12-day Chobe and Hwange Lodge Safari

This small group 12-day Chobe and Hwange Lodge Safari is a circular route around the Northern part of Botswana, linking through Zimbabwe, beginning and ending in Victoria Falls. This lodge-to-lodge mobile safari uses 3-star accommodation and offers a lot of activities. Transportation between lodges is done in a comfortable, air-conditioned Mercedes Sprinter. The activities are carried out in the various lodges where we are staying using the lodge game drive vehicles, boats and mokoros (traditional dugout canoes).

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • 2 days visiting Chobe National Park
  • Boat cruise on Chobe River
  • 2 nights Khwai Concession/Moremi Game Reserve – mokoro excursion
  • Optional Scenic flight over the Delta (extra charges apply)
  • 2 nights Makgadikgadi Pans
  • Visit to Nata Bird Sanctuary
  • 2 nights in Hwange National Park – Zimbabwe
  • Optional visit to the Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe (extra charges apply)

Highlights

  • Maun
  • Chobe River Front
  • Khwai Community Area
  • Nata
  • Xhumaga
  • Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
  • Hwange National Park
  • Zimbabwe
  • Botswana

Tour Summary

Full Day by Day Itinerary

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Day 1 : Hwange National Park

The safari begins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe at 14h00. You will meet your guide at your hotel in Victoria Falls or at the VFA airport en-route to your first destination. We are happy to assist with pre-safari arrangements such as accommodation and transfers (extra cost) from Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe), Livingstone (Zambia) or Kasane (Botswana).  You will then head towards Kavimba in Botswana, a village on the edge of Chobe National Game Reserve, where we will stay 2 nights in a camp called Mwandi View or similar. Look out for any wildlife along the way as you travel through the Chobe National Park to get to your destination. Enjoy your afternoon at leisure and soak up the sounds and smells of the African bush. (D)
Victoria Falls –Kavimba, Mwandi View:  170 km, ±2.5 hrs driving (plus border crossing)

 

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Day 2 : Hwange National Park

Time is spent in Northern Chobe, a park which is incredibly rich in game due to the Chobe River providing water all year round. Large herds of elephant are frequently seen walking to and from the river. Due to the high density of herbivores in this area many predators, such as lions and leopards, can be found. While staying at Mwandi View or a similar lodge in this area, a game drive and boat cruise within the Chobe National Park allows the discovery of this incredible area from both land and water.  (B, L, D)

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Day 3 : Nata

After breakfast you will depart towards the Botswana border and on to Nata. This little town is on the edge of the Makgadikgadi pans. You will arrive at your lodge in time for lunch in the restaurant (at your own expense). After you have settled in, you will head to the Nata Bird Sanctuary, where depending on the time of year, it is possible to see large flocks of flamingos and pelicans feeding and nesting on the pans. (B, D)
Northern Hwange – Nata: 300 km, 5-6 hrs (depending on border crossing)

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Day 4 : Nata

After an early breakfast you will head towards your next lodge, an oasis on the edge of the Makgadikgadi National Park entrance gate to Khumaga. You will have lunch at your camp and the afternoon will be spent in the village of Khumaga, a small village of about 1000 people. You can find out about their way of life and further insight into the local culture. (B, L, D)
Nata – Boteti River Camp: 290 km, 4 hrs

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Day 5 : Xhumaga

Today your full day activity will lead you to Nxai Pan, this national park is home to Elephant, Giraffe, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and many more. In additional to exploring the pan, you will have the chance to see the incredible Baines Baobabs, so named after painter and explorer, Thomas Baines, who captured their beauty in his painting done in 1862. The pan itself is a fossil lakebed about 40 square km in size where seasonal rain brings herds of Zebra to roam the open spaces and feed on the new grass. You will have a packed lunch and spend as much time as possible in this stunning area before heading back to camp. (B, L, D)

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Day 6 : Maun

Inspired by the beauty of the area, you will travel West to Maun. Arriving around noon in town, you can do a bit of shopping for curios, safari drinks and necessities before lunch. (Rest of the day at leisure) In the afternoon, you will have the option of taking a scenic flight over the Delta (45 min. Maun to Maun scenic flight, EUR125 min 3pax– to be booked during the safari, payment in cash only). This magical experience provides another perspective of the Okavango Delta’s distinctive water system. During the flight it is even possible to spot large game animals such as Elephant, Giraffe and Hippos.
Night at a comfortable lodge on the outskirts of Maun. (B, D)
Boteti River Camp – Maun: 180 km, 2.5 hrs

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Day 7 : Khwai Community Area

From Maun the drive meanders through to the Khwai River area, on the border of Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana with very high concentrations of game. The next two days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Enjoy game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets. Night at the Khwai Guesthouse in the Khwai Village. (B, L, D)
Maun - Khwai: 150 km, ±3.5 hrs (including game viewing)

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Day 8 : Khwai Community Area

Game drives to explore the region surrounding the Khwai River and a mokoro excursion to experience the aquatic wildlife via dugout canoe and enjoy the silence of the African bush (North-east Moremi / Khwai Concession).  (B, L, D)

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Day 9 : Chobe River Front

The safari then heads North towards Kavimba, a village on the edge of Chobe National Game Reserve, where we will stay 2 nights to explore the northern reaches of the park. This day will again be a full day activity as we will do a full day of game drives through the Savuti area of the Chobe National Park and North towards the Chobe flood plains. You will have your lunch break along the road surrounded by great wildlife and arrive late afternoon into your lodge. (B, L, D)
Khwai – Kavimba: 200 km, 10 hrs (including game drives)

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Day 10 : Chobe River Front

Time is spent in Northern Chobe, a park which is incredibly rich in game due to the Chobe River providing water all year round. Large herds of elephant are frequently seen walking to and from the river. Due to the high density of herbivores in this area many predators, such as lions and leopards, can be found. While staying at Mwandi View or a similar lodge in this area, a game drive as well as a boat cruise in the Chobe National Park will allow the discovery of this incredible area from both land and water.  (B, L, D)

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Day 11 : Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Today the journey takes you to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge.  In the afternoon come face to face with the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios with the roar of the water reverberating nearby.  At Victoria Falls there are many activities to enjoy which your guide can assist you in organizing.  Please note that dinner on your last evening will be at your own expense. Spend your last night at a comfortable lodge with the images of the last 2 weeks still fresh in your memory. (B)
Kavimba – Victoria Falls:  170 km, ±2.5hrs (plus border crossing)

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Day 12 : Departure

The safari officially ends at 8h00 on Day 12. Bush Ways is happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Victoria Falls airport or lodges, Kasane, or any nearby lodges at an additional cost.  Activities in Victoria Falls include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask your guide for further details. (B)

Included

All accommodation (rooms in comfortable lodges or luxury tents)
All transfers and activities as per the itinerary
All meals that are indicated (B – breakfast, L –lunch, D – dinner)
Mineral bottled water
Services of a Professional Guide
All Botswana and Namibian park fees for activities included on itinerary and transport in enclosed
Air-conditioned or specialized safari vehicles

Excluded

Entrance to the Falls
Visas
Airport transfers
Tips
Curios
Optional excursions at the lodges (scenic flight over the Delta, activities in Victoria Falls / Livingstone, game drives, fishing etc)
Beverages (alcohol, soft drinks)
Insurance to cover for cancellation and curtailment
Medical
Baggage
Emergency Evacuation
Any increase in National Park fees