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Botswana Wildlife Safari

Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe - Trip code BW Wildlife
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809Kg of CO²e
Average carbon footprint per person
Carbon Footprint
You deserve to know everything about your holiday, from what is included, what to expect and every kilogram of CO2 emitted on average per person along the way.

We've partnered with ecollective to measure the carbon footprint of this tour based on an average group size. Find out more about how we calculate this and why we think it's important here.

 

Trek through Botswana's remote wilderness to track Africa's wildlife. Spot elephants, big cats, hippos and more on game drives exploring several African greats, from Chobe National Park to Moremi Game Reserve. At night, drift off to the sound of the bush, wild camping beneath the African sky. Finish up with a two-night cruise on the Okavango River before soaking in the wonder of Victoria Falls.

Why we love this trip
  • African greats - Spend six days on safari, exploring Botswana's finest game reserves, including Chobe and Moremi.
  • Sleep in the wild - Get closer to Botswana's nature and experience genuine African wild camping, staying at camps near the reserves.
  • Cruise the Okavango River - Search for water-dwelling wildlife in the remote area of the delta and stay aboard our exclusive houseboat.
  • Included meals

    Breakfast: 13

    Lunch: 10

    Dinner: 10

  • Trip staff

    Explore Tour Leader

    Boat Crew

    Camp Crew

    Cook

  • Transport

    4WD

    Boat

  • i

    Accommodation

    2 nights comfortable boat

    7 nights simple camping full service

    1 nights premium hotel

    3 nights premium lodge

  • i

    Trip pace:

    Full on

  • i

    Group Size:

    Trip maximum 12

Itinerary

Day 1 - Join Tour in Victoria Falls

Our tour starts today in Victoria Falls. Often referred to as the adventure capital of Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls offers a thrilling combination of land, air and water-based activities.

For those arriving in time, our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. There are no other activities planned today, so you're free to arrive in Victoria Falls at any time. If you'd an airport transfer, you'll need to arrive into Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), which is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel. If you miss the welcome meeting, your tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.

This evening, we'll either be staying at the Batonka Guest Lodge or Pioneer Lodge. The two are sister properties located just over 1 kilometre/0.6 miles from each other and are almost identical. Both are set in beautiful, landscaped gardens and feature a swimming pool, spacious rooms, an expansive terrace where breakfast is served, a bar and a stylish lounge and dining room which are both extremely comfortable.

If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to choose from a host of adventurous activities including whitewater rafting, canoeing and cruises on the Zambezi River. Full details are listed in the 'Budgeting and packing' section of the trip notes.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Lodge

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: None

Day 2 - Travel into Botswana, camping near Chobe National Park

Leaving our guesthouse this morning, it's a short one-hour drive to the Kazungula land border crossing between Zimbabwe and Botswana. Once border formalities are completed, we'll continue to our campsite located on the banks of the Chobe River.

Our newly built campsite is the perfect base for exploring Chobe National Park. Situated at the point where Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana meet, it's located right on the water's edge. We'll be staying in comfortable safari tents, built on fixed platforms. Each tent has a proper bed with all bedding provided. Tents also have en-suite bathrooms with a sink and flushing WC, and there is a separate dining room, bar and lounge area.

This afternoon, we'll head out on a late afternoon game drive - our first safari of the trip. Chobe is the heart of elephant country and is home to approximately 120,000 of the giant creatures.

Throughout this tour, we'll travel in a customised, open-sided land cruiser. The land cruiser is ideal for game viewing but can be a bit brisk and windy - it's a good idea to bring some layers for travel days. The roads through Botswana also vary in quality, so travel days can be slow and very bumpy, but the scenery and wildlife more than make up for this.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3 - Full day game viewing in Chobe National Park

We'll make the most of our time in Chobe National Park and have two game drives today - one in the morning and a second in the afternoon.

We hope to have the chance to spot huge trumpeting herds of elephants around the southern bank of the Chobe River, where we can also find Chobe Bushbuck and Puku Antelope.

Other mammals to be seen include buffalos, kudus, elands, waterbucks, sables and roan antelopes, zebras, lions, leopards, impalas and reedbucks. In the river are hippos and crocodiles and the waters teem with bream, barbel and tiger fish (freshwater barracuda). Our tour leader will decide on the exact running times of the day, and lunch arrangements, depending on the weather conditions and the season to give us the best viewing opportunities.

For those that wish to, there is an optional afternoon boat cruise along the Chobe River, where you'll have a fair chance to see lions, elephants, leopards and wild dogs from the unique viewpoint of a boat. Please see the 'Budgeting and packing' section for prices.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4 - Drive south to Savuti game area

As we travel south today, we'll explore the interior area of Savuti with its sweeping plains, rolling grasslands and marshes which are fed by the erratic Savuti Channel. The channel ran dry in 1982, changing the lives of all wildlife on the plains as the ground baked in the African sun. It remained dry for over 20 years until 2008 when the water once again began to flow attracting animals back in high numbers. We'll have time to watch the herds that live in and around this area including lions, elephants and possibly leopards, plus an abundance of bird species including the bee-eater and kori bustards.

Our campsite for this evening uses dome-type tents with private en-suite facilities added to the back of the tent. They're big enough that you can stand inside and are made from durable rip-stop canvas with sewn-in groundsheets. Each tent is equipped with sturdy camp beds, mattresses, fitted sheets, pillows, pillowcases and duvets. Other equipment used on safari includes camping basins, washstands, hot water bucket showers and long-drop water-based toilets. Safari-style fold-up chairs and large tables are provided. Our backup staff do all the cooking and cleaning as well as setting up and breaking camp.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5 - Game drives in the Savuti area

Today, we'll begin to explore Savuti. We'll have game drives in the morning and late afternoon to give us the best opportunity to spot its wildlife.

The Savuti area is known for its wide-open, desert-like planes, which give us a good opportunity to spot lions roaming. Here, we might be lucky enough to spot big cats, antelopes, buffalo herds and elephants, to name just a few. The breathtaking landscape, with the Savuti Channel flowing through it, leading to marshland, attracts an abundance of wildlife and birdlife, giving us a great opportunity for game spotting.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6 - Drive to Moremi Game Reserve, wild camping and game drives

Leaving our Savuti camp behind us this morning, we'll continue over dirt roads into Moremi Game Reserve's Xakanaxa area (pronounced ka-ka-ni-ka) or Khwai which is an integral part of the eastern waters of the Okavango Delta. The area is encompassed by Moremi Game Reserve and boasts some of the best game viewing in Africa. The game reserve has areas of dry lands rising between vast wetlands, and crystal-clear water channels on the edges of mopane and apple-leaf woodlands. Game viewing takes place alongside waterways and floodplains.

Giraffes, zebras and wildebeests are just a few species that we might spot here, along with an astonishing variety of birds.

For the next three nights, we'll be camping in Moremi where the waters feed an abundance of flora and fauna, including the frequently visiting wild dogs. Hippos are often heard by night too.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7 - Game drives in Moremi in search of Africa's unique wildlife

We'll enjoy two game drives today. Setting off for our morning game drive at first, we'll get the chance to experience one of Africa's wonderlands with the chance to see hippos, crocodiles and a great variety of birds, as well as the elusive sitatunga antelope. This place is also an ornithologist's paradise with fish eagles, kingfishers, herons, storks, egrets, weavers and bee-eaters all regularly seen. We'll make our way to the banks and floodplains of the northeastern section of the Okavango Delta this morning.

Returning for brunch, we'll have the hottest part of the day free at our campsite - a chance for a siesta, to relax reading a book or do a spot of birdwatching.

We'll set off for our second game drive around 4pm, returning in the early evening. Game drives and activities vary from one day to the next, depending on sightings and animal activities, generally, we drive quite far and slowly to absolutely maximize game-viewing potential, all expertly guided by our highly experienced tour leader.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8 - Full day of game drives in Moremi Game Reserve

The mighty Okavango is the third largest river in southern Africa. The delta area covers 16,000 square kilometres/6,177 square miles and is made up of crystal-clear channels, countless fleeting lakes and ever-changing islands. The waters flow down in a south-easterly direction from the Angolan highlands, over 1,000 kilometres/621 miles away, taking up to six months to reach the delta area which floods on an annual cycle.

Remaining in the Moremi Game Reserve, today we'll drive further into the delta area. The exceptional geography and topography attract amazing wildlife to the waterways and we'll begin game viewing on our arrival. Our guide will generally cover as wide an area as possible, so you have the best chance to see a variety of wildlife.

Accommodation:

Grade: Simple Camping Full Service

Single room available

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 9 - Morning game drive in Moremi Game Reserve, afternoon in Maun

This morning, we'll take a slow drive out of Moremi, looking out for wildlife along the way. We should arrive at Thamo Telele around lunchtime.

The magnificent Thamo Telele is set amongst a lush forest of leadwood and acacia trees, around 25 minutes outside of Maun. Our lodge for tonight consists of luxury safari-style tents on raised wooden platforms with hardwood floors and en-suite bathrooms, all with outdoor showers and nature as the backdrop. The stylish canvas tents all have twin beds, which can be converted into doubles, and air conditioning above the bed. There is a swimming pool and a central main lounge and bar area, where you'll find comfy couches and locally designed wall art.

The afternoon is free for you to explore the lodge and its wild surroundings on self-guided walking trails. Alternatively, you can relax by the swimming pool. There is also the option to book a giraffe experience. One of the most fascinating things about the lodge is its resident herd of 20 giraffes, which you can observe while on activities in the reserve and most enthralling get up close and personal to in the evening while they feed at the waterhole. There are naturalists on hand, who will be able to tell you all about these fascinating animals. See the 'Budgeting and packing' section for more details.

Dinner is included at the lodge tonight.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Hotel

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10 - Drive to our houseboat on the Okavango river

Departing after breakfast, we'll drive up the west side of the Okavango delta panhandle to Shakawe, where we'll leave our vehicle behind and board a motor launch to our houseboat. On arrival, we'll meet our friendly crew who will be our hosts for the next two nights. After settling in, lunch is served in the top-floor dining room, with panoramic windows offering a backdrop of the Okavango River basin.

The accommodation is comfortable, with eight en-suite bedrooms. Each room has glass sliding doors that look out onto the wilderness of the remote panhandle area and there are seating areas for watching the sunset up on deck. The boat will be for our exclusive use during our stay.

Due to seasonal variations in the level and strength of the river, the houseboat itself might only be able to access limited parts of the river for much of the year. During these times, we'll explore the river on smaller launches.

We'll take a leisurely afternoon launch in the hope of cruising past submerging pods of hippos and crocodiles basking in the shallows and on the riverbanks.

We'll return to the houseboat for dinner.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Boat

Single Room Unavailable

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11 - Visit to Tsodilo Hills; home to thousands of bushman rock paintings. Afternoon wildlife viewing on the Okavango river.

This morning, there is the opportunity to visit the intriguing and sacred World Heritage Site of the Tsodilo Hills. The San Bushmen community believe the hills are the site of the first creation and they painted an astonishing 4,000 rock paintings across 350 sites marking the area's significance. Here, four impressive rocks jut out of the expanse of the surrounding land, and it's believed by the San Bushmen that the largest of the rocks is the 'man', the second largest the 'woman', and the smallest the 'child'. The fourth rock, which stands apart from the others, is said to be the male's first wife. Some of the paintings are thought to be over 24,000 years old, and as well as the chance to see ancient rock paintings, the hills offer vast views across the countryside below.

An expert local guide will accompany us around the site, interpreting a selection of the paintings. The tour will last around two hours, walking along a flat well-graded path. It's possible to opt out at any stage and return to the shade of the small museum located at the entrance of the site. After a late lunch back on board the houseboat, we'll head out for further wildlife viewing on board our launch.

For those who wish to have more time on the houseboat, we'll offer a morning launch as an alternative to visiting Tsodilo Hills.

Accommodation:

Grade: Comfortable Boat

Single Room Unavailable

Meals Provided: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 12 - Transit driving day via the Caprivi strip (Namibia), back to Victoria Falls

We'll have an early start this morning as we set off on the very long journey to Victoria Falls. Today's total journey time is approximately eleven hours (depending on time spent at the border crossings) including comfort breaks and a lunch break.

The drive will take us through north to Namibia's Caprivi Strip, before heading to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe. The Caprivi Region has a colourful and interesting history, playing a central part in the Berlin Conference of 1890. Named after German Chancellor General Count Georg Leo von Caprivi di Caprara di Montecuccoli, the strip was once administered by the British before it was swapped for Zanzibar with the Germans at a time of great European political manoeuvring.

We'll arrive in Victoria Falls in the late afternoon, just in time for a refreshing sundowner at our lodge accommodation.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Lodge

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast & Lunch

Day 13 - Witness the wonders of Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River. Free afternoon with a choice of optional activities

Often referred to as the adventure capital of Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls is most famous for being home to one of the natural wonders of the world, its namesake - Victoria Falls.

This morning we'll visit the falls from the Zimbabwean side of the river where the Zambezi River plummets over a sheer cliff wall spanning more than 1,676 meters/5,498 feet and dropping approximately 100 metres/328 feet into the abyss below. The natives named the waterfall, Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning 'the smoke that thunders' because of the plumes of water vapour that rise like smoke into the sky above the falls, accompanied by the deafening roar. After our guided tour you can take your time to further explore the network of paths and enclaves around the falls.

This afternoon is free to relax, or you can book a two-hour game drive in Zambezi National Park in search of the Big 5. Alternatively, there is the option to take a scenic helicopter flight over the falls or go white-water rafting in the Zambezi. All activities can be booked at your lodge directly and full prices are available in the 'Budgeting and packing' section of the trip notes.

Accommodation:

Grade: Premium Lodge

Single room available

Swimming pool available

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Day 14 - Tour ends in Victoria Falls

Our tour ends this morning after breakfast. Depending on the schedule of your departing flight, you might like to spend a few hours exploring the town independently.

There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart from Victoria Falls at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our guesthouse. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Victoria Falls Airport (VFA), which is around a 30-minute drive from the hotel.

Meals Provided: Breakfast

Trip information

Climate and country information

Botswana

Climate

Botswana's regional characteristics, from fertile areas in the east to waterless desert in the centre and south, and a vast delta in the north-west, make for extremes of temperatures and highly variable rainfall. Seasonal weather patterns can be unpredictable.

Time difference to GMT

+2

Plugs

3 Pin Round

Religion

Christians. Anglicans, Methodists

Language

English, Setswana

Namibia

Climate

With a staggering 300 days of sunshine each year, Namibia is a year-round destination, although some may prefer to avoid the heat of high summer. The cold Benguela current keeps the Atlantic coast of the Namib Desert cool and rain-free for most of the year, with a thick coastal fog that lends a mysterious edge to the area. January and February are the hottest months, when daytime temperatures in the heart of the Namib can exceed 40°C (104°F), but nights are usually cool. Winter nights can be fairly cold, but days are generally warm and pleasant.

Time difference to GMT

+1

Plugs

3 Pin Round

Religion

Christian

Language

English, Afrikaans, German

Zimbabwe

Climate

Zimbabwe has a moderate climate, in the summer months (November to April) you can expect highs of 30 C° and lows of 20 C°. The wet season is from November to May when the days are typically dry and sunny with afternoon/evening thunderstorms. The best time for game viewing is September to October when days are dry and the temperatures are still relatively cool.

Time difference to GMT

+2

Plugs

2 Pin Round

Religion

Christian

Language

English

Budgeting and packing

Optional activities

The following excursions and/or activities are usually available and may be arranged locally. Estimated costs are provided below for guidance only, are on a per person basis unless shown otherwise, and may depend on the number of participants. Prices quoted are correct as of the date these tour notes were originally issued but may change at any time due to currency fluctuations. Please note: These activities are booked and paid for locally and do not form part of your Explore holiday contract.



Victoria Falls (day 1, 13 and 14)

Whitewater rafting half day low water US$ 126 per person. Transfers to/from your hotel are included. Half day includes lunch and soft drinks. Rafting grade 5. If you want to take part in the full day rafting it is advised to book an additional nights stay in Victoria Falls.

Rafting note: River conditions are determined by seasonally predictable fluctuations in water levels. Low water season generally runs from August to January each year - this is when the Zambezi is at its very wildest. High water is from about February to July and there can be a closed season between March and June depending on the seasons rains.

Upper Zambezi canoeing US$ 150 per person.
Fishing expedition. US$ 130 (3 hours), US$160 (full day)
Shearwater "River Song" Sunset Zambezi River cruise US $85 (plus US $10 park fee) per person.
Wild Horizons Dinner Cruise US $100 (plus US $10 park fee) per person, sunset cruise US $60 (plus US $10 park fee).
Victoria Falls helicopter ride 15mins US $175 per person (plus US $6 aviation fee, $20 park fee) / Victoria Falls helicopter ride 22mins US $260 per person (plus US $6 aviation fee, $20 park fee)
Zambezi National Park Game Drive US$ 71 (plus US $10 park fee) per person.

Chobe (days 2, 3):
Optional river cruise US$ 60pp.

Thamo Telele - Selected departures only.
Get up close and personal with the lodge's resident herd of giraffe while they feed at the waterhole. There are naturalists on hand, who will be able to tell you about these facinating animals.
Learn each giraffe's Setswana name, and how to identify them by their unique spots. There are identification books in the main lodge and at the waterhole so you can work out who's who. USD $50 per person, to be booked at the property and is subject to availability on the day.

Clothing

Clothing should be lightweight. However, a wind/waterproof jacket, a warm fleece or sweater and thermal underwear for night time are strongly advised, as nights, early morning game drives and longer journeys can be very cold, especially in winter (April to August).
We suggest that during the winter months you take a number of layers to combat the cold which can then be removed as the day warms up. Brightly coloured and white clothing is not suitable for game viewing. You may like to bring a swimming costume for the hotels with pools.

Footwear

Lightweight trail boots or robust trainers with good traction soles and sandals.

Luggage

20Kg

Luggage: On tour

The limit is one barrel bag/holdall/internal frame backpack (suitcases are not permitted) per person and a reasonable amount of photographic equipment. A day bag is essential for everyday use.

Equipment

Dome tents are provided which sleep a maximum of two people. Camp cots with mattresses, fitted sheets, sleeping bags, pillows and blankets are also provided. Tents are erected by our crew.
Please bring a towel with you and also a water bottle, (head) torch and larger torch for toilet visits at night whilst camping, sunhat, sunglasses, insect repellent and sunscreen. Binoculars are essential for game viewing and a 300mm lens is recommended for photography. Tents have sewn-in mosquito screening so nets are not required.

Camera batteries can be charged in Maun and Victoria Falls, whilst there is also a charging facility on our safari vehicle. We do however recommend that you bring spare batteries.

Plastic Bag Ban: With effect from 01 June 2018, it is illegal to use, manufacture and/or import plastic bags into Botswana. Any person found with plastic bags of any type including shopping bags on arrival into the country can receive a heavy fine. Small plastic bags used for hand luggage toiletries are permitted but must be in a reusable condition and not disposed of in the country. Please ensure you do not have any non-permitted types of plastic bag in your hand luggage or luggage. Any plastic bags obtained whilst travelling are disposed of before arriving into Botswana or are surrendered at the designated desk available at all entry points into the country.

Tipping

Explore leader
Tipping isn't compulsory, and we work hard to ensure that our leaders all receive a fair wage. However, you might want to recognise a leader that's done a great job or really added to your trip by giving them a tip. We're often asked about the recommended amount. It's a tricky one, and down to personal preference, but we'd recommend between £20 to £25 per person per week as a guideline.
Local crew
Although entirely voluntary, tipping is a recognized part of life in this region of the world. Some local staff will look to members of the group for personal recognition of particular services provided. In order to make things easier for you, your leader may organise a group's tips kitty for included activities and meals and if this is the case, they will account for it throughout the tour.

Accordingly, you should allow US$30.00 per person for group tipping

Botswana

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£10.00
Dinner price
£18.00
Beer price
£3.00
Water price
£1.00
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Botswana Pula
Recommended Currency For Exchange
We suggest that you take your spending money is cash as US Dollars. Please note that the banks and Forex Bureaus do not accept US Dollars pre-2002. NB: you may find it useful to bring smaller denominations of US Dollars for tips.
ATM Availability
Cash can be drawn out on credit cards from ATM's in Kasane and Maun
Credit Card Acceptance
Limited. Some lodges may accept credit cards, however the service is very sporadic.

Namibia

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£15
Dinner price
£20
Beer price
£1.50
Water price
£1.00
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Namibian Dollar. South African Rand is legal tender in Namibia.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
USD are readily exchanged in Namibia and GBP to a lesser extent. Take your money in a combination of ATM cards and cash
Where To Exchange
On arrival.
ATM Availability
Cash can be drawn on credit cards from ATM's in Windhoek and Swakopmund.
Credit Card Acceptance
Limited.

Zimbabwe

Food and drink

The costs for meals may vary depending upon location, type of restaurant and number of courses eaten and so the prices given are an average guide. Local restaurants located off the beaten track may be less expensive, whereas an upmarket restaurant located in the centre of a major city may charge more.


Lunch price
£9.00
Dinner price
£15.00
Beer price
£2.00
Water price
£0.80
Foreign Exchange
Local currency
Bring new and undamaged US Dollar in small denominations. The Zimbabwean Dollar is legal tender.
Recommended Currency For Exchange
US Dollars
Where To Exchange
Your Tour Leader or local rep can advise on exchange arrangements, which may be limited.
ATM Availability
Please note that currently cash cannot be withdrawn with international bank cards.
Credit Card Acceptance
Not widely accepted, though can be used to pay for optional excursions directly with the local operator. Please do not rely on credit or debit cards for anything else.
Transport, Accommodation, Food & Drink

Transport Information

4WD, Boat

Accommodation notes


During this tour, we stay in a mix of hotels, lodges and campsites, giving us a real flavour of Botswana.
In Victoria Falls, we stay in a delightful lodge with expansive gardens and a pool, just a 15-minute walk from the falls. The guesthouse has an excellent restaurant and provides a booking service for a wide range of activities in the Falls area.
In the game reserves of Botswana, we have the experience of camping under the African sky. Our chosen campsites are exclusive to our groups and the exact location may change slightly as the campsites are moved short distances from time to time to allow the bush to return to its natural state. Each tent is set up with an adjoining private bathroom with a toilet and bucket shower accessed directly from your tent. Elevated camp beds, mattresses, fitted sheets, sleeping bags, pillows and blankets are also provided. Camp assistants take care of all camp chores, so no participation is required.
In Chobe National Park, we stay at a permanent campsite located at the point where Zambia, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana meet. Situated on the water's edge, each tent is built on a fixed platform and has an en-suite bathroom with a sink and flushing WC. There is a separate dining room, bar and lounge area.
In Maun, we stay on a private 250-hectare game reserve located around 25 minutes outside of the town. The magnificent Thamo Telele is set amongst a lush forest of leadwood and acacia trees, each luxury safari-style tent is on raised wooden platforms with hardwood floors and en-suite bathrooms, all with outdoor showers and nature as the backdrop. The stylish canvas tents all have twin beds, which can be converted into doubles, and air conditioning above the bed. There is a swimming pool and a central main lounge and bar area, where you'll find comfy couches and locally designed wall art.
On the Okavango Panhandle, we spend two nights on a houseboat. The boat has a lower deck with compact, en-suite cabins and an upper deck with a bar/dining area and an open seating area at the rear.

Botswana

Food and drink

Dietary requirements: Most restaurants and hotels in Botswana do not have a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian choices. There is usually a choice of salads and one main vegetarian and/or vegan main dish on the menus, but choice will be limited especially in more remote locations. If you have specific dietary requirements we do recommend for you to bring some food with you.

Can you drink the water?
The  water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip. 

 

Namibia

Food and drink

Dietary requirements:

It’s very important that you let us know of any dietary requirements at least 60 days prior to the departure of your trip because your Leader will pre-plan menus and shop for the majority of the food prior to departure. In Namibia there is very limited availability for specialist food products along the way and leaders will need to pre-advise accommodations of any specific requirements so they can ensure they have options. Please note, without prior notice or if your requirements change while on the trip Explore cannot guarantee all requirements will be catered for.

 

If you have a specialist diet, including but not limited to vegan, gluten free, lactose intolerant and/or coeliac, we strongly recommend you bring some snacks with you as options will be limited, particularly in rural parts of Namibia where specialist food products in supermarkets are very limited and restaurants will often have one or two alternative options on their menus. With prior notice our leaders will always ensure there is a meal for you, however, we must stress we cannot guarantee variety or choice.

 
Can you drink the water? 
It is generally possible to drink the local tap water, therefore to reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles we recommend you bring a refillable water bottle with you. Your leader will advise you on refill points each day. 

Zimbabwe

Food and drink

Dietary requirements: Most restaurants and hotels in Zimbabwe do not have a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian choices. There is usually a choice of salads and one main vegetarian and/or vegan main dish on the menus, but choice will be limited especially in more remote locations. If you have specific dietary requirements we do recommend for you to bring some food with you.

Can you drink the water? 
The water quality is poor and therefore it is recommended to avoid drinking tap water during your trip. 

 

Essential Information

Government Travel Safety Advice

We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice.

Please refer to our COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry. Whilst we strive to update this on a regular basis we recommend you also check the FCDO website for the latest advice on entry requirements. Information can change at any time.
 

Under 18 immigration guidance

Please note that some countries require proof of parental consent when travelling overseas with under 18s. Please check requirements with the relevant embassy or consular office well in advance of travel if this applies to your party.

Price Guarantee

Once your booking has been confirmed we guarantee the price will not increase, whatever the circumstances. However, please note that if you voluntarily make any changes to your booking including changing your trip or departure date, any additional costs or charges incurred will not be covered. Before booking please ensure you have read our important tour pricing information.Booking Conditions
 

Visa and Passport Information

Botswana: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens.
All passports must have at least 6 months validity remaining from date of entry into Botswana.

The Botswana government has introduced new immigration rules from 1 October 2016. Children (under 18 years of age) who are travelling into or through Botswana must provide a certified copy of their full unabridged birth certificate as well as a valid passport (an abridged (short) birth certificate won't be accepted).


Namibia: Visas are not required by UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens.
Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.

UK passport holders will need a minimum of 1 blank page in your passport for your permission to stay stamp acquired on arrival. Other nationalities should consult their embassy or consular office.

Zimbabwe: A double entry visa is required for UK, Australian, New Zealand, US and Canadian citizens. British citizens can obtain these on arrival (USD70), all other nationalities should consult their consulate. All passports must have at least 6 months validity remaining on entry and also have two consecutive blank pages in their passports which lie side by side when the passport is open (i.e. a left and a right hand page).

When travelling via South Africa a machine readable passport is required. Other nationalities should consult their local embassy or consular office.



If you do require assistance in obtaining a visa then you may be able to apply through Explore's recommended visa service in the UK, Travcour. See www.travcour.com to download the relevant visa application for your trip, if applicable (UK citizens only), along with details of how to apply for your visa through Travcour. The Team at Travcour will be happy to answer specific questions relating to visa applications, please call them directly on 0208 5431846.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you are in possession of a full passport, with the correct validity for your chosen destination.
 

Booking conditions

Before booking your Explore trip, please ensure that you read both our Essential Information and Booking Conditions.
 

Minimum age restrictions

For our group tours, the minimum age is 16. The minimum age on Family trips varies between 7 and 11 - please check the 'Family information' section of the trip page for more information. 


Your safety and enjoyment on tour

We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday, so we ask you to confirm when booking this trip that you are fit and able to fully participate in all elements of the itinerary. If you have any concerns about your fitness or ability to complete any of the activities, please get in touch with our Customer Relations team at cr@explore.co.uk as soon as possible. Our tour leaders are trained and experienced in managing differing abilities within a group, but if they have concerns about a group member’s ability to safely participate in any element of the itinerary or believe someone’s presence could affect the safety or enjoyment of the holiday for others, in accordance with our Booking Conditions our tour leaders have the authority to ask an individual to miss an activity or activities. This decision would never be taken lightly, but on the rare occasions our tour leaders ask someone to sit out part of the tour, refunds will not be offered and individuals may be liable for additional costs incurred. 
 

Your Tour Leader

All tours aside from extensions, Galapagos cruises and polar expeditions will be led by one of our experienced Tour Leaders. We believe that our Tour Leaders are the key to the success of our tours; they are local experts who are bursting with first-hand knowledge which they love to share, and their unique insights will bring the destination to life. Your Tour Leader will be on hand throughout your tour to make sure arrangements run smoothly, to organise all the local logistics and to keep you safe. Your Tour Leader should be your first point of contact if you encounter any difficulties or disappointments in country – please raise any concerns, however small, with your Tour Leader as they are best placed to assist you.

Transfers

Find out more about Trip Transfer Terms and Conditions before you book.

Booking a land only package with Explore

Customers who have chosen to book on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements of our tour, please ensure that you have checked your tour specific ‘Joining Instructions’ prior to booking your own travel arrangements. Your joining instructions can be found below in the dates and prices information. 

You may also be eligible for the Free Explore Transfer.


Joining Tour Abroad

Customers booked on the ‘Land Only’ arrangements will receive a Free Transfer, provided you arrive and depart on the tour only itinerary start and end dates. The complimentary transfers will be arranged from the Explore designated airport or train station to your trips joining point, and then back from the ending point to the designated airport or train station. Generally the airport or station that Explore have selected will be the one that is closest to the town or city where the trip starts, or the one nearest to the joining point. It will be either an airport or train station but not both.

The exception to this rule is customers who are booked on a tour where the joining and ending point is at the designated airport or train station.  

Free transfers are not available for Polar customers.

If you are not eligible for the Free Transfer then you will need to make your own way through to the joining and ending point. On a majority of our tours Explore will be able to provide a private transfer at an additional cost. Please ask for a quote at the time of booking.  

For more information regarding the Explore Free Transfer click here

Insurance

It is a condition of booking with Explore that you have adequate valid travel insurance. It is your responsibility to arrange appropriate travel insurance and ensure you have read and understood the full terms and conditions of your travel insurance policy to ensure that you are covered for all activities you intend to undertake whilst on the tour, including all optional activities. Your Insurance Policy must fully cover you for medical expenses and emergency repatriation to your home country. Please ensure your policy includes medical emergency helicopter evacuation in the event of illness or injury and covers the entire duration of your holiday. If you are trekking at altitude please ensure that there is no upper altitude limit which may limit or exclude cover for your trip. The cost of many of our Polar Voyages will exceed the capped amount covered by standard insurance premiums and you will be required to pay an additional premium to cover the full value of your trip. Please ensure that you are covered for the full amount of your holiday cost, as insufficient cover could invalidate a claim under the policy. Medical and repatriation insurance cover is not mandatory for UK residents who are travelling on trips within the United Kingdom.
Read more information about what travel insurance is required.

Flight information

Explore can arrange your flights for you, to make joining and leaving our trips easy. Read more about them here.


Flight Information

You are able to book this tour on a 'land only' basis or as a ‘flight inclusive’ package. Your flight inclusive package will be fully protected by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) ATOL protection scheme.

 

Booking a flight inclusive package with Explore

We have a good selection of flights not only from London but from many regional airports around the UK allowing us to compare fares between scheduled carriers as well as low cost and charter airlines. Our dedicated flights team will match the best flight options to your arrival and departure airport.

On our website we display the price of the tour only. Please call us or select the flight option during the online checkout to receive a quote for a flight inclusive package. To avoid paying supplements or to secure your preferred flight option, we recommend booking as early as possible, especially for peak travel dates.

Ability to swim

An ability to swim is essential for your safe enjoyment of the water based activities on this trip. If you wish to participate in these activities then we insist that you are able to swim.

Botswana

Vaccinations

We do recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid and polio. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may wish to immunize themselves against meningitis. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling. Immigration/Borders in Botswana are requesting a Yellow Fever certificate if you have previously travelled within/via an endemic country. Please note that any travellers who have visited Ebola affected countries during the last 30 days will be denied entry into Botswana. These countries are: Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Liberia

Namibia

Vaccinations

Nothing compulsory, but we do recommend protection against malaria, hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid and polio. Please note that all travellers aged over 9 months old that have travelled from or have transitted via a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, will need to present a Yellow Fever certificate at immigration/borders in Namibia for inspection. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Travellers may wish to immunise themselves against meningitis. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Zimbabwe

Vaccinations

Please note that all travellers aged over 9 months old that have travelled from or have transited via a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission, will need to present a Yellow Fever certificate at immigration/borders in Zimbabwe for inspection. We recommend protection against hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid. Consult your travel clinic for latest advice on different prophylaxis available against malaria. Please check the latest requirements with your travel clinic or doctor prior to departure. The above is not an exhaustive list. Further information regarding vaccinations and travel health advice can be found by following the NHS and NaTHNaC links at Explore Travel Health and from your local healthcare provider. Visa and vaccination requirements are subject to change and should be confirmed by you before travelling.

Wildlife information
Award Winning Explore Leaders
Find out more
Price Guarantee Promise
Find out more
Airport Transfers
Find out more
Print Trip Notes

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