This thoughtfully designed safari, led by Unfold Africa Travel Safaris, offers a diverse and unforgettable journey through the heart of Botswana and culminating at the magnificent Victoria Falls.
This itinerary combines vast, open landscapes with close-up wildlife encounters and a touch of adventure.
Duration: 10 Days / 9 Nights
Destinations: Kazinkini Private Concession (3 Nights), Makgadikgadi Salt Pans (2 Nights), Elephant Sands (2 Nights), Chobe National Park (1 Night), Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (2 Nights)
Day 1-3: Kazinkini Private Concession - The Waterways and Wildlife
Your safari begins with a transfer to the Kazinkini Private Concession. Located near the Moremi Game Reserve, this area offers a rich mix of wetland and savannah habitats, providing an excellent introduction to Botswana’s diverse ecosystems.
Accommodation: You’ll be staying in a comfortable camp or lodge within the concession.
Daily Game Drives: Explore the concession’s game-rich areas in open safari vehicles, searching for elephants, lions, leopards, and various antelope species. The concession shares an unfenced border with Moremi Game Reserve, allowing for great wildlife movement.
Mokoro Excursion: Experience the tranquility of the waterways on a traditional dugout canoe, a mokoro. This silent, poling-powered journey allows you to get up close with water birds and smaller wildlife from a unique perspective.
Walking Safari: Venture out on foot with an experienced guide to learn about the smaller details of the bush, from tracking and identifying plants to understanding animal behavior.
Day 4-5: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans - The Endless Horizon
After a morning activity and breakfast, you will be transferred to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. This dramatic change in scenery will take you from the lush waterways to a starkly beautiful, otherworldly landscape.
Accommodation: Your camp is strategically located to provide the best access to the pans and the surrounding areas.
Bushman Walking Safari: Spend time with the local San people (Bushmen), who will share their ancient knowledge of the desert. Learn about their survival skills, including how to find water, track animals, and use medicinal plants.
Meerkats Experience: Get a rare opportunity to observe a habituated colony of meerkats. Watch as they go about their daily routines, and if you’re lucky, you may even have one use you as a lookout post!
Salt Pan Exploration: A drive and walk into the vast, open spaces of the salt pans offer a sense of profound solitude and a chance to witness the “planet’s biggest desert” from a unique perspective.
Day 6-7: Elephant Sands - The Elephant Kingdom
Following your desert adventure, you’ll be transferred north to Elephant Sands. This unique lodge offers a truly special experience: a waterhole that attracts hundreds of elephants daily, right in front of your accommodation.
Accommodation: Chalets or safari tents positioned to provide a personal, close-up view of the elephants at the waterhole.
Personal Elephant Encounters: Spend your days and evenings watching the elephants from the lodge’s main deck or the comfort of your room. This offers an unparalleled opportunity to observe their social interactions, drinking, and bathing habits in a safe and respectful environment.
Optional Game Drives or Bush Walks: You may have the option to take part in guided game drives or walks in the private concession to explore the broader area and see other wildlife.
Day 8: Chobe National Park - River and Land Safari
An early start will see you on a road transfer to Chobe National Park. After settling into your lodge, your afternoon will be dedicated to a key highlight of the Chobe experience.
Accommodation: A lodge or hotel in or near Kasane, with a focus on comfortable amenities.
Evening Boat Cruise on the Chobe River: This is the most iconic activity in Chobe. A late afternoon cruise allows you to witness massive herds of elephants and buffalo coming down to the river to drink and swim. You’ll also see hippos, crocodiles, and a vast array of birdlife as the sun sets over the water.
Day 9-10: Victoria Falls - The Grand Finale
Your final days are a spectacular transition from the safari bush to one of the world’s natural wonders.
Day 9
Morning Game Drive in Chobe: Start your day with a final safari drive in Chobe National Park, a chance to spot any last wildlife and enjoy the unique Chobe ecosystem.
Afternoon Transfer to Victoria Falls: A road transfer will take you from Chobe to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
Accommodation: A hotel or lodge in Victoria Falls.
Helicopter Flight Over the Falls: Take a “Flight of Angels” helicopter ride for a breathtaking aerial perspective of the world’s largest sheet of falling water. This is the best way to grasp the sheer scale and beauty of the Falls.
Zambezi Sunset Boat Cruise: Unwind on a luxurious cruise on the mighty Zambezi River. Enjoy drinks and snacks while spotting wildlife along the banks and watching a classic African sunset.
Day 10
Close Encounters with Orphaned Lions: This morning activity provides an opportunity to support conservation efforts and learn about these magnificent big cats from their caretakers at an orphanage or sanctuary.
Departure: After your final activity and a leisurely breakfast, you will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward journey, filled with memories of an incredible African adventure.
Important Notes:
This itinerary is a suggested framework and can be customized to your preferences.
The exact timing and order of activities may vary based on local conditions, wildlife movements, and the specific lodges or camps chosen.
Please consult with Unfold Africa Travel Safaris for details on what is included (meals, drinks, park fees, etc.) and for any specific packing requirements
