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FROM US$9,200-US$17,100

Great Egret Safari

A wonderfully varied adventure to Botswana and Zimbabwe combining three fantastic safari areas, a luxury river cruise and the mighty Victoria Falls.

Great Egret Safari: Summary

Great Egret Safari in a nutshell

Begin your safari with a light-aircraft flight over the legendary Okavango Delta, landing on an island surrounded by a mosaic of waterways and lagoons close to your base for the next four nights, Kwara Camp. Explore some of the most pristine, unspoilt wilderness in Africa on day and night game drives, walks and mokoro trips accompanied by experienced driver-guides and trackers who specialise in seeking out the big cats and predators which thrive here.

From the Okavango you'll fly to Kasane and be taken to the Chobe waterfront to board a luxury houseboat for a very different safari experience. Here, the pace slows as you enjoy watching the wildlife from the meandering river which acts as the border with Namibia. Watch the world glide by, being greeting by herds of drinking elephants and prolific birdlife, hopping aboard nimble tenders for excursions. The Chobe River is a favourite among anglers too.

Leaving Chobe behind, the next stop in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest. Spend four days at the classic Somalisa Expeditions camp exploring the park with expert guides by foot or vehicle on activities. However, with a popular waterhole in front of camp the action doesn't stop when the activities do.

Finally, after ten days of safari activities it's time to head for Victoria Falls. Here you can choose to be as active as you want, with options ranging from gentle boat cruises and guided tours of the thundering falls, to helicopter flights and white-water rafting. And of course, if all that is a bit too much you can always take afternoon tea and perhaps indulge in a spa treatment at your historic hotel.

At a glance

Starts: Maun Airport
4 nights Kwara Camp - Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana Full Board & Activities
2 nights Chobe Princesses - Caprivi Strip, Namibia Full Board & Activities
4 nights Somalisa Expeditions - Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe Full Board & Activities
2 nights Victoria Falls Hotel - Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Bed & Breakfast
Ends: Victoria Falls Airport

Kwara Camp

Days 1-5

In the heart of the Okavango Delta, Kwara Camp sits on a forested island within the private, game-rich Kwara Reserve. From this vantage point, overlooking floodplains and a seasonal lagoon, it offers year-round land and water activities. Following a complete rebuild in September 2019, the camp is now far more upmarket in style than previously, with no under 18s allowed.

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Chobe Princesses

Days 5-7

At the eastern end of Namibia's Caprivi Strip, four houseboats known as the Zambezi Queen collection cruise the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers. The Zambezi Queen is the largest, with 14 cabins, and the most luxurious. Formerly known as the Ichobezi houseboats, and the Pride of the Zambezi houseboat, three smaller boats, each with just four cabins, make up the Chobe Princesses. A few relaxing nights on one of these houseboats is a fantastic way to experience the birds, animals and scenery of this lush corner where Namibia and Botswana meet.

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Somalisa Expeditions

Days 7-11

A reinvention of a classic Hwange safari camp, Somalisa Expeditions opened at the start of 2017. The camp sits among a grove of acacia trees in a private, 150km² concession in the heart of Hwange National Park, and offers a friendly if relatively simple safari experience.

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Victoria Falls Hotel

Days 11-13

Oozing Edwardian style, the Victoria Falls Hotel is the most famous address in town. For travel afficionados, it's a name to rival Raffles in Singapore or The Ritz in London. When it was opened in 1904, to house engineers constructing Cecil Rhodes’ railway, the elegant hotel clearly had first choice of locations: next to the vital railway station with a vantage point above the bridge which spans the gorge. Its location is still unsurpassed: the closest Zimbabwean hotel to the waterfall and within a short walk of town .

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Kwara Camp

Kwara Camp

Okavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana

Chobe Princesses

Chobe Princesses

Caprivi Strip, Namibia

Somalisa Expeditions

Somalisa Expeditions

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Victoria Falls Hotel

Victoria Falls Hotel

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

About image

Highlights

Our thoughts on five of the top experiences of this Great Egret Safari.

  • Seeking wild dogs and big cats by 4WD
  • Gliding across the Delta's waterways in a mokoro
  • Exploring the Chobe waterfront on a luxury river cruise
  • Walking safaris in Hwange with some of Africa's top guides
  • Marvelling at the mighty Victoria Falls

Activities

Some activities which can be included in the Great Egret Safari: talk to us about those which interest you.

  • 4WD Safari

  • Birdwatching

  • Boat trip

  • Canoeing

  • Cultural excursion

  • Elephant encounter

  • Fishing

  • Guided walking safari

  • Helicopter

  • Kayaking

  • Microlight

  • Mokoro

  • Night drive

  • White-water rafting

About image

Key species to see on the Great Egret Safari

Based on our travellers' observations, we’ve estimated the likelihood of seeing these species during the Great Egret Safari. Click on the animals and our wildlife surveys page for more info.


Lion

100% chance

Buffalo

100% chance

Elephant

100% chance

Giraffe

100% chance

Hippo

100% chance

Wildebeest

100% chance

Zebra

100% chance

Spotted Hyena

96% chance

Eland

94% chance

Leopard

93% chance

Cheetah

91% chance

Roan antelope

89% chance

Wild dog

87% chance

Sable antelope

86% chance

Sitatunga

35% chance

Oryx

17% chance

Aardvark

0% chance

Black Rhino

0% chance

Brown Hyena

0% chance

Pangolin

0% chance

White Rhino

0% chance

Side-trips whilst on this safari

We may be able to build in some of these optional excursions from the Great Egret Safari. Talk to us: they’re usually best arranged when you book.


Rhino Walk

Rhino Walk

Around four hours - mornings only

Spend an unforgettable morning on a walking safari tracking Mosi-oa-Tunya’s small population of white rhino, with a strong chance of being able to approach these endangered creatures on foot.

More about Rhino Walk
93% (3 reviews)
Chobe Day Trip

Chobe Day Trip

Full day - typically around 11 hours

For a top safari experience while visiting the Victoria Falls, don’t miss a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park. Easily reachable from Livingstone, Zambia or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Chobe boasts some of the best wildlife densities in southern Africa, with exceptional numbers of elephant drawn by the permanent waters of the Chobe River.

More about Chobe Day Trip
Helicopter Flight - Zimbabwe

Helicopter Flight - Zimbabwe

Shortest flight is 12-25 minutes

While viewing the Victoria Falls from the ground is a stunning experience, seen the world’s largest waterfall from the air allows for a completely different perspective, historically said to have been so beautiful as to have been seen by ‘angels in flight’.

More about Helicopter Flight
95% (8 reviews)
Ra-Ikane River Cruise

Ra-Ikane River Cruise

Two hours minimum

Cruising the upper sections of the Zambezi reveals another dimension to the river's beauty, adding a sense of serenity to the thrill of watching it cascade over the Victoria Falls. On a Ra-Ikane river cruise, experience the river’s islands and channels, keeping an eye out for wildlife, and the spray from the Falls.

More about Ra-Ikane River Cruise
95% (35 reviews)
Elephant Encounter

Elephant Encounter

Three hours

For a very personal encounter with elephants, head to The Elephant Camp near Victoria Falls. From its sanctuary for orphaned elephants, it offers close interaction with one of Africa's most iconic species, including the chance to feed the elephants by hand, and talk to the guides who have raised and trained them.

More about Elephant Encounter
92% (5 reviews)
Elephant Art Experience

Elephant Art Experience

Three hours

The Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary and Art of Africa have teamed up to create a unique experience in the bush, with private tutors running painting workshops and habituated elephants provision impressive models, standing just metres away from your easel.

More about Elephant Art Experience
Zambezi Explorer River Cruise

Zambezi Explorer River Cruise

Two hours

Watching the sunset from the middle of the Zambezi River, with the spray of the falls behind you, is an incredibly popular activity. A large variety of cruises are on offer, ranging from cheap and boozy directed towards the backpacker crowd, to much more luxurious and serene experiences. A great option for the latter style is the Zambezi Explorer.

More about Zambezi Explorer
100% (4 reviews)
Microlight Flight

Microlight Flight

15 or 30 minutes

For pure exhilaration, it's hard to find something better than flying in a microlight, swooping through the spray that crashes up and off the Victoria Falls, with rainbows shimmering below. If you don't like heights, then this isn't for you! For those looking for a different way to see the Falls, the microlight flights offer a stunning birds eye view of this spectacular natural wonder.

More about Microlight Flight
100% (1 reviews)
Livingstone Island & Devil's Pool

Livingstone Island & Devil's Pool

Three hours

Victoria Falls is one of the world's natural wonders, and a huge attraction for many visitors to southern Africa. We're often asked if the waterfall is best viewed from the Zambian or Zimbabwean side, but we think the best way to experience the full majesty of the falls is from the middle with a visit to Livingstone Island.

More about Livingstone Island
95% (8 reviews)
Historical Bridge Tour

Historical Bridge Tour

Two hours - AM & PM departures

A feat of engineering the Victoria Falls Bridge was built in 1905 as part of Cecil Rhodes' vision to link the Cape to Cairo. With an expert guide and the appropriate safety equipment you'll not only discover the wonders of this Victorian marvel but also gain a unique perspective of the Victoria Falls themselves.

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Guided tour of Victoria Falls

Guided tour of Victoria Falls

Two hours - AM & PM departures

One of the seven Natural Wonders of the World, the mighty Victoria Falls has to be seen to be believed. Why not take an expertly guided trip to learn about the history, geology, flora and fauna of one of Africa's most spectacular sites?

More about Tour of the Falls
100% (4 reviews)
Cookery Course & Activity

Cookery Course & Activity

Six hours - afternoon activity

Make a traditional Southern African ‘potjie dinner’ on the banks of the Zambezi River. You’ll be guided through the preparation process by professional chefs before embarking on an afternoon activity while your dinner cooks. The activity is followed by a 3-course meal, including your self-made Pot as the main course.

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Bushtracks Express

Bushtracks Express

Generally four and a half hours

The Bushtracks Express Train starts its journey at Zimbabwe’s iconic Victoria Falls Station before departing on its route through Victoria Falls National Park the Victoria Falls Bridge, where guests enjoy the stunning view of the Falls. Afterwards, the train will depart for a siding out of town, for dinner.

More about Bushtracks Express
Helicopter Flight - Botswana

Helicopter Flight - Botswana

Various: from 30 minutes to half a day.

Low-flying, agile and offering superb views, helicopters are an ideal way to move around the Okavango Delta.You can use them instead of fixed-wing inter-lodge transfers or as an addition to other wildlife watching activities, and of course, helicopters can hover to allow that perfect pic, whereas fixed-wings can’t.

More about Helicopter Flight

Let us help you customise your trip

All of our holidays on this site are just ideas; none are fixed. All of our trips are tailor-made, so we'll always adapt them to suit you. Talk to an Expert and let us help you to work out your perfect trip.


Talk to an Expert

Call us now! We’ll match you with the Specialist in our team who is best suited to help you. Then together we can start planning your trip.

Set up your itinerary

Based on our experience and your ideas, your specialist will create a detailed, costed itinerary. We’ll refine it together, until we have a trip that you’re perfectly happy with.

Prepare for your trip

The same Specialist will make the seamless arrangements for your trip, send you detailed travel documents, and be available to answer any questions before you depart.

Travel with peace of mind

After you set off, you’ll be cared for by our partners in Africa, most of whom have worked with Expert Africa for decades. And if you ever need us urgently, we’re available 24/7.

When you return

We love to learn about your trip, and so will always be grateful if you’ve the time to give feedback to your Specialist when you return.

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Other ideas for Zimbabwe safaris

Look at these ideas in Zimbabwe: then talk to us. Will will design a trip that's perfect for you.


Map

Grysbok Safari

9 days • 3 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT

Discover three of Zimbabwe’s iconic destinations in style, flying between Hwange, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba on this varied safari adventure staying at authentic yet luxurious camps.

Visiting Hwange, Matusadona and 1 other area

US$8,990 - US$14,380 per person

Read more about the Grysbok Safari

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Nyala Safari

10 days • 3 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

A superb luxury safari in iconic Hwange and Mana Pools national parks, staying in a pair of the finest safari camps in Zimbabwe, with a grand finale at Victoria Falls

Visiting Mana Pools, Hwange and 1 other area

US$10,150 - US$15,050 per person

Read more about the Nyala Safari

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Buffalo Safari

9 days • 3 locations • 1 country
HARARE AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

Combining Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools and Hwange national parks with stays at intimate six-tent safari camps offering excellent walking, canoeing and game drives. Superb wildlife viewing and a real wilderness-focused experience.

Visiting Mana Pools, Hwange

US$8,040 - US$11,910 per person

Read more about the Buffalo Safari

Map

Bat Hawk Safari

7 days • 2 locations • 1 country
HARARE AIRPORT TO JOHANNESBURG AIRPORT

Explore two areas revered by safari enthusiasts with some of Africa’s best walking and some superb guiding – even by Zimbabwe’s high standards – for a varied and wonderfully immersive wilderness experience.

Visiting Gonarezhou & Savé, Mana Pools

US$7,880 - US$9,130 per person

Read more about the Bat Hawk Safari

Map

Pied Kingfisher Safari

9 days • 3 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT

A luxury safari combining three of Zimbabwe's top highlights. The trip uses some of the finest safari camps in Zimbabwe and is perfect for a family or small group.

Visiting Victoria Falls, Hwange and 1 other area

US$7,000 - US$10,780 per person

Read more about the Pied Kingfisher Safari

Map

Lion Safari

7 days • 2 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

The classic Expert Africa Zimbabwe safari. Combining two of our favourite independent camps, each run by celebrated guides, exciting game drives, world-class walks and canoeing in premier wildlife watching destinations.

Visiting Mana Pools, Hwange

US$6,950 - US$9,830 per person

Read more about the Lion Safari

Map

Ground Hornbill Safari

9 days • 3 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO BULAWAYO AIRPORT

This Zimbabwean odyssey explores Hwange National Park from two small camps, renowned for their great guiding, before ending with insights into cultural history, a little luxury and first-class rhino tracking in the Matobo Hills.

Visiting Matobo, Hwange

US$5,270 - US$8,560 per person

Read more about the Ground Hornbill Safari

Map

Side-striped Jackal Safari

6 days • 2 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT

Get an in-depth experience of Zimbabwe’s colossal Hwange National Park, staying at two experience-focused camps with excellent guiding in contrasting areas. An adventurous safari for the real enthusiast.

Visiting Hwange

US$3,480 - US$5,460 per person

Read more about the Side-striped Jackal Safari

Map

Klipspringer Safari

8 days • 3 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO BULAWAYO AIRPORT

An outstanding-value Zimbabwe safari exploring Victoria Falls and two contrasting locations in western Zimbabwe – Hwange and the Matobo Hills – giving you a real feel for Zimbabwe, its people and wildlife.

Visiting Matobo, Hwange and 1 other area

US$2,890 - US$3,570 per person

Read more about the Klipspringer Safari

Map

Grysbok Safari

9 days • 3 locations • 1 country
VICTORIA FALLS AIRPORT TO HARARE AIRPORT

Discover three of Zimbabwe’s iconic destinations in style, flying between Hwange, Mana Pools and Lake Kariba on this varied safari adventure staying at authentic yet luxurious camps.

Visiting Hwange, Matusadona and 1 other area

US$8,990 - US$14,380 per person

Read more about the Grysbok Safari

Other safari ideas across Africa

Talk to us: help us to understand what you like and we can create a safari that will really suit you.


Itinerary image

Avocet Fly-in Safari

7 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

This luxurious safari explores three iconic African reserves from exclusive lodges in unbeatable locations. A very high standard of food, care and guiding ensure that you can focus on this amazing experience.

US$9,280 - US$14,680 per person

Itinerary image

Perekani Walking Trail

10 days • 5 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

Five smart but rustic bushcamps are the comfortable staging posts for this walking safari in South Luangwa. The route offers outstanding seclusion and rich wildlife with top-quality guiding throughout.

US$9,070 - US$10,950 per person

Itinerary image

Greater Bushbaby Safari

8 days • 2 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

The perfect safari for a family or group of friends during which to create everlasting memories. Visit Zambia’s two most productive wildlife parks staying in four-bedroom houses, designed in a unique and fun way.

US$9,400 - US$12,260 per person

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Purple Roller Safari

8 days • 2 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

Explore the varied habitats and terrain of Kafue National Park with stays in two wonderfully remote bushcamps: sister camps that offer access to both the centre of the park and the wildlife-rich Busanga Plains.

US$8,790 - US$9,320 per person

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Golden Monkey Safari

12 days • 5 locations
KIGALI AIRPORT TO KIGALI AIRPORT

Combine four key areas of Rwanda on this excellent-value trip, for a true wildlife and cultural experience. The perfect itinerary for those who want to see all the highlights of Rwanda.

US$9,710 - US$11,270 per person

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Golden Jackal Fly-in Safari

8 days • 2 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

A contrasting safari of a lodge and a tented camp, with action-packed activities in Laikipia and wildlife-filled game drives in the Maasai Mara, offers a consistently high-quality experience.

US$9,730 - US$13,080 per person

Itinerary image

Crawshay's Zebra Safari

10 days • 4 locations
LUSAKA AIRPORT TO LUSAKA AIRPORT

This superb safari combines two of Zambia’s best national parks, the South Luangwa and the Lower Zambezi. The camps are small and high quality with excellent safari guides.

US$9,760 - US$13,820 per person

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Ground Squirrel Safari

7 days • 2 locations
MAUN AIRPORT TO MAUN AIRPORT

Experiencing the wilderness with an engaging guide whilst staying in a private mobile camp is often the highlight of a safari. Combine that with a charming camp overlooking the Okavango Delta and you’re onto a winner!

US$8,530 - US$11,180 per person

Itinerary image

African Finfoot Fly-in Safari

7 days • 3 locations
NAIROBI AIRPORT TO NAIROBI AIRPORT

After a unique start in Nairobi National Park, classic, luxurious camps combine for a high-end and exclusive safari in fantastic wildlife destinations.

US$9,900 - US$16,050 per person

Itinerary image

Fringe-eared Oryx Fly-in Safari

7 days • 3 locations
KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO KILIMANJARO AIRPORT

Stay in three superbly positioned camps during this exploration of Tanzania’s famous northern circuit. Excellent views over the surrounding areas, relatively remote locations and game-rich habitat make for an exciting and varied safari experience.

US$8,400 - US$12,520 per person

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