Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari

Arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA). The town itself, a hub for regional adventure, is a short drive from the airport. After settling into your lodge, the remainder of the day is open for acclimatizing or taking a short walk to get a sense of the place before the journey into the bush begins.

The morning offers a final opportunity to visit Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site, before the overland journey south begins. The route leads to the headquarters of Painted Dog Conservation, a non-profit working to protect one of the region's most endangered predators. A conservationist here can explain the threats posed by poaching snares and the project's work in rehabilitation, community outreach, and education.

From the conservation center, the road continues to a private concession bordering Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest wildlife reserve. The park is a critical habitat for nearly half of the country's elephant population. An initial late-afternoon safari offers a first look at the area's ecology and resident wildlife before sunset.

A full day is dedicated to exploring the ecosystems of Hwange National Park and the adjacent Dete Vlei grasslands. Morning and late afternoon safaris are timed to coincide with peak animal activity, tracking resident elephant and buffalo herds, as well as giraffe, lion, and zebra. The park is also a key stronghold for the rare African wild dog (Lycaon pictus), and sightings are a primary objective.

Between drives, the day allows for observation from the lodge. Many camps in this region are built overlooking a permanent water source, attracting a steady flow of wildlife. Some feature subterranean hides, offering a ground-level photographic perspective on animals drinking at the water's edge.

The route turns north from Hwange, heading for the Kazungula border crossing into Botswana. After clearing immigration, the road leads to Kasane, the gateway town for Chobe National Park. This region is defined by the Chobe River, the park's permanent lifeline and the core of its ecosystem. The riverfront supports the world's largest concentration of elephants, with herd numbers peaking in the dry season from May to October.

An afternoon boat safari provides a different perspective on the wildlife. From the water, it's possible to get close to submerged hippos, basking crocodiles, and elephants drinking and bathing along the banks. The area is also notable for species not found elsewhere in Botswana, including the puku antelope and the Chobe bushbuck. The day concludes with sunset over the river.

The morning is for further exploration of Chobe National Park's riverfront area, this time by 4x4 safari vehicle. The drives focus on the tracks and roads that parallel the Chobe River, offering a chance to see the large mammal populations that dominate the landscape. In addition to the significant elephant herds, the area supports high densities of buffalo, lion, and zebra. The diverse habitats, from riverine forest to floodplain, also host an incredible variety of birdlife. The afternoon is unstructured, allowing for rest or independent exploration around the lodge in Kasane.

A scenic charter flight provides a dramatic transition from the dry landscapes around Chobe to the wetlands of the Okavango Delta. From the air, the network of channels, lagoons, and islands becomes clear. Upon landing at a remote airstrip, the final leg of the journey is by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe poled by a local guide. Gliding through the narrow, papyrus-lined waterways offers a first, quiet glimpse of the delta's wildlife. After settling into the remote camp, an afternoon wildlife cruise by motorboat explores the larger channels, looking for hippos, elephants, and the rich aquatic birdlife.

An early start precedes a mokoro journey to Chief's Island, the largest landmass within the Okavango Delta and part of the Moremi Game Reserve. Here, the focus shifts from vehicle-based safaris to a guided bush walk. Following a professional guide on foot offers a completely different sensory experience, focusing on tracks, signs, and the smaller details of the ecosystem. The guides often share knowledge of the medicinal uses of native plants. The walk is a search for the island's resident wildlife, which can include giraffe, zebra, and even lion and elephant. After returning to camp for a late brunch, the afternoon is free before a final boat activity at sunset.

A full day in the delta allows for flexible exploration based on current conditions and animal movements. Water levels dictate the day's activities, which can include further bush walks on nearby islands, motorboat excursions into deeper lagoons, or quiet mokoro trips through the channels. The goal is to observe the dynamic ecosystem as it changes through the day. In between the morning and afternoon excursions, there is time to relax at the camp, where the elevated decks often provide a platform for observing wildlife passing through the immediate area.

After a final early-morning wildlife excursion, a short flight connects the delta to the frontier town of Maun, the administrative center for the region. Here, the focus shifts to the scientific and conservation work underpinning the area's protection. A meeting with an expedition member of the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project provides context on the multi-year effort to survey the entire watershed and secure its future. The project's work is detailed in the documentary 'Into the Okavango.'

The evening offers a cultural dimension with a visit from celebrated local author Bonty Botumile. Her work is dedicated to preserving Botswana's literary heritage. An evening of traditional food and storytelling around a fire provides insight into the region's cultural history, beyond the ecological frame.

The journey concludes in Maun. After a final breakfast, there are no planned activities, allowing for departures at any time from Maun International Airport (MUB) or for onward independent travel into other regions of Botswana.