DAYS 1 – 2: CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Leaving the town of Vic Falls we head west, crossing the border from Zimbabwe into Botswana. We enter Chobe National Park, which is one of the richest wildlife areas in Botswana and renowned for its great herds of elephant. An afternoon game drive in open safari vehicles provides us with memorable sightings of some of Africa’s most well known animals before enjoying a magnificent sunset over the Chobe River.

A leisurely drive brings us to our lodge situated in the shade of palm trees and located close to Nata Sanctuary. The sanctuary is a community project aimed at preserving the wildlife living around the edge of the pan. The area around the Nata River delta is a bird watchers paradise and at certain times of the year flamingos and pelicans can be seen in their thousands.

Maun is the chief city of the Tawana people. It is also our gateway to the Okavango Delta, a fan-shaped oasis with a maze of channels, lagoons and islands, which changes dramatically with the seasons. There is the option* to fly by small aircraft for a birds eye view of this large and complex eco-system which attracts an abundance of animal and bird life.

Following sandy tracks, our transfer in 4x4 vehicles takes us through rural villages, to the edge of the Delta. We continue in mokoros (2 seater canoes, steered by a skilled poler), which allows us the unforgettable experience of travelling through the waterways of the Delta, where sightings of buffalo, giraffe, elephant, hippo and antelope are common. Our local guide shares some of his extensive bush knowledge while he leads us on a game walk. We return to Maun in the late afternoon.

Leaving Maun we return along the edge of the Makgadigadi Pans. The Pans are all that remain of a large inland sea, which once covered Botswana. The open space is astounding and the wildlife is plentiful. It is not uncommon to see herds of gemsbok and springbok, grazing in the grasslands.

Re-entering Zimbabwe, our destination is Bulawayo, noted for its unusually wide streets, designed to allow for the turning of a wagon and full span of oxen. We visit Matobo National Park and spend time exploring the reserve, which is home to a small rhino population. We learn about some of the country’s colonial past and visit Cecil Rhodes grave at World’s View. The strange rock formations and unusual landscape of the park also offers fine examples of San rock art.

Relax and watch the passing scenery, dotted with rural villages and giant baobab trees, on the morning drive to Hwange. Once the old hunting reserve of the Ndebele Kings, Hwange was proclaimed a National Park in 1928. This magnificent park is one of the last great elephant sanctuaries, where up to a hundred of these giants may be seen at any one of the many watering holes. With cameras at the ready, we venture out on a game drive in open safari vehicles.

Continuing to Lake Kariba, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, we board a houseboat, which will be our home for the night. Spend the afternoon enjoying the peace and tranquility of the lake while viewing game on the shore. The cry of the fish eagle and the explosion of the lake in a breathtaking sunset will form a lasting memory.