This 18-day safari across Zimbabwe and Botswana combines impressive natural wonders with rich wildlife encounters. You begin at Victoria Falls, exploring iconic viewpoints and cruising along the Zambezi River. From there, you journey into Botswana’s finest conservation areas, including the elephant-rich Chobe Riverfront, the rugged wilderness of Savuti, the game-packed channels of Khwai, and the classic predator habitats of Moremi. You then enter the serene water labyrinths of the Okavango Delta before shifting to the vast, open horizons of Makgadikgadi Pans and Nxai Pan National Parks. Concluding with waterhole wildlife viewing at Elephant Sands and a bird Sanctuary visit in Nata, this comprehensive itinerary balances land game drives, water safaris, scenic bush transfers, and comfortable lodge stays to deliver a deep, immersive African safari experience.

Day by day itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe + Tour the historical bridge in Victoria Falls
• Day 2: The Victoria Falls + Guided tour of the Victoria Falls + Lunch at the Lookout Cafe near the Victoria Falls + The River Song – sunset cruise on a luxury boat near the Victoria Falls
• Day 3: Flight from Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe to Kasane in Botswana + Chobe Riverfront (Chobe National Park)
• Day 4: Chobe Riverfront (Chobe National Park)
• Day 5: Flight from Kasane to Savuti
• Day 6: Savuti (Chobe National Park)
• Day 7: Khwai Community Concession
• Day 8: Khwai Community Concession
• Day 9: Moremi Game Reserve
• Day 10: Moremi Game Reserve
• Day 11: The stunning Okavango Delta
• Day 12: The stunning Okavango Delta
• Day 13: Relax in the lodge in Maun or get active!
• Day 14: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
• Day 15: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
• Day 16: Nxai Pan National Park
• Day 17: Drive from Boteti River to Nata + Visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary + Relaxing and animal viewing at the waterhole of the Elephant Sands Lodge
• Day 18: Drive from Nata to Kasane and continue to Zimbabwe for your flight home + Flight home from Victoria Falls International Airport in Zimbabwe

DETAILED 18 DAYS VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE AND BOTSANA WIDLIFE SAFRAI PARKS

Day 1: Arrival at Victoria Falls International Airport & Historical Bridge Tour

Touch down at Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe, where you clear customs and meet your private transfer for the 20-kilometer drive (approx. 20 minutes) to your hotel in town, such as Ilala Lodge or Shearwater Victoria Falls Cafe & Chalets. After checking into your room and refreshing, set out in the afternoon for a guided walk to the historical Victoria Falls Bridge. Spanning 156 meters across the Batoka Gorge, this engineering feat was constructed in 1905 under Cecil Rhodes’ vision of a Cape-to-Cairo railway. Walk along the historic walkways, observe the dramatic drop to the roaring Zambezi River below, and learn about the bridge's construction history while watching adventurous travelers attempt bungee jumps. End the afternoon returning to your lodge for dinner and rest after your flight.

Day 2: Victoria Falls Tour, Lookout Cafe Lunch & Sunset River Cruise

Spend the morning exploring Victoria Falls National Park on a 2-hour guided walking tour along the rainforest trails. Your guide leads you across sixteen distinct viewpoints, including the Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and Rainbow Falls, detailing the geology and local folklore surrounding this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Around noon, head to the nearby Lookout Cafe, perched on the edge of the Batoka Gorge, where you enjoy a relaxed lunch with views over the canyon and the Zambezi rapids 120 meters below. In the late afternoon, take a short transfer to the river jetty to board "The River Song," a luxury boat, for a sunset cruise on the upper Zambezi River. Enjoy drinks and canopy snacks while watching hippos, crocodiles, and elephants bathing near the riverbanks as the sun sets over the water.

Day 3: Flight from Victoria Falls to Kasane & Chobe Riverfront

Check out of your lodge after breakfast for a 20-minute road transfer back to Victoria Falls Airport to catch a light aircraft flight to Kasane Airport in Botswana (flight time approximately 30 to 45 minutes). Upon arrival in Kasane, complete border entry formalities and transfer to your accommodation along the river, such as Chobe Game Lodge or Cresta Mowana. The Chobe Riverfront is renowned for supporting one of the highest concentrations of African elephants in the world. In the afternoon, set out on your first game drive inside Chobe National Park. The tracks follow the river's edge, offering sightings of large herds of buffalo, puku antelope, giraffes, and resident lion prides coming down to drink before nightfall. Return to your lodge in the evening for dinner overlooking the river.

Day 4: Exploring the Chobe Riverfront

Dedicated entirely to the Chobe Riverfront, your morning begins with a 3-hour game drive at first light when predators are most active. Search for leopards resting in riverine trees, lions tracking prey, and large herds of sable antelope grazing in the woodland edges. Return to the lodge for a warm brunch and a few hours of midday relaxation by the pool. At 3:30 PM, board a custom river safari boat for an extended afternoon water safari along the Chobe River. Moving silently through shallow channels allows you to approach elephants swimming between islands, podded hippos territorial displays, and diverse bird species like African skimmers and fish eagles. As dusk falls, enjoy a sundowner on the boat before returning to the lodge for a buffet dinner.

Day 5: Bush Flight from Kasane to Savuti

Enjoy an early breakfast before transferring back to Kasane Airport for your scheduled light aircraft flight to the remote Savuti region in the southern stretch of Chobe National Park. The flight takes roughly 45 minutes, offering aerial views of changing landscapes from riverine forest to dry savannas. Touch down at the Savuti airstrip and meet your camp guide for a short game drive transfer to Savuti Safari Lodge or Ghoha Hills Bush Camp. After settling into your tented suite, gather for afternoon tea before embarking on a late afternoon game drive. Explore the Savuti Marsh and surrounding Kalahari sandveldt, famous for its lion prides that historically hunt large prey, as well as resident spotted hyenas. Return to camp by sunset for a traditional bush dinner around the open campfire under the stars.

Day 6: Wildlife Tracking in Savuti

Spend a full day discovering the unique ecosystems of Savuti. Depart on an early morning game drive toward the Savuti Channel, a river passage with a famous history of drying up and flowing unpredictably over decades. Track lion prides along the dry riverbed and search the rocky outcrops of the Gubatsa Hills, where ancient San rock paintings can be seen painted onto granite walls. Stop in the shade of a acacia tree for a wilderness coffee break. In the afternoon, head out again to observe large herds of bull elephants gathering at artificial waterholes, alongside zebra, wildebeest, and jackals. The terrain offers exceptional predator-prey dynamics, making every drive unpredictable. Return to your camp in the evening for a three-course dinner and relaxing conversation around the boma fire.

Day 7: Transfer to Khwai Community Concession

Following morning coffee, take a scenic game drive or short charter flight south into the Khwai Community Concession, located on the border of Moremi Game Reserve. If traveling by road, the drive takes about 3 to 4 hours through varying bush tracks, offering continuous wildlife watching along the route. Upon reaching your destination—such as Khwai Leadwood or Machaba Camp—check in and enjoy a late lunch overlooking the Khwai River. Because Khwai is a private concession managed by the local community, it offers flexible activities not restricted by national park rules. In the late afternoon, head out on an open-vehicle game drive that extends into the evening using night spotlights. This provides opportunities to spot nocturnal creatures like bushbabies, servals, honey badgers, and hunting leopards before returning for dinner.

Day 8: Deep Exploration of Khwai Concession

Rise early for a morning nature walk guided by an experienced track expert. Walking on foot allows you to observe smaller details of the ecosystem, including animal tracks, medicinal plants, and birdlife, while learning survival skills used by local communities. Return to camp for breakfast and afternoon rest. In the afternoon, step into a mokoro—a traditional dugout canoe—guided by a local poler who navigates silently through the reed-lined channels of the Khwai River system. This quiet mode of transport brings you close to reed frogs, water lilies, and thirsty wildlife along the bank. Cap off the day with a game drive along the floodplains, watching for wild dogs, which frequent this area for denning and hunting, followed by a outdoor dinner.

Day 9: Entering Moremi Game Reserve

After breakfast, depart on a short drive into the adjacent Moremi Game Reserve, widely recognized as one of Southern Africa's finest wildlife sanctuaries. Transfer to your lodge, such as Camp Moremi or Sanctuary Chief's Camp, nestled within the mopane woodlands and permanent wetland margins. Set out on an afternoon game drive exploring the Xakanaxa or Third Bridge areas. The reserve contains diverse habitats, ranging from dry acacia forests to seasonal floodplains. Keep your eyes peeled for cheetahs hunting in open grasslands, red lechwe splashing through shallow waters, and large herds of buffalo moving through the mopane belts. As evening sets in, enjoy sundowner drinks in the field before driving back to camp for an evening meal served under the stars.

Day 10: Full Day Safari in Moremi Game Reserve

Dedicate the full day to exploring Moremi's dense game populations with morning and afternoon game drives. Start early at sunrise, navigating forest tracks where leopard sightings are frequent due to abundant tree cover. Search river crossings and clearings for rare antelopes like the sable and roan, alongside giraffe families and baboon troops. Return to camp during the hot midday hours for lunch, rest, and time to watch wildlife from your private veranda. Rejoin your guide in the late afternoon to explore the lagoons, where giant crocodiles bask on muddy banks and hippos jostle for territory. Conclude the afternoon at a scenic viewpoint as the sun dips below the horizon, returning to camp in time for a warm dinner and night rest.

Day 11: Flight into the Heart of the Okavango Delta

After a final morning drive in Moremi, board a light aircraft for a 20-minute flight deeper into the heart of the Okavango Delta, landing at a private airstrip servicing lodges like Kanana Camp or Eagle Island Lodge. The aerial perspective reveals the delta's iconic mosaic of winding channels, palm islands, and flooded meadows. Upon landing, transfer by boat or open 4x4 vehicle to your secluded camp. Spend the afternoon taking a guided motorboat safari through deep water channels lined with papyrus reeds, reaching wide open lagoons filled with white water lilies. Look out for sitatunga—a rare, marsh-dwelling antelope—and abundant aquatic birds like kingfishers and herons. Return to the lodge for a multi-course dinner accompanied by the nocturnal sounds of the delta.

Day 12: Immersion in the Okavango Delta

Enjoy a full day of water and land activities tailored to the seasonal water levels of the delta. Start with a quiet sunrise mokoro excursion, gliding through calm waters while your poler points out small reed frogs, dragonflies, and unique water vegetation. After breakfast back at camp, join a guided island walking safari to track big game on foot with a qualified armed guide, learning how animals adapt to living on isolated delta islands. Spend the midday relaxing at your lodge. In the late afternoon, take a sunset boat cruise along main channels, stopping on a sandy island for traditional sundowner drinks. End your final night in the deep delta with an elegant dinner overlooking the water systems.

Day 13: Flight to Maun & Leisure at Lodge

After a relaxed breakfast, take your last light aircraft flight out of the delta to Maun Airport (approx. 25 minutes). Upon landing, meet your driver and transfer to a comfortable lodge on the outskirts of town along the Thamalakane River, such as Thamalakane Guest Lodge or Riverwalk Haven. Day 13 is designed for rest and flexibility. Spend the afternoon relaxing by the lodge pool, catching up on laundry, or reading on your balcony overlooking the river. For those seeking activity, optional local excursions can be booked directly, such as visiting local craft markets, taking a scenic helicopter flight over the delta, or visiting a cultural village in Maun. Enjoy a casual dinner at the lodge restaurant in the evening.

Day 14: Drive to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Check out of your Maun lodge after breakfast and join your private guide for a 2-hour drive (approx. 140 kilometers east) along asphalt and sandy tracks to Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Arrive at your camp, such as Leroo La Tau, situated high on the cliffs overlooking the Boteti Riverbed. Check into your chalet and enjoy lunch while watching wildlife visit the river below. In the dry season, the Boteti River becomes a vital water source, attracting thousands of zebras and wildebeests. Depart on an afternoon game drive along the river valley to witness these massive herbivore concentrations and the lions that follow them. Return to your lodge at dusk for a cozy dinner on the deck overlooking the waterhole.

Day 15: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Excursion

Depart early on a full-day excursion into the vast salt pans of Makgadikgadi, one of the largest salt flat complexes in the world. Travel in specialized open 4x4 vehicles onto the blinding white expanse of Ntwetwe Pan. Experience the absolute silence and stark landscape that stretches to the horizon. During the excursion, visit a habituated meerkat colony where you can stand quietly while these curious mammals forage around your feet and use high ground to look for predators. Depending on seasonal conditions, explore ancient baobab sites like Baines' Baobabs, learning about the geological history of the super-lake that once covered the area. Return to your lodge in the late afternoon for a relaxing dinner under clear night skies.

Day 16: Exploring Nxai Pan National Park

After an early breakfast, take a 1.5-hour drive north toward Nxai Pan National Park, an ancient lakebed dominated by open grassy plains and acacia islands. Nxai Pan is famous for its resident giraffe towers, cheetahs, and seasonal migratory herds. Spend the morning on a game drive across the pan, visiting the famous Baines’ Baobabs—a cluster of seven giant baobab trees immortalized by explorer Thomas Baines in 1862. Enjoy a packed picnic lunch in the shade of these ancient giants while taking in views of the surrounding salt flats. In the afternoon, explore local waterholes where elephant bulls and lion prides gather during the heat of the day. Return to your accommodation near Boteti or Nxai Pan for dinner and rest.

Day 17: Drive from Boteti to Nata, Nata Bird Sanctuary & Elephant Sands

Check out of your lodge and drive approximately 2 to 3 hours east along the A3 highway toward the town of Nata. Upon arrival, head straight to the Nata Bird Sanctuary, a community-managed reserve covering the northeastern rim of Sowa Pan. Take a guided walk or drive to view bird species, including flamingos and pelicans when seasonal water is present. Afterward, drive 50 kilometers north to Elephant Sands Lodge near Gweta/Nata. Check into your bush bungalow, arranged in a semicircle around an un-fenced bush waterhole. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing on the lodge viewing deck as wild elephants walk right up to the waterhole just meters away. Enjoy dinner at the lodge's open-air restaurant with continuous views of drinking elephants.

Day 18: Drive from Nata to Kasane & International Flight Home

Enjoy a final breakfast at Elephant Sands while watching morning wildlife at the waterhole. Meet your driver for the final 2.5-hour road transfer (approx. 230 kilometers north) along the paved highway to the Kazungula/Kasane border. Cross back into Zimbabwe via private transfer to reach Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA), a drive taking about 1 hour from the border. Arrive at the airport around midday, allowing ample time to check in for your scheduled international departure flight home. Reflect on your 18-day journey across Zimbabwe’s waterfalls and Botswana’s riverfronts, floodplains, delta channels, and salt pans as your long-haul flight takes off.

When is the Best Time for a Botswana Safari and Victoria Falls?

The ideal window combining both destinations spans May through September during the dry winter season. Between May and July, Victoria Falls exhibits impressive water volumes with clear photographic visibility before spray turns heavy. Concurrently, floodwaters fill the Okavango Delta channels, enabling premium mokoro and boat safaris alongside peak wildlife density around remaining water sources in Chobe and Moremi. By August and September, vegetation thins significantly, driving vast elephant herds to the Chobe Riverfront. This dry period delivers comfortable daytime temperatures, low mosquito counts, and prime predator tracking conditions across both locations.

Booking a Victoria Falls and Botswana Safari with Roads of Adventure Safaris

Partnering with Roads of Adventure Safaris ensures seamless ground logistics and expert execution for multi-country African itineraries. Our team manages every detail, including private cross-border road transfers between Zimbabwe and Botswana, domestic light-aircraft charter bookings, national park permits, and preferred lodge reservations across top wildlife sectors. Whether navigating the Okavango Delta by traditional dugout canoe or tracking big cats across the Savuti Marsh, our experienced driver-guides deliver personalized, high-end wildlife experiences tailored to your schedule. Contact our destination specialists via email or WhatsApp to draft a custom route matching your preferred travel dates, group size, and accommodation style.