Vic Falls, Chobe, Delta & Khama Rhino: 9 Day Small Group Tour

Day 1. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Highlights. Zambezi Sunset Cruise - Zimbabwe.

Today is spent at your leisure (or arrival day). After settling into your accommodation, we join an afternoon sunset river cruise on the Zambezi River hoping to spot animals coming down to the water’s edge to drink. Commonly spotted animals include hippo, elephant, crocodile, various antelope and prolific birdlife. The cruise starts between 3 pm–4 pm, so if you are arriving on this day, please ensure that your flight arrives in plenty of time to enjoy this experience!

3 images Zambezi Sunset Cruise - Zimbabwe

Day 2. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Highlights. Victoria Falls National Park. Victoria Falls Town - Activities.

This morning we visit the mighty Victoria Falls - at over a mile wide and some 100 metres deep, the Falls at high water, form the largest curtain of falling water in the world - with spray visible from 20 kilometres away (hence the local name 'Mosi Oa Tunya', or ‘smoke that thunders’).

The rest of the day is at leisure to join various optional activities available in the area including rafting, canoeing, bungee, abseiling, gorge swinging, horse riding, scenic flights and bridge tours.

3 images Victoria Falls National Park

3 images Victoria Falls Town - Activities

Day 3. Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park Highlights. Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana. Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana.

After a wonderful stay in Victoria Falls, we travel to the Botswana border and cross into a small town of Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. It's here we join an open 4x4 safari into the national park widely known for its populations of elephants as well lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe and a host of antelope and birdlife. In the later afternoon, we take a cruise on Chobe River for a different perspective as the river attracts the wildlife to its banks.

3 images Chobe Fish Eagle Cruise, Botswana

3 images Chobe National Park Game Drive, Botswana

Day 4. Kasane to Gweta

Taking the southern route through Botswana, we may encounter elephants or buffalo alongside the road as they migrate to greener pastures. After a brief stop in the small settlement of Nata, we turn west to Gweta, the gateway to the Makgadikgadi Pans - a huge salt flat and one of the largest in the world. As an optional activity, explore the salt pans in an open 4x4 safari vehicle or join in on optional Baobab Forest tour - to see the impressive Chapman's Baobab.

Day 5. Gweta to Maun Highlights. Maun, Botswana.

This morning we join a guided walk through a local Tswana village to gain insight into the day to day life in the community. Visit a school, traditional rondavels and mingle with the locals to learn some of their traditional ways - really a unique experience. It's then off to Maun, the tourism capital of Botswana. Options here include a variety of scenic flights. Alternatively, relax with a cool beverage around the pool and pack for the Delta excursion for the following day.

3 images Maun, Botswana

Day 6. Maun to Okavango Delta

Overnight bag packed, we board our open 4x4 transfer vehicle and make our way to the 'mokoro' station. Here we are introduced to the local Tswana ‘polers’, our guides for the excursion and we board our mokoros. We travel by water amongst giant lily pads, swaying grasses and labyrinthine channels to our tented camp on the edge of the Okavango. In the afternoon venture on a guided walk in search of the prolific wildlife and learn about traditional medicines. Once the sun sets, it’s time to get cosy around an open fire under the blanket of stars for an unforgettable wilderness experience

Day 7. Okavango Delta to Maun Highlights. Maun, Botswana.

Rising early, we explore the wilderness and its fresh tracks on foot on our final nature walk. Returning to camp, we pack up after a delicious breakfast and return to our 4x4 transfer vehicle, bidding our polers farewell. Back in Maun, the afternoon offers the opportunity to join the guide for a trip into town for a little shopping. Another popular activity here is an optional scenic flight over the ‘Delta’ for a bird’s eye view - not to be missed!

3 images Maun, Botswana

Day 8. Maun to Khama Rhino Sanctuary Highlights. Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Botswana.

Leaving Maun behind, we skirt the greater Kalahari Desert, past villages to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. This community-based wildlife project, established in 1992, was formed to assist in saving the vanishing rhinos. Covering approximately 8585 hectares of Kalahari Sandveld, this sanctuary provides prime habitat for white and black rhino as well as over 30 other animal species and more than 230 species of birds, which we eagerly search for on an afternoon game drive.

Our last night on safari is spent at the Stevensford Game Reserve in quaint cottages in the reserve.

3 images Khama Rhino Sanctuary, Botswana

Day 9. Stevensford Game Reserve to Pretoria, South Africa

Boarding our vehicle one last time, we make our way to the South African border, completing formalities. Once across, we drive south to the city of Pretoria where our tour ends on arrival.

Suggested Pre-Tour Accommodation.

Shearwater Explorers Village

The Shearwater Explorers Village is located 400m from the thundering Victoria Falls and 100m from the epicenter of the Vic Falls town. Comprising of 42 private rooms, the village represents budget accommodation at its finest. Facilities include: Bar, Swimming pool and a spa for those relaxation moments.