Those daydreaming about having a holiday in Africa are absolutely spoiled for choice when it comes to destinations. And yet while the north of the continent is full of old-world culture and plenty of fascinating places, it is in the south that you will really find the laid-back adventure of a lifetime.
Planning a holiday that combines Zimbabwe and Botswana might feel overwhelming at first, after all, these countries have massive expanses of land between each incredible attraction, and some insight and planning is required by even the most seasoned traveller to make the most of a visit.
But when it comes to once-in-a-lifetime holidays, few can match the wild beauty and sheer variety of a Zimbabwe and Botswana combination tour.
Such a holiday will have you standing across from the thunderous Victoria Falls, gliding through the serene Okavango Delta on a local boat, and spotting wildlife that’s not just on your bucket list but feels straight out of a nature documentary.
This is the kind of trip that is guaranteed to shake you out of your everyday routine and plunk you down in a world of extraordinary experiences.
In this guide, we’ll be sharing the insider information, tips and advice to help you either plan a tour or select one that goes above and beyond your intrepid expectations.
Starting Your Journey in South Africa
Most international flights to Southern Africa will arrive in South Africa, which makes this country the perfect comfortable starting point for your combination holiday.
Whether you fly into Johannesburg or Cape Town, South Africa is the ideal springboard to the natural wonders of Zimbabwe and Botswana.
But why rush through when you could linger for a few days?
Your holiday could begin or end with a safari in one of South Africa’s iconic wildlife reserves, either the famous Kruger National Park or its luxurious neighbour, the Sabi Sands Game Reserve.
Sabi Sands is renowned for having some of the very best Big Five sightings in all of Africa, and safaris complete with expert guides who can help you track elusive leopards, lions, and more. Meanwhile, the Kruger National Park is a more rustic experience, where self-drive safaris are a popular option for the more independent traveller, although there is always the option of a guided tour.
You could easily spend a few days here, relaxing and finding your feet after your long haul flight, before the next long leg of your journey into Zimbabwe and Botswana.
Heading to Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is without a doubt one of Africa’s very best wildlife viewing destinations. It is home to huge animal populations, living in pristine national parks that have been meticulously maintained, despite the country’s years of turmoil.
Zimbabwe is just the place for a safari that feels like an old-world adventure. A huge country, most of Zimbabwe’s national parks and other famous attractions have a considerable amount of diving distance between them, but that is part of the fun, and not much of an inconvenience if you are booking a pre-planned guided tour.
Guided tours certainly have the upper hand when it comes to taking the stress out of planning and they will ensure that you get to see all of the best destinations.
Victoria Falls
No Zimbabwe-Botswana holiday is complete without a visit to the legendary Victoria Falls—locally known as “Mosi-oa-Tunya,” or “The Smoke That Thunders” (and it certainly lives up to its name!)
It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve seen the falls (and who can really have “too many” Victoria Falls tours?), the sheer power of this waterfall will leave you in awe of nature, and there are countless ways to experience its magnificence.
One of the best and most unforgettable ways to see the Victoria Falls is to go walking along the paths opposite the falls, which trace the waterfall’s edge. This angle gives you several vantage points to take in the view, and the scene is often draped in a light mist, making the experience feel even more magical.
But if you’re looking for something more adventurous, a helicopter tour will easily give you the most awe-inspiring perspective of all, as you hover above the cascades and are treated to a view that will really have you appreciating its scale.
Feeling even more daring?
You could go white-water rafting down the Zambezi River. This sort of adventure is not for the faint-hearted and your adrenaline will be pumping as you make your way through some of the world’s wildest rapids!
Lake Kariba
After all the excitement and incredible experiences at the Victoria Falls, Lake Kariba is just the place to go for a change of pace. This huge but peaceful lake, which was formed by the damming of the Zambezi River, is every water lover’s paradise. One of the most popular things to do here is to go cruising along the lake’s glassy surface on a houseboat, and watching elephants and hippos wander along the shore at sunset, as you pass by.
For the more active traveller, Lake Kariba is the perfect place for fishing tours where you can try your hand at catching the famous tigerfish. Or perhaps you prefer a walking safari on the islands, where you’ll get up close and personal with the local wildlife?
Lake Kariba is Zimbabwe’s worst-kept secret, but that doesn’t take away the magic of this place. While plenty will visit here all throughout the year, the lake and its shores are so big that your time here will still feel remote and peaceful.
Zimbabwe National Parks
Zimbabwe’s national parks are famous for having some of the best wildlife experiences in Africa.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest reserve, is famous for its elephants, as well as for sightings of lions, leopards, and African wild dogs. A safari here will give you an experience like no other as this is a place that feels almost untouched, where the wildlife moves freely across the plains.
For a more intimate experience, you can visit Mana Pools National Park. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is just the place for a walking safari, where you can track animals like buffalo, zebra, and hippo on foot, while being safely led by expert guides. The park’s proximity to the Zambezi River also means that you’ll often encounter wildlife congregating by the water, especially during the dry season.
Crossing Over to Botswana
Botswana is possibly best known for being fiercely protective of its landscapes and wildlife populations. The country has some of the best conservation laws and practices in the world, and it also has a rather small citizen population, which is mostly concentrated in the south-east of the country, leaving most of the land to the wildlife.
Botswana is a paradise and its main attraction is the Okavango Delta, the world’s only inland delta. This destination is included on every Botwanat tour, so you’ll be very unlucky indeed, if you were to miss a trip here while visiting. Aside from the delta, there are a few other destinations worth adding to your Botswana trip.
About The Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a true natural wonder and it is easy to see why it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Unlike any other delta on the planet, it doesn’t flow into the sea but instead fans out into the arid Kalahari Desert, creating a lush, labyrinthine oasis of waterways, lagoons, and islands.
This unique environment attracts a remarkable variety of wildlife, including herds of elephants and buffalo and even elusive leopards and endangered African wild dogs, so you will want to make sure that you pack your camera. Each year the delta sees many tourists coming through, and as such, there are now plenty of packages and all sorts of accommodation options to choose from.
Okavango Delta Packages
This unique inland delta is a mesmerising place, providing an entirely different African safari experience. Here, instead of the traditional 4×4 safari, you’ll find yourself exploring by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe that is made to glide silently through the water.
Okavango Delta packages often combine boat safaris with walking tours, giving you a fresh perspective on the wildlife. Gliding past elephants drinking at the water’s edge, or spotting a lioness with her cubs resting in the shade, brings you closer to nature in a way that feels deeply personal. The delta is also home to countless bird species, making it a paradise for birdwatchers.
Okavango Delta Accommodation
Botswana is known for its luxurious and eco-conscious lodges, and the Okavango Delta is no exception. You’ll find a variety of accommodation options, ranging from exclusive luxury camps where every comfort is carefully considered, to more rustic eco-lodges that focus on sustainability and a personal interaction with the surrounding natural environment.
There is nothing better than ending your day with a sundowner on your private deck, as the African sun sinks below the horizon and the sounds of the bush come alive around you. Whether you prefer a romantic escape or a family-friendly adventure, Okavango Delta accommodation caters to every kind of traveller.
Botswana National Parks
After your water safari in the delta, the next thing on your agenda should be a trip to Chobe National Park, which is well-known for having one of the highest concentrations of elephants in the world!
Here, a boat cruise along the Chobe River will give you the opportunity to watch these gentle giants bathe and play in the water, often just metres away from your boat.
For those looking to venture further off the beaten path, the Makgadikgadi Pans are just the destination for a surreal trip through a moon-like landscape where you can go quad biking across the salt flats or encounter the resident meerkat colonies. And if it’s the culture you are looking for, you can spend some time with the San people in the Kalahari Desert and enjoy their unique insights and engrossing stories.
Practical Tips for Your Zimbabwe/Botswana Combination Holiday
The best kind of Zimbabwe/Botswana Combination holiday is one that you book with an African travel company that has done the leg work for you and has planned out a combination tour that will take you to all of the very best places. Planned and guided tours leave little room for error and ensure that you don’t miss out on a thing.
But although a planned tour can ensure that you go to all the best places, there’s still some planning that you need to do on your side, such as:
- Choosing the Best Time to Visit
The dry season from May to October is ideal for travelling in both countries. In Zimbabwe, the falls are at their most dramatic just after the rainy season (April to June), while Botswana’s Okavango Delta is best visited during the dry season, when wildlife gathers at the water making sightings a lot easier.
- Take Care of the Travel Logistics
Transfers between the countries are straightforward, with plenty of flight options between the Victoria Falls and Maun, Botswana’s safari hub. If your tour does not include the logistics for flying in between the countries, make sure you do so well before your tour. You will generally be fully responsible for booking your own flights from your home to the destination, and you will also need to deal with passports, visas, etc.
- Find a Tour that Suits your Budget
You can choose from a range of tour packages or tailor-made options. You can also, obviously, plan your own self-drive tour.
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There you have it—the ultimate guide to planning the near-perfect Zimbabwe and Botswana combination holiday. If you’re chasing waterfalls, looking to spot wildlife, or if you’d like to go cruising around the delta, this trip is guaranteed to be one for the books, one that will leave you spellbound.
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