12-Day Zambia-Zimbabwe-Botswana Safari

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Zambezi River, Zambia

Today you arrive in Livingstone and meet our local guide Mortimer, who transfers you to your tranquil lodge on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Later this afternoon, you will embark on a complimentary sunset cruise (incl. snacks and all drinks) on this famous river. There are daily flights direct to Livingstone from Cape Town, Johannesburg, Kruger-Nelspruit and Nairobi.

Secluded on the banks of the Zambezi River yet only a 45-minute drive from the sleepy town of Livingstone, Chundukwa River Lodge is the perfect spot to commence your journey. Staying here enables simple logistics for tomorrow's rhino walking safari and lunch, both located close by and it is from here that you will depart on this afternoon's sunset cruise.

Main Destination:

Zambezi River (Zambia)

Accommodation:

Chundukwa River Lodge

• Luxury lodge located at Zambezi River (Zambia)

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+9 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Dinner (Breakfast & lunch not included)
• All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Victoria Falls, Zambia & Zimbabwe

You wake up early this morning and travel to the nearby Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park for a rhino walking safari, viewing the only surviving population of white rhinos in all of Zambia. This is followed by lunch and a transfer by a speed boat down to the Zambezi towards the bridge/border with Zimbabwe, from where Mortimer transfers you across to Zimbabwe and your boutique guesthouse in the uptown leafy area of the town of Victoria Falls.

NOTE: After you disembark from your boat transfer, it’s possible to include the Livingstone Island “afternoon high tea” tour (seasonal, subject to water levels).

Main Destination:

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Accommodation:

528 Victoria Falls

• Mid-range guest house located At

+3 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Mortimer is your private guide for the duration of your stay in Victoria Falls and we are pleased to offer you a complimentary guided visit to the falls (Zimbabwean and Zambian sides; includes entrance fees). Your safari also includes a Rhino walking safari, Elephant Café lunch and a complimentary Zambezi River sunset cruise during your stay on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. The plethora of other activities on offer includes white-water rafting or canoeing, birding and horse-back safaris, helicopter and microlight scenic flights, African township and village tours, adrenaline activities like bungee jumping and zip sliding, and much more. Dining options include African-style feasts with accompanying tribal entertainment at The Boma or Jungle Junction restaurants, as well as an afternoon High Tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel. We will send you our separate “Victoria Falls Activities” booklet, and we can pre-book any of these or they can be organised by Mortimer upon your arrival.

Main Destination:

Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Accommodation:

528 Victoria Falls

• Mid-range guest house located At

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Mortimer now transfers you to Hwange National Park, from where you embark on a game drive to The Hide Safari Camp. During your stay here you are immersed in the special wilderness surrounding the camp, which boasts the dual prizes of being located within Hwange National Park while also surrounded by a private wildlife concession area that allows game driving after sunset and walks with a Big Five guide. Game drives and bush walks are available in the early morning, late afternoon and after dark, as is a visit to the lodge’s famous waterhole hide.

Home to some of Africa’s largest elephant herds and renowned for its wild dog population, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest safari wilderness. This massive national park (14,650sq km/5,657sq mi) is easily accessed from Victoria Falls and is a year-round option.

Main Destination:

Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)

Best Time To Visit July to October (Middle and end of the Dry season)

High Season June to October (Hwange’s main area can become busy)

Best Weather April to September (It hardly ever rains)

Wildlife in Hwange NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

Show more

HippoCommon

HyenaCommon

CheetahOccasional

Wild DogOccasional

White RhinoVery Rare

Black RhinoVery Rare

LeopardRare

Accommodation:

The Hide Safari Camp

• Luxury tented camp located inside Hwange NP (Zimbabwe)

+105 Photos

+104 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Except for spirits/liquor)

Chobe National Park, Botswana

This morning you travel to Botswana and the small safari town of Kasane, located on the banks of the wildlife-rich Chobe River. The private road transfer passes through bushveld that is home to wildlife such as elephant and giraffe, sightings of which often occur during the drive. You are accompanied by Mortimer who will assist with the cross-border formalities.

After freshening up, you embark on a boat safari on the Chobe River followed by a congenial dinner back at the lodge. This evening you are ‘serenaded’ to sleep by the grunts coming from the local hippos as they venture out of the water to graze on the lodge’s lush lawn.

To make your safari extra special, Compass Odyssey travellers are exclusively provided with a private guide and vehicle/boat during your stay in Chobe*. Other companies typically offer game drives with up to 10 passengers and boat safaris with 10-50+ travellers on board.
*Complimentary for 2+ travellers.

Main Destination:

Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Best Time To Visit April to October (Best at the riverfront area)

High Season July to October (The park gets crowded)

Best Weather May to August (Less hot during the day)

Wildlife in Chobe NP

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

LionCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

HippoAbundant

Show more

BuffaloCommon

HyenaCommon

LeopardOccasional

Wild DogOccasional

CheetahRare

White RhinoNone

Black RhinoNone

Accommodation:

Chobe River Lodge

• Luxury lodge located just outside Chobe NP (Botswana)

+7 Photos

+6 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Your day revolves around morning and afternoon game drives within Chobe National Park. You’ll also enjoy delicious home-style meals and have time for some quality lazing by the pool and perhaps even a midday siesta.

Note: You have the option today of a full-day private game drive that ventures further into the park and travels away from the tourist traffic. At additional cost, incl. picnic lunch.

During your game drives, be on the lookout for predators such as lions and hyenas, and iconic herbivores such as buffalo, zebras, giraffes, warthogs and wildebeest. On your boat safaris along the Chobe River, you will encounter all manner of wildlife, including Nile crocodiles and the Chobe’s great herds of elephants as they come to the river’s edge to drink and frolic in the freshwater.

Main Destination:

Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Accommodation:

Chobe River Lodge

• Luxury lodge located just outside Chobe NP (Botswana)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinks not included

Okavango Delta, Botswana

This morning’s boat safari on the Chobe River offers a tranquil beginning to another day on safari. After brunch, you are transferred the short distance to Kasane Airport for your flight into the wild expanse of the Okavango Delta. The flight travels in a light aircraft deep into the delta floodplains. It is part of a daily route that often stops at a number of bush airstrips to deliver/collect other travelers. Upon arrival, you are greeted by your camp guide who provides a game drive on the way to camp. After lunch and a short rest, you embark on an afternoon/evening game drive.

You stay here for three nights immersed in the absolute serenity of one of the world’s last true wildernesses. After evenings backed by a chorus of nighttime sounds in the African bush, your days include morning and afternoon/evening game drives as well as bush walks. You may also wish to visit a local village or simply relax by the pool and enjoy the expansive views from your luxury tented suite.

Main Destination:

Okavango Delta (Botswana)

Best Time To Visit July to October (Best wildlife viewing)

High Season July to October (Higher rates apply but it’s not busy)

Best Weather May to August (Less hot during the day)

Wildlife in Okavango Delta

ElephantAbundant

GiraffeCommon

BuffaloCommon

ZebraCommon

WildebeestCommon

HippoAbundant

Show more

LionOccasional

LeopardOccasional

HyenaOccasional

Wild DogOccasional

White RhinoRare

Black RhinoVery Rare

CheetahRare

Accommodation:

Nokanyana Camp

• Luxury tented camp inside Khwai Concession (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

+8 Photos

+7 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Okavango Delta, Botswana

Overlooking the confluence of the seasonal Khwai and Mababe Rivers, Nokanyana Camp is located within the wildlife-rich Khwai concession in the southeastern region of the Okavango Delta, adjacent to Moremi Game Reserve. Being located in a private concession means not being bound by the national park regulations imposed on camps located within Moremi Game Reserve. Nokanyana can therefore offer guided bush walks and year-round day and evening/night game drives that can go off-road if necessary. Some, or all of these activities, are not allowed within the national park. Wildlife viewing opportunities are considered some of the best offered in the delta and thanks to the surrounding diverse landscape, guests have the chance to see all the major predators, a variety of big game and plains game, as well as an abundance of birdlife. Guests can also enjoy an open-sided helicopter flight over the delta (at additional cost, must be pre-booked).

Main Destination:

Okavango Delta (Botswana)

Accommodation:

Nokanyana Camp

• Luxury tented camp inside Khwai Concession (Okavango Delta, Botswana)

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• All drinks (Premium wines & liquors might be excluded)

Farewell

After an early morning game drive and a hearty brunch, we say "tsamaya sentle" (goodbye and go well in the local Setswana language). Board your light aircraft for the flight to the bustling safari town of Maun and your onward travel arrangements. There are daily flights from Maun to South Africa (Cape Town and Johannesburg), as well as thrice-weekly flights to Namibia (Windhoek).

During your stay in Southern Africa, you will experience our natural beauty, diverse cultures and renowned African hospitality, as well as the iconic wildlife of Africa. Thank you for choosing to visit us on this Compass Odyssey safari.
Sizobonana msinya (see you soon).

Main Destination:

No major destination visited

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast (Lunch & dinner not included)
• Drinks not included

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.