Day 1

Arrive Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe where we will meet you. In the afternoon we will take you to see the world famous Victoria Falls, locally known as "Mosi oa Tunya", the smoke that thunders. We will dine at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge where you will also overnight. The Victoria Falls Safari Lodge is a beautiful brick and thatch building that provides the best accommodation in Victoria Falls. The lodge restaurant overlooks a floodlit waterhole from where you can watch the animals coming down to drink. Warthogs, banded mongooses, baboons and vervet monkeys are regular visitors, and elephant and buffalo frequently roam in and around the grounds. The lodge is situated on the edge of Victoria Falls town and looks down the valley to the Victoria Falls National Park, beyond which you can see the Zambezi River.

Day 2

After breakfast we will return to Victoria Falls airport from where we will fly by light aircraft to Mana Pools. We will game-drive upstream through the Mana Pools National Park to the first nights camp. After lunch we will continue to game-drive upstream to the point where we can launch the canoes. For those not familiar with canoeing we will give you a lesson in the handling of your canoe before setting off downstream, enjoying the bird life and wildlife along the riverbanks and arriving back at the camp by sunset. Mana Pools is one of the most scenically beautiful parks of Africa. Eland, elephant, impala, waterbuck and buffalo, as well as the predators, can be seen. Canoeing gives access to the beautiful channels and islands of the Zambezi River and plentiful wildlife can be seen from the canoes. One often comes across elephants and buffalo swimming across the river. The sunsets on the Zambezi are spectacular and made the more impressive due to the magnificent scenery of the Zambian escarpment opposite.

Days 3 and 4

The days activities vary between walking and canoeing - we canoe at leisure and on seeing something of interest we get out and walk. Picnic lunches are served at a shady spot on the riverbank followed by a chance to relax during the heat of the day before continuing downstream to the next campsite (already set up in advance). We arrive at the campsites in time to enjoy the spectacular sunsets over the Zambian escarpment.

Day 5

Leaving the canoes behind we begin the walking section of the safari. The area we will cover has been designated as a Wilderness Area set aside exclusively for walking. There will be many opportunities to view the game of this area such as buffalo, elephant and eland, as well as to enjoy the smaller mammals and those things often missed when in a vehicle, such as the insects, interesting plants and animal spoor.

Day 6

A last wildlife walk before returning to Mana Pools airstrip from where we will fly by light aircraft to Bumi Hills airstrip. From the airstrip we will transfer by boat to Musango Safari Camp where we will base for the next two nights. This camp is situated on a private island just off the shoreline of the Matusadona National Park. Accommodation consists of large luxurious safari tents with en suite bathrooms built out of natural stone. The view from your tent offers panoramic views across Lake Kariba. Activities include walking, boating and canoeing. The day will end with a moonlit dinner on a floating pontoon.

Day 7

A full day spent wildlife viewing by foot or by boat. The Matusadona National Park is a magnificent lakeside and escarpment wilderness. There will be a good chance of seeing elephant, buffalo, zebra, kudu, waterbuck and impala as well as lion, leopard and hyena. A successful relocation and breeding programme for the endangered black rhino has been underway in this area for the past few years, and so we will have the opportunity to track and follow some of these magnificent animals.

Day 8

After breakfast we will return to the airstrip from where we will fly by light aircraft to Kasane, Botswana and the Chobe Safari Lodge. The Chobe Safari Lodge, where we will overnight, is situated on the banks of the Chobe River and has a swimming pool. The air-conditioned rooms and outdoor dining area overlook the Chobe River. Baboons, monkeys and warthogs are frequent visitors by day, and by night larger mammals wander by. In the afternoon we will take a boat out on the Chobe River to photograph hippos, crocodiles, and if lucky, find a herd of elephants swimming and playing in the water. Good bird sightings that include the malachite and giant kingfishers as well as the endangered African skimmer are found along the river's edge.

Day 9

A full day wildlife viewing in the Chobe National Park. This area has good wildlife viewing all year round thanks to the permanent water of the Chobe River. The mornings here are best spent in search of lions and buffalo, as well as taking time to appreciate the other animals and birds that one comes across. This permanent river attracts a huge variety of wildlife and is the only place in Southern Africa where the puku can be seen.

Day 10

After a last morning wildlife viewing we return the short distance by road across the border to Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and on to the Victoria Falls airport, arriving in plenty of time for your onward connections.

The safari will be is exclusive to you, your family and any friends you choose to accompany you - we do not mix groups unless specifically requested. Prices are fully inclusive of all accommodation, park fees, air charters, transfers, activities (except additional activities in Victoria Falls), food and drinks. International and internal scheduled domestic flights and laundry are not included. Gavin will be your personal guide and pilot throughout.