Best of Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari

Elephant herd in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

What to expect on this itinerary

Safari in Zimbabwe and Botswana and you will never leave the wilderness on this 11-day adventure. You will be truly immersed in a wildlife realm: nature will sing an evening lullaby, animals will graze around the lodges, and you will gain an intimate understanding of wildlife behavior. The four destinations provide beautiful contrasts as you build a detailed picture of safaris in Southern Africa. Victoria Falls is followed by Hwange’s savanna ecosystem before the Chobe woodland contrasts the Okavango Delta. This Botswana and Zimbabwe safari will have you completely immersed in wildlife and nostalgia.

Countries Visited

Botswana, Zimbabwe

Places Visited

Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Maun

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Victoria Falls – Welcomed to Africa by a Sunset Cruise

Most visitors to Africa arrive with a mix of excitement and anxiety. There is so much unknown here, and it is hard to compare a safari with a vacation anywhere else. Upon landing in Victoria Falls, you will immediately notice the calm and tranquil temperament of the landscape. There is little traffic, and it is common to see elephants around the main road. Baboons are the noisiest animals at the lodge although you may also hear a hippo boisterously calling from the river. Almost instantly, you will feel the allure of nature. Victoria Falls is not a safari destination, but you still enjoy a deep connection with the land.

It usually only takes a couple of hours to detox from the modern world so just relax in your suite, listen to Victoria Falls, watch monkeys swing past, and find nothing artificial in your view. Later this afternoon, you will cruise on the river via a small-boat cruise that circumnavigates a large island between Zambia and Zimbabwe. Elephants and buffalos are among those that live on the island, and they are commonly seen along the banks. As dusk draws near, you watch a dazzling African sun descend into the Zambezi just as hippos begin their nighttime grazing along the banks.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Breakfast
Day 2

Victoria Falls – Discovering the Famous Smoke That Thunders

Day 3

Hwange National Park – Game Drives on an Epic Savanna

Day 4

Hwange National Park – Following Elephants and Lions Across the Plains

Day 5

Chobe National Park – Photographic River Safari on the Chobe River

Day 6

Chobe National Park – Uncovering the Secrets of a Woodland Ecosystem

Day 7

Okavango Delta – Motorboat Safari in the African Oasis

Day 8

Okavango Delta – Full-Day Game Drive on Chief’s Island

Day 9

Okavango Delta – Viewing Wildlife From Mokoro Canoes and an Afternoon Game Walk

Day 10

Maun – Final Safari Memories and a Cultural Evening

Day 11

Maun – International Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Marvel in astonishment at Victoria Falls, experiencing thunderous spray
  • Encounter lion prides on a dusty savanna, which is just one highlight of a two-day safari in Hwange
  • Immerse yourself with the world’s largest elephant population during two days in Chobe
  • Explore wildlife bounty during a three-night stay in the Okavango Delta
  • Indulge in the local culture, including a mokoro canoe ride and a traditional evening in Maun
  • Enjoy a photographic safari ride along the Chobe River and explore the Okavango in a motorboat
  • Witness animals drink from a floodlit watering hole or river that is located directly beneath your lodge
  • Experience the eternal beauty of wild Africa during a safari flight from Chobe to Okavango

Starting Price

$11,100 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 678 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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