Overview
This trip has been completely hand crafted to take in the best that Southern Africa has to offer.
When asked for the top destinations in Africa to see amazing wildlife, Botswana is usually near, or at the top of, any list.
With over 40% of the country reserved for conservation and with dramatic meetings of desert and water, it is a haven for wildlife. Home to almost 70% of the continent’s remaining elephants, it is also a home for iconic animals like lion, leopard, giraffe, hippopotamus, hyena and more. In fact, it’s easier to point out what animals don’t live in Botswana’s reserves and national parks, of which there are very few.
This trip explores a few of Botswana’s most diverse and most incredible landscapes. As you travel you will witness how the water rejuvenates and provides life to all areas, and gives the wildlife opportunities to live, breed and survive all environments. It carves channels through sand, brings green to salt pans and provides dramatic migratory routes for all sorts of species.Next head to Victoria Falls, one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the world, before commencing your Zambia adventure.
Firstly you will head to the Lower Zambezi National Park, a great spot with the beautiful scenery of the escarpment, the river view from camp and the variety of land and water safari activities. Finally head further north to the South Luangwa National Park, a crown jewel of Zambia and one of the famed parks of Africa. Time on safari is always appreciated, and especially somewhere like this.It’s a truly remarkable itinerary.
Expedition Itinerary
Arrive in Kasane, Botswana where you will be met and transferred to your lodge, deep in the national park.
Kasane lies in Northern Botswana, close to the renowned Chobe National Park and Chobe River and offers great flexibility in terms of activities.
An ideal day on safari may start with a morning boat trip for some exciting sightings of hippos, crocs and ‘ellies, as well as other big game drawn to the water’s edge. During the midday heat, it’s best to spend some time back at camp resting and, in the late afternoon, head out again when the animals become active. An afternoon open-vehicle game drive is a terrific way to explore the region, possibly stopping for sundowners to appreciate the vistas.
Overnight: Chobe Game Lodge – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
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 mid-afternoon. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, making for excellent up-close photo opportunities.
Overnight: Chobe Game Lodge – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Enjoy the diversity of the region’s abundant wildlife on guided game drives and take in the beauty of the famous Chobe River on a boat safari while witnessing massive herds of animals and prolific birdlife along the riverfront.
Overnight: Chobe Game Lodge – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today you will return to Kasane airport and board a light aircraft and fly deep into the heart of Selinda. This pocket of the world features some of the best safari action in Africa, and is a real treat to escape the world into a wilder life.
Upon arriving at Selinda Camp, during your safari in Botswana, two giant elephant sculptures greet you, encouraging you to understand your identity, forgive past mistakes, and redefine your future, all guided by elephants.
Enjoy following lion prides and, of course, the regularly seen herds of elephants as they visit this paradise on your safari in Botswana.
Overnight: Selinda Camp – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today is a day of adventure and excitement, in one of the most wildlife rich areas of Africa.
Selinda Camp is handmade in so many ways and a ‘must-stay at safari camp’ when on your safari in Botswana. This luxury safari camp is set in one of the most pristine wilderness areas left on our planet: the banks of Botswana’s Selinda Spillway as it enters the Linyanti River. This area has a sense of remoteness—a true spirit of Africa. Moulded around the trees, Selinda Camp visualises five essential elements: Earth, Wind, Water, Fire and Metal. As a result, Selinda Camp has a perfectly natural sense of place and balance.
Overnight: Selinda Camp – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Who knows what you will see today?
These safari viewing experiences are designed to put you in front of the best wildlife the area offers. Access to the full extent of the Selinda Reserve private concession gives guests the unique ability to experience a wide variety of wildlife experiences and habitat areas. With the permanent waterways that exist, this area is a wildlife magnet throughout the year. It promises to delight guests with the variety of wildlife that is available to be enjoyed.
These one-on-one life-changing safari viewing experiences include sightings of leopards, elephants and hippos. Guests can also expect to tick off as many of the 200 or more bird species when on this luxury safari in Botswana.
Overnight: Selinda Camp – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
This morning you will take a helicopter transfer deep into the Delta.
If this area reminds you of a National Geographic documentary, it was because the lodge was created by two explorers who work as filmmakers for the brand. Their films feature many of the wildlife families that call this region home.
Sitatunga Private Island is deep within Botswana’s Okavango Delta and, as such, is rich in birding. Head out on a boat to view elephants, crocodiles, and hippos all day, every day. Not only is it a private island, but it is also one of the few locations where one can still see these rare aquatic antelope which can be seen from camp and by boat, which is the main activity in addition to guided walking.
Overnight: Sitatunga Private Island Camp – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Time on safari in wild Africa. Crocodiles and hippos are never far away, calling the deep reed bed lined channels of one of the greatest rivers on Earth home. Elephants, antelope and the occasional predator also come onto the island to investigate who may be visiting at the time.
Overnight: Sitatunga Private Island Camp – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Sitatunga Private Island’s unique water-based setting allows for guests to immerse themselves in learning, and experiencing, a deeper appreciation of Botswana’s famous waterways. Aquatically adapted wildlife can be viewed with a new perspective from motorised boat on the lagoons and river or on a poled mokoro in smaller waterways (when water levels allow). There is also the opportunity to experience guided walks and tag-and-release fishing is available from March to December each year.
Overnight: Sitatunga Private Island Camp – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
This morning you will head back to the airstrip and take a light aircraft to Kasane. You will then be met and transferred by private vehicle to Matetsi River Lodge, your home for the next few days.
Matetsi offers the ideal combination of safari, river, Victoria Falls and relaxation all wrapped up in warm genuine Zimbabwean hospitality. Set on the vast 136,000-acre Matetsi Private Game Reserve, Matetsi Victoria Falls offers a truly exclusive safari experience.
Overnight: Matetsi River Lodge – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Wake up to the banks of the mighty Zambezi river. You have a range of activities to enjoy in this area. This includes a trip to Victoria Falls (of course!), but also sunrise and sunset boat trips on the Zambezi, game drives in the reserve, fishing and more. There aren’t enough hours in the day really!
Overnight: Matetsi River Lodge – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today you will be taken across the border into Zambia, from where you will fly north into Lusaka and on towards Royal airstrip in the Lower Zambezi region.
From here you will be met and taken to your accommodation in the Lower Zambezi region. Your camp is situated on the confluence of two mighty rivers with exceptional wildlife sightings, birdlife and immersive safari experiences.
Overnight: Chongwe Camp – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
The small number of camps in Lower Zambezi National Park keep it free from overcrowding. The area is best known for its impressive variety of safari activities – enjoy drives to walking safaris, or take to the rivers on a boat cruise or canoeing safari, or try your hand at tiger fishing.
On your second day, take in the game drives, explore the riverbanks, or walk beneath the trees along ancient animal corridors, following in the footsteps of giants.
Overnight: Chongwe Camp – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today you will say goodbye to the animals and be transferred back to the Royal airstrip for your flight to Mfuwe airport, South Luangwa National Park where you will be met and taken to your lodge.
South Luangwa is less known to the general public, but spoken of with reverence amongst frequent Africa travellers. Wild, rugged and without pretence, this is Africa as early explorers saw it. Cat rich and full of life, this is one of the most exciting destinations in Africa.
Your camp makes a great base for exploring by vehicle and on foot, with a resident lion pride, a seasonal colony of jewel-like carmine bee-eaters and the most sightings of leopards in a single drive every year.
Overnight: Kakuli Camp – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today you will head out on some game drives and enjoy the area. You might see the Luangwa leopard, the puku, or any of the other animals that frequent this wild area.
Tonight you will have experience a sleep-out under the African stars.
Overnight: Kakuli Sleep Out – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today you will be transferred to your final camp in the South Luangwa National Park, this will be the icing on the cake!
Experience the ultimate in wild luxury at Zambia’s premier safari camp. This is one of the most game-rich areas of South Luangwa National Park. You will have time on safari, or perhaps go out on a walk. After all, South Luangwa is where the walking safari was ‘born’.
On your last day, take a boat across the river with our experienced guides for a game drive, safari walk or boat cruise (seasonal) to catch sight of lions, leopards and other predator action.
Overnight: Chinzombo – Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Today you will sadly come to the end of your journey. You will be transferred back to Mfuwe airport and flown back Lusaka, from where you can begin your journey home.
Exploration Costs
AUD$73,658 per person per person (based on 2 adults sharing)
The Details
Botswana inclusions:
- All accommodation as listed above
- All meals on safari
- Local brand drinks, soft drinks, beer and wine included
- Light aircraft flights included in Botswana between Kasane / Selinda and Okavango Delta / Kasane
- Helicopter Transfer between Selinda Camp and Sitatunga Private Island Camp
- All transfers between airport, hotels and game lodges
- Private transfer from Kasane, Botswana to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
- Selinda Camp inclusions: safari drives, guided walks, power boating, canoe and mokoro activities (water level dependent) and complimentary use of high quality binoculars and a professional camera body and lens kit
- Sitatunga Private Island Camp inclusions: walking, boating and mokoro activities (water level dependent)
- National Park fees, Conservation & Community Levies in Botswana
- Laundry
Zimbabwe inclusions:
- All accommodation as listed above
- All meals on safari
- Local brand drinks, soft drinks, beer and wine included
- Scheduled Tour of the Falls once per stay (includes Rainforest entrance fees and transfers)
- Matetsi River Lodge inclusions: Two safari activities daily. Activities include morning and afternoon game drives & safari walks, a sunrise or sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River, birdwatching and Amateur fishing
- Private transfer from Matetsi to Livingstone Airport, Zambia
- Conservation & Community Levy
Zambia inclusions:
- All accommodation as listed above
- All meals on safari
- Local brand drinks, soft drinks, beer and wine included
- Light aircraft flights included in Zambia between Livingstone / Lusaka / Royal airstrip / Mfuwe Airport / Lusaka
- Transfers throughout
- Chongwe Camp inclusions: Private vehicle and guide, 20 minute welcome massage. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, cultural visits, canoeing, boat cruises and fishing. Maximum 6 guests per game drive
- Kakuli Camp inclusions: Two scheduled safari activities per day. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, seasonal boating and cultural visits. Max 6 guests per game drive vehicle. Sleep Out experience
- Chinzombo inclusions: Two scheduled safari activities per day, 20 minute welcome massage. Activities include game drives, walking safaris, seasonal boating and cultural visits. Max 6 guests per game drive vehicle.
- All national park fees
- Laundry
- International flights and airport taxes
- Any meals not included in the above itinerary
- All beverages, unless specified
- Any entrance fees and excursions not included in the above itinerary
- Laundry, unless specified
- Comprehensive travel insurance (required)
- Items of personal nature (telephone expenses, curios, medicines etc)
- Tips and gratuities
- Visa fees
