Luxury Botswana and Victoria Falls

Itinerary Highlights

This ten-day itinerary highlights the flagship properties of three of Southern Africa’s most unique ecosystems: iconic Victoria Falls, water-rich Linyanti Concession and the Moremi Reserve, heart of the Okavango Delta.

Begin your journey in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe as you arrive to Matetsi River Lodge. This idyllic property set on the mighty banks of the Zambezi boasts stunning architectural design with river-facing suites providing every comfort imaginable, including a private pool. Your exploration of the Falls will be made significantly more memorable by a private helicopter ride over one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Yet beyond the Mosi-oa-Tunya, “the smoke that thunders” in the local Tonga language, there is much to discover in this magical region. Matetsi is set upon the Matetsi Private Game Reserve, offering you your first taste of Big Five wildlife without venturing deep into the bush. You’ll also enjoy everything the Zambezi River has to offer, with canoeing, fishing and sailing sundowners.

Next board your chartered aircraft flight to neighboring Botswana. Botswana has long been regarded as the crown jewel of African safari thanks to its natural abundance of predator species and its government’s longstanding commitment to conservation. Perhaps no name is more synonymous with Botswana safari than Wilderness, a brand responsible for pioneering sustainable tourism throughout the region. Wilderness’ lodges boast not only the most coveted locations within Botswana’s national game reserves, but their premier camps are also considered to be among the best in Southern Africa. The recently renovated DumaTau is no exception; this eight-room property lies in a private reserve in the heart of the Linyanti Concession, Botswana’s most reliable water source. Here you are likely to view mega-herds of elephants from your suite’s sundeck and private plunge pool. DumaTau is also the ideal location for a mokoro ride, the quintessential aquatic safari experience of Botswana.

Your last stop will be to what is surely Botswana’s most iconic property: Mombo Camp. Like DumaTau, this Wilderness camp’s unmatched experience is defined both by its location and the excellence of its service and accommodation. The private Mombo reserve is enormous and strategically positioned in what is perhaps the richest area of the Okavango Delta. Mombo is internationally recognized for its wildlife, serving as the backdrop for various nature documentaries and film series. Few lodges in the world offer such unobstructed access to so many predator species, including the lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyena. Spend your days on epic safari drives and your evenings in the comfort of what is considered by many to be the finest camp in all of Africa.

Lodges described in the itinerary are recommended by Craft Travel but there are numerous options in each destination and we will customize your itinerary based upon your preferences. With your feedback, we will similarly customize suggested activities, time spent in each location and trip extensions to additional destinations of interest nearby.

See “Expert Notes & Customization” section below.

Detailed Itinerary

Welcome to Zimbabwe! Upon arrival to Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) you'll be met by a representative who will escort you on short drive to Matetsi River Lodge where your new African adventure begins. There is perhaps no place more suitable for relaxation following your long journey. Each of Matetsi’s decadent and spacious suites overlook the lush Zambezi River in utter privacy. Each suite is appointed with sumptuous King-size four-poster beds, generous bathtubs, indoor and outdoor rain showers as well as a private plunge pool and deck. Perhaps later in the day you’ll embark on your first sundowner cruise, boarding one of the lodge’s riverboat cruises along their 15 kilometer stretch of private river. Take in your the breathtaking African sunset with a gin and tonic. This is your chance to make the most of some excellent photographic opportunities too, from the vantage point of the water where you will see large herds of elephant, buck, wildebeest (gnu) and buffalo come down to drink. Take in the marvels of this spectacular wilderness sanctuary complete with resident hippos, crocodiles and nearly 700 species of fish, along with countless of species of water birds. Cruises as well as canoeing expeditions can be arranged for daytime as well.

After a good night’s rest, spend your first full day exploring the many facets of the magnificent Victoria Falls, the biggest falling curtain of water in the world. Visit Victoria Falls National Park with an expert guide who will bring the destination’s history and natural elements to life. High Tea at the historic Victoria Falls Hotel will be included. You’ll then venture on an unforgettable helicopter ride over the Victoria Falls. The legendary "Flight of Angels" provides spectacular photographic opportunities that also incorporates a spot of game viewing.

Matetsi Private Game Reserve offers the most exclusive game viewing experience in the Victoria Falls area. Here, surrounded by flourishing wilderness, phenomenal highlights include sightings such as massive herds of elephant and buffalo as well as the rare and majestic sable antelope. The reserve is also home to lion, spotted hyena, African wild dog and leopard. Twice-daily game drives in the privacy of the concession are conducted in custom-fitted, luxury open-air safari vehicles in the early morning and late afternoon, accompanied by a knowledgeable, conservation-minded ranger and a tracker. Bush walks, led by a professional ranger, are an absolute must for those looking to get even closer to the incredible wilderness of the reserve. This adventure-filled activity allows guests to learn more about the intricacies of the African bush, with the thrilling opportunity to get up-close-and-personal to its inhabitants, from small to large.

Matetsi also boasts a luxurious spa, serving as a perfect complement to your daily adventures.

Overnight at Matetsi River Lodge (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Enjoy your final breakfast along the Zambezi before boarding your charter flight to Botswana. Upon landing at the Linyanti airstrip you’ll be met by your expert guide from DumaTau, immediately initiating you to your adventure in the bush.

The 299,000-acre private Linyanti Concession bordering Chobe National Park's western boundary is an immense private reserve with prolific animal life accessible exclusively to Wilderness Safaris’ four small camps found within the concession. Wilderness adheres to a strict policy of a maximum of three vehicles per animal sighting, creating an unrivaled atmosphere of remoteness and privacy. DumaTau is located close to the source of the Savute Channel, with access to the Linyanti Swamps, floodplains and mopane woodlands. The result of this unique positioning is an extraordinary combination of habitats, one of which allows for its concentration of elephants as they congregate along the waterways and lagoons during the dry season of June through October. Predator sightings of lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog and spotted hyaena are common. The area is also renowned for general wildlife including red lechwe, Burchell's zebra, giraffe, buffalo and warthog.

Reopening at the end of 2020 after a complete rebuild, DumaTau’s brand new 1,400 square-foot guest suites have been designed to offer uninterrupted views over Osprey Lagoon, home to the mega-herds of elephant for which Linyanti is widely known.  Each of the eight suites is equipped with a private plunge pool, comfortable lounge and spacious bathroom with both indoor and outdoor showers. The main dining and lounge area boasts its own wide-angle vistas overlooking the wildlife-rich lagoon, while a new wellness center and gym includes a lap pool, spa, snack deli and curio shop. DumaTau runs on 100% solar energy.

Your days at DumaTau will be spent immersing yourself in the region’s breathtaking fusion of habitats. Encounter the rich wildlife of the Linyanti on morning and afternoon game drives Highlights include witnessing fascinating predator interactions and large herds of elephant. DumaTau also allows for the thrill of a night drive. After dinner, head out with your guide to witness the concession’s thrilling nocturnal life.

Considered one of Botswana’s best water camps, DumaTau provides the unique experience of the mokoro, a wooden canoe from which you can witness the splendor of these rich flooded areas and the resulting wildlife. A mokoro excursion or more traditional boat ride along the calm channels of the Linyanti is also sure to delight the most seasoned birders.

For the more adventurous traveler, DumaTau also boasts its own Star Bed, a luxurious and exciting sleep-out experience where guests take front-row seats under the stars to the spectacular Zibadianja Lagoon. The Star Bed experience can be arranged at an additional cost, as can a helicopter ride over the Linyanti. From the air one can truly appreciate the vastness of this remarkable region.

Overnight at DumaTau (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Following breakfast, transfer back to the Linyanti Airstrip for your short flight to Mombo Airstrip. Here your guide will be awaiting to take you into the heart of the Okavango Delta.

Situated on Chief’s Island, the Mombo Concession spans a massive 111,000 acres and is the largest land mass that lies slantwise in the central Okavango, effectively splitting the Delta into east and west. The surrounding channels flood seasonally with the arrival of Angolan rains, advancing the nutrient-rich shallow floodplains that nourish this extraordinary ecosystem. 

Thanks to this, Mombo, commonly referred to as “the Place of Plenty,” boasts prolific concentrations of plains game and predators and is considered to be one of the best areas for animal viewing in Africa. Giraffe, zebra, warthog, red lechwe, tsessebe, wildebeest, kudu, elephant, buffalo and impala are found in abundance, in addition to a diverse bird population. Chief’s Island is also home to the only white and black rhino found in the Okavango Delta. But perhaps Mombo’s greatest bragging rights come from its extraordinary number of predator sightings throughout the year, most notably lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyena and wild dog. 

The Mombo Concession is more familiar to those who dream of the Africa of wildlife documentaries with open grassland plains dotted with acacia trees and thickets. Legendary films such as Eye of the Leopard, Running Wild, Steroid Boys and A Wild Dog’s Tale have all used Mombo as the backdrop to tell their dramatic tales of prolific nature abound.

The property’s extensive rebuild in 2018 has elevated Mombo to the most exceptional level of accommodation while successfully maintaining the traditions of this historic camp. Mombo’s eight spacious luxury tents offer sweeping balconies with both a private plunge pool and an outdoor shower from which guests are afforded breathtaking views of the property’s floodplains, a stage for nonstop animal interaction. Each tent, impeccably decorated to evoke both the drama and tranquility of the safari experience, boasts an indoor sitting room, separate bedroom and bathroom, indoor shower and bathtub with copper and brass fittings. The common areas of the camp are equally well appointed and impressive in their decor. 

Twice-daily game drives redefine expectations for this quintessential safari experience. Spend your four days at Mombo witnessing the highest concentrations of plains game and predators imaginable. In your down time, enjoy being pampered by one of the camp’s expert massage therapists from the comfort of your tent or private deck.

On your final day on Mombo, your guide will escort you to the camp’s airstrip where you will fly via charter flight to Maun, allowing you to head to your final destination. Charter flights to Kasane can also be arranged.

Overnight at Mombo Camp (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

• 9 nights accommodations as per program (based on double/twin sharing room)

• All meals and drinks (excluding breakfast on Day 1), wines and liquors (excluding French champagne)

• All charter flights and ground transfers between lodges

• Private helicopter ride over Victoria Falls

• Twice daily game drives with English speaking naturalist guide (where applicable) throughout

• Lodge-specific activities as described

• Daily laundry service at DumaTau and Mombo Camp

• All national park and entrance fees required

• Traveller Made ® Member Agency benefits at participating properties:

  • Complimentary upgrade (subject to availability)

  • Early check-in and late check out (subject to availability)

  • Bespoke welcome room amenities upon arrival

  • $100 property credit

  • **benefits vary by property; member properties in this itinerary are: Matetsi Victoria Falls & Mombo Camp

• *Not included: gratuities, visas, international flights, meals and drinks not described above, items of a personal nature

Both DumaTau and Mombo Camp have sister properties, Little DumaTau and Little Mombo. Both camps are nearly identical to their sister camps and rates are the same. They can be used in lieu of the other and are often used for exclusive use for buyouts. In addition to Matetsi River Lodge, Matetsi Victoria Falls also offers the Matetsi River House, a 4-bedroom villa available for exclusive use only. The Matetsi River House offers a private safari vehicle and a dedicated team including a personal guide, tracker, chef and butler, ensuring a tailor-made safari experience unlike any other.

As described above, this combination of properties ensures one of the most exclusive Southern Africa experiences available. This is a trip of a lifetime with all of the bells and whistles that works wonderfully as a honeymoon itinerary. Similar itineraries can be arranged incorporating the same destinations with alternate properties that are equally wonderful but more affordable. For example, Wilderness Safaris’ classic camps collection will ensure the same level of guides, commitment to conservation and highly coveted locations as their premier camps such as DumaTau and Mombo. Some examples of classic camps we love would be Savuti Camp in Linyanti and Little Vumbura, Seba and Chitabe in the Okavango Delta. We also love Natural Selection’s newest addition to the Delta, Tuludi Camp. In Victoria Falls, a truly exceptional five-star experience high in value can be found at Thorntree River Lodge on the Zambian side of the border.

For those interested in extending their time in Botswana, we highly recommend the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. This unique experience in an area forming much of the Kalahari basin allows for a desert safari where you can enjoy you can enjoy quad biking, horseback safaris, nature walks with the San bushmen, meerkat visits and sleep outs. Our favorite properties in the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are San Camp and Jack’s Camp, though for more adventurous types African Bush Camps’ seasonal Migration Camp is sure to delight. An extension through Zimbabwe should also be considered for those seeking an authentic safari experience in varying ecosystems. Spending a few additional days in Zimbabwe at Mana Pools National Park along the Zambezi River allows for true adventure like walking safari and canoeing alongside hippos. You can also get a similar experience on the Zambian side of the Lower Zambezi and then extend afterward to South Luangwa National Park, the home of walking safari. For those interested in culture, action or wine, a few days in the Cape Town and Winelands region would be ideal. And for those looking to end their adventure with some relaxing beach time (honeymooners perhaps?) we’d suggest some time in magical Mozambique.

While this itinerary can certainly be enjoyed year-round, for those traveling in the greener season (typically mid November through mid May) we might recommend substituting DumaTau with another property in the Okavango Delta (Vurumba Plains being one of our favorites) or perhaps considering the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans described above. While the Linyanti Concession is absolutely beautiful during the green season, game viewing can be relatively difficult during this time. It is however a fantastic time for birders.