BOTSWANA SAFARI|NAMIBIA CAPRIVI STRIP|OKAVANGO|VICTORIA FALLS|HWANGE NATIONAL PARK

On arrival at Maun International Airport, you will meet your driver/guide for a short transfer to your lodge. The lodge is located 12 km’s East of Maun on the shaded banks of the Thamalakane River. All of the chalets are set ideally amongst the trees that overlook the River. Each en-suite chalet has air-conditioning, television and a hot beverage station. Late this afternoon departs for a sunset cruise on the Thamalakane River. Take along your warm clothing. Cash bar on board. See the abundance of bird life and the occasional hippo & crocodile visitor as you make your way past the delta speargrass & papyrus.

Overnight Island River Lodge or similar [D]

OPTIONAL TOUR: This morning you have the opportunity to view the Okavango Delta from an eagle’s perspective by going on a breathtaking one hour private charter flight. Advance booking before departure from US required.

Those not taking the delta flight, can take this opportunity to walk through the town of Maun. After breakfast, we depart Maun and travel northwesterly along the panhandle of the Okavango Delta.

We will spend the next 2 nights alongside the Okavango River. Lawdons Lodge is situated in the western panhandle region of the Okavango Delta near Shakawe. This part of Botswana is famous for prolific wildlife, birds and fish.

Overnight Lawdons Lodge or similar [BD]

OPTIONAL: For the adventurous & ardent photographers, a mokoro day trip can be enjoyed. Please note this is a full day trip and you will not be back in time for the sundowner cruise from Lawdons. Lunch is included on the mokoro trip, as well as the return transfers to the mokoro boating station.

The rest of the group will enjoy a day at leisure, either around the pool, checking off birds on your list or taking a walk along the banks of the river. Late afternoon, we enjoy a sundowner cruise on the Okavango River.

Overnight Lawdons Lodge or similar [BD]

Time to change countries! We cross the border post between Botswana and Namibia and enter the Mahango National Park to enjoy a game drive in our safari vehicle. Rare species found here include bushbuck, reedbuck, lechwe, tsessebe, oribi and sitatunga. On to Popa Falls, where we will take a short walk to view the falls, and then we enter the Caprivi Strip, bordered by Angola, Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe and surrounded by four mighty rivers, namely The Chobe, Kwando, Linyanti and the Zambezi. Our accommodation is set on the banks of the Kwando River.

Accommodation at Camp Kwando will be in the Island Tents that are built on poles and overlooking the river, allowing you to do some fishing from your own deck. Each has thatch roofs and has an open sky en suite bathroom.

Overnight Camp Kwando or similar [BD]

This morning we will enjoy a fantastic game drive. The lodge’s specially equipped ten seater land rover allows comfortable game drives in the neighboring national parks. Included in the game drive is a relaxing break where drinks and snacks are served. We will also enjoy an insightful traditional village tour in the village next to Camp Kwando, where most of the staff comes from. They will show you their fishing and hunting techniques as well as their traditional day to day life. During the visit, the local Medicine man will also show you what dances are used to cure illnesses or other problems.

Optional Boat trips – The lodge as its own 14 seater boat that takes trips on the Kwando River. The boats leave for game cruises early in the morning or just before sunset.

Overnight Camp Kwando or similar [BD]

We will be entering Botswana via the Ngoma border post. Due to the lodge’s close proximity to the Chobe National Park, you will have the opportunity to witness the amazing spectacle of the largest concentration of elephants in Africa within minutes of the lodge. Mowana Safari Lodge is situated in Kasane on the banks of Chobe River and sharing a border with Chobe National Park. Right on the doorstep where the four African countries of Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia meet. While at the lodge, we will enjoy an unforgettable game drive in Chobe National Park and a breathtaking sunset cruise on the Chobe River, both provide the finest game viewing experience in the region.

Overnight Mowana Safari Lodge, 2 nights or similar [BD]

After a memorable stay in Chobe, we are now en-route to one of the seven natural wonders of the world … Victoria Falls! During our time at the Falls we will be staying in the “Best Safari Lodge” in Zimbabwe voted in on 11 consecutive years. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a place of legend. Set high on a natural plateau, the westward facing Lodge borders the Zambezi National Park and is just 4 kilometres from the thundering Victoria Falls, Southern Africa’s foremost attraction. Enjoying uninterrupted views of spectacular African sunsets and game at its on-site waterhole, the Lodge is ideally positioned to offer the most discerning traveler a taste of Africa at its best.

While visiting this world wonder we will experience the Falls up close by taking part in a guided tour of the Falls and Rainforest. We will spend our final evening at the Boma, place of eating. The Boma provides a unique cultural experience that bombards the senses with the tastes, sights, sounds and smells of Africa – together with the warmth and hospitality of Zimbabwe and its people.

Optional activities you can choose from (advance reservations are recommended):

Flight of the Angles – This is an exhilarating 13 minute helicopter experience with great views of the Victoria Falls, the gorges and views upstream of the Zambezi river.

Elephant back safari – Seated comfortably on the back of natures true “king of the beasts”, experience an age old tradition whilst silently exploring the majestic grasslands of Victoria Falls

National Park and marvel at the spectacular scenery of Masuwe river.

Lion walk – Upon arrival, drinks are served – after which the guide will give a short introductory talk and a brief on all safety aspects. Guests are then taken to a designated area to meet both lions and lion handlers and then the walking safari begins! Duration of 3 hours.

Sundowner cruise on the Zambezi river above the Falls, including drinks and snacks.

Overnight Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, 2 nights or similar [BD]

After breakfast, transfer to Hwange National Park, world-renowned for its daunting size of 14,650 square kilometers, and for the wide variety of game that call the National Park home; Buffalo, Zebra, Giraffe, all the Big Cats, Hyena, Wild Dog, Rhino and the world’s largest concentration of Elephants. Afternoon visit to the Painted Dog Sanctuary. Overnight at lodge.

Overnight at Hwange Safari Lodge or similar [FB]

Early morning open vehicle game drive before breakfast. Transfer back to Victoria Falls or

Livingstone Airport where you will connect with your international flight. [B]