Breakfast:
In camp.
Morning:
After breakfast, we will transfer to a nearby dirt airstrip with game viewing en-route. We will take a small aircraft charter flight from the airstrip to the town of Kasane, the gateway to Chobe National Park. Upon arrival in Kasane, we will be met and driven in a minibus a short distance to the jetty for our late morning boat safari. We will explore the Chobe River by motorboat with a local safari expert, where we may come face to face with the elephant, buffalo and other wildlife that gather on the banks of the river to drink and bathe. We'll find ourselves immersed in the unique environment, viewing numerous birds including sacred ibis, blue heron, goliath heron, saddle-billed storks, marabou storks and little egrets. Chobe National Park remains one of Africa’s prime game-viewing areas. Here, one finds all of the “Big Five,” except for rhino. This is elephant country, home to the largest population of elephants in the world…many of these great grey giants can be seen at this time of year. (Note: seasonality makes a big difference in how much game you will see. If it’s dry you will see larger herds; if it has recently rained the animals will be more dispersed). The park forms part of Botswana’s northern-most border and is a contrast of desert aridity and flood plains. The Chobe region is best known for its vast magnificent river and floodplains filled with grazing herds of big game. Buffalo, sable, lion, leopard, hippo, hyena, and many species of antelope find safety in this huge national park. Chobe is one of Africa’s most pristine ecosystems and greatest wildlife refuges. At the conclusion of our boat safari, we be taken to a local lodge for lunch.
Lunch:
We will enjoy an expansive buffet lunch at a lodge near Chobe National Park, with numerous salad, main dish and dessert options. Bottled water will be provided, with other beverages available for purchase.
Afternoon:
Following lunch, we will transfer to the Kazungula border to clear Zimbabwe immigration formalities. Then, our transfer will continue on to Victoria Falls, where we will see the waterfall on the Zimbabwean side. Upon our entrance to the park, we will walk along the path with commentary from the Group Leader about the formation of the falls, as well as the local flora and birdlife seen. Since the waterfall spans the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, it is visible from both countries, but the majority of the water falls on the Zimbabwean side. Viewing the Falls from this side offers numerous overlooks and truly gives us a feeling for the full majesty of this natural wonder. What we call Victoria Falls is known as Mosi oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders) in the language of the Lozi people. One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and a World Heritage Site, this is also considered the largest and most spectacular waterfall anywhere with a height of 360 feet (108 meters) and a width of 5,603 feet (1,708 meters), awesome in size and power as the Zambezi River rushes over an abrupt chasm. Its English name was given by Scottish explorer David Livingstone, the first European known to have visited here in 1855, in honor of Queen Victoria. Afterward, we will be driven a short distance to our lodge, where we will check-in and settle into our rooms.
Dinner:
At the lodge, we will have a 3-course, set menu dinner, plus coffee, tea, water; other beverages available for purchase.
Evening:
At leisure.