FRX10V: Fishing: Vic Falls + Chobe River + Okavango

Day 1

You will be met at Livingstone Airport and transferred to your hotel on the banks of the Zambezi River, near the mighty Victoria Falls.

Check in, settle in and relax whilst you catch your first glimpses of the magnificent Smoke That Thunders first discovered by Dr. David Livingstone and still one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

The flow of water over the Victoria Falls is greatest during the wet months (February to June) but the falls are a magnificent sight at any time of year.

Day 2

Today explore on foot the mighty Victoria Falls, offering magnificent views. Then participate in one of the many optional activities such as a helicopter flight over the falls, an elephant-back safari or relax by the swimming pool and enjoy the facilities of your hotel.

In the late afternoon enjoy a Sunset Cruise on the Zambezi River to see hippos, crocodiles and the abundant bird life.

Please note that Zambia visa charges apply on each entry into the country, so if visiting Botswana or Zimbabwe (even if only as a day visit) but flying out from Livingstone Airport, you will need to pay again to reenter Zambia

Day 3

Today transfer 1-hour from Victoria Falls to the Namibian border near Kasane. After completing immigration formalities, continue 15-min to your houseboat moored near the confluence of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers.

Settle-in and relax on your houseboat, which has an entertainment deck, lounge, kitchen, bar and dining area. Then enjoy sundowners on the Chobe River with attracts abundant wildlife to Chobe National Park situated across the river.

Day 4

Enjoy the very special experience of cruising down the perennial Chobe River and the mighty Zambezi River on a houseboat, whilst viewing the abundant game of the Chobe National Park and overlooking the fertile flood plains of both Botswana and Namibia.

A Houseboat holiday is ideal for bird watching (over 400 species) and game viewing in the most relaxed way possible, as Chobe is home to vast herds of buffalo and elephant, as well as numerous other species that roam in profusion and diversity. During the dry season, vast elephant herds migrate from both south and north to congregate in their thousands along the Chobe River – the largest concentration of elephants in the whole of Africa.

This holiday is also favoured by fishermen as the Chobe River is home to ferocious Tiger Fish – legendary fighters with extraordinarily large tails and specialised bone structure, which allows them to accelerate like a rocket and hit your bait like no other fish their size.

Their teeth are formidable and they prey on other fish up to 40% of their own weight. They grow up to 16 lbs but even at 4 lbs they fight like champions. Tiger fish are more active in the warmer months (September to February) when the rivers are low and clear, but there is also a short window in June when tigers feed well. Barbel (catfish) and Wild Bream (yellow bellied, thin face and hump back) are also plentiful, fishing with either conventional tackle or on fly. Fishermen will have free access to all necessary tackle, several smaller motorboats and a fishing guide.

Each evening relax with sundowners on the deck and watch the spectacular sunset over the Zambesi River surrounded by hippos, crocodiles and abundant bird life!

Day 5

Transfer across the Chobe River to Kasane Airport in Botswana, for your light aircraft flight to your game lodge in the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta.

You will be met at the landing strip and transferred to your Okavango Delta game lodge.

Settle in and relax in this pristine water wilderness and enjoy game viewing under spectacular blue African skies before dinner.

Days 6 - 7

The seasonal Okavango Delta is flooded annually by the great Okavango River, whose waters flow inland from Angola into the vast Kalahari – never finding the sea, but instead forming a great inland delta whose waters are absorbed by the desert.

Comprising 6,000 square miles of crystal clear channels, serene lagoons and a myriad of islands, the Okavango Delta forms a natural oasis that sustains a vast variety of wildlife and birds of all descriptions. The waters are at their height from July to October, forming an amazing wetlands ecosystem that is one of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

Activities at your lodge centre on game viewing and bird watching, with experienced local guides. These include exploring the delta by mekoro canoe and river craft, as well as guided nature walks on the islands of the delta to track some of the larger species that inhabit this water wilderness - including buffalo, hippo and elephants. Optional angling for tiger fish and wild bream is also available.

Each evening relax around a blazing fire under balmy African skies, whilst exchanging notes about your game sighting!

Day 8

Enjoy another early morning Game Activity before breakfast and your light aircraft flight to your camp in the Okavango Panhandle.

Transfer from the landing strip to your lodge and enjoy this completely different setting for a continuation of your wildlife adventures.

Day 9 - 10

At leisure to relax and enjoy the deep waters of the Okavango Panhandle, where the Okavango River feed into the Okavango Delta system.

Fishing is particularly good in the waters of the Okavango Panhandle, which offers outstanding bream and tiger fishing all year round. Walking, birding and mokoro trails are also on offer, with experienced local guides.

Day 11

Today transfer to the landing strip for your light aircraft flight to Maun Airport for your onward flight.