Best of Botswana & Victoria Falls - 12 days

Welcome to Zimbabwe! On arrival in Victoria Falls, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Meet your guide and the rest of the group at the pre departure meeting at 6pm. The rest of today and day 2 is at leisure to relax in the hotel or explore the area. You'll certainly want to visit the thundering Victoria Falls, and perhaps join in with some of the optional activities available in the area. You can enjoy a helicopter ride over the falls, or a romantic sunset cruise.

Victoria Falls - Nata region (Botswana). Leaving Zimbabwe, we cross the border into Botswana and journey for approximately six hours to the Nata region, home to the jaw-dropping Makgadikgadi salt pans. Visit the ancient lake bed during the late afternoon, and remain in the area to watch the sunset, a spectacular sight to see over the white salt flats. You may get your first glimpse of African wildlife too, with flocks of flamingos, zebra, wildebeest, and the occasional ostrich wandering onto the desolate lake bed.

Tonight we stay at a lodge located at the edge of the Nata Sanctuary, which is home to all manner of bird species including pelicans and flamingos.

Nata region - Moremi. On day 4, we drive to Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta and Moremi game reserve, the ecological gem in Botswana's crown. Here we transfer into open 4x4 vehicles and drive to our lodge on the edge of Moremi game reserve. Moremi is one of Africa's finest areas for wildlife, with flooded salt pans, forests, and sprawling plains. During our stay, we go in search of wildlife on morning and afternoon game drives in the private concession and inside Moremi which is home to all of the Big Five, plus cheetah, giraffe, hyena, and much more.

Moremi - Maun. Leaving Moremi we return to Maun, where the afternoon is free to rest at the hotel or enjoy a splash in the pool. You can also opt to take a one-hour scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (book and pay locally).

Maun - Okavango Delta. On day 7 we enjoy a scenic drive round the Okavango pan handle to our lodge in the northwest of the Okavango Delta. The following day we head out to explore the Delta by boat, mokoro and on foot. Enjoy a 30-minute boat trip up the channels of the Delta to an island where we get into mokoros (traditional canoe) to explore the lush waterways of the Okavango. Keep your eyes peeled for elephants, crocodiles and other wildlife. We return to the island for lunch and a guided game walk (subject to water levels) before returning by boat to the lodge. As well as traditional African species, the Delta is a haven for rare birdlife, so remember your binoculars!

Okavango Delta - Caprivi Strip (Namibia). Heading out of Botswana today, we cross into Namibia and journey along the narrow Caprivi Strip to our lodge, which is located at the edge of the Zambezi River floodplain. The lodge is a bird-lover's paradise, with many species attracted to the lush terrain near the river. Huge colonies of Carmine Bee-eaters dart about, whilst hippos bathe in the water and crocodiles sun themselves at the water's edge. Here we have plenty of time to relax and take in the tranquil surroundings.

Caprivi Strip - Kasane (Botswana). On day 10 we cross back into Botswana and arrive at Chobe Safari Lodge on the banks of the Chobe River. The lodge is on the edge of Chobe National Park and is also found at a point where the four countries of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe all meet! There's an optional game drive into Chobe during the afternoon.

If you didn't opt for the day 10 game drive then don't worry, the game drive on day 11 is included in our tour. Known for its large herds of elephants and a population of rare painted dogs, Chobe is one of Africa's premier wildlife destinations. Late afternoon enjoy a sunset game-viewing cruise on the Chobe River.

Kasane - Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe). Today our African adventure comes to an end. Enjoy a final breakfast at the lodge before an included transfer to either Victoria Falls Airport or Kasane International Airport for your onward journey.