15 Day Victoria Falls to Maun Small Group Adventure Tour (Accommodated)

Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

We will greet you at Victoria Falls Airport and take you to your hotel. In the afternoon, you can relax or try out one of the many activities Victoria Falls has to offer. Your predeparture meeting will take place at 18h00 this evening at the lodge with your guide and the rest of your group.

Accommodation: Shearwater Explorers Village or similar
Optional Activities: 15 Minute Helicopter, 22 Minute Helicopter, Boma Dinner Incl. Transfers,12-13 Min. Flight of Angels, 25 Minute Flight, Bungee Jump, Bridge Slide, Flying Fox (Cable Slide), Gorge Swing, Zip Line, Horse Back Safaris (Novice), Livingstone Island: Lunch Departure, Victoria Falls Bicycle Tour, Canopy Tour

Day 2 – 3: Victoria Falls – Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

The Kololo tribe refers to the Victoria Falls as ‘Mosi oa Tunya’, or “the smoke that thunders”. After breakfast, we will tour the mighty Victoria Falls.Once you have been transferred to the airport, you will fly to Kariba town. Your trip will include a relaxing two-night trip on a luxury houseboat on Lake Kariba. You will be transferred to the shore of the lake, where you will board the houseboat. Sun and storm, earth and water combined create the savage beauty of Lake Kariba, a man-made inland sea nestled in mountains.

In the afternoon, we take part in wildlife activities along the Sengwe River, followed by drinks and dinner onboard. Depending on your preference, we can go fishing, for a guided walk, or game viewing in the morning. Upon our return, brunch will be served while we cruise to Elephant Bay, where one of the islands has a sandy beach. Enjoy a beach barbecue under the starry sky while watching the sunset over the lake.

Accommodation: Sovereign Houseboat or similar
Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners
Distance: ± 389.4 km

Day 4 – 5: Victoria Falls – Chobe National Park, Botswana

Our next stop is Kariba Airport, where we take a flight to Victoria Falls. Following that, you will be taken to Kasane, the gateway to Chobe National Park. There is a large concentration of elephants in Chobe, Botswana’s second largest national park, which covers 10,566 square kilometers. Afternoons are free for optional activities or relaxing by the pool.

On the following morning, you will embark on a game drive in Chobe National Park. Upon returning to the lodge, you will have a late breakfast and relax until our boat cruise begins around 3pm. Our up-close photo opportunities here include elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a number of birds.

Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar
Included: Flight from Kariba Airport to Victoria Falls, Game Drive in Chobe National Park, Chobe Boat Cruise
Meals: 2 Breakfasts
Distance: ± 425 km

Day 6 – 7: Chobe National Park –  Hwange National Park, Botswana

In the morning, we cross the border into Zimbabwe and head to our lodge near the Hwange National Park. There will be plenty of time for game drives over the next two days in this vast wilderness. One of Africa’s finest wildlife preserves, Hwange National Park is home to elephants, buffalo, zebra, and giraffes as well as a huge concentration of elephants. A diverse birdlife can also be found there, as well as predators and endangered species. In the afternoon, you can participate in an optional game drive on the concession. During the next day’s game drive in Hwange National Park, we explore this magnificent area thoroughly.

Accommodation: Elephant’s Eye or similar
Included: Game Drive in Hwange National Park
Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Distance: ± 280 km

Day 8 – 9: Chobe National Park –  Hwange National Park, Botswana

We travel south today to the majestic Matobo Hills, a region steeped in tribal history, mythology, and dramatic rock formations. UNESCO has declared this park a World Heritage Site, and both white and black rhinoceros live there as well as the sable antelope. The area supports a large number of bird species, including black eagles, which are found in large numbers here. There is no place on earth with more rock art than this area, which was once home to the San (Bushman). On the “Hill of the Benevolent Spirit” or “World’s View” as Cecil John Rhodes named it, the Ndebele people buried their great king, Mzilikazi.

Our next day in the national park begins with an early morning hike and vehicle trip in search of rhino spoor. Following a game drive in the afternoon, we visit Rhodes’ grave and further explore the park’s wildlife and scenery

Accommodation: Shashani Matobo Hills Lodge or similar
Included: Matobo Game Drive, Rhino Tracking by vehicle and foot
Meals: 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches, 2 Dinners
Distance: ± 485 km

Day 10: Chobe National Park –  Hwange National Park, Botswana

Driving through southern Matebeleland savannas, we reach Botswana from Matobo Hills. As we proceed toward the Nata Bird Sanctuary, we will see the magnificent Sowa pan in the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. The condition of the roads and water levels, along with time constraints, may influence a visit to the pans. Our lodge is waiting for us when we arrive late in the afternoon.

Accommodation: Nata Lodge or similar
Included: Matebeleland savannas, Matobo Hills, Nata Bird Sanctuary, Makgadikgadi Pans
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: ± 375 km

Day 11: Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

We depart at a very early hour, departing for Planet Baobab near Gweta from where we embark on a journey to Ntwetwe Pan to see some of Botswana’s distinctive landscapes and encounter some of its extraordinary creatures in this extraordinary environment.

There are two main pans in the Makgadikgadi Pans, the Ntwetwe Pan being one of them. It is among the largest saltpans on earth. The Boteti River fed the pan until the Mopipi Dam was constructed, providing water for the Orapa diamond mines. Despite the return of the river, Ntwetwe is now famed for its lunar landscape, which includes rocky outcrops, dunes, islets, and channels. The Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats, are found in the area, along with bat eared foxes, springbuck, and kori bustards. Observe how these highly social, highly adapted animals interact with each other and the environment by spending quality time with them. The habituation programme allows close encounters with these fascinating creatures. Experience modern African village culture after lunch in a nearby village. Learn about the history and traditions of the Batswana people from a local guide whose knowledge has been inherited from their forefathers. Meet children at Sekolo’s outdoor classes, visit the Kgotla – the traditional court that governs the village, and see rural Botswana life at its best. The guide explains the local ecology, geology, and the history of the baobab grove to us in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Planet Baobab or similar
Included: Planet Baobab – Ntwetwe Pan Excursion
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Distance: ± 200 km

Day 12: Maun, Botswana

As our journey continues, we are heading to Maun, a bustling safari town at the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Maun means “the place of short reeds” in San and is the origin of Maun’s name. It’s up to you to decide what you want to do in the afternoon, whether you want to relax next to the lodge’s pool or take a scenic flight over the delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly glorious oasis.

Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge or similar
Included: Okavango Delta
Optional Activities: Scenic Flight over the Delta (5 or 6 passengers), Scenic Helicopter Flight from Boro (22 min, 3 seater)**, Scenic Helicopter Flight (45 min, 3 seater), Scenic Helicopter Flight (60 min, 3 seats), Scenic Helicopter Flight (45 min, 4 seater), Scenic Helicopter Flight (60 min, 4 seater), ** The 22 min flight is available from the mokoro station at Boro only. It is advisable to book this for the same day as the mokoro excursion.
Meals: Breakfast
Distance: ± 225 km

Day 13 – 14: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

The mokoro station is the next stop after breakfast. The Okavango Delta is full of birds and wildlife and we will explore them in dug-out canoes. Deltas usually flow into the coast, but this one flows into the Kalahari Desert. Following lunch at our camp, we explore the Greater Moremi area on foot before making our way to our campsite in a private concession. On our night game drive in the concession, we will spot some nocturnal animals that are difficult to spot during the day. We will enjoy dinner at camp before going for a night game drive in the concession. We visit the famous Moremi Game Reserve the next day, one of Africa’s most beautiful and diverse reserves with a concentration of wildlife unmatched anywhere else in the world. The Moremi Game Reserve offers an unspoiled environment for the entire day.

Accommodation: Mankwe Tented Retreat or similar
Included: Mokoro Experience, Night game Drive, Full day in Moremi Game Reserve
Meals: 2 Breakfasts
Distance: ± 80 km

Day 15: Maun, Botswana

After breakfast, our safari comes to an end. In time for your departure flight, you will be transferred to Maun Airport. We look forward to welcoming you back one day on another African adventure! Should you wish to spend another night in Maun, then please speak to your consultant for further information.

Meals: Breakfast

Onward Travel Plans

Due to circumstances beyond our control while on tour (such as border crossings, traffic, breakdowns and delays, etc), the end time on the last day cannot be guaranteed. Therefore we strongly recommend you stay the night and fly out the next day. Please consult with your booking consultant.