Journey from Botswana to Zimbabwe
Great Elephant Migration Safari
Overview
Imagine exploring the utterly remote game lands linking Botswana's renowned Chobe National Park with the famed elephant stronghold of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe—some 200,000 elephants roam this wild trans-frontier corridor. We'll head across rich savannas unknown to most travelers, encountering massive herds of elephants and plenty of other wildlife including lion, rare sable antelope, African painted dog, wildebeest, buffalo, giraffe, and more. Our unique and wonderfully located lodges bring all the comforts, and in Hwange, we'll visit the new sanctuary for white rhinos, a community-owned conservation success.
Arrive: Kasane, Botswana
Depart: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Highlights
- Witness huge herds of migrating elephants at waterholes
- Extraordinary wildlife, including lion, leopard, African painted dog, giraffe, roan, and kudu
- Track game on foot and enjoy optional mountain biking as part of the adventure
- Gorgeous safari camps in Hwange and Chobe, each with its own unique atmosphere
- Learn about the local community's conservation successes
- Visit astounding Victoria Falls
Itinerary
Botswana's Chobe National Park is the world's busiest elephant corridor, but we'll also be on the lookout for leopard, lion, spotted hyena, jackal, and giraffe. A flight brings us to Nehimba Lodge in Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park, home to some of the highest concentrations of elephant on the planet, some of whom visit our lodge's lively waterhole. This area is also lion-rich and we have it to ourselves as we explore its mopane woodland and sand river environment.
The open-air Elephant Express rail car brings us to Camelthorn Lodge in southeastern Hwange. Game viewing by 4WD vehicle has us on the lookout for elephant, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, and impala. We'll also visit the rhino sanctuary built on community land and guarded by an anti-poaching unit.
At Jozibanini, game walks let us track the fauna of southern Hwange, including the African painted dog, and we'll visit St. Joseph's School, with its enthusiastic students eager to welcome visitors. Our camp's look-up blind brings unique views of elephants, and we'll sleep under the stars in the most remote camp in southern Africa.
We fly to Victoria Falls for a tour of the falls and sundowner cruise on the Zambezi. Depart on Day 12.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
This trip is Level 2+ (Easy to Moderate) according to our trip grading system. It can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonably good health. Optional game walks are available. Although not a walking safari, you must to be able to walk on uneven surfaces and feel comfortable on your feet for up to 2 hours a day.
Additionally, you need to be able to climb in and out of the safari vehicle.
Review Trip Level Details
Average Walking Day
- 1-2 hours
- 1-2 miles
- Flat terrain
July through October are fantastic months to visit Botswana and Zimbabwe, as this is in the peak of the “dry” season, the best game viewing period. Because of the minimal rainfall during this season, the bush turns golden brown and in many areas is beaten flat, so game viewing is easier and animals concentrate around major water sources. It is the end of winter and so the nights and the early mornings are cold and the days are warm and dry. Days will be in the mid 70s to low 90s (later in the season) and nights in the 50s. Warm coats and insulating layers are necessary on early morning game drives.
Each of our safari lodges and camps has been meticulously designed to offer all your home comforts, a splash of luxury and an exciting dash of African charm. On top of this, our locations have been carefully selected for two vital reasons; the local communities' dedication to our conservation partnership and their proximity to some of nature's most impressive wonders, from the famous Victoria Falls, to the mighty Zambezi River and Hwange National Park, famed for its thousands of elephants.
While on safari, breakfasts and evening meals are served at the lodge you are staying in. Lunches while traveling between destinations will be served picnic-style en route. Bottled water, soft drinks, juice, house wine, and beer are included throughout the trip. All vehicles are equipped with a fridge or cool box stocked with bottled water. Tea and coffee are offered by all accommodations free of charge with meals and at afternoon teatime.
On safari, there are long driving days over rugged dirt tracks, we can be in and out of the vehicles all day long, usually only driving approximately 2 hours at a time. We will be in a 7-seat open sided 4WD vehicle with a roof for sun protection. We sit 6 people max per vehicle to optimize everyone's view and provide wool blankets for early morning and evening game drives.
During drives and game walks, we can get quite close to wild animals at times. Being very quiet improves everybody's chances of observation. In the interest of safety, your Trip Leader explains limitations on movement while on game drives, on walks, and around camp. Incidents with wild animals are extremely rare on safaris, but no safari can guarantee immunity from such incidents. Wilderness Travel is not to be held responsible for incidents involving the behavior of wildlife.
Client Testimonials
"This was the most amazing travel experience in a dozen years of travel. The nature, our elephant encounters, Butch, every camp and staff, food, and fellow travelers all made this experience amazingly fun and rewarding in every respect. Thank You!"
Barb C.
Evergreen, CO
"Each of the camps and lodges was spectacular in its own way. We also enjoyed the opportunity to discuss animal conservation and community with our guides, who went above and beyond at every opportunity. A tremendous experience."
Jeannee S.
Milwaukee, WI
"One of the most unique trips that I have ever taken. The interaction with elephants was amazing!"
Karen S.
Tesuque, NM
"The variety and amount of wildlife was incredible. As expected, tons and tons of elephants and so many babies and so close up! I loved watching them. We saw lions every day, and the first pride had at least 6 cubs. We also saw another pride eating a recent kill. What sets this trip apart is usually we were the only safari vehicle in an area. At the most, we might be in view with one other vehicle. No competition for the best viewing location."
Kim M.
Phoenix, AZ
"This trip was phenomenal. We could not have asked for a better experience. Every part of the trip exceeded our expectations."
Renee G.
Glen Allen, VA
"The trip was better than we could have imagined. Africa is awe inspiring, and Wilderness Travel put together an unforgettable trip."
Steven L.
Monroe, NY
"This trip was amazing in so many ways. The design of it allowed us to fully immerse in the wonders of Zimbabwe and Botswana, knowing that EVERYTHING else was totally handled (guiding, travel, lodging, food, safety)."
Vincent T.
Redondo Beach, CA
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Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!
Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.