Zimbabwe & Chobe Safari Self-Launched: Victoria Falls to the Okavango
11 days · Zimbabwe & Botswana
G Adventures charges £2,420
No-markup version: ~£895 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A do-it-yourself version of G Adventures' 11-day Zimbabwe & Chobe Safari, running from Victoria Falls through Hwange and Chobe National Parks and finishing in the Okavango Delta near Maun. You'll swap the operator's private group transport and lodge stays for intercity coaches, shared safari vehicles, budget lodges, hostels and tented camps, and self-booked activities (Victoria Falls day tours, walking safaris, Chobe river cruises, mokoro trips). Same wildlife, same landscapes, same iconic experiences — booked your own way at a fraction of the group-tour price. All costs are approximate per person in GBP.
Day-by-day
Arrive Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Land at Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) and make your own way to town — a shared shuttle or metered taxi costs around £8-12 to the centre. Check into a budget lodge or backpackers in Victoria Falls town (e.g. Shoestrings, Explorers Village or a mid-range guesthouse). Spend the late afternoon settling in and walk to the falls entrance area to get your bearings. Grab dinner at a local restaurant — try sadza, nyama and a Zambezi beer for about £8-10. Optional: pre-book a 'dinner and drumming' experience at a community-run venue to replicate the group welcome dinner vibe.
🚌Shared airport shuttle or taxi from VFA (~£8-12)
🛏Budget lodge or backpackers in Victoria Falls town (~£25-40/night)
- →Arrive and check in
- →Sunset walk near Victoria Falls
- →Local dinner in town
Victoria Falls — full day of exploring
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Book the Victoria Falls Rainforest Walk directly at the park gate (£30 park entry for international visitors) and follow the network of viewpoints along the gorge for the full 'smoke that thunders' experience — allow 2-3 hours. In the afternoon pick one adrenaline add-on booked via an activity desk or GetYourGuide: white-water rafting (~£110-130, seasonal), bungee jump off the Victoria Falls Bridge (~£130-160), or the Zambezi sunset cruise (~£35-50). For an evening show in place of the group's Simunye Theatre, book a local cultural performance or the Boma-style dinner-and-drumming night (~£40-55) — verify current availability locally.
🚌Walkable in town; short taxis (~£3-5 each way)
🛏Budget lodge or backpackers in Victoria Falls town (~£25-40/night)
- →Victoria Falls Rainforest Walk (park entry ~£30)
- →Optional white-water rafting or bungee (~£110-160)
- →Optional Zambezi sunset cruise (~£35-50)
- →Cultural dinner-and-drumming show (~£40-55)
Victoria Falls to Hwange National Park
Hwange, Zimbabwe
Take a shared shuttle or intercity transfer from Victoria Falls to Hwange/Detema (~2-2.5 hrs, ~£10-15 per person in a shared minibus, or a private transfer ~£45-70 split between 2-4 travellers). En route, stop at the Painted Dog Conservation centre near Hwange for a self-arranged guided tour (~£10-15) to learn about African wild dog reintroduction. Check into a budget lodge, self-catering camp or tented camp on the Hwange edge (~£25-45/night). Afternoon free — join an optional game drive or night drive arranged directly with your lodge (~£35-55).
🚌Shared shuttle/minibus Victoria Falls to Hwange (~£10-15); local game drives via lodge
🛏Budget lodge or tented camp near Hwange (~£25-45/night)
- →Painted Dog Conservation centre tour (~£10-15)
- →Optional afternoon or night game drive (~£35-55)
Full-day safari in Hwange National Park
Hwange, Zimbabwe
Book an early-morning guided game drive into Hwange National Park directly with a local operator such as a lodge or the Zimbabwe Parks-authorised outfitters (~£55-75 for a half/full day with park fees). Hwange is Zimbabwe's largest park and holds over 100 mammal species and 400 bird species, including healthy elephant, lion, sable and buffalo populations — the big draw in the dry season (roughly Jul-Oct) is the elephant concentrations around the pumped waterholes. Return for a late breakfast, then rest at camp or add an afternoon drive (~£40-55). Book your Maun-bound onward leg tonight.
🚌Lodge-based safari vehicle for park game drive
🛏Budget lodge or tented camp near Hwange (~£25-45/night)
- →Full-day or half-day Hwange game drive with park fees (~£55-75)
- →Optional second afternoon game drive (~£40-55)
Hwange to Kasane via Victoria Falls (border crossing)
Kasane, Botswana
Travel back to Victoria Falls by shared shuttle/minibus (~£10-15, ~2.5 hrs), grab a quick lunch in town, then cross into Botswana at the Kazungula border post — take a shared taxi or minibus to Kasane (~£5-10, allow extra time at the border). Check into a budget lodge, guesthouse or camp in Kasane (~£20-35/night). Spend the late afternoon relaxing or taking a self-arranged sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River (~£30-45). Note: most nationalities need to check Botswana visa/entry rules before arrival; UK passport holders currently enter visa-free for tourism — always confirm with official sources.
🚌Shared shuttle/minibus Hwange to Victoria Falls (~£10-15); shared taxi across border to Kasane (~£5-10)
🛏Budget lodge or guesthouse in Kasane (~£20-35/night)
- →Border crossing into Botswana at Kazungula
- →Optional Chobe River sunset cruise (~£30-45)
Chobe National Park safari day
Kasane, Botswana
Book a full-day Chobe National Park safari plus Chobe River cruise directly with a local Kasane operator (~£60-90 including park fees). Chobe holds one of the world's largest elephant populations — herds of 50+ are common in the dry season — along with buffalo, hippo, crocodile, lion and abundant birdlife. The classic combo is a morning river cruise and an afternoon game drive (or vice versa). Return to Kasane for dinner. Most lodges will hold your main bag while you do this and the Savuti/Maun transfer the following day.
🚌Operator safari boat and 4x4 vehicle based in Kasane
🛏Budget lodge or guesthouse in Kasane (~£20-35/night)
- →Chobe River cruise (~£30-45)
- →Full-day Chobe game drive with park fees (~£40-70)
- →Optional afternoon river cruise
Kasane to Maun (gateway to the Delta)
Maun, Botswana
Travel from Kasane to Maun by intercity bus or shared minibus (~8-10 hrs; Botswana's intercity network runs Kasane-Maun/Nata routes, roughly £20-30 per person), or break the journey overnight at Nata if you prefer a slower pace. Arrive in Maun in the evening and check into a backpackers or budget lodge (~£20-35/night). Maun is the launch point for all Okavango Delta excursions. Book your Delta mokoro trip and any optional scenic flight tonight or ahead of time.
🚌Intercity bus/shared minibus Kasane to Maun (~£20-30, 8-10 hrs)
🛏Backpackers or budget lodge in Maun (~£20-35/night)
- →Scenic transfer through northern Botswana
- →Evening in Maun, plan Delta excursion
Into the Okavango Delta — mokoro & bush camp
Okavango Delta, Botswana
Head into the Okavango Delta on a multi-day mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) trip booked directly with a Maun-based operator (~£100-170 for a 2-day excursion including poler/guide, camping equipment, food and park/community fees). Glide through papyrus channels and floodplain to a remote island camp, with guided bush walks and wildlife watching — elephant, zebra, giraffe, hippo and abundant birdlife. This is the DIY equivalent of the tour's Delta mokoro experience, and should be booked at least a few days in advance.
🚌4x4 transfer from Maun to Delta edge; mokoro canoe and walking within the Delta
🛏Tented bush camp in the Okavango Delta (camping included in excursion price)
- →Mokoro canoe excursion (~£100-170 for 2 days)
- →Guided bush walks
- →Wildlife and birdlife spotting in the Delta
Okavango Delta bush camp to Maun
Maun, Botswana
Wake at first light for your final mokoro morning paddle and guided walk, then return by 4x4 to Maun by early afternoon. Optional afternoon add-on: a scenic flight over the Delta booked in Maun (~£250-340), the DIY equivalent of the operator's optional 'doors-off' Delta helicopter flight — book at least a day ahead. Check back into your Maun backpackers/lodge for the night and collect any stored luggage.
🚌4x4 transfer from Delta to Maun; walking and mokoro within the Delta
🛏Backpackers or budget lodge in Maun (~£20-35/night)
- →Final mokoro paddle and bush walk
- →Optional Okavango Delta scenic flight (~£250-340)
Maun — buffer day and local exploration
Maun, Botswana
Use this day to catch up, rest, and add anything you missed. Options in Maun: a half-day Moremi or Khwai game drive tabbed into a shared 4x4 (~£60-90), a visit to a local village or craft market, or a boat-based birding trip. Alternatively, pre-arrange the optional 4 Corners Africa/Chobe bridge walk-style add-on if you've circled back to Kasane (~£50-70). Confirm onward flights or the next leg of your trip out of Maun airport.
🚌Local taxis and shared 4x4 excursions based in Maun
🛏Backpackers or budget lodge in Maun (~£20-35/night)
- →Optional Moremi/Khwai game drive (~£60-90)
- →Local market and village visit
- →Optional bridge walk / 4 Corners add-on (~£50-70)
Departure from Maun
Maun, Botswana
Check out and take a taxi or shuttle to Maun Airport (~£5-10) for your onward flight — Maun has direct links to Johannesburg, Gaborone and Kasane, so onward flights are easy to arrange if you're continuing your Africa trip. If time allows, a final breakfast in town before departure. This completes the self-launched version of the Victoria Falls to Okavango safari route.
🚌Taxi or shuttle to Maun Airport (~£5-10)
🛏N/A — departure day
- →Breakfast in Maun
- →Transfer to Maun Airport and departure
Self-launched vs. G Adventures
| This itinerary (self-launched) | G Adventures | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£895 | £2,420 |
| Duration | 11 days | 11 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £1,525 per person (63%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more G Adventures-style trips? Check them out here.~£895
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Zimbabwe & Chobe Safari Self-Launched: Victoria Falls to the Okavango cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £895 per person for 11 days in Zimbabwe & Botswana. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with G Adventures?+
Yes — G Adventures charges around £2,420 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £895 — a saving of roughly £1,525 (63%) per person.
How long is the Zimbabwe & Botswana trip?+
This itinerary runs 11 days, covering 11 day-by-day stops through Zimbabwe & Botswana.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a wildlife, adventure, budget trip through Zimbabwe & Botswana, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
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