

Duration: 12 days
Begins: Victoria Falls
Ends: Maun
Trip Code: DZVMNS
Allow USD50-65 for meals not included.
Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your expedition begins at Victoria Falls, where the air hums with the distant roar of cascading water. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your lodge, nestled within a lush landscape. In the evening, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers for a welcome reception followed by a dinner highlighting regional flavours. Later, experience the Victoria Falls Theatre’s award-winning production, "Simunye: The Spirit of Africa." Meet the cast behind this vibrant celebration of African music, dance, and storytelling—an exclusive experience that offers true cultural immersion through rhythm and performance.
Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group.
Enjoy a lively theatre performance directed by the acclaimed handspring Puppeteer Mongiwekhaya, showcasing local professional artists in an intimate, open-air venue. This captivating fusion of dance, puppetry, music, and visuals delivers a powerful message of love and community and the universal spirit of togetherness. After the show the group will have some time to meet the cast of this award-winning production before returning to your haven on the banks of the Zambezi River.
Dinner
Start your day with a guided tour of Victoria Falls, feeling the mist of Mosi-oa-Tunya (‘The Smoke that Thunders’) as you witness its raw power up close. Next, visit the Lusumpuko Women’s Club—a G for Good Project—for a cooking demonstration and traditional lunch prepared by the cooperative members. Return to the lodge to hear from the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust about their rescue work. As the sun sets, set out on a dedicated dinner cruise along the Zambezi River, watching the water turn to gold. A special guest will share tales of explorer David Livingstone, making this evening unforgettable.
Victoria Falls is one of the most compelling sites in the world, this cascading column of sheer energy powers its way down a 100m chasm, taking your breath away with its strength and incredible beauty. Victoria Falls is the world's largest curtain of falling water, creating immense spray, rainbows, and a unique rainforest ecosystem. Take in this magnificent natural wonder during a private, guided tour on the Zimbabwe side of the falls.
Start your visit to Victoria Falls off on the right foot by sitting down to a traditional, Zimbabwean meal, cooked by the Lusumpuko Women’s Club, a group of women from a nearby township. A demonstration by the ladies will show you exactly how Zimbabweans traditionally eat their food, and you’ll be served a farm-to-table meal made with traditional, local, in-season ingredients. This meal provides much-needed income to the cooperatives’ 20 members – changing their lives and families in the process.
Gather together for a discussion on wildlife rescue and rehabilitation work from a member of the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust.
Board a private dinner cruise on the Zambezi River with a special guest speaker who will share tales of explorer David Livingstone. This unique experience combines gourmet dining with gorgeous scenery, creating an unforgettable evening on the water.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
After breakfast, drive through Zambezi National Park and cross into Botswana. Arrive at your hotel, settle in, enjoy a light lunch. During high tea, join a talk to gain deeper insight into the park’s conservation efforts before boarding eco-friendly, electric boats to take in the stunning vistas and wildlife along the Chobe River. Spot elephants along the water’s edge and relax with a sundowner on deck. Return to the lodge for dinner by the river, accompanied by the sounds of the African night.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between Victoria Falls and the border crossing into Botswana at Kazungula.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the comfort of your private vehicle between the Botswana border crossing at Kazungula and your lodge stay in Chobe.
Board eco-friendly, electric boats and take in the stunning vistas along the Chobe River right by your lodge. The wildlife viewing while on a river safari in Chobe is unsurpassed anywhere else in Botswana. Elephants may line the water's edge, hippos will likely congregate in the lagoons, and many antelope and giraffe make their way to the water, while predators often wait patiently on the river banks. The lodge pioneered the use of electric boats for wildlife experiences on the water in 2014.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Start the day with an early morning safari drive through Chobe National Park, spotting majestic elephants, lions, and impala in the cool air. Return to the hotel for a hearty brunch. Then transfer to meet your dedicated, professional photo host before embarking on a Chobe River photo safari with camera equipment included. Glide along the southern channel of the Chobe River in search of elephants, hippos, and birdlife, capturing stunning wildlife shots with expert guidance along the water. Conclude the day with one final safari drive into the national park as you sip an included sundowner. Return to the lodge for dinner, celebrating your incredible journey through Southern Africa.
Rise early for a morning female-led safari drive inside Chobe National Park, where the lodge's specially adapted vehicles ensure that all guests enjoy a window seat and camera rest (should you have one.) Try to spot lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and more in the golden morning light.
Board a photo safari just 20 minutes from the Zimbabwe/Botswana border on the Chobe River. Alongside your photo host you will set off on a leisurely ride through the Southern Channel of the river that will take your wildlife viewing to the next level. Photography is often the gateway to memory and with more professional equipment you can snap moments that will remain in your heart and mind forever.
In the afternoon set off for another female-led safari drive in Chobe National Park. Capture images of the park during a different time of day and relax with a sundowner as you admire the landscape around you.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Wake up early for a final safari drive in the National Park in search of resident wildlife before continuing deeper into the heart of Botswana for more exploration and adventure. Catch a flight south from Kasane to the town of Maun, our jumping-off point for the days ahead. Settle into the hotel and spend the afternoon relaxing before a reception in the evening to welcome any new travellers joining the tour for the next leg of the expedition.
Rise early for a morning female-led safari drive inside Chobe National Park, where the lodge's specially adapted vehicles ensure that all guests enjoy a window seat and camera rest (should you have one.) Try to spot lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, and more in the golden morning light.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Catch a flight from Chobe to Maun, Botswana's gateway to the Okavango Delta.
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel in Maun.
Breakfast | Dinner
Start the day with a visit to the Nkashi Knowledge Centre. Here, meet an inspiring researcher from the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project for an illuminating presentation on the origins of the Okavango Delta. Next, transfer to the airport for a scenic flight over changing landscapes to the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt flats in the world. The afternoon calls you into the bush for an exhilarating safari drive in the national park. Scan the horizon for zebras and wildebeest and the predators that naturally follow such as: lion, leopard, cheetah, and hyenas. Cap off the day with a traditional boma dinner beneath a brilliant canopy of stars.
You will meet one of the researchers of the Nkashi Trust team which has implemented the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project (NGOWP) in a decade-long collaboration with the National Geographic Society. The NGOWP is a transboundary initiative that has spent the past ten years surveying and collecting scientific data on the Okavango river system and working with local communities, NGOs, and the governments of Angola, Namibia, and Botswana to secure permanent, sustainable protection for the greater Okavango Watershed.
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Set out across the shimmering, endless salt crust of the Makgadikgadi Pans as the afternoon light turns to gold. Scan the vast arid expanse for remarkable desert-adapted wildlife, watching curious habituated meerkats pop out from subterranean burrows to forage through the scrub. Keep your eyes peeled for stealthy brown hyenas, sleek cheetahs, resilient gemsbok, and lions roaming across this ancient, otherworldly landscape.
Fly to the western bank of the Boteti River, which forms the boundary of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.
Breakfast | Dinner
As dawn breaks over the pans, set out on a morning safari drive to spot wildlife at their most active. Later, meet with a leading wildlife biologist for a presentation on the delicate balance of human and wildlife coexistence, followed by a visit to the local research centre. Back at the lodge, keep an eye out for elephants at the hidden water-level hide, offering panoramic views over Makgadikgadi Pan National Park, ideal for viewing wildlife on the river’s edge. Conclude the day with an afternoon safari drive before dinner.
Enjoy a morning safari in one of the world's top safari destinations. Search for elephants and giraffes grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.
Take a look at how a small team of scientists and community officers are tackling one of Africa's most complex challenges - conservation efforts and the reality of human & wildlife coexistence in remote areas of Botswana. Hear from the managing director and resident wildlife biologist at Elephants for Africa, alongside the organization's community projects' manager to discuss these complex issues. The visit combines a guided camp tour with a structured presentation and open Q&A. Guests hear the issues from both the scientific and the community perspectives, directly from the people who live and work at the intersection of both.
Set out on another safari drive this afternoon to view the resident wildlife in their daily slowdown. Perhaps you'll see a few of the big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as giraffes, antelope and herds of migratory zebra or wildebeest in search of water.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
The golden morning light guides you on another safari drive through the rich habitats of Makgadikgadi Pan National Park, keeping an eye out for the resident wildlife in their natural environment. Under the midday sun, stay cool and relax at the lodge, perhaps visit the lodge’s secret hide to spot birds or grazing animals drinking at the edge of the Boteti River. Following another thrilling safari drive, the evening transitions to the warmth of the crackling campfire. Sink into your seat and share stories from the day.
Enjoy a morning safari in one of the world's top safari destinations. Search for elephants and giraffes grazing, photograph zebras and wildebeest and, with a little luck, you'll even spot animals feasting on a recent kill.
Set out on another safari drive this afternoon to view the resident wildlife in their daily slowdown. Perhaps you'll see a few of the big cats – cheetahs, leopards and lions – as well as giraffes, antelope and herds of migratory zebra or wildebeest in search of water.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Board an early flight into the lush green heart of the Okavango Delta, watching the arid plains transform into an intricate puzzle of shimmering waterways below. After lunch, attend an insightful afternoon talk regarding the National Geographic Okavango Wilderness Project. Learn about the ongoing efforts to secure permanent, sustainable protection for this vital watershed and its rich biodiversity. Afterwards, feel the spray of the water on your face during a boat safari, navigating the channels as the setting sun turns the delta waters into liquid gold.
Bid farewell to the Makgadikgadi Pans as you fly to the wildlife-rich Okavango Delta.
Step into the heart of Botswana’s wilderness on an unforgettable journey into the Okavango Delta. Your adventure begins with a scenic drive in an open 4x4 safari vehicle, travelling deep into the pristine area teeming with wildlife and rich in natural beauty. Explore the Delta the traditional way, gliding quietly through the waterways in a mokoro canoe, steered by skilled local polers who know the channels like the back of their hand. Back on land, a guided walking safari gives you the rare opportunity to connect with the bush on foot. Learn about the plants, animal tracks, and smaller wildlife often missed from a vehicle, while keeping an eye out for the Delta’s bigger residents. This is more than a traditional wildlife safari, it’s an immersion into one of the world’s most remarkable ecosystems, guided by the people who call it home.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Awaken to the symphony of the delta and enjoy a light breakfast before your morning safari. Glide through the glass-like water in a traditional mokoro dugout canoe, listening to the gentle splash of the paddle, then step ashore for a guided nature walk across remote islands to track wildlife on foot. Spend a quiet afternoon at a secluded bird-viewing hide, watching kingfishers and herons fly above the reeds. Following afternoon tea, set out again by boat for another aquatic safari before settling into the lodge for the evening and gathering around the campfire.
Continue exploring the Delta on a bush walk or by mokoro through the channels, searching for wildlife as you go.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Head out in search of more wildlife with a morning boat safari. Watch for pods of hippos and basking crocodiles as you navigate by mokoro and motorboat, and discover the small wonders of the delta's ecosystems on an island walking excursion. Back at the lodge, spend the midday hours relaxing or gazing out from the bird-viewing area to immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the local avian life. Following afternoon tea, a final boat ride reveals the delta's timeless beauty at twilight. Toast your unforgettable African expedition during a celebratory farewell dinner with your companions.
Continue exploring the Delta on a bush walk or by mokoro through the channels, searching for wildlife as you go.
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Enjoy a final breakfast at the lodge, listening to the rustle of the palms and the distant calls of the bush one last time. Board a flight back to Maun, enjoying a final bird’s-eye view of the vast, winding delta channels you have explored. Your extraordinary wildlife expedition concludes upon arrival at the Maun airport.
Fly out of the Okavango Delta and back to Maun to conclude the adventure.
Breakfast
| dates start-End | Availability remaining spaces | Price Per Person | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 2027 | |||
| Mon, 23 Aug - Fri, 03 Sep | 7+ available | £16,949 | Request a quote |
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| Oct 2027 | |||
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| May 2028 | |||
| Mon, 29 May - Fri, 09 Jun | 7+ available | £15,799 | Request a quote |
| Jul 2028 | |||
| Mon, 10 Jul - Fri, 21 Jul | 7+ available | £16,949 | Request a quote |
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| Aug 2028 | |||
| Mon, 14 Aug - Fri, 25 Aug | 7+ available | £16,949 | Request a quote |
| Sep 2028 | |||
| Mon, 11 Sep - Fri, 22 Sep | 7+ available | £16,949 | Request a quote |
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| Oct 2028 | |||
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| May 2029 | |||
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| Aug 2029 | |||
| Mon, 13 Aug - Fri, 24 Aug | 7+ available | £15,799 | Request a quote |
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| Sep 2029 | |||
| Mon, 10 Sep - Fri, 21 Sep | 7+ available | £15,799 | Request a quote |
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| Oct 2029 | |||
| Mon, 15 Oct - Fri, 26 Oct | 7+ available | £15,799 | Request a quote |
| Mon, 29 Oct - Fri, 09 Nov | 7+ available | £15,799 | Request a quote |