Southern Africa Explorer: Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia Safari

Hippopotamus with cattle egret on back in Zimbabwe

What to expect on this itinerary

Southern Africa abounds with heavenly landscapes that dance with color and contrast. Bright red sand dunes, hippo-filled wetlands, and elephant-covered plains are all yours to take in. This 16-day tour explores the region’s astonishing natural highlights as you enjoy the best of Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Namibia. You will go deep into the wilderness with Bushmen guides to uncover untamed Africa from the ground, the water, and the air. As you consider your destinations, be sure to look through other itineraries and safaris in Zimbabwe to perfect your African safari vacation.

Countries Visited

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe

Places Visited

Victoria Falls, Mana Pools National Park, Hwange National Park, Makgadikgadi Pans, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Sossusvlei, Swakopmund

Suggested Duration

16 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Victoria Falls – Helicopter Flight Above the Falls

More water tips over the edge of Victoria Falls than any other waterfall on the planet. Over a mile wide and over 100 meters deep, these falls are a symbol of Southern Africa’s natural extravagance. After an early-morning arrival and some relaxed time at the lodge, you confront the falls from the air, a helicopter flight creating the ultimate view of this remarkable spectacle. The Zambezi River thunders into a chasm, the water returning as the spray and the sun create 360-degree rainbows in the mist. Touch down after the flight and the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure, the baboons, and hippos of Victoria Falls providing continual excitement around the lodge.

What's Included:

Accommodation
Transfer
Tour
Dinner
Day 2

Victoria Falls – Zambezi River Cruise and a Walk Alongside the Falls

Day 3

Mana Pools National Park – Game Drive Introductions

Day 4

Mana Pools National Park – Canoe and Walking Safari

Day 5

Hwange National Park – Track the Predators

Day 6 - 7

Hwange National Park – Iconic Big Game Safari

Day 8

Makgadikgadi Pans – Meerkats and Brown Hyenas

Day 9

Makgadikgadi Pans – A Day With the Bushmen

Day 10 - 11

Central Kalahari Game Reserve – Remote and Resplendent Safari

Day 12

Sossusvlei – Exclusive Aerial Safari

Day 13

Sossusvlei – Alone With the Red Sand Dunes

Day 14 - 15

Swakopmund – Beach, Desert, Atlantic Waves, and Namibia’s Skeleton Coast

Day 16

Walvis Bay – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Spot the best of Southern Africa’s wildlife with a full week of big game safari, as well as a handful of other destinations where wild giants roam
  • Marvel at the spectacle of Victoria Falls on a helicopter flight
  • Drive, canoe and walk through the wetlands of Mana Pools National Park, a lush paradise where hippos and buffalos are amongst those that congregate in huge numbers
  • Track the battles between predators in Hwange National Park, an outstanding safari destination that is also packed with thousands of elephants
  • Seek out meerkats and endangered brown hyena on the endless Makgadikgadi salt pans
  • Spend a day with the gatekeepers to the Kalahari as the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen teach you how to track animals and survive in the bush
  • Follow the black-maned lions and four-legged nomads across the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, one of Africa’s largest wilderness areas and a safari experience of pure surprise
  • Discover the visual beauty of Namibia with an exclusive aerial safari for a day spent hopping between legendary natural sights like Fish River Canyon, the second largest canyon on the planet
  • Explore the burning red sand dunes around Sossusvlei and immerse yourself in the wonder of the Namib Desert
  • Relax on the Atlantic coast at Swakopmund and spend a day with seals and shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast

Starting Price

$12,700 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 709 reviews

Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

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Anil M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Tour Review: 10 Nights

Our first trip to southern Africa was amazing, exceeding all expectations. We saw everything we came to see, and more. The game rides were well structured and safe, the visuals were unbelievable, and taking a side trip to Victoria Falls was a great idea. The accommodations were quite luxurious, despite being considered mid-range. There was always someone there to greet us and guide us at every travel point.

Zicasso's tour operator tailored our itinerary to our wishes and was wonderful to work with. Things couldn’t have gone better.

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Nancy H.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Tour Review: Cape Town, Franschhoek, Wine Tasting, Elephant Experience, River Cruise, Wildlife, Nature, Scenery, 13 Nights

Zicasso's trip planner arranged the most fabulous trip for my family. She knew exactly what I wanted and delivered a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Africa! She always answered my questions promptly. She chose memorable experiences for us, our lodgings were top-notch, and she "kept in touch, behind the scenes," to ensure all elements were going smoothly. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone planning a trip to Africa!

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LESLIE W.
Rwanda, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique Trip Review: Gorilla Trek, Bush Camps, 3 Weeks

It was very well planned. Zicasso's travel specialist was responsive and flexible in the planning process and throughout the final details.

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Catherine R.
South Africa, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Safari, 11 Nights

The trip was amazing. Zicasso's trip expert did an awesome job planning the trip. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and exceeded all of our expectations. The “in-country” travel was seamless. Our accommodations and tours were all top-notch. I can‘t thank her enough for planning this awesome experience.

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bonnie A.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe: Safari, 13 Nights

The service before, during, and after our trip was totally "white-glove," and there were extra perks that we were surprised with each day of our trip. Zicasso's travel company listened to our goals and met and exceeded every one. We recommend them in every way and will be using them in the future!

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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