• Duration: 11 Nights / 10 Days
• Dates: Start: 28 August | End: 08 September 2027 & 2028
  *Other dates available on request for private/ legacy tours
• Group Size: Small group — 6 to 12 persons
• Basis: Fully Inclusive throughout — all meals, all local brand drinks, park fees, game-viewing activities
• Destinations: Zimbabwe & Botswana — Victoria Falls | Hwange | Chobe National Park | Khwai Game Reserve

ABOUT THIS JOURNEY

Southern Africa holds some of the most extraordinary wildlife landscapes on earth — and this journey moves through the very best of them. Beginning at one of the seven natural wonders of the world and ending in the flooded wilderness of the Okavango Delta, the Best of Southern Africa is a ten-day odyssey through places that define what the African safari can be at its most profound.

From the thundering curtain of Victoria Falls — where the Zambezi hurls itself a mile wide into the gorge below — to the sunbaked waterholes of Hwange, where elephant herds number in their hundreds, each stage of this journey delivers wildlife encounters of extraordinary scale and intimacy. These are not simply beautiful places. They are places where the natural world still operates on its own ancient terms, and where a human being can feel, briefly, what it means to be part of something much larger than themselves.

In Chobe, the great concentration of elephants along the river creates scenes of almost overwhelming abundance. Boat safaris drift past bathing herds and basking crocodiles as the afternoon light turns the water to bronze. And then, finally, Khwai — a community-run concession on the southern edge of the Okavango, where off-road freedoms, night drives, guided walks, and mokoro canoe trails through papyrus channels bring you as close to the untamed African bush as it is possible to travel.

Throughout, your World Wildlife Journeys guides bring decades of expertise, natural history knowledge, and storytelling to every drive, every walk, and every quiet moment under an infinite southern sky. Small in number. Immeasurable in experience.

SAFARI HIGHLIGHTS

• Stand at the edge of Victoria Falls — Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘The Smoke That Thunders’ — one of the largest and most powerful waterfalls on Earth, where the mist rises 400 metres above the Zambezi Gorge
• Walk through the dripping rainforest at the gorge rim — perpetually lush from the falls’ spray — alive with rare birds, vervet monkeys, and the constant roar of the river below
• Morning and afternoon game drives across the vast mopane woodlands and open savannah of Hwange National Park — Zimbabwe’s largest and most celebrated wildlife reserve
• Encounter some of the largest elephant herds in Africa, converging in their hundreds on the permanent waterholes of Hwange during the August dry season
• Track lion, leopard, African wild dog, cheetah, sable antelope, giraffe, and buffalo across Hwange’s ancient teak forests and golden plains
• Boat safaris on the Chobe River — drifting silently past bathing elephants, surfacing hippos, and sun-baked crocodiles as the light burns low over the floodplain
• Game drives through Chobe National Park — home to the largest concentration of elephants on the continent — with lion, leopard, and buffalo among a cast of remarkable wildlife
• Night game drives through the unfenced Khwai concession, where the bush after dark reveals hunting cats, prowling hyena, and a brilliant, disorienting sky
• Guided walking safaris in both Hwange and Khwai — reading tracks, interpreting behaviour, and moving through the landscape on foot with expert guides who have spent lifetimes here
• Mokoro (dugout canoe) excursions through the papyrus-fringed channels of Khwai — eye-level with the water, in search of lechwe, sitatunga, and extraordinary birdlife
• Off-road game drives through the private Khwai concession, with freedoms unavailable in national parks — no fences, no boundaries, no compromise
• Outstanding birdwatching throughout — from Chobe’s fish eagles and carmine bee-eaters to Hwange’s ground hornbills, raptors, and secretary birds
• Sundowner drinks in the bush as the sky turns gold, and the sounds of the African evening rise around you
• Charter flights between all major destinations — covering ground swiftly while keeping the journey seamless and unhurried

DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

All activities, transfers, and game-viewing as listed are included in the total cost. Fully inclusive throughout.

Day 1  |  Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 

Arrive at Victoria Falls International Airport and clear customs. Your World Wildlife Journeys guide will meet you in the arrivals hall and transfer you to your accommodation in town, set in leafy gardens just minutes from the falls. The afternoon is yours — rest after the journey, take a first walk in the surrounding bush, or simply sit on the veranda and listen. Already, you may hear the falls. Welcome dinner this evening.

Days 2–3  |  Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 

Two full days at Victoria Falls, anchored by the guided walk along the gorge rim — arguably the finest viewpoint of the falls anywhere, moving through the perpetually mist-soaked rainforest with its extraordinary birdlife and constant backdrop of sound. Time in the afternoon is your own: the town has character and history, the Zambezi is beautiful at dusk, and the surrounding area offers walks, river views, and the pleasure of simply being somewhere that extraordinary. Your guides are available throughout.

Days 3–6  |  Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

A short charter flight carries you from Victoria Falls into the heart of Hwange National Park, landing on a remote airstrip in the midst of the wilderness. Your camp sits in a private concession on the park’s central plains, at the meeting point of mopane woodland, teak forest, and open savannah — a diversity of habitat that supports exceptional game viewing throughout the year.

Three full days of morning and afternoon game drives follow the ancient roads and seasonal pans of the park. August’s dry conditions concentrate wildlife at the few remaining water sources, and patient, expert guiding ensures that each encounter is understood rather than simply observed. Elephant herds arrive in their hundreds. Wild dogs patrol the woodlands. Lions can be heard from camp before dawn. There is also time for guided walks in the bush — moving quietly on foot, reading tracks and signs, learning to see the landscape as the animals do. Evenings end around the fire, beneath a sky extravagant with stars.

Days 6–9  |  Chobe National Park, Botswana 

Another short charter flight crosses into Botswana and brings you down to Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park — Africa’s elephant capital. Your camp sits at the edge of the park with direct access to some of the most wildlife-dense terrain on the continent. Three days here are divided between morning and afternoon game drives along the riverfront, where the Chobe River draws extraordinary concentrations of animals throughout the dry season, and boat safaris on the river itself.

The boat safaris are among the highlights of the entire journey. Moving upstream in the low gold light of early morning or late afternoon, you drift past bathing elephant herds, pods of hippos surfacing just metres away, and crocodiles stretched enormous and still on the sandy banks. It is Africa at water level, close and unhurried and deeply affecting. Evenings are spent at camp around the firepit as the sounds of the bush take over.

Days 9–11  |  Khwai Game Reserve, Botswana 

A final charter flight carries you to the Khwai concession — a privately managed wilderness on the southern edge of the Okavango Delta, bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. The shift in atmosphere from Chobe is immediate: where Chobe is big and dramatic, Khwai is intimate and layered. You are in the Delta now, and the landscape feels ancient and alive in equal measure.

The full range of safari activities is available here, and your guides will read the land each morning to design the day. Game drives venture off-road into thick delta bush, following fresh tracks and the subtle signs that only experience can read. Night drives after dark reveal a nocturnal world of extraordinary richness. Guided walks bring you to the level of the tracks themselves. Mokoro canoe excursions through papyrus channels offer a perspective that is entirely their own. African wild dogs — among Africa’s rarest and most charismatic predators — are frequently encountered in the Khwai concession. There are few better places on the continent to end a safari.

Day 11  |  Departure 

A final breakfast in camp with the sounds of the Khwai floodplain around you. By mid-morning, transfer to Maun International Airport for the connecting flight to Johannesburg and your onward international connections. The dust of Africa, the image of a waterhole at dawn, the sound of elephants moving through camp in the night — these things travel home with you. They always do. Ask us about the post tour extension to Cape Town.

• International flights to Victoria Falls and from Maun (or Johannesburg for onward connections)
• Entry visas to Zimbabwe and Botswana — guests are responsible for all required travel documentation
• Travel insurance — strongly recommended (see Practical Information below)
• Premium brand drinks (Champagne, premium spirits, Red Bull)
• Laundry and items of a personal nature
• Gratuities for guides and camp staff
• Optional activities at Victoria Falls not listed in inclusions (e.g. helicopter flights, bungee jumping)
• Any costs arising from flight delays, cancellations, or circumstances beyond WWJ’s control

IMPORTANT NOTES

• This itinerary operates for a minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 guests
• Early arrival in Victoria Falls is strongly recommended to allow for international flight delays and connections — please enquire with WWJ about arranging additional nights in the same property
• WWJ strongly recommends the KAZA Uni-Visa for this itinerary, which permits multiple-entry to both Zimbabwe and Botswana — available on arrival at Victoria Falls Airport for most passport holders
• Charter flights between destinations are subject to weather and operational factors; flexibility on travel days is appreciated
• Luggage restriction for all light aircraft transfers: 12 kg per person including hand luggage, in soft hold-all type bags only — no hard suitcases or rigid-framed cases
• Accommodation is on a twin/double-share basis; single supplement is available on request — please contact WWJ for details
• The Khwai concession is unfenced wilderness — all relevant safety protocols are fully briefed by guides and camp management on arrival
• WWJ reserves the right to substitute alternative properties and services of equal or superior standard, subject to availability
• A 30% non-refundable deposit is required on booking confirmation, together with copies of all passports and a completed WWJ Tour Booking Form
• All payments by Electronic or Telegraphic Bank Transfer

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Visas & Passports

Most passport holders require visas for both Zimbabwe and Botswana. For this itinerary, the KAZA Uni-Visa is strongly recommended — a single document granting multiple-entry access to both countries, purchasable on arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport and payable in USD, GBP, or EUR. Visa requirements can change without notice; guests should verify current entry requirements for their nationality well in advance of departure by contacting the relevant embassies or high commissions. It is your responsibility to hold the correct documentation. WWJ accepts no liability for failure to do so.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is STRONGLY recommended for all WWJ travellers and is considered an essential part of any safari. Your policy should cover, at minimum: trip cancellation due to illness or injury, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, personal accident and personal liability, loss of or damage to baggage, and travel and flight delays. Please ensure your policy is valid for activities including light aircraft transfers and guided walking safaris in remote wilderness areas. Do not travel without adequate cover.

Health & Vaccinations

Zimbabwe and Botswana are malaria-risk regions. Guests should consult their physician or a specialist travel medicine clinic well in advance of departure for advice on antimalarial prophylaxis and all recommended vaccinations. Yellow Fever vaccination requirements vary depending on your country of origin and recent travel history — please confirm current requirements with your travel health clinic before booking. Check the latest health advisories for Southern Africa prior to travel and carry all vaccination documentation with you.

Climate in August–September

August and September fall in the heart of Southern Africa’s dry season — widely regarded as the finest time of year to visit for wildlife viewing. Daytime temperatures across the lowland parks are warm and sunny, typically between 25°C and 32°C. Mornings and evenings can be genuinely cold, particularly on early game drives in open vehicles — temperatures can drop to single figures before dawn. Layers are essential. Rainfall is minimal throughout, skies are predominantly clear, and the absence of green vegetation growth ensures outstanding visibility across all habitats.

Clothing & Packing

Lightweight, neutral-coloured safari clothing in khaki, olive, tan, and brown tones is recommended for all game drives and wildlife activities. Bright colours and white should be avoided in the field. A warm fleece, down jacket, or thermal layer is essential for early morning game drives. Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes with ankle support are recommended for bush walks. For evenings at camp, smart-casual attire is appropriate. Remember the strict 12 kg luggage allowance for all light aircraft transfers — soft bags only, no hard cases. WWJ provides a detailed packing list on confirmation of booking.

Luggage Restriction

All light aircraft transfers on this itinerary have a strict luggage allowance of 12 kg per person including hand luggage. Bags must be soft-sided, hold-all type only — no hard suitcases, rigid frames, or wheeled cases. Please plan your packing carefully. WWJ can advise on luggage storage options at your point of international arrival if required.

Currency

US Dollars are the most widely accepted currency throughout Zimbabwe and Botswana and are recommended for all gratuities, personal purchases, and optional activities. Credit cards are accepted at many establishments in Victoria Falls town. ATM access becomes increasingly limited in more remote safari areas. Carry a mix of small-denomination USD notes in good condition. Most activities and accommodation on this itinerary are fully inclusive, so cash requirements in the field are minimal.

Electricity

Zimbabwe uses the Type G plug (British three-pin); Botswana uses a combination of Type G and Type M. Both countries operate on 230V/50Hz current. Remote bush camps typically offer limited charging facilities — USB ports and 220V sockets are usually available in the main lounge or dining area; charging in tents may be limited. A universal travel adapter is strongly recommended.

One of our experts will be in touch within 24 hours.