Day 1 & 2: Victoria Falls
(2 nights)

How’s this for a showstopping start to the tour – the chance to experience one of the seven natural wonders of the world, Victoria Falls. It’s a destination overflowing with sights, sounds and adrenaline-filled activities that never fail to impress.

First up, it’s time to check into your comfortable lodge in Victoria Falls and settle into your room. The rest of the afternoon is completely free for you to relax after your journey or head out and start exploring the town and surrounding attractions.

Chances are you’ll want to make your way to the falls themselves, where the sheer scale and power of the Zambezi River crashing into the gorge below is something you’ll never forget. If you’re after even more adventure, optional activities including white water rafting, canoeing on the upper Zambezi and scenic helicopter flights over the falls can all be arranged through the lodge.

You’ll also have a full second day in Victoria Falls, giving you plenty of time to experience everything at your own pace. Sunset cruises on the Zambezi are particularly popular, while the town itself offers a great selection of restaurants, cafés and curio shops to explore.

Please note lunch and dinner during your stay in Victoria Falls are at your own expense.

Accommodation: Pioneers Victoria Falls – breakfast included

Day 3 & 4: Chobe National Park
(2 nights)

Today, it’s goodbye Zimbabwe and hello Botswana as your safari adventure properly begins in Chobe National Park, famous for its huge elephant herds and incredible concentration of wildlife.

On the way: After breakfast, you’ll transfer to the Botswana border where your Bush Ways safari guide will meet you and continue with you toward Chobe Elephant Camp. The journey covers approximately 160km and takes around 3.5 hours including the border crossing.

When you’re there: You’ll spend the next two nights at Chobe Elephant Camp, a rustic safari lodge located on the edge of Chobe National Park.

The Chobe River provides water year-round, attracting enormous numbers of animals including elephant, buffalo, hippo and crocodile, while predators such as lion and leopard thrive in the area thanks to the abundance of prey.

During your stay, you’ll enjoy both a game drive and a boat cruise within the park, giving you the chance to experience Chobe from both land and water.

Your room will feature either a double bed or twins, ensuite bathroom, indoor and outdoor showers and a private verandah. Around camp, you’ll find a lounge, dining area, bar, swimming pool and firepit area overlooking the surrounding wilderness.

Accommodation: Chobe Elephant Camp - all meals included

Day 5 - 7: Khwai Community Area
(3 nights)

Today, you’ll check out of Chobe and head for the Khwai Community Area, specifically the Khwai Guest House which will be your base for the next 3 days and nights. Khwai is a private concession situated on the northern border of the Moremi Game Reserve.

On the way: After breakfast, your journey takes you through the southern reaches of Chobe National Park and the Savuti area, where lunch will be enjoyed along the way before continuing on to Khwai. The drive covers approximately 200km and takes most of the day including game viewing stops.

When you get there: Over the next three days, you’ll explore the Khwai River area on game drives while searching for the incredible variety of wildlife and birdlife the region is famous for.

You’ll also have the opportunity to glide quietly along one of the Khwai waterways on a traditional mokoro excursion, with a local poler guiding you through the channels and sharing insights into this remarkable ecosystem.

Your base for the next three nights is Khwai Guesthouse in Khwai Village. The guesthouse offers comfortable ensuite accommodation along with a dining room, bar, lounge, swimming pool and boma area where guests often gather in the evenings to share safari stories around the fire.

Accommodation: Khwai Guest House - all meals included

Day 8: Makgadikgadi
(1 night)

After breakfast, it’s time to leave the Delta behind and travel south toward the Makgadikgadi region and the Boteti River.

On the way: The journey to Boteti River Camp covers approximately 340km and takes around 6 hours by road excluding the lunch stop in Maun. There is also the option of taking a scenic 45-minute helicopter transfer to Maun this morning, payable locally in USD cash.

If travelling by road, there’ll be time in Maun to enjoy lunch at your own expense and perhaps browse a few curio shops while waiting for the rest of the group to regroup.

When you get there: Tonight you’ll stay at Boteti River Camp, an oasis overlooking the Boteti River near Khumaga village on the edge of Makgadikgadi National Park.

After settling into your chalet, you can relax beside the swimming pool or in the lounge before heading out on an afternoon game drive in the Makgadikgadi area.

The camp also offers beautiful views across the river, with wildlife often visible directly from the lodge itself.

Accommodation: Boteti River Camp - breakfast and dinner included

Day 9 & 10: Deception Valley Private Reserve
(2 nights)

After breakfast, you’ll continue south into the Kalahari, heading for one of Botswana’s most remote and atmospheric safari regions.

On the way: Today’s journey takes you approximately 180km to Deception Valley Private Reserve, located on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve.

When you get there: Over the next two days, you’ll explore this remarkable wilderness on game drives and guided nature walks with local San trackers, who’ll share fascinating insights into the bush, wildlife and their traditional culture.

This vast desert landscape is home to oryx, lion, cheetah and hyena, while the open spaces and clear night skies create a true sense of remoteness and adventure.

You’ll stay in comfortable safari accommodation within Deception Valley Private Reserve, with all meals included during your stay. Facilities include a lounge, dining area, swimming pool and outdoor areas where guests can gather and enjoy their final evenings together in the bush.

Accommodation: The Dune Camp – all meals included

Day 11: Maun (Departure)

All good things come to an end, and this morning your safari concludes after breakfast as you travel back to Maun International Airport, where the tour officially ends at approximately 12h00.

It’s possible to take this tour in reverse – starting in the Kalahari and ending at Victoria Falls. See Botswana & Victoria Falls 11-Day Group Tour – Northbound for more details.