Victoria Falls & Ultimate Botswana Safari Experience

Your Southern Africa adventure begins at Victoria Falls, a majestic natural wonder straddling the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. On arrival at the airport, a private transfer will bring you to your intimate lodge on the Zimbabwean side of the Zambezi River, where you’ll be based for the first two nights of your trip. You’ll be staying in a tented suite that blends rustic charm with modern luxury, replete with a private deck with a plunge pool, a spacious lounge, an open-air shower and sweeping river views. Throughout your stay here, you’ll enjoy the likes of game drives, river safaris, walking safaris and, of course, a guided tour of Victoria Falls – a wonderful introduction to the region’s natural splendour and diverse wildlife. Elephants and buffalo are especially prominent in Zambezi National Park, while hippos and crocodiles can often be spotted when cruising along the Zambezi River. 

Leaving Victoria Falls behind, a private road transfer will bring you across the border to Kasane in the northeastern corner of Botswana. From here, you’ll be whisked off to Chobe Game Lodge, the only permanent lodge located within the boundaries of Chobe National Park. This luxurious lodge on the banks of the Chobe River is a perfect base from which to discover the spectacular landscapes and abundant wildlife of one of Africa’s most distinguished safari destinations. Early morning and late afternoon game drives will give you the best opportunity to spot a rich array of species roaming in the wild, including four of the Big Five (elephants, buffalo, lions and leopards – rhinos are rarely seen in Chobe National Park). Meanwhile, back at the lodge, you’ll have time during the day to unwind by the outdoor pool, enjoy exquisite cuisine, make the most of the Kalahari-inspired spa, and spot further wildlife from the boardwalk and observation deck. 

The next leg of your Southern Africa adventure sees you return by road transfer to Kasane, from which you’ll take a charter flight to the Xugana Airstrip – gateway to the Okavango Delta, a vast expanse of wetlands, islands and lagoons that hosts an extraordinary concentration of biodiversity. From here, it’s a 20-minute motorboat journey to Xugana Island Lodge, an intimate safari lodge set among ebony and African mangosteen trees on the shore of the Xugana Lagoon. Safaris here take place from the water, as you’ll venture out by motorboat or canoe (mokoro) to spot a wealth of species including elephants, hippos, buffalo, lions, cheetahs, crocodiles, giraffes and plenty more – not to mention an astonishing variety of birdlife. There are also opportunities for fishing trips and guided nature hikes, or you might even take to the skies on a helicopter ride for the ultimate views over the Okavango Delta from above. Between such adventures, enjoy top-class facilities and fabulous dining back at the lodge. 

A charter flight will bring you from Xugana to Moremi Game Reserve, another of Botswana’s finest safari destinations, situated on the shore of Xakanaxa Lagoon in the Okavango Delta. Tucked away within a lush riverine forest of tweak and ebony trees, your secluded base here features just 12 elegant tented safari suites, totally immersed in nature. Here, you’ll enjoy outdoor dinners beneath a star-filled sky, while the lodge’s viewing platform is the perfect spot to take in magnificent sunsets and keep a look out for hippos down by the lagoon. Morning and evening game drives, as well as boat excursions, offer the chance to spot lions, leopards, elephants and vast numbers of antelope, including impala, kudu and waterbuck. The landscapes here are remarkably varied, from wide open savannah and dense forests to wildlife-rich watering holes and papyrus-filled waterways. With expert guides, warm Botswanan hospitality and gorgeous accommodation, this is the perfect finale to your Southern African adventure.

After one last breakfast you’ll fly from Moremi back to Maun, from which you’ll continue your onward journey home, bringing with you memories to last a lifetime.