14-Nights Intimate Botswana & Zimbabwe Encounter - Safari & Wildlife, Escorted Tours from $7,837

Itinerary Details

Day 1: Arrive Victoria Falls

On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure, with time to relax or explore some of the optional activities available in Victoria Falls. This evening, meet your guide and fellow travelers at the lodge at 6:00pm for a pre-departure meeting and introduction to the journey ahead.

Hotel: Shearwater Explorers Village (3 Star Rating)

Conveniently located in the heart of Victoria Falls, Shearwater Explorers Village offers a relaxed and welcoming base within easy reach of the town's restaurants, shops and attractions.

The property combines comfortable accommodations with a casual safari-inspired atmosphere, surrounded by landscaped gardens and indigenous trees. Guests can unwind by the swimming pool, enjoy meals and drinks at the on-site restaurant and bar, or use the lodge as a convenient starting point for exploring Victoria Falls and the many activities available in the area.

After breakfast, join your guide for a tour of mighty Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders." Continue across the border into Botswana and travel to Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park. Covering more than 10,000 square kilometres, Chobe is renowned for its remarkable concentration of elephants and abundant wildlife.

Arrive at your lodge and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. Relax by the pool or choose from the optional activities available in the area.

Hotel: Cresta Mowana Safari Resort and Spa (4 Star Rating)

Set on the banks of the Chobe River in Kasane, Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa offers a tranquil retreat surrounded by the natural beauty of northern Botswana. Built around an impressive ancient baobab tree, the resort blends

comfortably into its riverside setting, with spacious accommodations overlooking the gardens or river.

Guests can relax by the swimming pool, enjoy meals and drinks with views of the Chobe River, or unwind at the spa between safari activities. Its location provides a convenient base for exploring nearby Chobe National Park and experiencing the wildlife-rich Chobe River.

Meal(s): Breakfast

Set out this morning on a game drive in Chobe National Park, renowned for its abundant wildlife and impressive elephant populations. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast, followed by time at leisure. At approximately 3:00pm, depart on a boat cruise along the Chobe River. Keep watch for elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birdlife along the riverbanks, with excellent opportunities for close-up wildlife viewing and photography.

Hotel: Cresta Mowana Safari Resort and Spa (4 Star Rating)

Set on the banks of the Chobe River in Kasane, Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa offers a tranquil retreat surrounded by the natural beauty of northern Botswana. Built around an impressive ancient baobab tree, the resort blends

comfortably into its riverside setting, with spacious accommodations overlooking the gardens or river.

Guests can relax by the swimming pool, enjoy meals and drinks with views of the Chobe River, or unwind at the spa between safari activities. Its location provides a convenient base for exploring nearby Chobe National Park and experiencing the wildlife-rich Chobe River.

Meal(s): Breakfast

After breakfast, depart Botswana and cross the border into Zimbabwe, continuing to your lodge in a private concession in the northwestern corner of Hwange National Park. Hwange is one of Africa's great wildlife areas, home to large herds of elephants, buffalo and zebra, as well as giraffes, predators, endangered species and abundant birdlife. If time permits, you may join an optional afternoon game drive on the private concession.

Hotel: Hideaways Nantwich Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Hideaways Nantwich Lodge is an intimate eco-lodge set within a private concession in Hwange National Park, offering close-to-nature safari experiences in one of Zimbabwe’s richest wildlife areas. Perched on a hillside overlooking a large dam frequented by hippo, crocodile and a variety of game, the lodge comprises nine eco-friendly rooms that blend rustic charm with modern comfort, some with interleading doors for families. Guests can enjoy daily guided game drives, bush walks, birding excursions, and night drives, with panoramic views of the bush from the open lounge and dining areas. Facilities include a swimming pool and Wi-Fi in the main lodge area, and the focus is on sustainable tourism and immersive wildlife encounters. Children aged 7 and older are welcome.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Spend the day exploring Hwange National Park on a full-day game drive. One of Africa's finest wildlife areas, Hwange is known for its large herds of elephants, buffalo and zebra, as well as giraffes, predators, endangered species and diverse birdlife. A packed lunch is enjoyed during the game drive before continuing your exploration of this vast wilderness.

Hotel: Hideaways Nantwich Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Hideaways Nantwich Lodge is an intimate eco-lodge set within a private concession in Hwange National Park, offering close-to-nature safari experiences in one of Zimbabwe’s richest wildlife areas. Perched on a hillside overlooking a large dam frequented by hippo, crocodile and a variety of game, the lodge comprises nine eco-friendly rooms that blend rustic charm with modern comfort, some with interleading doors for families. Guests can enjoy daily guided game drives, bush walks, birding excursions, and night drives, with panoramic views of the bush from the open lounge and dining areas. Facilities include a swimming pool and Wi-Fi in the main lodge area, and the focus is on sustainable tourism and immersive wildlife encounters. Children aged 7 and older are welcome.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After breakfast, transfer for your flight to Deka Airstrip. On arrival, continue by road to Msuna Island on the Zambezi River, where you will board your houseboat for a two-night stay. Settle in and begin your journey from the Msuna River toward the Mibizi area, at the beginning of Lake Kariba. Later, enjoy a sunset cruise with opportunities for game viewing along the way, followed by dinner on board.

Hotel: Zambezi Trader Houseboat (4 Star Rating)

The Zambezi Trader offers a distinctive floating safari experience along the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba. Departing from Msuna Island, the multi-deck vessel features comfortable ensuite cabins and spacious communal areas designed to make the most of the surrounding river scenery.

Guests can relax on deck, cool off in the swimming pools or enjoy views of the waterways between excursions. Tender boats provide access to water-based activities and wildlife viewing, creating a relaxed way to experience the landscapes and wildlife of this remote region of Zimbabwe. The vessel currently accommodates up to 66 guests in 29 ensuite cabins.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Spend the day exploring the waterways and surroundings of Lake Kariba from your houseboat. During the morning and afternoon, choose from leisurely fishing, guided walks or game viewing, depending on your preference. Relax on board between activities and enjoy brunch while cruising along the lake.

Hotel: Zambezi Trader Houseboat (4 Star Rating)

The Zambezi Trader offers a distinctive floating safari experience along the Zambezi River and Lake Kariba. Departing from Msuna Island, the multi-deck vessel features comfortable ensuite cabins and spacious communal areas designed to make the most of the surrounding river scenery.

Guests can relax on deck, cool off in the swimming pools or enjoy views of the waterways between excursions. Tender boats provide access to water-based activities and wildlife viewing, creating a relaxed way to experience the landscapes and wildlife of this remote region of Zimbabwe. The vessel currently accommodates up to 66 guests in 29 ensuite cabins.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After breakfast, disembark the houseboat and transfer back to Deka Airstrip for your flight to Hwange Airport. On arrival, continue by road to your lodge in the Matobo Hills. Settle in and enjoy the remainder of the day in this striking region of granite hills and dramatic rock formations, ahead of tomorrow's exploration of Matobo National Park.

Hotel: Shashani Lodge - Matobo Hills (4 Star Rating)

Set within a private game reserve amid the dramatic landscapes of the Matobo Hills, Shashani Lodge offers an intimate retreat overlooking the Shashani Valley. The lodge's individual thatched accommodations are positioned to take advantage of views across wooded valleys and the region's distinctive granite formations.

At the main lodge, open dining and lounge areas overlook the surrounding wilderness, while a swimming pool provides a peaceful place to relax. Its setting offers convenient access to the natural, cultural and historical attractions of the Matobo region, including wildlife, ancient rock art and the remarkable granite landscapes for which the area is renowned.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Explore Matobo National Park today, an area of dramatic granite landscapes, rich cultural history and diverse wildlife. Begin the morning tracking rhino spoor by vehicle and on foot, with the opportunity to encounter both white and black rhinoceros. In the afternoon, continue exploring the scenery and wildlife of the park on game drives. End the day with a visit to the grave of Cecil John Rhodes at World's View, set high among the distinctive granite hills.

Hotel: Shashani Lodge - Matobo Hills (4 Star Rating)

Set within a private game reserve amid the dramatic landscapes of the Matobo Hills, Shashani Lodge offers an intimate retreat overlooking the Shashani Valley. The lodge's individual thatched accommodations are positioned to take advantage of views across wooded valleys and the region's distinctive granite formations.

At the main lodge, open dining and lounge areas overlook the surrounding wilderness, while a swimming pool provides a peaceful place to relax. Its setting offers convenient access to the natural, cultural and historical attractions of the Matobo region, including wildlife, ancient rock art and the remarkable granite landscapes for which the area is renowned.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Depart Matobo Hills early this morning and travel through the savannas of southern Matabeleland before crossing the border into Botswana. In the afternoon, visit Nata Bird Sanctuary for views across Sowa Pan, part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. Your visit to the pans is subject to road conditions, water levels and time constraints. Continue to your lodge, arriving in the late afternoon.

Hotel: Nata Lodge (4 Star Rating)

Set among indigenous trees and mokolwane palms near Botswana's vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Nata Lodge offers a relaxed base for exploring this distinctive region. The lodge features a choice of wooden chalets and safari-style tents set throughout leafy grounds, along with inviting communal areas and a swimming pool.

Its location, approximately 10 km from Nata Bird Sanctuary, provides convenient access to the sanctuary and the landscapes of the Makgadikgadi Pans, while the restaurant, bar and lounge offer comfortable spaces to unwind after a day of exploring.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner

Depart very early this morning for Planet Baobab near Gweta, the starting point for an expedition to Ntwetwe Pan, one of the two major salt pans that make up the Makgadikgadi Pans. Explore its striking lunar landscape while searching for desert-adapted wildlife, including bat-eared foxes, springbok, kori bustards and meerkats.

After lunch, visit a nearby village for an introduction to contemporary Batswana village life, traditions and culture with a local guide. Later this afternoon, take a guided walk through a baobab grove and learn about the ecology, geology and unique biology of these remarkable plants.

Hotel: Planet Baobab (3 Star Rating)

Set near Gweta on the edge of Botswana's vast Makgadikgadi Pans, Planet Baobab is a characterful lodge inspired by the culture and traditional architecture of the region. Distinctive Bakalanga-style huts are scattered among towering baobab trees, creating a relaxed base from which to experience the extraordinary desert landscapes of the Makgadikgadi. Guests can cool off in the large swimming pool, relax in the communal areas and discover the surrounding pans through a range of seasonal activities and wildlife experiences.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After breakfast, travel to Maun, the bustling safari town that serves as the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Arrive at your lodge and enjoy the afternoon at leisure, perhaps relaxing by the pool. For a different perspective on the region, you may choose to book an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Africa's remarkable wilderness areas.

Hotel: Thamalakane River Lodge (3 Star Rating)

Thamalakane River Lodge is placed on the banks of the Thamalakane River, just 19kms from Maun, and en route to the famous Moremi Game Reserve. Character en-suite stone chalets, some with private splash pools are positioned in the shade of the riverine forest, overlooking the river. Chalets, public areas and the swimming pool take advantage of the 180 degree view of the riverbanks lined with fluttering reeds visited by an ever changing array of water fowl and birds. It is a delightful place to come home to after a day spent exploring

Meal(s): Breakfast

After breakfast, travel to the mokoro station and board a traditional dugout canoe for a peaceful journey through the waterways and vegetation of the Okavango Delta. As you glide through the delta, keep watch for the varied birdlife and wildlife found in this remarkable wetland wilderness. Following the mokoro excursion and lunch, continue to your camp in a private concession in the Greater Moremi area. After settling in and enjoying dinner, head out on an evening game drive, offering the opportunity to search for nocturnal wildlife that can be more difficult to encounter during the day.

Hotel: Mankwe Tented Retreat (3 Star Rating)

After being razed to the ground by a catastrophic fire in 2016, the revamped and fully refurbished tented retreat re-opened in 2020. Ten elevated, tented suites overlook the magnificent, surrounding bush area and accommodate guests in the privacy and comfort of the choicest refined safari luxury.

Hidden amongst mopane trees, the main lodge has an exclusive bar lounge and pool area that are perfect for warm afternoons in camp, soaking up the tranquil quietude of the bush.

Guests who prefer to be more active, have a choice between daily safari excursions exploring the Khwai Wetlands and the network of private pans surrounding the retreat.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Spend the day exploring Moremi Game Reserve, renowned for its beautiful and varied landscapes and remarkable concentration of wildlife. Enjoy a full-day game drive through this unspoiled wilderness, keeping watch for the diverse wildlife found throughout the reserve. Return to your camp after a rewarding day of game viewing.

Hotel: Mankwe Tented Retreat (3 Star Rating)

After being razed to the ground by a catastrophic fire in 2016, the revamped and fully refurbished tented retreat re-opened in 2020. Ten elevated, tented suites overlook the magnificent, surrounding bush area and accommodate guests in the privacy and comfort of the choicest refined safari luxury.

Hidden amongst mopane trees, the main lodge has an exclusive bar lounge and pool area that are perfect for warm afternoons in camp, soaking up the tranquil quietude of the bush.

Guests who prefer to be more active, have a choice between daily safari excursions exploring the Khwai Wetlands and the network of private pans surrounding the retreat.

Meal(s): Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

After breakfast, your safari comes to an end. Transfer from your camp to Maun Airport in time for your onward flight, taking with you a lifetime of stories and memories to share.

Meal(s): Breakfast