Botswana Explorer
13 Days Starting and ending in Victoria Falls
Visiting: Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia
Tour Overview
Experience the incredible sights and sounds of Botswana on this quality, fully serviced camping safari. Witness the awe-inspiring sight of water thundering over Victoria Falls, and search for wildlife in Hwange National Park. We explore the Okavango Delta by mokoro and cruise the Chobe River, offering a great diversity of wildlife with a variety of vegetation types and geological features; and the Makgadikgadi Pans with its striking Baobab trees. Game drive through the famous wildlife area of Moremi, on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Moremi is teeming with bird life and is a prime wildlife area where elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion and other big game can be seen in abundance. Camping in the heart of these beautiful national parks allows a full appreciation of these unique habitats and a complete wilderness experience. This is a truly memorable journey, full of incredible wildlife opportunities.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Victoria Falls "Mosi-Oa-Tunya" - The Smoke That Thunders
Welcome to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - one of the most spectacular sights in Africa. The tour starts at 15:00hrs on Day 1 with a group meeting in the foyer of the Sprayview Hotel. After a long journey you have the afternoon and tomorrow morning at your leisure to browse the local markets, to experience the many optional activities on offer in the adrenaline capital of Africa including white water rafting, scenic flights over the Falls and to visit the Falls (own expense). Overnight Sprayview Hotel (or similar)
Day 2 : Hwange National Park
The morning is free to do activities in Victoria Falls and to explore the town. We depart mid afternoon for a 2 hour drive to Hwange National Park. Our unfenced campsite is situated inside the Private Concession. Overnight camping.
Day 3 : Hwange National Park
This morning we enjoy a morning 4x4 game drive in the Private Concession bordering the Park. This area of the Park is famous for its large Elephant population. The afternoon is free for an optional game drive (own expense) or to relax around camp and experience the sights from the viewing deck. Overnight camping.
Day 4 : Makgadikgadi Pans
We depart Hwange and cross into Botswana where we set up camp at Nata. We visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary and Makgadikgadi Pans for a truly unforgettable sunset over what remains of an ancient 6500 square kilometre lake. Overnight camping.
Day 5 : Khwai Area Of Moremi Game Reserve
We travel to Maun arriving at lunchtime. We change vehicles to our open sided 4x4 vehicles and travel to the Khwai area of Moremi Game Reserve. This is a pure wilderness area of great beauty, with rich green vegetation, palm trees, teeming with birdlife and a vast population of wild animals. We enjoy early morning and late afternoon game drives exploring the reserve in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Our private campsite is located inside the park where we set up bush toilets and bush showers. Overnight camping.
Day 7 : Maun
After an early morning game drive we exit Moremi and travel back to Maun. The afternoon is free for a 1 hour scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (own expense). Overnight camping.
Day 8 : Okavango Delta
Depart Maun and driving round the pan handle we traverse to the north west of the Okavango Delta. We arrive at Swamp Stop mid afternoon and our campsite on the edge of the Okavango Delta. This afternoon enjoy a sunset boat excursion in the channels of the Delta. The following day we travel by boat 30 minutes into the Delta. We do mokoro and boat excursions in the back channels of the Nxamasire area of the Delta. Game walks are also done on the smaller islands in the area subject to the water levels of the Delta. Overnight camping.
Day 10 : Caprivi Strip
Departing the Delta we cross into Namibia and traverse to the Eastern side of the Caprivi Strip, a sliver of Namibia sandwiched between Botswana and Angola. We arrive at our campsite overlooking the flood plains of the Zambezi River. Overnight camping.
Day 11 : Chobe River - Kasane
A short drive through the Chobe National Park takes us to the Chobe River. Chobe is famous for its beautiful scenery, magnificent sunsets and abundance of wildlife and birdlife. The following day sunset is enjoyed on a relaxing game viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River. Optional afternoon or morning game drive in the Chobe National Park (own expense). Overnight camping.
Day 13 : Transfer To Victoria Falls, Trip Concludes
Today the tour concludes with a transfer back into Zimbabwe and to Victoria Falls Airport.
What's Included
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Accommodation
11 nights camping -
12 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 11 dinners
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11 nights fully supported camping on a twinshare tent basis, 1 night hotel on a twinshare basis
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Group camping equipment including spacious safari tent, camp bed, foam mattress, small pillow, sleeping bag
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English speaking local guide, cook and camp assistant
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Chobe River game cruise
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Okavango Delta mokoro excursion
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Game drives as listed in itinerary
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National park and conservation fees
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Private transport in custom built expedition vehicle
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Arrival and departure transfers are included in Victoria Falls on Days 1 & 13. (NB - Victoria Falls Airport Zimbabwe (VFA) only; and NOT Livingstone Airport Zambia).
What's Not Included
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Local cash payment of US$230 per person payable to the tour guide on day 1
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Arrival and departure transfers (other than days 1 & 13)
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In 2023 - Local cash payment of US$230 per person payable to the tour guide on day 1
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In 2024 - Local cash payment of US$250 per person payable to the tour guide on day 1
Accommodation
11 nights camping
This trip features 11 nights of fully serviced camping and 1 night hotel accommodation. Fully serviced camping means all camping gear (including sleeping bag & pillow), spacious 2 person safari tents, camp bed, mattress and comfortable safari folding chairs area all provided. We also enjoy the attention of two camp assistants/cooks who set everything up for us, in addition to our English-speaking guide.
Note that a single supplement is compulsory for this trip if you are travelling alone. If you prefer to share, please advise us at time of booking and we will try to match you with another person of the same gender and also willing to share. This is rarely possible but if a match does happen we will be able to refund the single supplement approx 4 weeks prior to departure.
What You Carry
In your daypack you will need to carry a rainjacket, extra warm clothing (it can be cold on early morning game drives) water bottle, camera gear, valuables and personal items such as sunscreen, lip balm etc.
Wildlife
The wilderness areas of Africa are populated by large numbers of wild and potentially dangerous animals. The trip aims to view these animals in their natural habitat, uncontrolled by fences. Your experienced guides will make every effort to ensure the safety of the group at all times. Please be aware that all safari travel, including vehicle safaris in the proximity of wild animals is never entirely without risk. By travelling into wild areas in search of wild animals, all participants accept that they are choosing an adventure that includes an element of risk and this is an inherent aspect of the enjoyment of this style of travel.
Check out our Q&As
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have offices on three continents which means your travelling companions will be just that – international and wonderfully eclectic. Part of small group travel means that although travellers come from various locations and backgrounds, you will be travelling with like-minded companions who, like you, are keen to share the experience and forge lifelong friendships.
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What about environmental impact?
We believe that adventure travel revolves around establishing a strong relationship with the people and environments in which we operate. Our responsible travel policies have been carefully developed to ensure that we minimise the impact of our presence and help to protect the regions we visit while contributing positively to the local community.
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What should I pack?
Your pre-departure documents include a detailed packing list with items that you need to bring. While most of the equipment for daily activities is included in your tour cost, some items like helmets and hiking boots are best brought from home. The pre-departure documents also include information on layering and recommended brands for various items to ensure you are fully prepared for your trip.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes. World Expeditions does not require single travellers to pay a surcharge for travelling alone on the vast majority of our trips. Our holidays are primarily on a twin share basis, so if you are joining the group as a solo traveller, we will match you with someone of your own gender. The choice is yours however; if you prefer not to share, we do offer single supplements for private occupancy.
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Are tips included in my trip price?
Tips are not included in the tour cost. Tipping is a personal thing, do not worry about how much, or when, to tip. Tipping guidelines are provided for certain destinations in our pre departure information upon booking, however the best advice will be provided by your tour leader.
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Am I suited to small-group travel?
We recognise that many of our travellers have not been on a ‘group trip’ before. Yet what our departures provide is both structure and flexibility, allowing you plenty of freedom within the framework of the itinerary. You’ll find that with our maximum group size at 16, you’ll travel in a minimal impact style with a great group of like-minded travellers.
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Can you advise which vaccinations are recommended?
While our pre-departure kit provides information on vaccinations, we suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
World Expeditions allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform world expeditions, 70 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
World Expeditions requires a minimum deposit of 400 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of world expeditions charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.