Botswana Wildlife Breakaway: Victoria Falls, Chobe, Okavango Delta & More

On arrival into Maun International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your lodge. Thamalakane River Lodge is located on the banks for the Thamalakane River outside of Maun en route to the famous Okavango Delta. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available at the Lodge. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest
of your group at the lodge at 18h00 for your pre-departure meeting.

This morning after breakfast we head to Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique.

Today is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), and discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. We have the opportunity to stop at a secluded island to take a 1½ hour-guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck, or other animals living in this water-filled paradise.

After breakfast we head south travelling via Maun to our camp which is situated in a private concession in the Greater Moremi area. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors.

We have the opportunity to spend the day on game drives. In our open 4x4 vehicle we will explore the Greater Moremi area on morning and afternoon game drives hopefully spotting a variety of game that frequent this region. After dinner your guide will take you on a night drive, and you will hopefully be able to spot some rare nocturnal animals.

Today we head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.

Leaving the bush behind us, we travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, once a large river fed lake which has become saline and empty. This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands and forms the Great Makgadikgadi which comprises the largest area of salt pans in the world, covering some 37,000 square km overall. We arrive at our lodge in the late afternoon.

We head off to Nata Bird Sanctuary in the morning, which offers us the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans (please note a visit to the pans is subject to the road conditions and water levels as well as time constraints). After breakfast, we continued our journey north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephants found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool.

Start your morning of day 9 with a hopefully spectacular game drive in Chobe National Park. You will return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relaxation until our boat cruise on the Chobe River starts around 3 p.m. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of birds, making for excellent up-close photo opportunities.

Today we make our way across the border into Zimbabwe and onto our lodge located in a private concession near Hwange National Park, where we will spend the next three nights in this wildlife-rich area. This afternoon you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows.

Today, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on game drives. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to massive herds of elephants, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffes. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife. We will also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to witness the work that is done to protect these endangered species. During your stay, you can engage with the anti-poaching unit. Guests will learn what motivates these conservation warriors and can ask them any burning questions.

Another full day is spent on game drives as you search out that extra special sighting.

After breakfast, we head back towards Victoria Falls. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many optional activities available in Victoria Falls.

Below is a list of some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Victoria Falls. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate. Certain activities only operate at specific times of the year. Please contact your Goway Destination Specialist for further information. Should you wish to partake in an activity that is not listed below, we will gladly assist you with rates and reservations.

Helicopter Flights, Boma Dinner Incl. Transfers, Bungee Jump Flying Fox (Cable Slide), Bridge Slide, Canopy Tour, Gorge Swing, Horse Back Safaris (Novice), Livingstone Island: Lunch Departure, Victoria Falls Bicycle Tour and Zip Line.

Today you will have some leisure time to explore Victoria Falls, the town, and all of its unique offerings from adventure activities to cultural experiences. Your guide will take you on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya- "the Smoke that Thunders". In the afternoon we embark on a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River.

Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight, kindly note it is advisable to book international flights not earlier than 01:00pm. We hope to welcome you again one day on another of our African adventures.