Best of Zimbabwe and Botswana

After arrival at Victoria Falls airport, you will be transferred to Hwange Camp via Mbala gate. The camp is set on its own private concession within one of the most remote parts of Hwange National park in the Sinamatella area.

Bordering Botswana, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe's largest game park with an area of 14,600km². Its sheer size means that its scenery, vegetation and game vary hugely, ranging from the semi desert scrub on the edge of the Kalahari in the south, to forests, granite hills and valleys of mopane woodlands in the north. The park is about two hours south of the mighty Victoria Falls by road.

Hwange is known for the sheer volume of elephants that are attracted to the park's waterholes during the dry season. Other animals that frequent the park are lions, leopards, cheetahs, rhino, buffalo, impala, kudu, sable, eland, waterbuck, zebra, giraffe, baboon and warthog.

After an early ground transfer, you will arrive at Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls, in Zimbabwe. Wild animals are often seen grazing the hotel lawns, as the national park borders the front of the property.

Above the falls on the upper Zambezi, boats cruise the serene waters at sunset while the distant spray catches the fading light downstream. Below the falls, the Batoka Gorge’s rocky walls funnel the lower Zambezi into a sequence of exhilarating rapids. Aside from being a UNESCO world heritage site and a natural world wonder, Victoria Falls also forms a natural border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

 

Victoria Falls keeps both the faint of heart and the adrenalin junkies busy for days, perhaps bungee jumping from a bridge, or a more sedate high tea. From Zimbabwe, you’ll get a frontal view of the falls’ wide curtain of water from viewpoints and footpaths meandering through a rainforest kept hot and humid by the spray of the falls.

Another early start for your transfer to Chobe and the Chobe Elephant Camp. The Chobe riverfront is an elephant haven; home to the largest density of African elephants in the world. 

Chobe will not fail to impress you as giant elephant bulls stroll up next to your vehicle, as well as the hundreds of hippos and buffaloes on the floodplains and prides of lions. Chobe is a great introduction to Botswana and also makes a rewarding journey once you’ve ticked off the big game. It is a super location for rare sightings like sable antelope, or to spot that elusive bird on your bucket list.

After your air transfer you will arrive at Kanana Camp, Okavango Delta, where the wild things are! This is an immense oasis teeming with elephants and birdlife, adrift in the middle of Kalahari sands. During winter months, water fills the Okavango; converting the floodplains into a haven of African wildlife.

As the water breathes life into the delta, its local residents shape and create it. Termites slowly build mounds into islands, germinated with palm trees by passing elephants. Waterways open and close on the whim of wide-bottomed hippos, forming channels where they meander through reeds, and leaving room behind them for mokoro (traditional canoe) expeditions. Amazing walking safaris also on offer from Kanana Camp lead by expert guides.

The Okavango has many guises, which change throughout the year, prompted by that most unpredictable phenomenon of them all: the weather. Water levels rise and drop, expanding and shrinking islands, while animals flock to where life is easiest. In a few days, a sandy road driven by vehicle can become a waterway, prompting a safari by boat instead.

Sleep under the stars! For three nights stays plus, Kanana Camp offers a special tree house to sleep under the stars (maximum 2 persons) which can be arranged on request. This is a unique experiential opportunity and not to be missed.

Starlight Bush Dinner at Kanana, Okavango Delta Dine under the African Skies Kanana Camp. In a secluded clearing under an iconic Jackalberry Tree, a magical four course bush dinner is set up. The gentle sound of a Scops Owl calling, the glow of a bonfire and Orion dancing overhead all makes for a memorable evening in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Arrangement on request

Board another exhilarating flight and arrive at Shinde, a mystical hideaway in the wildlife rich Shinde private concession, built in a remote and exclusive setting on the edge of the waters of the northern Okavango Delta. It is surrounded by waterways alive with birdlife and game.

The boma area at the foot of the lodge provides a meeting point for guests for afternoon tea, and a venue for stargazing in the evenings while enjoying a well earned drink around the fire. Activities at Shinde include game drives in open 4x4 safari vehicles which offer some of the best dry land game viewing in Botswana, with frequent sightings of lions and leopards, exploring the waterways in mokoro, guided nature walks, night drives, and sunset cruises

After departing on your next internal flight, you will find yourself at Pelo Camp. The camp is completely eco-friendly and is ideal for the adventurous traveller wanting a classic, traditional Okavango Delta experience. 

As the camp is located on a small island surrounded by permanent water, activities focus on mokoro excursions, and boating. Pelo Camp is set in one of the best areas to see the rare sitatunga and red lechwe antelopes. Wildlife concentrations in this part of the Okavango Delta depend on the water flow and change from season to season. Birdlife is abundant; enthusiasts have a chance of spotting Pel's fishing-owl as well as African and lesser jacanas and a host of other Okavango specials such as slaty egret, African pygmy-goose and western banded snake-eagle.

Fly back to Maun airport to catch your flight home