Chobe, Vic Falls & Okavango Delta Safari: 12 Day Group Tour

Day 1. Pretoria, South Africa to Polokwane Highlights. Bakone Malapa Open Air Cultural Museum .

We depart by shuttle transfer to the beautiful Limpopo Province. Previously known as the Northern Province, this is a land of myths and legends and is also highly rated as a southern Africa Eco-tourism destination.

Arriving in Polokwane, we head to our lodge to meet up with our guide and the rest of the group before we head off to learn more about the local Bakone culture. This interesting open air museum allows us to learn about traditional methods of the Bakone tribe who were settled in this area from historic times to the present day.

1 images Bakone Malapa Open Air Cultural Museum

Day 2. Polokwane to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

This morning we make our way north to Bulawayo, a pleasant city with broad tree-lined avenues and wide open spaces. The area around the city offers much in the way of historical, geological and natural interest. Several national parks are nearby including the well-known Matobo (sometimes written Matopos) which we shall visit. Our accommodation for the evening is in a quiet garden setting on the outskirts of town.

Day 3. Bulawayo to Matobo National Park Highlights. Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe.

This morning we transfer into open 4x4 game drive vehicles with experienced local guides and drive a short distance from Bulawayo to the wonderful Matobo National Park. The reserve has the largest concentration of Black and White Rhino in Africa and if conditions are suitable, the guides will lead us on foot to some of the more concealed places for a close view of these magnificent animals.

It is possible to extend this to a full day as an option as well as take a historical and cultural tour.

3 images Matobo National Park, Zimbabwe

Day 4. Bulawayo to Victoria Falls Highlights. Simunye - The Spirit of Africa Theatre Show.

The journey continues today travelling in a north-westerly direction towards the town of Victoria Falls, passing along the edge of Hwange National Park.

On reaching Victoria Falls we meet with the local team who take us through the many different optional activities that are available in this area.

We head out for dinner at Dusty Road, a traditional Zimbabwean restaurant in Chinotimba township, featuring open-fire cooking and strong community support.

Afterwards, we enjoy Simunye – The Spirit of Africa, a locally written and performed theatre show celebrating regional culture through music, story and costume, while supporting local talent and livelihoods.

7 images Simunye - The Spirit of Africa Theatre Show

Day 5. Victoria Falls Highlights. Victoria Falls National Park. Zambezi Sunset Cruise - Zimbabwe.

This morning we view the spectacular Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

After our morning visit, join various optional activities available in the area. Alternatively, it's worth checking out the local markets for some great souvenirs.

Finally, we round off the day with a relaxing sunset cruise on the upper stretches of the Zambezi river hoping to spot some wildlife in and around the river.

3 images Victoria Falls National Park

3 images Zambezi Sunset Cruise - Zimbabwe

Day 6. Victoria Falls to Kasane, Botswana - Chobe National Park Highlights. Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana. Chobe National Park, Botswana.

We travel into Botswana and proceed to Kasane, near Chobe National Park. We make a brief stop in town before heading to our riverside accommodation.

In the afternoon, we cruise along the Chobe River, with the hope of spotting some of the large herds of animals for which the park is renowned.

3 images Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana

3 images Chobe National Park, Botswana

Day 7. Chobe National Park - Kasane to Nata Highlights. Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana. Chobe National Park, Botswana.

We head out to explore the Chobe National Park in an open vehicle game drive where we may have the opportunity to spot not only elephant that are so prolific in the park, but also lion and different antelope species.

We stop in the small settlement of Nata for the night. If we are lucky, we will see plenty of bird species including Southern yellow-billed hornbills, pied and arrow-marked babblers, glossy starlings and paradise whydah from the comfort of the pool deck, bar or breakfast table.

3 images Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana

3 images Chobe National Park, Botswana

Day 8. Nata to Maun Highlights. Maun, Botswana. Nata Village, Botswana.

After a morning village tour with the local people, we continue through the large flat countryside to the town of Maun which is the gateway to the Okavango Delta and prepare for our overnight excursion tomorrow.

3 images Maun, Botswana

3 images Nata Village, Botswana

Day 9. Maun to Okavango Delta Highlights. Okavango Delta, Botswana.

The Okavango Delta is a vast inland labyrinth of islands, rivers and marshes covering an area of up to 15,000 square kilometres where the Okavango River spreads out and sinks into the sands of the Kalahari Desert.

We transfer into a 4x4 truck for the first leg of the journey into the Delta before proceeding in a mokoro with local expert guides. From our tented camp, we explore the wilderness area on foot and in the mokoros.

5 images Okavango Delta, Botswana

Day 10. Okavango Delta to Maun Highlights. Maun, Botswana.

After a final morning exploring this beautiful wilderness area, we return to Maun where we have the option to take a flight over the natural wilderness for a different perspective. Alternatively, we can spend some time exploring the town itself.

3 images Maun, Botswana

Day 11. Maun to Khama Rhino Sanctuary - Stevensford Game Reserve Highlights. Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Botswana.

Heading back eastwards through Botswana and skirting around the south of the Makagadikgadi Pans and onwards to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary.

The sanctuary is on the edge of the Kalahari Desert and is a prime location for the endangered white rhino and provides a fantastic educational base for the local community focusing on conservation.

We enjoy an afternoon game drive with the local rangers before travelling to Stevensford Game Reserve for our final night on tour.

3 images Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Botswana

Day 12. Stevensford Game Reserve to Pretoria, South Africa

Wrapping up our journey today we continue on southwards crossing back into South Africa and onwards to Pretoria, the administrative city of South Africa where our safari ends late this afternoon.