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Holiday idea | Botswana and Zimbabwe
Small group safari: Chobe, Victoria Falls, Hwange and the Matobo Hills
Fourteen days, fully escorted, with flights from London.
A small group safari that brings together the best of Botswana and Zimbabwe: elephants on the Chobe River, the thunder of Victoria Falls, a private concession on the edge of Hwange National Park and the ancient granite hills of Matobo, with a tour escort looking after you throughout.
From £6,304 per person
Trip highlights
Four of southern Africa's great wild places in one trip
- Three nights on the Chobe River in Botswana, home to one of Africa's largest elephant populations
- Six game drives and two river cruises, the best ways to see the wildlife up close
- A guided tour of Victoria Falls and the Victoria Falls Bridge, with three nights on the Zambezi
- Three nights in a private concession on the edge of Hwange National Park, with an underground hide overlooking the Dete Vlei
- Two nights among the granite boulders of the Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Return flights from London Heathrow and a tour escort throughout
Day by day
How your safari unfolds
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Days 1 and 2
London to Botswana
Fly overnight from Heathrow to Victoria Falls via Addis Ababa. You're met on arrival and driven across the border to Kasane in Botswana, on the banks of the Chobe River.
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Days 2 to 5
Chobe
Three nights at Chobe Safari Lodge on the river, with game drives in Chobe National Park and boat cruises from the lodge, where elephants, hippos and crocodiles gather at the water's edge.
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Days 5 to 8
Victoria Falls
Cross back into Zimbabwe for three nights at The Palm River Hotel, set in gardens on the Zambezi. A guided tour takes you along the Falls and onto the Victoria Falls Bridge, with free time to explore or add a helicopter flight over the Falls.
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Days 8 to 11
Hwange
Three nights at Sable Valley, an intimate lodge of thatched rondavels in a private concession on the edge of Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's largest park. Watch the wildlife come to drink from the underground hide overlooking the Dete Vlei.
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Days 11 to 13
Matobo Hills
Two nights at Amalinda Lodge, built into the ancient granite boulders of the Matobo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rock art, dramatic scenery and rhinos.
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Days 13 and 14
Home
Transfer to Bulawayo for your flight home via Addis Ababa, landing at Heathrow early the next morning.
Where you'll stay
Riverside lodges and hideaways in the wild
Chobe
Chobe Safari Lodge
3 nights, half board
Victoria Falls
The Palm River Hotel
3 nights, bed and breakfast
Hwange
Sable Valley
3 nights in a thatched rondavel, full board
Matobo Hills
Amalinda Lodge
2 nights, full board
Prefer to travel privately? We can tailor a similar safari just for you.
What's included
- Return economy flights from London Heathrow with Ethiopian Airlines, including a 23kg checked bag
- 11 nights in lodges and hotels, with half board in Chobe, breakfast at Victoria Falls and full board in Hwange and the Matobo Hills
- Six game drives and two river cruises
- A guided tour of Victoria Falls and the Victoria Falls Bridge
- All transfers, shared with your group
- A tour escort throughout
Good to know
- This is a small group tour, so you'll travel with other guests on a set departure date.
- British passport holders need a visa for Zimbabwe but not for Botswana. See the questions below for details.
- This route is in malarial areas, so speak to your GP or a travel clinic before you go.
- Ask us about upgrading your flights or adding extra nights at Victoria Falls.
Your questions answered
Botswana and Zimbabwe safari FAQs
Is this a small group or a private safari?
It's a small group safari, so you'll travel with a small number of like-minded guests on a set departure, with a tour escort looking after you throughout. If you'd prefer to travel privately, we can tailor a similar route just for you.
Is May a good time for a safari in Botswana and Zimbabwe?
Yes. May is the start of the dry season. Victoria Falls are still flowing strongly after their April peak, the bush is starting to thin out and animals begin gathering around permanent water, which makes for rewarding game viewing. Pack a warm layer for early morning drives.
Do British travellers need a visa for Botswana and Zimbabwe?
British passport holders don't need a visa for Botswana, but do need one for Zimbabwe, which you can get on arrival or as an e-visa before you travel. As this route enters Zimbabwe twice, a double-entry visa is the simplest option. For both countries your passport needs at least six months' validity and three blank pages. Rules can change, so we'll check the latest advice with you before you go.
How long are the flights?
You fly overnight from London Heathrow with Ethiopian Airlines, connecting in Addis Ababa and arriving at Victoria Falls around lunchtime the next day. The flight home leaves from Bulawayo and also connects in Addis Ababa, landing at Heathrow early the next morning.
Do we need malaria tablets?
Chobe, Victoria Falls and Hwange are in malarial areas, so speak to your GP or a travel clinic about antimalarials and any vaccinations around eight weeks before you travel.
Can we add extra nights or a beach stay?
Yes. Many guests add extra nights at Victoria Falls, or finish with a few days on a beach. Call us on 020 3443 8969 to talk it through. For more inspiration, see our favourite luxury safari stays.
Where to next?
It starts with a chat. No forms or scripts, just a friendly conversation. Call, email or pop into the Lounge, and one of the team will take it from there.
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