Compare African Safari: A Close-up on Wildlife by Road Scholar vs Botswana Wildlife Safari by Explore!

Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Day 2
Arrive Johannesburg, Check-in, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Johannesburg D Courtyard Hotel Eastgate
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 2:00 pm

Afternoon: Check in at the hotel and relax before the welcome dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel, enjoy a buffet welcome dinner including a starter and entrée with side dish; a welcome drink, bottled water, coffee and tea are provided.

Evening: Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. We have set aside free time in the schedule for your personal independent exploration. Please note that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. We are fortunate to have as our Group Leader a knowledgeable expert who will also serve as our primary lecturer for most of the program. Continue getting to know your fellow participants, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

Day 3
Apartheid Museum, Liliesleaf Farm
Johannesburg B,L,D Courtyard Hotel Eastgate
Activity note: Drive time to the Apartheid Museum is approximately 30 minutes; to Liliesleaf Farm is approximately 1 hour. Drive time is traffic-dependent.

Breakfast: Taken at the hotel, breakfast will be an expansive buffet featuring a variety of cold cereals, fresh fruit, cold meats and cheeses, pastries and hot items such as bacon, sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms. Omelettes, eggs and waffles can be cooked on demand. Fruit juices, coffee, tea and water provided.

Morning: Boarding our motorcoach, we will transfer to the southern edge of Johannesburg to visit the award winning and internationally acclaimed Apartheid Museum; a local expert will join us here. This beautiful museum gives a balanced account of 20th century South Africa. It recounts the political upheavals beginning in the last century and moves on to the transition from a racist state into the new era of hope and freedom as a democracy. Discussion: History of South Africa and apartheid. From the museum, we will transfer to Liliesleaf Farm, a location which played a key role in the struggle against Apartheid.

Lunch: Taken at the café at Liliesleaf, lunch will be a two-course, set menu meal plus water; other beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: In the company of a local expert, we will explore Liliesleaf Farm on foot as we learn more about the anti-apartheid movement and the role the farm played in the struggle. Liliesleaf was purchased in 1961, at a time when the apartheid state started to clamp down more forcibly on the liberation movement. As a 'nerve center' of liberation activities, the meetings that took place at Liliesleaf from 1961 to July 1963, and the events that transpired after the 1963 police raid on the property, mark a seminal shift in South Africa's liberation struggle history, and fundamentally changed the course of South African history. At the end of the afternoon, we will return to the hotel with time to freshen up before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Fly to Zambia, Local Orphanage Visit
Livingstone B,D Thorntree River Lodge
Activity note: Flight time 1 hour 45 minutes. Drive time from town to the lodge is 20 minutes.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning, we will transfer to the Johannesburg airport to board our commercial flight to Livingstone, Zambia.

Lunch: Lunch in flight.

Afternoon: After arriving in Livingstone, we will visit a nearby local orphanage. Here, we will have a chance to learn about the effects of AIDS, an unfortunate, integral part of Zambian life and culture. We will also interact with local children and foster parents. Afterward, we will transfer to our lodge and settle-in. In the late afternoon, our Group Leader will give us an overview of Zambia.

Dinner: Dinners at the lodge will vary each night between set menu plated choices and buffet options. There will always be a starter, main meat or vegetarian entree with assorted vegetable or starch side dishes, and a dessert. Bottled water and table wine provided, with additional drinks available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Victoria Falls from Zambian Side, Livingstone Museum
Livingstone B,L,D Thorntree River Lodge
Activity note: In order to access all of the viewpoints at Victoria Falls, one must go up and down around 150 stairs one way; the path may be slick due to the waterfall's mist, too. It is possible to still see the waterfall without climbing all of the stairs, but only from one viewpoint. Drive time lodge to Falls is 30 minutes; museum to lodge is 20 minutes.

Breakfast: Breakfasts at the lodge will be an expansive buffet consisting of many bread, cereal and fruit choices in addition to various hot English-style breakfast dishes. Coffee and tea provided.

Morning: Boarding our minibus, we will transfer into town to visit the famed Victoria Falls, where the Zambezi River opens out into an extravaganza of roaring, spray-tumbled water, known to the locals as “Mosi oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders). Few sights are as awe-inspiring as this, when the ground rumbles with the forces of the water. On foot, we will view the Falls this morning from the Zambian side, followed by a visit to the local crafts market. After the Falls, we will transfer into Livingstone, where our Group Leader leads an excursion of the town and its colorful produce market. Livingstone is a classic old colonial town of former Northern Rhodesia, which can still be seen in some of its architecture. In the company of a docent, we will visit the Livingstone Museum, known for its archaeological and ethnographic displays, but most notably for its artifacts that belonged to Dr. David Livingstone. In the late morning, we will return to the lodge.

Lunch: Lunches at the lodge vary each day between plated a la carte choices and buffet options. There will always be a starter, main meat or vegetarian entree with assorted vegetable or starch side dishes, and a dessert. Water, tea and coffee provided, with additional beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in the town of Livingstone. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 6
Victoria Falls from Zimbabwean Side, Game Drive
Upper Zambezi River B,L,D Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge
Activity note: In order to see all viewpoints at the Falls, approximate length of walk is 2 miles. It is possible to walk less and see some, but not all, viewpoints. Paths may be slick from mist, but are mostly flat. Drive time between Thorntree Lodge and Victoria Falls is approximately 1 hour including border crossing. Drive time between Victoria Falls and Imbabala Lodge is 1 hour.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: To start our day, we will transfer over the border into Zimbabwe, where we will see Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwean side. Because the waterfall spans the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, it is visible from both countries; however, viewing from the Zimbabwean side is preferred as more of the water falls on this side. On foot, our Group Leader will show us how, through the millennia, the forces of nature have created this marvelous spectacle, Africa’s greatest waterfall. Afterward, we will continue in our minibus to Imbabala Lodge to settle in and enjoy the riverfront scenery.

Lunch: Lunches at the lodge will consist of a small buffet with starter salad, main entree, side dish, and dessert. All local brand beverages and water included; premium-brand alcohol available for purchase.

Afternoon: Over afternoon tea, our Group Leader will give a lecture, "Overview of Zimbabwe." Then, we will embark on a late afternoon game drive in the private reserve surrounding the lodge. The 5,000 acre national park concession has nearly nine miles of private Zambezi River frontage. The reserve also borders the Chobe Forest Reserve, which is renowned for its massive elephant population. Game drives will be in open-air safari vehicles in the early mornings and late afternoons, when the animals are most active. Each game drive lasts for approximately 3 to 4 hours, with a rest break half-way through. Game drives consist of moving slowly through the reserve searching for predators and other animals.

Dinner: Dinners at the lodge will be a small buffet with starter salad, main entree, side dish, and dessert. All local brand beverages and water included; premium-brand alcohol available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 7
Safari Activities
Upper Zambezi River B,L,D Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge
Activity note: Game drives typically last between 3 to 4 hours in the early mornings and late afternoons, when the animals are most active.

Breakfast: At the lodge prior to the morning game drive, early morning tea/coffee and light breakfast items will be served, such as fresh fruit, rusks, muffins, and cereals. Upon return from the morning game drive, hot breakfast items such as eggs, sausage, bacon and toast will be provided at the lodge.

Morning: We will climb into our safari vehicles for a morning game drive in the lodge’s private reserve. Each vehicle will have its own safari specialist to provide details on the flora and fauna encountered during the drive.

Lunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: The early afternoon will be at leisure to rest, relax and enjoy the lodge's amenities. Following tea, we will walk a short distance to the launch to board our boat for a game-viewing safari on the Zambezi River. Here, we may have the chance to spot wildlife coming to drink and bathe in the river, as well as observe the multitude of birds that gather on the river’s banks. Refreshments will be served on the boat as we watch one of Africa's stunning sunsets. We will return to the lodge after dusk, in time for dinner.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 8
Chobe National Park
Upper Zambezi River B,L,D Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge
Activity note: The transfer from Imbabala to Chobe National Park takes approximately 30-45 minutes, including the border crossing. Game drive lasts 3 hours; boat safari lasts 2 hours.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: A short drive this morning takes us over the border into Botswana and Chobe National Park, where we will go on a game drive within the park. Chobe National Park remains one of Africa’s prime game-viewing areas. Here, one finds all of the “Big Five,” except for rhino. This is elephant country, home to the largest population of elephants in the world…many of these great grey giants can be seen at this time of year (note that seasonality makes a big difference in how much game one will see. If it’s dry, larger herds gather; if it has recently rained, the animals will be more dispersed). The park forms part of Botswana’s northern-most border and is a contrast of desert aridity and flood plains. The Chobe region is best known for its vast magnificent river and floodplains filled with grazing herds of big game. Buffalo, sable, lion, leopard, hippo, hyena, and many species of antelope find safety in this huge national park. Chobe is one of Africa’s most pristine ecosystems and greatest wildlife refuges.

Lunch: We will enjoy lunch at a lodge near Chobe National Park, with a beautiful view over the Chobe River. Lunch will be an expansive buffet with numerous salad, main dish and dessert options. Coffee, tea and water provided.

Afternoon: During our game-viewing boat safari this afternoon, we will explore the Chobe River by motorboat, potentially coming face to face with elephant, buffalo and other wildlife that gather on the banks of the river to drink and bathe. Immersed in this unique environment, we will view numerous birds including sacred ibis, blue heron, goliath heron, saddle-billed storks, marabou storks and little egrets. After the boat safari, we will drive back across the border to Imbabala Lodge.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
Hwange National Park, Elephant Behavior
Hwange National Park B,L,D Ivory Lodge
Activity note: Total transfer time to Hwange National Park is 3.5 hours, done in an enclosed minibus.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: This morning, we will head south to Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s premier safari destination. Hwange is legendary for its wonderful array of wildlife, particularly the massive herds of elephant and buffalo. In the summer months, large antelope herds migrate onto the plains, closely followed by large predators. Shallow pans are spread throughout the park, around which wildlife congregate, making for excellent and reliable game viewing. Elephant, Cape buffalo, sable, roan, southern giraffe, blue wildebeest, impala and sometimes even gemsbok (oryx) can be seen here. This park is one of the best for predators - lion, leopard, wild dog and cheetah are regularly sighted, along with the smaller African wildcat, serval, honey badger, civet and spotted hyena. Bird life in the area is also prolific, with more than 400 species found.

Lunch: Lunches at Ivory Lodge will be small buffets with a starter, main dish with side, and dessert. Dishes often vary between brunch and lunch offerings. All local brand beverages, water and coffee/tea provided; premium brand alcohol available for purchase.

Afternoon: The early afternoon will be at leisure to rest, relax, or explore the lodge's wildlife viewing hide. Over afternoon tea, our Group Leader will give a lecture on elephant social structure, behavior and culling issues. Following the lecture, we will board our safari vehicles for a late afternoon game drive, searching out the Presidential Herd of elephants resident in the area, as well as other animal and bird life.

Dinner: Dinner tonight will be a plated meal at the lodge consisting of a salad or starter, main course with side, and dessert. All local brand beverages, water and coffee/tea provided; premium brand alcohol available for purchase.

Evening: A short night game drive will be offered in search of the nocturnal species active in the area.

Day 10
Game Drives, Importance of Termites
Hwange National Park B,BR,D Ivory Lodge
Activity note: Optional bush walks are over uneven terrain with the duration dependent on participant ability.

Breakfast: Coffee/tea and light breakfast items, such as cold cereal and rusks, will be served before the game drive.

Morning: On an early morning game drive, we will search for the varied wildlife in the area. Upon our arrival back in camp, a hearty brunch will await us, followed by the heat of the day at leisure. The camp’s viewing “hide” provides a great place to safely observe animals coming to drink from the waterhole in the heat of the day. A bush walk with a safari specialist will also be available for those interested, where we may encounter wildlife and explore the little surprises in the bush.

Brunch: At the lodge, brunch will be a small buffet consisting of hot and cold breakfast and lunch dishes. All local brand beverages, water and coffee/tea provided; premium brand alcohol available for purchase.

Afternoon: During tea, our Group Leader will give a lecture on termites, followed by a late afternoon game drive.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: A short night game drive will be offered in search of the nocturnal species active in the area.

Day 11
Game Drives, Lion Social Structure & Behavior
Hwange National Park B,BR,D Ivory Lodge
Activity note: Optional bush walks are over uneven terrain with the duration dependent on participant ability.

Breakfast: Light breakfast at the lodge.

Morning: On our morning game drive, we will search for wildlife that may have eluded us thus far. Then, we will return to camp for a hearty mid-day meal and the heat of the day at leisure. A bush walk with a safari specialist will also be offered this morning.

Brunch: At the lodge.

Afternoon: This afternoon's tea-time lecture will focus on lion social structure and behavior, given by the Group Leader. Afterwards, we will depart on our final afternoon game drive of the program.

Dinner: At the lodge.

Evening: A short night game drive will be offered in search of the nocturnal species active in the area.

Day 12
Return to Victoria Falls, Elephant Encounter
Victoria Falls B,L,D A'Zambezi River Lodge
Activity note: Transfer time to Victoria Falls is 2.5 hours in an enclosed minibus. Transfer time from the lodge to the elephant encounter site is about 30 minutes. Walk at the elephant encounter site is along flat, uneven, dirt pathways for around 1 mile.

Breakfast: At the lodge.

Morning: We will embark on our last early morning game drive of the program. In the late morning, we will transfer from Hwange to the Victoria Falls restaurant where we will enjoy lunch today.

Lunch: Taken at a local restaurant with scenic views, our lunch will be a 3-course, plated, set menu offering; bottled water is included with additional beverages available for purchase.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will transfer to our lodge for check-in. This afternoon, we will be driven to a nearby location for our elephant encounter. Here, we will have an opportunity to learn more about the past, present and future of elephant conservation from local experts. We will also gain insight into these gentle giants through up close, personal time with the elephants that reside here. In the company of our local experts, we will be escorted on a walk alongside the elephants through the pristine bush and valley of the Masui River. Upon conclusion of the encounter, we will enjoy a selection of hot and cold canape’s and sundowners, including local beers, wines, soft drinks, water, coffee & tea. We will be driven back to the lodge in time to freshen up before dinner.

Dinner: At the lodge, dinner will consist of a buffet with starter, choice of main dishes, variety of side dishes, and desserts. Bottled water, tea and coffee will be provided with additional beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 13
Local Village, Free Time
Victoria Falls B,D A'Zambezi River Lodge
Activity note: Transfer to Intabayengwe Village is approximately 30 minutes one-way in an enclosed minibus.

Breakfast: Taken at the lodge, breakfast will consist of an expansive buffet with many cereal, fruit, bread, and cold meat and cheese options, with hot items including eggs, sausage and bacon. Coffee, tea, milk, fruit juice and water provided.

Morning: We will be driven to Intabayengwe Village, a nearby traditional village, where we will have the chance to meet members of the community and see how they live. Visits to some of the homes and the local pre-school will begin our morning. We will also help the local women prepare a traditional meal and see what role women play in the village. The visit will also take us to a local, illegal “moonshiner’s” distillation facility where we learn about this underground industry. Upon conclusion of our visit, we will return to the lodge.

Lunch: This meal has been excluded from the program cost and will be on your own to enjoy what you like.

Afternoon: Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in the town of Victoria Falls. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. In the early evening, we will regroup at the lodge and be driven a short distance to our dinner location.

Dinner: Our farewell dinner will be taken at a neighboring lodge and consist of a 3-course, set menu meal including bottled water, coffee, tea; additional beverages available for purchase.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 14
Program Concludes
In Flight B
Activity note: Transfer from the lodge to the airport is 30 minutes. Flight time is 1 hour 40 minutes.

Breakfast: Lodge buffet.

Morning: Following breakfast, a noted local historian will discuss the story of Scottish explorer Dr. David Livingstone, who first visited Victoria Falls over 150 years ago, and whose journeys laid the ground work for the Colonial era that followed. Mid-morning, we will transfer to the Victoria Falls airport to board our commercial flight to Johannesburg.

Lunch: In flight.

Afternoon: Mid-afternoon, we will arrive in Johannesburg and connect to our international return flight home. This concludes our program. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!

Day 15
In Transit From Program
In Flight
Morning: Early morning arrivals in North America.

Day 1 Join Tour in Victoria Falls

Arrive in Victoria Falls. Often referred to as the adventure capital of Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls offers a variety of land, air and water-based activities in the surrounding area. For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for the welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you are free to arrive in Victoria Falls at any time. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Victoria Falls Airport (airport code VFA), which is 20km, around 25 minutes' drive from the hotel. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. We will be staying at either the Batonka Guest Lodge or Pioneer Lodge. The two are sister properties located just over 1km from each other and are almost identical. Both are set in beautiful landscaped gardens, feature a swimming pool, spacious rooms, an expansive terrace where breakfast is taken, a bar and a stylish lounge and dining room which are both extremely comfortable. They are both exclusively reserved for residents which ensures the upmost privacy. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose from a host of adventurous activities including whitewater rafting, canoeing and cruises on the Zambezi River. Full details are listed in the 'budgeting and packing' section.

Meals Provided : None

Day 2 Travel into Botswana, camping in Chobe National Park

Leaving our guesthouse this morning, it's a short hour long drive to the Kazungula land border crossing between Zimbabwe and Botswana. Once border formalities are completed, we continue to our camp site located on the banks of the Chobe River. This afternoon we head out for our first safari on a late afternoon game drive. Chobe is the heart of elephant country and is home to approximately 120,000 of the giant creatures. During the safaris we will travel in customised, open-sided land-cruisers for game viewings. The Landcruisers are ideal for game viewing opportunities but can be a bit brisk and windy during the longer travel days, so ensure you bring some layers for travel days. The roads through Botswana can vary in quality, so travel days can be slow and bumpy but the scenery and wildlife more than makes up for this. For departures until July 2024, we will be wild camping in dome tents in one of Chobe's national parks campsites for two nights. From July 2024 it is our intention to move to a permanent campsite at the point where Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana meet.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 Full day game viewing in Chobe National Park

We'll maximise our time today to ensure we make the most of game drive opportunities. We head out in the morning and again in the afternoon, for the chance to spot huge trumpeting herds of elephants around the southern bank of the Chobe River, where we can also find Chobe Bushbuck and Puku Antelope. Other mammals to be seen are buffalo, kudu, eland, waterbuck, sable and roan antelope, zebra, lion, leopard, impala and reedbuck. In the river are hippo and crocodile and the waters teem with bream, barbel and tiger fish (freshwater barracuda). Our tour leader will decide on the exact running times of the day, and lunch arrangements, depending on the weather conditions and the season to ensure the best viewing. For those that wish to there is an optional afternoon boat cruise along the Chobe River, perhaps the last river where one has a fair chance to see lion, elephant, leopard or wild dog from the unique viewpoint of a boat. See the budgeting section for prices.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 Drive to Nxai Pan

Depart our Chobe River camp early, driving south through forest reserves via Nata to Nxai Pans. The salt pans, which combine Nxai National Park with the adjacent Makgadikgadi salt pans, are the remnants of a once massive inland lake. Today they offer spectacular scenery and endless horizons with wide open grasslands. In season a large variety water birds nest here. The pans offer a contrasting experience to both Chobe and Moremi, with open grassland dotted with acacia and baobab trees and the opportunity to witness unforgettable sunsets. In the evening sit around the fire and witness the magnificent clear night skies. Safari wild camping We use 3 x 3 meter dome type tents with private en-suite facilities added to the back of the tent. They are big enough so that someone can stand inside. These tents are made from durable rip-stop canvas and have sewn-in groundsheets. They come equipped with sturdy camp beds, mattresses, fitted sheets, pillow, pillowcases and duvets. Other equipment used on safari are camping basins, washstands, hot water bucket showers and water-based toilets. Safari style fold-up chairs and large tables are provided (all meals eaten from the table). Our great back-up staff does all the cooking, cleaning and setting-up and breaking camp, so the difficult aspect of camping is taken away. This setup allows us to get as close to nature, wilderness, plants and animals as possible.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 5 Full day in search of wildlife in Nxai salt pans

The Pans have changed little in thousands of years and offer a place to totally lose oneself in limitless wilderness. Today, it's a vast, salt pan desert of shimmering sand, open grasslands and surreal landscapes so vast you can see the curvature of the earth. It's a harsh and sparse landscape, but one that's beautiful in its desolation. Here, perhaps more than anywhere else in the world, you'll be struck by a feeling of utter, marvellous, isolation. We will head out for morning and afternoon game drives in search desert adapted species including the black maned Kalahari lion, oryx, elephant and cheetah.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 6 Drive to Moremi Game Reserve, wild camping and game drives

Today we take a drive out of Nxai and journey on further west into the frontier town of Maun and further to Xakanaxa (pronounced ka-ka-ni-ka) or Khwai which is an integral part of the eastern waters of the Okavango Delta. The area is encompassed by Moremi Game Reserve and boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa. The game reserve has areas of dry lands rising between vast wetlands, crystal clear water channels on the edges of mopane and apple-leaf woodlands. Game viewing takes place alongside waterways and floodplains. Species such as giraffe, zebra and wildebeest are but a few that occur here, along with an astonishing variety of birds. For the next three nights we will be camping in Moremi where the waters feed an abundance of flora and fauna, including the frequently-visiting wild dog. Hippos are often heard by night too.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 Game drives in Moremi in search of Africa's unique wildlife

We will enjoy two game drives today. Setting off for our morning game drive at first light (when predator activity is most expected), we get the chance to experience one of Africa's most natural and unspoiled wonderlands in the park with hippo, crocodile and a great variety of birds all seen in the delta, as well as the elusive sitatunga antelope. This place is also an ornithologist's paradise with fish eagle, kingfisher, heron, stork, egret, weaver and bee-eater all regularly seen. We make our way to the banks and floodplains of the north eastern section of the Okavango Delta this morning. Returning for brunch as the day starts to heats up, the hottest part of the day is spent at leisure at our campsite, a chance of a siesta, relax reading a book or birdwatching. Our afternoon activity departs after tea, usually around 4pm, returning in the early evening. Game drives and activities vary from one day to the next, depending on sightings and animal activities, generally we drive quite far and slowly to absolutely maximize game-viewing potential, all expertly guided by our highly experienced tour leader.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 Full day of game drives in Moremi Game Reserve

The mighty Okavango is the third largest river in southern Africa. The delta area covers 16,000 square kilometres and is made up of crystal clear channels, countless fleeting lakes and ever-changing islands. The waters flows down in a south-easterly direction from the Angolan highlands, over 1000 kilometres away, taking up to six months to reach the delta area which floods on a annual cycle. Remaining in the Moremi Game Reserve, today we drive further into the delta area. This exceptional geography and topography attracts amazing wildlife to the waterways and we'll begin game viewing on our arrival. Your guide will generally spend maximum time on game drives, depending on what is seen, trying to cover as wide an area as possible. The result of this is that you will have the best chance of seeing a variety of wildlife.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 Morning game drive in Moremi Game Reserve, afternoon in Maun

This morning we take a slow drive out of Moremi, looking out for wildlife along the way and should arrive at Thamo Telele around lunch time. The magnificent Thamo Telele is set amongst a lush forest of old growth leadwood and acacia trees, around 25 minutes outside of Maun, each luxury safari-style tent is on raised wooden platforms with hardwood floors and en-suite bathrooms, all with outdoor showers and nature as the back drop. The stylish canvas tents all have twin beds, which can be converted into doubles, and air conditioning above the bed. There is a swimming pool and central main lounge and bar area, where you'll find comfy couches and locally designed wall art. Its a truly exceptional property. The afternoon is free for you to explore the lodge and its wild surroundings on self-guided walking trails. Alternatively relax by the swimming pool. There is also the option to book a giraffe experience. One of the most fascinating things about the lodge is its resident herd of 20 giraffe, which you can observe while on activities in the reserve and most enthralling get up close and personal to in the evening while they feed at the waterhole. There are naturalists on hand, who will be able to tell you all about these fascinating animals. See the budgeting section for more details. Dinner is included tonight at the lodge.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10 Drive to our houseboat on the Okavango river

Departing after breakfast, we drive up the west side of the Okavango delta panhandle to Shakawe, where we leave our vehicle behind and board a motor launch to our houseboat. On arrival, meet our friendly crew who will be our hosts for the next two nights. After settling in, lunch is served in the top floor dining room, with panoramic windows offering a backdrop of the Okavango river basin. The accommodation is comfortable, with eight bedrooms with en-suite facilities. Each room has glass doors sliding open on to the wilderness of the remote panhandle area, while on the deck above are seating areas from which to enjoy the sunsets and listen to the birds. The boat will be for our exclusive use during our stay. Due to seasonal variations in the level and strength of the river, the houseboat itself might only be able to access limited parts of the river for much of the year, whilst we explore the river on smaller launches. However, the amount of water that falls in the catchment area can be highly variable and occasionally, conditions may allow the houseboat itself to cruise in other areas of the delta. The next couple of days are spent enjoying this spectacular setting. During our time on the river, there is a possibility of seeing a variety of wildlife. We will take an afternoon leisurely launch, we may cruise past submerging pods of hippos, while crocodiles bask in the shallows and on the riverbanks, returning to the houseboat for dinner.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 Visit to Tsodilo Hills; home to thousands of bushman rock paintings. Afternoon wildlife viewing on the Okavango river.

This morning there is the opportunity to visit the intriguing and sacred World Heritage Site of the Tsodilo Hills. The San Bushmen community believe the hills are the site of the first creation and they painted an astonishing 4000 rock paintings across 350 sites marking the area's significance. Here, four impressive rocks jut out of the expanse of the surrounding land, and it is believed by the San Bushmen that the largest of the rocks is the 'man', the second largest the 'woman', and the smallest the 'child'. The fourth rock, which stands apart from the others, is said to be the male's first wife. Some of the paintings are thought to be over 24,000 years old, and as well as the chance to see ancient rock paintings, the hills offer vast views across the countryside below. A expert local guide will accompany us around the site, interpreting a selection of the paintings. The walking tour lasts around two hours, walking along a flat well graded path. It's possible to opt out at any stage and return to the shade of the small museum located at the entrance of the site. After a late lunch back on board the houseboat, we head out for further wildlife viewing on board our launch. For those that wish to have more time on the houseboat we will offer a morning launch as an alternative to visiting Tsodilo Hills.

Meals Provided : Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 Transit driving day via the Caprivi strip (Namibia), back to Victoria Falls

This morning will be a early start to ensure enough daylight hours for the very long journey to Victoria Falls. Today's total journey time is approximately eleven hours depending on time spent at the border crossings, and will of course include comfort breaks and a lunch break. The drive takes us through north to Namibia's Caprivi Strip, before heading to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The Caprivi Region has a colourful and interesting history, playing a central part in the Berlin Conference of 1890. Named after German Chancellor General Count Georg Leo von Caprivi di Caprara di Montecuccoli, the strip was once administered by the British before it was swapped for Zanzibar with the Germans at a time of great European political manoeuvring. A late afternoon arrival to Victoria Falls provides just enough time for a refreshing sundowner at our lodge accommodation.

Meals Provided : Breakfast & Lunch

Day 13 Witness the wonders of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. Free afternoon with a choice of optional activities

Often referred to as the adventure capital of Zimbabwe, Victoria falls is most famous as being home to one of the natural wonders of the world Victoria Falls. This morning we'll visit the falls from the Zimbabwean side of the river where the Zambezi River plummets over a sheer cliff wall spanning more than 1676 meters and dropping approximately 100 metres into the abyss below. The natives named the waterfall, Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning 'the smoke that thunders' because of the plumes of water vapour that rise like smoke into the sky above the falls, accompanied by the deafening roar. After our guided tour you can take your time to further explore the network of paths and enclaves around the falls. This afternoon is free to relax, or you may choose to book a two hour game drive in Zambezi National Park in search of the big five. Alternatively, there is the option to take a scenic helicopter flight over the falls or go white water rafting in the Zambezi. All activities can be booked at your lodge directly and full prices are available in the budgeting section of the trip notes.

Meals Provided : Breakfast

Day 14 Tour ends in Victoria Falls

Our tour ends in Victoria Falls after breakfast. Depending on the schedule of your departing flight, you may choose to spend a few hours exploring the town independently. There are no activities planned today, so you are free to depart from Victoria Falls at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day luggage storage facilities are available at our guesthouse. If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you need to depart from Victoria Falls airport (airport code VFA), which is 20km, 20 minutes from the hotel.

Meals Provided : Breakfast