Sample Trip

9 Night Victoria Falls & Botswana Safari

"Iconic landscapes, abundant wildlife, and classic safari experiences."

Budget level: Mid-Range

Country

Botswana, Zimbabwe

When to Go

All year

Duration

9 Nights

Safari Type

Lodge

Location

Central Kalahari, Northern Botswana, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls

Kids Min Age

All Ages

Safari Rating

adventure

wilderness

wildlife

comfort

photographic

guiding

Itinerary in Brief

2 Nights Shongwe Samanzi, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
2 Nights Ngoma Safari Lodge, Chobe Forest Reserve, Botswana
3 Nights Little Sable, Khwai Private Reserve, Botswana
2 Nights Deception Valley Lodge, Central Kalahari, Botswana

This 9-night Victoria Falls and Botswana safari pairs one of the world’s great natural wonders with three very different wildlife areas. You go from the spray of the Zambezi to Chobe’s elephant herds, then into the game-rich grasslands of Khwai and out to the open plains of the Kalahari.

You start at Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River drops more than 100 metres into the Batoka Gorge. A couple of nights here give you time to see the Falls properly, take a sunset cruise on the river and settle into Africa before the safari begins.

From there you cross into Botswana, to the quiet western end of the Chobe riverfront. This part of Chobe sees far fewer vehicles than the busy Kasane side, but the wildlife is just as good. Elephants, buffalo and hippo gather along the river and its floodplains, and boat safaris let you watch them from the water.

Next, you fly into the Khwai Private Reserve on the north-eastern edge of the Okavango Delta. It is one of Botswana’s most productive predator areas. Being a private reserve means night drives, walks and, when the water allows, mokoro trips through the channels.

The journey ends in the Central Kalahari, a completely different world of golden grasslands, fossil river valleys and huge skies. Here the focus shifts to desert-adapted wildlife and the knowledge of the San, who have lived in this landscape for thousands of years.

It’s a well-rounded first safari, but it also suits travellers who have been before and want to see a different side of Botswana. You get the classic highlights alongside some much quieter corners of the country.

Highlights

Walk the rainforest paths along the edge of Victoria Falls and feel the spray of the Zambezi
Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River above the Falls
Watch elephant herds come down to the Chobe River from the water on a boat safari
Explore the quieter western end of the Chobe riverfront, away from the crowds
Go on night drives and guided walks, which aren’t allowed inside the national park
Look for lion, leopard and wild dog in the private Khwai Reserve
Glide through the Khwai channels by mokoro when water levels allow
Look for black-maned Kalahari lions, gemsbok and brown hyena on the open desert plains
Walk with San guides and learn the survival skills that have sustained them in the Kalahari
Travel through four very different landscapes in one journey

Detailed Itinerary

Days 1–2: Shongwe Samanzi, Victoria Falls Days 3–4: Ngoma Safari Lodge, Chobe Forest Reserve Days 5–7: Little Sable, Khwai Private Reserve Days 8–9: Deception Valley Lodge, Central Kalahari Day 10: Departure

Days 1–2: Shongwe Samanzi, Victoria Falls

Your journey begins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. After landing, you’ll transfer to Shongwe Samanzi, a peaceful lodge in a quiet residential area a short drive from the Falls. Gardens, a pool and spacious, stylish rooms make it a good place to recover after a long flight.

During your stay you’ll visit the Falls on a guided tour along the rainforest paths, with viewpoints looking straight into the gorge. What you see depends on the season. In the high-water months, roughly March to June, expect thundering water and drenching spray. Later in the year the spray clears and you get better views of the rock face and gorge.

In the evening, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi is a lovely way to start your safari, often with hippo, crocodile and elephant along the banks. If you have time, there’s plenty more to do in Victoria Falls, including helicopter flights over the Falls, white-water rafting in the gorge and the local craft markets.

Zimbabwe Victoria Falls Shongwe Lookout (1)

Days 3–4: Ngoma Safari Lodge, Chobe Forest Reserve

This morning you cross the border into Botswana on a road transfer of about two hours. Ngoma Safari Lodge sits high on an escarpment in the Chobe Forest Reserve, about 3 km from the western boundary of Chobe National Park. The views stretch over the seasonal Chobe floodplains to Namibia’s Caprivi on the far side of the river. The lodge is small and personal, with thatched suites set apart for privacy. Each suite has floor-to-ceiling windows facing the river, a private plunge pool, and indoor and outdoor showers. Elephant, buffalo and zebra are often visible on the floodplain from your deck.

Game drives enter the park through the Ngoma Gate, used by very few lodges, so you can explore the western riverfront with far fewer vehicles around. Chobe has one of the largest elephant populations in Africa, and in the dry season the herds coming down to the river can be huge. You also have a good chance of seeing lion, leopard, buffalo, sable and roan antelope.

Boat cruises on the Chobe River are a highlight, especially in the late afternoon when animals come down to drink. Because the lodge is in a forest reserve rather than the national park, you can also take night drives and guided walks. Night drives are your best chance of seeing hyena, African wild cat, bushbaby and honey badger. A full-day outing combining a river cruise, a game drive and a bush picnic is also available, as is a visit to the nearby village.

botswana chobe national park ngoma safari lodge3

Days 5–7: Little Sable, Khwai Private Reserve

After a final morning on the Chobe, you’ll transfer to Kasane and take a light aircraft south-west to the Khwai Private Reserve. This 200,000-hectare reserve lies on the north-eastern edge of the Okavango Delta. It borders the Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park, and only guests of the camps inside it can drive here. Little Sable is an intimate camp with just eight tents, including two family tents. Each sits on a raised deck overlooking open grasslands where zebra and elephant often graze. The camp has a relaxed, down-to-earth feel, with a pool and a fire pit at its centre.

Khwai is known for its predators, and lion, leopard and wild dog are all regularly seen here. Game drives head out in the morning and afternoon, often towards the Khwai River, where most of the wildlife gathers. Because this is a private reserve, afternoon drives can continue after dark, giving you a chance to see nocturnal species.

When water levels allow, usually from about May to October, you can glide through the channels by mokoro or explore by boat. Ground-level hides at nearby waterholes are good for close-up photography, and guided walks are also offered.

botswana khwai private reserve little sable5

Days 8–9: Deception Valley Lodge, Central Kalahari

A light aircraft takes you south to the Central Kalahari for the last part of your journey. Deception Valley Lodge sits on a private reserve on the border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of the largest protected areas in Africa. After the floodplains of the north, the open grasslands, wide horizons and quiet here come as a striking change.

Game drives focus on desert-adapted wildlife, including gemsbok, springbok, giraffe and kudu, as well as the famous black-maned Kalahari lion. You may also see cheetah, leopard and, if you’re lucky, the shy brown hyena. Night drives show you a different side of the desert, and there’s excellent birding from the lodge deck and the waterhole hide.

A highlight here is a walk with San guides. They show you how to find water-storing plants, which trees to use for tools and twine, how to make fire and how to track animals. It’s a fitting way to end a journey through Botswana.

Deception Valley Lodge Botswana Safarifrank Authentic Safari Holiday26