Holidays
Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari

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Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari

Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia

Available Departures: Oct

15 days from

US$5,560

without flights

View Dates & Prices

Wildlife

Guided Group

LEISURELY

Non-participation lodge safari through the wildest parts of Botswana and Zimbabwe

Trip Code: BZA

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays

4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as regular walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays

10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Section:

Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari

Highlights

The might and majesty of Victoria Falls
Meeting the rescued dogs of the Painted Dog Conservation Centre in Hwange NP
Game walk in Matobos National Park with the chance to see rhinos and some otherworldly San cave paintings
Mekoro cruise in the incredible waterworld wildlife oasis, the Okavango Delta
Relax with sundowners at our epic collection of lodges in or near some of the wildest parks on planet earth

At a Glance

Group Size 4 to 12
15 days overland safari
non-participation lodge accommodation
game drives
mokoro cruise
game walk
sunset cruise
Join In Victoria Falls

Accommodation & Meals

14 Breakfasts
5 Lunches
8 Dinners
1 nights Hotel with swimming pool
2 nights Tented Camp
10 nights Lodge with swimming pool
1 nights Tented Lodge

Overview

This classic journey covers Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe & the core of the international Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area. This initiative is a multi-country effort to create a vast network of interlinking reserves and provide corridors for wildlife movement along natural migration routes, particularly for elephants. The lodges are beautiful, comfortable & make for a great adventure safari.

Is this holiday for you?

Non participation: This is an adventure tour, and as such please expect to get involved. Where there are porters, they’ll help you, otherwise you’ll need to carry your own bag. Included meals are all lodge provided. If you have a particular interest, please let your safari leader know, and he/she will endeavour to make your journey more rewarding.

Itinerary

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Day 1

Victoria Falls

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The majestic sight of the mighty Zambezi River plunging over the Victoria Falls, welcomes you to your Zimbabwe and Botswana adventure. We check into our lodge before we explore the falls and tropical rain forest surrounds on foot in the afternoon before heading out to a local restaurant for dinner (own expense).

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

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Day 2

Hwange National Park

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Hwange National Park is a wildlife jewel, famous for its big game and large herds of elephant. Hwange is home to a wide variety of habitats, from its western regions on the edge of the Kalahari through large grass plains to the forested woodland in east Hwange. Before arriving at our accommodation we visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre. Our comfortable lodge for two nights is situated on the private concession on the eastern boundary of the park, our time is spent on a full day game drive, in open 4WD vehicles, in the park in search of big game.

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

Meals

B D

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Day 3

Hwange National Park

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A second day exploring Hwange National Park including a full day game drive.

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

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Day 4

Matobos National Park

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The rounded granite boulders and undulating valleys of the Matobos National Park are home to some of the last of the rhino in Zimbabwe. We spend our day on an excursion into the park that includes a game walk to see the rhino, discovering the ancient Bushmen paintings that adorn the rocks, and admiring the landscapes from Worlds View, the site of Cecil John Rhodes' grave.

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

Meals

B D

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Day 5

Matobos National Park

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A second day exploring Matobos Natioinal Park including a game walk inside the NP.

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

Meals

B L D

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Day 6

Nata

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This morning we leave Matobos and head west towards the Botswana border, we cross at Plumtree and we make our way to the Nata area for our overnight stop. In the late afternoon we will head out onto the Makgadikgadi Pans, vast saltpans that seem to stretch on to infinity. We will explore the area and have some fun taking photographs before the sunsets golden over the horizon.

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

Meals

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Day 7

Maun

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Maun's name is derived from a San word meaning "place of the short reeds" is nestled at the southern end of the Okavango Delta where our lodge overlooks the beautiful Thamalakane River. Here we prepare for our trip into Moremi Game Reserve and our afternoon is free to bird watch along the river, relax around the pool or take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (own expense).

Accommodation

Hotel with swimming pool

Meals

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Day 8

Moremi Game Reserve

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Startling and unexpected contrasts are created as the waters of the Okavango flood into the drier Kalahari creating the magnificently rich wilderness area with amazing wildlife of the Moremi Game Reserve. Rivers, lagoons, savannah, woodland, Moremi offers some excellent game viewing. With over 400 species of birds, Moremi is also a great place to sight leopard, lion, wild dog, elephant, giraffe and a variety of antelope. We spend our time on game drives in Moremi GR and the surrounding concession along the Mababe River where the lagoons attract the thirsty animals to drink in the late afternoon.
Our tented bush camp is on a private concession east of Moremi, where we enjoy our meals while watching the animals drinking and enjoy the wilderness far from civilization.

Accommodation

Tented Camp

Meals

B L D

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Day 9

Moremi Game Reserve

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A second day of game drives in the Moremi Game Reserve.

Accommodation

Tented Camp

Meals

B L D

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Day 10

Maun

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This morning we have a final game drive on the concession before heading back to our hotel in Maun. This evening we have an own expense meal at a local restaurant.

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

Meals

B L

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Day 11

Okavango Pan Handle - Shakwe

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We drive around the Okavango Delta, and north to our lodge on the banks of the Okavango Pan handle. From the lodge we'll explore the Okavango by mokoro and motor boat. Tranquil reed lined rivers, crystal clear water and abundant bird life. Time to rest, relax and enjoy the views of the Okavango Delta

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

Meals

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Day 12

Okavango Pan Handle - Shakwe

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A second day in the Okavango Delta, cruising through the reeds on mekoro boats.

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

Meals

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Day 13

Caprivi Strip

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Crossing out of Botswana into Namibia and the Mahangu Game Reserve. We game drive through the reserve to our lodge on the Kwando River. We spend our afternoon exploring on a river cruise.

Accommodation

Tented Lodge

Meals

B D

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Day 14

Chobe National Park

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The Caprivi Strip, Zambezi Region, is a thin wedge of Namibia, which separates Botswana in the south and Angola in the north. We cross the Caprivi, back into Botswana at Ngoma and head to our lodge in the town of Kasane. The Chobe River attracts large herds of elephant as it flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park. Our final afternoon is spent on arguably the best wildlife activity in Southern Africa, the game-viewing cruise. See herds of elephants, large crocodiles, pods of hippo and other wildlife as they quench their thirst at the end of the day. The magnificent river sunset is a photographer's dream.

Accommodation

Lodge with swimming pool

Meals

B D

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Day 15

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, & departure day

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Enjoy an optional early morning game drive (own expense) before our last breakfast together. We bid a sad farewell before we embark on a road shuttle transfer to either Kasane airport in Botswana, or Victoria Falls airport in Zimbabwe, in time for midday flight departures. Our tour ends at 10:00am.

Meals

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The Route

Airport

Point

Transfer

Boat

Walk/Trek

Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Holiday

General

Equipment

What's Included

Two professional and qualified guides,

Airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 15 of the Land Only itinerary,

All accommodation as described,

Meals as described in the Meal Plan,

National Park entrance fees,

All activities/excursions mentioned except where specified as 'optional'

What's not Included

Travel Insurance,

Visas (if applicable),

Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan,

Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional,

Tips for local staff,

Miscellaneous personal expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc

Joining Arrangements & Transfers

TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive that low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

The group will meet at the group hotel in Victoria Falls.

On arrival transfers are provided from Victoria Falls Airport to the group hotel. At 1400 on Day 1 you will meet your guide for an introduction and briefing.

The holidays ends in Botswana but includes a transfer to the airport at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (please purchase a double entry visato Zimbabwe at the start of your trip) or Kasane in Botswana.

Meal Plan

14 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 8 dinners are included. All of which are provided by the lodges at which we are staying. Due to travel arrangements or game viewing activities, 3 of the lunches will be packed picnic lunches. Where meals are not included there will be an opportunity to buy a meal en route, but these are mostly travel days so a quick stop is required.

Food & Water

Drinking Water

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. If you are on a trekking or cycling holiday, water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled, filtered or provided in large jerry cans or 5 litre bottles. Additionally you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

Special Diets

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide for special diets. Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your meals with food/snacks from home. If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice. Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

Accommodation

The accommodation throughout this classic journey is of 3+ star style and are chosen not only for

their service and comfort level but also for their wonderful locations and local wildlife viewing opportunities. All rooms have private en suite facilities.

The Moremi tented bush camp on a private concession bordering Moremi GR is a particular highlight.

Group Leader & Support Staff

Group leaders are the key to any successful safari. On this adventure safari, you will travel with two qualified and experienced, registered field guides (FGASA). Two guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, adds up to an informative and interesting small group holiday. Our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you.

Baggage Allowance

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Your baggage will travel in the gear compartment of the truck with the group, and there is a finite amount of space. Please keep the weight of your main luggage to 12kg. You should bring a soft bag as these are more suitable to pack in the vehicle.

Passport & Visas

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

For other nationalities, please refer to your own Government website for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents including vaccinations and health certificates (see Health & Vaccinations below), and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check the FCDO for the latest advice for each country visited before travel.

Visa Botswana

UK nationals do not normally need a visa to enter Botswana for stays of up to 90 days.

Travelling with children under 18yrs - Botswana

Parents travelling with children under 18 years will be asked to show the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. If the child is travelling with one parent, with another adult or unaccompanied, the parent or parents who aren't present will need to provide an affidavit giving their consent for the child to travel. Please note that they are very strict and they do not accept photocopies of birth certificates or short versions. This is also applicable if you are transiting through Botswana. For further details please see FCO website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/botswana/entry-requirements

Visa Zimbabwe

A visa is required. This is obtained on arrival and is $55 single entry and $70 for double. Payment must be in cash and you should take small denomination notes for this.

Important Note: Please check your itinerary and your arrival/departure flights. If your accommodation and flights are from a different side of the falls you may need both a Zambian and a Zimbabwe visa. The town of Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe, and the town of Livingstone is in Zambia.

Additionally If you visit the falls (on the border) and wish to cross the bridge to the other side you will require a visa for both countries.

Visa Namibia

There is a 1,600N$ charge (approx. 80 EUR, or 90 USD) in place as of the 1st April 2025 for 31 countries including the UK and USA which can either be purchased in advance as an e-Visa by following this link: https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/holidayvisa-services, or can be purchased on the day. Namibian immigration has stated that credit card facilities will be available at border posts. However, just in case, we recommend carrying NAD 1,600 or ZAR 1,600 in cash for visa fees, when applying at the border. For further information on how to apply, please click here.

Travelling with children under 18yrs - Namibia

Parents travelling with children under 18 years will be asked to show the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. If the child is travelling with one parent, with another adult or unaccompanied, the parent or parents who aren't present will need to provide an affidavit giving their consent for the child to travel. Please note that they are very strict and they do not accept photocopies of birth certificates or short versions. This is also applicable if you are transiting through Namibia. For further details please see FCDO website.

Health & Vaccinations

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. In addition you should check whether any specific vaccinations are needed to the regions that you are travelling to. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

Malaria

Malaria is present in this country. Malarial prophylaxis are required.

Severe Allergies

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

Currency

The unit of currency in Botswana is the Pula.

The unit of currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). There is currently a shortage of available cash at the banks and ATM’s in Zimbabwe. US Dollars are still widely used, so exchange your currency in advance, or use credit cards where possible, as these are widely accepted also.

The unit of currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar. The Namibian and the the Southern African Rand have the same value, and the Rand is accepted everywhere in Namibia.

Travel Aware

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware’ campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe. Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation. We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground. If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

Single Use Plastic

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

Travel Insurance

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct. Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Equipment List

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

You should bring the following items:

Lightweight walking boots/shoes
Sandals
Socks and underwear
Long lightweight trousers
Shorts
Lightweight waterproof jacket & trousers
T-shirts
Casual shirts with sleeves
Fleece jacket or warm jumper
Sunhat with wide brim
Sunglasses
Buff/scarf for dusty days
Small towel/Travel towel
Daypack 20-25 litres
Headtorch and spare batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)
Water purification tablets
Washbag and toiletries (biodegradable soap is preferred)
Antibacterial handwash
Insect repellent
Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, re-hydration salts (Dioralite), anti-nausea tablets and antihistamine cream/tablets.

The following items are optional:

Light cotton dress or sarong
Swimwear
Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)
A selection of dry bags for daypack/kitbage
Camera
Binoculars (highly recommended)
Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes:

Please be aware than in the Southern African the winter months, June-September, the nights can be cold with an average of between 0-5 degrees Celsius in some places, and the days can be warm between 20-30 degrees Celsius

Bright bold colours and white are not suitable for game viewing or bush wear as they attract insects and the attention of animals. Please do not bring camouflage or military style clothes as they can cause problems with local authorities.

Please dress appropriately for border crossings, village and market visits – ie: no bare feet, no bare chests, no bikinis and no hats. A few restaurants are also not keen on T-shirts and jeans either.

View Dates & Prices

Private Departure?

Gather a few friends, family or club and take over your own departure.

Get in Touch

2025

Sun 12 Oct Sun 26 Oct

US$5,560 per Adult per Adult

US$1,050

Available

Call Us

More Information

Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari
With Flights

Without Flights
Departure Reference: BZA/01/25/
This trip departs the UK on Sat 11 Oct returning to the UK on Mon 27 Oct

This trip begins on Sun 12 Oct and ends on Sun 26 Oct
This departure is available and departs within 5 days. Secure your place today with full payment by contacting the KE office
Single Supplement Price: US$1,165
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Land Only Information

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

The price of our holidays can change depending on a variety of factors but unlike some other tour operators, KE have undertaken to guarantee the Land Only price of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The price when you book is the price you will pay, whether you are booking for this year or the next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best flight prices and take advantage of our 'No Surcharge Guarantee'.

KE Adventure is a fully bonded tour operator. We hold an ATOL license (No: 2808) and are bonded with ABTA (Membership No: W4341)

Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

4 - 6 MODERATE

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

10 - 12 TOUGH

Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

Is this holiday for you?

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

VACCINATIONS

Severe Allergies

You should bring the following items:

The following items are optional:

Notes:

DATES & PRICES

2025

More Information

Land Only Information

Flight Inclusive Information

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

Download Trip Notes

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Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari

Holiday Grades

Our Holiday Grades Explained

1 - 3 LEISURELY

4 - 6 MODERATE

7 - 9 CHALLENGING

10 - 12 TOUGH

Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari

Highlights

At a Glance

Accommodation & Meals

Overview

Is this holiday for you?

Itinerary

The Route

Essential Information

VACCINATIONS

Severe Allergies

You should bring the following items:

The following items are optional:

Notes:

Other Trips You Might like

Ultimate Overland - Coast to Coast Southern Africa

The Great Southern African Lodge Safari

Game Trails of Zimbabwe & Botswana Lodge Safari

DATES & PRICES

2025

More Information

Land Only Information

Flight Inclusive Information

BOOK WITH KE CONFIDENCE - No surcharge guarantee

Download Trip Notes

Get our latest articles and promotions straight to your inbox

KE 2321 Online Reviews

97%

Your Wishlist

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