Zimbabwe & Botswana: Chobe, Hwange & Lake Kariba

G Adventures · 10 days

4.3

2 Reviews

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Duration

10 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Moderate

Physical Rating

Average

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Big news: safariing in Africa is no longer a sedentary affair with this 10-day adventure that takes you truly off the beaten path.

Highlights

Guided tour of Victoria Falls
Glamping in Chobe National Park
Elephant Express Hwange National Park
Lake Kariba stay
Matusadona National Park safari

Trip Details

Duration

10 days

Transportation

Private vehicle, plane, walking, boat, open-air safari vehicle, safari train.

Tour Type

Small Group

Guide Language

English

Starts

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Finishes

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Accommodations

Moderate

Travel Style

Luxury

Physical Rating

Average

Itinerary

Day 1: Victoria Falls: A Waterfall Welcome

In most cultures across the globe, waterfalls symbolize peace and serenity. They demonstrate at once power, and tranquility. Waterfalls are nature's reminder that things are in an ever constant state of movement and change. We welcome you to Victoria Falls, and to Africa, and invite you to find your inner waterfall.
Arrive at any time. After meeting fellow travellers during the welcome meeting, tuck into a delicious dinner on the hotel veranda. Now is the time to recharge, refresh and prepare yourself for the adrenaline rushes on the horizon.

Day 2: Victoria Falls: Your OMG Day

Mosi-oa-Tunya -the original name for Victoria Falls, means "the smoke that thunders". You can almost feel the cold mist on your face and the loud cracking noise just from those words. Experience the smoke and thunder from above and below, by foot and by boat, enjoying a perfectly customized experience. Who says your first day of adventure can't be exactly as you imagine it?
First things first. Head straight into a fully guided tour of Victoria Falls. No trip would be complete without it. Then in the afternoon, the choice is yours. Journey through over 100 years of history on an exciting and informative tour of the Bridge over Victoria Falls. A team of guides takes you through the remarkable history of this iconic structure and offers an engaging look into the past, while serving up an extraordinary birds eye view of the falls. Or keep the blood pumping and join an adrenaline-packed jet boat experience.

Day 3: Chobe: A Window to Africa's past

Step back in time to a scene straight from a hundred years ago-a turn of the century explorers camp setup. Sip a gin and tonic around the fire listening to a story of those who explored this very spot before you were alive. Sleep in the bush with the call of lions in the distance and the sound of your breath keeping time.
Like the true adventurer you are, cross the border from Zimbabwe to Botswana, entering Chobe National Park. Float downriver on board a small vessel and spot elephants, crocodile and hippo. Continue the safari on land en route to our exclusive bush camping experience. Your tent is up, the sun is setting, your headlamp is affixed, and the sounds of Africa surround you.

Day 4: Hwange National Park: A Ride on the Elephant Express

The second day of safari begins and the pace of safari life is starting to sink in. Waking at dawn, as the wildlife emerges for the day, is uniquely rewarding in Africa. Traverse back through Botswana, back to Zimbabwe. Your chariot awaits. In this case, your chariot is a converted 22-seat train car, whisking you through Hwange National park as you spot elephants and zebra as you reach your next destination.
Continuing our journey through time, we bid farewell to Botswana and greet Hwange National Park, crossing back into Zimbabwe. After brunch en route, get your first glimpse of Hwange on board nothing other than a purpose-built railroad car. With open air sides, the train car brings us face to snout with the wildlife of Hwange before we have even arrived at our lodge.

Day 5: Hwange: The Circle of Life from the Ground Up

Walking through the bush on foot, you gain an additional perspective on the life circle of life in Africa. From high up in the vehicle, its difficult to notice the small dung beetles, waddling their way through the dirt, their role in the eco-system just as crucial as the lion, the giraffe and the elephant. Begin your morning on a guided safari bushwalk to discover Africa's smaller creatures and then kick your feet up on a safari drive in the afternoon looking out for those not-so-small elephant.
A full day of safari-on foot and by road-is complimented by a delicious lunch served in the open bush. Its a day full of adventure-but we made sure to leave some time for a cheeky dip in the pool.

Day 6: Hwange: An Elephants' Playground

Hwange National Park is most known for its enormous population of elephant. It's hard to overstate how majestic they are to witness in real life. Crawl into an underground hide to view the elephants at ground level as they drink from the watering hole and move about their daily life.
An early morning safari drive awaits before a slower morning to enjoy the hotter part of the day at our lodge. A refreshing trip to the pool should be in order. After viewing the elephants from our unique vantage point this afternoon, a nighttime safari drive allows an opportunity for unique nocturnal wildlife viewing.

Day 7: Lake Kariba: Lakeside Safari

Lake Kariba is the world's largest man made lake by volume-created by the damming of the Zambezi back in 1959. Now, it's home to cormorants, tigerfish, crocodile and hippo. Swimming in the lake is out of the question, unless you fancy a swim with a hippo, but your lakeside lodge offers the unique opportunity to marvel at Africa's water dwelling wildlife.
A final morning safari drive in Hwange offers one final chance to take in the serenity of this magical place. Take a short flight Hwange over to Kariba. The adventure continues aboard a boat bound for your lodge across Lake Kariba on the southern side. Situated on the lakeshore next to Matusadona National Park just, your lodge is one of the only in the area to offer both water and land wildlife experiences.

Day 8: Lake Kariba: Matusadona National Park and Kariba Sundowners

Matusadona National Park is a story of revitalization. Now under a 20 year agreement under African Parks, Matusadona is fast returning to its former glory as a permanent home for elephant and black rhino. Investment into the local communities has encouraged legal fishing practices to be resumed and local communities to again take pride in becoming stewards and partners in the protection of the area in which they live and work.
On a safari walk in Matusadona early in the morning, you'll keep your eyes peeled for elephant, cape buffalo, and impala. The afternoon offers an opportunity to get out onto the lake to traverse through Sanyati Gorge. The gorge affords you views that rival those of the Fjords of Europe or New Zealand, with an abundance of birdlife and even the occasional antelope dwelling nearby. Sundowners back at the lodge are well earned this evening.

Day 9: Victoria Falls: The Curtain Closes

As you return to Victoria Falls, back to where it all began, the evening comes to a close with an exciting performance. Once night falls, be some of the first guests to see the exciting new local production "Simunye-We are one". This fusion of theatre, dance and song is a thrilling and poignant way to bid farewell to your African adventure.
Victoria Falls welcomes you again, for one final day of adventure. A morning flight awaits, and the afternoon is yours to enjoy as you see fit. Before the evening performance, there is ample time to embark on an optional helicopter ride over the falls to close out the adventure of a lifetime.

Day 10: Victoria Falls

Your adventure comes to an end, and you can depart at any time today.

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (arrival and departure)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We willdo our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an Average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling. (Note: I assume each tour has a different description depending on level of fitness required).

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

From
AUD $14939

AUD $11,204

(Tour only)

Offer ends 01 Oct, 2025 Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 10 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Average

Big news: safariing in Africa is no longer a sedentary affair with this 10-day adventure that takes you truly off the beaten path.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 10 Oct 2025

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Customer Reviews

Overall Rating

Excellent

4.5

Guide

Excellent

4.5

Itinerary

Excellent

4.5

Accommodations

Excellent

4.5

Transportation

Excellent

4.5

Tour Operator

Excellent

4.5

Food

Excellent

4.5

3.5

Peter

Traveled, August 2024

08/16/2024

Interesting program, some details not. Organisation Lochinvar was very focused to let me enjoy the trip, and for extras!There are some details which they can do better, but I enjoyed very much. Lunches during the days can be better. Zambia-English of guides and drivers need extra focus.

5.0

Dennis

Traveled, July 2024

07/28/2024

We loved our tour with Lochinvar Safaris! We felt so well cared for and they were so patient with us! A super thanks goes to Rachel and Phillip who drove us across the country of Zambia and explained all of the historical sites along the way. Mark, Maggie, and Brown were also extremely helpful. We felt rather pampered as this team worked so hard to meet each of our needs and requests, and to answer our questions. I don’t believe I have ever been served in my life, as I was on this trip. I believe any tour through Lochinvar Safaris would be excellent. We chose the 8-day tour of Zambia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. This included 3 different safaris, a river cruise, and tours of the Victoria Falls. We also visited several museums and historical sites. At times our guides would turn us over to a specialized guide in another country, or in a museum, or other event. During that time, our guide would wait patiently for us to return and would greet us at the end of our adventure with a smile, showing interest in what we had seen and experienced. Our guides arranged for us to have our selection of food at the various restaurants that we visited. They worked hard to get us into a nice hotel that had internet, air conditioning, and power, during a time when Zambia was facing severe drought and power shortages. On our free day we chose to do 2 excursions. The first was a lion walk. This was a most amazing experience that I would recommend to everyone. Wow! Then after lunch our guides arranged for us to do white-water rafting on the Zambezi. We are from the Rocky Mountains in western United States and had rafted many times. But nothing had prepared us for this trip. The guides were fabulous, but oh my, what a crazy ride down those rapids! We fell in love with the 3 countries we visited and left knowing that we were going to truly miss the people, the culture, the animals, and the glowing pink sunsets.

Tour Operator

G Adventures, founded in 1990 by Bruce Poon Tip, is a global adventure travel company specializing in small-group tours that emphasize authentic, sustainable, and culturally immersive experiences. Originally launched as GAP Adventures (“Great Adventure People”), the company pioneered the concept of community-driven travel by offering affordable trips that connect travelers with local communities while minimizing environmental impact. Today, G Adventures operates in more than 100 countries, offering a wide range of itineraries across themes such as active adventures, wildlife, wellness, family, and National Geographic–partnered tours, while maintaining a strong commitment to responsible tourism and social enterprise through its Planeterra Foundation.

In Business Since 1990

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