Okavango & Chobe Explorer

We glide along the Zambezi at sunset, watching the sky deepen in colour as evening settles over the water. We watch for hippos, crocodiles and prolific birdlife among the reeds, then travel west from Victoria Falls into Namibia’s lush Zambezi Region – formerly the Caprivi Strip – crossing the border and following river rich scenery to a tranquil riverside lodge.

We travel through remote villages and the fertile river landscapes of the Zambezi Region towards Divundu – a scenic drive offering glimpses of daily life along the road. On reaching the Okavango River, we settle into our riverside base and unwind by the water.

We cruise upriver to Popa Falls – a series of picturesque cascades and rapids on the Okavango – savouring tranquil river scenes and watching for crocodiles, hippos and colourful birds. In the afternoon we head out by 4x4 for a game drive in Mahangu National Park, searching for elephants, buffalo, antelope and other plains game in this compact yet wildlife rich reserve.

We drift along the channels of the Okavango Delta on a sunset boat cruise, enjoying birdsong and the chance of wildlife sightings as the light softens across the lagoons. We then travel south from Divundu through rural Namibia and into Botswana, bound for the northern fringes of the delta, watching the landscape change from dry bush to gleaming waterways edged with reeds.

We leave the delta area and drive through remote bushveld towards Tsodilo Hills, passing small villages and arid vistas en route to this remarkable UNESCO World Heritage Site. At Tsodilo we explore dramatic rock formations and thousands of ancient paintings, walking an established trail to learn about the site’s spiritual importance and long history – often called the Louvre of the Desert. We then return to our lodge on the northern edge of the Okavango, reflecting on the day’s rock art discoveries as we cross quiet Kalahari country.

We drive from the remote northern delta region to Maun, the bustling safari hub. The route carries us through villages and across open savannah before we arrive in this gateway town – the launch point for Okavango adventures.

We leave Maun in smaller safari vehicles for the Khwai Conservation Area on the edge of the Okavango Delta, crossing bush landscapes as we enter this wildlife rich region. We then glide along peaceful channels in a traditional mokoro dugout canoe, experiencing the water at eye level as we listen to the chorus of frogs, the call of birds and the soft rustle of reeds.

We spend a full day on a 4x4 game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve area, traversing wetlands, grasslands and woodland in search of elephants, big cats and a rich array of other wildlife.

We depart Khwai at first light in open safari vehicles and return to Maun to rejoin the expedition truck. We continue by road to Nata, passing stretches of open bush and expansive salt pan scenery, and on arrival we settle into our lodge or campsite near the Makgadikgadi region.

We begin with a guided bush walk at Elephant Sands, learning to read tracks and discovering local plants and smaller creatures for a closer connection to the environment on foot. We then travel north from Nata to Kasane on the Chobe River and settle into our camp or lodge near Chobe National Park. In the afternoon we take a leisurely boat cruise on the Chobe – an excellent vantage point for elephants, hippos and other wildlife along the water’s edge – rounding off the day with relaxed game viewing as the sun sets.

We cross the border from Botswana into Zimbabwe and drive to the town of Victoria Falls, then check in to our lodge close to one of the world’s great waterfalls. You have the evening free – relax by the pool, browse the local shops or start planning any optional activities for the days ahead.

We check in to the lodge on arrival, after which you have a free evening in Victoria Falls town – relax by the pool, browse the local shops, or start planning optional activities for the days ahead.