Great Safaris Trip Itinerary for Website - Southern Africa

Internal flight from OR Tambo International Airport to Maun Airport

Internal Flight from Maun Airport to Duba Plains Airstrip

Transfer to the lodge

Okavango Delta

This delta in north-west Botswana comprises permanent marshlands and seasonally flooded plains. It is one of the very few major interior delta systems that do not flow into a sea or ocean, with a wetland system that is almost intact. One of the unique characteristics of the site is that the annual flooding from the River Okavango occurs during the dry season, with the result that the native plants and animals have synchronized their biological cycles with these seasonal rains and floods. It is an exceptional example of the interaction between climatic, hydrological and biological processes.

The wildlife of the Okavango Delta is varied and plentiful thanks to the rich ecosystems and protection. The Okavango Delta supports large concentrations of animals on both a permanent and seasonal basis. Through careful wildlife management it has become perhaps one of the best places to see wildlife in Africa. There is a dynamic seasonal shift of animals between the arid region that surrounds the delta and the Okavango Delta itself. During the wet season most large animals move away from the delta to take advantage of the lush grazing that surrounds it. As this grazing begins to die in the winter animals move back to the delta.

Wildlife of the Okavango Delta includes a myriad of species including African Bush Elephant, African Buffalo, Hippopotamus, Lechwe, Topi, Blue Wildebeest, Giraffe, Nile crocodile, Lion, Cheetah, Leopard, Brown Hyena, Spotted Hyena, Greater Kudu, Sable Antelope, Black Rhinoceros, White Rhinoceros, Plains Zebra, Warthog and Chacma Baboon. Notably the endangered African Wild Dog still survives within the Okavango Delta and exhibits one of the richest pack densities in Africa. In addition to the large animals the wildlife of the Okavango Delta includes over 500 species of birds and 85 recorded species of fish including Tigerfish, Tilapia and Catfish.

Game Drives in Okavango Delta

Game drives in the Okavango Delta are remote and secluded, with very few safari vehicles sharing the same areas. Professionally trained guides tailor drives to your preferences, promising up-close views of unique wildlife and flourishing vegetation.

In this untamed landscape, sensitive off-road driving practices allow you to get up close to the area’s exceptional wildlife. Each game drive is an adventure, balancing along narrow wooden bridges and splashing through shallow crossings in a rugged open safari vehicle.

Set out in search of the Okavango Delta's rich wildlife, including its semi-aquatic antelopes, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga antelope. Search from the area’s predators, from lion prides to cheetah, leopard and African wild dog. Explore the open woodlands in search of roan and sable antelope or keep an eye out for graceful giraffes and frisky zebras on the floodplains. On the edges of the Delta, where land blurs with water, marvel at breeding herds of elephant as they splash gently through the shallow channels.

Afternoon drives continue into the night, allowing for nocturnal wildlife encounters. Look out for the rarely spotted serval and pangolin or watch the moon reflect off the backs of a family of hippo coming out of the water to graze, turning them into slabs of shining silver.

Guided Walk and Mokoro ride on the Okavango Delta

Go on a guided walking safari through the delta where you are totally enveloped in nature. This enables you to see amazing insects, animal tracks, game droppings, and learn the secrets from the bush. These small, unexpected aspects of life often make the biggest impression. If a game drive is like reading a book: a walking safari is actually becoming a character in that book.

Tranquility is best experience on a mokoro ride, floating soundlessly on the waterways. A mokoro, or traditional dugout canoe, takes you over shallow waters to areas inaccessible by regular boat. Luminous dragonflies hover with whirring wings. Game such as red lechwe antelope, reed bucks and giraffes come to drink. For many it is the birds that truly dazzle - egrets, storks and even fishing eagles swoop overhead. This activity is water level dependent.

Transfer to Airstrip

Internal flight from Duba Camp to Selinda Camp

Transfer to the lodge

Selinda Game Reserve

A vast and picturesque wildlife sanctuary between the Okavango and Linyanti river water systems. The Selinda reserve lies between the Okavango and Linyanti water systems, and it protects the Selinda Spillway which runs through the heart of this vast reserve – 130 000 hectares of pristine wilderness. It is a beautiful environment with tall palm trees look onto open grasslands and riverine forest. In the dry season the game viewing is fantastic. The reserve’s camps are situated in the east of the concession where game viewing is aided by the large expanses of open ground dotted with tree islands. The west of the reserve is dense leadwood and mopane forest. The Selinda Spillway (or Magwegquana) is a fascinating fossil channel which routes water between the Linyanti Swamps and the Okavango Delta. Often dry, it connected the two waterlands again in 2009 after heavy floods. You can even take a four night trip canoeing down the Spillway June to October with Selinda Adventure Trail.

In common with the Linyanti and Kwando areas, the game is increased in the second half of the year by migrations moving from the drier areas, although impala, kudu, tsessbe, warthog, reedbuck and giraffe are seen all year round. There are always good sightings of lion. Selinda is particularly notable for sightings of its resident pack of wild dog; they love the open grasslands. Birdlife includes carmine bee-eaters which have learned to follow game drive vehicles to feed on the insects that fly up to avoid the wheels; a wonderful, colorful spectacle for the passengers. Raptors in the area are martial and fish eagles and bateleurs. Black and slaty egrets, wattled crane and African skimmers are found here. When the water returns, the smaller trees and wild sage bushes that have colonized the spillway during dry times are killed off. The islands of the open floodplains are formed in a slow, fascinating process that takes decades. The islands begin with termite mounds which are high enough to stay above water in times of flooding. Eventually trees grow on these higher areas. Trees draw in water but do not take up the salts in the water. The salts crystallize and eventually raise the level of the islands. Ultimately the trees die off, unable to cope with the high salt content of their islands.

Game Drives in Selinda

The open vehicle safari drives, guided bush walks, boating, tracking, birding, and other bespoke viewing activities are designed to place you in front of the best wildlife the area offers. The unique one-on-one life-changing experiences include sightings of leopards, elephants and hippos. Guests can also expect to tick off as many of the 200 or more bird species when on safari in Botswana.

Guided walking safari

For those looking for an active thrill beyond the excitement of Big Five sightings on a game drive vehicle, a guided bush walk offers an opportunity to connect with the African bush, learning about its fascinating fauna and flora. Embark on an adventure where your feet tread in the tracks of Africa’s wild inhabitants, your nostrils fill with the scent of crushed wild grasses as you push through the bush and all six senses reawaken as Africa touches you and you touch Africa. At one with nature, discover a range of natural wonders in the company of your experienced, walking safari guide. Learn how to track, seeing how close you can come to smaller game like impala or nyala antelope without them being aware of your presence. Smell and taste wild herbs, learning their traditional uses, and explore the smaller marvels of the bush, from the magnificent tapestry of a spider’s web to the microscopic world of the dung beetle.

Transfer to Airstrip

Internal flight from Selinda to Kasane

Internal flight from Kasane Airport to Victoria Falls

After breakfast, transfer to Kasane Airport for your flight to Victoria Falls followed by a transfer to the lodge.

Transfer to the lodge

Zambezi Royal Sunset Cruise

The luxurious, 28-seater single level cruise boat offers a unique and intimate way to view the Zambezi River. The boat is the first of its kind, custom built to maximize comfort, style, practicality and service. During the premium two hour guided Sunset cruise guests can look forward to 5-star service on board, consisting of imported wines and spirits, gourmet hot & cold canapés. The boat is on the river for about 2 - 2.5 hours.

Canapes as per menu below on the Sunset Cruise: Bacon Wrapped Chipolata Sausages, Mini Vegetarian Quiches, Crocodile Kebabs, Vegetarian Samosas, Crumbed Mushroom & Halloumi Skewers, Barbecue Marinated Chicken Wings, Meatballs stuffed with Mozzarella, Trio of Homemade Crisps, 'Chilli Bites' and puri (an unleavened Indian snack bread), Platter of Brie, Olives & Grapes. All accompanied by Sweet Chilli & a fresh Tartare Sauce.

Victoria Falls Town

A genuine bucket-list destination, Victoria Falls remains one of Africa's most famous tourist towns in Zimbabwe. Known world-wide as one of the ‘Seven Natural Wonders of the World’, there’s much more to the Victoria Falls than one of the world’s greatest waterfalls. The town is situated within the wider Victoria Falls National Park, while a short distance upstream lies the Zambezi National Park, and elephant, buffalo and various antelope species, including impala, kudu and waterbuck are common in the area, where residents co-existing with free roaming wildlife.

Many safari options are available from the town, including game drives, walking safaris and river boat safaris, with specialist birdwatching and fishing options. The Zambezi River above and below the Victoria Falls offers a variety of activity options, from scenic upstream river cruses to racing white-water rapids in the Batoka Gorge. Victoria Falls also makes the perfect base for exploring the wider region, with tours to prime safari viewing areas such as Hwange National Park (Zimbabwe), Chobe National Park (Botswana) and extended activity options in Livingstone (Zambia).

Or, meander through the vibrant town. Explore the Elephant’s Walk shopping village peppered with a variety of curio shops, a popular café with a peaceful indoor courtyard surrounded by beautiful flowers. Discover local craft markets showcasing the range of local artists and their talented handmade stone and wood carvings. A little further beyond you’ll find the award-winning Tammy Walker Gallery, a local artist known for her exceptional photography. The town centre offers delicious restaurants and coffee shops including a craft brewery, The Lookout Café offering unmissable views of the Victoria Falls bridge and supporting gorges with the chance to spot guests taking part in the adrenaline-rushing gorge swing or bungee jump!

Tour of Victoria Falls

After breakfast, depart on a guided tour of Victoria Falls through the Rainforest. The guide will give a brief history of the Falls themselves as well as detailing the flora, fauna, bird, wildlife and other points of interest as you walk along the ravine. Guides are also happy to assist clients with photographs whilst visiting this most spectacular of waterfalls. Raincoats are provided when needed, though it is recommended to take a small poncho with you.

The Victoria Falls constitutes one of the most spectacular natural wonders of the world. There is a magic about them manifested in the towering column of spray when the river is high, the thunder of the falling water, the terrifying abyss and tranquil lagoons upstream in which hippo and deadly crocodiles lurk.

It drops between 90m and 107m into the Zambezi Gorge and an average of 550,000 cubic meters of water plummet over the edge every minute. Remarkably preserved in its natural state, Victoria Falls inspires visitors as much today as it did David Livingstone in the 1860's. The falls and the surrounding area have been declared National Parks and a World Heritage Site, thus preserving the area from excessive commercialization.

Elephant Encounter

The Elephant Encounter affords guests the opportunity to unobtrusively observe some of the biggest personalities in Africa, in a pristine wilderness environment overflowing with raw natural beauty. Guests spend between 2.5 - 3 hours on this tour, learning and connecting with elephants in the most positive and natural way possible.

An open-design thatch Boma gives guests an uninterrupted view of the beautiful Masuwe River, and against this breath-taking back drop, guests will be given an insightful and educational presentation on the Elephant Sanctuary and Orphanage. The sanctuary was founded on the principle of conservation, and one of the most effective ways to evoke a sense of environmental responsibility is to show what stands to be lost.

Guests will venture out into the bush to spend time with the elephants and the sight of the gentle mammals up close and personal will be remembered long after they have returned home. Witness the special relationship the elephant keepers share with the animals and become a part of it. You will have the opportunity to take photographs with the elephants, marvel at their size and watch them behaving normally; browsing and interacting with one another.

After the encounter with these amazing creatures guests will be offered a selection of refreshments, followed by the a transfer back to your hotel/lodge.

Victoria Falls Canopy Tour

The Victoria Falls Canopy Tour offers fantastic views of Zambezi rapids, Victoria Falls Bridge & the spray of the Falls.

Observe the riverine forest from a variety of different vantage points – from above, below and within the canopy itself — experience forest bird-life, which can include the Knysna and Purple-crested Turaco (Lourie) and Peregrine Falcons. The Victoria Falls Canopy Tour offers a network of slides, trails and rope bridge walkways within the canopy of the hardwood forest of the Zambezi gorges. This experience is suitable for adventure seekers of all ages including families and groups. The Canopy Tour is family fun with a unique birds-eye view of one of the seven natural wonders of the world.

The Canopy Tour consists of nine slides, varying in length and one cable bridge walkway. The longest slide is about 85 metres long and the shortest 40 metres in length. Our friendly and experienced staff will give you a detailed safety briefing before the canopy tour, taking you step by step through your upcoming adventure. There are two guides on each tour, and the activity lasts for between two to two and a half hours.

Departure Flight from Victoria Falls

Bid farewell to Africa, for now until your next Safari !