8 Day Chobe NP, Elephant Sands, Okavango Delta & Victoria Falls

Africa gets bigger each day. This eight-day safari links Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe with Chobe National Park, Elephant Sands, the Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. You move through three countries and several very different wildlife settings, from a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River to a low flight over the Delta and a full day in a dug-out canoe.

I like the strong mix of activities, especially the chance to see the falls from both Zimbabwe and Zambia and then shift from river cruising to open-vehicle game drives. I also like the small maximum group size of nine, plus the practical pickup and transfer service. The main drawback is the pace: long drives, early starts and border procedures leave little room for a lazy safari day.

The strongest parts of the trip

• Victoria Falls from two countries: You see the falls from both the Zimbabwean and Zambian sides, giving you different angles on the same huge natural wonder.
• A sunset on the Zambezi: The first afternoon ends with a four-hour cruise, finger snacks, birds on the river and animals coming for their last drink.
• Chobe by boat and 4×4: A morning river safari is followed by lunch and an afternoon game drive in Botswana.
• Elephant Sands at close range: The lodge is known for its elephant activity, and the schedule includes both a dawn drive and a later game drive.
• The Okavango from the air and water: A 45-minute scenic flight is paired with a full-day mokoro trip through the Delta.
• A full Moremi safari: The final major activity gives you a chance to look for lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, zebras, kudus and antelopes.

What the $3,100 price covers

At $3,100 per person, this is not a cheap holiday. It is, however, a substantial package covering multiple parks, international border crossings, accommodation, guides, transfers and a large number of activities.

The price includes a 4×4 vehicle for game drives, park fees, hotel pickup and drop-off, live guides, air-conditioned transfer vehicles, seven breakfasts and four lunches. Those inclusions matter in southern Africa, where park fees and long-distance transport can quickly add up.

You also avoid the work of arranging separate transfers between Zimbabwe and Botswana, booking the Chobe river cruise, finding transport to Elephant Sands, organizing the Okavango flight and setting up a Moremi game drive. The company has handled customized longer trips for some customers, including journeys through Zimbabwe, Zambia and Botswana, so there is some evidence of flexibility if you want to ask about changes.

Still, check the exact accommodation plan before paying. Cresta Maun Hotel is named for the Maun stay, but the other properties are not specified in the supplied details. The package also excludes visas and related costs. Because you cross borders, you should confirm visa requirements for your passport before the trip.

Day 1: A Zambezi sunset after arriving in Victoria Falls

Your first day begins at Victoria Falls International Airport. The operator provides a transfer to your accommodation, but you need to send your flight details in advance. The pickup time depends on when your plane lands.

At 3:30 pm, you meet your driver-guide for the sunset cruise. The four-hour outing travels along the Zambezi as the light softens over the river. You can expect birds near the water and wildlife arriving for an evening drink, with finger snacks served during the cruise.

This is a smart opening activity. After a flight, you are not being pushed straight into a demanding game drive. The boat gives you time to settle in, see the river at an easy pace and begin the safari without a long road transfer.

One practical point needs clarification. The general meeting information gives a 2:00 pm start time, while the day-by-day plan says the sunset cruise pickup is at 3:30 pm. Your flight arrival and the operator’s final confirmation should settle the timing.

Day 2: Victoria Falls from Zimbabwe and Zambia

The second day is devoted to Victoria Falls, with a guided visit to both sides of the border. Pickup begins at 8:30 am from your hotel, and the starting side depends on where you are staying.

The Zimbabwean and Zambian sides offer different views, so this is more useful than simply repeating the same walk. The tour is designed to bring you close to the falls and to several viewpoints overlooking the rushing water. Expect a six-hour outing, including the border crossing between the two countries.

This is the day when sensible preparation pays off. Bring the passport and travel documents required for your border crossing, and ask the operator about visa rules before departure. Visa costs are not included in the tour price.

The falls are the visual centerpiece of the Zimbabwe section, but the day can also be wet and tiring near the viewpoints. Pack carefully and protect cameras and phones. The provided details do not specify exactly how much walking is involved, so ask if you need a precise route or mobility guidance.

Day 3: Chobe combines a river safari with a game drive

You leave your hotel at 7:30 am for the trip into Botswana. At the Kazungula border, a Botswana guide takes over. Your luggage is loaded into a backup vehicle, and you continue to the Chobe River for the morning boat safari.

Tea, coffee and biscuits are provided. The river cruise ends at about 12:30 pm, followed by lunch at a hotel on the riverbank. After lunch, you board a safari vehicle for an afternoon drive in Chobe National Park.

I like this two-part design because water and land show you different sides of the park. From the river, you can watch animals approach the water and see the park from a quieter viewpoint. The afternoon 4×4 drive then lets your guide search inland for animals and changing activity.

This is also one of the longest days, at about nine hours, before you even consider the border crossing. Keep your important documents handy, and do not expect the day to feel leisurely. The luggage transfer is helpful, but you should still carry essentials such as medication, a camera and anything you need during the day.

The schedule says the morning cruise, lunch and afternoon game drive are followed by assistance with hotel check-in. The exact Chobe accommodation should be confirmed in advance.

Day 4: Dawn wildlife and Elephant Sands

The fourth day starts at 5:30 am with a three-hour morning game drive. The early departure is meant to improve your chance of seeing cats while they are still hunting. The stated wildlife possibilities include elephants, antelopes, buffalo and impalas.

Tea is served during the drive, followed by breakfast at the lodge. Then comes a road transfer of about 260 kilometers from Kasane to Elephant Sands Lodge. On arrival, you check in and take an afternoon game drive, either in a private concession or a park area, based on your guide’s recommendation.

Elephant Sands is a very different stop from Chobe. The emphasis here is elephants, and the name tells you what the lodge is built around. If elephant encounters are high on your wish list, this may be one of the most memorable nights of the trip.

The trade-off is another early morning followed by a long drive. You will spend much of the day either watching wildlife or moving between areas. I would plan for comfort rather than style: light luggage, water, sun protection and clothing that works for both a chilly dawn and a warmer afternoon.

The tour information says the lodge is located in a park home to elephants, but it does not provide room categories or a detailed description of the property. Ask about the accommodation setup before booking if comfort level is important to you.

Day 5: A 45-minute flight over the Okavango Delta

After breakfast, you leave at 9:00 am for Maun, a drive of about 300 kilometers through the park. Arrival is expected around noon, with check-in at Cresta Maun Hotel and lunch at the hotel.

At 2:30 pm, you take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta. The flight lasts 45 minutes, then you return to the hotel.

The aerial flight is valuable because the Okavango is a huge watery system that can be difficult to understand from ground level. From above, you get a broad view of channels, islands and animal habitat, though the details of the flight route and aircraft are not provided.

This is a relatively gentle afternoon after the long transfer from Elephant Sands. It also gives you a first look at the Delta before the next day’s slower trip through the waterways.

Maun functions as the base for these activities, and the plan names Cresta Maun Hotel specifically. Since the flight depends on weather and operating conditions, ask the operator how changes are handled if the flight cannot run as scheduled.

Day 6: The Okavango by mokoro

Pickup for the full-day mokoro adventure is at 7:00 am. You are expected to return around 5:00 pm, making this an eight-hour day on the water.

A mokoro is a traditional dug-out canoe used to travel through the Delta’s shallow channels. The trip is intended to bring you close to the water, wildlife and local culture. People from surrounding communities provide the service, so this activity also directs income toward residents who live near the Delta.

This is one of the most distinctive parts of the itinerary. A 4×4 safari gives you speed and range, while a mokoro gives you quiet movement and a much lower view. You should expect a slower, more exposed experience than a vehicle drive. The supplied details do not state what meals or drinks are provided on this day, so confirm that before setting out.

The full-day length matters. You should be comfortable with an early start and many hours away from the hotel. The trip is best for someone who wants a close look at the Delta’s waterways and community-based activities, not someone who wants every day built around luxury comforts.

Day 7: Moremi and the search for big cats

The final full safari day is a 10-hour game drive in Moremi Game Reserve. A packed lunch is served during the drive, and the activity ends at 4:00 pm before your transfer back to the hotel.

Moremi is presented as the strongest place on this route for looking for predators. The possible sightings include lions, cheetahs and leopards, along with elephants, zebras, kudus and other antelopes.

No safari can promise a particular animal. That is part of the nature of the experience. Your guide’s ability to read signs, watch animal behavior and adjust the route becomes important, especially during a long drive.

This is a demanding but rewarding final day. You have already spent time around the Chobe River, Elephant Sands and the Delta, so Moremi adds another setting instead of repeating the same activity. The packed lunch keeps the drive focused on the reserve rather than sending you back to town midday.

Day 8: Leaving from Maun

After breakfast at 8:30 am, you prepare to check out at 10:00 am. An airport transfer is arranged for flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town or Kasane.

The airport transfer is short in the published schedule, about 20 minutes, but your actual departure time will determine how relaxed the morning feels. Confirm the transfer time and flight connection details with the operator.

This ending is practical rather than decorative. The route finishes in Maun, which works well if you are continuing to another southern African destination or returning through one of the listed airports.

Guides, group size and organization

The experience is limited to a maximum of nine people. That is a useful size for a safari because it can make transfers easier and give you more room to ask questions. The vehicle type for game drives is a 4×4, while air-conditioned vehicles are used for transfers.

The guide team named in customer comments includes Tatenda, Shelton and Simon. Simon receives especially strong praise for explaining pickups, drop-offs and border crossings clearly. That sort of practical communication matters on a trip that changes vehicles and guides between countries.

The company also receives repeated praise for prompt connections, quick answers before arrival and smooth arrangements from payment through execution. That does not remove the need to confirm details, but it suggests the operator understands that a safari is as much about reliable transfers as dramatic animal sightings.

The wildlife itself is another major strength. The trip has produced sightings of elephants, hippos, buffalo, baboons, giraffes, zebras, lions, crocodiles and other animals on related routes. Treat those as possibilities, not guarantees, but the mix of river, wetland and park habitats gives you a good range of settings.

Who should book this safari?

I would recommend this tour if you want a packed first visit to southern Africa and prefer one company to manage the moving parts. It suits you if you want Victoria Falls, Botswana wildlife, a scenic flight, a mokoro trip and a full Moremi drive in one continuous journey.

It is less suitable if you want long stays at one lodge, a slow schedule or guaranteed luxury accommodation. The 5:30 am start, 7:00 am mokoro pickup, 260-kilometer transfer and 300-kilometer drive to Maun make this an active trip.

At $3,100 per person, the value is strongest for someone who will use nearly every included service: park fees, guides, vehicles, meals, border transfers and the Delta flight. Before booking, ask for the full accommodation list, confirm visa requirements and verify what is supplied on the mokoro day.

Should you book the 8-day safari?

Book it if variety is your priority. In eight days, you get a Zambezi sunset, two-sided Victoria Falls views, a Chobe boat safari, multiple game drives, Elephant Sands, an Okavango flight, a mokoro outing and Moremi.

Skip it if you dislike long road days or want a more polished lodge-based holiday. For an active visitor who values strong wildlife opportunities and careful trip coordination, this is a well-packed route with especially good emphasis on elephants, waterways and big-cat country.

FAQ

How long is the tour?

The tour lasts approximately eight days, from airport pickup at Victoria Falls International Airport to airport transfer from Maun on the final day.

Where does the experience begin?

It begins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, with pickup from Victoria Falls International Airport or your accommodation. You need to provide flight details in advance.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends in Maun, Botswana. An airport transfer is arranged for flights to Johannesburg, Cape Town or Kasane.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is nine people.

Are park fees and meals included?

Yes. Park fees, seven breakfasts and four lunches are included. The package also includes game-drive vehicles, guides, hotel transfers and air-conditioned transfer vehicles.

Is the scenic flight over the Okavango Delta included?

Yes. The 45-minute aerial flight is scheduled for the afternoon of Day 5.

Are visas included?

No. Visas and related costs are not included. You should check the requirements for your passport before crossing the Zimbabwean, Zambian and Botswana borders.