Zambezi River, Zambia
Today you will arrive in Livingstone where your local guide Mortimer, will transfer you to your tranquil camp 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 bustling town of Livingstone, Camp Nkwazi 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. Dotted alongside the river are 10 tented chalets with spacious and tastefully furnished interiors, en-suite bathrooms and a private balcony. The main lodge area includes a popular bar as well as a restaurant overlooking a large swimming pool and the river. It is from here that you will depart on this afternoon's sunset cruise.
- Main Destination:
- Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park (Zambia)
- Accommodation:
- Camp Nkwazi
- Meals & Drinks:
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
You will 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, where you will disembark. Mortimer transfers you across to Zimbabwe to your lodge in the town of Victoria Falls.
NOTE: It’s possible to include the Livingstone Island “afternoon high tea” tour (seasonal, subject to water levels) after you disembark from your boat transfer.
- Main Destination:
- Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
- Accommodation:
- 528 Victoria Falls
- Meals & Drinks:
Victoria Falls
You will receive a complimentary guided visit to Victoria Falls during your stay here (Zambian and Zimbabwean sides) including entrance fees. Your safari also includes a Zambezi River cruise and rhino walking safari during your stay on the Zambian side of the Zambezi River. Other activities on offer include 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. We especially recommend “Tour the Township” with our local guide Mortimer who introduces you to his home turf and often invites our travellers to lunch with his wife and family. Dining options include African-style feasts with accompanying cultural entertainment at The Boma or Jungle Junction restaurants, as well as an afternoon high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
- Main Destination:
- Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)
- Accommodation:
- 528 Victoria Falls
- Meals & Drinks:
Hwange National Park
You will now travel by private vehicle to Hwange National Park where you will embark on a game drive to the Hide Safari Camp. For three nights, you will be immersed in the special wilderness surrounding The Hide, which boasts the dual prizes of being located within the Hwange National Park while also surrounded by a private wildlife concession area. Being located in a private concession means not being bound by the national park regulations imposed on camps located within the park itself. The Hide can therefore offer year-round day and night game drives and guided bush walks.
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. It is best combined with a visit to Botswana's Chobe and Okavango regions to offer 'the big three' of game drives, bush walks and boat safaris.
- Main Destination:
- Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe)
- Accommodation:
- The Hide Safari Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Chobe National Park
You will travel to Botswana and Garden Lodge, located in the small safari town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River. The private road transfer from Hwange passes through Bushveld which is home to wildlife such as elephants and giraffes sightings of which often occur during the drive. You are again accompanied by your guide Mortimer, who will assist with the cross-border formalities. This afternoon, you will embark on a private boat safari along the Chobe River. The accompanying sunset on the river often provides a truly memorable moment. Your riverside accommodation will give you an incredible experience tonight with the grunts coming from nearby pods of hippos as they venture out of the water to graze on the lodge's lush lawn.
- Main Destination:
- Chobe National Park (Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Chobe River Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Chobe National Park
Your day revolves around morning and afternoon private game drives within the Chobe National Park. You’ll also enjoy delicious home-style meals and have time for 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 takes along a picnic lunch. To make your safari extra special, Compass Odyssey travellers are provided with a private vehicle and boat during their stay in Chobe. Other companies typically offer game drives with up to 10 passengers and boat safaris with 10-50+ travellers on board.
During your game drives, be on the lookout for predators such as lions and hyenas and iconic herbivores such as buffalos, zebras, giraffes, warthogs and wildebeests. 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 the fresh water.
- Main Destination:
- Chobe National Park (Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Chobe River Lodge
- Meals & Drinks:
Okavango Delta
This morning’s private boat safari on the Chobe River offers a tranquil beginning to another day on safari. After brunch, you will transfer 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 and is part of a daily route that often stops at several bush airstrips to deliver/collect other travellers. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your camp guide who provides a game drive on the way to camp. After lunch and a short rest, you'll embark on an afternoon/evening game drive.
You'll 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 and 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 safari tent.
- Main Destination:
- Okavango Delta (Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Nokanyana Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Okavango Delta
Opened in March 2020 and 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 costs; must be pre-booked).
- Main Destination:
- Okavango Delta (Botswana)
- Accommodation:
- Nokanyana Camp
- Meals & Drinks:
Farewell
After an early morning game drive and a hearty brunch, you will say tsamaya sentle (“goodbye and go well” in the local Setswana language) as you 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: