Botswana & Zimbabwe: Untouched Africa 12 days / Safari Tours, Nature & Wildlife Tours, Eco Tours
About This Experience
Venture into this remote corner of southern Africa to witness wildlife at its fiercest and freest. After an inspiring introduction to the continent at Victoria Falls, you’ll spend a week scanning the horizon for cheetah in Hwange National Park, tracking the elephant herds in Chobe and gliding through the lush lagoons of the Okavango Delta. Journey from grasslands to woodlands, through waterways and byways, to experience Africa’s incredible diversity of life.
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
9 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 6 lunches, 7 three-course or buffet dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Why You'll Love It
The power & the glory of Victoria Falls
Amazing animal encounters
Hundreds of species of colorful, exotic birds
Relaxing rides in the mokoro
The Okavango Delta’s one-of-a-kind landscape
The Big Five—the challenge & the reward
Overnight Flight1 night
Victoria Falls3 nights - hotel info
Day2
Land in Victoria Falls—gateway to waterfalls and wildlife
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Connect in Johannesburg and board your flight to Victoria Falls, where a Go Ahead representative will escort you to your hotel. Upon arrival, spend the afternoon settling in or exploring on your own before your welcome dinner.
Day3
Feel the spray of the falls on your face and hear the roar in your ears
Breakfast
Victoria Falls National Park
Victoria Falls is called the “Smoke That Thunders” by native people, and today you’ll experience the power and beauty of the falls firsthand. As you discover this Wonder of the World from multiple angles, your Tour Director will give you a history of the falls, pointing out its surrounding flora and fauna along the way. Later, visit the Rose of Charity, an organization that’s helping to transform the lives of sick and impoverished children in the region. Since 2007, the group has aimed to improve the quality of life for local children, their families and community caregivers by providing them with opportunities to learn and grow.
Day4
Cruise the Zambezi River for a glimpse of hippos and elephants bathing
Breakfast
Spend a day exploring this region as you like. You may choose to get to know the town of Victoria Falls, or simply relax back at the hotel, listening out for the roar of the mile-wide waterfall just outside. In the afternoon, opt for a cruise along the Zambezi River and soak in the natural splendor of the surrounding landscapes at sunset.
Optional Excursions
Sundowner Cruise $55* pp
This afternoon, travel from your hotel to the Zambezi River to embark on a leisurely, two-hour sundowner cruise. From comfortable chairs on your ship's cool wooden decks, keep watch for the local wildlife, including hippos, crocodiles and elephants. Your cruise includes light appetizers and drinks, so sit back and relax while meandering down the Zambezi at sunset.
Hwange2 nights - hotel info
Day5
Hang out with the big cats in Hwange National Park
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hwange National Park
Travel to Hwange National Park, the largest game reserve in Zimbabwe. The diverse landscapes are striking here—you’ll find everything from cracked salt pans to grassy plains dotted with acacia trees to teak forests and mopane woodland. Once a royal hunting ground, the region teems with protected wildlife: over 100 species of mammals and 400 species of birds make their home in the park. After an included lunch, ramble across the sweeping landscape on your afternoon game drive. Later in the evening, enjoy an included dinner.
Day6
Romp with the wild dogs in the Painted Dog Conservation Area
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hwange National Park
Set out on a morning game drive to discover the park’s herds of buffalo, prides of lions and wealth of plains game like kudu, eland and waterbuck. See elephants trudge along in herds, and scour the landscape for the fastest animal on earth: the cheetah, which can be found in large numbers here. After lunch, visit the Painted Dog Conservation Program, an organization dedicated to protecting the endangered African wild dog. Learn about the plight of the wild dog and see the work being done here before heading out to explore the conservation area and walk through the nearby woodlands. Later, embark on another game drive through the wildliferich Hwange region. This evening, cap off your day in the wild with an included dinner.
Chobe2 nights - hotel info
Day7
Track the elephant herds in Chobe National Park
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chobe National Park
Wake up early and explore the untamed Hwange once again on a game drive before crossing over the Botswana border and arriving at your next destination: Chobe National Park. This semi-arid wilderness is best known for its elephants: huge herds of them gather along the winding Chobe River. In fact, each of the Big Five (lion, leopard, Cape buffalo, elephant and rhino) can be seen in Chobe, which is one of the reasons it’s among the best off the- beaten-path safari destinations in Africa. After an included lunch, take a peaceful cruise along the Chobe River, watching elephants drink and bathe as the sun sets. Join your fellow adventurers at tonight’s included dinner.
Day8
Go on a game drive through Botswana’s arid wilderness
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chobe National Park
Today begins with a morning game drive in Chobe, Bostwana’s oldest national park. Comprised of both dry grasslands and permanent swampland, the park draws a dizzying array of animals: from hippos and hyenas to baboons and Cape buffalo. The elephant dominates, though: there is a higher concentration here than virtually anywhere else in Africa. After lunch, you’ll take to the waters again on an afternoon cruise. Keep an eye out for Nile Crocodile sunning themselves on the banks. Later, share stories of the day’s sightings over a drink and dinner back at the lodge.
Okavango Delta2 nights - hotel info
Day9
Glide through the waterways of the Okavango Delta in a dugout canoe
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Okavango
Follow along the varied landscapes of Chobe on a morning game drive. Afterward, transfer to the airport for your chartered flight to Bostwana’s Okavango Delta. Boasting a unique ecosystem, the Delta offers one of the most diverse wildlife experiences on the continent. After lunch at the lodge, explore the Delta’s serene surroundings from a traditional canoe known as a mokoro. Gliding along the reedfringed waterways, you’ll see wildlife from a different perspective. After your excursion, dinner awaits back at the lodge. Please note: Boating and mokoro excursions are dependent on water levels.
Day10
Get up close and personal with the wildlife on a bush walk
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Okavango
Begin your day floating along the Delta’s tranquil channels in your mokoro. From the water, you may spy giraffe, lion, leopard, jackal, impala, red lechwe and other denizens of the Delta. Next, traverse the region’s rugged landscape on a guided bush walk. Your guides will point out the land’s natural features, as well as grazing wildlife. After an included lunch, take to the water again aboard a mokoro or feel the wind through your hair on a motorized boat. Celebrate your adventures with fellow travelers at your farewell dinner this evening.
Day11
Check out the delta landscape from the air on your way to Maun
Breakfast
Okavango
This morning, get one last glimpse of Africa’s wild landscapes on a boating excursion. As you scour the savannah, keep watch for zebra, kudu, vervet monkeys, hippos and much more. Later, take a chartered flight to Maun, where a Go Ahead representative will help you connect to your overnight flight home or continue on to Cape Town for the tour extension.
Overnight Flight1 night
Extend Your Stay
Add Cape Town $1,199*
Discover the splendors of Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful, vibrant and multicultural cities. On the rugged Western Cape coast, the “Mother City” is nestled at the foot of iconic Table Mountain. Explore this magnificent metropolis—from the elegant Victoria and Alfred Waterfront to the eclectic Malay Quarter, from striking Cape Point to the idyllic Winelands.
Cape Town3 nights - hotel info
Day1
Fly into the glittering city on the sea
Breakfast
Fly from Maun to Africa’s glittering Southern jewel: Cape Town (via Johannesburg). Nestled between Table Mountain—the iconic, 3,500 foot peak —and sparkling Table Bay, the “Mother City” of South Africa is its most picturesque. A fascinating fusion of cultures, Cape Town is home to vibrant Xhosa, Malay, and West and Central African communities. Settle into your hotel as you start to enjoy Cape Town.
Day2
Browse Greenmarket Square and soar to the top of Table Mountain
Breakfast
Table Mountain Cableway
Explore a dizzying array of sights: the Houses of Parliament, the lively markets of Greenmarket Square and the 17th century Castle of Good Hope. After a stop at historic Company’s Garden, ride on a cable car to the top of Table Mountain (weather dependent). Have your camera ready: the views from this lofty perch—to the city below, the wide blue ocean beyond—are breathtaking. You’ll also visit the cobbled, colorful streets of Bo-Kaap as your local guide illuminates the fascinating history of this Cape Malay corner of the city.
Day3
Ramble around the peninsula and stop at the southern tip of Africa
Breakfast, Dinner
Cape of Good Hope funicular
Discover the wonders of the scenic Peninsula, including Camps Bay Beach, a ribbon of white-sand beneath the verdant Twelve Apostles mountains. Winding along spectacular Chapman’s Peak Drive, you’ll arrive at the Cape of Good Hope Nature Preserve and legendary Cape Point. Later, stop at historic Simonstown, see the African penguins at Boulders Beach and wander Kirstenbosch Gardens, ranked among the world’s best botanical gardens by Travel + Leisure. Tonight, savor an included dinner.
Passport & Visa Requirements
In order to enter Zimbabwe and Botswana, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of your return home, and at least one empty page for each country visited. A visa is also required for U.S. and Canadian passport holders to enter Zimbabwe. Although it is possible to obtain a visa at the airport upon arrival, we recommend that you obtain your visa in advance using our provider VisaCentral (www.visacentral.com/goaheadtours). If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Baggage Allowance
Due to limited luggage space in transfer vehicles and chartered aircraft, you will need to pack in a duffel or soft-sided bag (absolutely no wheeled or hard suitcases are permitted). Bags must be limited to 10 inches wide by 12 inches high and 24 inches long. Total baggage including camera equipment and handluggage must not exceed 44 lbs in weight. Options are available for excess luggage including storage and transport; please contact Go Ahead directly to go over details. For your international flights, please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. There may be times when you’ll have to handle your own bag, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and pack any valuables, medications and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Clothing and Packing Tips
Safaris are informal, and casual dress in comfortable lightweight cottons is appropriate. Since the temperature varies significantly from midday to evening, clothing that can be layered is a good idea, as are comfortable shoes such as sneakers or lightweight hiking boots. Sandals or other shoes that expose your skin are discouraged. We advise that you wear a hat during the day, and make sure you use a strong sunblock.
Health
All travelers must obtain a yellow fever vaccination if visiting South Africa or stopping there in transit. Please remember to carry your International Certificate of Vaccination for Yellow Fever booklet as proof that you have received the vaccination (or provide a valid waiver certificate). To ensure that you are prepared for your trip, you should also contact your family doctor well in advance of your departure for information regarding immunization and personal travel requirements.
Important Health Tips
In order for you to stay healthy throughout your African tour, we recommend the following:
- Drink bottled water. Refrain from drinking tap water, including when brushing teeth.
- Avoid eating fresh fruits and vegetables unless they are cooked or washed in clean water and peeled.
- Bring a small first aid kit, including antacids,anti-diarrhea medication and any prescription medications.
Cuisine
You’ll find that most cuisine in your game lodges reflects the region’s British colonial influence. In many areas of Botswana and Zimbabwe, you may find locals indulging in porridge for breakfast and pausing for afternoon tea. In addition to porridge and maize-based dishes, local staples include game meats, particularly beef and goat, as well as many different types of fish and fresh varieties of melon.
Transportation
Round-trip international flights arrive in Victoria Falls and depart from Maun, routing through South Africa on both arrival and departure flights. Internal flights depart from Chobe National Park and arrive in Okavango Delta, and from the Delta to Maun. On safari, you’ll be traveling in a specially equipped safari vehicles, in motorized boats or traditional poled canoes. The vehicles open at the top, allowing for panoramic views during game drives. Please keep in mind that transfers between the different parks are long and roads are not always of the best quality. The buses are roomy and comfortable, but some bouncing is to be expected. Due to safety requirements on the chartered flights from Chobe to Okavango Delta and from Okavango Delta to Maun, passengers may be split up and not fly with their travel companions in order to comply with the maximum average weight restriction of 220 lbs per person. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Go Ahead Tours.
Electricity
Zimbabwe operates on 220 volts, while Botswana uses 230 volts.
Time Zones
Botswana and Zimbabwe are two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), or six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST). When it is noon in New York, it’s 6 p.m. in Victoria Falls.
Currency
The currency you will be using in Botswana is the Botswana Pula. In Zimbabwe, it is recommended that you use U.S. dollars or South African Rand. Full banking services are available only in major towns, although ATMs are becoming increasingly more prevalent. We recommend that you carry as little local cash as possible, and small amounts of the U.S. dollars for small purchases. (Please make sure that you only bring U.S. dollars printed in 2004 or later.) Most major American credit cards are accepted at hotels and restaurants in Botswana and Zimbabwe (Visa is the most widely accepted). We suggest that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Special Information: Shopping
Local handicrafts are generally inexpensive and make wonderful souvenirs of your trip. You will have the opportunity to shop at outdoor markets, small shops and tribal roadside stalls and at some of the lodges. Prices in Botswana and Zimbabwe are almost always negotiable, providing an excellent way of meeting the local people.
Items to Give or Trade
Many Africans are fond of North American goods. Many travelers bring token items to offer as gifts or when bartering for souvenirs. Inexpensive items include T-shirts, baseball caps, anything imprinted with professional sports logos, pens, cosmetics and toiletries. Offering African children candy and gum is somewhat controversial because the availability of dental care for these children may be negligible. Instead, offer children’s books in English or crayons.
Tipping
All porterage gratuities are included on safaris. However, it is customary to tip the safari and transportation staff at the end of the program. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalency of $6USD/CAD to $9USD/CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. On days when you are transferring, we recommend tipping the driver $3USD/CAD per person, per transfer. Rangers and wildlife guides can be tipped $12USD/CAD per person, per day in Hwange, Chobe and Okavango Delta (2 days each). Finally, tipping your local guide in Victoria Falls $2USD/CAD will suffice. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.
International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary without advanced notice to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to the current catalog for terms & conditions, dates and prices.
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MAKE AN IMPACT
Get to know some of the conservation areas helping to preserve nature and wildlife in Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Rose of Charity
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
After witnessing the hardships many children were facing on the streets of the resort town of Victoria Falls, Simangele Moyo resolved to do something to make a difference. In 2007, she to brought to life Rose of Charity, an organization whose first initiatives were designed to help reunite children with their families or place them in stable living environments. Today, the organization continues to focus on improving the lives of children, as well as their families and caregivers within the community. In addition to supplying orphaned, disabled and HIV-positive children with the food, medication, clothing, school fees and shelter they need to grow and thrive, Rose of Charity also provides counseling, tutoring and gardening sessions to promote their overall wellness and success.
Hwange National Park
Hwange, Zimbabwe
Stretching across thousands and thousands of kilometers, through seemingly endless woodlands, wetlands and grasslands, Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest game reserve. Once the royal hunting grounds for the Ndebele warrior-king Mzilikazi, these lands were first declared a national park in 1929. Since then, the park has become host to over 400 bird and 100 mammal species, including significant populations of the rare gemsbok, brown hyena and painted dog. The most notable residents of the park, however, are its elephants— Hwange is home to one of the world’s largest population of these gentle giants.
Painted Dog Conservation Program
Hwange, Zimbabwe
The painted dog (or wild dog) has long played a role in local legend throughout the African continent. Centuries-old stories speak of witches turning into hyenas, and some even claim that it was dog that tamed man. But despite the dogs’ strong presence in folklore, their real-life numbers are dwindling. Once boasting a population of 500,000 across 39 countries, today the painted dog can only claim a total population of 3,000 dispersed throughout Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. From trapping and poaching to reckless drivers, the issues driving the dogs to the brink of extinction are many. However, the Painted Dog Conservation Program aims to change that. Based in Zimbabwe, the program is working to protect and grow the painted dog population through conservation initiatives, such as anti-poaching units, rehabilitation facilities, re-introduction programs and pack monitoring. The program also strives to foster their passion for these animals in area youth through community outreach and its free Children’s Bush Camp.
Chobe National Park
Chobe, Botswana
After being declared a non-hunting zone in the mid-twentieth century, Chobe has expanded to become Botswana’s third largest game reserve. Within its vast boundaries, the park contains many diverse ecosystems, including the Serondela (or Chobe riverfront), Savuti Marsh and Linyanti Marsh areas. Comprising immensely different features, from rolling grasslands to tectonic lakes to mahogany forests, each of the areas attracts and supports wildly different walks of wildlife. Standing in the park, you’re just as likely to spot packs of lions, hyenas and zebras as bathing hippopotamuses and crocodiles. Above all, Chobe is famed for its robust concentration of elephants, with its elephant population teetering around 50,000. Since the 1990s, the park has seen tremendous growth within this population, with numbers rising by the thousands.
The Okavango Delta
Botswana
The Okavango Delta’s refreshing waters flow into the arid landscapes of Botswana’s Kalahari Desert, providing a welcome retreat for an astoundingly large and diverse concentration of birds and animals. Okavango holds the title of the world’s largest inland delta, as well as the only permanent river in the Kalahari. Its unique ecosystem is home to a wide spectrum of wildlife—and depending on the time of year, the Okavango hosts up to 200,000 large mammals, including a 30,000-strong population of buffalo and elephants, and 400 bird species. Some of the area’s most notable inhabitants include the hippopotamus, blue wildebeest, giraffe, Nile crocodile, spotted hyena, and black and white rhinoceros. In addition, Okavanago’s surrounding lands can claim one of the highest pack densities of the gravely endangered African wild dog. The Moremi Game Reserve covers almost one third of the Okavango Delta. The BaTawana people founded Moremi in 1963 in response to concern about over-hunting in the area, making the reserve the first wildlife sanctuary to be established by an African tribe on their own lands.
