The Okavango Delta, Chobe's Elephant Kingdom, and Victoria Falls
Botswana and Victoria Falls Private Safari
Overview
On this Private Journey, head to the renowned safari paradise of Botswana to explore its preeminent habitats, from the game-rich floodplains of the Okavango Delta to the wildlife paradise of Chobe National Park, one of Africa's legendary game reserves. Enjoy world-class wildlife viewing, including game tracking by open vehicle, safaris by riverboat and mokoro (dugout canoe), and exciting game walks. Small, intimate safari camps right in the heart of game country are your delightful accommodations. This journey also includes the world-famous natural wonder of Victoria Falls, and optional extensions to beautiful Cape Town and Johannesburg.
Arrive: Maun, Botswana
Depart: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, or Livingstone, Zambia
Highlights
- Phenomenal gameviewing in fabled Chobe National Park and the Okavango Delta
- Enjoy intimate safari camps, nature walks, mokoro excursions, and thrilling 4WD game drives
- Witness the wonder of Victoria Falls, “The Smoke that Thunders”
Itinerary
Note: The exclusive game lodges we use for this program are often booked up well in advance. We urge you to make your reservation as early as possible to guarantee availability on your preferred dates.
One of the major wilderness sanctuaries of Africa, the Okavango is the largest inland delta system in the world. Waters from the central African highlands seasonally flood its vast landscapes, home to an amazing variety of wildlife including sitatunga, red lechwe antelope, and an abundance of birds, including the rare Pel's fishing owl. With your expert naturalist guides, enjoy amazing gameviewing as you explore the pristine waterways by mokoro (dugout canoe), and roam the islands on foot and by 4WD vehicle on both day and night drives. At our intimate tented camps, enjoy highly personalized service, superb cuisine, and spectacular locations. Amenities include large walk-in tented rooms on raised platforms with en suite facilities, thatched dining areas, and easy access to wildlife in the heart of the African wilderness.
Fabled Chobe National Park and the Linyanti Game Reserve, an exclusive private reserve on Chobe's western edge, are the places to see spectacular concentrations of elephants (estimates range up to 120,000 individuals!) as they congregate along the waterways to bathe and drink. Among the treasured habitats of Chobe and Linyanti are the broad Chobe River and the famous Savuti Channel, also known for its predators, particularly its resident lions, spotted hyenas, and African wild dogs. From delightful tented camps (or lodges), set out with your guide for up-close wildlife viewing in a dramatic environment. In addition to enormous herds of elephant, game here includes kudu, with their beautiful spiraled horns, zebra, giraffe, waterbuck, impala, and often roan and sable antelope, while the marshes hold hippo pools, crocs, and an incredible array of birdlife.
The huge Zambezi River stretches a mile wide when it creates thundering Victoria Falls. From the Victoria Falls Hotel (Zimbabwe) or the Royal Livingstone Hotel (Zambia), enjoy options of a sunset cruise, scenic overflight, bungee jumping, canoeing a peaceful stretch of the Zambezi, or thrilling whitewater rafting. Depart on Day 8.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is rated Level 2, Easy to Moderate, according to our trip rating system. It is a luxury camping and lodge safari with game viewing by 4WD vehicle. It can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonably good health. On safari, there are long driving days over rugged dirt tracks.
Review Trip Level Details
May through October is the dry season, with mild days and cold nights. Because of the minimal rainfall during this season, the bush turns golden brown, and animals concentrate around waterholes and rivers. The Okavango Delta's water level starts to rise during these months. October is also dry but daytime temperatures are in the mid to high 90s. The grass in many areas is beaten flat, game viewing is easier, and animals are well concentrated around major water sources.
November to March can be very hot, with most of the rainfall between December and February. This season characteristically has hot sunny days with afternoon thundershowers. This season is excellent for the viewing of newborn mammals, summer flowers, and the migration of rare birds. Predator viewing during this time remains quite good.
Client Testimonials
"This was a perfect trip. We had been planning this adventure for two years and every dream was met and came true!"
Ann C.
Silverthorne, CO
"Everything was perfect!"
Doc C.
Silverthorne, CO
"Our safari trip to Botswana was a trip of a lifetime! Thank you for making our trip so special!"
Ginna L.
Stanford, CA
"The arrangements were flawless. The guides were excellent and highly trained."
Karen M.
Santa Barbara, CA
"I was hoping for "the trip of a lifetime" and our adventure exceeded our highest expectations."
Scott C.
St. Louis, MO
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Book your trip today
Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
Submit the form below to download itinerary
Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.