amongst the 105 mammal species.
Day three is dedicated to game viewing in open 4x4 safari vehicles, offering excellent opportunities to spot the free-roaming wildlife of Hwange. One of the best game parks in Southern Africa, Hwange incorporates diverse habitats in its 5 656mi² (14,651km²) area - from arid Kalahari bushveld to open grasslands and mopane woodlands. We are almost guaranteed to see elephants, buffalos, zebras, and giraffes, and likely sightings include lions and various antelope species. We may spot hyena, cheetah, rhino and perhaps leopard, as well as rare sable and roan antelopes.
We spend two nights at an exclusive lodge set inside a private concession area on the eastern border of Hwange National Park.
Traveling southeast through rural Zimbabwe we continue to Matobos National Park, one of the most prized natural, historical, and cultural treasures of Zimbabwe.
The Matobos Park is an important wildlife sanctuary, hosting one of Zimbabwe's last rhino populations, as well as an exceptionally high concentration of leopards and black eagles. This 424 km² national park covers part of the scenic Matobos Hills. Also called the Matopos Hills, these undulating hills are strewn with numerous granite rock formations, hosting ancient rock paintings and sacred sites of the Ndebele.
During our time in Matobos, we take a game walk with a local guide, tracking white rhinos and other animals. We also explore the dramatic hills on foot, visiting some of the many San (Bushmen) rock art sites found here. Our drive takes us to the grave of imperialist Cecil John Rhodes, located on a hilltop called World's View, from where we enjoy sweeping views of the strange landscapes of Matobos.
Today we head west to the town of Plumtree, where we cross into Botswana. From there we drive up to Nata, located on the fringes of the Makgadikgadi Pans.
Later this afternoon we embark on an excursion to the nearby Nata Sanctuary area of Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to experience the open expanse of the flat white pans. These dry plains form part of one of the largest salt pan complexes in the world, measuring about 12 000km² and once covered by a vast inland lake. The bleached pans and wide blue skies offer outstanding photographic opportunities.
After watching the seemingly endless pans glowing in the sunset, we return to the lodge for a peaceful night under starry skies.
On the seventh day of our Botswana & Zimbabwe Classical Safari, we drive west to Maun. Maun is the closest town to the Okavango Delta, serving as a base for trips into this wild wetland area.
We stay at a hotel in Maun, beautifully renovated, it provides a peaceful overnight stop, with a lovely dinner to be enjoyed on the deck around the swimming pool. This afternoon you can take a dip in the pool and just relax, or take an optional flight over the beautiful Okavango Delta. The optional flight (extra cost) offers an exciting way to view the massive natural wonder of the delta in all its glory and scan for wildlife.
Tonight we get ready for our travels to Moremi Game Reserve, covering a large part of the Okavango Delta.
Moremi is the only official protected area in the delta, formed by the local BaTawana people in 1962. The wildlife reserve is named after the BaTawana leader, Chief Moremi, and encompasses about a third of the Okavango Delta. The Moremi Game Reserve is world-renowned for its high wildlife densities, diverse habitats, and incredible natural beauty.
We spend the next two nights at an authentic tented camp in a private wildlife concession bordering Moremi Game Reserve. During our time in the eastern region of the Okavango Delta, we explore both Moremi and the neighboring Khwai Concession Area on game drives. Meals and leisure time are enjoyed at the semi-permanent safari camp.
Our game drives reveal the varied landscapes of Moremi and surrounds - a mosaic of floodplains, islands, forests, woodlands, savannahs and lagoons. We may encounter predators such as lion, cheetah, leopard, hyena, African wild dog and more from our open 4x4 vehicles. Moremi is home to healthy herbivore populations too, including elephant, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, red lechwe and much more. In addition to being one of the finest wildlife areas in Africa, Moremi is also an outstanding birding destination, hosting almost 500 bird species.
On day 10 we take a morning game drive in the private concession area, before returning to Maun where we'll overnight at a well-appointed hotel.
Next, we set off north, skirting the edge of the Okavango Delta.
Our next northern Botswana destination is the Okavango Panhandle area of the scenic delta. The Okavango Delta is one of Africa's last truly wild ecosystems and Botswana's most treasured natural wonder, providing sanctuary to an abundance of wildlife and birds.
We spend our time exploring this peaceful wilderness area by motorboat and in traditional-style mokoros (dug-out canoes) poled along the waterways by local guides. Navigating the reed-lined channels and lagoons of the Okavango Delta by boat and mokoro is the ideal way to view the unusual and rare flora and fauna of this pristine environment.
Nxamseri Island Lodge is nestled in an indigenous forest on a secluded small island in the Okavango Panhandle, our lodge overlooks the serene waterways and untamed surroundings.
From the watery delta of Botswana, we travel into the fertile Caprivi Strip of Namibia.
Our drive takes us into Mahango Game Reserve, a compact yet diverse wildlife park. This unusually lush area of Namibia is home to ample game, including plenty of elephants and antelopes, such as roan, sable, bushbuck, reedbuck, tsessebe, sitatunga, kudu and red lechwe.
Leaving Mahango, we proceed to the Kavango River where our overnight lodge is situated. Here we take an afternoon boat cruise, enjoying unspoiled nature in this remote spot.
Today we travel eastwards through the Caprivi Strip. This narrow finger of Namibian land stretches east from northern Namibia to Zimbabwe, bordered by Botswana on the south and Angola and Zambia on the north. We drive to Ngoma Bridge where we cross the border back into Botswana.
Back in Botswana, we head south to the small town of Kasane on the banks of Chobe River. After settling in and freshening up at our lodge in Kasane we embark on a boat cruise along the famous Chobe River. Our laid-back cruise takes us into Chobe National Park, one of Africa's best game reserves.
The river draws a profusion of animals and birds from the surrounding plains, offering superb game viewing. On our boat cruise, we are sure to see a variety of animals, ranging from lizards and crocodiles to elephants, hippos, baboons and buffalos. The cruise is excellent for photographing wildlife, birds and landscapes as we move slowly along the river, getting up close to sightings. After a sublime sunset from the water, we head back to the lodge for our last night on safari.
On our final morning, you have the chance to embark on one more optional game drive (at extra cost) in Chobe Park.
Returning from your morning game drive, we gather for breakfast at the lodge. Then it is time to say goodbye to your travel companions and guides, transferring to either Kasane Airport in Botswana or Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe.
Both shuttle options are included in the cost and will arrive in time for mid-day flight departures.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
Children between the ages of 12 and 17 years of age are accepted on group scheduled departures, travelling with an accompanying adult.
All Victoria Falls Departures | All Lodge Safari trips
1. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana
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