Botswana Highlights

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

4.9 out of 5 based on 46 reviews submitted.
Wildlife
From
GBP £1,760
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On this nine-day wildlife-filled adventure, you’ll get to see Botswana’s inland delta, herds of elephants and the world's largest salt pans! Starting and ending in Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls and dipping into Namibia's Caprivi region, this trip celebrates both the natural and cultural highlights of Botswana. You’ll stay in a lodge overlooking a watering hole frequented by elephants, watch hippos wallowing along the shores of the Chobe River and paddle through the Okavango Delta in a traditional dug-out canoe. If it's a diversity of landscapes, wildlife and cultures you're after, then this is the ultimate trip for you!

Trip overview

Map of Botswana Highlights including Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe
Start
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Finish
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Theme
Wildlife
Destinations
Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe
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 31 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
  • 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 abundant birdlife on a river cruise through Chobe National Park.
  • Enjoy some truly unique accommodation in Elephant Sands. Greet herds of elephants as they come to drink and bathe from a natural watering hole right outside the lodge, only metres from your porch!
  • Visit Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – supported by The Intrepid Foundation – and learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching.
  • Arrive early or extend your stay in Victoria Falls to fully experience all this amazing place has to offer. Take an active adventure, see the thundering falls – the largest in the world – and maybe take a sunset helicopter flight to get the best views.

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 2025 to 31 December 2025.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Botswana Highlights including Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe

Inclusions

Meals

8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 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 - Visit to Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust
  • Okavango Delta - Mokoro Safari
  • Okavango Delta - Nature walk
  • 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 - 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 - Helicopter Scenic Flight - USD280
  • Chobe National Park - Open Safari Vehicle Morning Game Drive - BWP580

Dates and availability

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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

4.9 out of 5 based on 46 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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Rebecca · Traveled September 2024
Highly recommended. Quite a full on literary but well well worth it. Brilliant guides, great mix of wildlife and cultural experiences. Loved every minute
Review submitted 19 Sep 2024

Victoria · Traveled August 2024
The Botswana Highlights trip was brilliant. We were fortunate to have an excellent guide who shared his vast knowledge of the animals, fauna, culture and countries. We covered a lot territory very comfortably and were so lucky to see and experience so many animals, landscapes, waterways and we had a wonderful group to share it all with! Would highly recommend this trip!
Review submitted 12 Sep 2024

Graham · Traveled August 2024
A fantastic way to visit Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia getting to see lots of wildlife close up. I really enjoyed Chobe National park and the okavango delta in particular. Our leader was helpful and informative and I met a really nice group of people.
Review submitted 04 Sep 2024

Dora · Traveled August 2024
The Botswana Highlights tour was the perfect introduction to Africa for a first time visitor. With stunning African sunsets, amazing wildlife and friendly people along the way, every moment was memorable. Our guide, Shimane, went above and beyond to ensure a perfect experience. I can't wait to return to the continent.
Review submitted 15 Aug 2024

Gillian · Traveled August 2024
Overall wonderful trip, great group, fantastic leader in Shimane who was keen to ensure we left having learnt something about the countries we visited. Loved Botswana especially the delta. If you’re considering it then just go, Africa is always an adventure and never disappoints. Read the trip notes carefully so you know what to expect. Accommodation was generally good.
Review submitted 15 Aug 2024
Botswana Highlights
From
GBP £1,760