Original
Wildlife
Botswana Highlights
9 days • 4.8
5
Excellent
67 reviews
9 days
Start
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Finish
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Trip Code
UBSZ
Min Age
15
Trip Size
1 - 16
Physical Rating
Meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
Private Vehicle, Boat, Mokoro
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Lodge (4 nights), Basic Lodge (2 night)
From £1,791(9 days)
Trip Informations
Why you’ll love this trip
Glide through the wildlife-filled waterways of the Okavango by mokoro – this traditional dug-out canoe is the best way to experience the delta up close.
Seek out pods of hippos wallowing in the waters and surround yourself with abundant birdlife on a river cruise through Chobe National Park.
Enjoy some truly unique accommodation in Elephant Sands. Greet herds of elephants as they come to drink and bathe from a natural watering hole right outside the lodge, only metres from your porch!
Visit Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – supported by The Tuuur Foundation – and learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching.
Arrive early or extend your stay in Victoria Falls to fully experience all this amazing place has to offer. Take an active adventure, see the thundering falls – the largest in the world – and maybe take a sunset helicopter flight to get the best views.
Is this trip right for you?
No two journeys in Africa are identical. Be prepared for travel times to be longer or shorter than advised. Weather and road conditions can change things significantly, so embrace the detours, shortcuts, and unforgettable moments along the way.
Botswana temperatures rise in the hot, dry period of September and October, before the rains hit, and temperatures can get as high as 34-38°C. Not all accommodation will have air-conditioning, which is quite common across Africa, particularly in remote locations where lodges or camps operate on solar power or generators.
Botswana is a very seasonal destination. What you see and experience can differ quite dramatically depending on the time of year you visit. Please consider this before you choose your departure date. See the 'Climate and Seasonal' section in ‘Essential Information’ for more details.
There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
The day-to-day itinerary features a selection of optional activities. Please note that this list is not exhaustive and is intended only as a guide. Prices are approximate and may change at the discretion of the local provider, and all activities are subject to availability.
Itinerary
Discover the wildlife and World Heritage waterways of Botswana
On this nine-day wildlife-filled adventure, you’ll get to see Botswana’s inland delta, herds of elephants and the world's largest salt pans! Starting and ending in Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls and dipping into Namibia's Caprivi region, this trip celebrates both the natural and cultural highlights of Botswana. You’ll stay in a lodge overlooking a watering hole frequented by elephants, watch hippos wallowing along the shores of the Chobe River and paddle through the Okavango Delta in a traditional dug-out canoe. If it's a diversity of landscapes, wildlife and cultures you're after, then this is the ultimate trip for you!
Inclusions
Meals
8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners
Transport
Private Vehicle, Boat, Mokoro
Accommodation
Hotel (2 nights), Lodge (4 nights), Basic Lodge (2 night)
Included activities
Nata - Elephant Sands Bush Walk
Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Tuuur Foundation partner) visit
Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari
Okavango Delta - Nature walk
Caprivi - Sunset River Cruise
Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive
Optional activities
Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168
Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126
Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins - excludes USD25 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD150
Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins - excludes USD30 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD284
Okavango Delta - Helicopter Scenic Flight - USD280
Chobe National Park - River cruise - BWP580
Dates and availability
Starting
Ending
Remaining
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Important notes
1. This trip starts in Victoria Falls with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1 and ends mid-afternoon on Day 9. We recommend you do not book departing flights until post 7pm, allowing for any delays.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travelers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document to delegate their authority.
4. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.
5. A visa is required for entry into Namibia. This visa can be obtained on arrival, though we encourage you to apply online in advance to speed up the border crossing process. For current information and a link to the online application, please use our Visa & Entry Requirements tool -
Reviews (62)
5 stars
54
4 stars
8
Allan
May 03, 2025
A great introduction to southern Africa, packs a lot into a few days.
Kimberly
Apr 24, 2025
Abel and Nathi! The two greatest people! Our trip was incredible because of them. Organised, efficient and truly unforgettable. It felt so surreal sitting in a lodge, by the Okavango delta, surrounded by hippos and crocs, while reading a book. Or seeing a pack of lions in Chobe. The accomodation too, has also been fantastic! It was an adventure of a lifetime. Thank you!
Stefanie
Apr 24, 2025
Phil
Apr 24, 2025
This was my first time to Africa and was put together by my agent. Right from the first day leaving Australia to when I got back there was no problems with Intrepid and was planned perfectly. The tour staff were the best, knowledgeable and very friendly. Yes I will return in 2026.
Penie
Dec 29, 2024
We could not have asked for a better group and leader-Admore you made the trip even better as did our positive and fun group. If you have always wanted to go to Africa and need convincing this is it, go! we saw animals every day and woke up to magnificent elephants at unique charming accommodation. So many pinch me moments... a lot of long drives and day in van but it was all worth it. Cant wait to return and as always, Intrepid nails the itinerary and destinations.
Oliver
Oct 11, 2024
This trip was excellent and really well organised, took us all some amazing places and made memories which will last a lifetime
David Critchley
Oct 10, 2024
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia: This was a great trip, taking in some key locations that I had been planning to visit for some years, and it did not disappoint. Although the distances involved necessarily means some long days, the locations are worth the effort and the local knowledge of our tour leader brought an extra dimension to the expedition. I would highly recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in the area of Africa and doesn't have the time to organise a overland trip themselves.
Sarah
Oct 09, 2024
Shimane is a brilliant guide, driver and person. He is so knowledgeable and shared his enthusiasm for his country with us. We felt really looked after and safe with Shimane as our leader. The trip involves a lot of travelling which was made comfortable and fun with regular stops for bushy bushy, to look at wildlife and to pick up snacks. The itinerary is well thought through and means that every day brings something different. Highly recommend this trip for wildlife lovers Chobe National Park was my personal highlight.
Karen
Oct 08, 2024
Shimane our tour leader was simply amazing! This is an inspirational tour, full of knowledge and learning experiences.
Alison
Oct 08, 2024
A fantastic trip seeing loads of animals and 3 different countries! Our guide Shimane was extremely informative about the countries we visited, the culture and what to expect. We felt well looked after where ever we went and to see lions, hippos, elephants, impalas, crocodiles, giraffes, zebras and loads of birds in their natural environment was a lifetime experience. I particularly enjoyed staying in authentic, rustic accommodation where you get to feel at one with nature but also with a few comforts e.g. comfy bed and shower/toilet. Can thoroughly recommend!
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