Botswana & Victoria Falls: Secrets of the Okavango and Kalahari

In Johannesburg, assistance with customs and transit formalities, then a one-hour-and-40-minute flight to Victoria Falls. You'll receive a warm welcome upon landing and private transfer to the hotel. It's around a 25-minute drive. Enjoy a two-night stay in one of Zimbabwe's very first hotels, dating back to the early 20th century when the Cape to Cairo Railway was built. The main draw is its prime location, of course, just a few minutes from the famous falls – the view of one of the gorges has made it a standout hotel in the area – as well as its luxurious British colonial character and timeless ambience. This large white building topped with colonnades exudes an undeniable charm.

Victoria Falls is one of the world's most iconic natural wonders, a must-visit for any visitor to southern Africa. Located between Zambia and Zimbabwe, the majestic Zambezi River plunges furiously into a 310ft-high void with a deafening roar. Over one mile wide, the falls and their cloud of water vapour can be seen from over 12 miles away and heard more than 25 miles away. There are small walking paths to explore above the abyss, but despite its popularity, the site remains wild and unspoiled, featuring lush vegetation, forest trails and suspension bridges. Discovered in the late 19th century by David Livingstone, they are located in the heart of the former British Empire in Africa and everything from steam trains to the architecture of certain hotels and buildings harks back to former times. A time when the continent was still an unknown land, heralding the promise of the greatest adventures.
Included the itinerary – Private tour of Victoria Falls. The sight of the mighty Zambezi is like nothing else on Earth: the falls throw out millions of cubic feet of water over a distance of over one mile into a gorge more than 300ft downstream. The rainforest facing the falls offers an amazing view and is home to a wide range of wildlife. A private guide will lead you along the swollen gorge for around two hours.

In the morning, leave Zimbabwe and head for the wilderness of neighbouring Botswana. A private driver will take you to the border crossing point of Kasane and assist you with customs formalities. From there, board a small taxi plane and head to the sensational Okavango Delta, one of Africa's most iconic destinations, and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. After crossing Angola and Namibia, the mighty river ends its course in the ultra-arid great plain of the Kalahari. And, as is the way for most of southern Africa's rivers, the Okavango that once dreamt of joining the ocean, sees its waters evaporate in the burning sands of the desert. Its waters then disperse into a water maze, where water lilies and palm trees flourish. The region is very flat and covers a huge area. It's only really from the air, skimming the tops of palm trees in the delta that you really get a true sense of the topography of this rare ecosystem, as well getting some of the most spectacular photos, of course. Enjoy a two-night stay on the small, remote Nxaragha Island. A delightful, tucked-away camp awaits, made of canvas, wood, and thatch, with 12 tents mounted on stilts, connected by pontoons. Not forgetting the enchanting scenery too, and the little swimming pool overflowing onto a pontoon, which in turn, opens out onto the savannah and its lush vegetation.

You'll have two full days to make the most of the experience in one of Africa's wildest and most iconic places. Uninhabited islands stretch as far as the eye can see across a sea of water lilies; wooden canoes gliding across the water almost silently, except for the gentle sound of crumpled leaves. Once again, nature surprisingly creates this unlikely watery paradise in one of the most arid areas of the continent. Spend the night in a 'water camp'. With the blanket of the river all around, sleeping off the grid never felt this remote. Visit the bush in a small motorboat or 'mokoro', a long traditional wooden canoe. Also, follow the guide on foot through the savannah, for a more cautious and intimate encounter with its incredible wildlife.
Included in the itinerary - Two safaris each day. At daybreak and at dusk, safaris are organised with rangers. These cool times of day are the best for wildlife viewing as they tend to be most active then.

Fly by taxi plane to Maun, then fly to the flat, endless white expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pan, a rarely visited part of Botswana. Enjoy a two-night stay in a simple but authentic camp, nestled under the shade of acacias and palm trees that fringe ancient Lake Makgadikgadi. There's no electricity here (which adds to the charm), but there is a campfire and no shortage of lanterns for setting the perfect ambience for an aperitif and dinner. If needed, a generator can charge up devices.

Surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, Makgadikgadi's pans are among the largest salt flats in the world, remnants of Lake Makgadikgadi that once covered the country and dried up thousands of years ago. The only trace that remains of it today is the salt on the surface. During the rainy season, the salt crust gives way to a vast sea of grass, drawing animals and birds to this usually arid part of the globe. It's a striking spectacle.
Included in the itinerary – An intimate encounter with meerkats, the iconic animal of the Kalahari - The unusual experience of a night under the stars (from April to October), preceded by a dinner in the heart of the bush - Quad biking across the pan, with a ranger (depending on weather conditions) - Meeting Bushmen, traditional hunter-gatherers.

Bid a final farewell to this unforgettable part of the world, from the window of the little bush taxi on the way to Maun International Airport, at the gateway to the delta. Leave behind a truly magical place that very few people will ever be lucky enough to visit. In Maun, catch your flight home.