7-Day Zimbabwe and Botswana Safari: Victoria Falls, Chobe, and Okavango Delta
This comprehensive 7-day safari offers participants a journey through Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls and Botswana’s renowned wildlife areas, providing diverse wildlife viewing opportunities and cultural insights.
Duration: 7 Days
Places to Visit: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Maun (Botswana)
Itinerary:
Day 1-2: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport and transfer to Victoria Falls Town. The town, with a population of about 33,000, serves as the gateway to Victoria Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls. Visit the Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The falls are 1.7 km wide and drop 108 meters into the Zambezi Gorge. The local Tonga name for the falls is “Mosi-oa-Tunya,” meaning “The Smoke that Thunders.”
Explore the Victoria Falls Rainforest, home to unique plant species adapted to the constant spray from the falls. Learn about the geological history of the falls and how they’ve shaped the surrounding landscape over millennia. Take a cultural tour of a local village to learn about Zimbabwean traditions. Participate in activities like traditional cooking, pottery making, or dance performances.
Visit the Victoria Falls Bridge, built in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes’ vision for a Cape-to-Cairo railway. The bridge offers views of the falls and the opportunity to learn about the region’s colonial history. Optional activities include white-water rafting on the Zambezi River or a scenic helicopter flight over the falls (additional costs apply).
Accommodation: Victoria Falls Hotel (2 nights)
Day 3-4: Chobe National Park, Botswana
Distance: 90km/1.5hrs drive from Victoria Falls to Kasane
Cross the border into Botswana and proceed to Chobe National Park. Chobe, Botswana’s first national park, covers 11,700 square kilometers and is famous for its large elephant population, estimated at 120,000. Take afternoon and morning game drives in the park, focusing on the Chobe Riverfront area. The park is home to over 460 bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.
Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. During the cruise, observe traditional fishing methods used by local communities and learn about the Chobe’s importance to the region’s ecosystem. Visit a local Basubiya village to learn about their culture. The Basubiya are known for their skilled boat-making and fishing techniques, which have been adapted to life along the Chobe River.
Participate in a traditional storytelling session around the campfire, where local guides share folktales and legends passed down through generations.
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge (2 nights)
Day 5-6: Okavango Delta Flight from Kasane to Okavango Delta (approximately 1.5 hours)
Fly into the heart of the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site covering 15,000 square kilometers. The Delta is one of the world’s largest inland deltas and supports a rich diversity of wildlife. Take mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) excursions to explore the Delta’s waterways. Learn about the traditional construction and use of mokoros from local polers, many of whom come from the Bayei ethnic group.
Participate in guided walking safaris to observe the Delta’s smaller creatures and learn about its unique plant life. The Delta is home to over 1,000 plant species, including the iconic water lily. Visit a nearby village to learn about life in the Delta. Many communities here practice a mix of traditional subsistence farming and modern conservation-based tourism. Learn about the Delta’s unique flood cycle and how it supports the ecosystem. The annual floods arrive in the dry season, creating a haven for wildlife in an otherwise arid region. Enjoy a cultural evening featuring traditional songs and dances of the Okavango region, including the healing dances of the local San people.
Accommodation: Tented camp in the Okavango Delta (2 nights)
Day 7: Okavango Delta – Maun Morning flight from the Delta to Maun (approximately 30 minutes)
Upon arrival in Maun, visit the Nhabe Museum, which showcases the history and culture of the Ngamiland region. The museum includes exhibits on the indigenous San people and their traditional hunting techniques. Take a short tour of Maun, a town of approximately 55,000 people that has grown from a small village to a bustling safari hub. Learn about how tourism has transformed the local economy and culture. Before departure, visit the Botswana Craft shop to purchase locally made souvenirs. The shop supports artisans from across Botswana and offers a wide range of traditional crafts.
Transfer to Maun International Airport for departure, concluding the safari.
