Print this page

Vic Falls & Chobe

Trip Length

Trip Code
5 days PFVCST

Activities
Wildlife (Easy)

Countries Visited
Botswana, Zimbabwe

Start City

End City
Victoria Falls Victoria Falls

Highlights
The Chobe riverside, Chobe National Park, Botswana, Feast at Boma Restaurant – The Place of Eating, Victoria Falls, Overload the senses in Victoria Falls
Vic Falls & Chobe

Vic Falls & Chobe

Combine majestic Victoria Falls with superb Chobe National Park on this brief African encounter

Victoria Falls is certainly Zimbabwe's most celebrated spectacle. Measuring some 1.7 kilometres in width and with a drop of around 105 metres, an immense volume of water passes over the cataract at the height of the inundation with a flow rate of about 550,000 cubic metres per minute. This massive rush of water sends a huge plume of spray into the sky, visible for miles and providing a stunning spectacle, as we walk on paths that border the ravine. During this tour we are taken on a guided tour of falls, as well as get to experience dining at the memorable Boma Restaurant. Apart from these activities there is much in the area to interest the visitor including whitewater rafting, horse trails, game-viewing in Zambezi National Park, canoeing and evening cruises on the Zambezi. Most optional activities can be easily booked once you arrive and our Victoria Falls local agent will be happy to offer assistance. For those who prefer more leisurely activities, the craft market offers a wide range of local handicrafts at reasonable prices.

Chobe National Park is one of Botswana's largest and its northern section that abuts on to the Chobe River is wonderfully picturesque. The area around the river is home to a fabulous range of bird life and one doesn't have to be a birder to be enthralled by it all. Wallowing in the river are large numbers of hippos and crocodiles. These same waters also attract abundant land dwellers, foremost of which are elephants that, during the dry season, are probably the largest herds left anywhere in Africa. They often congregate close to the permanent water of the river and to see these animals drink at sunset, or even swim out across the river to some of the islands, is an experience that can only be described as magical. This all takes place in an area which is scenically beautiful and which provides sunsets across the river, which are truly memorable.

Day to Day Itinerary

Day 1: Victoria Falls

On arrival at Victoria Falls you are met and transferred to your guesthouse. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure to wander around town and to book any optional tours or activities through local agents. Tonight we are transferred from our guesthouse to experience an incredible meal and musical performance at the Boma Restaurant, also known as The House Of Eating. Here we are welcomed with a taste of the local beer, Chibuku, which starts off our culinary adventure. Soups, freshly baked breads and salads are the first courses. Then the main meal arrives - a buffet style array of local meats, which may include warthog, buffalo, crocodile, impala and many more, and are cooked before your eyes on a flamed grill. A range of locally inspired, tasty dishes complement the meats. To complete the feast a number of delicious desserts are on offer. Throughout the meal we are entertained with local song and dance, whilst traditional storytellers may stop by with a colourful story or two. After dinner every guest is given African drum so that we can join in the entertainers. After we are taught how to hold the beat, all restaurant guests and musicians combine together to create some great African music, whilst the dancers continue to amaze us with their athletic ability. Please note that if you do not wish to join in with the drumming you may wish to choose an earlier session for dinner. A further suggestion for this evening is to be transferred earlier to the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, where it is possible to enjoy a sundowner at their outdoor bar that overlooks a waterhole. From here we are transferred the very short distance to the Boma for dinner. Meals included: 1 dinner

Day 2: Victoria Falls

Today your time in Victoria Falls is your own to use as you choose. In addition to visiting the falls, there are many various activities that you can partake in. These include canoeing and inflatable kayaking along the upper Zambezi (well above the falls!), whitewater rafting beneath the falls (along the lower section of the river) and morning or afternoon game drives or walks in Zambezi National Park. Alternatively, an excellent range of curio and craft shops provide a pleasant distraction for those seeking a more sedate kind of day. Details of optional activities are set out in these notes (below) and can be booked through our local operator. Meals included: 1 breakfast

Day 3: Chobe National Park - Kasane

(Driving time: approx 2 hours not including time at border; game drive times variable) This morning we are taken on a guided tour of Victoria Falls. You need to pay US$30 entry fee to the falls at the national park gate and this must be paid for in US dollars cash. (These are Zimbabwean Government Regulations. Please try to ensure you have the correct money and that the notes are not issued prior to the year 2000.) Once inside the park your guide takes you through the falls area, stop at the different viewpoints and explain about the history of the falls and its surroundings. After returning from the tour, we check out of the guesthouse and are collected by our Botswana operators at 10.30am and transferred west along the Zambezi Valley road to Kazangula - a travelling time of about 50 minutes on a sealed road. Here we complete border formalities (please bring your passport and sufficient US dollars to purchase a new Zimbabwe visa, if necessary, when returning!) and cross into Botswana. It is then just a short drive to Chobe Safari Lodge, which is situated on the riverfront a little way out of the park. After settling in and having lunch, there is time to relax until the mid-afternoon when we take a game drive into the park. We will almost certainly see elephants drinking at the waters' edge and the area also often boasts large herds of buffaloes. The sunsets viewed from the river can be breathtakingly spectacular. We return to your lodge soon after dusk for dinner and overnight. Chobe Safari Lodge is a delightful lodge comprising various styles of accommodation. Clients who choose the standard package are accommodated in rondavels - comfortable individual circular thatched units with private facilities and balcony. The lodge is situated on the southern bank of the mighty Chobe River, bordering the national park. Its bar is a great place to enjoy a drink at the end of the day and dinner is often served outside with a lovely smorgasbord of choices. The pool is a great place to relax during the hotter part of the day. Meals included: 1 breakfast 1 lunch 1 dinner

Day 4: Chobe National Park - Kasane

A full day is planned with an early morning game drive followed by relaxation during the heat of the day and a mid-afternoon boat trip out on the river. The bird life on the water is often spectacular and we are sure to be enthralled by sightings of saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles, goliath herons and beautiful bee-eaters, to name but a few. There are good numbers of hippopotamuses in the river and, from time to time, you may see a crocodile on the banks - although they are surprisingly shy - or a large monitor lizard seeking to make a meal of crocodile eggs. Please note that a visit to Chobe National Park itself is not a complete wilderness experience, as we are sure to see other people, boats and vehicles when inside the park. However, we are also sure to see wildlife that can be the equal of anything anywhere in Africa. Meals included: 1 breakfast 1 lunch 1 dinner

Day 5: Victoria Falls

(Driving time: approx 2 hours not including time at border) This morning we enjoy a leisurely breakfast. We are collected at 8am for a transfer back to either Victoria Falls township or Victoria Falls Airport, where our tour ends on arrival at around 10am. Please do not book a flight departing from Victoria Falls before 12pm. Additional accommodation and departure transfer can be pre-booked, at additional costs, if you would like to extend your stay in Victoria Falls. Meals included: 1 breakfast

About Peregrine

Peregrine has been operating adventure holidays since 1977. Today we can help you discover all four corners of the globe, from the Polar regions, to Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and beyond. We offer high-quality, excellent-value, small-group adventures to interesting areas of the world, in harmony with the local people and the environment.

Whats Included

Return airport transfers, transport, accommodation, meals, game activities and entrance fees.

Transport

Accommodation

Meals

Not Included

International flights, airport departure taxes, visas, meals unless specified in the itinerary, insurance, laundry, entrance fee to Victoria Falls National Park, any optional tours or activities during free time, tips and items of a personal nature.

Optional Extras

Entrance

The US$30 entry fee to Victoria Falls National Park needs to be paid in US dollars cash to the national park on the day of the tour, as per Zimbabwean Government regulations.

Visas and Permits

Botswana

Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders do not currently require a visa for Botswana. For other nationalities that do require a visa to enter into Botswana, this is no longer able to be purchased upon arrival. Visa will need to be pre-arranged - please contact your travel agent for assistance.

Zimbabwe

Australians, Americans, Canadians, British and New Zealanders currently require a visa for Zimbabwe. For all other nationalities please reconfirm your visa requirements with your travel agent. For trips to Zimbabwe you may require either a single or double entry visa. Both single and double entry visas are obtainable on arrival currently costing between US$30 and US$60 (depending on nationality). If you choose to travel to the Zambian side of Victoria Falls your Zimbabwe visa will not expire as long as you do not spend the night out of Zimbabwe.

Important Information

This tour includes 2 days in Chobe National Park and visits Victoria Falls National Park (entrance fee not included).

About this Information

The information provided here is given in good faith and has been compiled with all reasonable care. However, things change and some of the information may become out of date. Please keep this in mind when you read it and check with us if you want to be sure about something. If you have any queries, please contact your travel agent or our staff in Australia. We are here to help you!