Botswana and Zimbabwe Circuit Safari

Nguni Lodge
Opened in 2018, Nguni enjoys a quiet location approx 3 miles from the Falls. The lodge is surrounded by lovely gardens with plenty of shaded areas for relaxing, a swimming pool and sun deck. There are 14 rooms – deluxe and standard. All are ensuite and equipped with mozzie nets and ceiling fan. WiFi is available throughout the lodge.

Dinner this evening is to your own account.

Your safari begins this afternoon. You will be collected by your guide at 2pm and, after a short briefing with the rest of your group, depart for Hwange National Park.

The drive to your camp in northern Hwange, Robin’s Camp, will take approx. 2½ hours, with some opportunities for game-viewing en route as you enter the park via the northern gate.

Robin’s Camp
Robin’s Camp is set on what was one of the first regions of Hwange to be converted into a game reserve. Formerly part of a private ranch, it is an old and well-established lodge, though recent refurbishments have given it a decidedly modern look that belies its age. Accommodation is in cosy chalets, furnished in a warm, understated style, with attractive Matabele painted designs on the walls and hand-carved furnishings. Facilities include a fabulous open-air restaurant, separate bar and lounge area, and swimming pool.

Dinner and overnight at Robin’s Camp.

You’ll focus on the northern region of the park around Robin’s Camp, an area varied in its scenery with vlei, grassland and rocky kopjes, as well as plentiful game, including substantial populations of elephant and buffalo alongside several lion prides.

The morning will be spent on a guided game drive, returning to camp for lunch and rest, before heading out on an afternoon game walk (please note that the schedule of activities may be changed at the suggestion of your guide).

Dinner and overnight at Robin’s Camp.

You’ll see a change in the landscape en route, as the lush greenery of northern Botswana gives way to the dry and arid salt pans. After a stop for lunch, you will arrive at your home for the evening, Nata Lodge, late this afternoon.

Nata Lodge
Nata is a small lodge set within the town of Nata and within easy reach of the Makgadikgadi Pans. It offers ten custom-made Meru-style safari tents, all with en suite bathrooms. The tents are shaded by huge marula trees and are slightly raised on wooden platforms so as to make the most of the views of the salt pans.

Dinner and overnight at Nata Lodge.

Boteti River Camp
Opened in late 2018, Boteti River Camp is a new addition to the region that serves as a convenient gateway to Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans. It is a small and cosy lodge with seven guest chalets centered on a central hub area including bar, restaurant and small pool. Painted in light pastel hues, Boteti’s pretty chalets and dining terrace are almost Mediterranean in style, while the lounge viewing deck is a lovely spot at which to relax, furnished with comfy sofas and with views onto the Boteti River.

In the afternoon there will be a guided tour of Khumaga village, before you return to camp for dinner and overnight.

Though a relatively arid region, Nxai’s short grasses attract a variety of game after the rains, including large herds of impala, zebra and springbok, while the sparsity of the vegetation ensures good game-viewing! During the day, you’ll also have the chance to visit the famous Baines’ Baobabs, positioned on the edge of the salt pan, and named after the explorer and painter Thomas Baines who depicted this region in the late 19th century.

After lunch, check-in at Maun Lodge, a comfortable retreat situated between Maun Airport and the town centre.

The rest of the afternoon is free. Maun is a good place to shop for gifts, or you may prefer to relax at the lodge. There is also the option this afternoon of a scenic 45-minute flight over the delta (to be booked and paid for locally). This magical experience provides another perspective on the Okavango Delta’s distinctive waterways. During the flight it is possible to spot large animals such as elephant, giraffe and hippo, but most impressive are the landscapes, with the Delta displayed in all its vastness from the sky.

The next two days will be spent in this superb game-viewing region of the eastern Okavango, enjoying morning and afternoon game drives.

Overnight at Khwai Guesthouse.

Khwai Guesthouse
Khwai Guesthouse is a simple property situated on the edge of Khwai Village. The design is a blend of African and modern. Furniture is locally-crafted and the décor makes the most of vibrant fabrics and colours. All rooms have en suite bathrooms with open-air showers.

Chobe Elephant Camp
Chobe Elephant Camp is remotely situated in the Chobe Forest Reserve on the less-frequented western perimeter of Chobe National Park, perched on a high rocky ridge overlooking the Chobe River. From this isolated position, Chobe Elephant Camp offers guided game drives and river boat safaris in the National Park (access is via the western Ngoma Gate, approx. 10 minutes’ drive from the camp).

Chobe Elephant Camp offers twelve individual chalets, scattered along the edge of the escarpment with a view to the river below. Each has a private verandah with canvas chairs, from where you can sit and watch the game crossing the floodplains below.

You’ll focus on the Savuti, a mostly dry region with pockets of marshland and water that attract dense concentrations of game. You’ll have the opportunity to explore the region by 4x4 and by boat on the Chobe River before returning to Mwandi View for dinner and overnight.

The rest of your stay in Victoria Falls is at your leisure. You’ll likely want to visit the spectacular Falls. There are also other activities available locally, which your guide will help you organise if you wish. These include white water rafting, canoeing and helicopter flights over the falls.

Overnight at Nguni Lodge. Lunch and dinner today to own account.

Please note that check-out is at 10am, though you are free to continue to use the lodge facilities if you have a transfer scheduled for later in the day.