Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari: Victoria Falls & The Big Five
Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari: Victoria Falls & The Big Five
$2299
Zimbabwe & Botswana Safari: Victoria Falls & The Big Five
7 Days Starting in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and ending in Kasane, Botswana
Visiting: Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park, Chobe National Park, Kasane
Tour operator:
Tour code:
26392
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 16
Age range:
12-
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Zimbabwe and Botswana with the "Victoria Falls & The Big Five" safari tour. Begin your adventure at the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, where you can explore its majestic surroundings and enjoy a traditional dinner hosted by the Lusumpuko Women's Club. Experience the thrill of spotting the Big Five in Hwange National Park and visit the Painted Dog Rehabilitation Centre. Cross into Botswana for a captivating Chobe River cruise and a morning safari in Chobe National Park, renowned for its large elephant herds. Enjoy cultural performances at the Simunye Theatre Show and relax in comfortable lodges throughout your stay. This tour offers a perfect blend of wildlife, culture, and breathtaking landscapes, ensuring a memorable African adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Accommodation Name: A Zambezi River Lodge
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive by late afternoon. Then, get settled at the lodge before an included group dinner hosted by the Lusumpuko Women’s Club, a G Adventures-supported initiative.
Additional Information: Please ensure your flight arrives to Victoria Falls by 3pm.
ACTIVITY: Your opportunity to meet your CEO and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Join the group for a local meal afterwards at the lodge. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
ACTIVITY: Start your visit to Victoria Falls off on the right foot by sitting down to a traditional, Zimbabwean meal, cooked by the Lusumpuko Women’s Club, a group of women from a nearby township. A demonstration by the ladies will show you exactly how Zimbabweans traditionally eat their food, and you’ll be served a farm-to-table dinner made with traditional, local, in-season ingredients. This meal provides much-needed income to the cooperatives’ 20 members – changing their lives and families in the process.
Day 2: Victoria Falls
Location: Victoria Falls
Accommodation Name: lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
It’s time for a free day of exploration in Victoria Falls, home to the world’s largest sheet of falling water, and considered one of the Seven Natural Wonders. There are many activities to choose from like white water rafting, bungee jumping, the Bamba tram, or you can prebook the Victoria Falls helicopter ride. Come back together with the group in the evening for the Simunye Theatrical Show for a captivating performance and where dinner will be served.
FREE TIME: FULL DAY Spend a full free day in Victoria Falls and choose from a wide variety of optional activities offered locally. If you're feeling very adventurous there's a helicopter ride over the falls you can pre-book or other options include the Bamba Tram, ziplining, and white water rafting.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a lively theatre performance directed by the acclaimed handspring Puppeteer Mongiwekhaya, showcasing local professional artists in an intimate, open-air venue. This captivating fusion of dance, puppetry, music, and visuals delivers a powerful message of love and community and the universal spirit of togetherness.
Day 3: Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park
Location: Victoria Falls, Hwange National Park
Accommodation Name: Hwange Safari Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel to Hwange National Park today with a stop along the way to the Painted Dog Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre for a tour of the facilities. Learn about their efforts to save wild dogs in the area and reintroduce them to the wild. Then, continue on to your lodge stay where there will be free time to enjoy the property’s amenities or choose to join an optional afternoon or night safari drive into the national park.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
ACTIVITY: Visit Painted Dog Conservancy and learn about the work being done to rehabilitate animals that have been injured from poaching. The ultimate goal of the project is to release rehabilitated wild dogs back into the wild and to work with local children and communities in an effort to educate and shift behaviors away from poaching.
FREE TIME: Spend a free afternoon enjoying the amenities at the lodge or opt for a daytime and/or night safari drive in open vehicles through the national park.
Day 4: Hwange National Park
Location: Hwange National Park
Accommodation Name: Hwange Safari Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning the group will set out early for a safari drive through Hwange National Park. The park boasts over 100 mammal and 400 bird species, and houses all of Zimbabwe’s specially protected wildlife. Return to the lodge for a hearty breakfast and spend the remainder of the afternoon exploring on your own. Choose between enjoying the lodge’s amenities or perhaps another afternoon safari drive into the park.
ACTIVITY: Enjoy a wildlife safari drive in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest park, and home to elephant herds, lions, and the rare African wild dog. Get your cameras ready and keep an eye out for Africa's "big five," as well as other predators, over 300 bird species, and discover a remote portion of Hwange National Park where you will seldom see another vehicle.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON Spend a free afternoon in the area. Choose to relax and enjoy the amenities at the lodge, or choose an optional safari drive back into the park to see more wildlife.
Day 5: Hwange NP to Chobe NP via Kasane
Location: Hwange National Park, Victoria Falls, Chobe National Park
Accommodation Name: Thebe River Safaris Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Leave Hwange National Park this morning and transfer to Victoria Falls where you’ll be able to grab a quick lunch on your own before crossing the border into Botswana. Arrive at the lodge near Chobe National Park in the afternoon. There will then be free time to get settled and relax. Or you could choose to join the optional Chobe River Sunset Cruise for a taste of what’s to come on this next leg of your adventure.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
TRANSPORT: Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle. Your transfer today involves the Kazangula Border crossing into Botswana.
FREE TIME: Take advantage of free time in Chobe. Get settled at the lodge and opt to book the Chobe River Sunset Cruise for a taste of the magnificent wildlife in this area of Botswana.
Day 6: Chobe National Park
Location: Chobe National Park
Accommodation Name: Thebe River Safaris Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Savour breakfast at the lodge before a morning safari drive through the wild landscape of Chobe National Park, home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa and boasting some herds numbering in the hundreds. Other animals you may see while on safari here are lions, leopards, hippos, gazelles, and large herds of buffalo. Return to the lodge for lunch on your own before a free afternoon for optional activities in the area. Choose to prebook the Four Corners of Africa River cruise for a unique experience in the water where four countries meet. Dinner is included at the lodge this evening.
ACTIVITY: Immerse yourself in Chobe National Park in an open-backed, open-seated safari vehicle, and experience the stunning wilderness of the game-rich park in the care of a very knowledgeable and friendly guide. Explore with your eyes as the tour drives along routes that overlook the beautiful Chobe River and keep an eye out for the remarkable variety of animals that are drawn to this permanent water source.
During the safari drives it is not uncommon to spot several of Africa’s “big five” in the greater Chobe area and the early morning drive lasting 3 hours is a wonderful opportunity to have some unique sightings.
FREE TIME: AFTERNOON The afternoon will be free for travellers to partake in optional activities in the area or to simply relax in the cozy setting of the lodge.
Day 7: Chobe National Park/Kasane
Location: Chobe National Park, Kasane
Meals Included: Breakfast
Depart at any time.
ACTIVITY: Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.
What's Included
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G for Good Moment
Enjoy a dinner hosted by the Lusumpuko Women's Club in Victoria Falls.
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Welcome Moment
Meet your CEO and group upon arrival.
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Discover Moment
Explore Victoria Falls at your leisure.
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Simunye Theatre Show
Attend the Simunye Theatre Show for a captivating performance.
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Painted Dog Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre Tour
Tour the Painted Dog Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre.
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Early Morning Safari Drive in Hwange NP
Participate in an early morning safari drive in Hwange National Park.
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Chobe River Sunset Cruise
Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River.
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Morning Safari Drive in Chobe NP
Experience a morning safari drive in Chobe National Park.
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Free Time in Victoria Falls, Hwange, & Chobe
Enjoy free time for optional activities in Victoria Falls, Hwange, and Chobe.
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Transport
All transport between destinations and to/from included activities is provided.
What's Not Included
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Optional Activities
Optional activities such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, and helicopter rides over Victoria Falls are not included.
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Meals Not Specified
Meals not specified in the itinerary are not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, drinks, and tips are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included and is recommended for all travelers.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with private vehicles and safari vehicles, ensuring a seamless and comfortable journey between destinations and during wildlife excursions.
Accommodation
Enjoy a comfortable stay in lodges for 6 nights, providing a cozy retreat after a day of adventure and exploration in the wild landscapes of Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Meals Included
6 breakfasts, 6 dinners
Group Size
Max 16, avg 14.
Minimum Age
You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied on a G Adventures tour. For minors travelling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
Group Leader
This G Adventures group trip is accompanied by one of our group leaders, otherwise known as a Chief Experience Officer (CEO). The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. They will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
We also use local guides where we think more specific knowledge will add to the enjoyment of the places we are visiting - we think it's the best of both worlds.
Spending Money
Every traveller is different and therefore spending money requirements will vary. Some travellers may drink more than others while other travellers like to purchase more souvenirs than most. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, shopping and tipping. Please also remember the following specific recommendations when planning your trip.
Solo Travellers
We believe solo travellers should not have to pay more to travel so our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travellers joining group trips are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. Some of our Independent trips are designed differently and solo travellers on these itineraries must pay the single trip price.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of transportation is used during the tour?
The tour uses private vehicles and safari vehicles to ensure a seamless and comfortable journey between destinations and during wildlife excursions.
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes a comfortable stay in lodges for 6 nights, providing a cozy retreat after a day of adventure and exploration in the wild landscapes of Zimbabwe and Botswana.
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What activities are included in the tour at Victoria Falls?
At Victoria Falls, the tour includes a dinner hosted by the Lusumpuko Women's Club and attendance at the Simunye Theatre Show. There is also free time for optional activities such as white water rafting, bungee jumping, and helicopter rides over the falls.
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What wildlife can be expected to be seen during the safari drives?
During the safari drives, you can expect to see the Big Five, as well as other wildlife such as elephants, lions, leopards, hippos, gazelles, and large herds of buffalo. Hwange National Park is home to over 100 mammal and 400 bird species.
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What is the purpose of visiting the Painted Dog Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre?
The visit to the Painted Dog Rehabilitation and Conservation Centre is to learn about their efforts to save wild dogs in the area and reintroduce them to the wild. The centre works to rehabilitate animals injured from poaching and aims to release them back into the wild.
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What is the role of the Chief Experience Officer (CEO) during the tour?
The Chief Experience Officer (CEO) accompanies the group to take the hassle out of travels and help ensure the best trip possible. They provide information on the places being visited, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend local eating venues, and introduce travelers to local friends. They are not traditional guides but have a broad general knowledge of the countries visited.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
G Adventures was established in 1990
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Most of our trips do not have a single supplement. This means that the accommodation is on a twin share basis and, if travelling on your own, you will be sharing a room with another G Adventures traveller of the same sex. Some tours have an optional single supplement. An optional service that may be available is called "My Own Room". This service allows solo travellers to request their own room.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It's extremely difficult if not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary, please consult us before you book.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
https://www.gadventures.com/travel-with-confidence/
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
https://www.gadventures.com/about-us/core-values/
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Free Date Changes
G Adventures allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
G Adventures requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of g adventures charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions