Trip details

The Okavango sets the standard for wildlife and activities, and the Khwai area promises an intimate, affordable slice of the Delta. Experiences are largely water (along seasonal channels or the brimming Khwai River) or land-based and the lodges tailor offerings according to their geography. On the water, iconic mokoro safaris lead the way and are in their prime from April to October. Boat safaris are also possible but exploring at eye-level in the small, dugout mokoros is magical, taking you closer to the wildlife congregating on the banks, and floating past wallowing hippos and elephants in the shallows. Wildlife-wise, the herbivore variety includes herds of buffalo, sable and roan, while leopards hide in the treetops.

On land, day and night game drives will have you flexing your binos. Four out of the Big Five are common (not rhino), as well as African painted dogs and a menagerie of birds. For big cats, early morning game drives are a must to spot them still mobile before they rest up for the day. Head out at night to catch some of the smaller nocturnal action - keep your eyes peeled for hyenas, porcupines and genets. Make time for a walking safari to get into the nitty gritty of the animal kingdom and admire the juicy scenery.

The safari superstar of Southern Africa, the Delta sets the standard for wildlife and activities, and the Central Okavango offers the best of it. Experiences are largely water- or land-based and the lodges tailor offerings according to their geography, whilst most offer both options. Seasonal mokoro safaris lead the way and are in their prime from April to October. Boat safaris are also possible but exploring at eye-level in the small, dugout mokoros is magical, taking you closer to the wildlife congregating on the banks and over 400 bird species - ‘lifers’ are often checked off along the way.

On land, day and night game drives will have you flexing your binos. Four out of the Big Five are common (not rhino), as well as African painted dog, zebra, unusual antelope (roan and sable) and a menagerie of birds. For big cats, daytime sightings are fantastic, but head out at night to catch some of the real action when leopards and lions are on the hunt. Make time for a walking safari to get into the nitty gritty of the animal kingdom and admire the juicy scenery.

With such a varied and mesmerising landscape of waterways and lagoons, enormous forests and palm-dotted islands, the Linyanti sets the scene perfectly for a classic Botswana safari. The area is famous for its large herds of elephants, big cats and the elusive African painted dog and game drives offer the highest chance of seeing them all, especially as off-road driving is permitted. Drives depart in the morning and afternoon and night safaris are often available, ideal if your wishlist holds bushbabies, genets or leopard. For the intrepid, a walking safari through the wilderness hits the adventure nail on the head.

On the water, things are just as interesting. Try a traditional mokoro (dugout) canoe safari from April to October when the water is at its highest and enjoy floating along the papyrus-lined channels, spotting wildlife on the banks and in the water. Boat safaris are also possible in the deeper channels and some lodges offer catch-and-release fishing. The focus is of course the shimmering bream below, but it’s also a great chance to watch the birdlife overhead.

The Chobe River will become your second home on a trip up here and seeing the famous Chobe elephants and buffalo gather on the banks in their hundreds to splash, play and drink is unforgettable. For maximum exposure and the best view, a boat trip is key and there are different options to suit all styles and requirements. Early-morning trips are longer and often better for birding (Chobe is renowned for its water birds), but sunset cruises have the advantage of spotting nocturnal animals - and a G&T as the sun sets. For photographers, we would recommend choosing a customised, double-decker vessel for spectacular photos.

Away from the river, the terrain is a patchwork of mopane woodland and dry, Kalahari soil. The animals are dotted around but quite easy to see, and your sightings list should include cheetah, leopard, lion and spotted hyena. The cats are easier to spot on game drives (usually on offer twice daily, morning and afternoon), but lion are often known to lie in wait for their prey on the riverbank, offering up a good chance of boat-based sightings too.

A highlight on any Southern Africa trip, seeing Vic Falls in all its pounding, dramatic, mesmerising glory is unforgettable – and there is plenty to keep you busy in the area. Firstly, we recommend a walk (guided or unguided) to get a feel for the sheer enormity of the waterfall, before taking to the skies and marvelling from above in either a helicopter or a microlight. Both offer incredible views and big, bucket-list ticks.

To really get the adrenalin going, there’s a selection of daredevil activities to choose from – bungee jumping, gorge swinging, white water rafting and trips to the iconic Devil’s Pool spring to mind – but if something more sedate is on the cards, there are languid boat trips on the Zambezi, sundowner cruises and wonderful afternoon teas to enjoy.

If safari is on your mind, there are a couple of options to choose from. Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers good game viewing of elephant, buffalo, giraffe and zebra (sadly no big cats) as well as fantastic rhino tracking opportunities and walking safaris. Otherwise, take a day trip to Botswana’s Chobe National Park for the Big Five and river cruises to see the hundreds of elephant the park is rightly famous for.