Botswana & Zimbabwe Lodge Safari

Botswana & Zimbabwe Lodge Safari

14 Days Starting and ending in Victoria Falls

Visiting: Botswana, Zimbabwe

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

WZA

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

4 - 12

Physical rating:

Easy & Moderate

Age range:

16-99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English
From: $6675 $5340 Operator discount: -$1335 -20%

NB: Prices correct on 21-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

Tour Overview

From the crashing Victoria Falls to the meandering Okavango Delta, this safari visits the best destinations in Zimbabwe and Botswana. Encounter the huge elephant herds of Chobe, search for rhinos and leopards in Matopos and spot wild dogs in Hwange. Starry skies and burnished sunsets complete the adventure. And where better for a sundowner than the shimmering Makgadikgadi Pans?

Highlights

  • Embark on an overland safari adventure across the wilds of Botswana and Zimbabwe

  • Explore the elephant capital of the world, Chobe National Park, on a game drive and river safari

  • Glide over the Okavango Delta by mokoro canoe, which are poled by local villagers

  • Camp under the starry night sky, drifting off to the calls of hippos, elephants and lions

  • Safari through Matobo and Hwange national parks, both home to iconic African animals

  • Finish at the mighty Victoria Falls – there’s no better spot to end our adventure together!

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Start Victoria Falls; To Chobe National Park

Meals Included: Dinner

Meet the group at the airport or at the Rainbow Hotel in Victoria Falls town (see the Joining Instructions for more information, as the airport can sometimes change). We then transfer 75mi (120km) to Kasane, Botswana. The drive takes a little over two hours but there can be delays crossing the border. Once we are settled into our chalets, we meet for a full-tour briefing.



Accommodation: Kwalape Lodge (or similar)

Day 2 : Game Drive And River Safari In Chobe National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Chobe National Park is best known for its huge populations of elephants and buffalos. With an estimated 40,000 to 60,000 elephants this is, undoubtedly, the best place to see them in the world. The park is also home to wild dogs, lions, leopards and various other wildlife.



We start the day by going on a game drive in one of the lodge’s open game-drive vehicles. It will be an early start as we aim to get to the park gates as they open. We spend about three hours on safari before returning to the lodge in time for brunch.



There is time to relax at the lodge during the hottest part of the day or explore Kasane town (where we can get local currency) before heading out again, this time on a boat on the Chobe River. After a short transfer to the jetty, we board the boat for a three-hour safari. This is a great opportunity to view the vast herds of elephants and other wildlife from the water.



Accommodation: Kwalape Lodge (or similar)

Day 3 : Transfer To Maun

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is a long drive as we transfer the 375mi (600km) between Kasane and Maun, the town on the edge of the Okavango Delta. We’ll stop en route for lunch at the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pan before arriving in Maun mid-afternoon. We spend time in town getting supplies (this is a chance for you to get any extra drinks or snacks you may want while in the delta). From here, it’s only a short drive out of town to our lodge.



Accommodation: Crocodile Camp (or similar)

Day 4 - 5 : Explore The Okavango Delta By Foot And Dugout Canoe

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

The Okavango River, after travelling 995mi (1,600km) from the highlands of Angola, reaches the Kalahari and spreads into a large swamp where the water transpires into the plant life and evaporates, never reaching the sea. This makes the Okavango Delta, as this swamp is known, one of the largest inland deltas on Earth and a true natural wonder. The delta islands are home to a vast array of wildlife, including all the usual suspects, though numbers reach their peak during the dryer winter months when animals, including many of the larger ones, migrate here.



We head into the delta in mokoro dugout canoes poled by local villagers who have grown up here. Camping with our local guides, we learn more about their lifestyle and culture. The camp will be put up by the polers and we use canvas dome tents with camp stretchers, mattresses, sleeping bags and pillows provided. There is also a gazebo for shade, which doubles as a mess tent. Please note, you only need to take luggage for two nights – bags will be provided.



In the delta, we get to experience African wilderness at its fullest, not least at night when the Milky Way can be seen across the sky with a billion twinkling stars.



We spend the next two days exploring the waterways and islands by mokoro canoe and on foot looking for wildlife and enjoying this amazing part of Africa.



Accommodation: Wild camping

Day 6 : Morning Walking Safari; Return To Maun

Meals Included: Breakfast

This morning, we have our last mokoro ride as we return to the edge of the delta before returning to Maun. The afternoon is free to relax by the pool or take an optional flight over the delta.



Accommodation: Crocodile Camp (or similar)

Day 7 : To Nata; Visit The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans At Sunset

Meals Included: Breakfast

After a brief stop in Maun to resupply, we transfer 185mi (300km) to Nata arriving mid-afternoon. In the late afternoon, we head to the Nata Sanctuary to watch the sunset on the Makgadikgadi Salt Pan.



The Makgadikgadi Pan covers more than 6,175sqmi (16,000sqkm) and forms the bed of an ancient lake, now dried up, which once spread as far as the Okavango Delta. Sunsets on the pan are among the best in Africa.



Accommodation: Nata Lodge (or similar)

Day 8 : Enter Zimbabwe; To Matobo National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today we continue our journey back to Zimbabwe. We go via Francistown and Bulawayo on our way to Matobo National Park. The journey is about 235mi (380km) and driving time shouldn’t be much more than about five hours; however, the border crossing can be busy and may take between two and three hours. We stay in chalets just outside the park and can enjoy sundowners from the granite ridge overlooking the park.



Accommodation: Hermits Peak Lodge (or similar)

Day 9 : Game Drive And Walking Safari In Matobo National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Matobo National Park, also known as Matopos National Park, is an area known for wildlife and kopjes (giant boulders that seem to be stacked precariously). The park is one of the best places to see both black and white rhinos and has a very dense population of leopards (though these predators are still elusive). It is also home to a third of all eagle species.



These hills were once populated by the indigenous San people, who have left their mark with rock paintings depicting giraffes, elands and kudu. It was also the colonialist Cecil Rhodes’ favourite place and where he asked to be buried.



We enter Matobo National Park early in the morning and go on a game drive followed by a game walk where we hope to see rhino. We visit World’s End, where Cecil Rhodes is buried, and see some of the granite formations and rock paintings. We spend most of the day inside the park returning to the lodge in the afternoon.



Accommodation: Hermits Peak Lodge (or similar)

Day 10 : Drive To Hwange National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a breakfast we make a quick stop in Bulawayo this morning to resupply before driving 210mi (335km) north to Hwange National Park.



The largest national park in Zimbabwe, Hwange covers 5,640sqmi (14,600sqkm) of mopane and teak woodlands and grasslands. It is home to more than 100 mammal species and 400 bird species including all of the specially protected animals in the country. The most famous inhabitants are the elephants and wild dogs, and it is the only place where gemsbok and brown hyena live in reasonable numbers in Zimbabwe.



We stay in a property within a game-management area that neighbours the park.



Accommodation: Hwange Safari Lodge (or similar)

Day 11 : Full-Day Safari In Hwange National Park

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We spend all day on a 4x4 open game drive in search of Hwange wildlife.



Accommodation: Hwange Safari Lodge (or similar)

Day 12 : Visit Victoria Falls

After a slightly later start to the day, we take a short, final drive back to Victoria Falls, arriving at Victoria Falls town around lunchtime. In the afternoon, we head out towards the mighty falls themselves.



Measuring 5,580ft (1,700m) wide and 330ft (100m) high, Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world. The volume of water changes with the seasons but, when full, the spray rises into the sky – a phenomenon that has given the falls their local name Mosi o Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders. They are a site to behold and one that impressed Dr David Livingstone so much that he said: 'Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.’



Accommodation: The Rainbow Hotel (or similar)



Meals included: Breakfast

Day 13 : Full Day At Victoria Falls For Optional Activities

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today is a free day to enjoy the many activities on offer here, such as white-water rafting, taking a flight over the falls, going on a sunset cruise or crossing into neighbouring Zambia to see the falls from another perspective.



Accommodation: The Rainbow Hotel (or similar)

Day 14 : End Victoria Falls

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip ends after breakfast. If you’d like more time to explore, speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

What's Included

  • 13 breakfasts, five lunches, eight dinners

  • All accommodation (see below)

  • All transport and listed activities

  • Tour leader throughout

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request)

  • Visas or vaccinations

Food

This trip includes 13 breakfasts, five lunches and eight dinners.



We stay in lodges most nights, but meals are prepared by our crew.



Breakfast is generally cereal or toast with tea and coffee with the occasional fried breakfast/brunch

Lunch is normally a simple picnic of cheese, cold meats, salads, bread or rolls

Dinners are cooked meals such as potjies (stew), braais (barbecues), stir-fries etc



The trip leaders do all the shopping and meal planning for the group. They always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. Each tour has one cool box for the meats and the fresh produce only and one cool box for cold drinks. We supply the following drinks: squash, tea or coffee served with meals. All other beverages will be at your own expense. We do not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour if you want to buy it yourself. On some days where early morning game drives are included, lunch may be substituted for a large brunch on return from the game drive – this is customary. We ensure the number of meals detailed in the Trip Notes are provided.



Please note, we need at least two weeks’ notice to deal with special dietary requirements (eg vegetarian or allergies.) For this reason, if you did not indicate these on your booking form, please advise us as soon as possible.



The water provided on this trip is safe and clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. It is not bottled water, however. If you would rather have bottled water then this will be at your expense, though we encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.

Accommodation

For our time in Botswana and Zimbabwe, we have picked a selection of accommodations, each well located for our activities. We spend nine nights in lodges, two nights in a hotel and two nights of full-service camping.



We mostly stay in three-star hotels and lodges. On three to four nights, the lodges are permanent tented camps. These are comfortable rooms, in part made of canvas, with private bathrooms and are a quintessential African safari experience. In Victoria Falls, our hotel is walking distance from many restaurants, bars and shops. Most properties have swimming pools and wifi (although this can be unreliable).



Wild camping in the Okavango Delta







The highlight stay on this trip for many, however, is our two nights of wild camping in the Okavango Delta. Our neighbours, which you’ll likely hear shuffling around at night, include hippos, elephants and lions, while our away-from-it-all location normally allows us to see a night sky illuminated with stars. To make things easier, our camp is set up for us and all equipment is provided. We sleep in spacious, two-person tents fitted with mattress-topped camp beds and there is a bush shower and toilet, while dinner is taken around our atmospheric campfire.

Check out our Q&As

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    Vaccination against Yellow Fever is necessary if you are coming from a country with Yellow Fever, and you must bring a valid certificate of vaccination. Recommended vaccinations are: Polio, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Typhoid, Hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is essential and we suggest that you seek advice from your GP or travel health clinic about which malaria tablets to take.

  • Are children permitted to take part in the tour?

    Minimum 16 years age people can go on this tour.

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • What is the maximum group size?

    12

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

Beautiful Africa.

Safari means journey. This really was an intense journey through Botswana & Zimbabwe. But a journey with the added bonus of sightings along the way, magical birds at the side of the road and on one occasion slowing down the bus to see a bull elephant only to be gobsmacked by a pack of 10 wild-dog just a couple of trees away! Journeys don`t have to be boring; long bus rides are often part of the adventure. On this holiday we had the added bonus of River safari`s and, in the Okavango Delta, Mokoro rides with only the gentle sound of water lapping by your side, damsel flies and giant hawker dragon-flies buzzing around your ears and in the evening a gigantic frog chorus like something from a Fairy-Tale. Of course Safari is all about the animals but on this holiday I became more aware of the rich variety of people that helped us along the way. Kaiser the leader of the Polers in the Delta, Rowan our Tour Guide, his trusty driver Siwasu and the dozens of others who did their bloody best to give us the holiday of a lifetime.

Beautiful Botswana and Zimbabwe Lodges

A truly awesome holiday! I can't stop telling people about it! We saw so many animals in the wild with memorable sights, noises and smells. We were the 'lucky lion group' witnessing lions feasting on a putrid smelling kill in Chobe in the morning and then seeing a prowling lioness on the banks of the river in the evening. Then while camping in the Okavango Delta, on our sunset walk return to camp, we came across 5 lions within 400 meters of our campsite! We also heard them roar later that night while we were sitting around the campfire and taking photos of the Milky Way...sweet dreams!

Fantastic trip

This was an amazing trip, we saw so much and thanks to Onary our guide, also learnt so much about the animals, the people and the way they live. Shortly into our first game drive we saw a male leopard up a tree with a kill and a female on the ground below. Camping in the Okavanga Delta was a great experience, as was the walking safari to see rhinos, which we did. Everything was so well organised and although the drives were sometimes long we saw so much on the way that they weren’t boring. Just a fantastic experience, absolutely loved it

Lodge Safari

A fabulous trip, very well organised to include many different areas. We saw 4 of the Big 5, but not the elusive leopard! Our guide Adonia was very knowledgeable about every aspect of these beautiful countries, and together with Sifiso our driver we learned and saw a lot. Both were very patient and kind and went out of their way to make the holiday special, always with a great sense of humour. Quite a tough going trip with early starts and a couple of long drives but well worth it.

Botswana & Zimbabwe Lodge Safari

This was our first trip to Africa and it far exceeded expectations. The itinerary was balanced and very well organised and we were fortunate to see a huge variety of wildlife - including four of the 'big five' on the first day! Although there were (by necessity) some long drives, the vehicle was comfortable and well-driven by Sofiso. Our guide Rowan both entertained us and still continued to point out interesting features and wildlife all along the way, making sure we didn't miss a thing! There was a variety of accommodation and even the tents in the Delta were comfortable. Our focus was the wildlife and the amount and variety were superlative.

Wonderful experience in Africa

Both countries are amazing, and our two guides were superb. We were fortunate to see all the 'Big 5' and learned so much about African culture, history as well as seeing the flora and fauna of this fantastic country.

Amazing Experiences

We had undertaken safaris before but had never seen elephants, hippos or zebras in the numbers that we came across on this trip. We were lucky enough to see the Big 5, but think our guides’ knowledge had a lot to do with that. We enjoyed game drives by vehicle and got wonderful views of wildlife on Chobe/Zambeizi river trips. The 2 night full-service camping in the Okavango Delta was a once in a lifetime experience. The trip overall was very well organised and varied and far exceeded expectations, our group of 10 having gelled extremely well. So pleased we did this trip as we now have so many amazing photos and memories to treasure.

Just wow !

There is so much packed into this itinerary, The different landscapes and wildlife you will see is amazing. This was my 1st solo holiday, I particularly picked it because I wanted to be with a mixed group of couples and solos alike and it worked well for me. There is a lot of travelling involved in this trip but I believe it was worth it to see the landscape change so very much. Motopo national park was so beautiful and we literally crept up on 3 rhinos. The peacefulness of the delta and the milky way was magnificent 👌 (The bushy bushy was something to be desired but I survived)

Safari at it's absolute best

Travelling with a group of friends who met in Botswana on a camping trip 7 years ago, and had so much fun and friendship that we decided to reunite the Botties for a rerun with a bit of Zimbabwe added on! Were slightly concerned that the lodges would lack the intimacy of the wild camping, however this trip was absolutely perfect for us and Exodus helped us fine tune the experience by switching a day in Vic Falls for an extra day in Hwange for our party of 6. And actually that was probably the highlight of the trip in the end, one of the greatest 24hrs safari experience of my life (and I've had a few)! I was in serious need of a break, but I came home from Africa a different and better person after one of the most amazing trips ever! I am an Exodus veteran but this had to be the best yet! Thank-you.

Magical From Start To Finish

Every day on this trip was like a dream come true. Over the two weeks we saw over 100 different wildlife species.

Read all 49 reviews

Save on this tour

Request your exclusive discount code now and unlock savings for your next adventure!

Send me one now.

1 Select your preferred date

Sunday - Saturday

Mar 23, 2025 - Apr 05, 2025
$7050 $5640

Operator discount: -$1410

Sunday - Saturday

May 18, 2025 - May 31, 2025
$6900 $5520

Operator discount: -$1380

Sunday - Saturday

Jul 20, 2025 - Aug 02, 2025
$6675 $5340

Operator discount: -$1335

Sunday - Saturday

Jul 27, 2025 - Aug 09, 2025
$6675 $5340

Operator discount: -$1335

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 03, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
$6900 $5520

Operator discount: -$1380

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 10, 2025 - Aug 23, 2025
$6675 $5340

Operator discount: -$1335

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 17, 2025 - Aug 30, 2025
$6675 $5340

Operator discount: -$1335

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 24, 2025 - Sep 06, 2025
$6675 $5340

Operator discount: -$1335

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025
$6750 $5400

Operator discount: -$1350

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 07, 2025 - Sep 20, 2025
$6750 $5400

Operator discount: -$1350

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 27, 2025
$7050 $5640

Operator discount: -$1410

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 21, 2025 - Oct 04, 2025
$6750 $5400

Operator discount: -$1350

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025
$6750 $5400

Operator discount: -$1350

Sunday - Saturday

Oct 05, 2025 - Oct 18, 2025
$6675

Sunday - Saturday

Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 25, 2025
$6675

Sunday - Saturday

Oct 19, 2025 - Nov 01, 2025
$6675

Sunday - Saturday

Nov 02, 2025 - Nov 15, 2025
$6675

Sunday - Saturday

Apr 26, 2026 - May 09, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

May 17, 2026 - May 30, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Jun 14, 2026 - Jun 27, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Jul 05, 2026 - Jul 18, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Jul 12, 2026 - Jul 25, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Jul 19, 2026 - Aug 01, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Jul 26, 2026 - Aug 08, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 09, 2026 - Aug 22, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 16, 2026 - Aug 29, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Aug 23, 2026 - Sep 05, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 06, 2026 - Sep 19, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 13, 2026 - Sep 26, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 20, 2026 - Oct 03, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Sep 27, 2026 - Oct 10, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Oct 11, 2026 - Oct 24, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Oct 25, 2026 - Nov 07, 2026
$7050

Sunday - Saturday

Nov 01, 2026 - Nov 14, 2026
$7050
Prices last published on 20-Nov-2024

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

Enquire for huge savings

Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.

By submitting this form, I accept Travel Club Elites terms & conditions and privacy policy.

Similar Tours