17 Day Botswana & Zimbabwe with Lake Kariba Cruise

Board your flight today bound for Victoria Falls.

Meals: In-flight

Please note: depending on the airline booked, you may depart Australia the day prior

Welcome to Victoria Falls! Upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), you’ll be greeted by a local representative and transferred to your hotel.

The remainder of the afternoon is yours to enjoy leisure activities in Victoria Falls and later this evening, at 6pm, you will gather with your guide and fellow travelers at the lodge for a pre-departure meeting.
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village 3* or similar

Please note: When booking international flights, please ensure that your arrival date falls on Day 1 of the itinerary.

Following breakfast, your guide will lead you on a tour of Victoria Falls, revered by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya, meaning “the smoke that thunders.” We will then journey to Kasane in Botswana, the entry point to Chobe National Park. Chobe, the second largest national park in Botswana, spans 10,566 square kilometers and boasts one of Africa’s largest populations of elephants. The afternoon offers free time to engage in optional activities or unwind by the pool.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa 4* or similar

Start your day with an exhilarating morning game drive through the expansive wilderness of Chobe National Park, known for its extraordinary diversity of wildlife. Traverse the park’s varied landscapes, from lush floodplains to dense woodlands, in search of iconic African animals such as elephants, buffalo herds, and predators like lions and leopards. Following your game drive, return to the lodge for a leisurely late breakfast and some relaxation time.

This afternoon enjoy an afternoon boat cruise along the Chobe River giving you an opportunity to view the wildlife form a different perspective. As you glide along the tranquil waters, you’ll encounter a bustling ecosystem teeming with life. Watch in awe as elephants gather at the river’s edge to drink and bathe, while hippos wallow in the shallows and crocodiles bask on sun-drenched banks.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Cresta Mowana Safari Resort & Spa 4* or similar

Today, we cross the border into Zimbabwe, heading towards our lodge nestled in a private concession in the northwestern corner of Hwange National Park. Over the next two days, we’ll have ample opportunity to delve into this expansive wilderness through exhilarating game drives.

Hwange National Park stands as one of Africa’s premier wildlife sanctuaries, renowned for its impressive populations of elephants, buffalo, and zebra. The park also boasts a significant concentration of giraffes and is a haven for various predators and endangered species, alongside a rich diversity of birdlife.

If time permits, you may choose to join an optional afternoon game drive within the concession upon arrival before we enjoy dinner at the at the lodge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Nantwich Lodge or similar 4* or similar

Today, we embark on a full-day game drive in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, renowned for its rich wildlife diversity. Home to abundant elephants, giraffes, buffaloes, zebras, predators, and endangered species, the park offers diverse landscapes from savannahs to dense forests. This immersive experience provides exceptional wildlife sightings and photographic opportunities, showcasing Africa’s natural beauty and the importance of conservation efforts in preserving this extraordinary ecosystem.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Nantwich Lodge or similar 4* or similar

Today, we journey to the Mlibizi area on Lake Kariba, where we’ll embark on a luxurious two-night houseboat excursion. Surrounded by mountains, Lake Kariba is a vast man-made reservoir renowned for its abundant wildlife and dramatic natural scenery shaped by sun, storms, and the elements.

The Sovereign Houseboat offers a unique safari experience. Designed with space and style in mind, the experience ensures options for relaxation throughout your stay, fringed in luxury.

Offering just 10 air-conditioned cabins, each with an en-suite shower and floor to ceiling sliding doors with views of the lake, the houseboat also boasts a large lounge, dining room and bar with wide windows to offer you views of the passing landscape. A staircase leads to the top deck for a bird’s eye view of the lake and its surroundings from the boat’s pool and sun loungers.

Our cruise will navigate between Mlibizi and the Msuna River, offering a sunset cruise with opportunities for game viewing. We’ll conclude the day with drinks and dinner aboard the houseboat, savoring the tranquil beauty of the lake under the evening sky.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Sovereign Houseboat 4* or similar

In the morning, we begin with early activities such as leisurely fishing, guided walks, or game viewing, tailored to your preference. Upon our return, brunch will be served as we cruise leisurely along the lake. Later, we’ll anchor at one of the scenic islands with a sandy beach. Here, we’ll enjoy the sunset over the lake, unwind around a campfire, and indulge in a beach barbecue beneath the starlit sky.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Sovereign Houseboat 4* or similar

Upon disembarking the houseboat, we begin our journey from Msuna to the magnificent Matobo Hills, a region of unparalleled natural beauty within the Matobo National Park. With rich tribal history, and dramatic rock formations, this national park holds UNESCO World Heritage status and is habitat to both white and black rhinoceros, as well as sable antelope. The area boasts prolific birdlife, including the highest concentration of black eagles worldwide. Once home to the San (Bushman) people, it also features the richest collection of rock art globally. Notably, it is where the Ndebele people buried their esteemed king, Mzilikazi, and where Cecil John Rhodes chose to be interred on the “Hill of the Benevolent Spirit,” also known as “World’s View,” a name he bestowed upon it.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Shashani Matobo Hills Lodge 4* or similar

Today is dedicated to exploring this captivating national park. A standout experience includes tracking rhinos by both vehicle and foot, providing a remarkable once in a lifetime opportunity. After our morning adventure, we enjoy a picnic lunch amidst the park’s picturesque landscapes and in the afternoon, we embark on a game drive, encountering the park’s diverse wildlife and breathtaking scenery. The day concludes with a visit to Rhodes’ grave, providing historical context to the area. We return to the lodge late this afternoon in time for dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Shashani Matobo Hills Lodge 4* or similar

Leaving the captivating Matobo Hills behind, we traverse the savannas of southern Matebeleland on our journey to Botswana. In the afternoon, we explore the Nata Bird Sanctuary, offering splendid views of the Sowa Pan within the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans complex. Later in the afternoon, we reach our lodge, where we can relax and unwind after a day of scenic exploration and wildlife encounters.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Nata Lodge 3* or similar

Please note that access to the pans depends on road conditions, water levels, and time constraints.

We depart early for Planet Baobab near Gweta, starting an expedition to Ntwetwe Pan, a vast salt pan within the Makgadikgadi Pans. This lunar-like landscape features rocky outcrops, dunes, and islets along its western shore, home to desert-adapted species like bat-eared foxes, springbok, kori bustards, and meerkats. Through a habituation program, we observe these creatures up close, witnessing their social behaviors and adaptations.

After lunch, we visit a nearby village to experience modern African village life, guided by a local expert. We explore ‘Sekolo,’ the local primary school with outdoor classes, and the traditional Kgotla village court.

Later, we stroll through a baobab grove, learning about their unique biology from our guide.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Planet Baobab 4* or similar

Today, we journey to Maun, a vibrant safari hub and gateway to the Okavango Delta. Derived from the San word “maung,” meaning “the place of short reeds”, Maun offers a cultural glimpse into Botswana’s indigenous heritage.

The afternoon invites leisurely pursuits, whether lounging by the lodge pool or opting for an exhilarating optional scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and wildlife.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Planet Baobab 4* or similar

Following breakfast, we drive to the mokoro station to embark on a unique adventure. Drifting in dug-out canoes through the dense vegetation of the Okavango Delta, we discover a diverse array of birds and wildlife. Unlike typical deltas, the Okavango flows inland to the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast.

After this memorable excursion and a satisfying lunch, we proceed to our camp located in a private concession within the Greater Moremi area.

Settling in, we enjoy dinner before embarking on an exhilarating night game drive in the concession. This provides an excellent opportunity to encounter nocturnal animals rarely seen during daylight hours.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mankwe Tented Retreat 4* or similar

Today, we venture into the renowned Moremi Game Reserve, celebrated as one of Africa’s most stunning and diverse wildlife reserves. Renowned for its exceptional concentration of wildlife, Moremi offers a pristine natural environment teeming with an incredible variety of animals.

Throughout the day, we experience the untouched landscapes of Moremi, exploring its vast expanses and encountering iconic African wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopards, and buffalo. The reserve’s diverse habitats, from lush floodplains to dense forests and winding water channels, provide a perfect backdrop for observing these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat.
Return to the lodge for a final dinner with your group this evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Mankwe Tented Retreat 4* or similar

Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Maun International Airport (MUB) in time for your departure flight.

Meals: Breakfast

Welcome home, we hope you have a had a great trip to Africa with AGV Travels.