Botswana & Zimbabwe Guided Adventure

Following an unhurried breakfast, your guide will accompany you to the precipice of Victoria Falls, known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya—"the smoke that thunders"—to witness the morning mist rising from the gorge. Afterward, the journey crosses the border into Botswana, arriving at Kasane, the quiet gateway to Chobe National Park. As Botswana’s second-largest reserve, Chobe encompasses over 10,000 square kilometers of pristine wilderness and supports one of the densest elephant populations on earth. The remainder of the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, perhaps resting by the pool or enjoying an optional excursion as the heat of the day fades.

The following morning begins early with a game drive through the park, capturing the bush as it wakes, before returning to the lodge for a late breakfast and a few hours of quiet relaxation. At mid-afternoon, you will board a riverboat for a cruise along the Chobe River. Moving gently along the water provides a remarkably close, undisturbed vantage point from which to observe hippos, crocodiles, an array of birdlife, and herds of elephant gathering at the water’s edge to drink as the sun begins to set.

This morning, the journey takes you back across the border into Zimbabwe, arriving at a secluded lodge tucked away in the northwestern reaches of Hwange National Park. This expansive wilderness is yours to explore over the next two days, offering a deep immersion into an ecosystem renowned for its rich biodiversity. Should time permit upon arrival, an optional afternoon game drive within the private concession provides a gentle introduction to the area's resident wildlife before evening falls.

The entirety of the following day is dedicated to a full-day game drive through the heart of Hwange. This unhurried exploration allows you to witness the natural rhythms of the park, tracking large herds of elephant, zebra, and giraffe, while keeping a watchful eye for the area's more elusive predators, such as lion and leopard. Travelling through the varying landscapes of this magnificent park provides a profound sense of isolation and a truly authentic connection to the African bush.

Today, a short flight brings you to the Deka Airstrip, followed by a scenic road transfer to Msuna Island on the Zambezi River. Here, you will step aboard our houseboat for a tranquil two-night voyage along the reaches of Lake Kariba. Cradled by distant mountains, this expansive inland sea is bordered by vast game reserves, offering a landscape of raw and captivating beauty. The cruise navigates gently from the Msuna River toward the Mibizi area, marking the dramatic beginning of the lake, before transitioning into a sunset cruise where you can observe wildlife gathering along the shoreline prior to dinner being served on deck.

The following day unfolds at your own pace, with the morning and afternoon offering a choice of leisurely fishing, guided shoreline walks, or further wildlife viewing. Whether you choose to explore the hidden inlets or simply rest on deck, the day is designed for complete relaxation. Between these gentle excursions, a midday brunch is served on board as the houseboat drifts effortlessly across the water, allowing you to fully absorb the quiet grandeur of this unique aquatic wilderness.

After disembarking the houseboat, you will return to Deka Airstrip for a scenic flight back to Hwange Airport, followed by a comfortable road transfer to your lodge. The next day is dedicated to the majestic Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage site defined by its dramatic granite landscapes and profound historical resonance. This sacred ground is a vital sanctuary for both black and white rhinoceros, as well as the striking sable antelope. The skies above are equally captivated, hosting the world's highest concentration of black eagles. Once the ancestral home of the San people, the hills safeguard an incredibly rich collection of ancient rock art, while also serving as the final resting place for the great Ndebele king, Mzilikazi, and Cecil John Rhodes, who was buried at the breathtaking vantage point he named "World’s View."

Your morning in this evocative landscape begins with the quiet thrill of tracking rhino spoor, combining a slow drive with an insightful walk on foot alongside your guide. As the midday heat softens, the afternoon shifts to exploring the park’s unique topography and resident wildlife by open vehicle, tracing the stories etched into the hillsides. The day concludes with a gentle ascent to Rhodes’ grave, allowing you to stand atop the "Hill of the Benevolent Spirit" and look out over the endless, undulating valleys below as the day draws to a quiet close.

An early morning departure brings you to Planet Baobab near Gweta, a region affectionately known as the world’s baobab capital due to the ancient, monolithic trees that dominate the horizon. From here, you will venture out onto the crust of Ntwetwe Pan, exploring one of Botswana’s most surreal and distinctive landscapes. This vast, salt-crusted expanse offers an profound sense of isolation and space, where the earth meets the sky in an unbroken line, providing a striking contrast to the lush waterways experienced elsewhere on the journey.

Following breakfast, a short drive brings you to the local station to board your mokoro—a traditional dugout canoe. Gliding effortlessly through the Okavango Delta's labyrinth of papyrus and clear waters, you will experience the quiet intimacy of an oasis that uniquely empties into the Kalahari Desert rather than the sea, revealing a rich tapestry of birdlife and passing wildlife along the banks. After this tranquil excursion and a light lunch, the journey continues to a secluded camp nestled within a private concession in the Greater Moremi area. Once you have settled into your surroundings and enjoyed dinner, the evening concludes with a night game drive, offering a rare opportunity to look for the bush’s more elusive nocturnal residents under the canopy of the African sky.

The entirety of the following day is dedicated to exploring the renowned Moremi Game Reserve. Celebrated for its pristine habitats and dense concentrations of wildlife, this unspoiled haven allows for an unhurried, full-day exploration. Moving through a beautiful mosaic of woodlands, floodplains, and lagoons, you will have ample time to observe the natural interactions of the park’s diverse species, capturing the very essence of a classic Southern African safari.

Your safari draws to a gentle close this morning. After a final breakfast at the camp, a comfortable transfer will carry you to Maun Airport in time for your onward travel arrangements.

We trust that the quiet landscapes and wild encounters of the past fifteen days stay with you, and we look forward to welcoming you back to the bush whenever you next hear its call.