Victoria Falls & Chobe River Houseboat – 5 Days
Victoria Falls is a hub for numerous tours and adventures in the surrounding region; the Chobe river is famous for its herds of elephants and hippo populations. Combined, these two regions make for a great 5-day adventure with the perfect mix of activities and relaxation. By the end of your trip, you’ll have visited Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
Highlights
- Enjoy 2 nights at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge
- Take a guided tour of the falls, then visit a local cultural village
- Relax on a sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River
- Stay on board a luxury houseboat on the Chobe River
Overview
Known as a World Heritage site, the Victoria Falls is a must-see when visiting the southern part of Africa. The falls can be found at the widest points of the Zambezi River and the water crashing down creates a large mist when the water is at full flow.
The Chobe river attracts a variety of wildlife in the area. This is the perfect spot for a quick safari. Our suggested itinerary takes up 5 days and is ideal as an add-on to an existing itinerary or for a short trip. Given the variety of options nearby, we can easily tailor this trip for a longer or shorter duration.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Victoria Falls
Your journey beings at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa. Here, you will board your flight to the Victoria Falls Airport in Zimbabwe. On arrival in Victoria Falls, you will be met by your English-speaking guide and transferred to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge.
A short drive outside the town of Victoria Falls, the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge gives the impression of being in the wilderness and of staying a big and open plan tree house. The lodge has a waterhole that gives guests the opportunity to view herds of wildlife enjoying a drink. Prime time for the waterhole is from sunset to early evening.
Day 2: Guided tour of the Falls and Mpala Village and a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River
After breakfast, your guide will meet you at your hotel for a guided tour to the Victoria Falls. Enjoy a stop at the Big Tree, a huge baobab that is hundreds of years old with a girth of approximately 22 meters.
You then continue on to the Falls themselves. You will start at the Livingstone statue and the Devil’s Cataract and will proceed through a rain forest to Danger Point. The guided tour is a walk of approximately 3 kilometers and you’ll have a number of spectacular viewing points along the way. Keep in mind that raincoats may be needed depending on water levels.
After viewing the Falls, your guide will transfer you to a local African village. Your guide will provide an introduction and the head of the village will take you around to the different homesteads as well as the local borehole. You will also visit a rural school, meeting the children, teachers, and headmaster. Your guide will then take you back to your hotel.
Spend some time at leisure before your guide transfers you to a jetty for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, including light snacks and drinks (local beer and wine). While you are cruising along the Zambezi River you can enjoy the sights and sounds of the area. You might also have a chance of seeing a spectacular African sunset. Your guide will take you back to your hotel after the cruise.
Day 3: Transfer to the Chobe Princesses Houseboats
After breakfast, your guide will transfer you to the northern border of Botswana to clear customs and immigrations. You will then be transferred to Kasane Immigration where you will be met by a representative from the Chobe Princesses. You will then clear customs for Namibia and will be transferred by boat across to Impalila Island. Here, you will check in and board the Chobe Princesses where you will be staying for the next two nights
The boat will provide all meals, as well as activities such as game viewing, guided fishing, birding, and a walk on Impalila Island to see the ancient Baobab tree or to visit a local village on the Namibian side of the river.
The Chobe Princesses has three houseboats and each can take only a small number of guests per boat. There is no set itinerary or departure date and you will enjoy drifting down the Chobe River and viewing spectacular scenery and wildlife along the way. You’ll have your choice of activities, or you can simply choose to relax on one of the deck chairs to view the scenery passing by.
Day 4: On board the Chobe Princesses
Enjoy a day spent on safari on the Chobe River. The activities on offer are flexible and personal as there are only a small number of guests on board each boat.
Day 5: Departure
After an early breakfast, you will be transferred, by boat, to the Kasane Immigrations offices to clear customs to Botswana. A guide will meet you and transfer you to the Victoria Falls Airport (clearing customs en route). You will then be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight back to Johannesburg.
Extending your trip
This trip can easily be extended by a few days or more. Or you can choose to add on additional stays to the exciting Okavango Delta and Kalahari regions of Botswana.
When to go
This trip operates year round. However, it’s good to keep in mind that the weather in December in the Victoria Falls & Chobe region is hot. That is mid-summer so you can expect temperatures to range from 20-35 degrees celsius. December is also the rainy season, which means thundershowers in the mid-afternoons are possible but not guaranteed (although they can be quite spectacular). In short, you can expect a lot of sun shine and short sharp showers – which are welcome!
Map
Map of Victoria Falls & Chobe River Houseboat – 5 Days
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