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A wilderness safari in Zimbabwe & Botswana
Encounter Africa’s mightiest wildlife on game drives and river safaris, and fly over Victoria Falls by helicopter.
A wilderness safari in Zimbabwe & Botswana
About your trip
Exotic wildlife, vast savannahs and one of the Seven Wonders of the World (via helicopter) – are you ready for Zimbabwe and Botswana?
This nine-day adventure begins at Victoria Falls, and ends on the banks of the almighty Zambezi River. Between then, you’ll venture into remote corners of Hwange National Park in search of lions, leopards and elephants.
You’ll cross the border into Botswana to explore the wild savannahs of the Kazuma Forest Reserve, and you’ll absorb the beauty of one of the world’s greatest wonders from the vantage point of your helicopter. Africa is officially calling.
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Equipment
- Guide
- Local transport
- Most meals included
- Max 14 travellers per group
- Atol protected
- Private airport transfers
Remember, flights aren't included and prices are based on sharing a twin room. If you'd like to upgrade to a single room, you can add this during the booking process or by contacting our Customer Experience team.
Itinerary
Your Itinerary
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Day 01 Zimbabwe calling
Welcome to Zimbabwe, home to spectacular wildlife and vast savannahs. Having arrived at your hotel by private transfer, meet your fellow travelers and guide at reception, before heading out together for a welcome meal in Victoria Falls town. Explore this hub of bohemian cafes, lively bars and restaurants, settling into your adventure ahead.
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Day 02 Victoria Falls by helicopter
Your first full day in Zimbabwe and you’re taking to the air above one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Victoria Falls. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya – the smoke that thunders – these waterfalls stand at over 100 meters tall, bathing the rainforest in an ethereal mist. Admire the sight of this natural wonder from the sky, with the Zambezi flowing beneath you. Back on firm land, head to the Victoria Falls River Brewing Company to sample local craft ales.
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Day 03 Into the wilderness of Hwange
Today we’ll keep you at ground level as you journey through Zimbabwe into Hwange National Park. The oldest and largest national park in the country, Hwange is home to Africa’s most iconic wildlife: lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo. Enjoy lunch at the camp, before jumping into a jeep and venturing out on your first game drive. These vast prairies receive fewer visitors than other African national parks, meaning you can spend hours uninterrupted by another human presence. Savor some wildlife sightings all to yourself, before returning to the camp for dinner.
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Day 04 A savannah game drive
Head out on an early morning game drive, with a chance to explore the landscape by foot. This is the perfect and most immersive way to enjoy close encounters with the animals – and much less scary than it sounds. After a late brunch at the camp, jump into a fleet of jeeps to explore the landscape further on an afternoon game drive. From sunbathing lions to stealthy leopards, uncover Hwange’s wildlife secrets with the help of your knowledgeable guide.
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Day 05 Across into Botswana
This morning, you’re off to Botswana. Journey onwards across the border (bring a book to see you through the unpredictable border controls), checking into your eco-lodge in the afternoon. Your hotel is built on tribal land near the village of Pandamatenga, an area steeped in culture and history. Enjoy lunch with your fellow travelers, then take the rest of the afternoon to relax. Head out again that evening to explore the region on a game drive, before savoring a traditional dinner beneath a star-strewn sky of the like you’ve never seen.
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Day 06 A game drive in Kazuma
Another early morning calls – you’re heading into the Kazuma Forest Reserve on a dawn game drive. Nestled between Hwange National Park to the east and Chobe to the west, Kazuma is situated on an elephant corridor frequented by over 200,000 of these majestic creatures (Africa’s answer to rush hour). Keep an eye out for nocturnal predators winding down to sleep as the early morning birds usher in the dawn. Back at camp, take a few hours to relax in the pool, then head out for a late afternoon game drive across the open plains. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, leopards, jackals and honey badgers as they set out for the night hunt.
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Day 07 Sights and sounds of the river
Your final day in Botswana will take you to the great Chobe River. Board a pontoon in the early morning, as a magnificent river safari unfolds. Glide down the waters that separate Botswana and Namibia, as they flow into the powerful Zambezi. You’ll likely find elephant herds splashing in the cool water, wild hippo grazing on the banks and crocodiles sunbathing in the shallows. After a morning on the water, enjoy lunch with your group at a local restaurant before heading back to where it all began: Victoria Falls.
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Day 08 Cruise down the Zambezi
On your last full day in Zimbabwe, take the morning to savor a lie-in or a late breakfast. Come afternoon, head to the banks of the Zambezi for a masterclass in southern African cuisine, with spicy potjie on the menu. Work up an appetite as your meal slow-cooks over the fire, cruising down the Zambezi for a final wildlife safari. Then, back on dry land, share a three-course meal with your fellow travelers, looking back on a brilliant adventure.
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Day 09 Goodbye, Zimbabwe
Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel, then it’s over to you to make your own way onwards. Your guide will be at hand to help you arrange a transfer to Victoria Falls Airport. If you’re not quite done with beautiful Africa, why not extend this adventure with our trip to Tanzania?
Our Favourite Hotels
Browse a selection of our favourite hotels, for a flavour of where you may stay on this trip.
Robins Camp, Hwange National Park
Chalet retreat in the grasslands of Hwange
This charming safari camp overlooks the Basalt area of Hwange, thought to have the highest concentrations of lions in the park range.
Why we stay here
Individual chalets are bright and welcoming. The pool, restaurant and bar are great side notes to daily game drives. But really it’s the location in the heart of the bush that is the star of the show here, offering front-row access to Africa’s wildlife.
Wildtrack safari eco-lodge, Pandamatenga
Beautiful lodge in the Chobe region of Botswana
This gem of a hideaway is built on tribal land, in an area steeped in culture and history. Relax in luxury chalets decorated in traditional African style, with private views across the bush.
Why we stay here
Dine alfresco under wide, star-studded skies and take a dip in a pool overlooking the lodge’s private watering hole, for an intimate glimpse of lions, elephants and giraffes that amble by during the heat of the day.
Important Notes
Fly into and out of Victoria Falls International Airport, Zimbabwe (VFA).
Please try to arrive before 4pm on day 1 (although we will arrange a transfer for you at whichever time you arrive) and depart at leisure on day 9.
Traveling around Zimbabwe comes with its own unique quirks. Bumpy trails, flooded backroads and slow immigration checks are a familiar sight, as are last-minute changes. You may spend long patient hours waiting for animals to appear. However, if you’re willing to embrace these quirks, we believe you’ll have a brilliant adventure.
Zimbabwe is a highly seasonal country. These trips have been planned for the dry season (May – November), but your experience will vary slightly depending on the time of year you choose to visit. At the start of the dry season (May – July), wildlife sightings can be sporadic. Incredible sightings are still possible, but finding them requires a little more patience. The best time to visit Zimbabwe for wildlife is between August and November.
On the other hand, the best time to experience Victoria Falls is between the months of May and July. Between August and November (the best time for wildlife spotting), the water flow of the falls reduces significantly.
Please be aware that the itinerary, activities and hotels are subject to change. These changes can happen with little notice due to availability, poor weather, seasonal changes, or other circumstances beyond our control – but we’ll always do our best to ensure it has little impact on your experience. From time to time, we may also make changes to your itinerary to try out new ideas and keep things fresh and exciting.
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