Fly overnight from London Heathrow to Victoria Falls, via Addis Ababa or Johannesburg.
Highlights of Zimbabwe & Botswana
Botswana, Zimbabwe
9 nights 7 Departures Available
View All Dates & BookA week of natural wonders begins at the widest cascade of water on earth, Zimbabwe’s Victoria Falls; seeks out Africa’s ‘Big Five’ on safaris in Hwange National Park; and crosses to Botswana for the huge herds of elephants in ‘the Land of Giants’, Chobe National Park
Overview
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Overview
Packing fantastic experiences into just one week, this tour dives in at the deep end, Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, where, every minute, 600 million litres of Zambezi River water crashes over the 110m-high cataract, creating a permanent heavy spray which, in turn, creates a thriving rainforest on the waterfall’s banks. In a change of scene and tempo, we tour from here to the untamed reserves and abundant wildlife of Zimbabwe and Botswana, where landscapes (and safaris) change with the seasons, from lush long-grass plains during ‘the rains’, usually November to March, to the sun-baked dry months of April to October, when animals are more readily seen as they gather at water resources. Our first visit is to the Painted Dogs Centre, a project protecting the ’wild dogs’, one of the world’s most endangered predators, their coats multi-toned in camouflage colours. We explore Hwange National Park, the former hunting ground of a Matabele king. Now the biggest and, arguably, the best reserve in Zimbabwe, it is regarded as one of Africa’s premier conservation areas; and in Botswana, the Chobe reserve is renowned for its concentration of game, and for the world’s largest population of elephants.
Highlights
- Chobe NP huge elephant herds
- The spectacular Victoria Falls
- Hwange NP amazing wildlife sights
- Sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
- Stay on the banks of Chobe River
- Learn about Wild Dogs preservation
Itinerary
Day 1 - Fly indirect to Victoria Falls
Day 2 - Transfer to your accommodation
On arrival, transfer to the 3-star A’Zambezi River Lodge, with a pool and peaceful gardens, on the bank of the upper Zambezi, for a three-night stay.
Day 3 - Explore the Victoria Falls on a tour and sunset cruise
Twice as wide and twice as deep as Niagara, the spectacular Victoria Falls are more evocatively known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, ‘the smoke that thunders’; the constant spray soaking the surrounding rainforest, which is buzzing with birds, insects, and small mammals. Tour the Falls this morning and, in the early evening, enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.
(B)
Day 4 - Enjoy an optional helicopter flight
Among optional tours available today, perhaps experience a bird’s-eye-view of the unrivalled cascade with a helicopter flight (12 minutes, pre-bookable).
(B)
Day 5 - Visit the Painted Dog Centre and continue to Hwangwe National Park
Visit the Painted Dog Centre, dedicated to the preservation of the wild dogs. With Zimbabwe one of the species’ last strongholds, the conservation project was founded on research carried out by Hwangwe National Park. Continue to the reserve, its very diverse landscapes sprinkled with waterholes and salt pans, and teeming with wildlife including the Big Five – lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo, and elephant herds. Two nights at the Hwange Safari Lodge, set by the main gate and boasting its own waterhole.
(B, D)
Day 6 - Enjoy game drives through the park
In the early morning and afternoon, enjoy open-vehicle game drives in the park, where over 400 species of resident and migratory birds join a hundred types of mammals from cheetahs and warthogs to zebras and giraffes.
(B, L, D)
Day 7 - Travel across the border to Chobe National Park
Travel through Zambezi National Park and across the Botswana border to Chobe National Park. Spread around the banks of the Chobe River, its floodplains and mahogany forests are home to brilliant birdlife, big cats, buffalo, plains game, waterbuck and, of course, the elephants. Two nights at the Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge, in a super-scenic spot by the Chobe River.
(B, D)
Day 8 - Enjoy a game drive and sunset cruise
On an open-vehicle game drive this morning, look out for nimble impala and majestic kudu, wildebeest, civets, and hyenas; and perhaps share the river with hippos and crocodiles during a sunset game-viewing cruise, when elephants are often seen at the water’s edge.
(B, D)
Day 9 - Transfer to Victoria falls for your flight home
Travel by road back to Victoria Falls for your return flight via Addis Ababa or Johannesburg.
(B)
Day 10 - Arrive home
Arrive at London Heathrow.
Reviews
Accommodation
Here is a list of the accommodation you can stay in for this tour. Occasionally we use alternative hotels, or have a choice of hotels to choose from which will be detailed when booking.
A'Zambezi River Lodge - Victoria Falls
A 3-star hotel scenically located on the upper Zambezi, 5 kms from Victoria Falls. Bar, lounge, pool, restaurant and WiFi (free). 87 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, mosquito nets, hairdryer, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
Hwange Safari Lodge - Hwange National Park
An older style, 3-star lodge. Restaurant, bar, pool, shop and WiFi (free). 100 air-conditioned rooms with views of the pool, the savannah or the watering hole. All rooms have private facilities, mosquito nets, hairdryer, fan and tea/coffee making facilities. Includes half board and a game drive each day. Upgraded accommodation will receive a suite room.
Cresta Mowana Safari Lodge - Chobe
Situated on the banks of the mighty Chobe River. Restaurant, bar, gym, pool and spa. 114 air-conditioned rooms with private facilities, hairdryer, safe, mini-bar, tea/coffee making facilities and satellite TV.
Optional Extras
Customize your tour by adding optional excursions or extend your journey with our curated add-on extensions.
Optional Excursions
Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls
Get incredible views of Victoria Falls, from multiple angles, that would not be possible at ground level. This 12 mins helicopter tour takes you over the mighty Falls, the Batoka Gorge, the Zambezi River.
- Travel Guides -
You can find out more about the county on the travel guide.
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incl FlightWe need to check availability for this departure date. Please proceed with the reservation, and we will get in touch within 72 hours to confirm and take payment.
Dates & Prices
The below departures are available - please click into the booking process for a quote and to book.
London Heathrow Airport from £ 3645
| Date | Two sharing | Solo traveller | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09 May 25 (9 nights) | £3645pp | £4190pp | Book now | |
| 03 Oct 25 (9 nights) | £3745pp | £4290pp | Book now | |
| 07 Nov 25 (9 nights) | Solo Group Departure | £4095pp | £4095pp | Book now |
| 17 Apr 26 (9 nights) | £3845pp | £4240pp | Book now | |
| 12 Jun 26 (9 nights) | £3895pp | £4290pp | Book now | |
| 11 Sep 26 (9 nights) | £3895pp | £4290pp | Book now | |
| 06 Nov 26 (9 nights) | £3845pp | £4240pp | Book now |
Price Includes
Air travel and taxes, transfers, 7 nights’ accommodation, breakfast daily, 1 lunch and 4 dinners, park fees, itinerary as described, services of guides and local representatives. If our specially negotiated airfares are unavailable at the time of booking, a supplement may apply.
Not Included
Travel insurance, visa procurement, optional excursions, tipping, porterage, any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after publication.
Optional Excursions
- Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls (2025) - £180
- Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls (2026) - £180
Tour Only
- Save up to £800
The following extensions are available to book with this tour. Please click through to the booking process to check your preferred departure date and to make a reservation.
Stay Extra Nights...
Extra nights are priced per person, per night.
Please contact us to check availability and book alongside your tour.