Botswana Highlights Tour by Intrepid Travel

9 daysDuration

Small Group TourUsually 8-12 participants, maximum 18 travelers

16 peopleMaximum group size

15 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Ends

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Highlights

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 Intrepid 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.

Itinerary

From thundering waterfalls to endless salt pans, the "Botswana Highlights" tour delivers a wildlife spectacle across Southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes. Starting and concluding in Victoria Falls, this 9-day moderate activity trip weaves through the elephant-filled plains of Chobe National Park, the Okavango Delta’s labyrinthine waterways, and Namibia’s Caprivi Strip before looping back to Zimbabwe.

Encounter herds of elephants at a lodge overlooking a busy watering hole, paddle a traditional mokoro canoe through the Okavango’s serene delta, and witness flamingos turning the soda lakes of Manyara pink. The adventure continues as you traverse the world’s largest salt pans and explore the vibrant cultures that call this region home.

This wildlife tour package’s unique selling point is its seamless combination of diverse ecosystems, close-up wildlife viewing, and cultural immersion—offering seasoned travelers the ultimate Southern African safari experience in just over a week. With accommodation, meals, and transport included, you’re free to focus on the wild wonders unfolding before you.

day 1 - Victoria Falls

Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your adventure begins in Victoria Falls with a welcome meeting at 6 pm tonight. If you arrive early, and it’s recommended that you do, check out some of the optional activities around Victoria Falls. The Zimbabwe side of the falls offers the broadest view of this colossal natural wonder. Scenic helicopter flights are incredible – if you opt for one, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only operator Intrepid endorses. After the welcome meeting, why not get to know your fellow travellers over a group dinner.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

day 2 - Elephant Sands

This morning, you’ll leave Victoria Falls behind and head to Elephant Sands via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – one of the projects The Intrepid Foundation supports. Here you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. Then, travel across the Kazungula border into Botswana and make your way to your accommodation in Elephant Sands. Located in a private concession bordering on the Chobe Forest Reserve, the watering hole at Elephant Sands lodge attracts herds of elephants and other wildlife in season. You'll take a guided bush walk through the unfenced 16,000 ha private conservancy, which is home to a variety of wildlife. You may even spot some of Africa's lesser-known 'Little Five' species! Tonight, maybe soak up the sounds of the wilderness with a glass of wine as your overlook the waterhole, keeping an eye out for the roaming animals.

included:Nata - Elephant Sands Bush Walk, Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visit

accommodation:Basic Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 3 - Maun

After breakfast, drive to Maun – a bustling town on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Arriving here in the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to take in this UNESCO World Heritage site from above on a scenic flight in a helicopter flight (an optional activity that your trip leader can help you arrange). Tonight's accommodation is in a comfortable hotel situated on the town's outskirts.

accommodation:Hotel (1 night)

meals:1 Breakfast

day 4 - Okavango Delta Pan Handle

Leaving Maun after breakfast, make your way further to the northwestern part of the Okavango Delta, admiring the scenery along the way. Meet your 4WD transfer for the last 12 km and watch the scenery pass you by. When you arrive, settle into the lodge where you’ll be spending the next two nights, located on the edge of the Guma Lagoon.

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 5 - Okavango Delta Pan Handle

Today, you'll hop into mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) for a water-level exploration of the delta. Paddling through papyrus and reed beds to lily-covered lagoons and islands, keep an eye out for elephants, antelope, warthogs, and other wildlife. Afterward, enjoy a short bushwalk on one of the islands before returning to the lodge for a delicious lunch. Spend the afternoon at leisure, relaxing by the pool, and finish the day with a sunset view over the lagoon.

included:Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari, Okavango Delta - Nature walk

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

day 6 - Caprivi

After breakfast, take the 4WD transfer back to the vehicle and make your way to the Namibian border. The drive to tonight's camp on the Caprivi banks of the Okavango River, involves passing through the Mahango Game Reserve – keep your eyes peeled for the surrounding wildlife on the drive, like elephants and buffalo.

included:Caprivi - Sunset River Cruise

accommodation:Basic Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast, 1 Dinner

day 7 - Chobe National Park

Continue the journey along the Caprivi Strip, located in the newly formed Kavango-Zambezi Trans frontier park. After crossing the border back into Botswana you’ll arrive at Kasane – a town surrounded by the Chobe National Park. Taking its name from the river which marks the border between Namibia and Botswana, Chobe boasts the largest population of elephants in Africa, plus an abundance of birdlife, pods of wallowing hippos and more. Check out Kasane town, or maybe take a dip in the lodge pool, sit by the open outdoor fire or simply watch the setting sun change the colours of the sky above the Chobe River.

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast

day 8 - Chobe National Park

Take the opportunity to wake up early and enjoy an optional dawn game drive in Chobe National Park, where you may see elephants drinking at the waters' edge, large herds of cape buffaloes and many impala within the park. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Later in the afternoon you’ll head out on a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. At the right time of year, the river is frequented by large families of elephants crossing the banks, drinking and playing in the water. It's also ideal for spotting bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters, as well as hippos and crocodiles. Why not grab a sundowner from the small bar onboard, then sit back and watch the sunset over the river – a perfect way to end the day.

included:Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive

accommodation:Lodge

meals:1 Breakfast

day 9 - Victoria Falls

Enjoy breakfast at the lodge before heading to the Zimbabwean border. After completing the border formalities, drive the remaining distance to Victoria Falls. Your adventure ends when you arrive, at approximately 11 am, and no accommodation is included tonight. If you’d like to extend your stay in Victoria Falls, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time. Those staying longer can visit the falls and choose from various activities and excursions, including white water rafting and canoeing.

meals:1 Breakfast

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Lodge (4 nights), Basic Lodge (2 night)

Meals

8 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 4 Dinners

Transport

Private Vehicle, Boat, Mokoro

Guide

An expert tour leader

Included Activities

Nata - Elephant Sands Bush WalkVictoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (The Intrepid Foundation partner) visitOkavango Delta - Mokoro SafariOkavango Delta - Nature walkCaprivi - Sunset River CruiseChobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive

What's Excluded

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