Safari in Botswana and Zambia

Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

What to expect on this itinerary

From Bushmen to Victoria Falls and many unique experiences in between, this safari in Botswana and Zambia covers a spectrum of adventures. Beginning in the Kalahari Desert, you will camp amongst the San Bushmen, before heading onwards to the beautiful mystique of the Okavango Delta where you will explore the wonders of the Moremi Game Reserve. After splashing about in the swamps you will head to the Chobe River, before experiencing the jaw-dropping views at Victoria Falls. Finally, head to the wide open spaces once more, at the Makgadikgadi Pans, and to one last night of camping along the banks of the Limpopo River. Such an all-encompassing trip is hard to miss, and impossible to forget!

Countries Visited

Botswana, Zambia

Places Visited

Moremi Game Reserve, Victoria Falls, Okavango Delta, Kalahari Desert, Makgadikgadi Pans, Limpopo River, Chobe National Park

Suggested Duration

14 Days

Customizable Itinerary

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Day 1

Kalahari – Welcome to the Kalahari

The adventure begins! You will depart Johannesburg early in the morning and, after entering Botswana, head into the magnificent Kalahari Desert to set up your first bush-camp. Derived from the Tswana word for “the great thirst,” kgala, this spectacular desert has vast areas covered by sand with no permanent surface water. Great rolling dunes and immense expanses of land with no other person in sight await you. There are dry valleys and seasonally inundated pans, as well as the larger salt pans of the Makgadikgadi Pan, but the only permanent river, the Okavango, is trapped in a delta in the northwest.  Omuramba, ancient dry riverbeds, cross the Central Northern reaches of the Kalahari and provide standing pools of water during the rainy season. Despite its apparent aridity, the Kalahari supports a variety of flora. Acacia trees and other herbs and grasses are dotted about the sandy plains, and there are wondrous fruits such as the African horned cucumber, or jelly melon, which is endemic to the Kalahari.

Your first evening will be spent around the campfire admiring the bright stars of the southern hemisphere and soaking in the majesty of your surroundings here in the desert.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2

Kalahari – Meet the San Bushmen

Day 3 - 5

Moremi – Into the Okavango

Day 6 - 8

Khwai – Exploring Khwai

Day 9

Chobe – On the Banks of the Chobe River

Day 10 - 11

Livingstone – Experience the Mighty Victoria Falls

Day 12

Makgadikgadi Pans – Walk in the footsteps of Giants

Day 13

Limpopo – Encounter Kipling’s Limpopo

Day 14

Johannesburg – Depart to Home

Trip Highlights

  • Venture into the Moremi Game Reserve in 4x4 vehicles to search for animals
  • Camp under the stars in some of Botswana’s most beautiful locations
  • Meet the wonderful communities of the Kalahari, the Dqae Qare Bushmen
  • Visit the “Smoke that Thunders,” the magnificent and iconic Victoria Falls
  • Witness the ethereal splendor of the Makgadikgadi Pans
  • Camp on the banks of the great rivers, Chobe and Limpopo
  • Take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta and marvel at its beauty

Starting Price

$14,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 606 reviews

Maria L.
South Africa Vacation Review: Johannesburg, Soweto, Safari, Traditional Meal, 6-Night Trip

The itinerary was amazing. I had no real idea what a safari would look like. Zicasso's travel designer talked to me about what our ideal travel experience would be for this trip. We got a mixture of locations. We were able to see the Big Five and other animals, exceeding our expectations. We had wonderful food and people at each location.

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Cathy W.
Zambia, Zimbabwe Travel Review: Safari, Big Four, Cuisine, 2 Weeks

Once again, Zicasso came through when we booked with a tour operator. Our agent was outstanding in suggesting our itinerary and her attention to detail was impeccable. Every part of our trip was excellent and I especially loved the app that had our itinerary available offline.

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Sean L.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Trip Review: 17 Nights

Zicasso's travel consultant and the tour operator were excellent; the entire trip went flawlessly. They had every detail planned perfectly.

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David B.
Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa Trip Review: Okavango Delta, Safari, Game Drives, Wine Experience, 13 Nights

Our trip was amazing and Zicasso's travel company and our agent could not have been more helpful in planning the trip and making sure it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. She listened to our desires and planned a trip that met all our requirements. She was very patient in making little modifications until we were completely satisfied.

When we encountered some delays during the trip, she was very responsive in helping notify people on the ground and rescheduling our activities so we didn't miss a thing.

She was very knowledgeable about Southern Africa and selected exceptional lodging facilities for us. The accommodations were not only beautiful, but the staff were extremely professional, friendly, and attentive.

I would highly recommend this travel company if planning an African adventure!

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Anne S.
Uganda, Botswana, Zimbabwe Anniversary Vacation Review: Victoria Falls, Johannesburg, Gorilla Trek, Safari, 19-Day Trip

What an incredible experience! Everything was so well organized by Zicasso's tour company, from the moment we stepped off the plane in Johannesburg to the time we got back on to head home in Entebbe. We were treated so well by all the support staff hired to help our trip move along seamlessly. All of our experiences were phenomenal and even more amazing than hoped for. We had excellent in-country assistance, lodge staff and other guides, wonderful accommodations, amazing safaris, and delicious food.

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Tom O.
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe Travel Review: Wildlife, 12-Day Trip

Zicasso's travel agent was a blessing. Her organizational skills were excellent. The trip plan app was used daily during our trip. What a wonderful tool. Our agent had all the pertinent information in the app and at our fingertips. The trip exceeded our expectations. I would definitely recommend using our travel agent and Zicasso to all my friends.

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Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

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