Family Botswana and Zimbabwe Safari Adventure

Arrive in Victoria Falls. Often referred to as the adventure capital of Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls offers a variety of land, air and water-based activities in the surrounding area. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Victoria Falls at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Victoria Falls Airport (airport code VFA), which is 20km, around 25 minutes' drive from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. We will be staying at either the Batonka Guest Lodge or Pioneer Lodge. The two are sister properties located just over 1km from each other and are almost identical. Both are set in beautiful landscaped gardens, feature a swimming pool, spacious rooms, an expansive terrace where breakfast is taken, a bar and a stylish lounge and dining room which are both extremely comfortable. They are both exclusively reserved for residents which ensures the upmost privacy. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose from a host of adventurous activities including whitewater rafting, canoeing and cruises on the Zambezi River. Full details are listed in the 'budgeting and packing' section.

Today, we will visit one of the natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning The Smoke that Thunders. The Zambezi River plunges over a sheer cliff wall spanning more than 1,676 metres (5,498 feet) and drops approximately 100 metres (328 feet) into the abyss below. As David Livingstone experienced, we will become aware of the falls long before we see them. We will view the falls from the Zimbabwean side of the river, which offers the best vantage points, with plumes of water vapour rising like smoke into the sky, forming small clouds, all accompanied by a deafening roar. Your Tour Leader will accompany the group to the falls, and you will have plenty of time to explore the network of paths and enclaves around them. This afternoon is free for you to take advantage of the many activities Victoria Falls offers. Options include a half-day game drive in Zambezi National Park, white-water rafting on the Zambezi, a scenic helicopter flight over the falls, or a visit to a local cultural village. All activities can be booked directly at your lodge, and prices and further details are listed in the 'Budgeting and packing' section of the trip notes.

Leaving our lodge this morning, it's a short one-hour drive to the Kazungula land border crossing between Zimbabwe and Botswana. Once border formalities are completed, we'll continue to our lodge located near the Chobe River. This afternoon, we'll head out on an afternoon game drive. The Chobe region is the heart of elephant country and is home to approximately 70,000 of the giant creatures. During our safaris, we'll travel in customised, open-sided land cruisers. The land cruisers are ideal for game viewing but can be a bit brisk and windy at times - it's a good idea to bring some layers for longer travel days. The roads through Botswana also vary in quality, so travel days can be slow and bumpy, but the scenery and wildlife more than make up for this. Our accommodation for the next two nights is a typical safari lodge, located just a few kilometres from the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers, the unique point where Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe meet. The property features a spacious undercover bar and restaurant with wonderful views of the African evening sky, as well as a swimming pool and a large campfire area. It is the perfect place to gather after dinner, relax under the stars and share exciting safari stories from the day’s adventures.

The northern Chobe area of Serondela is the heart of the elephant country. Up to 35,000 elephants live here, the largest number in any African park. On our game drive this morning, we'll take a slow drive along the southern bank of the Chobe River, where we can find Chobe Bushbuck and Puku Antelope. The sheer variety of animals in abundance makes this region a must-see for any wildlife enthusiast. We hope to watch huge herds in and around the great Chobe River, which also teems with hippos and crocodiles. This afternoon, our mode of transport switches to a boat as we take to the water and view the wildlife from a different perspective. The Chobe River is one of the Zambezi's main tributaries, and is home to an abundance of wildlife, as well as a variety of fish including the tiger fish (freshwater barracuda). The area is also famed for its beautiful scenery and magnificent red and gold sunsets. While wildlife sightings can never be guaranteed, the tour leader knows the parks well and has many years of experience and insight into African wildlife and animal behaviour, giving you an excellent chance of successful sightings. After our cruise on the Chobe River, we will return to our lodge in time for dinner.

Today, we travel south into the remarkable Savuti region, an area renowned for its vast open plains, rolling grasslands, and marshes shaped by the ever-changing Savuti Channel. After remaining dry for more than 20 years, the channel began flowing again in 2008 and has since returned to a more seasonal pattern. Despite its unpredictability, the region continues to support an abundance of wildlife. We’ll spend time exploring this wildlife-rich landscape, where there are excellent opportunities to see elephants and lions, with a chance of spotting elusive leopards as well. Bird enthusiasts can also look forward to a variety of species, including colourful bee-eaters and the impressive kori bustard. For the next four nights, we will enjoy an authentic wilderness experience, wild camping in the renowned Savuti and Moremi reserves. Accommodation will be in spacious dome-style tents, each featuring private open-air en-suite facilities at the rear. Every tent is fully set up and equipped with comfortable camp beds, mattresses, bedding, and duvets, ensuring a restful retreat after each day’s adventures. Additional facilities include washstands, camping basins, bucket showers, and open-air camping toilets, allowing guests to experience the beauty of the African wilderness while enjoying essential comforts. Our dedicated support team will handle all camp setup, cooking, and cleaning, allowing you to unwind and fully enjoy the safari experience.

Today, we spend a full day discovering the Savuti region, heading out on game drives in the cool morning hours and again in the late afternoon when wildlife activity tends to increase. With more time to explore this renowned region, we'll search for the area's famous predators, including lions and, if fortune is on our side, cheetah and other big cats. Large herds of zebra and buffalo are also frequently encountered, while a variety of antelope species can often be seen grazing across the landscape. Each drive offers a different perspective and the possibility of unexpected sightings, making for an exciting day in the bush. In the early evening, we will return to our camp, where our camping staff will be waiting with a well-earned dinner, freshly prepared on their traditional camping stoves.

This morning, we continue along dirt roads into the Xakanaxa (pronounced ka-ka-na-ka ) area of the Moremi Game Reserve or the Khwai region, an integral part of the eastern Okavango Delta. Surrounded by the Moremi Game Reserve, this remarkable wilderness offers some of the finest wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa. The landscape is a striking mosaic of dry islands rising from vast wetlands, crystal-clear channels winding through mopane and apple-leaf woodlands, and expansive floodplains teeming with life. As we explore, we may encounter giraffes, zebras, wildebeests, and countless other species, along with an extraordinary diversity of birdlife. Tonight, we will once again enjoy the unique experience of wild camping within the reserve. One of the greatest advantages of wild camping is the flexibility it provides to follow the movements of Moremi’s wildlife - imagine falling asleep to the sound of nearby hippos and waking up with nature at your feet. Camping here brings us back to the essentials while placing us closer than ever to nature. Imagine drifting off to sleep to the sounds of nearby hippos and awakening to the sights and sounds of the African wilderness just beyond your tent.

Today, we’ll enjoy two exciting game drives as we explore one of Africa’s most extraordinary wilderness areas. We depart at first light for a morning game drive towards the banks and floodplains of the north-eastern Okavango Delta. This remarkable ecosystem is home to hippos, crocodiles, and an incredible diversity of birdlife, as well as the elusive and endangered African wild dog. Bird enthusiasts will be especially rewarded, with regular sightings of African fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, storks, egrets, weavers, and bee-eaters. After returning to camp for brunch, you’ll have time to relax during the hottest part of the day. Unwind with a book, enjoy a siesta, or spend some time birdwatching around the campsite. At approximately 4:00 pm, we set out on our second game drive, returning in the early evening. Routes and activities vary according to wildlife sightings and animal behaviour, ensuring that every drive offers a unique experience. To maximise wildlife-viewing opportunities, we travel at a leisurely pace and often cover considerable distances, all under the expert guidance of our highly experienced tour leader.

This morning, we’ll enjoy a leisurely drive out of Moremi, keeping a lookout for wildlife along the way. Our destination is Island Safari Lodge, situated in the bush just outside Maun. Nestled on the banks of the Thamalakane River, the lodge is a cool and welcoming oasis. Shaded beneath a magnificent canopy of mature trees, it offers beautiful views across the river and the surrounding floodplains. The protected reserve features several walking trails that wind through the bush, providing excellent opportunities for a relaxing nature walk and a bit of last-minute leisurely wildlife spotting. Spend the afternoon unwinding by one of the two swimming pools, or explore the reserve on foot along its network of scenic nature trails. In the evening, your Tour Leader will reserve a table for the group so that everyone can come together and celebrate a memorable and successful Botswana family safari adventure.