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FROM US$10,340-US$17,380

Great Egret Safari

This wonderfully varied adventure combines Botswana's Okavango Delta and a live-aboard houseboat safari on the Chobe River, with big game in Zimbabwe's dry Hwange National Park and the stupendous Victoria Falls.

Great Egret Safari: Day-by-day

More detailed information of what each day entails, and the various places you’ll stay on the Great Egret Safari. Everything we do is completely tailor-made so while this is an idea which works well, we’ll always design an itinerary just for you.


Day 1

Starts: Maun Airport

Day 1

Maun to Kwara by light aircraft & 4WD

On arrival in Maun, you'll be escorted to your light aircraft for the scenic flight into the Delta, taking roughly half an hour. A guide will be waiting at Kwara Airstrip with an open-sided 4WD for the drive of some 15 minutes to camp, depending on any wildlife you spot.

Kwara Camp
Days 1-5

Kwara Camp

4 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesOkavango Delta Safari Reserves, Botswana

With activities led by a guide and tracker team, predator sightings from Kwara are a regular occurrence in this productive Okavango reserve. Set within a private reserve of savannah, woodland, floodplains, and waterways, Kwara Camp offers a remarkable density and variety of wildlife. To maximise your chances of encountering predators, every safari activity is expertly led by a guide and tracker team.

Kwara Camp

With activities led by a guide and tracker team, predator sightings from Kwara are a regular occurrence in this productive Okavango reserve. Set within a private reserve of savannah, woodland, floodplains, and waterways, Kwara Camp offers a remarkable density and variety of wildlife. To maximise your chances of encountering predators, every safari activity is expertly led by a guide and tracker team.

For a more serene exploration, both mokoros (traditional canoes) and a double-decker boat are available to navigate the lily-filled waterways. You can also stretch your legs on an informative nature walk, where you’ll learn about smaller creatures, bird calls and animal tracks – aspects often missed when traveling by vehicle.

With a permanent lagoon right in front of this camp, shaded by mature trees that provide a haven for birds, it’s tempting to let the wildlife come to you. Elephants, warthogs, impalas, and monkeys frequently wander through. Each spacious tented room is equipped with a selection of reference books, perfect for identifying your visitors as you relax between activities.

Designed to maximise views of the lagoon, each tent is fronted by large mesh windows. Whether you’re sitting on your veranda, enjoying a coffee in your lounge, lying on your comfortable bed, taking an open-air shower, or luxuriating in the freestanding bath, you can soak in the picturesque wilderness surrounding you.

To come together with other travellers, a short stroll will take you to the heart of the camp - a thatched, open-sided structure that houses the lounge, dining room, library, bar, and curio shop. Vintage furniture in muted, natural tones combines effortlessly with simple stretched-canvas walls, creating a contemporary-chic safari ambiance.

"Overall a great experience."

Dr CB & Dr MBfromTring

Arrived 17 Sep 2024, 3 nights

At either end of the camp, a swimming pool invites you to take a refreshing swim. After your dip, choose a cool drink from the self-service bar and relax on a lounger on the partially shaded deck. End each day sharing stories around the campfire with a drink in hand, before enjoying a delicious meal. See our full report on Kwara Camp

93%
236 reviews of Kwara Camp by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Fishing

Guided walking safari

Helicopter

Mokoro

Night drive

Private activities

Day 5

Kwara to Chobe Princess by air, 4WD & boat

There's often time for a last safari drive before a thrilling hour-long flight over the Delta and Chobe National Park to Kasane. You'll be met for the short drive to the immigration office, followed by a river crossing to clear Namibian formalities then a final boat transfer to the Chobe Princess.

Chobe Princesses
Days 5-7

Chobe Princesses

2 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesCaprivi Strip, Namibia

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 or five 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.

Chobe Princesses

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 or five 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.

"a wonderful time on Chobe Princess III... small boats safari's... good food "

Mr S & Dr BfromUK

Arrived 17 Jun 2024, 4 nights

Two or three nights on one of the Chobe Princess houseboats offers an intimate and relaxing way to view wildlife, enjoy spectacular birding, try out a bit of fishing, and take a different mode of transport to the more typical game drive safaris. It makes a great addition to a Victoria Falls visit, or a wonderful beginning or end to a Botswana, Zimbabwe or Zambia safari. See our full report on Chobe Princesses

96%
71 reviews of Chobe Princesses by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Fishing

Helicopter

Private activities

Day 7

Chobe River to Hwange by river & road

Today's 5–6 hour journey starts by boat, to clear customs in Kasane, followed by a short drive to the Kazungula border post. Here, formalities complete, you'll meet your Zimbabwean driver for the air-conditioned journey via Victoria Falls town to Hwange Main Camp, and a final game drive to Somalisa Expeditions.

Somalisa Expeditions
Days 7-11

Somalisa Expeditions

4 nights
Full Board & ActivitiesHwange National Park, Zimbabwe

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.

Somalisa Expeditions

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.

"saw a ton of elephants"

Dr S.fromUSA

Arrived 22 Jun 2024, 2 nights

Somalisa Expeditions provides the experience of a traditional safari camp in the middle of a wildlife-rich area, balancing its simple rustic design with more stylish and comfortable elements. It's a great choice for travellers looking for a classic African safari camp that can deliver excellent guiding and superb wildlife viewing, both on activities and from the camp itself. See our full report on Somalisa Expeditions

98%
18 reviews of Somalisa Expeditions by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Guided walking safari

Night drive

Private activities

Day 11

Driving from Hwange to Victoria Falls

After breakfast at Somalisa, you'll have a leisurely game drive of around two hours to Hwange Main Camp, depending on wildlife sightings. Here you'll switch to an air-conditioned vehicle for the journey on good tar roads to Victoria Falls, arriving at the Victoria Falls Hotel within about 2½–3 hours.

Victoria Falls Hotel
Days 11-13

Victoria Falls Hotel

2 nights
Bed & BreakfastVictoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Not just the most famous name in town, this grand old lady of yesteryear is still up there with the best. Let’s start with the setting. Looking proudly down on the bridge that spans the Zambezi River gorge, the Victoria Falls Hotel remains the closest hotel in town to the waterfall. Just a 15-minute stroll from the extensive lawns and you’re gazing at one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Victoria Falls Hotel

Not just the most famous name in town, this grand old lady of yesteryear is still up there with the best. Let’s start with the setting. Looking proudly down on the bridge that spans the Zambezi River gorge, the Victoria Falls Hotel remains the closest hotel in town to the waterfall. Just a 15-minute stroll from the extensive lawns and you’re gazing at one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.

Then there’s the sheer glamour of the place. Oozing Edwardian style, it is now fitted out in contemporary comfort to marry the charm of the old world with the efficiency of the new.

Not least among its attractions is the imposing Livingstone Room. While jackets and ties are no longer de rigueur, dinner here remains a gloriously formal occasion with a top-notch menu, along with dancing accompanied by a live pianist.

Of course, you could work up an appetite on the tennis court or in the pool, but a relaxing spa treatment seems rather more appropriate before high tea, or perhaps cocktails on the terrace.

"character and comfort..friendly staff..Grounds beautifully maintained."

Mrs H fromLondon

Arrived 10 May 2024, 2 nights

Combine this with committed, service-orientated staff, and it’s no wonder that the hotel remains the place to stay in Victoria Falls. See our full report on Victoria Falls Hotel

94%
167 reviews of Victoria Falls Hotel by travellers since August 2007

Activities

4WD Safari

Birdwatching

Boat trip

Canoeing

Cultural excursion

Elephant encounter

Helicopter

Kayaking

Microlight

White-water rafting

Day 13

Victoria Falls Hotel to the airport by road

After a relaxed morning, your driver will collect you in plenty of time to get you to Victoria Falls Airport for your onward travel arrangements. The journey, on good tar roads, takes around half an hour, and you may stop to pick up other people along the way.

Day 13

Ends: Victoria Falls Airport

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Experiences you can add to this trip.

Optional extra day-trips and excursions possible whilst staying at lodges on this trip. These are usually best arranged in advance so talk to us.


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
95% (4 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
100% (1 reviews)
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
96% (9 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% (40 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)
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
96% (9 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.

More about Bridge Tour
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% (5 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.

More about Cookery Course
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
100% (2 reviews)

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