15 Day Botswana & Zimbabwe Encounter

Day 1 – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

On arrival into Victoria Falls Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available in Victoria Falls. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of your group at the lodge at 18h00 for your pre-departure meeting.

Accommodation Facilities: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant

Opcional Activities in Victoria Falls

Below is a list of some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Victoria Falls. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment.  The rates are per person and are quoted in US Dollars. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate. Certain activities only operate at specific times of the year. Please contact our reservation office for further information.  Should you wish to partake in an activity that is not listed below, we will gladly assist you with rates and reservations.

• 15 Minute Helicopter Flight
• Flying Fox (Cable Slide)
• 22 Minute Helicopter Flight
• Gorge Swing
• Boma Dinner incl. transfers
• Zip Line
• Guided Tour of the Victoria Falls
• Horse Back Safaris (novice)
• Dinner Cruise
• Canoeing (full day)
• Bungee Jump
• Rafting (full day, low water)
• Bridge Swing
• Rafting (full day, high water)
• Bridge Slide
• Batoka Gorge Hike and Ndebele Village Tour
• Historical Bridge Tour
• Traditional Village Tour
• Canopy Tour

Day 2 – Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park, Botswana

After breakfast your guide will take you on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya – “the smoke that thunders”. We then travel to Kasane in Botswana, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephant found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool.

Distance: 100 km

Departure: 08h00

Accommodation Facilities: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant

Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 – Chobe National Park, Botswana

Start your morning with a hopefully spectacular game drive in Chobe National Park. You will return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relaxation until our boat cruise on the Chobe River starts around 3pm. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, making for excellent up close photo opportunities.

Accommodation Facilities: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 / 5 – Chobe, Botswana to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

This morning we make our way across the border into Zimbabwe and to our lodge situated in a private concession near Hwange National Park. Over the following two days, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on game drives. Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s finest havens for wildlife and is home to great herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife.

On arrival, we will visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to witness the work that is done to protect this endangered species. If time allows, you can partake in an optional game drive on the concession in the afternoon. The whole of the next day is spent exploring this magnificent area on a full day game drive in Hwange National Park.

Distance: 280 km

Departure: 08h00

Accommodation Facilities: Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar area

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6 / 7 – Lake Kariba, Zimbabwe

Today we head off to Binga located on the south eastern shore of Lake Kariba, where we will board a luxury houseboat for a relaxing two-night trip. Nested in mountains, Lake Kariba is a man-made inland sea guarded by enormous reserves of game and made beautiful and savage by sun and storm, earth and water.

Our voyage takes us to the Sengwe River for afternoon wildlife activities and sunset, followed by drinks and dinner on board.  In the morning we set out early for some leisurely fishing, guided walks or game viewing depending on your preference. When we return, brunch will be served whilst cruising to Elephant Bay where we will moor at one of the islands with a sandy beach. Watch the sunset over lake, relaxing around a camp fire and enjoying a beach barbecue under the starry sky.

Distance: 185 km

Departure:  07h00

Accommodation Facilities: Cabins with en-suite bathrooms, plunge pool & dining room area

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 8 / 9 – Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe

We end our houseboat experience with some morning game viewing activities on Lake Kariba and cruise back to Binga where our voyage started. After disembarking we travel southwards to the majestic Matobo Hills, an area of exquisite beauty, steeped in tribal history, ancient mystery and dramatic rock landscapes. The national park has been given UNESCO World Heritage status and is home to both white and black rhinoceros, sable antelope and the world’s densest population of leopard. Birdlife is prolific and includes the highest concentration of black eagles in the world. Once the home of the San (Bushman), this area contains the richest source of the rock art found anywhere. Not only is it here that the Ndebele people buried their great king, Mzilikazi, but Cecil John Rhodes was also laid to rest on the “Hill of the Benevolent Spirit” or “World’s View” as named by him.

We spend the next day in the national park, starting our morning with tracking rhino spoor by vehicle and foot. In the afternoon we further explore the scenery and wildlife of the park on game drives, ending with a visit to Rhodes’ grave.

Distance: 485 km

Departure:  08h00

Accommodation Facilities: Rooms with en-suite bathrooms, restaurant, bar, & swimming pool

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 10 – Matobo Hills, Zimbabwe to Nata, Botswana

We leave Matobo Hills and drive through the savannas of southern Matebeleland en-route to Botswana. In the afternoon we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary, where we will have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans. (Please note a visit to the pans is subject to the road conditions and water levels as well as time constraints.) We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon.

Distance: 375 km

Departure:  06h00

Accommodation Facilities:  Permanent safari tents with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 11 – Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

A very early morning departure leads us to Planet Baobab near Gweta, from where we embark on an expedition to Ntwetwe Pan to encounter some of Botswana’s distinctive landscapes and extraordinary creatures.

Ntwetwe Excursion:

The Ntwetwe Pan is one of the two major pans that make up the Makgadikgadi Pans, and is amongst the largest saltpans in the world. The pan was fed by the Boteti River until it was left permanently dry following the construction of the Mopipi Dam, which provides water for the diamond mines in Orapa. The waters may have returned to the river but Ntwetwe is now famous for its extraordinary lunar landscape, particularly the rocky outcrops, dunes, islets, and channels found along the western shore. We explore the area, in search of uniquely adapted desert species such as bat eared foxes, springbuck, kori bustards, and some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats. By spending quality time with these incredibly social, superbly adapted animals, you will be able to see how they interact with each other and their environment. Due to an ongoing habituation programme it’s possible to get up-close and personal with these captivating creatures.

After lunch we have the opportunity to explore a nearby village to experience modern African village culture. Learn about the history and traditions of the Botswana people from a local guide whose knowledge has been inherited from their forefathers. Visit the local primary school, ‘Sekolo’ with its outdoor classes and meet the children, visit the Kgotla – a traditional court that governs the village and get a glimpse of rural Botswana life.

In the late afternoon we take a stroll with our guide through an impressive baobab grove, as he explains the local ecology, geology and the unique biology of the baobabs, which are in fact not trees but the largest succulents in the world.

Distance: 200 km

Departure: 05h00

Accommodation Facilities: Bakalanga huts with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 12 – Maun, Botswana

Today we travel to Maun, a bustling safari town which serves as the gateway to the Okavango Delta. The name Maun is derived from the San word “maung”, which means “the place of short reeds”. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, either relaxing next to the pool at the lodge or if you are keen for some excitement, why not book an optional scenic flight over the delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and truly glorious oasis.

Distance: 225 km

Departure:  07h00

Accommodation Facilities: Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Optional Activities in Maun

Below is a list of some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Maun. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. The rates are per person or per flight and are quoted in Botswana Pula or US Dollar. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate. Please contact our reservation office for further information. Should you wish to partake in an activity that is not listed below, we will gladly assist you with rates and reservations.

• 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.

Day 13 – Greater Moremi Area, Botswana

After breakfast we take a drive to the mokoro station. From here, we will float in dug-out canoes through the thick vegetation of the Okavango Delta discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without ever reaching the coast. After this spectacular excursion and lunch, we make our way to our camp, which is situated in a private concession in the Greater Moremi area. After settling into our camp, we will enjoy dinner and embark on a night game drive in the concession – a fantastic opportunity to spot some nocturnal animals that are more difficult to encounter during the day.

Distance: 150 km

Departure: 07h00

Accommodation Facilities: Semi-permanent tented camp with en-suite bathrooms

Please note that there is no electricity at the camp.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 14 – Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

Today we head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.

Distance: 150 km

Departure: 07h00

Accommodation Facilities: Semi-permanent tented camp with en-suite bathrooms

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 15 – End of Tour

Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Maun Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures!

Meals: Breakfast

DEPARTURE:

The 15 Day Botswana & Zimbabwe Encounter departs from Victoria Falls.

Please note that the daily departure times are a guideline only and are subject to change due to seasonal variations, as well as unforeseen circumstances. The final decision rests with your guide who will advise you at what time you will be departing each day.

In the evening of day 1, there will be a meeting presented by your guide, at 18h00, at your lodge. It is imperative that all clients attend this meeting so as not to miss out on any critical information.

Whilst it is our every intention to adhere to the above mentioned itinerary, there may on occasion be a necessity to make alterations in order to make the tour more enjoyable or practical. Therefore please treat the itinerary as a guide only.

TRANSPORT:

Planet Africa uses fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, Sprinters, 12-seater 4×4 safari vehicles or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, a music and PA system and air-conditioning to be determined by the company. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle, trailer or roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle. For transfers between Victoria Falls and Hwange (or vice versa), 2×4 vehicles may be utilised.

TRAVELLING TIMES AND DISTANCES:

All travelling times are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a lot of distance to be covered. Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100 km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer. Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your travelling comfort at all times.

ACCOMMODATION:

We make use of mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest. The accommodation will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps with en-suite bathrooms. All of them have a private bathroom with a shower or bath and a toilet. Some properties are equipped with swimming pools and/or bar areas.

MEALS:

Where included most breakfasts and dinners will be enjoyed in the restaurants of the various accommodation establishments, however on certain nights the guide will provide an authentic meal for the group, which will be enjoyed together in the evening, often around a camp fire. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.

VISAS:

The onus is on the client to organise all visas required to visit Botswana and Zimbabwe prior to departure. Kindly remember that clients would require a multiple entry visa for Botswana and Zimbabwe should they partake in the Intimate Botswana and Zimbabwe Encounter guided group safari. Travellers entering Botswana will be required to present a valid international health certificate of vaccination for yellow fever should they originate from or have travelled through countries which have been declared yellow fever infected areas within the preceding 6 months.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

All insurance is solely the responsibility of our guests. Please ensure you arrange your own insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc. Please speak to your travel agent if you require assistance.