Victoria Falls and Chobe National Park – Four Days African Luxury Safari

Overview

Countries visited: Zimbabwe and Botswana

The Victoria Falls is without doubt one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. Your safari starts with a guided tour of the Zimbabwe side of these mighty falls; getting you up close to the Zambezi River as it tumbles over the lip of a gorge, throwing up clouds of spray that can be seen more than 20km away! From the falls you’re taken to your riverside lodge for a peaceful stay peppered with exciting activities such as a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, and a full day in Chobe National Park with a game drive and river safari getting you up close to the vast elephant herds of this famous big game destination.

Perfect for solo travellers, couples, romantic getaways, groups of friends, wildlife and nature enthusiasts.

Itinerary

Day 1: Tour of Victoria Falls

Upon arrival at Victoria Falls Airport you’ll be met by your guide and taken to the falls. If you’re travelling when the Zambezi River is in full flood (February to May) you’ll find out first hand why Victoria Falls is known locally as Mosi-oa-Tuyna “The Smoke That Thunders”. The largest sheet of falling water in the world, you hear the falls before your see them; the roar accompanied by a drenching spray!

Around two thirds of Victoria Falls lies in Zimbabwe (the rest being in Zambia) so you’ll get to see the Main Falls, as well as the Devil’s Cataract, Rainbow Falls and Horseshoe Falls. As you wander through the surrounding rainforest your guide will give you a brief history of Victoria Falls, and share interesting facts about the plants, birds and even animals that you see along the way.

Having admired the falls from every possible viewpoint, you’ll be driven to Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge – a distance of around 70 km. Set on the bank of the Zambezi River, Imbabala is a small and welcoming lodge with nine thatched chalets each opening onto beautiful river views.

Day 2: Game Drive & Zambezi River Safari

Wake up early and start your day with a game drive in the private wildlife concession surrounding Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge. Drives are led by the lodge’s highly skilled guides, who’ll go out of their way to get you good sightings of the park’s elephant, impala, warthog, giraffe and colourful collection of birds.

After the game drive brunch is served on the lodge lawns, then there’s time for a nap or laze in your hammock before the afternoon river safari. It’s wonderfully peaceful cruising the Zambezi River, drink in hand, as you drift up close to hippo, look for elephant at the water’s edge, and watch the sunset paint the sky in shades of orange and fiery red.

Your day ends with drinks around the fire and dinner under the stars, before strolling back to your comfortable chalet with its king-size bed draped in white mosquito netting.

Day 3: Full Day Safari in Chobe National Park

After breakfast you cross over into next-door Botswana to spend a full day in Chobe National Park. Your game viewing begins with a cruise on the Chobe River, an incredible safari experience which delivers regular sightings of hippo, crocodile, zebra, impala and – the stars of the show – Chobe’s famous elephant herds drinking, bathing or even swimming across the river, trunks held high!

After the cruise enjoy a buffet lunch at Chobe Game Lodge, followed by an afternoon game drive. Taking you along the river and deeper into the park, the game drive offers up more sightings of elephant and buffalo as well as the chance of tracking the park’s predators including lion, leopard and even wild dog.

If you’d prefer, you can skip Chobe and spend the day relaxing at Imbabala Lodge or enjoying some of the other activities on offer: go fishing for toothy tiger fish or set off on a guided walking safari in the private concession.

Day 4: Departure

You’re transferred from Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward flight. Victoria Falls is conveniently connected to many top Southern Africa destinations, so ask us how you can build these exciting four days into a longer safari itinerary.

Accommodation

Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge

Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge is situated on a riverine fringe of the mighty Zambezi River where Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and Namibia converge. Located 80 kilometers west of Victoria Falls, access is by transfer from Victoria Falls, Livingstone or Kasane. Imbabala offers the chance to unwind but also some of the most amazing game viewing and bird watching in the region, in the seclusion of a private National Parks concession. The 5,000 acre concession has 14 kilometers of private Zambezi river frontage and borders the Chobe Forest Reserve, which is renowned for its massive Elephant population.
Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge offers exclusive accommodation for only 18 guests in 8 individual thatch lodges with en-suite facilities. Each lodge is uniquely decorated and beautifully positioned with spacious verandas opening onto sweeping views of the Zambezi River. Imbabala has one family lodge, (Sleeps 4), four double and three twin-bedded lodges. All doubles can be converted to twins on request and vice versa.

Wildlife

Imbabala Concession

Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge lies in a 5,000 acre (2,023 ha) wildlife concession bordering Chobe Forest Reserve. Chobe’s elephant herds regularly move through the Imbabala Concession, and can sometimes be seen swimming across the Zambezi River as they make their way to the islands to feed – an incredible sight to see!

In addition to elephant you’re likely to see buffalo, giraffe, hippo, kudu and black sable antelope. As for the predators, lion and black-backed jackal are present in good numbers, along with more occasional sightings of leopard and the endangered African wild dog. The lodge itself is unfenced and the lawns are often grazed by warthog and impala, while monkeys play in the surrounding trees.

This is an excellent birding area with over 400 species recorded including regional specials such as the long-toed plover, western banded snake eagle and swamp boubou – to name but a few.

Chobe National Park

During dry season the Chobe River supports the largest concentration of elephant found anywhere in Africa and it’s not unusual to see herds of up to a hundred gathered on the riverbank! The river draws plenty of other wildlife too, including large herds of buffalo; zebra and impala feeding on the rice grasses of the floodplains; crocodiles basking on sunny riverbanks and hippo wallowing in the lagoons.

Predator sightings along the river are common, but the best way to see Chobe’s lions is on a game drive – your guide keeping a sharp eye out for fresh tracks. Other highlights of a Chobe game drive include the chance of seeing leopard or wild dogs; sightings of puku, sable and roan antelope; and finding your vehicle surrounded by herds of elephant and buffalo.

Chobe National Park is a must for keen birders with more than 450 species recorded from regional specials such as rosy-throated longclaw and the African skimmer to the spectacle of large flocks of African openbill storks or vibrantly coloured carmine bee-eaters.

More Info

– Park Fees are subject to change
– Tour of the Falls only included for guests arriving / departing via Vic Falls or Livingstone

Price Excludes:

Fishing, Game walks, all other excursions and additional permits
National Park fees – Imbabala USD 10.00 per person per stay
Rainforest Entry Fee (Victoria Falls) – USD 30.00 per person
Chobe Park Fees – USD 15.00 per person
Additional beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) will be charged to guests account

Package excludes: Return flights to Johannesburg (We can book these flights & your international flights at an additional cost). Travel Insurance. Extras incurred.