Victoria Falls, Chobe and Khwai Safari Journey
Day 1: Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls
On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation, where you will spend the next two nights. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure, allowing you to relax beside the pool or participate in some of the optional activities available. In the evening, you can unwind on a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River.
Victoria Falls, resting on the southern banks of the Zambezi River at the western end of the eponymous falls, is a popular tourist town compact enough to explore on foot. It makes an ideal base for travellers discovering the seventh wonder of the world, the unfathomably vast Victoria Falls. About two thirds of the falls can be viewed from the Zimbabwean side and, while the falls are undoubtedly the star attraction, the area offers both adventure seekers and sightseers plenty of opportunities to warrant a longer stay. Popular activities include scenic flights over the falls in helicopters or microlights, bungee jumping off the Victoria Falls Bridge, white-water rafting (seasonal), and day trips to Chobe National Park. The town itself also offers excellent accommodation and restaurant options, as well as an eclectic variety of African curios and authentic art sold by friendly Zimbabwean locals who are wonderfully welcoming and eager to help you enjoy your stay.
Overnight: Ilala Lodge
The warmest of welcomes awaits you at Ilala Lodge Hotel. A gracefully distinguished ambience and attentive yet discreet service always come with a smile. The sublime surroundings of this boutique hotel will reawaken your senses, while the power of the majestic Victoria Falls renews your spirit. Relax in luxurious style and listen to the meditative rhythm of the great Zambezi as you drift off to sleep. As morning comes, gently awake and lift your head to see the spray of the majestic Victoria Falls across the unspoiled horizon - and let your soul sigh.
Feel at ease in elegant and spacious rooms with African teak furniture, soft crisp linen, en-suite facilities, a bathroom with separate shower, air conditioning, overhead fan, satellite TV, hair dryer, tea and coffee-making facilities, free Wi-Fi, and a safe. There are 56 rooms in total, including 2 Executive Suites, 2 Standard Suites, 20 Deluxe Rooms, and 32 Standard Rooms. The view from your room looks across the lawns to the national parks, where elephant, warthog, impala, or the occasional buffalo might be passing by or simply grazing on the lawn or in the tree line. Experience new tastes, indulge in unusual flavours, and enjoy delectable dishes at the award-winning restaurant, The Palm, while dining in view of the spray of the majestic Victoria Falls. Ilala Lodge also has a tours desk where you can book activities, as well as a spa where you can spoil yourself after that long safari.
Activities Sunset Cruise
Enjoy a brief history of the river with a cocktail in hand as you set out on the Sunset Cruise. Snack on delicacies from the high tea selection, as well as other delectable snacks, and enjoy thirst-quenching beverages from the fully stocked bar while taking in the wild Zambezi.
Day 2: Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls
After breakfast, you will be taken on a guided tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to explore the town or participate in the various optional activities available.
Victoria Falls Guided Tour A knowledgeable guide will take guests on an unforgettable experience through the Victoria Falls rain forest, a journey that not only affords a view of one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World but also provides a great deal of interesting information about the geology, wildlife, and history of Africa's most famous landmark. Visitors will listen to magical tales of local legend while enjoying the constant spray from "The Smoke that Thunders". Your guide will also help ensure the best photographic opportunities at this breathtaking World Heritage Site.
Day 3: Camp Kuzuma, Kazuma Forest Reserve
Kazuma Forest Reserve, situated in the Chobe region of Botswana, offers visitors an authentic African wilderness experience. This impressive landscape stretches over thousands of hectares and features expansive grassland, natural pans, and Mopane tree forests. It is home to abundant wildlife and provides an ideal habitat for wildebeest, buffalo, antelope, sable, giraffe, zebra, lion, and leopard. Numerous herds of elephants also frequent this reserve, as it is idyllically positioned in an elephant corridor. The nearby Kazuma Pans attract many birds, making it a birdwatching paradise with over 380 different species. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including guided walks, fishing trips, and sunrise or sunset game drives.
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kasane and make your way to your first activity, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch before sailing along the Chobe River. You will then be transferred to your camp, situated in the Greater Chobe region of Botswana. You will have the opportunity to either relax on your own private deck or in the pool area.
Overnight: Camp Kuzuma
Camp Kuzuma is a remote safari camp in Botswana that borders Chobe National Park and Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, and is one of the top safari lodges in this area. Located in an exceptional wilderness area consisting of vast open plains and forests, it forms part of a busy wildlife corridor, ensuring amazing wildlife encounters. The seven well-appointed tents are incredibly spacious, boasting deep Victorian baths and king-sized beds draped in mosquito nets. With a true commitment to eco-tourism, this Chobe safari lodge is completely off the grid, yet offers all the comforts guests may desire. Camp Kuzuma's expert guides will astound you with their knowledge of the local fauna and flora, as will the amount of wildlife to discover when journeying through the bush in an open-air safari vehicle.
Day 4: Camp Kuzuma, Kazuma Forest Reserve
Today is spent on a game drive in a private concession in the Greater Chobe Region. This remote area offers an exclusive experience with fewer vehicles and incredible sightings of elephants, buffalo, sable antelope, lions, and a variety of bird species. The landscape is a mix of mopane woodland, open plains, and seasonal pans that attract wildlife year-round.
Activities Game Drives
Explore the 11,000-hectare private concession in an open Land Rover. Game drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon to take advantage of cooler weather and optimal animal activity, while evening game drives allow guests to experience the bush at night and discover nocturnal animals. An expert guide ensures your wildlife experience will be something to remember.
Day 5-8: Mogotlho Safari Lodge, Khwai
Khwai, situated on the banks of the Khwai River near the famous Okavango Swamp, is set in the North-West District of Botswana. The village fringes the magnificent Moremi Game Reserve, which is known for its incredible array of wildlife. It serves as a gateway to the reserve, as it is set just outside the North Gate of Moremi. Khwai provides an excellent base from which to explore the spectacularly scenic surrounding area. It is home to some of Botswana's most beautiful landscapes, featuring vast grass plains, a patchwork of lagoons, shallow pans, and lush woodland forests. Visitors can look forward to spotting a fantastic variety of wildlife, learning about the San community, and enjoying a wide selection of ecotourism activities. Commonly spotted wildlife species include lion, leopard, elephant, cheetah, hippo, wild dog, and buffalo.
Today you will be transferred to Kasane Airport, where you will take a flight to Khwai Airstrip. Once checked into the lodge, you will drive to the mokoro station. From here, you will float in dugout canoes through the thick vegetation of the lower part of the Okavango Delta, discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without ever reaching the coast. The next two days are spent on game drives and game walks in the Greater Moremi Region. This area is well known for its rich biodiversity and offers excellent game-viewing opportunities, with regular sightings of elephants, lions, giraffes, and various antelope species. You will get to explore a variety of habitats including woodlands, floodplains, and open savannah, all teeming with wildlife and birdlife throughout the year.
Overnight: Mogotlho Safari Lodge
The Mogotlho Safari Lodge takes its name from the camel thorn trees that grow along the banks of the Khwai River. The lodge's large thatch-roofed dining and lounge area leads out onto an elevated viewing deck overlooking the riverbank. Spectacular African sunsets can be admired over sundowners from the quaint bar or from the deck of your comfortable en-suite tent.
Activities Mokoro trip
Day 8: End of Itinerary
Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Maun Airport in time for your departure flight. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures!
