Heart of Africa

Africa Safari Tour Highlights:

• Zimbabwe: UNESCO World Heritage Site Victoria Falls is the largest single sheet of falling water in the world.
• Botswana: Explore the key wildlife sanctuaries of Botswana including game viewing and camping in Hwange and Moremi Reserves.  Discover waterways by canoe and boat and walk through the bush in the Okavango Delta, a World Heritage area of swamps and flooded grasslands that is an oasis of biodiversity and attracts large numbers of wildlife seasonally.
• Namibia: The wild animals and breathtaking sunsets of The Caprivi Strip and Zambezi River.

Please note: This safari is recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.

Day 1: Arrive Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Welcome to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe – one of the most spectacular natural sights in Africa and the world. Also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning ‘The Smoke that Thunders’, it is easy to see how this is one of the UNESCO listed seven natural wonders of the world with its scale, power and beauty. Your afternoon is at your leisure to explore the area, perhaps browse local markets or choose one of the optional activities on offer in the adrenalin capital of Africa (activities additional expense).

Days 2-3: Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)

Your morning is free to choose an activity in Victoria Falls or to explore the town. This afternoon, drive to Hwange National Park where your camp site is located inside a private concession.

On day 3, discover local wildlife on a game drive in the private concession area bordering Hwange National Park.  This area offers excellent wildlife viewing and the highest diversity of mammals of any National Park in Africa.  Aside from the huge Elephant population, you may also may enjoy sightings of animals such as Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Wild Dog and more! In the afternoon you have free time to relax around camp and watch the wild scenery from the viewing deck, or choose to take an extra game drive (additional expense).

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner (Day 2) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (Day 3)

Day 4: Hwange (Zimbabwe) to Makgadikgadi Pans (Botswana)

Depart Hwange and cross the border into Botswana where you will camp at Nata. Here you will visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary at the mouth of the Nata River, and the Makgadikgadi Pans.  This is a community managed reserve designed to provide refuge for wildlife and birdlife which is an important Pelican and Flamingo breeding ground. When there is water in the pan, you can see thousands of Flamingos, Geese and Ducks which is an amazing sight! in addition you may see other wildlife around the Makgadikgadi Pans such as Springbok, Jackal, Ostriches, Hartebeest, Oryx, Kudu or Wildebeest. Enjoy an unforgettable sunset over what remains of an ancient 6500km2 lake.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Days 5-6: Makgadikgadi Pans to Moremi Wildlife Reserve (Botswana)

Travel to Maun, and into the Khwai area of Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi is the oldest protected section of the Okavango Delta in Botswana. This wilderness area is one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa with waterways, lagoons, pools, pans, grasslands, and forests.  This biodiverse sanctuary is spectacular for game viewing and birdwatching. Rhino have been reintroduced making this reserve a memorable ‘Big Five destination’. Here you will experience morning and afternoon game drives exploring Moremi in open 4×4 safari vehicles.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner (Day 5) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (Day 6)

Day 7: Moremi to Maun (Botswana)

Start your day with an early morning game drive before travelling to Maun. You will have free time in the afternoon with the option to take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.  This is a unique way to discover the lush landscapes of the delta from the air, with the potential to view large fields of Buffalo, a journey of Giraffe, roaming elephants or wallowing Hippopotamus (optional flight, additional expense).

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Days 8-9: Maun to Okavango Delta (Botswana)

Travel around the panhandle to the northwest of the Okavango Delta. You arrive at your next campsite on the edge of the Okavango Delta late afternoon and take a sunset boat excursion in the channels of the delta.

The following day you will take mokoro (canoe) and boat excursions through the back channels of the Nxamaseri area of the delta. You can also take walks on smaller islands in the area in search of more game, subject to the water levels of the delta.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner (Day 8) Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (Day 9)

Day 10: Okavango (Botswana) to Caprivi & Zambezi River (Namibia)

Departing the Okavango Delta today, you will cross the border into Namibia and travel on to the eastern side of the Caprivi Strip. This narrow stretch of land where four countries meet receives high rainfall, is home to 5 perennial rivers as well as woodlands, islands, valleys and flood plains.  Your campsite here overlooks the flood plains of the Zambezi River.

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Days 11-12: Zambezi to Chobe River & Kasane (Botswana)

Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13: Depart Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Today you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe where your trip comes to an end.

Meals included: Breakfast

Weather & Wildlife – When to Visit:

The seasons in Africa provide totally different experiences in terms of weather and wildlife viewing, see below to give you an idea of what to expect on this journey.

Here is a sample of some of the other Africa vacations we offer, we can also tailor a trip for you:

Namibia, Botswana & Zimbabwe – 21 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Best of South Africa, Swaziland & Lesotho – 20 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Wild Uganda – 11 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Botswana & Zimbabwe – 10 Day Small Group Safari Tour

South Africa Garden Route – 8 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Wild Tanzania – 7 Day Small Group Safari Tour

Luxury South Africa Safari – 7 Day Vacation Package

Madagascar Beaches & Lemurs – 8 Day Vacation Package