Botswana
Wildlife Safari & Victoria Falls
10 Days
October 13-22, 2019
There’s Africa, and then there’s Botswana. Experience the ultimate wildlife adventure with this ten-day trip through some of the best wildlife reserves you'll ever see. Keep your camera at the ready to capture the lions and elephants of Hwange National Park, fly to the panhandle of the Okavango Delta for a wildlife walk with a local researcher, and cruise along the banks of the Chobe River to watch the elephants drink along its banks. Make memories to last a lifetime among the incredible animals and landscapes of southern Africa.
Signature Moments
- View the Big Five in their natural habitat
- Enjoy the vast beauty of wild Africa
- Stay in authentic and luxurious tented camps
- Explore the Okavango Delta in a dugout canoe
- Stand in the mist of the awesome Victoria Falls
Highlights and Inclusions
- 9 Nights first class accommodations
- Breakfast daily
- 3 Lunches, 6 dinners
- Painted Dog Conservation Centre
- Okavango Wilderness Project Research Camp
- Botswana Storytelling and Traditional Dinner
- Open-vehicle wildlife safari drives in Hwange and Chobe National Parks
- Chobe boat safari
- Wildlife excursions by boat and foot in the Okavango Panhandle
- English speaking guides
- National park fees
- Internal Flight
- Airport transfer in Vic Falls
- Women's Travel Club leader
Grand Tour
This tour can be combined with our South Africa Tour to become the Ultimate Africa Grand Tour. Grand Tours offer an exceptional experience for an in depth tour of an area. By combining these two tours you can enjoy a seamless tour of both destinations while only having one international flight.
October 13-22, 2019
Itinerary
Day 1 - Victoria Falls
Welcome to Zimbabwe! Upon arrival at the airport today you will be met by a local guide and transfer to your hotel.
Named by the locals as 'Musi-oa-Tunya' or 'The Smoke that Thunder', Victoria Falls is Zimbabwe's most famous attraction. Measuring approximately 1 688 metres (5,538 feet) across, with a drop of 100 metres (328 feet), with an estimated outgoing volume of 545 million litres during the wet season, the falls are the largest and probably the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.
Enjoy your day at your leisure. We will meet this eveing for a welcome meeting to get acquainted and go over our fabulous upcoming adventure.
Day 2 - Victoria Falls/Hwange National Park
Enjoy the morning at your leisure to explore Victoria Falls, shop or relax.
This afternoon wevisit the Painted Dog (Wild Dog) conservancy and meet with a conservationist to learn about the work being done to rehabilitate injured animals as a result of poaching.Examine the life and struggles faced by the Painted Dog (wild dog) population in and around Hwange national park and the efforts made by the conservancy to prevent poaching and the damage done by snare traps that have endangered the Painted Dog population in Zimbabwe. The ultimate goal of the project is to release rehabilitated animals back into the wild and to work with local children and communities in an effort to educate and shift behaviors away from poaching.
After, travel to Hwange, Zimbabwe's largest national park and enjoy a safari drive on the lodge concession, in search of wildlife. This evening, arrive at the lodge, located just outside the park entrance and enjoy dinner.
Day 3 - Hwange National Park
Take a full day wildlife safari drive in the park which is home to large elephant herds, lions and the rare African wild dog. This evening, relax on the sun deck with a cool drink, keeping an eye out for local wildlife who visit the lodge's watering hole.
Day 4 - Chobe National Park
The final morning in Hwange allows for an optional safari drive or walk, before crossing the border into Botswana, and arriving in Kasane, gateway to stunning Chobe National Park. This afternoon, enjoy a boat safari on the Chobe River. Get a fantastic perspective of one of Botswana's national parks and its thousands of resident elephants, crocodiles, and hippos on a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. Bring a few drinks and a camera, sit back, and enjoy the view.
Keep an eye out for Chobe bushbuck and puku antelope, which are found only in this part of Botswana. The Chobe River is home to the world’s largest elephant herds; buffalo, hippos, and lions can also be seen here.
Day 5 - Chobe National Park
In the morning, continue our wildlife viewing with a safari drive along the banks of the Chobe River.
The afternoon is yours at leisure. Relax at the lodge or opt to take a photography river safari on a specialized photography boat. The Chobe River is home to incredible wildlife, and there is no better way to spot (and photograph) it. Climb aboard a custom designed boat equipped with mounted DSLR cameras. During this three-hour safari, instructors help you capture the perfect wildlife shots, with chances to spot elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and birds. This tour includes transfers, park fees, refreshments, camera usage (DSLR cameras with zoom lens), 8G photo memory card and an exclusive seat on the eight-seat photo boat.
Day 6 - Kasane/Okavango Delta
Catch a flight into the “Panhandle” area of the Okavango Delta and check into the remote camp in the wilderness. Enjoy lunch before taking a walk to the research camps of the National Geographic funded Okavango Wilderness Project. National Geographic Explorer Steve Boyes leads the Okavango Wilderness Project, a multi-year collaboration between international and local African experts to survey the Okavango watershed's biodiversity and ensure its future protection. Visit a research camp used by this interdisciplinary National Geographic-funded project, and meet a representative to learn about ongoing work at the camp.
Day 7 - Okavango Delta
Explore the stunning Delta Panhandle with expert local guides to enjoy wildlife viewing from mokoros, African dugout canoes, and on bush walks; also visit a fish monitoring station and a local village. This evening, we will enjoy a unique stay in a bush camp on one of the remote Islands within the Delta. Here we enjoy a 3 course meal around a roaring camp fire, sitting back and listening to the night calls of the Delta wildlife.
Tonight we enjoy a unique and adventurous stay in a remote bush camp (known locally as a fly camp). Accommodation will be in simple dome tents on cots, and facilities are wash basins and out house/long drop toilette (simple but clean) which are shared amongst our group. There is no electricity and lighting in the evenings is by lantern, so please bring a flashlight. While basic, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself into the wilds of Africa. Our local guides and staff add some comfortable touches, excellent food and spin some fantastic campfire stories.
Day 8 - Okavango Delta
Depart from our island camp and continue wildlife viewing on foot and by mokoro with our expert local guides. Return to the main camp later this afternoon and opt to relax or have a swim. This evening enjoy the deck overlooking the lagoon with hidden seating areas and a fire pit, perfect for stargazing.
Day 9 - Maun
Transfer to the frontier town of Maun and enjoy an evening of culture and traditional foods with celebrated author Bonty Botumile and the Thari-E-Ntsho Storytellers. This local enterprise is dedicated to preserving Botswana’s heritage and providing youth with employment opportunities in the arts. Cap off the night with traditional fare and storytelling around a warm fire.
Day 10 - Departure
Time to say good-bye to the most beautiful continent in the world and amazing new friends. Hamba Kahle Uphinde Ubuye (Go well and come back again soon!)
Grand Tour
This tour can be combined with our South Africa Tour to become the Ultimate Africa Grand Tour. Grand Tours offer an exceptional experience for an in depth tour of an area. By combining these two tours you can enjoy a seamless tour of both destinations while only having one international flight.
Not Included
- • International airfare
- • Travel Insurance
- • Expenses of a Personal Nature
- • Tips and gratuities
- • Visas and passport handling fees
- • Early check-in and late check out of rooms
- • Any Item Not Mentioned Above
Important Notes:
Prices are subject to change and availability. Space is limited and activities are subject to change. Travel insurance is always strongly recommended.
October 13-22, 2019
Rates:
Double Occupancy - $7279 CAD per person (sharing a room)
Single Occupancy - $7918 CAD per person (your own room)** - Sold Out!
If you would like the double occupancy rate but don't have a roommate we will match you with a suitable roommate. The single occupancy rate will give you your own room.
**Please note that if you have booked a single room for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exceptions: 2 nights, Hwange NP; 1 night, Okavango Delta Bush Camp
Deposit of $250 CAD per person due at time of booking.
Final Payment due - August 3, 2019
*All payments are non-refundable Please see full terms and conditions.
Grand Tour
This tour can be combined with our South Africa Tour to become the Ultimate Africa Grand Tour. Grand Tours offer an exceptional experience for an in depth tour of an area. By combining these two tours you can enjoy a seamless tour of both destinations while only having one international flight.
Grand Tour Rates:
Double Occupancy - $10,869 CAD per person (sharing a room)
Single Occupancy - $12,488 CAD per person (your own room)**- SOLD OUT!
If you would like the double occupancy rate but don't have a roommate we will match you with a suitable roommate. The single occupancy rate will give you your own room.
**Please note that if you have booked a single room for this tour, you will receive your own single accommodation for all night stops, with the following exceptions: 2 nights, Hwange NP; 1 night, Okavango Delta Bush Camp
Booking Deadline:
Book by January 25, 2019
Tour may fill up at any point. Book now as to not be disappointed!
Please do not book flights until after January 25, 2019 unless instructed to do so by the Women's Travel Club. If not enough ladies are booked by January 25, 2019 then this tour may be cancelled. If the Women's Travel Club cancels the tour all payments made will be refunded.
Activity Level:
Accommodation Level:
Group Size:
Minimum - 8 ladies
Maximum - 12 ladies
Tour Leader:
Marianne Southall
Marianne is the founder of the Women's Travel Club. She loves travel that has anything to do with nature and animals. You will find Marianne escorting many of the Women's Travel Club adventure tours.
Inclusions:
- 9 Nights first class accommodations
- Breakfast daily
- 3 Lunches, 6 dinners
- Painted Dog Conservation Centre
- Okavango Wilderness Project Research Camp
- Botswana Storytelling and Traditional Dinner
- Open-vehicle wildlife safari drives in Hwange and Chobe National Parks
- Chobe boat safari
- Wildlife excursions by boat and foot in the Okavango Panhandle
- English speaking guides
- National park fees
- Internal Flight
- Airport transfer in Vic Falls
- Women's Travel Club leader
Exclusions:
- • International airfare
- • Travel Insurance
- • Expenses of a Personal Nature
- • Tips and gratuities
- • Visas and passport handling fees
- • Early check-in and late check out of rooms
- • Any Item Not Mentioned Above
Pre-Night Hotel:
Often ladies will book a night at the first hotel prior to the tour. This gives them a chance to relax after a long flight and settle in before the tour starts. Let us know if you would like pricing and information on the hotel.
Follow this link to request pre or post tour hotel nights.
Pre-Night Hotel - Cresta Sprayview Hotel
Double Occupancy - $142.50 CAD per night(sharing a room)
Single Occupancy - $220 CAD per night (your own room)
Post-Night Hotel - Cresta Maun
Double Occupancy - $97.50 CAD per night(sharing a room)
Single Occupancy - $155 CAD per night (your own room)
**If requesting a roommate for a pre or post night we will try to match you, however, we cannot guarantee a roommate will be available.
Flights:
A Women's Travel Club agent is available to help you book your flights. Please do not book any flights until tour is confirmed.
Follow this link to a form to request flight options and quotes. A Women's Travel Club agent will send you back the recommended flight option that best suits you.
Depart from Maun, Botswana.
Travel Insurance:
Out of country medical insurance is required. We strongly recommend that you obtain cancellation and interruption insurance to protect your investment.
Use this link to request an insurance quote.
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October 13 -22, 2019
Accommodations
Accommodations are subject to change and may be substituted with a similar option.
Cresta Sprayview Hotel
Ideally situated just 20km from the recently-upgraded Victoria Falls International Airport, 1.4km from the entrance to the Victoria Falls Rainforest, and 1km from the central business district, it provides a fantastic launch pad from which to explore Africa’s adventure capital. In fact, the hotel is so close to the action that when the Falls are in full flood, the spray can be seen from the hotel, hence the name ‘Sprayview’.
Ivory Safari Lodge
Ivory Lodge, located in the forestry area on the outskirts of Hwange National Park, offers family-friendly safari experiences and is famous for its exhilarating up-close sightings of the Presidential Elephant Herd. The Lodge comprises of a Main Thatched dining and lounge area overlooking a guest swimming pool and overlooking a watering hole which is frequented by elephants, predators and a number of plains game species. The rooms themselves are elegantly built on stilted wooden platforms offering elevated views of the open floodplain and watering hole in front of camp.
Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge is situated in Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River and shares a border with Chobe National Park. he lodge has been recently renovated; matching a magical lodge experience to the spectacular game viewing.
Mopiri Camp
Hidden away on the North-West side of the Okavango Delta, Mopiri offers its guests the perfect water camp experience. Seven spacious en-suite tents are set on the banks of Weboro Lagoon offering panoramic views. Long winding board walks between the main area and the tents offer guests privacy and the opportunity to stretch their legs and explore the island.
The tents are light and airy and have seperate bathrooms with large rain showers, twin sinks and WC. The bathrooms are adjoined to the rooms by a short corridor making the most of the view over the lagoon.
Cresta Maun
Cresta Maun, the new 83-bedroomed establishment is situated 10km away from the town’s centre. Cresta Maun is situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River which is at the southern end of the Okavango Delta. Home to several bird species, Cresta Maun offers a tranquil setting from which visitors can explore the wonders of Botswana.
**Accommodations are subject to change