Botswana Safari & Victoria Falls

Fly into Maun Airport (MUB), the international airport near the town of Maun in northern Botswana, and the main gateway to access Botswana’s famous wildlife areas. From Maun Airport, you’ll take a scenic light aircraft flight to Pom Pom Camp of around 20 minutes.

You’ll be met by a representative on arrival at the airstrip, who will drive you and another other guests arriving at the same time the short distance to Pom Pom Camp, your base for the next three nights.

This eco-friendly camp is located on Pom Pom Island in a private concession, surrounded by the stunning Okavango Delta, with its iconic sprawling floodplains flecked with acacia woodland islands. You’ll be placed at the headwaters of the Xudum river system, and the camp overlooks the Pom Pom Lagoon, where hippos swim among the water lily covered waters.

Today your exploration of the mighty Okavango Delta begins. Located on the western side of the Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Pom Pom Camp offers incredible game viewing all year round.

Head out on a game drive in an open-sided land cruiser, accompanied by an expert tracker and driver. You’ll have the chance to spot a large number of species, including, but not limited to elephant, giraffe, leopard, lion, cheetah, zebra, wildebeest, warthog, jackal, hyena, impala, lechwe, honey badger, baboon, and even wild dog.

There are many ways to spot these incredible animals, including classic game drives, night game drives, boat cruises and fishing trips. You can even venture into the scenic maze of waterways on a mokoro, a traditional canoe used in Botswana.

Enjoy another thrilling game drive today, as you head out in search of Africa’s most famous wildlife. There’s plenty to see, however a safari at Pom Pom offers more than big game - it’s also a bird watchers paradise.

Venture into the water channels to spot species such as the pied kingfisher, or the African jacana (also known as the ‘Lily Trotter’), which uses its long thin legs to run along the top of lily pads without even causing a ripple. Other common sightings include giant eagle owls, and you may also be lucky to spot the rare Pel’s fishing owl.

After an exciting day of adventure, you’ll come home to one of the nine luxury en-suite Meru style tents, set under a shady grove of trees, overlooking the beautiful lagoon. Each tent has flush toilets, ensuite showers, and private, open-air showers.

You’ll gather around the campfire each night, while sharing the highlights of your day over a delicious meal, expertly prepared by the camp chefs. You’ll stay at Pom Pom Camp on a full board basis, and you can end the day with a coffee or glass of wine in the cosy bar and lounge.

Enjoy one last game drive this morning at Pom Pom Camp, before boarding your light aircraft flight to Khwai Private Reserve. You’ll be met by a representative on arrival at the Banoka airstrip, and make the roughly 15-minute vehicle transfer to The Jackal & Hide, your safari camp for the next three nights.

This intimate camp overlooks the stunning grasslands of the Khwai Private Reserve, one of the top concessions in the greater Okavango Delta region. This afternoon, you can settle into one of the eight luxury Meru-style tents, complete with ensuite bathrooms, indoor showers, king-size beds, writing desks and a private verandah with views across the glimmering grasslands.

You’ll stay at Jackal and Hide Camp on a full board basis, so you can enjoy a fantastic meal in the stylish dining areas, and a drink in the lounge and bar.

Today you’ll head out on safari in the Khwai Private Reserve. Bordering the Moremi Game Reserve in the south and Chobe National Park in the east, you’ll be well-placed to explore some of the most diverse habitats in northern Botswana.

From riverine woodlands and open floodplains, to winding rivers and Delta lagoons, to mopane woodland and open grasslands, you’ll have no shortage of phenomenal scenery to photograph. The fertile landscapes attract an abundance of wildlife, particularly large herds of elephants and buffalo. You’ll also have the chance to spot hippos and crocodiles lurking in the murky waters and giraffe, zebra and big cats in the dry areas. It can also be particularly good for rarer antelopes such as sable and roan.

You might even be lucky enough to spot some of Botswana’s rare species, such as serval cats, honey badgers, or the endangered African wild dog or painted wolf. Bird watchers will also be kept happy, with a myriad of birdlife from lilac breasted rollers to giant eagle owls.

You’ll be accompanied by expert guides, while keen photographers can venture out with the camp’s resident photo guide in the specially-adapted photographic vehicles.

There are plenty of ways to explore the game-rich Khwai Private Reserve with Jackal and Hide Camp. There’s a strong focus on game drives, including morning, afternoon and evening drives. You can also traverse the maze of winding water channels of the Okavango Delta in a mokoro, a traditional dug-out canoe used in Botswana, or on a boat trip, depending on the water levels.

At the end of the day, relax in the sunken lounge with a drink and watch animals roaming the plains, or for an incredibly personal wildlife encounter, head to one of the ground level hides to observe animals walking nearby.

Between April and October, you can combine your stay with a night or two at Skybeds, their nearby fly camp, where you can sleep under the stars on a tree-house style platform. Located just 70 metres from a well-used waterhole, you’ll be able to gaze up at the starry night sky, while listening to the sounds of the bush. It’s a magical experience.

Enjoy one last game drive at Jackal and Hide Camp, before boarding your flight to Kasane. You’ll be met by a representative on arrival at the airstrip, then make the roughly one-hour vehicle transfer into Zimbabwe to Batonka Guest Lodge, your lodge for the next two nights.

Batonka Guest Lodge is located just 2.1km (a five minute drive or a 20-minute walk) from the mighty Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. Although you’ll be close to all the main attractions of the area, Batonka Guest Lodge is a peaceful sanctuary away from the bustle of town.

This afternoon, you can settle into one of the 27 elegant rooms, with spacious ensuite bathrooms and double basins. The rooms also feature private patios with views over the lush gardens and manicured lawns, or the tranquil pool area.

You’ll stay at Batonka Guest Lodge on a Bed-and-Breakfast basis, so you can fuel up with a full continental breakfast before heading out on a thrilling day of adventure.

As the world’s largest curtain of falling water, Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls is a phenomenal natural wonder. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and is an unmissable sight for any trip to Zimbabwe.

What you decide to do at this incredible site depends on when you travel to Victoria Falls, as river levels dictate which activities are safe. However, with such a wide variety of activities at Victoria Falls, there’s always something to see or do.

Soak up the falls with a scenic and spray-filled river walk or boat ride, or swim in the Devil’s Pool, the world’s ultimate infinity pool. See the Victoria Falls from a birds-eye view with a breathtaking helicopter ride or a micro-light flight over the gorge.

It’s time to say farewell this morning. After checking out of Batonka Guest Lodge, you’ll take a vehicle transfer to Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe for your return flight home.

Although you’re incredible Botswana Safari & Victoria Falls holiday has come to an end, you’ll leave with many special memories and more than a handful of photos and stories to share when you return home.

After nine thrilling days of wildlife encounters, spectacular natural wonders, and some of the country’s top luxury lodges, we’re sure you’ll be hooked on Botswana and the African continent. Where will you go next?