A 8 day Lodge Safari from Maun to Victoria Falls through
Botswana and Zimbabwe.This Botswana Lodge Safari
allows you to explore Botswana while you enjoy the
luxury of staying in lodges every night!
Overall operator rating 9.7/10 from 24 trip reviews
Our unique relationship with our tour operators ensures only people who have participated in a trip after making an enquiry for it at The Africa Guide can leave a review.
The email we send you when you make an enquiry has full instructions for registering a booking and leaving a review - both are free services.
Feel free to read through the reviews for any trip you like the look of.
Trips with no reviews are usually new to the The Africa Guide but are normally operated by a tour operator who is established here. Most tour operators listing here will usually have gained reviews about other trips they have listed here.
Thanks for visiting, happy travels and don't forget to send us your reviews...
They did a great job setting up our safari - which had very specific time guidelines as I had to fit it into school holidays.
The operator made sure we were picked up at every airport and at every lodge to be taken to the next event. We had the most marvelous time at Camp Dizhana (about 1 1/2 hours north of Maun), where we were given the most comfortable tent and the most individual and professional attention.
I must have exchanged about 30 e-mails with my contact (Tanya) prior to the trip, where she answered my questions, suggested specific activities and lodges or camps, and ultimately came up with an internerary tailored to my needs.
Everything worked our perfectly! I have no problem highly recommending their service.
We took the 14 day Botswana mobile safari (camping only) from J'burg to Victoria Falls. Our guide, Blessed, was very personable, knowledgeable, and hardworking, as was the driver we had for most of the trip, Sage. He basically doubled as another guide. Also, both were very environmentally-conscious, showing a great appreciation for the animals and landscape, and ensuring that we left "only footprints".
In Africa, you have to take what it gives you. For us, the rainy season basically went a month longer than usual, which made it impossible to get to two of our destinations. We missed Kubu Island, but the operator compensated for this by putting us up in a very nice lodge in Maun (the Thamalakane River Lodge). Also, because the roads were flooded and impassable, we were not able to get to the mokoro rides in the Okavongo Delta, but again they compensated with a cruise on the Zambesi that included all food and beverages (including alcohol). That was very generous of them.
The camping and campsites were excellent, as was the food. The lodge we stayed at in Victoria Falls (the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge) exceeded my expectations - very nice. The group of 8 was the right size, and the vehicles were great for the roads and for game viewing. We saw all of the big 5 and just about every other animal we could think of. My favorite Park was Chobe, which is extremely dense with animals. The Chobe River is beautiful and also had a very nice cruise.
After this trip we took another 6 day safari in Kruger with a different outfit, and this one was clearly the better of the two.
this was a terific trip for cost. The guide (Garland) was excetional, the accomodations were good to great, the front office of the agency was always courteous and professional, the itineray was rich, the activites all doable, the group (whild divided) ended up with great cohesion.
it has opend my thinking to a new way to travel-overland journeys. compiments to the operator.
The Safari I experienced through Botswana, Namibia and into SA was very enjoyable indeed.
The lodges I stayed were very comfortable, the people that ran the smaller lodges were very welcoming and kind. the food was plentiful with lots of choices.
I travelled in a group of 8 which was a perfect amount for our size of vehicle as well it was a good size for organizing and group decisions.
And for myself the high light would be all the big animals we were able to observe and photograph. Overall the trip was a wonderful experience with lots of memories and new friends to have for a long time.
I am pleased to say that my safari/holiday was wonderful.
I delt with Nadia for everything except my hotel reservations. She was quite helpful and took care of all my needs. We communicated through emails and I called her once I had arrived in South Africa. The service was second to none.
She booked me with a 5 day walking safari. The safari group consisted of myself and 7 others with 2 guides. I was apprehensive at first traveling alone, but I could not have emagined that I would meet such wonderful people. Also the guides were very knowledgable and went the extra mile to insure that we all had a memerable experience.
The camp was more that i expected and I could not have been more comfortable. Although I have never been on a safari before this trip and have nothing to compare it too I give it a 10 out of 10. I would recomend this package to anyone, weither they are traveling alone or as a family. The 5 to 6 hour hikes in the morning were pleasant and gave me the opportunity to see the small details of the bush, and the afternoon and evening drives were amazing as we were able to get close to lots of game.
Unfortunately we did not see and of the big cats but a 30 minute encounter with a male elephant at less than 20 meters made up for anything I didn't see.
My daughter and I recently completed a 21 day trip from Cape Town to Victoria Falls.
It was an amazing and beautiful experience that exceeded all of our expectations and cannot be easily described. Our 8 travel companions were fantastic, there was not one day when we did not laugh and truly enjoyed ourselves, and we are already making plans for future travel with these newly made friends.
Everything was extremely well organized and things went as planned along our long route, with great selection of campsites and lodges and delicious meals that one could not have imagined could be prepared by a campfire.
Of course, having a great guide is what made a difference. Mike is extremely knowledgeable and has a love for the area that is contagious.
Thumbs up for keeping their groups small, for a well-planned route, for carefully selected sites, and for all the people who work there. Working with them was a pleasure, they were extremely helpful from the minute we started planning our trip, with all our questions, getting birthday’s organized and all their extraordinary efforts in helping us with visas, logistics, etc. We would highly recommend them
The tour I have recently taken part in was absolutely stunning:rich in emotions, colours and sounds which are still in my heart.
A special thank to Amina, who saved my life by promptly warning me the carrier I booked the flight with (by my own), went bankrupt in the meatime, and to Chantel, whose superb "lasagne" I will never forget...
I recently returned from the 14 day Upgraded Botswana Wildlife Breakaway Safari.
We were a great group of 10 - 2 Irish, 5 Americans and 3 Australians and were fortunate to have the services of driver/ guide Mike Miles.
He really made our trip special, sharing his extensive knowledge of the wildlife, customs, history and politics of the countries we visited during the drives and around the campfires as we ate the delicious meals he prepared. He left no stone unturned to maximise our enjoyment of the safari. In the main our lodges were good. The itinerary was well thought out and we saw lots of animals but alas no cheetah, leopard or rhino. A pleasant surprise for me was the amazing variety of birdlife we encountered. The mokoro trip through the Okavango Delta was magical.
123Next
Itinerary
Day 1: Maun, Botswana On arrival at Maun Airport, you will be picked up and transferred to your accommodation. The afternoon is spent at your leisure – use the time to acclimatize and relax after a long flight. Maybe you have some last minute arrangments to do such as drawing money. If you are however keen for some excitement, then book a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. (option and rates on request)
Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge or similar (En-suite Chalets, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)
Day 2: Maun to Khwai River, Botswana After breakfast we will be picked up by our local Botswana guides and take a short drive to the mokoro station. From here, we will float in dug-out canoes through the thick vegetation of the Okavango Delta discovering a variety of birds and wildlife. Unlike other deltas, it flows into the Kalahari Desert without ever reaching the coast. After this spectacular excursion, we make our way to our camp, which is situated in close proximity to the famous Khwai River. After having settled in our camp, we will enjoy dinner and embark on a night game drive – a fantastic opportunity to spot some nocturnal animals that are more difficult to encounter during the day. [BLD]
Accommodation: Khwai Bedouin Camp (semi-permanent Tented Camp with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant area)
Day 3: Khwai River, Botswana Today will be spent in the Khwai area. We will embark on an early morning game drive and in the afternoon on a sunset game drive, making the most of game viewing in this area hopefully spotting a variety of game that frequent this region. Khwai is renowned for its large concentrations of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. As a year round destination for wildlife, predators can regularly be seen in the area, rated as one of the most prolific in Botswana for viewing wildlife. The exceptional location of Khwai makes it a regular host to Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Wild Dogs. Birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors. [BLD]
Accommodation: Khwai Bedouin Camp (semi-permanent Tented Camp with en-suite bathrooms, bar & restaurant area)
Day 4: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana After having explored the Khwai area we now head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve. The Moremi Game Reserve is home to a great diversity of plant and animal life - making it a ‘must see' for a Botswana Safari. It contains - within its boundaries - approximately 20% of the Delta, and a vast range of habitats, acacia forests, floodplains, reed beds, lagoons, enduring wetland through mopane forest and dry savanna woodland. The mainland part forms only about thirty percent of the reserve – the remaining area being part of the Okavango Delta. After our wildlife experiences in the Moremi Reserve, we head back to Maun. [BL]
Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge or similar (en-suite chalets, bar, restaurant, swimming pool)
Day 5: Maun – Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana After breakfast we head onto Nata Lodge, lying close to the Makgadikgadi Pans. En route we will stop at Nata Bird Sanctuary. The Nata River delta feeds the Sua Pan in the Nata sanctuary and forms the breeding ground for a host of water birds including pelicans and flamingo in their thousands, transforming the shore line into a pink haze blending into the western sky. With a little luck, you will witness this majestic spectacle today. [BLD]
Accommodation: Nata Lodge or similar (en-suite rooms, bar, restaurant, swimming pool)
Day 6: Makgadikgadi Pans – Chobe National Park, Botswana Today we head north to the Chobe National Park. Once we have reached the lodge and settled into our accommodation, we will embark on a sunset cruise on the magnificent Chobe River. Along with many species of big game, Chobe National Park boasts the largest concentration of elephant in Africa, hippo, water birds, buffalo, crocodile and puku are also viewed from the river. [BLD]
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge or similar (En-suite Rooms, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)
Day 7: Chobe National Park, Botswana – Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Today we leave Botswana behind us and after a short drive we enter Zimbabwe, home to one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, the mighty Victoria Falls. We get to view the falls on a guided tour through the Victoria Falls National Park. You have the rest of the day at leisure to partake in one of the many activities on offer. [BL]
Accommodation: Amadeus Garden Guest House (En-suite Rooms, Bar, Restaurant, Swimming Pool)
Day 8: End of Tour Your journey ends today and we will take you to Victoria Falls airport in time for your departing flight. Should you fly out of Livingstone, Zambia, please let us know and we can happily arrange a transfer for you at an extra charge. [B]
Highlights: Maun, Mokoro Excursion, Khwai River game drive and night drive, Moremi Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Pans, sunset cruise on Chobe River in Chobe National Park, Victoria Falls.
Included in the price: 7 nights in fixed accommodation, all transport in fully kitted 4x4 safari vehicle, game drives as mentioned, meals and activities as mentioned in itinerary, park entrance fees, experienced local guide.
Not included in the price: Travel insurance, flights, pre and post tour accommodation, optional activities, all drinks, telephone calls, gratuities, curios and all personal expenses.
Price 2012: per person 2 - 3 pax: USD 3875 4+ pax: USD 2625 Single supplement: USD 395
