100% customisable travel idea
Vic Falls, Makgadikgadi, Okavango Stay in Some of Botswana’s Hidden Gems
Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls - Botswana - Okavango Delta - Makgadikgadi Pans
100% customisable travel idea
Zimbabwe - Victoria Falls - Botswana - Okavango Delta - Makgadikgadi Pans
100% customisable for you
International flight to Johannesburg. Night on board, arrival the next morning.
In Johannesburg, assistance with border and transit formalities, followed by a short flight to Victoria Falls. Private transfer to your hotel, where you check in for two nights. Set on the banks of the Zambezi, away from the town, it makes the most of its prime location. Rooms are comfortable, the restaurant inspired and the outdoor spaces particularly inviting. But what really stands out is the proximity of the river, a natural border with neighbouring Zambia. Swimming in it is not advised, but there’s no need to feel frustrated: a large pool that opens onto the river lets you unwind between explorations.
Victoria Falls, an unmissable stop for any traveller in Southern Africa, is one of those truly legendary natural wonders. Between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the mighty Zambezi plunges nearly 310 feet (95 metres) into the gorge in a deafening roar. Nearly 1.25 miles (2 km) wide, the falls and their plume of spray are visible from more than 12 miles (20 km) away and can be heard from over 25 miles (40 km). Paths and footbridges lead you to viewpoints above the chasm. Despite its popularity, the site remains wild and well preserved, with lush vegetation, suspension bridges and forest trails.
In your itinerary - Cruise and breakfast on the Zambezi. At sunrise, you board a beautiful vintage wooden boat and follow the river’s bends, seeking out hippos, crocodiles and other wildlife along these wild banks. An altogether different kind of morning coffee...
You then have the rest of the day to explore Victoria Falls National Park and the tropical rainforest facing the cascades at your own pace. The park offers excellent viewpoints and is home to a wide variety of wildlife and plants.
See and do - Walk along the trails for different viewpoints over the falls; explore nearby villages by mountain bike; go white-water rafting in the Batoka Gorge; or ride on horseback along the Zambezi and through the surrounding teak forests.
Also included, this evening - Sunset drinks on the panoramic terrace of one of the best-located cafés in the area.
You leave Zimbabwe behind and head for the wide open spaces of neighbouring Botswana. A private driver takes you to the Kasane border post and assists with customs formalities. From there, you board a light aircraft and fly to Khwai, near the unforgettable Okavango Delta. After flowing through Angola and Namibia, the river ends its journey in the ultra-arid Kalahari. Like most rivers in southern Africa, the Okavango never reaches the ocean; instead, its waters evaporate into the burning desert heat and spread into a labyrinth of channels where water lilies and palms thrive. The region stretches out in a vast, flat expanse. From the air, skimming the tops of the palms scattered across the delta, you can truly appreciate this rare ecosystem’s topography - and take the best photos.
Settle in for two nights in the heart of Khwai’s private reserve, at an elegant, intimate camp. The comfortable tents are spacious and discreetly tucked beneath the trees, each with a terrace looking out over the grasslands favoured by zebras and lions. The shared lounge, open to the bush and built of wood beneath a thatched roof, takes its cues from the surrounding landscape.
Once again, nature surprises us by creating this unlikely aquatic paradise in one of the continent’s most arid regions. Untouched islets stretch as far as the eye can see across a sea of water lilies; dugout canoes glide by with only the soft whisper of rustling leaves… You have two full days in one of the wildest corners of Africa. Your days are shaped by exploration: safaris by 4x4 or by mokoro (a traditional wooden canoe). You can also set off on foot with your guide for a more intimate - and more cautious - approach to this extraordinary wildlife. Experienced and amateur photographers alike will appreciate having access to professional cameras at camp, along with helpful advice on capturing the best images during outings.
Light aircraft flight to Maun, then on to the vast white flats of the Makgadikgadi Pans, a little-visited region of Botswana. You’ll spend two nights here at a camp with a swimming pool, founded and run by an experienced English guide who shares riveting safari stories over dinner. Perched on a rocky outcrop, the camp overlooks the Boteti River and Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Elephants come in large numbers to drink, bathe and play in the water, often in groups and throughout the day. It's an extraordinary spectacle. There is a viewing hide below the camp, ideal for watching the elephants at their waterside. Kudu, wildebeest, lions and hyenas also appear along the riverbank. You are in the front row for nature’s grand show.
Bordered by the Kalahari Desert, the Makgadikgadi Pans are among the largest salt flats in the world - remnants of Lake Makgadikgadi which once covered the region before drying up several thousand years ago. Today, only salt remains across the surface. During the rainy season, the salt crust gives way to a wide expanse of grass, drawing large numbers of animals and birds to a part of the world that is usually so arid. It's a striking sight.
With experienced guides, you explore this unique environment by 4x4, on foot or by canoe.
From the window of the small bush plane carrying you to Maun airport, at the gateway to the delta, you take a final look at this unforgettable corner of the world, a place very few people will ever have the chance to experience. In Maun, you board your international flight home. Night on board, arrival the next day.
This suggested itinerary can be customisable down to the smallest detail, including duration, stops and content. An à la carte menu of experiences is also available to create a journey that reflects who you are.
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