8 Day Botswana Safari: South Africa to Victoria Falls (Lodge Tour)
Embark on an unforgettable Botswana Safari adventure, traveling overland from South Africa to Zimbabwe’s iconic Victoria Falls. This budget-friendly lodge safari explores the breathtaking wilderness of Botswana, including the Kalahari Desert, Okavango Delta, Khwai River, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, and Chobe National Park.
Highlights of this Botswana lodge safari include mokoro excursions in the Okavango Delta, 4×4 game drives in the Khwai River Area and Moremi National Park, a scenic Chobe River cruise, and visiting Victoria Falls, one of the world’s natural wonders.
Itinerary Overview
Day 1: Johannesburg to Palapye – Botswana
Your Botswana Safari begins in Johannesburg, South Africa. After crossing into Botswana, travel through the Kalahari Desert to Palapye, where you stay overnight in a comfortable lodge. Palapye offers a blend of modern comforts and historical significance.
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Palapye to Central Kalahari Desert & Maun – Botswana
Drive through the vast Central Kalahari Desert and past the renowned Orapa Diamond Mine. Skirt the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans before reaching Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Optional scenic flights over the delta are available.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Maun to Khwai Conservation Area, Okavango Delta
Transfer into the heart of the Okavango Delta for a true Botswana Safari experience. Stay in a rustic yet comfortable mobile tented camp in the Khwai Conservation Area. Explore the waterways by mokoro (traditional canoe) and enjoy optional scenic flights over the Delta.
Included Activity: Sunset Mokoro Excursion
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Full Day in Moremi National Park – Botswana
Spend a full day on 4×4 game drives in Moremi National Park, one of Africa’s finest wildlife reserves. Look out for the Big Five, rare African wild dogs, and an abundance of birdlife within the pristine Okavango Delta ecosystems.
Included Activity: Full Day Game Drive
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Khwai to Makgadikgadi Pans (Nata Pan) – Botswana
Journey through Botswana’s remote landscapes to Nata Pan, part of the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Witness breathtaking salt flat views and seasonal flamingo gatherings during your stay at a lodge on the pan’s palm-fringed edge.
Included Activity: Makgadikgadi Salt Pans Views
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Nata to Kasane & Chobe National Park – Botswana
Head to the Chobe River in northern Botswana. In the afternoon, enjoy a Chobe River cruise, a Botswana Safari highlight offering close encounters with elephants, hippos, crocodiles, and more along the riverbanks of Chobe National Park.
Included Activity: Chobe River Boat Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 7: Kasane to Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe
Cross into Zimbabwe to visit the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls. Known as “Mosi-oa-Tunya” or “The Smoke that Thunders,” Victoria Falls offers stunning views, adventurous activities, and local cultural experiences. Optional activities and adventure tours are available today and tomorrow.
Optional Activities: Chobe Morning Game Drive, Victoria Falls National Park Entry, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Adventure Activities
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8: Victoria Falls Departure
After breakfast, your overland Botswana Safari concludes. Many travelers choose to stay longer to enjoy whitewater rafting, helicopter flights, bungee jumping, and other thrilling adventures at Victoria Falls.
Optional Activities: Morning Tram & Bridge Tour, Whitewater Rafting, Bungee Jump, Helicopter Flights
Meals: Breakfast
Additional Information
Optional Extras
- Scenic Okavango Delta Flight
- Bush Walk with San Guides
- Victoria Falls Adventure Activities
- Chobe National Park Game Drive
Child Policy
Children aged 8 and above are welcome on this Botswana Safari. Specific age restrictions may apply to certain activities.
Alternate Safari Options
Shorter versions of this tour are available, including the Highlights of Botswana Safari from Maun to Victoria Falls. Reverse itineraries are also offered. Contact us for more details.
Ready for the ultimate Botswana Safari adventure from South Africa to Victoria Falls? Contact us today to secure your spot!