Local transport on the Okavango River | Peter Walton

Observe the gentle rhinoceros on a wildlife safari

Victoria Falls at high water

Wildlife viewing in Chobe River | Peter Walton

Catching a hippo yawning on a game reserve

A predator startles its prey | Jez Hollinshead

Tree climbing lion relaxing in Zimbabwe | Peter Walton

The stunning wildlife rolling around the Okavango River | Peter Walton

Botswana and Zimbabwe Explorer

An epic Southern Africa safari circuit linking Kruger, Hwange, Chobe and the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.

Zimbabwe, Botswana

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13 reviews

16 Days from

$3690 USD

Trip Code: BZX

View dates to Book

Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement 2026

$920 USD

Duration

16 Days

Activities

Wildlife Safari

Accommodation

15 nights accommodation in comfortable guest houses, chalets, lodges or permanent tented camps on a twinshare basis

Meals

9 Dinners
13 Lunches
15 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint

66kg of CO₂-e PP per day

(988kg of CO₂-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

Search for the Big Five in South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park
Explore Hwange and Chobe National Parks, renowned for vast elephant herds, combining game drives with a sunset cruise along the Chobe River
Step back in time at the UNESCO-listed Great Zimbabwe, the largest ancient stone city in sub-Saharan Africa
Journey by traditional mokoro into the Okavango Delta, camping on a Delta island, experiencing the wetland ecosystem up close
Track rhino on foot and discover ancient San rock art in Zimbabwe’s Matobo Hills, where dramatic granite domes shelter centuries-old paintings

Overview

Botswana and Zimbabwe Explorer is a far-reaching Southern Africa safari through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, linking iconic wildlife parks including Kruger, Hwange and Chobe National Parks, the Okavango Delta and the ancient stone city of Great Zimbabwe in one rewarding circuit.

Starting and returning to Johannesburg, the journey explores Kruger National Park in search of the Big Five before crossing into Zimbabwe to visit the UNESCO-listed Great Zimbabwe and the granite landscapes of Matobo Hills, where rhino and ancient San rock art can be found. In Hwange National Park, vast elephant herds roam open grasslands, followed by time at Victoria Falls, one of the world’s great natural wonders. Entering Botswana, the safari continues with a Chobe River cruise, the stark beauty of the Makgadikgadi Pans, and a mokoro journey into the waterways of the Okavango Delta.

Combining camping, simple lodges and hotels, the journey offers an authentic Southern Africa safari at exceptional value.

Itinerary

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Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head into the world famous Kruger National Park. We visit the northern part of the park. We enjoy an afternoon game drive in our safari vehicle and hope to spot lion, elephant, rhino and other animals in this icon of wildlife conservation. Overnight in basic Kruger National Park chalets. Drive:580kms/8 hrs

Meals: L,D

Kruger National Park is the largest game reserve in South Africa stretches north to south over approximately 500km and is home to the Big Five, as well as numerous other species of fauna and flora. The largest game reserve in South Africa boasts the world's greatest concentration of species, and has an amazing 16 different ecosystems. Exciting game drives provide us with excellent game viewing. Spot the “Big 5” (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) and many other animals in this true African wilderness. This morning we wake early and game drive north through the park. Northern Kruger is dominated by mopane veld and is the domain of large elephant bulls, wild dogs and lions. We overnight in the far northern section of the park and enjoy the sounds of the wild for another night. Overnight in Kruger National Park Chalets Drive 250km/ 6.5 hrs

Meals: B,L,D

Entering Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post, we travel north to our overnight stop. We visit the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its massive curving walls (some 11m high), constructed from millions of granite blocks fitted together without mortar, remain the largest ancient stone structure in sub Saharan Africa, and were built during the 11th to 14th centuries. The city had an estimated 18,000 inhabitants and archaeological artefacts including Chinese pottery shards and coins from Arabia suggest a vast trading network. We explore these ancient stone structures on an informative walk with a local guide. Overnight hotel. Drive: 450 km/6.5 hrs plus border crossing

Meals: B,L,D

Travelling via the city of Bulawayo we move on to the Matobo National Park and our chalets on the outskirts of the park. This afternoon we enjoy sundowners from the granite ridge overlooking the park. The following morning we visit World’s View and the historical site of Cecil John Rhodes’ grave. Unusual rock formations are home to an array of ancient bushman paintings which we visit while on our game drive and walk. This area is also home to Zimbabwe’s rhino which we hope to see on our excursion in the national park. Overnight chalets. Drive:360 km/5 hrs

Meals: B,L,D

Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest Park in Zimbabwe occupying roughly 14,650 square kilometres and is located in the north-west corner of the country. It is famed for its large elephant population. Our chalets are in the game management area that borders the park, and we explore the park with our local guide, on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle. Overnight chalets. Drive: 340km/5 hrs

Meals: B,L,D

We spend 2 nights in the town of Victoria Falls. We enjoy a spectacular walk through tropical vegetation to the very edge of the “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” - Victoria Falls. There are opportunities to participate in various optional activities (at own expense). NOTE - It is possible to finish the tour on Day 10 in Victoria Falls - ask us for costs and details. Overnight hotel. Drive: 200km/3 hrs

Meals: B

Entering Botswana, we head to the town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River. The river flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. A highlight of any trip to the Chobe is the afternoon game viewing cruise where we hope to see a large number of elephants and other wildlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day. Overnight private tented camp with views of Chobe River. Drive: 85km/1 hr plus border crossing

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we venture into the Chobe National Park for a game drive. Heading south through the Kasane Forest Reserve we make our way to the Nata area for our overnight stop. In the late afternoon, we head to Nata Sanctuary to watch the sunset and take in the vast views of the Makgadikgadi Pans. During the dry season, the pans stretch out as endless white plains, while the summer rains transform them into shallow lakes teeming with flamingos, pelicans, and migrating herds. Overnight tented lodge. Drive: 340km/4.5 hrs

Meals: B,L

We transfer into the Okavango Delta by open 4WD game viewing vehicle. Our local guides will take us deep into the heart of the Okavango Delta on mokoro (dugout canoes). Being gently poled through the network of channels is an experience not to be missed. The Delta forms as rain water from the Angolan highlands flows out over the flat Kalahari Desert sands, forming a delicate, green oasis for birds and wildlife. We will camp wild on remote islands in this amazingly dynamic environment and enjoy bush walks, bird watching & swimming in the clear waters. Camping with our local guides we learn more about their lifestyle & culture. We return to Maun in the late afternoon of day 14 and have time for an optional game flight over the Okavango (at your own expense, +/- USD95-120pp depending on number of people in each aircraft), which will reveal a different aspect of the Delta. NOTE - It is possible to finish the tour on Day 15 in Maun - ask us for costs and details. Overnight for 2 nights in basic tented camp in the Okavango with twin camp beds and linen, en suite chemical toilet, and shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire; and 1 night chalet in Maun. Drive: 340km/4.5 hrs + 2 hr 4WD transfer into the Delta, each way.

Meals: B,L

Heading south from Maun, we drive through the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert. As we make our way along the route, we may encounter small herds of zebras grazing among cattle near remote villages. As we near Goo-Moremi, the Tswapong Hills come into view on the horizon. This protected conservation area is home to endangered Cape Vultures, which nest on the gorge cliffs above the ancestral waterfalls of Goo-Moremi Gorge. If time allows, we’ll take a guided afternoon walk to stretch our legs. Overnight in basic chalets with shared bathroom facilities. Drive: 665km/8.5 hrs

Meals: B,L,D

Crossing back into South Africa, we make our way to Johannesburg where the trip concludes at approximately 18:00. Please note: we can do a free drop off at OR Tambo Johannesburg Airport at around 17:00pm so you can book your flight out for the last day of the tour. Drive: 515km/6.5 hrs plus border crossing

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

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What's included?

Included

15 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 11 dinners
15 nights accommodation in comfortable guest houses, chalets, lodges or permanent tented camps on a twinshare basis
English speaking local guide
Private transport in minibus / safari truck
Game drives, day walks and excursions as listed in itinerary
National park fees and site entrance fees as listed in itinerary

Not included

Local cash payment of US$300 per person payable to the tour guide on day 1
Flights
Visas
Travel Insurance (compulsory)
Airport arrival and departure transfers
Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
Bottled water and alcoholic drinks
Entrance to Victoria Falls
Optional activities
Tips