Victoria Falls and Best of Botswana Luxury Safari

Fly to Deception Valley and game drive transfer from the airstrip through the Central Kalahari Game Reserve Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Central Kalahari Game Reserve - Botswana's vast savanna wilderness area
More... to your safari lodge.

On the way: The Central Kalahari is one of the largest game reserves in the world. Your game drive transfer takes about 3 hours through pristine Kalahari wilderness made picturesque by flat-topped acacia trees, soft savannah grassland and rolling hills. Giraffes do their bit to add life to your landscape pictures.

When you're there: Kalahari Plains Camp is one of the most remote safari lodges in Botswana. Deep in the Central Kalahari Game reserve, this exclusive and rustic eco-camp offers the most exciting Kalahari safari imaginable. The rainy season safari is particularly rewarding as vast herds of grazers move in to mow the fresh grass and prides of lion flank their sides pruning the herds along the way. Other exciting predators include cheetah, wild dog, hyena and the majestic black-maned Kalahari lions.

Many species of wildlife, not found in the more lush regions of northern Botswana, thrive in the semi-arid Kalahari including the graceful straight-horned gemsbok, elegant springbok, odd-looking hartebeest, shaggy-coated brown hyena and delightful meerkats that stand on their hind legs and look about like periscopes.

Activities in the Kalahari Plains Camp include game drives and tracking expeditions with the San Bushmen hunter/gatherers who teach you about their ingenious survival techniques and fascinating traditions.

Accommodation: Kalahari Plains Camp Kalahari Plains Camp
Kalahari Plains Camp is a remote and wild safari camp in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Accommodation is comfortable and rustic, the experience is amazing.
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Fly from the Kalahari Plains Camp on the western side of the Kalahari to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Makgadikgadi Pans is an amazing place that rewards the intrepid traveller willing to head off the beaten tourist track
More... on the eastern side of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

On the way: One last game drive transfer takes you back through the Central Kalahari en route to Makgadikgadi on the north-eastern edge of the Kalahari.

When you're there: The Makgadikgadi, while part of the Kalahari you've just seen offers a completely different experience. Here, vast pans shimmer into the distance that, in the rainy summer from November to March, fill up with water attracting thousands of flamingos, pelicans and migrants. The summer rains also attract the second largest mammal migration in Africa as thousands of zebra, wildebeest and other antelope escape the predators up north for some succulent grass down south. The winter dry season offers good general game viewing and fascinating exploration expeditions to the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans.

Jack's camp is a hand-crafted antique-filled luxury tented camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Small, intimate and exclusive, Jack's is renowned for its habituated meerkats and brown hyenas. The guides and service staff are local villagers-turned-custodians and they offer amazing activities like San-guided nature walks, eco-friendly quad bike trails across the pans and luxury sleep-outs under the great Kalahari sky.

Accommodation: Jacks Camp Jacks Camp
Jack's Camp is a small, luxurious and romantic camp in the middle of nowhere surrounded by the Makgadikgadi Pans and total silence.
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Transfer to a private concession on Chief's Island in the Okavango Delta Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a network of waterways and flood plains in Botswana
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On the way: The Okavango Delta unfolds beneath you as the parched Kalahari gives way to swamped inland delta.

When you're there: The first half of your Okavango Delta safari starts in Mombo Concession: a private game reserve in the delta offering safari activities on both land and water. Morning and afternoon game drives on the floodplains are punctuated by delta-boat and mokoro safaris (water-levels depending) through the channels and waterways of the Okavango. A magical day spent on a walking safari with three orphaned elephants, though optional, is an essential extra activity at both Chief's Camp and your next luxury safari lodge, Baines' Camp.

Wildlife in the Mombo Concession includes lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, wild dog, elephant, white rhino, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and a variety of large and small antelope including the rare red lechwe. Birding is superb with hundreds of species on record, plenty of specials and some renowned birding spots.

Safari activities follow a flexible schedule usually with morning and afternoon game drives punctuated by water safaris.

Accommodation: Chiefs Camp Chiefs Camp
Chief's Camp is a five-star safari lodge in the Mombo Concession of the Okavango Delta. The game-viewing, amazingly, surpasses the luxury.
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Transfer by boat to Baines' Camp on the perennial Boro River surrounded by seasonal lagoons.

On the way: The boat transfer is a wonderful extended water safari deep into the delta through permanent rivers and shallow lakes fringed with palms, papyrus and hundreds of birds.

When you're there: Baines' Camp offers a water-based safari to compliment the dry-land safari of your previous stop at Chief's Camp. Even more intimate, more remote and in an equally sublime setting, your Okavango Delta experience rises to a crescendo in this private concession.

Take to the water in the traditional dug-out canoe, called a mokoro, poled through the shallow channels and lagoons by an expert guide born and raised in the delta region. Motor boat safaris get you above the water's level for an excellent game viewing and scenic birding outing; walking safaris explore the islands and if you missed out at Chief's Camp, the same amazing walk with elephants activity is available from Baines' Camp; day and night game drives traverse the plains.

Accommodation: Baines Camp Baines Camp
Baines' Camp is an intimate and luxurious safari lodge an permanent water in a private concession of the Okavango Delta.
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Transfer by boat and air to another altogether different habitat and safari setting: the Savuti Channel in Chobe National Park.

On the way: An aerial view of the open grasslands of the Savuti reveals an area teeming with wildlife.

When you're there: This is game viewing country. Predators abound, plains herds proliferate and the action never stops. Savute Elephant Camp is a small and secluded luxury safari lodge overlooking a waterhole in the dry Savuti Channel.

From the luxury of your lodge you can watch a full day's parade of wildlife from elephant-eating lions to lion-bating hyena. Cheetah, wild dog, leopard and vast herds of zebra, wildebeest and antelope pass through the channel en route to green pastures.

Safari activities at Savute Elephant Camp include daily guided game drives; bird watching; stargazing and relaxing at the lodge with a book from the library or a pair of binoculars trained over the waterhole.

Accommodation: Savute Elephant Camp Savute Elephant Camp
Savute Elephant Camp is a five-star luxury safari lodge in the game-viewing epicentre of Chobe National Park: the Savuti Channel.
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From the dry open grasslands of Savuti to the lush riverside of the Chobe River, your safari continues to provide striking contrasts, beautiful settings and amazing wildlife. And that's not to mention the luxury lodges. Transfer by air or game drive to Chobe Chilwero on the Chobe River.

On the way: The safari never stops as you drive through the Chobe National Park, crammed with every conceivable species of plains game.

When you're there: Chobe Chilwero is a luxury safari lodge with palatial living quarters, private gardens and a full wellness spa. The luxury is every bit as satisfying as the phenomenal game viewing along the Chobe River and into the park.

Activities include game drives; water safaris; sunset river cruises; birdwatching; stargazing and day trips to Victoria Falls – a good option if you don't have time to include a full stay at Victoria Falls.

In addition to great herds of elephant, the Chobe area has good numbers of plains game including buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, large and small antelope and plenty of predators including lion, leopard, wild dog and hyena. Along the Chobe River, birdlife is prolific with over 400 species on record.

Accommodation: Chobe Chilwero Chobe Chilwero
Silver service gourmet dining, fine wine, wellness spa, exceptional game viewing and a beautiful setting. Chobe Chilwero ticks all the boxes for a luxury safari in Chobe National Park.
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From Chobe you will have a fly/drive transfer to Victoria Falls either on the Zimbabwean side or the Zambian side.

On the way: Clear customs and immigration and proceed to your lodge through the game reserves on either side of the Zambezi River.

When you're there: Victoria Falls is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Both sides of the falls offer excellent hotels and safari lodges and a great view of the waterfalls. Despite Zimbabwe's economic and political problems, Victoria Falls remains a safe and accessible destination and an essential addition to any African safari.

Your Travel Expert will provide current advice about visiting Victoria Falls before you travel and if the security level is threatened we will not hesitate to intervene and re-arrange your travel plans as necessary.

Victoria Falls is an exciting world of activities and sights. After a day spent at the beautiful waterfalls – a World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World – it's time for some Zambezi action. A scenic flight over the falls is amazing and the sunset river cruises are a must; walking safaris with lions and elephants are popular highlights and there are many adventure activities available for the young-at-heart including excellent white water rafting and canoeing safaris.

Hot tip: at full moon, both the Zimbabwean and Zambian Park sides stay open and you can explore the waterfalls at night – the full moon rainbow is eerie, beautiful and oh-so-romantic. Talk to your Travel Expert about arriving in time for the full moon experience at Victoria Falls.

Spend two days exploring Victoria Falls and either cramming in the activities or relaxing in your safari lodge with a beautiful view, a cool drink and the wonderful African weather. After breakfast on your last day, transfer to the nearest international airport and connect to your homeward flight at the end of a sensational African safari.

Accommodation Options: Stanley and Livingstone Stanley and Livingstone
The Stanley and Livingstone at Victoria Falls is an exlusive, all-suite luxury boutique safari lodge on a private reserve adjoining the Zambezi National Park 15km from Victoria Falls.
More... | Sussi Lodge and Chuma Villas Sussi Lodge and Chuma Villas
Sussi Lodge and Chuma Villas are the most luxurious and exclusive accommodation options on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls.
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The flights to Jo'burg usually leave late afternoon so you have time to squeeze in any last-minute must-do activities or purchases.