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)
Day 4 - Greater Moremi Area
Departure: 06h00
Distance: 400 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)
Accommodation: 3 nights Mankwe Adventure Camp (or similar).
Located in the Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana, Mankwe Tented Retreat offer guests a lovely camping experience in lush green surroundings. Accommodation consists of ten tented suites, each with a private viewing deck, en-suite bathrooms and complimentary bath amenities. Guests can enjoy delicious dishes in the communal dining area. Additional amenities include a swimming pool, a lounge, a bar and Wi-Fi is available throughout the main area.
Day 5 - Greater Moremi Area
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)
Day 6 - Moremi Game Reserve
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)
Day 7 – Nata
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)
Accommodation: 1 night Nata Lodge (or similar).
An oasis set among the Mokolwane palms on the edge of the pans, the lodge is ideally situated close to the entrance to the Nata Sanctuary and is just off the main road, 10 km from Nata village. This is the junction to the Okavango, Chobe and Francistown areas.
Day 8 to Day 9 - Chobe National Park
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)
Accommodation: 2 nights Chobe Marina Lodge (or similar).
Chobe Marina Lodge is perfectly positioned right on the water’s edge and uniquely located in the North-Eastern corner of Botswana where the four African nations of Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia converge. This tranquil haven is surrounded by the natural beauty of Africa. The Chobe River, Chobe National Park, Kasane Forest Reserve, the Caprivi Strip and the mighty Zambezi River, each offer their own attractions and with Victoria Falls but 70 kilometres away, Chobe Marina Lodge is a ‘must visit’ destination when in southern Africa. Lodge rooms have en-suite bathrooms, mosquito net, TV with selected satellite channels, air conditioning, in-room safe, hairdryer, tea & coffee making facilities, mini bar fridge – stocked on request, telephone, ceiling fan.
Day 10 to Day 12 - Hwange National Park
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)
Accommodation: 3 nights Robin’s Camp (or similar).
Robins Camp offers an exciting revival of the iconic safari destination in Hwange National Park. Robins Camp is situated in the rugged northern Basalt area of the park, an area rich in natural water with seeps and springs dotting the area. It is the home to some of the last great buffalo herds in Africa, with herds of over 2000 still seen. Given the abundance of prey animals, it is no wonder that it also has the highest concentration of lion in the Park. Robins is also known for big populations of reedbuck, roan, sable and tsessebe as well as the usual herds of elephants and other species encountered in the Park. Particularly encouraging are the regular sightings of both Cheetah and Painted Dog. The scenery of Robins is varied with hills, kopjes (small bouldered hills) and vlei (grassed plains that flood seasonally) areas and has a lot to offer the wildlife enthusiast. We welcome children of all ages and guests can self-drive or choose a fully guided trip.
Day 13 - Victoria Falls
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
Accommodation: 2 nights Shearwater Explorers Village (or similar).
Explorers Village offers the modern pioneer a perfect haven from which to investigate Victoria Falls, widely recognized as the adventure capital of the African continent. Shearwater has been developing and honing adventure, scenic and wildlife experiences in Zimbabwe for over 30 years and the Explorers Village is the ideal melting pot for like-minded individuals to explore the wonders of Victoria Falls and launch themselves into some unforgettable adventures.
Located merely 400m from the Victoria Falls, 100m from the epicentre of the Vic Falls town with its craft and curio markets, bohemian cafes and overlooking natural African bush panorama, the Explorers Village is the perfect “Base Camp”. Comprising of 5 bespoke Overland camping sites, modern ablution facilities and 42 private rooms, the village represents budget accommodation at its finest – clean, cool, relaxing, elegant, excellent traditional food, ice cold drinks and exceptionally friendly hosts ready to welcome you and guide you through your Vic Falls experience.
Day 14 - Victoria Falls
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)
Day 15 - End of your Botswana Wildlife Breakaway Tour
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.