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Local transport on the Okavango River - Botswana and Zimbabwe Explorer, Zimbabwe
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The stunning wildlife rolling around the Okavango River  | Peter Walton

Botswana and Zimbabwe Explorer

An epic Southern Africa safari circuit linking Kruger, Hwange, Chobe and the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.

Zimbabwe, Botswana
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 15 reviews

16 Days from

$3690 USD

Trip Code: BZX
View dates to Book
Essential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Prefer not to share? Your own room and tent - every night
$990 USD
Duration
  • 16 Days
Activities
  • Wildlife Safari
Accommodation
  • 15 nights accommodation in comfortable guest houses, chalets, lodges or permanent tented camps on a twinshare basis
Meals
  • 12 Dinners
  • 13 Lunches
  • 15 Breakfasts
Difficulty Grading  
2 / 10

Adventure touring

Carbon Footprint  

66kg of CO2-e PP per day

(988kg of CO2-e PP entire trip)

Trip highlights

  • Search for the Big Five in South Africa’s iconic Kruger National Park
  • Explore Hwange and Chobe National Parks, renowned for vast elephant herds, combining game drives with a sunset cruise along the Chobe River
  • Step back in time at the UNESCO-listed Great Zimbabwe, the largest ancient stone city in sub-Saharan Africa
  • Journey by traditional mokoro into the Okavango Delta, camping on a Delta island, experiencing the wetland ecosystem up close
  • Track rhino on foot and discover ancient San rock art in Zimbabwe’s Matobo Hills, where dramatic granite domes shelter centuries-old paintings

Overview

Botswana and Zimbabwe Explorer is a far-reaching Southern Africa safari through South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana, linking iconic wildlife parks including Kruger, Hwange and Chobe National Parks, the Okavango Delta and the ancient stone city of Great Zimbabwe in one rewarding circuit.

Starting and returning to Johannesburg, the journey explores Kruger National Park in search of the Big Five before crossing into Zimbabwe to visit the UNESCO-listed Great Zimbabwe and the granite landscapes of Matobo Hills, where rhino and ancient San rock art can be found. In Hwange National Park, vast elephant herds roam open grasslands, followed by time at Victoria Falls, one of the world’s great natural wonders. Entering Botswana, the safari continues with a Chobe River cruise, the stark beauty of the Makgadikgadi Pans, and a mokoro journey into the waterways of the Okavango Delta.

Combining camping, simple lodges and hotels, the journey offers an authentic Southern Africa safari at exceptional value.

Itinerary

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Join Kruger National Park, departing Johannesburg at 06:30am and travelling north into the park. You settle into your safari vehicle for an afternoon game drive, searching for lion, elephant, rhino and other wildlife across the reserve's open plains. Kruger is one of Africa's oldest protected areas, its varied habitats supporting an exceptional range of species. As the light fades you arrive at your accommodation for the night, basic chalets within the park. Distance: 580km / 360mi Driving time: 8 hrs Accommodation: Kruger National Park chalets

Meals: L,D

You wake early and set off on a game drive north through Kruger National Park, the largest game reserve in South Africa, stretching approximately 500km / 311mi from north to south and home to 16 different ecosystems. Keep watch for the Big Five - lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo - along with numerous other species as you cross into Northern Kruger, where mopane veld dominates and large elephant bulls, wild dogs and lions roam. This region's dense vegetation and remoteness make it one of the park's richest areas for wildlife sightings. You spend the evening in the far northern section of the park, overnighting among the sounds of the surrounding bush. Distance: 250km / 155mi Driving time: 6.5 hrs Accommodation: Kruger National Park Chalets

Meals: B,L,D

Entering Zimbabwe at the Beit Bridge border post, you travel north to your overnight stop. You visit the Great Zimbabwe Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its massive curving walls (some 11m / 36ft high), constructed from millions of granite blocks fitted together without mortar, remain the largest ancient stone structure in sub–Saharan Africa, and were built during the 11th to 14th centuries. The city had an estimated 18,000 inhabitants, and archaeological artefacts including Chinese pottery shards and coins from Arabia suggest a vast trading network. You explore these ancient stone structures on an informative walk with a local guide. Distance: 450km / 280mi Driving time: 6.5 hrs plus border crossing Accommodation: Great Zimbabwe Hotel (or similar)

Meals: B,L,D

Travelling via the city of Bulawayo we move on to the Matobo National Park and our chalets on the outskirts of the park. This afternoon we enjoy sundowners from the granite ridge overlooking the park. The following morning we visit World's View and the historical site of Cecil John Rhodes' grave. Unusual rock formations are home to an array of ancient bushman paintings which we visit while on our game drive and walk. This area is also home to Zimbabwe's rhino which we hope to see on our excursion in the national park. Drive: 360km / 224mi, 5 hrs Accommodation: Hermit Peaks Chalet (or Similar) Positive Impact: Hermits Peak is 100% Zimbabwean owned and employs 6 Zimbabweans. The owner is chairman of The Matobo Rhino Trust and works with National Parks Board in Zimbabwe on rhino protection and conservation. They train and mentor local community members to become guides or otherwise involved in the tourism industry.

Meals: B,L,D

Named after a local Nhanzwa chief, Hwange National Park is the largest park in Zimbabwe, occupying roughly 14,650 square kilometres / 5,656 square miles and located in the north-west corner of the country. It is famed for its large elephant population. Our chalets are in the game management area that borders the park, and we explore the park with our local guide, on a full day game drive in an open 4WD game viewing vehicle. Distance: 340km / 211mi Driving time: 5 hrs Accommodation: Miombo Safari Lodge (or Similar)

Meals: B,L,D

You spend two nights in Victoria Falls, beginning with a walk through tropical vegetation to the edge of the Mosi-oa-Tunya, "the smoke that thunders." The falls' spray drifts across the forest, feeding a rainforest microclimate found nowhere else nearby. The town offers a range of optional activities at own expense. The day ends back at your hotel in Victoria Falls. Distance: 200km / 124mi Driving time: 3 hrs Accommodation: PheZulu Guest Lodge (or Similar) Positive Impact: Bayete & Phezulu Guest Lodges are 100% Zimbabwean owned. The lodges catch rainwater in tanks for use and grey water is used in the gardens. Food is sourced locally as far possible & all waste is recycled. The lodges support Children in the Wilderness, Greenline Africa and are part of Green Tourism.

Meals: B

Entering Botswana, you head to the town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River. The river flows lazily along the northern boundary of Chobe National Park, attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. A highlight of the Chobe is the afternoon game viewing cruise, where elephants and other wildlife gather along the banks to drink as the day ends. The overnight is at a Permanent Tented / Safari Camp with views of the Chobe River. Distance: 85km / 53mi Driving time: 1 hr plus border crossing Accommodation: Thebe River Safaris (or Similar) Positive Impact: Thebe River Safaris employs 89 Motswana staff and is Motswana owned and operated. The lodge grows their own vegetables and sources other products locally, all waste is recycled. Although the lodge is situated along a river visitors are asked to conserve water where possible and LED lights are used throughout the property to conserve energy.

Meals: B,L,D

This morning you venture into the Chobe National Park for a game drive. Heading south through the Kasane Forest Reserve you make your way to the Nata area for your overnight stop. In the late afternoon, you head to Nata Sanctuary to watch the sunset and take in the views of the Makgadikgadi Pans. During the dry season, the pans stretch out as endless white plains, while the summer rains transform them into shallow lakes teeming with flamingos, pelicans, and migrating herds. Distance: 340km / 211mi Driving time: 4.5 hrs Accommodation: Nata Lodge (or Similar)

Meals: B,L

You transfer into the Okavango Delta by open 4WD game viewing vehicle before continuing by mokoro (dugout canoe) with your local guides, gently poled through a network of channels into the heart of the Delta. Rainwater from the Angolan Highlands flows across the flat Kalahari Desert sands here, creating a green oasis that supports abundant birdlife and wildlife. Over two nights on a remote island you explore the surrounding environment on guided bush walks, watching for birdlife and taking the opportunity to swim in the clear waters. Time spent camping with local guides also offers insight into their lifestyle and culture. Distance/time: 340km / 211mi, 4.5 hours driving, followed by a 4WD transfer and mokoro journey. Total travel time into the Delta is 7 hours. Accommodation: Wilderness Camping Positive Impact: our time in the Okavango Delta directly supports the Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust, run by communities in the south-eastern Delta. Entrance and camping fees are paid to the Trust, while guiding and poling work is shared among community members through a village-managed rotation system, providing sustainable economic benefits for local communities while supporting conservation of the area. The SOS Save Our Sausage Trees project also helps reduce pressure on sausage trees traditionally used to make mokoros.

Meals: B,L,D

You leave your wilderness camp and travel by mokoro and open 4WD back to Maun. There may be time in the afternoon for an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta at your own expense, providing a different perspective of this vast wetland. Tonight you stay at Island Safari Lodge in a twin-share chalet with ensuite facilities. Distance: 50km / 31mi Driving time: 2 hrs Accommodation: Island Safari Lodge (or similiar) Positive Impact: Island Safari Lodge is Motswana owner-managed, supporting local employment and organisations in Maun including Rhino Conservation Botswana, Career Dreams Training Institute and the Junior Rangers Programme.

Meals: B,L,D

Heading south from Maun, you drive through the wide open spaces of the Kalahari Desert. Along the route, you may spot small herds of zebra grazing among cattle near remote villages. As you near Goo-Moremi, the Tswapong Hills come into view on the horizon. This protected conservation area is home to endangered Cape Vultures, which nest on the gorge cliffs above the ancestral waterfalls of Goo-Moremi Gorge. If time allows, you take a guided afternoon walk to stretch your legs before overnighting in basic chalets. Distance: 665km / 413mi Driving time: 8.5 hrs Accommodation: Goo Moremi Resort (or similar) Positive impact: Goo Moremi Gorge is a Community based cultural and heritage lodge managed by the Moremi Manonnye Conservation Trust in partnership with the Botswana Tourism Organisation. 100% Motswana staff are led by the chief warden and the gorge is home to a nesting site of the endangered Cape Vulture.

Meals: B,L,D

Crossing back into South Africa, we make our way to Johannesburg where the trip concludes at approximately 18:00. Please note: we can do a free drop off at Tambo Johannesburg Airport at around 17:00 so you can book your flight out for the last day of the tour. Drive: 515km / 320mi, 6.5 hrs plus border crossing

Meals: B

Map

Elevation

The map and elevation chart are for illustrative purposes only and meant to provide general guidelines.

Ready to start your adventure?

51 scheduled departures between 19 Sep 2026 and 18 Dec 2027.

  • Departs 19 Sep 2026 – ends 4 Oct 2026 (16 days)
  • Departs 26 Sep 2026 – ends 11 Oct 2026 (16 days)
  • Departs 30 Sep 2026 – ends 15 Oct 2026 (16 days)
  • Departs 10 Oct 2026 – ends 25 Oct 2026 (16 days)
  • Departs 17 Oct 2026 – ends 1 Nov 2026 (16 days)
  • Departs 21 Oct 2026 – ends 5 Nov 2026 (16 days)
  • … and 45 more departures.
View dates to Book

What's included?

Included

  • 15 breakfasts, 13 lunches and 11 dinners
  • 15 nights accommodation in comfortable guest houses, chalets, lodges or permanent tented camps on a twinshare basis
  • English speaking local guide
  • Private transport in minibus / safari truck
  • Game drives, day walks and excursions as listed in itinerary
  • National park fees and site entrance fees as listed in itinerary

Not included

  • Local cash payment of US$300 per person payable to the tour guide on day 1
  • Flights
  • Visas
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Airport arrival and departure transfers
  • Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
  • Bottled water and alcoholic drinks
  • Entrance to Victoria Falls
  • Optional activities
  • Tips

Reviews (15)

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Fantastic Group / incredible experiences

Ashley|VIC, Australia
28 Nov 2025
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Amazing journey and value for money. The guides, the transport and of course the animals were outstanding. Don’t leave it for your bucket list go now.

Alison|NSW Australia
8 Jul 2025
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Great trip and we were well advised by World Expeditions. The local staff in Southern Africa were terrific,all the accommodation was great. When unexpected floods affected the end of the trip the staff in Africa and the World expeditions staff were very helpful.

Sally Gregor|NSW Australia
19 Mar 2025
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This was a wonderful trip. Our guides, Maxwell and Tanaka were fabulous and definitely helped to make the trip as good as it was

Robyn Frearson|Red Lynch, QLD Australia
22 Nov 2023
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A fine trip, luxurious and adventurous both at once. Marcus and Chandli did an excellent job. Highly recommended.

Zane Lovitt|Carlton, VIC Australia
18 Jul 2023
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Fantastic trip from start to finish. The early starts and long drives led to great experiences in all of the places we visited. Would do it again in a heartbeat

Denise Mann|Guildford West, NSW Australia
30 Jun 2023
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Sunways were a great organisation to travel with, both driver and guide were from South Africa and did an amazing job. Always happy to help with requests thanks Steve and Shandler.

Accommodation excellent, food great- felt well catered for as a vegetarian.

Good knowledge of culture and animals/ birds.

Judith Jeffery|Jannali, NSW Australia
14 Jun 2023
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This was my 3rd adventure with World Expeditions and my 2nd to South Africa. The variety of each and every tour is a major factor in my decision making and this tour did not disappoint. Each day was something different and we were so lucky to have such wonderful guides as Jojo and Bryan. Their knowledge and those of the local guides were tremendous. Each yummy meal was prepared and delivered by our guides - something we looked forward to each day. We managed to see a wide variety of animals and birds and they were described to us in a very professional way. I loved visiting the historical sites and learning about the lives of the local people. Your Responsible Travel policies and practices are to be applauded. Well done WE. Even the local guides who we had for 1/2 or full day trips were of a high standard. Everything ran so smoothly. I can't wait to visit again!

L. Oates|Pacific Pines, QLD
25 Sep 2019
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This was my third ‘overlanding’ expedition in Southern Africa and it did not disappoint. The scenery, wildlife and cultures in Zimbabwe and Botswana were spectacular. Particular highlights were having the fabulous ruins at Great Zimbabwe all to ourselves to explore with our brilliant local guide at leisure; tracking rhino on foot in Matobo NP with an anti-poaching patrol and venturing into the watery Okavango wonderland to free camp in the wild. Unforgettable experiences - thank you World Expeditions!

S. Gray|Beaumaris, VIC
24 Jul 2019

Extra trip info

AccommodationWill My Trip Run?Wildlife Safari Safety

PheZulu Guest Lodge

PheZulu Guest Lodge offers twin rooms with ensuite facilities, along with a swimming pool, restaurant and bar, providing a comfortable base for exploring Victoria Falls.

Sustainability matters here. PheZulu is 100% Zimbabwean owned. Rainwater is collected in tanks, grey water is reused in the gardens, food is sourced locally where possible and waste is recycled. The lodge also supports Children in the Wilderness and Greenline Africa, and is part of Green Tourism.

Thebe River Safaris

Set on the banks of the Chobe River, Thebe River Safaris offers twin tented rooms with ensuite facilities, plus a swimming pool, bar and restaurant. Wi-Fi is available in the main area only.

Its local and environmental initiatives are a real feature of the stay. The property is Motswana owned and operated, grows its own vegetables and sources other products locally. Waste is recycled, LED lighting is used throughout to reduce energy use, and guests are encouraged to conserve water.

Nata Lodge

Nata Lodge offers twin-share luxury tents with ensuite facilities in the Nata area. Facilities include a swimming pool, bar and restaurant, providing a comfortable base for visiting the Makgadikgadi Pans and Nata Sanctuary.

Miombo Safari Lodge

Miombo Safari Lodge offers twin chalets with ensuite facilities in the game management area bordering Hwange National Park. Facilities include a swimming pool and central boma area, providing a comfortable base for exploring Hwange National Park.

Every departure date advises whether the date is confirmed, and roughly how full it is. Here is what each one means.

Is the departure confirmed?

Guaranteed to go This departure has reached its minimum number and will run.
It is the point travellers should wait for before booking any non-refundable flights.
Close to guaranteed This appears only when a date is close to reaching minimum numbers. If it shows 1 or 2 to guaranteed, book as a pair on a date needing two and it reaches its minimum. Your booking confirms the date for everybody already booked.

How full is the date I am looking at?

Space is filling or Space is filling fast This date has bookings and places are still open. Filling fast means limited spots available, so don't leave your decision too late.
Closing soon Down to its last few places, or close enough to departure that we are finalising numbers. Still bookable online.
Closed Not bookable online - either full, or inside the notice we need to arrange permits, flights and logistics. Ask us anyway, you never know!

Availability questions answered

Will this trip actually go ahead, or could it be cancelled?

If a date shows Guaranteed to go, it runs regardless of further bookings. 

What does 2 to guarantee mean?

It means two travellers are enough to confirm the departure. It could be 2 more to add to the group, or the date only needs 2 people to run. Either way, if you book for two people, the date will become guaranteed to run. 

What happens if my departure does not reach minimum numbers?

You will know the status before you book. Every date on this page is labelled, and dates marked “Guaranteed to go” are running regardless of further bookings. Where a date has not reached its minimum we either offer a surcharge to operate for a smaller group size so it can still run, or we cancel it. We contact you directly either way.

Will I get my money back if you cancel a departure?

If we cancel a departure due to not meeting minimum trip numbers, you receive a full refund of everything you have paid us less any non recoverable costs, where insurance may cover you. We cannot refund money committed elsewhere – additional non refundable deposits advised at the time of booking, flights, visas, vaccinations, gear - which is why it is worth waiting for “Guaranteed to go” before booking other arrangements around this trip date. Please read our Booking Terms and Conditions before you book.

Why can't I book some dates online?

Each trip closes online a set time before departure. Permits, internal flights and hut or campsite bookings all have to be arranged before we take payment. Call or enquire as it might still be possible to organise last minute places.

The date I want is closed. What are my options and why does it say to enquire?

Cancellations happen and places do open up on closed dates, so it is worth being on our list. We can also tell you which nearby date on the same trip has space, which is usually the faster route. 

None of these dates suit me. Can you run this trip on another date?

Yes, as a private departure. We can run this trip on a date you choose, for your own group - family, friends, a club, or in many cases, just for the two of you. Tell us when you want to travel and who is coming, and we will build it around that.

Early morning game viewing walk in Hlane National Park in Swaziland

Your safety is our main priority

Africa's wildlife is wild and unfenced. On many wildlife safaris you may meet them on foot, or from a vehicle. Walking in big-game country carries some risk, and the safeguards are not the same in every country.

Rules on firearms, guide qualifications, group size and how close you may approach an animal are set country by country, park by park. Many incorrectly assume that every wildlife safari in Africa travels with an armed ranger. Several countries prohibit firearms outright. Where an armed escort is required, it is supplied by the park authority.

What is consistent is how these trips operate. You walk in a small group with a professional local guide who knows the country and the animals in it. We do not include captive or hands-on wildlife encounters in any itinerary.

Read more

Guaranteeing A Great Zimbabwe Trip

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