14 Day Botswana & Zimbabwe Safari - Small Group Safaris
Livingstone, Zambia Ends: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Duration: 14 days Group size: Minimum of 2
Botswana and Zimbabwe are two of Africa's 'gems' and this short tour shows you the major highlights of each country - the Okavango Delta, Chobe, Hwange, Matopos national parks, the Great Zimbabwe National Monument and the awesome Victoria Falls, regular departures throughout the year.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Chobe National Park Days 2: Savuti / Linyanti area Day 3: Moremi Game Reserve Days 4 & 5: Okavango Delta Days 6 & 7: Makgadikgadi Pans, Kasane, Victoria Falls (or Livingstone) Day 8 & 9: Bulawayo, Matopos National Park Day 10: Great Zimbabwe Day 11: Antelope Park, Gweru Days 12 & 13: Hwange National Park Day 14: Victoria FallsTour Highlights
- Chobe National Park
- Savuti / Linyanti area
- Moremi Game Reserve
- Okavango Delta - mokoro day trip
- Makgadikgadi Pans
- Hwange National Park
- Hwange Concession night drive
- Wild Dog Project
- Matopos National Park
- Great Zimbabwe National Monument
- Antelope Park
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Chobe National Park (Lx1 / Dx1)
Starting in either Livingstone (Zambia) or Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) transfer to the Botswana border and join your safari vehicle and travel the short distance to Kasane. We spend the afternoon in Chobe National Park. This park is renowned for its herds of elephant that migrate between the Okavango Delta (further to the south-west) and neighbouring Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe. Chobe also has prolific birdlife as well as hippo, buffalo, hyena, wild dog and lion.
Day 2: Savuti / Linyanti area (Bx1 / Lx1 / Dx1)
Accessible by 4x4 wheel drive only we head deep into south west corner of Chobe to Savuti Marsh, a relic of a large inland lake fed occasionally by the Savuti Channel. This region is made up of rolling savannah which attracts many different species of antelope, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and elephant. These in turn attract many predators including lion, leopard, hyena and wild dog.
Day 3: Moremi Game Reserve (Bx1 / Lx1 / Dx1)
Nestled up against the Okavango Delta waters is the Moremi Reserve. Smaller and less frequently visited than Chobe it nevertheless offers superb game viewing. The combination of different habitats from Mopane woodland to Acacia forest, floodplains and lagoons make the area a place of stunning beauty, enhanced by a diverse array of wildlife. Sightings of leopard, wild dog, cheetah and lion are not uncommon as are elephant, giraffe and zebra. Common nighttime visitors to our camp are the spotted hyaena and the honey badger.
Days 4 & 5: Okavango Delta (Bx2 / Lx2 / Dx2)
The Okavango is a natural wetland system spreading over some 1.6 million hectares of northern Botswana. The 'delta' results from rivers flowing south from Angola, dividing repeatedly on the flat Botswana plains and forming an intricate floodplain of river channels, lagoons and isolated islands - an inland 'delta', the only one of its kind in Africa. We enjoy a day in the wilderness with experienced and knowledgeable 'polers' who guide you through the labyrinthine channels in dug-out canoe (mokoro).
Days 6 & 7: Makgadikgadi Pans, Kasane, Victoria Falls (or Livingstone) (Bx2 / Lx2 / Dx1)
From Maun we travel to the Makgadikgadi Pans - vast shimmering salt flats on the edge of the Kalahari basin. Sleeping out under the night sky under a blanket of stars is a real Africa experience -not to be missed. We travel back towards Kasane and transfer vehicles once again at the border before crossing into Zimbabwe (or Zambia) for the final journey to Livingstone or Victoria Falls and make ready for the next section of the tour.
Day 8: Bulawayo (Lx1 / Dx1)
Departing Victoria Falls we drive south for Bulawayo, Zimbabwe's second city. The afternoon is yours to explore at leisure. Bulawayo is a pleasant city with broad tree-lined avenues and wide open spaces. There is a fascinating National History Museum, which recounts much of Zimbabwe's traditional and colonial past; also near the Old Town Hall there is a lively curio market where you can try your bartering skills if you see a bargain. A wide array of handicrafts and artwork are on display here made by skilful local craftsmen and women.
Day 9: Bulawayo, Matopos National Park (Bx1 / Lx1 / Dx1)
Matopos National Park is located a short distance outside Bulawayo and knowledgeable guides will take us to this very beautiful park. The wind-sculptured Matobo Hills are the site of numerous Bushman paintings and the area holds a special cultural and spiritual importance to the indigenous people. It is also the burial site - at 'World's End' - of Cecil John Rhodes, the 19th century pioneer and colonialist.
Matopos has the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and provided conditions are right our guides will lead us on foot to some of the concealed places in search of these magnificent animals. Approaching these huge herbivores is a heart racing and memorable experience.
Day 10: Great Zimbabwe (Bx1 / Lx1 / Dx1)
Leaving Bulawayo we cross towards the east of the country to the small town of Masvingo. Nearby is one of the most important archaeological sites in Southern Africa: the Great Zimbabwe National monument. Once the home to an indigenous population of some 10,000 people and dating back to 1200AD, the area holds special significance to the country which took its name. We camp nearby for easy access and ample time to explore the ruins at leisure. If you have the energy trek to the top of the Hill Enclosure to enjoy the peaceful African sunset.
Day 11: Antelope Park, Gweru (Bx1 / Lx1 / Dx1)
Located on Zimbabwe's central plateau, we pass through the town of Gweru and make camp at the Antelope Park Private Game Reserve. This is home to numerous antelope as well as zebra and giraffe. There is the opportunity to try various (optional) activities here including game drives, (or walks), elephant back riding, river cruise, horse riding or even to try 'Walking with the Lions' where you 'join the pride' and venture out into the bush with several 6-18 month old lion cubs. Walk where they walk and go where they go; enjoy their play and exploration of their world a 'real Africa' experience.
Day 12: Hwange National Park (Bx1 / Dx1)
This morning we have the opportunity to try further activities before we leave the Antelope Park and head for the world famous Hwange National Park. Zimbabwe's largest and best known game park was (in early 19th century) the royal hunting grounds of the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi and in 1929 was set aside as a National Park. The Park covers an area of over 14,600 sq kms and is particularly known for its elephant populations. We take a night game drive in a game concession area adjacent to the National Park where we search for a variety of nocturnal animals including the ever elusive leopard.
Day 13: Hwange National Park (Bx1 / Lx1 / Dx1)
Today we transfer to open safari vehicles and enter the Hwange National Park. Located in the far west of the country, Hwange sits in a remarkable belt of Africa, extending into neighbouring Botswana. As well as elephant the park contains over 100 mammal species including Africa's 'Big 5' (leopard, lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo), giraffe, gemsbok and the brown hyena. There will be a morning game drive, after which we return to camp for lunch and to relax through the heat of the day. Later in the afternoon we head out again for another game drive hoping to glimpse wildlife not seen earlier. We return to camp at dusk for overnight.
Day 14: Victoria Falls (Bx1)
Our final day is spent returning to Victoria Falls. On the way we visit the Hwange Wild Dog project. Here we see the efforts made to rehabilitate and release injured and orphaned wild-dog. This is extremely valuable work on a species thought to number a mere 3000 remaining individuals in all of Africa. We then continue to the Falls and the end of our journey. Be sure to allow some extra time here to enjoy the spectacular Falls themselves and the mighty Zambezi River.
