Botswana Highlights

9 Days | Discover the wildlife and World Heritage waterways of Botswana.

4.8 out of 5 based on 18 reviews submitted.
Wildlife
From
NZD $3,518
View dates and book

Containing in its borders the world's largest salt pans, inland delta and number of elephants, Botswana has plenty to boast about. Taking in also Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls and Namibia's Zambezi region, this trip celebrates both the natural and cultural highlights of Botswana. Stay in a lodge overlooking a watering hole frequented by elephants, jump in jeeps and set out on game drives in Chobe National Park, paddle through the Okavango Delta in a traditional dug-out canoe, and be welcomed into the villages of the Hambukushu and Xwe people. If it's a diversity of landscapes, wildlife and cultures you're after, then this is ultimate trip.

Trip overview

Map of Botswana Highlights including Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe
Start
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Finish
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Theme
Wildlife
Destinations
Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 16
Trip code
UBSZ
This trip generates 29.9 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
We offset these emissions on your behalf. But we know that is not enough, so we also have a carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Visit Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – supported by The Intrepid Foundation supports – and learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching. Then, enjoy a unique stay at Elephant Sands Lodge, where you can witness a herd of these magnificent creatures bath and drink in the natural waterhole only metres from your porch.
  • Glide through the wildlife-filled waterways of the Okavango by mokoro, this traditional dug-out canoe is the best way to experience the delta up-close.
  • Seek out pods of hippos wallowing in the waters and surround yourself with an abundance of birdlife on a 4WD game drive through Chobe National Park.
  • Be welcomed into the villages of the Hambukushu and Xwe people in Namibia, and get the opportunity to observe their unique customs and way of life.
  • Experience the rugged beauty of Botswana in comfort as you stay in meru-style permanent tents, lodges and hotels on this Original style trip.

Is this trip right for you?
  • Botswana temperatures rise in the hot dry period of September and October, before the rains hit, and temperatures can get as high as 34-38°C. Not all accommodation will have air-conditioning, which is quite common across Africa, particularly in remote locations where lodges or camps operate on solar power or generators.
  • Botswana is a very seasonal destination. What you see and experience can differ quite dramatically depending on the time of year you visit. Please consider this before you choose your departure date. See the 'Climate and Seasonal' section in ‘Essential Information’ for more details.
  • As the early bird catches the worm, the early camper sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2023 - 31 December 2023

Map of Botswana Highlights including Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 2 dinners

Transport

Private Vehicle, Boat, Mokoro

Accommodation

Hotel (2 nights), Lodge (4 nights), Basic Lodge (2 night)

Activities
  • Nata - Elephant Sands Bush Walk
  • Victoria Falls - Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust Visit
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari
  • Okavango Delta - Nature walk
  • Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive
  • Chobe National Park - River cruise
Add on activities
  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Tour - USD68
  • Victoria Falls - Standard Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD45
  • Victoria Falls - Traditional Village Tour - USD55
  • Victoria Falls - Flying Fox / Bridge Slide / Zipline - USD48
  • Victoria Falls - Bridge Swing - USD168
  • Victoria Falls - Jet Boat (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD110
  • Victoria Falls - Whitewater rafting (Seasonal - excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD126
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (12 mins - excludes USD25 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD150
  • Victoria Falls - River Song Sunset Cruise (excludes USD10 NP Fee) - USD75
  • Victoria Falls - Helicopter flight (25 mins - excludes USD30 Fuel & NP Fee) - USD284
  • Okavango Delta - Plane Scenic Flight - From USD100-USD390 - USD390

Dates and availability

Loading trip dates and availabilities...

Important notes

1. This trip starts in Victoria Falls with a welcome meeting at 6pm on Day 1 and ends mid-afternoon on Day 9. We recommend you do not book departing flights until post 7pm, allowing for any delays.

2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights of your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.

3. The minimum age for this trip is 15 at the time of travel. Any travelers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian, or in lieu of a legal guardian, by an escort over the age of 18, appointed by their legal guardian. The legal guardian or their designee will be responsible for the traveller under the age of 18 day to day’s care. If a legal guardian elects to designate an escort in their lieu, they will be required to complete and sign a relevant document to delegate their authority.

4. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 based on 18 reviews submitted.
While we try our best to display all reviews, removal may be due to the following: privacy concerns, profanity/inappropriate content or it is unrelated to this trip. We welcome honest feedback and will directly respond to negative reviews.

Filter by rating

Stephanie · Traveled August 2023
Outstanding!!! Knowledgeable & enthusiastic guide, friendly safe driver, knowledgeable excursions staff, friendly lodges staff, delicious food, clean water available, accommodations clean/adventurous, and so many birds and animals to see daily!!! I would recommend this trip to my family and friends.
Review submitted 06 Sep 2023

Louis · Traveled July 2023
This was a trip of a life time, we spotted elephants every day as well as 20 lions in total through all the drives. We learned so much about the local people. Our guides were professional and knowledgeable, we felt safe at all times. The lodges we stayed in were stunning. Especially the night by the river in Namibia. I can’t believe how much ground we covered.
Review submitted 06 Aug 2023

Claire · Traveled July 2023
This trip was amazing! We had an incredible time in Botswana and saw so much: such a range of landscapes, animals, places and people. We especially loved the range of unique accommodation in very special places, whether next to the elephant watering hole, deep in the Delta, or across the river from the hippos. Our guides Shimane and Leroy were loads of fun and made the entire atmosphere relaxed, informative, and convivial. Thanks Intrepid for an amazing experience, I'm sure I will be back to Botswana.
Review submitted 08 Aug 2023

Chris · Traveled June 2023
Botswana Highlights is a fast moving, action packed, journey through some amazing countries. I would recommend this to anyone wishing to explore Botswana in a relatively short timeframe. Starting and finishing at Victoria Falls gives the trip a nice full circle feel and the falls are a must see. Our leader Dumiani and driver Leeroy made the trip and their humour, patience and helpful attitude helped to create the holiday of a lifetime. They also helped educate us regarding African life and wildlife throughout the trip. There are some early starts but these are necessary to get everyone to the next location with time to explore or do an optional activity such as a flight over the Okavango Delta or game drives in Chobe National Park. We managed to see so many animals including the rarely sighted Leopard and two sightings of Lions. I would recommend going for as many game drives as possible (we did 3 out of a possible 3 in Chobe, one afternoon and two mornings). The game drive driver Albert was fantastic and used his local knowledge of the park to give us the best chance of seeing the Leopard and Lions. Highly recommended.
Review submitted 07 Jul 2023

Laura · Traveled June 2023
This trip was 5 star from start to finish! The trip route is the best way to visit Botswana and includes Namibia and Victoria Falls! All accommodation was excellent, unique and a true African experience! Our tour guides and group were united as a strong family and could t recommend this tour enough! My first Intrepid trip and I will be back!
Review submitted 07 Jul 2023
Botswana Highlights
From
NZD $3,518