Vibrant Botswana and Zambia (Victoria Falls) – Ten Days

Overview

Countries visited: Botswana and Zambia (Victoria Falls)

Explore stunning and remote Botswana during the vibrant summer season. Perfect for couples,  romantic getaways, groups of friends and photography enthusiasts . Your journey will take you through the ‘Petrified River’ of Deception Valley in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, the crystal clear waterways of the Okavango Delta with its lush green islands – experiencing first-hand the vast diversity and abundance of wildlife in the Linyanti and Chobe river systems. You expedition culminates at one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World – the breathtaking Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River, Zambia.

Your skilled, expert Rangers and Guides will share their wealth of knowledge and passion for the wilderness with you, helping you to create memories and capture photographs which will last a lifetime and leaving you craving to return again and again.

Itinerary

Days 1 – 3: Deception Valley Adventurer Camp, Central Kalahari Game Reserve

On your arrival at Maun International Airport, Botswana you will be met by your guide and fly by light aircraft to the Central Kalahari Game Reserve where your adventure begins. From here, you will take in the scenery on a three-hour game drive to the Deception Valley Adventurer Camp.

Explore the fascinating area during its most abundant season.

Your itinerary is specifically designed for a 3-night stay at the Deception Valley Adventurer Camp to give you time to relax and unwind as well as extended day trips to wilderness areas off the beaten track. Enjoy extended wildlife game drives (with picnic lunch) in the game-rich Piper’s Pans area of the Kalahari, as well as the Letiahau and Deception Valleys.

Days 4 – 5: Xigera Camp, Okavango Delta

After a light breakfast we depart overland to Maun, once there you will connect to your light aircraft and fly to the water-filled paradise of the Okavango Delta.
Enjoy a true Delta experience surrounded by the waters of the Okavango.

At Xigera Camp, you will be invited to stay in one of the ten beautifully furnished en-suite tented rooms offering views over a seasonal floodplain and small lagoon. You will enjoy meals and drinks in the lounge and dining area overlooking the flowing channel or under the stars in our traditional African boma. During long lazy afternoons, take a plunge in the pool or soak up the sun on a lounger. Surrounded by spectacular wilderness, Xigera Camp will give you a feeling of wellbeing far from the hubbub of modern living.

Days 6 – 8: Linyanti Discoverer Camp, Linyanti Concession

After a light breakfast, you will fly north-east to the private Linyanti Concession. Discover the varying habitats and wildlife of the area and bed down in our Discoverer camp.

The landscape of the Linyanti is diverse, from floodplains to open dry land savannah and woodland with sweeping views. You will experience activities including game drives in the private northern sector of the concession, exploring a range of habitats, from riverbanks to scrub and forest as well as a full-day excursion with lunch at a remote scenic setting.

Day 9: Chobe River boat cruise, Chobe National Park and Toka Leya Camp, Zambia

After a short morning drive and breakfast, we depart by light aircraft to the northern Chobe region of Chobe National Park. This area is famous for its vast herds of elephants in the dry season and other unique species such as the elusive puku and Chobe bushbuck that move to the river during the hottest hours of the day. Enjoy a light lunch on the boat cruise in a catamaran-style shaded boat.
After clearing customs and immigration formalities through the Kazangula border – the point where the four countries of Botswana, Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe meet – we road transfer to Toka Leya.
Toka Leya Camp is situated on the banks of the Zambezi River in the eastern sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, some 12 km (7.46 miles) up from the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The camp consists of 12 safari-style tents, each en-suite with a view of the magnificent Zambezi River and some of its islands. The camp’s dining and bar area are set beneath a shaded canopy of trees overlooking the River and a swimming pool.

Day 10: Victoria Falls

The grand finale is a guided tour of the Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1 708 metres (5 604 ft) wide, it is the largest curtain of water in the world and drops more than 103 metres (338 ft) into the sheer Zambezi Gorge.
Transfer to Livingstone Airport immediately after the tour of the Victoria Falls and bid farewell to the adventure.

• Activities include Victoria Falls tours,

Accommodation

Deception Valley Trails Camp

Deception Valley Trails Camp is set in Deception Valley, a prehistoric riverbed flanked by petrified dune lands. The area is very appealing after brief rains when it is covered with nutritious grasses that attract vast herds from all over the enormous reserve. These large congregations of desert wildlife with their young are followed by opportunistic predators. Allowing for a sublime ‘back to nature’ desert experience, accommodation is in 3 metre x 3 metre (9.84 feet x 9.84 feet) dome tents, complete with mini-verandas. Pure cotton linen (with duvets) on GI stretchers, bedside table with a silver lantern and mini luggage benches finish the interior. The bathrooms are en-suite, canvas wraparound and open-air, with the entrance via a zip door at the rear of the tent. In addition to the short-drop toilet, your bathroom sports an old-style tin bucket shower – with hot water available whenever you should require it. There is a separate toilet near the main area available for use during the day. In the main area, evening campfires are the norm, while hurricane lanterns add to the atmosphere.

Xigera Camp

Nestled in a magnificent riverine forest, Xigera Camp embodies the essence of the Okavango Delta. The camp is found on the aptly-named ‘Paradise Island’, surrounded by year-round water and lush vegetation. We invite you to stay in one of the ten beautifully furnished en-suite tented rooms offering views over a seasonal floodplain and small lagoon. You will enjoy meals and drinks in the lounge and dining area overlooking the flowing channel or under the stars in our traditional African boma. During long lazy afternoons, take a plunge in the pool or soak up the sun on a lounger. Surrounded by spectacular wilderness, Xigera Camp will give you a feeling of wellbeing far from the hubbub of modern living.

Linyanti Discoverer Camp

Set in the 125 000-hectare Linyanti Concession bordering Chobe National Park, Linyanti Discoverer Camp is your base from which to explore this enormous wildlife-rich area. Unrivalled in its remoteness and space, the concession is bisected by an ancient watercourse – the now-flowing Savute Channel. Your innovative accommodation is in 6.3 metre x 3.5 metres (20.67 feet x 11.48 feet) walk-in wooden framed canvas sided tents. The tents are airy and designed to recreate the accommodation style of the early explorers, with richly coloured teak director chairs and minimalist interiors. Separate bedside tables with 12-volt reading lamps, canvas and wood wardrobes, bathrobes, comfortable beds and mirrors are provided. Private, en-suite separate toilet and showers form part of the structure. Paraffin hurricane lanterns and a crackling campfire set the ambience in the evening, while fresh, sumptuous meals are usually prepared around a fire by warm and friendly camp staff.

Toka Leya Camp

Set in the western sector of the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Toka Leya Camp perches on the banks of the precipitating Zambezi River. Only 12km upstream from the world-renowned Victoria Falls, the camp is well placed for you to explore the scenic and vibrant region. Limiting our footprint on this pristine land, wooden walkways snake between the 12 spacious en-suite safari-style tents. You will feel safe and comfortable in your tastefully decorated room with an expansive wooden deck looking out at the mighty river – often presenting the sight of rambling elephants, grunting pods of hippo and idle crocodiles. Under a canopy of shady trees, the camp’s dining, lounge and bar areas plus infinity pool, offer ample space for you to relax.