9-Day Botswana’s Crown Jewels and the Zambezi Odyssey

Transfer from Airport

Your unforgettable African journey begins the moment you touch down at Victoria Falls International Airport. Leave the details to us. We will ensure your transfer is a seamless and comfortable experience as we drive you for 21km from the airport towards to your serene surroundings of Dzimbahwe Guest Lodge.

Sunset Dinner Cruise

You will be picked by your driver from your lodge to enjoy the best of both worlds, a spectacular Sunset Cruise on the magnificent Zambezi River. The cruise begins as the golden hour casts a warm glow over the water, providing the ideal backdrop for a refreshing cocktail or a glass of wine. As you glide peacefully upstream, away from the thunder of the falls, you’ll be on the lookout for the river’s iconic residents. Hippos emerge from the water with a grunt, crocodiles bask on the sandbanks, and elephants often come to the river’s edge for a final drink, silhouetted against the setting sun. As the sun dips below the horizon in a fiery spectacle of color, a delicious three or four-course gourmet dinner, freshly prepared on board, will be served. Savor a meal of local and international cuisine under the vast, star-studded African sky. This is an evening of fine dining, unparalleled natural beauty, and ultimate relaxation, creating a truly romantic and memorable experience on the tranquil waters of the Zambezi.

Guided Victoria Falls Rainforest Tour

Prepare to be captivated by a guided walking tour of Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Our expert local guides will lead you through the lush rainforest, a unique ecosystem sustained by the perpetual spray from the falls, known locally as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’—’The Smoke That Thunders.’ As you follow the well-maintained paths, you’ll feel the cool mist on your face and hear the thunderous roar of the Zambezi River cascading into the gorge. Your guide will take you to 16 key vantage points, each offering a distinct and breathtaking perspective of the falls, from the Devil’s Cataract to the Main Falls and beyond. Be sure to have your camera ready to capture the permanent rainbows that dance in the spray, creating an unforgettable spectacle of sight and sound.

Village Tour Experience

To truly understand a place, you must connect with its people. Your visit to Monde, a living, traditional village just a short drive from Victoria Falls, is more than a tour; it is a journey into the heart of Zimbabwean culture. Leave the well-trodden paths behind and step into a world where time seems to slow down. Upon arrival, you will be greeted with the genuine warmth and open-hearted hospitality of the community. A local resident will be your guide, not just showing you around, but sharing their life, their home, and their stories. Wander through the village, observing the beautifully crafted homesteads and learning about the traditional way of life. Discover the importance of communal living, the roles of different family members, and the timeless wisdom passed down through generations. The Monde Village experience is a humbling reminder of the rich cultural heritage that thrives just moments from one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. It is an honest, uplifting, and unforgettable encounter that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the human spirit and the enduring traditions of Africa.

The Boma Dinner and Drum show

Enjoy an unforgettable African experience infused with Zimbabwean cuisine at The Boma that offers a four-course meal combining a mouth-watering choice of starters from the kitchen, soup from the campfire and a substantial barbeque buffet served on cast iron plates. A feast of nightly entertainment incorporates Amakwezi traditional dancers, singers, a local story teller and a traditional healer; later guests are invited to join in the drumming extravaganza.

Chobe National Park Day Trip

After your two nights stay in Victoria Falls which is Zimbabwe’s top travel destination, depart for the country of Botswana known as the wildlife paradise nation. After completing the border formalities you head for teas and coffees with muffins and some fruits; after a light breakfast it’s time for your first safari of the day which is a morning boat cruise along the Chobe River praised with huge herds of elephant, Hippos, crocodiles and an abundance of birdlife so thrilling to see and experience. The morning boat cruise ends at around 12.30pm with a tasty lunch on the banks of the Chobe River. After lunch it is time for an afternoon game drive in the Chobe National Park, where once again you have the opportunity to enjoy an abundance of wildlife as you explore the Chobe Riverfront by an open safari vehicle. It’s very rare for this not to be a truly unforgettable game viewing experience along with accompanying predators that have made this place their home. Sadly the day is now drawing to an end as you will be transferred to Chobe Safari Lodge (Cresta Mowana Hotel for luxury) where you will be spending two nights which offers charming hospitality, beautiful accommodation and breathtaking river views.

Early Morning Game Drive in Chobe National Park

Your early morning game drive in Chobe National Park will quickly become the favorite part of your safari day, with animals out and active. Experience Africa at the crack of dawn as Mother Nature yawns awake and shakes her feathers, tails and scales. You will be picked early morning in an open-air game drive vehicle as you will be driven through the lush Chobe National Park coming across a myriad of shy and elusive wildlife for almost three to four hours. The morning Chobe Safari sees herds of elephants, the gentle giants of this land, make their way to the Chobe River for the first drink of the day.

Afternoon Boat Ride over Chobe River

Tuck into a tasty lunch followed by a late afternoon boat ride along Chobe River as you watch the African sunset. The three hour Boat cruise within the Chobe National Park offers you an opportunity to witness the frequent hippos and crocodile as they love to bask in the sun next to the water and game viewing all the fauna and flora of the Chobe National Park. Magnificent views of the Chobe River also offers the abundant elephant herds and other wildlife whilst enjoying afternoon sundowners watching the African sunset across the Chobe river. You might even be fortunate enough to glimpse a lion or a leopard. Given that the Chobe National Park itself is home to over 460 different bird species, a cruise on the Chobe is also very popular for birding safaris. Conclude the evening with a dinner at your lodge for the last night in Chobe.

Leaving the banks of the Chobe River behind, you will travel by road through the wild and scenic landscape of Botswana. The journey is a game drive in itself, offering an opportunity to spot wildlife along the drive in your enclosed vehicle. You will arrive at Elephants sands where you will aboard for one night. Elephant Sands, a place where the boundary between human and wild fades into the Botswana bush. Here, the spectacle of Africa comes to you. From the elevated deck of the lodge, the inviting swimming pool, or even the comfort of your own tent, you have a front-row seat to the daily rituals of these magnificent creatures. Watch these impressive creatures whilst they drink at only a couple of meters away from you, a unique experience with you see nowhere else. You will later be picked to explore the game reserve on a game drive until sunset then you will be led to a specially prepared area for an exclusive bush dinner. Here, under the vast, open sky, you will find a dining experience unlike any other. The tables are set, the fire is lit, and the air is filled with the promise of a spectacular evening. What sets this dinner apart is your company. As you savor a delicious meal, you will be in the presence of the gentle giants of the bush. Elephants, drawn to the nearby waterhole, will provide the evening’s entertainment, their quiet, powerful presence a humbling and beautiful backdrop to your dinner. This is a rare and intimate chance to observe their nighttime rituals and to feel a profound connection to the wild.

After your stay at Elephant Sands you grab your breakfast and embark on the road heading for the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. You will check-in at Gweta Lodge which is situated only a short distance from the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans where you can see the very entertaining Meerkats, the impressive Baobab trees and the incredible biodiversity of the region. Later enjoy a half day Ntwetwe salt pan adventure and meerkat visit. You are taken by a guide to see a colony of habituated Meerkats who live on the edge of the Ntwetwe salt pan. These Meerkats are human habituated and this therefore gives guests a once in a life time opportunity to observe their natural behaviours and charming personalities from almost a touching distance. After visiting and interacting with the Meerkats you are then transported to the vast Ntwetwe salt pan, which forms part of one of the largest salt pans in the world, likened to being on the surface of the moon, the sight of the salt pan is truly one to behold.

After your breakfast in Gweta you will be transferred by road heading for Maun where the Okavango Delta, a unique wetland system of rivers, crystal clear channels, islands and lagoons that creates a safe haven for innumerable bird and wildlife species is a short distance away and. Stay at Island Safari Lodge(Thamalakane River Lodge for luxury) that offers comfortable accommodation nestled in a lush garden. It is well spaced out, each room has a lovely view across the tree-lined garden towards the banks of the Thamalakane River, a cool and welcoming oasis in the heart of Maun. Shaded under a huge canopy of large trees, the lodge overlooks the river and floodplain beyond. You have an optional activity of the Okavango Helicopter scenic flight on offer this afternoon.

Your adventure begins with a scenic drive from Maun to the poling station, a gateway to the delta’s intricate waterways. Here, you will be introduced to your professional guide and poler, a member of the local community whose knowledge of this unique ecosystem is unmatched. Step into a traditional mokoro, a dugout canoe, and let your journey begin. As your poler expertly glides the vessel through the crystal-clear channels with a long pole, you will be enveloped in a profound sense of calm. The silence is broken only by the gentle lapping of water against the reeds and the rich chorus of the delta’s abundant birdlife. From this unique, low-to-the-water perspective, you will be captivated by the delicate beauty of water lilies and the vibrant colors of tiny reed frogs. Keep your eyes peeled for the resident hippos and crocodiles, and you may even spot a majestic elephant, giraffe, or zebra on one of the delta’s many islands. You will disembark the mokoro and get on an invigorating nature walk which is rare opportunity to explore the delta on foot, offering a different perspective on its flora and fauna. Midway through your journey, you will stop on a secluded island for a refreshing picnic lunch. This day trip is not about speed or checklists. It is an honest, unhurried, and deeply moving experience that connects you with the essence of the Okavango Delta, leaving you with a sense of peace and a lifetime of beautiful memories. After the tour you will head back to the lodge and tie the evening with dinner back at the lodge.

After an eventful time through Zimbabwe’s most popular and iconic landmark of Victoria Falls to Botswana’s most diversified National Parks with eye catching activities characterised by large numbers of wild animals, it is time for you to say goodbye on your last dawn after breakfast and head to Maun Airport to catch your flight going back home.