Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa Safari Tour: Okavango and Kruger

See countless elephants, lions, and more on a thrilling Okavango Delta safari! On this trip, you’ll also discover some of Africa’s best wildlife viewing in Botswana and the lesser-known regions of Zimbabwe and end in the famous Kruger area of South Africa. Enjoy animal sightings on game drives, on foot, and water.

We created this Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa Safari Tour: Okavango and Kruger for a father and daughter from Houston. They loved the outdoors and wanted to see the famous Okavango Delta wildlife, some of the off the beaten track safari areas, and they also wanted opportunities to get out of the safari vehicle and be a bit more active. This trip took them to the best wildlife viewing areas in the Okavango and beyond for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure!

First, for their Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa Safari Tour: Okavango and Kruger, they spent traveled to Botswana and spent 3 nights at Duba Plains, renowned for its intimate wildlife experiences, particularly the dramatic interactions between lions and buffalo in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Its exclusive, eco-friendly camp offered them luxurious accommodations while immersing them in one of Botswana’s most pristine and remote ecosystems. Each day they crossed onto the island to see lions, lots of birds, elephants, hippos and more.

Next, they traveled to another location in Okavango Delta for another 3 nights at Selinda Camp.  With only three suites, Selinda Camp is an excellent example of what a perfect luxury safari in Botswana should be like. They had countless sightings of elephants, lions, cheetahs, giraffes, and much more. Between safari activities, they could lounge in their room and look out over the lagoon to watch the wildlife.

Continuing their Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa Safari Tour: Okavango and Kruger, they flew to Zimbabwe and continued onto the Sapi Concession. The concession is known for its exceptional wildlife viewing, particularly big game like elephants and predators, within a pristine, private wilderness area adjacent to Mana Pools National Park. They stayed at Tembo Plains Camp, which is tucked away into a thick riverine forest on the edge of the Zambezi River. They loved the immersive wildlife safaris, canoeing on the Zambezi River, and all of the photography experiences while at the camp.

From there, they fley to a remote region of Zimbabwe, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. Their lodge Singita Pamushana is perched high on a sandstone ridge overlooking the shimmering expanse of the Malilangwe Dam. This was where they relaxed and refreshed after many days on safari. They loved the ancient rock art sites, and a strong commitment to conservation and community development in the area.

Last on their Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa Safari Tour: Okavango and Kruger, they traveled to South Africa for a last stop near the Kruger National Park on the Sabi Sand concession. Set along the boulder-strewn banks of the Sand River, Boulders Luxury Lodge seamlessly blends the beautiful light, colors, and textures of its surroundings into vast interiors that spill onto expansive wooden decks.  They enjoyed the exceptional wildlife viewing for their last stop, having some close-up encounters with the animals, particularly leopards, within a rich and diverse ecosystem.

At last, after seeing so many animals on their vacation, it was time to travel back to Johannesburg and fly home.

Accommodation
  • 3 Nights Duba Plains Camp
  • 3 Nights Selinda Camp
  • 3 Nights Tembo Plains Camp
  • 3 Nights Singita Pamushana
  • 3 Nights Singita Boulders Lodge
Transportation
  • All airport transfers
  • All land transfers between lodges
  • All flights between lodges

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1
Welcome to Botswana! Fly into Maun Airport and catch a connecting flight to the Duba Plains airstrip. Your home for the next 3 nights is Duba Plains, which is renowned for its intimate wildlife experiences, particularly the dramatic interactions between lions and buffalo in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Its exclusive, eco-friendly camp offers guests luxurious accommodations while immersing them in one of Botswana’s most pristine and remote ecosystems. Relax and enjoy your plunge pool and amazing food.
Duba Plains Camp

Days 2 – 3
The next 2 days are yours to spend as you wish. Game drives depart in the morning and afternoon, but if you’d like a change of pace, you can also opt for a water safari.
Duba Plains Camp

Day 4
Today, you will fly to your next location, Selinda Camp, in one of the most pristine wilderness areas left on our planet: the banks of Botswana’s Selinda Spillway as it enters the Linyanti River. The camp is known for its scenic landscapes, and the concession is home to an array of wildlife, including large elephant herds, predators, and rare species like wild dogs. In the evenings, you can relax around the campfire with your fellow guests and share exciting stories of the wildlife you spotted daily.
Selinda Camp

Days 5-6
These next 2 days are spent on activities in the Selinda concession. You can do game drives, guided bush walks, and canoeing along the Selinda Spillway, allowing diverse and immersive wildlife experiences.
Selinda Camp

Day 7
It’s on to your next location in Zimbabwe today. You will fly to Kasane onto Victoria Falls and then to the airstrip on the Sapi concession, which is known for its exceptional wildlife viewing, particularly big game like elephants and predators, within a pristine, private wilderness area adjacent to Mana Pools National Park. Then you will game drive to Tembo Plains Camp. Tembo” means Elephant in Swahili. This luxury safari camp honors the animals found on these Zimbabwean plains alongside the Zambezi River.
Tembo Plains Camp

Days 8–9
Spend these days on safari on the Sapi Concession and Mana Pools, offering a unique blend of remote wilderness exploration and incredible wildlife encounters, particularly along the Zambezi River. You can experience walking safaris, canoeing, and game drives in a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its diverse ecosystems, thriving elephant populations, and remarkable predator sightings.
Tembo Plains Camp

Day 10
Now for something completely different. You will fly to a remote region of Zimbabwe, Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve. You will be transferred to Singita Pamushana, a luxurious lodge set within the reserve, offering you unparalleled access to diverse wildlife, ancient rock art sites, and a strong commitment to conservation and community development in Zimbabwe. You will love your experience with Singita, the lodge, the service and the food!
Singita Pamushana

Days 11-12
You can spend your days here doing as much or as little as you like. Activities include game drives and guided walks through diverse habitats, which offer opportunities to see a wide range of wildlife, including rare species like the black rhino. You can also explore ancient San rock art sites and enjoy serene boat cruises on the reserve’s scenic dam.
Singita Pamushana

Day 13
Today you are off to South Africa for the last leg of your trip. Fly to the Kruger National Park area and be transferred to the Sabi Sand Concession. Set along the boulder-strewn banks of the Sand River, Boulders Luxury Lodge seamlessly blends the beautiful light, colors, and textures of its surroundings into vast interiors that spill onto expansive wooden decks.  Boulders is your home for your last 3 nights
Singita Boulders Lodge

Days 14-15
Your last days on safari in Sabi Sand will be exceptional. The private reserve offers some of Africa’s most consistent close-up encounters with the Big Five, particularly leopards, within a rich and diverse ecosystem adjoining Kruger National Park.
Singita Boulders Lodge

Day 16
At last, all of your safari experiences come to end and you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.

About this vacation
Cost Per Person

Based on
16 day stay
2 travelers

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