8 DAYS IN BOTSWANA AND ZIMBABWE EXPLORING THE OKAVANGO DELTA
QUICK FACTS
Length of trip: 8 days/7 Nights
Countries visited: Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa
Season: June
Budget: $$$
Day 1: New York to Botswana
Fly from New York to Johannesburg and connect to Maun, Botswana. From Maun, the lodge arranged a small plane to take us into the delta.
Finally, we took a short boat ride from the air strip and arrived at the lodge
After getting settled in our tents, we took a late afternoon sunset boat trip of the Delta to take in the breathtaking sights on our first night.
Dinner and drinks on the veranda at the lodge
Stay: Moremi Crossing, a beautiful tented camp overlooking the waterways of the Okavango Delta. Several activities including: walking safari, boat cruise, and canoe trip, are organized by the lodge and included in the rate. Elephants and warthogs walked through the camp and would eat outside the tents at night- it was absolutely incredible to be that close to such amazing animals. The lodge provides all meals and had a nice selection of beers and wine for sundowners.
Day 2: Mokoro Trip, Chief’s Island, and Wild Dogs
Wake up in the early morning to take a mokoro (traditional canoe) trip around the Delta. We got off on Chief’s Island for a walking safari to track elephants, zebras, and other game.
After several hours of walking we returned to lodge for lunch. From the dock you have an amazing view of elephants grazing across the waterway. One of the guides was kind enough to take us on a spontaneous, quick boat trip to see the animals closer!
Sunset boat trip
We took another sunset boat trip to view hippos, crocs and the beautiful sunset. This trip included a surprise stop to one of the islands where the guide led us to the wild dog den to follow them as they tracked their evening prey.
Stay: Moremi Crossing
Day 3: Lion Spotting and trip to Chobe
Boat tour to explore a new part of the delta. We got off a different island this time and embarked on a walking safari to track a majestic lion.
Depart Lodge mid-morning to fly from the Moremi airstrip to Kasane to visit Chobe National Park, which has the highest concentration of elephants in Africa.
Arrive at the lodge, rest and have lunch outdoors by the pool.
At sunset we took a large boat trip down the river. This boat was too large and crowded to really enjoy the setting, but we spotted a large herd of elephants crossing the river which turned out to be an absolute highlight of our time there!
Stay: Chobe Bush Lodge is a medium sized hotel with spacious, modern rooms at the edge of Chobe National Park. We found it much more peaceful than its sister hotel, Chobe Safari Lodge, which is just across the street and was bustling with tourists. While the Chobe Bush Lodge doesn’t have the views over the water, we would still definitely recommend it over its sister hotel. The park entrance is a short 10-minute drive away and the boats depart from the dock located right at Chobe Safari Lodge.
Day 4: Boat and Driving Safaris
The next day we took a smaller boat tour down the Chobe River, spotting game like hippos, elephants, buck, and birds. It’s an amazing way to see the scenery and was much more interesting than the larger cruise.
Returned to have lunch at the hotel and rest by the pool. The one downside was the visit from monkeys looking for food- they even drank from the pool!
Afternoon game drive to the Chobe National Park where we spotted a leopard family, elephants, and giraffe.
Stay: Chobe Bush Lodge
Day 5: Early Morning Game Drive
We bundled up for the pre-dawn departure and spotted giraffes and elephants galore on the game drive.
Returned to the lodge for an early lunch
We loved the small boat cruise so much we added on another one this day. The small boats can get close to the animals without scaring them off and it’s gorgeous to be on the water at sunset. Recommend: Bring some champagne to toast to a wonderful trip!
Stay: Chobe Bush Lodge
Day 6: Transit to Zimbabwe and The Falls
Drove from Chobe to the Kazungula Border Post to enter Zimbabwe for our visit to Victoria Falls
Once we arrived in Victoria Falls town, we confirmed our activities for the next day and then relaxed at the hotel.
Dinner at the lodge at the Makuwa-Kuwa Restaurant with a view of the watering hole lit up!
Stay: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a large hotel with great views over the park. The food was great and rooms were nice. However, it is the most touristy place I’ve stayed while traveling in the region, and would keep that in mind when booking activities with them.
Day 7: Victoria Falls
Kayak tour of the upper Zambezi, this was a great way to spend the morning and easy to arrange through the hotel.
Hired a private guide to show us around Victoria Falls, take us to the best viewing points, and describe the history of the area.
Dinner at the grand dame of hotels, the Victoria Falls Hotel. We highly recommend visiting for dinner one night for both the food and history.
Stay: Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
Day 8: Return to Johannesburg
In the morning, we took a helicopter ride to view the falls. This is truly the best way to understand the full magnitude and beauty of the falls. We arranged it through Wild Horizons.
Return flight from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg. We spent one night in Johannesburg before returning to New York the next day.
Stay: The Westcliff is a beautiful, luxury hotel overlooking a large park in Johannesburg. Check it out during the winter low-season (starting around June) for discounted rates.
Helpful Hints
Packing: Lightweight pants and shirts for hiking on the walking safaris, warm clothes for night- fleeces, long johns, warm socks- a hat for the time in the sun and rain jacket for the Falls.
Other resources for planning: We used a travel agent to make the transport arrangements to the lodge, because it requires working with the lodge company to arrange seats on a puddle jumper. She was great so e-mail us if you want her contact info!
Don’t miss
The Delta is nothing short of magical- a true once in a lifetime experience. The area has been highly protected so feels completely serene. Elephants and warthogs walk through camp and wade through the water just outside your room!