Great Plains Botswana & Victoria Falls (9 nights)

If you are here for the wildlife then the best way to get up close and personal with the animals is on a drive in customised open Land Cruiser.

Another huge benefit of staying within the conservancies is the ability to appreciate the stunning landscape on foot, peacefully, without the noise of engines. We highly recommend this unforgettable experience. Usually early morning or evening is the best time, as the middle of the day is too hot to venture out of the shade. Wear good walking shoes, a hat, and neutral coloured clothing so as not to alarm the wildlife, and take binoculars. Your guide will have water for you. Walks are led by licensed guides with firearm training.

This is a great activity during mid-day siesta. Make sure you’re with a guide. During January and February there is a moratorium on fishing. Catch-and-release fishing only.

Navigating through the Okavango Delta's network of waterways is an invigorating way to get a sense of the scope of this huge wetland. You’ll undoubtedly have wonderful birding and maybe even some hippo, buffalo and elephant sightings. (Boating is a seasonal activity, typically between June and September but varies seasonally).

We can all recall the freedom of our youth when we were outside all day, making forts, catching tadpoles and climbing trees. We were all explorers of some kind, even if just in our suburban garden.

We explored, we discovered, we might have even gotten lost, but we always retuned the wiser and more enlightened.

Safaris with kids are much the same – a time to stimulate all the senses. Safaris open up a whole new world to us all, but for kids that world is even more enchanting. Exciting new animals are a huge part of a safari experience, but delving deeper into what lies in heart of the land and its people all the while learning and experiencing to the great satisfaction of kids (and parents). Stepping away from everyday life to build a traditional reed hut, or treasure hunting and practicing your newly learnt traditional bush survival skills is an experience we would all cherish. For kids, it is magical.

While at Selinda Camp there is no set routine, the wildlife knows the most forgiving times of day, and we take its lead. Early morning, late afternoon and evenings are the prime wildlife viewing times - it's when the colors are vibrant, the sun is low and spirits are up. Setting out at dawn, when predators are active, our guides are as keen as the guests to discover the riches of each day in Selinda Reserve. Usually, once the sun is high and strong, we retreat with the herds to our midday resting post, Selinda Camp. Then, as the sun begins to wane again, we head out for the late afternoon to evening, searching for nocturnal wildlife and the action that comes with sunset. But nothing is regimented. Regimes don't suit Selinda, which is why we all love being out here in the first place. Our Toyota Land Cruisers have been specially designed by the Jouberts. The thoughtful engineering provides all-round visibility with removable canvas roofs and comfortable bucket seats. These rugged, 4X4 vehicles provide access to all of the Selinda Reserve's diverse ecosystems, and do so with ease. Please remember that the cars are open and it can be quite chilly in the early mornings and evenings, so take very warm clothing with you on your drives. There are lined ponchos provided in the vehicles if you get cold while out, so just ask your guide to show you where these are if

you need them.

Another huge benefit of staying within the conservancies is that here guests are allowed to appreciate the stunning landscape on foot, peacefully, without the noise of engines. We highly recommend this unforgettable experience. Talk to the managers to arrange a good time and location for a walk. Usually early morning or evening is the best time, as the middle of the day is too hot to venture out of the shade. Wear good walking shoes, a hat, and neutral coloured clothing so as not to alarm the wildlife, and take binoculars. Your guide will have water for you.

Selinda is primarily a land-based camp; however, depending on seasonal water levels boating is possible on the Spillway in the camp powerboat. Zipping through the Okavango’s network of waterways is an invigorating way to get a sense of the scope of this huge wetland. You’ll undoubtedly have wonderful birding and maybe even some hippo, buffalo and elephant sightings.

This is a great activity during mid-day siesta or in place of a safari drive. During January and February there is a moratorium on fishing. All fishing is catch-and-release.

This is a full syllabus of bush craft skills for young explorers. This is a complimentary program that follows in the footsteps of National Geographic Explorers-in-Residence, Dereck and Beverly Joubert. An extensive pack will be provided to eager children on arrival, so they can learn about animal calls, how to track wildlife, and other facts and figures about the wild. At the end of a child’s stay, he/she will become a Young Explorer and Conservation Ambassador - ready to go out and tell the world about what they have learned and what they too can do to help protect this beautiful environment.

Each of Selinda's guest suites comes with a pair of high-quality binoculars for guest use as well as a professional camera set, including a camera body and lenses. Photos will be downloaded to a memory stick on guest’s departure. Photographic tuition through the Great Plains Wild Studio can be arranged for guests (at an additional cost and booked in advance). Tuition can be either on company cameras or own guest’s personal cameras.

The Spa at Selinda is a relaxing and inviting space, located privately above the wine cellar. Spa treatments are at an additional cost.

Enjoy an aerial viewing experience with great scenery across the Linyanti/Savuti and Selinda Spillway. Add a 15-minute champagne stop on palm island en route. Must be booked in advance and is subject to extra cost and availability.

This is one activity that screams safari. Hop on our comfortable game viewing vehicles for a morning and afternoon/evening game drive. Your safari guide has all the expertise and knowledge to find you some of the best kept secrets and most loved wildlife in the Okavango Delta.

Enjoy a scenic helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta. This is an incredible opportunity to appreciate the vastness of the Delta when seeing it from above. From your seat, door off (or on), you’ll be able to spot game, take exceptional photos and follow the waterways and animal pathways that shape this ancient wilderness.

Delight in a fully-immersive dining experience on the tranquil and serene banks of the Zambezi River, sheltered under a twinkling canopy of stars. The riverside dining experience offers an authentic African barbecue-style dinner surrounded by the wilderness of the Zambezi National Park.

Expect an array of delicious items on the menu, with a touch of traditionally Zimbabwean flavours, all freshly prepared on open coal fires. The hotel’s extensive range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages is served by attentive waiters set to ensure an unforgettable experience. Guests often get the opportunity to dine in the company of meandering hippos, buffalo or elephants.

The Riverside Dining Experience is available to all in-house guests of Palm River Hotel and Ilala Lodge Hotel exclusively and is available throughout the year, weather conditions permitting.
Advanced reservations for the Riverside Dining Experience are essential.

Experience unparalleled refinement at the Palm River Hotel’s enchanting High Tea on the Zambezi River.
Delight your senses with a sparkling prelude of effervescent hibiscus prosecco, or embark on a journey of flavours with our artisanal brew selection including velvety cappuccinos and aromatic teas.
The experience entails a cascade of delicious treats including picturesque panna cottas, dainty sandwiches, mini macaraons and buttery scones adorned with whipped cream and glistening strawberry preserves.

Under the dappled shade of indigenous trees, and amidst the tranquillity of the flowing river, savour an exquisite experience at the Palm River Hotel.

Available between 15.30 - 17.00 daily. Advanced reservations required.
Email fnb@palmriverhotel.com or call +263 867 719 6873

Absorb the splendour of being on the mighty Zambezi River and relive the historical journey taken by David Livingstone with a cruise aboard one of the Ra-Ikane luxury boats.

A variety of cruises are offered, including breakfast, lunch and sundowner cruises, as well as private charter cruises. Each Ra-Ikane boat has its own crew, made up of a friendly and knowledgeable captain, guide and waiter to ensure that you can sit back and enjoy the ride.

Cruise along the mighty Zambezi River, upstream of the Victoria Falls. Minimum 2 & Maximum of 16 passengers. Small and easy to navigate close to the banks for enhanced bird and wildlife viewing.

- Breakfast cruises - continental breakfast, tea, coffee, juice
- Lunch cruises - cold meats, cheeses, breads, salads & drinks.
- Sunset cruises - drinks, snacks