This 6-day journey visits the majestic Victoria Falls and includes a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, a rhino walking safari and ālunch with the elephantsā in Zambia, and private game drives and boat safaris in Chobe National Park.
This safari is a private journey and not a group tour. It can be further customised to suit the number of days you wish to travel, and can also include other destinations.
There are daily flights direct to Livingstone from Cape Town, Johannesburg-OR Tambo, Kruger-Nelspruit and Nairobi.
Children under 12 receive a discount.
The cost excludes regional flights during this safari but we can book these for you.
COST INCLUDES:
COST EXCLUDES:
ACTIVITIES
TRANSPORT
WHEN TO VISIT
In Southern Africa the seasons are generally the same as in other southern hemisphere countries, with spring/summer from October to April and winter/autumn from May to September.
In the Zambezi-Chobe safari regions, spring/summer is characterised by hot humid days and afternoon thunderstorms. Daytime temperatures can get very high followed by cooler, comfortable nights. Vegetation is at its highest and thickest during these months which can make wildlife-spotting difficult although the regionās birdlife is at its most prolific. Travelling in this same area during the autumn/winter brings clear and warm days with cool to chilly evenings. Known as the ādry seasonā, this is possibly the best period for wildlife viewing as the permanent waterholes attract many animals, and the thinning vegetation offers unobstructed views.Ā
Within the dry season, we recommend coming in May or June as there can still be some greenery in the landscape but there is no risk of rain plus fewer visitors compared to the peak visitor months from July to September. It is worth noting that the month of October can be especially hot and humid, as the rains have usually not arrived but the cool winter weather has ended.
For your visit to the Victoria Falls it is worth noting that the dry season is when the Zambezi River is at its lowest and the falls can subsequently be better described as a trickle, especially on the Zambian side. Conversely, the months of February to May can see the river at its highest level and the popular Livingstone Island/Devilās Pool tour can be closed due to safety reasons.
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VISAS
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the end of your time in Southern Africa, and it is a good idea to bring a few photocopies in case you lose the original. In addition to a passport, children under 18 years of age entering Botswana with only one parent or with parents who have a different surname are required to produce additional documentation upon arrival. See here for further information about travelling with children.
For travel in Zambia and Zimbabwe, travellers of most nationalities are required to pay for a visa which is issued upon arrival. Although most visitors are not required to obtain a visa before entering Botswana, this is not applicable to all nationalities. Compass Odyssey does not issue visas nor can we complete visa applications for our travellers. While we will obviously assist our travellers with the documentation required for any visa applications, it is the responsibility of our travellers to investigate the visa requirements for their journey and to complete any necessary applications.
An immigration form sometimes needs to be completed when entering and departing these Southern African countries. This form requests information such as passport and birth particulars, as well as the address of your accommodation. Prior to your safari, we provide you with a personal Safari Dossier that includes a swathe of information including the booking references, transport timings and contact numbers specific to your journey.
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TRAVELLERāS HEALTH
Yellow Fever and malaria are the two major health considerations for travellers coming to Southern Africa.
Yellow Fever is a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes, and approximately 200,000 cases occur each year with the vast majority of these occurring in parts of Africa and Central/South America. Ā A Yellow Fever vaccination certificate is not required for entering Southern Africa unless you are coming from ā or you are in airport transit for more than 12 hours within – a country deemed to be infected with Yellow Fever. The World Health Organisation lists the southern African countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe as being free from Yellow Fever. For further clarification on Yellow Fever, refer to tables 4-23, 4-24 and 4-27 on this page of the website for the US-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Malaria is present in most of Southern Africaās safari regions. See here for further information. A number of other tropical diseases are present in Southern Africa but generally the biggest health risk you will face on your safari is usually an upset tummy (often caused by dehydration) or a cold. Ā For complete peace of mind we recommend you visit your local GP or Travel Health Clinic.
This morning you fly to Livingstone where our local guide, Mortimer transfers you to your tranquil camp on the banks of the mighty Zambezi River. Later this afternoon you embark on a complimentary sunset cruise on this famous river.
Accommodation: Camp Nkwazi
Mid-range 3-star tented camp located on the Zambezi River
Meals:
Dinner
We are pleased to offer you a complimentary guided visit to the Victoria Falls during your stay (Zimbabwean and Zambian sides; includes entrance fees). We have not included any other activities in your safari, allowing you the freedom to choose what youād like to do and when youād like to do it. The plethora of activities on offer includes Zambezi river cruises and white-water rafting or canoeing, rhino and elephant walking safaris, helicopter and microlight scenic flights, African township and village tours, adrenaline activities like bungee jumping and zip sliding, and much more. We especially recommend āTour the Townshipā with our local guide, Mortimer who introduces you to his home turf and often invites our travelers to lunch with his wife and family. We will send you our separate āVictoria Falls Activitiesā booklet, and we can pre-book any of these for you or they can be organized by Mortimer upon your arrival.
Accommodation: Batonka Guest Lodge
Mid-range 4-star lodge located in Victoria Falls
Meals:
Breakfast
Today you travel to Botswana and Garden Lodge, located in the small safari town of Kasane on the banks of the Chobe River. The private road transfer from Victoria Falls passes through bushveld that is home to wildlife such as elephant and giraffe, sightings of which often occur during the drive. You are again accompanied by our local guide who will assist with the cross-border formalities. This afternoon you embark on a private boat safari along the Chobe River. The accompanying sunset on the river often provides a truly memorable moment of your African safari. From your riverside accommodation, you are usually āserenadedā to sleep tonight by the grunts coming from nearby pods of hippo as they venture out of the water to graze on the lodge’s lush lawn.
Accommodation: The Garden Lodge
Mid-range 3-star lodge located on the Chobe River in Kasane
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Your day revolves around morning and afternoon private game drives within the Chobe National Park. Youāll also enjoy delicious home-style meals and have time for some quality lazing by the pool and perhaps even a midday siesta.
Note: You have the option today of a full day private game drive that ventures further into the park and takes along a picnic lunch. To make your safari extra special, Compass Odyssey travelers are provided with a private vehicle and boat during your stay in Chobe ā other companies typically offer game drives with up to 10 passengers and boat safaris with 10-50+ travelers on board.
During your game drives, be on the lookout for predators such as lion and hyena, and iconic herbivores such as buffalo, zebra, giraffe, warthog and wildebeest. On your boat safaris along the Chobe River you will encounter all manner of wildlife, including Nile crocodile and the Chobeās great herds of elephant as they come to the riverās edge to drink and frolic in the fresh water.
Accommodation: The Garden Lodge
Mid-range 3-star lodge located on the Chobe River in Kasane
Meals:
Breakfast, lunch & dinner
This morningās private boat safari on the Chobe River offers a serene and tranquil end to your safari. After a hearty brunch, we then say tsamaya sentle (āgoodbye and go wellā in the local Setswana language) as you are transferred the short distance to Kasane Airport for your onward travel arrangements. There is a daily flight from Kasane to Johannesburg-OR Tambo.
During your stay in the Zambezi-Chobe region you will experience our natural beauty and renowned African hospitality, as well as the iconic African wildlife. Thank you for choosing to visit us on this Compass Odyssey safari. Sizobonana msinya (āSee you soonā).
Meals:
Breakfast