A wilderness safari in Zimbabwe & Botswana

Welcome to Zimbabwe, home to spectacular wildlife and vast savannahs. Having arrived at your hotel by private transfer, meet your fellow travellers and guide at reception, before heading out together for a welcome meal in Victoria Falls town. Explore this hub of bohemian cafes, lively bars and restaurants, settling into your adventure ahead.

Your first full day in Zimbabwe and you’re taking to the air above one of the Seven Wonders of the World: Victoria Falls. Known locally as Mosi-oa-Tunya – the smoke that thunders – these waterfalls stand at over 100 metres tall, bathing the rainforest in an ethereal mist. Admire the sight of this natural wonder from the sky, with the Zambezi flowing beneath you. Back on firm land, head to the Victoria Falls River Brewing Company to sample local craft ales.

Today we’ll keep you at ground level as you journey through Zimbabwe into Hwange National Park. The oldest and largest national park in the country, Hwange is home to Africa’s most iconic wildlife: lions, leopards, elephants and buffalo. Enjoy lunch at the camp, before jumping into a jeep and venturing out on your first game drive. These vast prairies receive less visitors than other African national parks, meaning you can spend hours uninterrupted by another human presence. Savour some wildlife sightings all to yourself, before returning to the camp for dinner.

Head out on an early morning game drive, with a chance to explore the landscape by foot. This is the perfect and most immersive way to enjoy close encounters with the animals – and much less scary than it sounds. After a late brunch at the camp, jump into a fleet of jeeps to explore the landscape further on an afternoon game drive. From sunbathing lions to stealthy leopards, uncover Hwange’s wildlife secrets with the help of your knowledgeable guide.

This morning, you’re off to Botswana. Journey onwards across the border (bring a book to see you through the unpredictable border controls), checking into your eco-lodge in the afternoon. Your hotel is built on tribal land near the village of Pandamatenga, an area steeped in culture and history. Enjoy lunch with your fellow travellers, then take the rest of the afternoon to relax. Head out again that evening to explore the region on a game drive, before savouring a traditional dinner beneath a star-strewn sky of the like you’ve never seen.

Another early morning calls – you’re heading into the Kazuma Forest Reserve on a dawn game drive. Nestled between Hwange National Park to the east and Chobe to the west, Kazuma is situated on an elephant corridor frequented by over 200,000 of these majestic creatures (Africa’s answer to rush hour). Keep an eye out for nocturnal predators winding down to sleep as the early morning birds usher in the dawn. Back at camp, take a few hours to relax in the pool, then head out for a late afternoon game drive across the open plains. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, leopards, jackals and honey badgers as they set out for the night hunt.

Your final day in Botswana will take you to the great Chobe river. Board a pontoon in the early morning, as a magnificent river safari unfolds. Glide down the waters that separate Botswana and Namibia, as they flow into the powerful Zambezi. You’ll likely find elephant herds splashing in the cool water, wild hippo grazing on the banks and crocodiles sunbathing in the shallows. After a morning on the water, enjoy lunch with your group at a local restaurant before heading back to where it all began: Victoria Falls.

On your last full day in Zimbabwe, take the morning to savour a lie-in or a late breakfast. Come afternoon, head to the banks of the Zambezi for a masterclass in southern African cuisine, with spicy potjie on the menu. Work up an appetite as your meal slow-cooks over the fire, cruising down the Zambezi for a final wildlife safari. Then, back on dry land, share a three-course meal with your fellow travellers, looking back on a brilliant adventure.

Enjoy a final breakfast at the hotel, then it’s over to you to make your own way onwards. Your guide will be at hand to help you arrange a transfer to Victoria Falls Airport. If you’re not quite done with beautiful Africa, why not extend this adventure with our trip to Tanzania?