Botswana and Zambia
Okavango Delta, Chobe, Victoria falls, Lower Zambezi by canoe
We begin our journey in the legendary Okavango Delta in Botswana. Here, the Okavango River disappears into the sands of the Kalahari Desert, forming a vast inland delta, the largest oasis in the world and one of the most beautiful places on the continent. In this part of the trip, we explore the Moremi Game Reserve in 4x4 vehicles in search of animals such as lions, leopards, buffalo, and waterbuck. We continue to Chobe National Park, north of the delta, which contrasts sharply with the delta itself, being much more arid, but is also a paradise for elephants, who can be found in great numbers in this park. Continuing north, now in Zambia, we visit Victoria Falls, one of the world's largest waterfalls, and we will dedicate a day to exploring its hidden corners on foot. Our journey continues downstream on the Lower Zambezi, with a three-day canoe trip (no experience necessary) during which we will witness the spectacle of nature on one of the largest African rivers.
From June 21st to July 4th
Price: from €5,425
Trip in the process of being confirmed
The pluses of this program
A safari-style tour of the mythical places of Botswana.
Several days in the world's largest oasis: the Okavango
Elephants in Chobe National Park
Victoria Falls.
A canoe descent down the Lower Zambezi in Zambia
Exploramunt guide plus an experienced local team
Are you a family or group and want to privatize the trip by choosing
the dates?
PROGRAM
Day 1 (June 21) - Arrival in Maun (Botswana)
Arrival at the small airport in Maun, you will be met by your guide and transferred to our hotel in Maun. Free time to rest after your journey or to visit the city.
Hotel accommodation
Day 2: Day in the Delta. Mokoro Safari
We depart in the morning by minibus to the southern part of the Delta. Our guides will be waiting for us there and will take us on a journey through the flooded area in traditional dugout canoes called mokoros. With luck, we may spot some iconic species such as hippos or elephants. We will also take a short hike on one of the Delta's islands. At the end of the day, we return to our hotel in Maun.
Mokoro safari - hotel accommodation
Days 3 and 4 – Moremi, the great reserve of the Delta.
We set off in the morning in 4x4 vehicles (essential for navigating the tracks of the Delta and Chobe) and head to Moremi South (Xini), where we'll spend two nights. In Moremi and Savuti, for the next four nights, we'll camp in very comfortable tents (with beds and mattresses) and enjoy meals prepared by a cook.
Twice a day, very early in the morning and in the afternoon until nightfall, we will go on safaris to observe the wildlife.
The Okavango Delta is a low-lying alluvial or island delta (the largest on the planet). Located in northwestern Botswana, it is one of Africa's last great wilderness sanctuaries, a pristine and biodiverse landscape, home to a high concentration of wildlife and culture. The Okavango's unique ecosystem supports a wide variety of wildlife. This results in enormous herds of antelope and, during the dry season, large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, elephants, and zebras that migrate to the reserve from the arid Kalahari Desert in search of water and food. Sitatungas and lechwees inhabit the papyrus riverbanks, while lions, cheetahs, and wild dogs hunt on the open grasslands.
Safaris - Accommodation: Tent
Days 4 and 5. Savuti, home of the big cats.
Today we move to Savuti, home of the big cats, where we will spend two more nights camping and during the day we will continue discovering wild animals by carrying out morning and evening safaris.
The Savuti area (also spelled Savute) borders the Nile Delta to the west and Chobe National Park to the east, and is one of Africa's most famous safari areas. Savuti is a place of charm and beauty, and boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in the region
southern Africa.
But Savuti is also famous for its mysterious and fascinating canal that runs for 100 kilometers from the Chobe River, cutting through a sandy area to a place called Mababe and forming a small swamp at its mouth. The canal, which flowed in the time of David Livingstone—the first Westerner to visit this region in 1855—dried up in 1880 and remained dry for about 70 years. It flooded again in 1957 but has remained dry for the last 18 years…
Safari – Accommodation: in a tent
Day 6 - The Chobe River
The journey continues to Chobe, where we'll spend the night in a lodge and take a boat trip for a unique wildlife viewing experience. The Chobe River basin (or Serondela area) forms the northern boundary of Chobe National Park. It boasts lush plains and dense forests, as well as the famous Chobe River, which attracts large numbers of elephants, buffalo, and other wildlife.
Chobe National Park is home to huge herds of elephants, buffalo, and zebras, as well as a high density of predators such as lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, and cheetahs.
The park is also home to less common antelope species, including the roan and sable antelopes, puku, tsessebe, eland, red lechwe, waterbuck, and the rare Chobe antelope. More well-known species such as giraffe, kudu, warthog, wildebeest, and impala are also abundant in the park.
Sailing - Safari - Lodge Accommodation
Day 7 – To Victoria Falls
Today we wake up early and after our morning tea or coffee, we'll embark on our final safari by vehicle as we travel to the point where we'll say goodbye to the local team of guides, drivers, and cook in Botswana. From there, we'll transfer to another vehicle to head to Victoria Falls. We arrive in Livingston, Zambia, after crossing the border and check into a hotel. Today and tomorrow will be dedicated to visiting and exploring Victoria Falls, the most impressive waterfalls on the African continent.
Safari - visit to Victoria Falls - overnight stay at a hotel
Day 8: Hiking to explore Victoria Falls
For our 5-hour hike today, we have a local guide. We'll explore the most beautiful and hidden corners of Victoria Falls, the world's largest waterfalls (over 1,700 meters long), formed by the Zambezi River, which is the fourth longest river in Africa and the third largest in terms of volume. This day can also be used to enjoy one of the many other activities available in and around Victoria Falls, such as rafting (not included in the price). At the end of the day, we'll spend the second night in a hotel in Livingston.
5-hour hike - Hotel accommodation
Day 9: Towards the Lower Zambezi
We departed Livingston very early in a private minibus, as we had a long day ahead of us to reach the Lower Zambezi. The transfer traveled east through southern Zambia, and we arrived at our lodge at the end of the day. We settled into Kiambi for a restful night before our water exploration of the magnificent river… Overnight at the lodge
8h transfer - Accommodation in Lodge
Days 10, 11, 12 and 13: Canoeing down the Lower Zambezi
In the coming days, we'll experience the magic of the African continent in a whole new way. Canoe safaris on the Lower Zambezi offer a unique nature and adventure experience. We'll navigate the river accompanied by experienced guides, observing wildlife such as hippos, crocodiles, elephants, and water birds. The excursions combine paddling, wildlife viewing, and riverside camping.
In spacious two-seater canoes, we'll descend a section of the Zambezi River known for its stunning beauty and abundant wildlife. A motorboat will transport most of our luggage, camping equipment, and meals, as we'll be camping for three nights at various points along the riverbank, enjoying the breathtaking natural beauty. We'll also visit a village and have time to appreciate the landscapes and natural wonders of Zambia.
On the 13th, after breakfast, we will take a motorboat back up to our original lodge and spend the night there.
Canoeing - wildlife observation - 3 nights camping on the banks of the Zambezi and the night of the 13th at the Lodge.
Day 14: Lusaka and return flight
After breakfast, we depart for Lusaka - the capital of Zambia - in a minibus that will drop us off at the international airport and/or at a hotel in the city if we leave late or the next day.
4 hours of transport to Lusaka.
Important information
Accommodation
In a hotel in Maun (2 nights), in a very spacious and comfortable tent with a bed and good mattress and during the safaris in the Okavango and Savuti (4 nights), in a Lodge in Chobe (1 night), in a Lodge in Victoria Falls (2 nights), in a Lodge in Lower Zambezi (2 nights) and in a three-person tent used for two people with comfortable mattresses during the canoe trip on the Zambezi (3 nights).
Meals
Breakfast and dinner are provided at the accommodations (lodges and hotels). During camping trips in the Okavango, Savuti, and Zambezi, a cook will prepare all our meals. At midday, we will have a picnic lunch or a meal, depending on the activities. The food is varied, fresh, and delicious.
Personal equipment
Travel bag. Backpack with a capacity of approximately 20 liters. Comfortable trainers. Lightweight clothing and warm clothing for the evenings. Binoculars for wildlife viewing. You will receive a complete packing list tailored to this trip upon registration.
Transport
4x4 vehicles. Minibus for road transfers.
Hiking and canoeing difficulty level: easy/medium
5 hours of hiking on relatively flat trails during the Victoria Falls hiking day (easy/moderate level). No prior canoeing experience is necessary for the canoe trip, just a moderate level of fitness and no physical limitations to paddling at a leisurely pace.
Group size
Between 5 and 12 people.
Luggage
During the activities and hikes, we only carry a light backpack with our gear for the day and our picnic lunch. Everything else is transported by car or boat (in the case of the Zambezi)
Insurance
Insurance is not included in the price but is mandatory for travel. Exploramunt does not offer insurance, but you will find everything you need on our website (we can also advise you). We recommend having travel insurance that covers medical assistance, repatriation, and trip cancellation, as some services are non-refundable if the client cancels. Some credit cards, such as Visa Gold, include travel insurance if you pay for your trip with them. In our case, you can pay for your trip by card through a secure bank link (you can request this payment method when you register).
Documents required for travel.
Passport valid for up to six months after the return date and with at least 3 blank pages. Visas are not required for either Botswana or Zambia.
Mandatory vaccinations
There are no mandatory vaccinations for entry into the country unless you are arriving from a country where yellow fever is present. Recommended vaccinations are: diphtheria, tetanus, polio, yellow fever, and hepatitis A. Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended. (Consult your doctor.)
Prices and conditions
Price: from €5,775
Single room/shop supplement: 885€
Small group supplement (5 or 6 people): €375 pp
Small group supplement (7 or 8 people): €210 pp
Included in the price: Full board from day 1 to day 14, except breakfast and lunch on day 1 and lunch and dinner on day 14. All transfers and activities described in the program.
Not included in the price: International flights. Breakfast and dinner on day 1. Lunch and dinner on day 14. Gratuities. Drinks. Insurance.
Note regarding international flights: the approximate price for a round trip is €1,070. Please contact us at the time of registration and we will advise you free of charge on purchasing your flight.
