Sample Trip

Classic Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari

“Experience the Okavango Delta in Botswana and Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe”
Budget level: High-End
Country
Botswana, Zimbabwe
When to Go
All Year
Duration
11 Nights
Safari Type
Lodge and Canvas
Location
Hwange, Northern Botswana, Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls

Split your time between Botswana & Zimbabwe exploring the Okavango Delta, Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park. All three of which are sought after destinations in Southern Africa.


Itinerary in Brief

leopard moremi botswana photosafari gesa frank

A safari for those wanting to maximize their time in wildlife areas while visiting some iconic safari destinations. The diversity of activities, landscapes and experiences packed into this safari are simply outstanding!

The safari starts from Maun, Botswana, where a charter flight will take you to your first camp for 3 nights, then another charter will take you to the sister camp for another 3 nights in a different area. A total of 6 nights will thus be spent exploring the Okavango Delta in 2 different regions, both offering outstanding game viewing and a wide range of activities. With both areas being private concessions, this allows you to off-road for sightings, night drive and embark on walking safaris! This allows for the ultimate freedom to explore and experience the true essence of the Okavango. From the Okavango, another flight will take you to Kasane airport where you will be transferred by vehicle to Victoria Falls and onto your accommodation within the Zambezi National Park for 2 nights. Here you are within a stone’s throw of the Falls itself which you should explore, and you can also explore the National Park in search of its resident wildlife. A sundowner boat cruise on the Zambezi river is highly recommended! After Victoria Falls, a charter flight will take you South, deep into Hwange National Park where you will be stylishly accommodated for 3 nights. Hwange boasts over 100 species of mammals and more than 400 species of birds, so it’s safe to say the game viewing is superb! Then finally, another charter has you returning to Victoria Falls for onwards connections.

This Classic Botswana & Zimbabwe safari is perfect for couples, honeymooners or small families wanting a full wildlife experience in the most iconic wildlife regions between Botswana and Zimbabwe. Although this itinerary is mostly for high-end travellers, it’s important to remember that the accommodation can be substituted to match most budgets.

Detailed itinerary

Nights 1-3: Machaba Camp

The Khwai concessions beauty is matched only by its incredible game viewing – all year round! It is home to a dense leopard population, frequent painted wolf sightings, a large pride of lions, plenty of elephants and all the smaller creatures! It is for this reason that we include it in many of our top safari itinerary’s heading to the Okavango. Machaba Camp is situated right in the center of all of action, perfect as a base from which to start and end exploring, either on by vehicle or on foot.

The camp is located under the tall riverine vegetation along the Khwai river with all 10 luxury tents having a wide view onto the river and the opposite Moremi Game Reserve. Two of the tents are specifically designed for families whilst the other 8 are setup as twins. All tents are very spacious, well decorated and consist of a lounge area, en-suite bathroom and bedroom.

In the main tented area, you will find a bar, lounging area, bookshelf, fireplace and dining table. The camp overall is of high standard and so is to be expected of the food with excellent meals being prepared and often served under the stars. There is also a separate pool area for cooling off on the warmer days.

Nights 4-6: Gomoti Plains Camp

Gomoti Plains camp is the sister camp to the successful Machaba Camp which lies in the Khwai area. They both offer the same winning recipe and offer an affordable stay for those seeking a bit more of a luxurious safari whilst still maintaining authenticity.

The accommodation on offer are ten luxury tents, of which two are large family tents and eight are luxury doubles. The camp thus sleeps a maximum of 24 guests. Each tent has its own en-suite facilities and views over the stunning floodplains of the Gomoti.

The main tented area is where one finds the communal lounge, dining area, bar and mandatory fireplace. The camp even sports its own library and swimming pool for the warmer days.

Being in a private concession Gomoti offers both land based: day and night drives with off-road driving permitted and walking safaris, along with water based activities which include: boating, mokoro and fishing. After dinner late night drives are also an option for those restless adventurers!

Nights 7 & 8: Old Drift Lodge

Luxury boats transport guests to our natural utopia where we are able to accommodate safari guests in 10 double suites and 4 family suites. The spacious canvas en-suite rooms exhibit an air of elegance that blends in seamlessly with the natural environment. Each suite has its very own viewing deck, with a private plunge pool.

The suites are resplendent with stylish furnishings and fittings, accentuated by an indoor and outdoor shower, private plunge pool and star bed. The outdoor bath allows guests to submerge themselves in hot, bubbly water while listening to the river rush by, bathing them with a wave of calmness and tranquillity.

The family suite consists of two inter leading bedrooms, separated by a sliding canvas door. Luxuriously appointed and fully air-conditioned, the suites provide elegant refuge in the heart of the bush. Brass basins, billowing mosquito nets, and soft lighting mirror the rich beauty of the remarkable river setting and offer a memorable, shared family experience. An outside deck complete with a crystal clear plunge pool, claw footed bathtub, sun loungers and outdoor shower allows families to make the most of the surrounding beauty and enjoy the warmth of the sunshine in complete privacy.

Old Drift Lodge is ideally situated within the National Park and offers guests all-inclusive insight into an exquisite natural world. The activities offered emphasize the rich natural environment, focusing on the abundance of wildlife that roam through the Park and swim beneath the surface of the Zambezi.

The Zambezi National park can be explored on a 4 x 4 game drive, river safari and walking safari, satisfying guests needs to experience every aspect this natural utopia.

Nights 9-11: Verney’s Camp

Guest accommodation at Verney’s consists of 10 tents interlinked with timber walkways. There are eight double rooms and two family rooms. The tents are nestled into the tree line but spaced at a fair distance from each other for that all important privacy. All rooms are stylishly furnished, with en-suite bathrooms, flush toilets, twin washbasins and showers. Every tent has an amazing view of the waterhole, which allows for an ‘armchair safari’ on those lazy afternoons….

The main area comprises of a large timber deck with canvas cover creating lounge and bar areas, as well as space for both inside and outside and dining areas. The fire pit in front is the ideal to spend the night chatting away and listing to the sounds of the African bush. Memories for a lifetime!

The concession area provides for fantastic large game viewing especially in the dry season and some extraordinary birding in summer for the twitchers amongst you.

When to go

janfebmaraprmayjunjulaugsepoctnovdec
Hwange MixedMixedMixedMixedGoodGoodBestBestBestBestGoodGood
Northern Botswana GoodGoodBestBestBestGoodBestBestBestGoodGoodGood
Okavango Delta GoodGoodBestBestBestBestBestBestBestGoodGoodGood
Victoria Falls MixedMixedMixedGoodGoodBestBestBestBestBestGoodGood
Best = Best Good = Good Mixed = Mixed

Ready for an adventure? Lets Talk!

Contact SAFARI FRANK to get started on your safari of a lifetime!