Victoria Falls to Windhoek: The Okavango Delta & Kalahari

Arrival in Victoria Falls

Arrive at any time into Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe—not to be confused with Livingstone, on the Zambian side. Most international flights land by early afternoon, leaving enough time to find your lodge, settle in, and get your bearings. The town itself is small and walkable, a good base for planning activities around the falls for the days ahead.

DIY Reality Check: Navigating the correct entry visa for Zimbabwe can be a puzzle of logistics and cost, especially for those planning to see Victoria Falls from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides. A standard single-entry visa for Zimbabwe costs around $30 USD, but this becomes void the moment you cross into Zambia. A double-entry visa costs more, at $45 USD. A more flexible but less-known option is the KAZA UNIVISA, which costs $50 USD and allows unlimited crossings between Zimbabwe and Zambia for 30 days, and even covers day trips to Botswana. Deciding which visa offers the best value requires knowing your itinerary in advance, and securing the correct one on arrival involves having the right documents and cash on hand. A coordinated trip removes this guesswork by providing clear, pre-trip guidance on the optimal visa strategy for your specific travel plans.

Crossing into Botswana's Chobe Region

The first border crossing of the trip takes you from Zimbabwe into Botswana. The drive ends in Kasane, a small town on the banks of the Chobe River that serves as the main entry point for Chobe National Park. This region is dense with wildlife, particularly elephants. A sunset boat cruise on the river is the standard way to see them, along with hippos and crocodiles, before nightfall.

Chobe Safari and the Elephant Sands

An early start is required for an optional game drive inside Chobe National Park, tracking wildlife as the sun comes up. Afterwards, the route pushes south on a 255km overland drive to the Nata area. The destination is a lodge built around a private watering hole, which draws a steady stream of elephants directly to the property. You can watch them from the pool or the bar.