On arrival at Victoria Falls Airport you will be met and transferred to the A’Zambezi River Lodge. The rest of the afternoon may be spent at leisure enjoying one of the many activities available in Victoria Falls. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of your group at the lodge at 18h00 for your pre-departure meeting.
Optional activities in Victoria Falls (at own expense)
Below is a list of some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Victoria Falls. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum number of passengers to operate. Certain activities only operate at specific times of the year. Please contact the reservation office for further information. Should you wish to partake in an activity that is not listed below, we will gladly assist you with rates and reservations.
15 Minute Helicopter Flight
22 Minute Helicopter Flight
Boma Dinner incl. transfers
Guided Tour of the Victoria Falls
Dinner Cruise
Bungee Jump
Bridge Swing
Bridge Slide
Historical Bridge Tour
Flying Fox (Cable Slide)
Gorge Swing
Zip Line
Horse Back Safaris (novice)
Canoeing (full day)
Rafting (full day, low water)
Rafting (full day, high water)
Batoka Gorge Hike and Ndebele Village Tour
Traditional Village Tour
Today you will have at leisure to explore Victoria Falls, the town and all of its unique offerings, from adventure activities to cultural experiences. In the afternoon you will embark on a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River, basking in the afterglow of the day. (B)
Day 3 - Mahangu National Park
Departure: 08h00
Distance: 345 km
After breakfast you will head across the Kazungula border into Namibia, driving through the Caprivi Strip (Zambezi Region) to your camp situated on the banks of the Kwando River. The area is lush and water-rich compared to the rest of Namibia, drawing abundant wildlife and villagers sustained by the large rivers and wetlands. Arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon to enjoy the sunset overlooking the river with a chance of seeing both crocodiles and hippos. (BLD)
Accommodation: 1 night Camp Kwando.
Nestled on the banks of the Kwando river (Zambezi Region – Caprivi, Namibia), Camp Kwando invites you to come and explore the hidden treasures of an untamed land. This delightful camp offers you a range of comfortable and well equipped accommodation, including Island Tents and Chalets as well as a basic, well maintained campsite.
Day 4 to Day 5 - Okavango Delta
Departure: 07h00
Distance: 415 km
This morning depart on an early game drive in the Greater Bwabwata National Park, which extends from the Kavango River in the west to the Kwando River in the east and incorporates the Mahangu Game Reserve. Elephant, roan, kudu and buffalo are amongst the animals likely to be seen as well as prolific birdlife. (BLD)
You will cross over the border into Botswana and head to Etsha 13, on the western border of the Okavango Delta. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the coast, which makes it unique. The next day is spent exploring the network of water pathways through thick vegetation in mokoros (traditional dugout canoes), discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. You have the opportunity to stop at a secluded island to take a 1½ hour guided walk hoping to spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals living in this water filled paradise.
Optional activities at Guma Lagoon (at own expense)
Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum amount of passengers to operate. Certain activities only operate at specific times of the year. Please contact the reservation office for further information.
Scenic Helicopter Flight 30 Minute One Person
Scenic Helicopter Flight 30 Minute Two Persons
Scenic Helicopter Flight 30 Minute Three Persons
Accommodation: 2 nights Guma Lagoon Camp.
Guma Lagoon Camp is situated on the on the north-western side of the Okavango River along the banks of the Guma Lagoon in Botswana. The Okavango River is known as one of the best freshwater sport fishing rivers in Southern Africa, and Guma Lagoon Camp is no exception.
Accommodation is provided in 10 large canvas chalets each with their own private view of the lagoon. Each chalet can accommodate two people and offers lovely teak beds, en-suite bathrooms with hot showers and flush toilets. Mosquito nets and towels are also provided and extra bedding can be provided to accommodate children. Awake in the morning with the sunrise over the lagoon streaming into your chalet.
Day 6 - Khwai River region
Departure: 06h00
Distance: 420 km
After breakfast head south travelling via Maun to your camp which is situated in a private concession in the Khwai River region. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors. (BLD)
Accommodation: 3 nights Bedouin Bush Camp.
Experience one of Botswana’s finest game viewing areas in an unfenced, mobile bush camp located on a private concession in close proximity to the Moremi Game Reserve, a 2 hour drive from Maun. Bedouin Bush Camp has 12 comfortable tents positioned privately under big Acacia trees, offering travellers an authentic and secluded African bush experience. The camp is also equipped with a homely and communal dining and bar area.
The tents are covered with Bedouin-style fly-sheets, offering guests protection from Botswana’s weather conditions and fashioning the camp with a distinctive nomadic appearance and atmosphere. Listen to the remarkable night sounds of the bush from the comfort of a safari tent equipped with twin beds, soft pillows and duvets. Doors and windows are fitted with mosquito screening and insect repellent is provided.
To limit the camp’s impact on the environment yet still afford the necessary comfort in the bush, the en-suite bathrooms are equipped with flush toilets and hot bucket showers. Please note that the camp is solar powered, and cameras and mobile phones can be charged in the communal areas should the power levels allow it. At night the paths to your tents will be illuminated by lanterns and your guide will escort you back to the privacy of your tent.
Day 7 - Khwai River region
Departure: 07h00
Distance: 150 km
Enjoy you day game viewing. In the open 4X4 vehicle you will explore the Khwai River region on morning and afternoon game drives hopefully spotting a variety of game that frequent this region. After dinner your guide will take you on a night drive, and you will hopefully be able to spot some rare nocturnal animals. (BLD)
Day 8 - Moremi Game Reserve
Departure: 07h00
Distance: 150 km
Today you will head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve. (BLD)
Day 9 - Matetsi Concession
Departure: 07h00
Distance: 430 km
Leaving the bush behind you, travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans (once a large river fed lake which has become saline and empty). This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands and forms the Great Makgadikgadi which comprises the largest area of salt pans in the world, covering some 37,000 square km overall. You will arrive at your lodge in the late afternoon. (BL)
Accommodation: 1 night Nata Lodge.
An oasis set among the Mokolwane palms on the edge of the pans, the lodge is ideally situated close to the entrance to the Nata Sanctuary and is just off the main road, 10 km from Nata village. This is the junction to the Okavango, Chobe and Francistown areas.
Day 10 to Day 11 - Chobe National Park
Departure: 08h00
Distance: 320 km
Today you will head off to Nata Bird Sanctuary in the morning, which offers the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view over the Sowa pan, which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans (please note a visit to the pans is subject to the road conditions and water levels as well as time constraints). After breakfast, continue your journey north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park. Chobe, which is the second largest national park in Botswana and covers 10,566 square km, has one of the greatest concentrations of elephant found on the African continent. The afternoon is at leisure to partake in optional activities or to relax by the pool. (BLD)
Start your morning of day 11 with a game drive in the Chobe National Park. You will return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relaxation until our boat cruise on the Chobe River starts around 3pm. Here we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds, making for excellent up close photo opportunities. (BD)
Accommodation: 2 nights Chobe Safari Lodge.
Chobe Safari Lodge is situated in Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River and shares a border with Chobe National Park. Right on your doorstep is the meeting point of four African countries: Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia. Chobe Safari Lodge therefore offers an excellent getaway location to Chobe, Victoria Falls or Caprivi.
Day 12 to Day 14 - Hwange National Park
Departure: 08h00
Distance: 280 km
Today you will make your way across the border into Zimbabwe and onto your lodge located in a private concession near to Hwange National Park, where you will spend the next three nights in this wildlife rich area. This afternoon you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows. Over the following two days, there will be plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on game drives. Hwange National Park is one of Africa’s finest havens for wildlife and is home to massive herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife. Enjoy a visit to the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to witness the work that is done to protect these endangered species. (BLD)
Accommodation: 3 nights Sable Sands.
On the edge of the famous Hwange National Park, on a private concession that boasts stunning views of the dried riverbed named the ‘Dete Vlei’, stands a rustic eco lodge within the pristine Teak and Mopani forest called Sable Sands, Brian and Marleen’s pride and joy.
Sable Sands has 16 traditionally thatched ‘rondavels’ with en-suite bathroom, making your lodge the perfect blend of ancient culture, nature and modern convenience.
Day 15 - End of Botswana Wildlife Tour
Departure: 08h00
Distance: 190 km
Your safari ends today after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your onward flight. (B)
Bench Africa uses a number of local ground operators in Africa, one of which is Jenman African Safaris. Jenman is one of the leading safari travel operators in Africa with over 20 years experience. Jenman has a small group policy on guided safaris and utilise the services of a qualified local driver/guide. They use customised 4X4 safari vehicles that ensure safe and comfortable travel in every season (note, minibuses are generally used if travelling in Madagascar). Typically, the average age of passengers travelling on a Jenman safari is 55 years of age.
From time to time it may be necessary to change a property or camp due to various problems out of the control of Bench Africa. In this situation we will make every effort to give you as much warning as possible.
Your itinerary may include long road journeys. Road surfaces vary from tarmac, gravel, sand and occasionally vehicles may travel “off road”. This tour is recommended for healthy, active participants looking for an adventurous holiday.