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. (D)

Departure: 09h00
Distance: 320 km
This morning after breakfast you 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. The next day is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. You 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. (BLD,BLD)

Optional activities at Guma Lagoon (at own expense)
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 the reservation office for further information.

Scenic Helicopter Flight 30 Minute One Person
Scenic Helicopter Flight 30 Minute Two Persons
Scenic Helicopter Flight 30 Minute Three Persons

Departure: 06h00
Distance: 420 km
After breakfast, you head south travelling via Maun to your 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 you to be 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. (BLD)

Departure: 07h00
Distance: 150 km
You have the opportunity to spend the day on game drives. In your open 4×4 vehicle, you 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. (BLD)

Departure: 07h00
Distance: 150 km
Today you will 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. (BLD)

Departure: 07h00
Distance: 430 km
Leaving the bush behind you, 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. You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon. (B)

Departure: 08h00
Distance: 320 km
Today you will head off to Nata Bird Sanctuary in the morning, which offers 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, continue your 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 elephant found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool. (BD, BD)

Start your morning of day 9 with a game drive in the 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 3pm. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, making for excellent up close photo opportunities. (BD)

Departure: 08h00
Distance: 280 km
Today you will make your way across the border into Zimbabwe and onto your lodge located in a private concession near to Hwange National Park, where you will spend the next three nights in this wildlife rich area. This afternoon you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows. Over the following two days, there will be 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 elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife. Enjoy a visit to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to witness the work that is done to protect these endangered species. (BLD,BLD,BLD)

After breakfast you head towards Victoria Falls. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available in Victoria Falls. (B)

Optional activities in Victoria Falls (at own expense)
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 the reservation office 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.

15 Minute Helicopter Flight
22 Minute Helicopter Flight
Boma Dinner incl. transfers
Guided Tour of the Victoria Falls
Dinner Cruise
Bungee Jump
Bridge Swing
Bridge Slide
Historical Bridge Tour
Flying Fox (Cable Slide)
Gorge Swing
Zip Line
Horse Back Safaris (novice)
Canoeing (full day)
Rafting (full day, low water)
Rafting (full day, high water)
Batoka Gorge Hike and Ndebele Village Tour
Traditional Village Tour

Today you will have at leisure 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 you embark on a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River. (B)

Distance: 30 km
Your safari ends today after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your onward flight. (B)

From time to time it may be necessary to change a property or camp due to various problems out of the control of Bench Africa. In this situation we will make every effort to give you as much warning as possible.

Your itinerary includes long road journeys. Road surfaces vary from tarmac, gravel, sand and occasionally vehicles may travel “off road”. This tour is recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.