Southern Africa Explorer

Day 1 : Arrive Maun & The Okavango Delta, Botswana

NOTE: We recommend spending the Sunday night prior in Johannesburg, and taking the Monday morning flight from Johannesburg to Maun. Travcoa will be happy to assist you in making those additional arrangements. Welcome to Botswana! You are met upon arrival in Maun, and escorted onto a charter flight bound for the Khwai River Lodge, an Orient-Express luxury safari camp. Located in the eastern region of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, is the 1,160 square-mile Moremi Wildlife Reserve, a network of rich waterways that surround two large landmasses, containing a diverse ecosystem of woodlands, wetlands, floodplains, and dry savannah. Your lodge camp is adjacent to the reserve, the Khwai River, and nestled on the edge of a Leadwood and fig tree forest. Known for its large concentration of mammals, the Khwai River Lodge is a perfect place to view elephant, buffalo, lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dogs. This afternoon, take a safari drive in an open-air Land Cruiser, and then after dark, a spotlight game drive, to view some of the nocturnal animals. ​(L,D)

Day 2 : Moremi Game Reserve

The day is yours to relax and explore this wonderful region of Botswana. Game drives are available in the morning, afternoon and evening, and there are guided walking safaris that stroll along the Khwai River. You may also want to visit a local village to learn about the native culture and traditions. Tonight enjoy a stargazing presentation. ​(B,L,D)

Day 3 : Okavango Delta To Chobe National Park

This morning, take a short flight north to Chobe National Park. Stay in the Savute Channel, in the heart of the park, and a diverse habitat and haven for wildlife. The highlight of this area is Chobe's animal migrations. Exhibiting the ancient patterns of time, the animals move following the available food and water in the district. During the rainy season (December-March), wildlife migrates to the open plains; then they return to the river areas during the dry season (April-November). At the Savute Elephant Camp’s watering hole, you can see massive herds of elephant and buffalo, and the prides of lion that hunt them, as well as many other predators such as the endangered wild dog, leopard, cheetah, and hyena. Enjoy game drives in open Land Rovers each morning and afternoon. Your luxurious tented accommodation is built on a raised teak deck - including an en-suite bathroom and a wonderful view of the water hole. ​(B,L,D)

Day 4 : Chobe National Park

Today enjoy another day to explore this amazing area full of animals and colorful birds. Often called the “elephant capital of the world,” Savute Elephant Camp offers excellent wildlife viewpoints. Stand along the dry Savute Channel to witness herds of elephants in their natural habitat. Game drives in open Land Rovers depart the lodge each morning and afternoon. You can also take an excursion to view the historic San rock paintings hidden in the hills by early Bushmen. Tonight you may choose to dine in the open-air “boma” for an evening of traditional foods and spectacular vistas of the African night sky. ​(B,L,D)

Day 5 : Embark On The Zambezi Queen Cruise

Relish your last morning at the camp – relax or take another early morning safari drive. After lunch, take a (shared) charter single engine aircraft flight to Kasane. This small village is the gateway to the great Chobe River, and upon arrival, you are taken to board the luxurious Zambezi Queen riverboat, your home for the next three nights. Late this afternoon, enjoy a sail on the main vessel or tender boats. The river’s exotic banks boast one of the densest populations of wildlife on the African continent. Cruising in small crafts, you get close to the animals, without having them feel threatened. In the evening, you have a welcome briefing, followed by dinner. Situated on the top level of the ship, the dining room is a haven of elegance with floor to ceiling windows for spectacular views of the passing scenery. (B,L,D)

Day 6 : Chobe River Cruise

In the morning, visit a local village on the Namibian side of the Chobe River. Return to the boat and enjoy lunch onboard. This afternoon, choose from game viewing by boat or fishing. This region is home to the largest population of elephants in the world. It is also possible to spot leopard, lion, buffalo, waterbuck, roan, eland, sable, and giraffe. In the river itself, watch out for hippo and crocodile, and a rich selection of bird life. ​(B,L,D)

Day 7 : Chobe River Cruise

Enjoy another morning to explore this amazing area full of animals and colorful birds. Depart the ship for a game viewing – travel on land in 4x4 vehicles, take a river safari by small boat, or fish along the banks. In the dry months, April to November, massive herds of animals congregate along the cooling floodplains of the river. Legions of elephants wallow in the marshlands of the Chobe, joining squadrons of multicolored birds that hover around the islands. Enjoy lunch and the fantastic scenery from the panoramic third-floor dining room. After lunch, you have your choice of game viewing by boat or fishing. ​(B,L,D)

Day 8 : Disembark Cruise To Livingstone, Zambia

After an early breakfast on board, disembark the Zambezi Queen, then transfer to the Kasane airport for the flight to Livingstone, in Zambia. Upon arrival, you are taken to the legendary Royal Livingstone Hotel, on the Zambia side of the nearby thundering Victoria Falls. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the beautiful hotel grounds or take a walk to get a magnificent view of the falls and perhaps watch some bungee jumpers falling 354 feet down towards the mighty Zambezi below. ​(B)

Day 9 : Victoria Falls

This morning, arise early to embark on a thrilling, low-intensity walking safari through the bush. Watch for buffalo, kudu, bushbuck, impala, elephants and waterbuck, as well as a wide variety of birds. Next, take a guided walking tour of Victoria Falls, a spectacular sight of awe-inspiring beauty and grandeur. The falls rage over a massive basalt cliff, more than one mile wide, transforming the Zambezi River into a ferocious torrent cutting through a series of dramatic gorges. Later in the afternoon, embark on a helicopter flight for a bird’s-eye view of Victoria Falls. With some of the largest falls in the world, columns of spray are seen from miles away as raging water plummets over the edge into the 325-foot deep gorge below. ​(B)

Day 10 : Depart Victoria Falls

Enjoy your last morning by the falls before you are transferred to the Livingstone Airport for your flight home or onto your next destination. ​(B)