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Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari

Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia
Wildlife
Guided Group
LEISURELY LEISURELY

Non-participation lodge safari through the wildest parts of Botswana and Zimbabwe

Trip Code: BZA
Holiday Grades
          

Our Holiday Grades Explained

To show the relative difficulty of our holidays, each trip is graded on a scale of 1 to 12, with 12 being the most challenging. Although we have tried to make our grading system as clear as possible, it cannot take into account your personal interests, abilities or experience. If you have any questions about the nature of a particular trip or its suitability for you, please read the 'Is this holiday for you?' section or contact us.

 1 - 3 LEISURELY
1 - 3 LEISURELY

Suitable for most people in good health, holidays at this grade include only limited amounts of activity.

View leisurely holidays
4 - 6 MODERATE
4 - 6 MODERATE

Suitable for reasonably fit individuals, such as regular walkers and cyclists. There can be the occasional more difficult day.

View moderate holidays
7 - 9 CHALLENGING
7 - 9 CHALLENGING

Physically challenging holidays, where you need to be prepared before you go.

View challenging holidays
10 - 12 TOUGH
10 - 12 TOUGH

Our toughest holidays, involving many long days, often in isolated areas. A high level of fitness and previous wilderness and mountain experience is essential.

View Tough holidays

Botswana and Zimbabwe Elephant Trail Safari

Highlights
  • The might and majesty of Victoria Falls

  • Meeting the rescued dogs of the Painted Dog Conservation Centre in Hwange NP

  • Game walk in Matobos National Park with the chance to see rhinos and some otherworldly San cave paintings

  • Mekoro cruise in the incredible waterworld wildlife oasis, the Okavango Delta

  • Relax with sundowners at our epic collection of lodges in or near some of the wildest parks on planet earth


At a Glance
  • Group Size 4 to 12
  • 15 days overland safari
  • non-participation lodge accommodation
  • game drives
  • mokoro cruise
  • game walk
  • sunset cruise
  • Join In Victoria Falls

Accommodation & Meals
Overview

This classic journey covers Botswana, Namibia & Zimbabwe & the core of the international Kavango Zambezi (KAZA) Transfrontier Conservation Area. This initiative is a multi-country effort to create a vast network of interlinking reserves and provide corridors for wildlife movement along natural migration routes, particularly for elephants. The lodges are beautiful, comfortable & make for a great adventure safari.

Is this holiday for you?

Non participation: This is an adventure tour, and as such please expect to get involved. Where there are porters, they’ll help you, otherwise you’ll need to carry your own bag. Included meals are all lodge provided. If you have a particular interest, please let your safari leader know, and he/she will endeavour to make your journey more rewarding.

Itinerary

Download Trip Notes
The Route
Airport Airport
Point Point
Transfer
Boat
Walk/Trek
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Essential Information

We've compiled some of our Frequently Asked Questions to help you learn more about this amazing trip.

Two professional and qualified guides,

Airport transfers on Day 1 and Day 15 of the Land Only itinerary,

All accommodation as described,

Meals as described in the Meal Plan,

National Park entrance fees,

All activities/excursions mentioned except where specified as 'optional'

Travel Insurance,

Visas (if applicable),

Some meals as detailed in the Meal Plan,

Any additional activities/excursions indicated as optional,

Tips for local staff,

Miscellaneous personal expenses - drinks and souvenirs etc


TRAVEL TO YOUR DESTINATION

If flying from the UK there are low cost airlines available to the start and from the end of your holiday.

To benefit from full financial protection, ease your holiday planning, and avoid dealing with airlines, we can book scheduled flights from the UK as part of a flight inclusive package. Scheduled flights are usually more expensive that low cost alternatives, however potentially less stressful if your flight is cancelled or delayed. If you book flights through KE Adventure Travel we will offset the carbon of your flight.

The group will meet at the group hotel in Victoria Falls.

On arrival transfers are provided from Victoria Falls Airport to the group hotel. At 1400 on Day 1 you will meet your guide for an introduction and briefing.

The holidays ends in Botswana but includes a transfer to the airport at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (please purchase a double entry visato Zimbabwe at the start of your trip) or Kasane in Botswana.

14 breakfasts, 5 lunches and 8 dinners are included. All of which are provided by the lodges at which we are staying. Due to travel arrangements or game viewing activities, 3 of the lunches will be packed picnic lunches. Where meals are not included there will be an opportunity to buy a meal en route, but these are mostly travel days so a quick stop is required.

Drinking Water

It is not recommended to drink untreated water from the taps. If you are on a trekking or cycling holiday, water is supplied to fill up your individual bottles. This will be boiled, filtered or provided in large jerry cans or 5 litre bottles. Additionally you should take purification tablets or a filter bottle (such as a Water-To-Go bottle) to treat your water when in towns or where water is not supplied. We do not encourage the purchasing of single use plastic bottles.

Whilst we can cater for vegetarians, albeit sometimes with a more limited choice, we cannot always provide for special diets.  Due to the nature of some of the trips that we operate and the countries in which we operate them, it can be very hard (and sometimes impossible) to cater for a wide range of dietary choices and you may have to supplement your meals with food/snacks from home.  If you have specific dietary requirements please do speak to our sales team and they will be able to advise you whether or not we will be able to offer your specific choice.  Please note that we are unable to provide separate menus and cannot accept liability for any problems arising from special dietary requirements or intolerances.

The accommodation throughout this classic journey is of 3+ star style and are chosen not only for

their service and comfort level but also for their wonderful locations and local wildlife viewing opportunities. All rooms have private en suite facilities.

The Moremi tented bush camp on a private concession bordering Moremi GR is a particular highlight.

Group leaders are the key to any successful safari. On this adventure safari, you will travel with two qualified and experienced, registered field guides (FGASA). Two guides as crew, not a guide and a driver, adds up to an informative and interesting small group holiday. Our guides have a passion for Africa, her people and wildlife, and they love nothing more than sharing their knowledge with you.

For this holiday you should take one piece of luggage and a daypack. Your baggage will travel in the gear compartment of the truck with the group, and there is a finite amount of space. Please keep the weight of your main luggage to 12kg. You should bring a soft bag as these are more suitable to pack in the vehicle.

The information that we provide is for UK passport holders.

A passport with 6 months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required, and you should have at least 2 blank pages for each country that you visit.

For other nationalities, please refer to your own Government website for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the correct travel documents including vaccinations and health certificates (see Health & Vaccinations below), and visas for your holiday. Please ensure that you check the FCDO for the latest advice for each country visited before travel.

Visa Botswana

UK nationals do not normally need a visa to enter Botswana for stays of up to 90 days.

 Travelling with children under 18yrs - Botswana

Parents travelling with children under 18 years will be asked to show the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. If the child is travelling with one parent, with another adult or unaccompanied, the parent or parents who aren't present will need to provide an affidavit giving their consent for the child to travel. Please note that they are very strict and they do not accept photocopies of birth certificates or short versions. This is also applicable if you are transiting through Botswana. For further details please see FCO website https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/botswana/entry-requirements

Visa Zimbabwe

A visa is required. This is obtained on arrival and is $55 single entry and $70 for double. Payment must be in cash and you should take small denomination notes for this.

Important Note: Please check your itinerary and your arrival/departure flights. If your accommodation and flights are from a different side of the falls you may need both a Zambian and a Zimbabwe visa. The town of Victoria Falls is in Zimbabwe, and the town of Livingstone is in Zambia. 

Additionally If you visit the falls (on the border) and wish to cross the bridge to the other side you will require a visa for both countries.

Visa Namibia

There is a 1,600N$ charge (approx. 80 EUR, or 90 USD) in place as of the 1st April 2025 for 31 countries including the UK and USA which can either be purchased in advance as an e-Visa by following this link: https://eservices.mhaiss.gov.na/holidayvisa-services, or can be purchased on the day. Namibian immigration has stated that credit card facilities will be available at border posts. However, just in case, we recommend carrying NAD 1,600 or ZAR 1,600 in cash for visa fees, when applying at the border. For further information on how to apply, please click here.

Travelling with children under 18yrs - Namibia

Parents travelling with children under 18 years will be asked to show the child’s full unabridged birth certificate. If the child is travelling with one parent, with another adult or unaccompanied, the parent or parents who aren't present will need to provide an affidavit giving their consent for the child to travel. Please note that they are very strict and they do not accept photocopies of birth certificates or short versions. This is also applicable if you are transiting through Namibia. For further details please see FCDO website.

VACCINATIONS

You should contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require any specific vaccinations or other preventive measures. On holidays to more remote areas you should also have a dentist check up. You should be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the UK e.g. diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella, along with hepatitis A and typhoid. In addition you should check whether any specific vaccinations are needed to the regions that you are travelling to. A good online resource is Travel Health Pro.

Malaria

Malaria is present in this country. Malarial prophylaxis are required.

Severe Allergies

If you have a severe allergy please inform the KE office before you travel. We will do all we can to help, but we cannot guarantee an allergy free environment on KE trips. You will need to carry your own treatment for the allergy with you, as 'adrenaline auto-injectors' are not carried as standard by KE leaders and staff. You should inform your leader on arrival of your allergy, and let them know where you keep your adrenaline pen.

The unit of currency in Botswana is the Pula.

The unit of currency in Zimbabwe is the Zimbabwe Gold (ZiG). There is currently a shortage of available cash at the banks and ATM’s in Zimbabwe. US Dollars are still widely used, so exchange your currency in advance, or use credit cards where possible, as these are widely accepted also.

The unit of currency in Namibia is the Namibian Dollar. The Namibian and the the Southern African Rand have the same value, and the Rand  is accepted everywhere in Namibia.

As a reputable tour operator, KE supports the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office's ‘Travel Aware campaign to enable British citizens to prepare for their journeys overseas. The 'Travel Aware' website provides a single, authoritative source of advice for all kinds of travellers and we recommend that before travel, all KE clients visit the official UK Government website at travelaware.campaign.gov.uk and read the FCDO Travel Advice for their chosen destination. North Americans can also check out the U.S. Department of State website: www.travel.state.gov for essential travel advice and tips.

KE treat the safety and security of all clients as the most important aspect of any trip we organise. We would not run any trip that we did not consider reasonably safe.  Should the FCDO advise against travel for any reason, we will contact everyone booked to travel to discuss the situation.  We receive regular updates directly from the FCDO and are in constant touch with our contacts on the ground.  If you have any questions about government travel advice, please call our office.

KE do not encourage the use of single use plastic items. We are ensuring that our agents all over the world are working together to reduce the problem and educate those around them. We are leading by example in our KE office by reducing our plastic use.

It is an essential condition of joining a holiday with KE Adventure Travel that you have a valid travel insurance policy to cover the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation.  When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

For appropriate insurance cover we recommend Campbell Irvine Direct.  Please go to our Travel Insurance page for further information and to get a quote.

Please try to keep the weight of your baggage to a minimum. See the ‘baggage allowance’ section for further details.

You should bring the following items:

  • Lightweight walking boots/shoes

  • Sandals

  • Socks and underwear

  • Long lightweight trousers

  • Shorts

  • Lightweight waterproof jacket & trousers

  • T-shirts

  • Casual shirts with sleeves

  • Fleece jacket or warm jumper

  • Sunhat with wide brim

  • Sunglasses

  • Buff/scarf for dusty days

  • Small towel/Travel towel

  • Daypack 20-25 litres

  • Headtorch and spare batteries

  • Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)

  • Water bottles 1 litre (x2) (we encourage re-filling water bottles rather than single use plastic)

  • Water purification tablets

  • Washbag and toiletries (biodegradable soap is preferred)

  • Antibacterial handwash

  • Insect repellent

  • Basic First Aid Kit including: antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Imodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, re-hydration salts (Dioralite), anti-nausea tablets and antihistamine cream/tablets.

The following items are optional:

  • Light cotton dress or sarong

  • Swimwear

  • Pen-knife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)

  • Repair kit (eg. needle, thread, duct tape)

  • A selection of dry bags for daypack/kitbage

  • Camera

  • Binoculars (highly recommended)

  • Reusable cloth bag for shopping (to avoid plastic bags)

Notes:

Please be aware than in the Southern African the winter months, June-September, the nights can be cold with an average of between 0-5 degrees Celsius in some places, and the days can be warm between 20-30 degrees Celsius

Bright bold colours and white are not suitable for game viewing or bush wear as they attract insects and the attention of animals. Please do not bring camouflage or military style clothes as they can cause problems with local authorities.

Please dress appropriately for border crossings, village and market visits – ie: no bare feet, no bare chests, no bikinis and no hats. A few restaurants are also not keen on T-shirts and jeans either.

DATES & PRICES
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