Ultimate Botswana

Join your Guide and head out in a game-viewer to explore the 150,000 acres that make up the Zambezi National Park.

Whether the opting to be the first to catch the ‘bush telegraphs’ early broadcast of the previous night’s events - or preferring to take a leisurely break, from an afternoon of game spotting, to enjoy the phenomenal sunset with sun-downers – a Victoria Falls River Lodge's safari experience promises to be memorable.

(Included in accommodation rate)

Kindly refer to the "Little Livingstone's Children's Activities" (Appendix C) for more information on activities specially developed for younger guests

A relaxing voyage on one of the Victoria Falls River Lodge luxury river cruisers is arguably one of the best ways on earth to soak in the magnificence of the iconic Zambezi River and its surrounds.

Watch as the world awakes and the sun’s first rays skip and dance across the shimmering surface of the mighty Zambezi - a truly revitalising way to start any day!

Or, for the not-so-early-birds, sit back and let the gentle ebb and flow of the Zambezi lull and relax you.
Join in on Mother Nature’s Happiest Hour and sip on a sun-downer whilst viewing her creatures, big and small, coming to the water’s edge to lap at its liquid life.

(Included in accommodation rate)

Kindly refer to the "Little Livingstone's Children's Activities" (Appendix C) for more information on activities specially developed for younger guests

There is not much that can compare to the heady fragrance of drenched earth and sun-kissed Rainforest foliage, the intense power of the wall of water – its deafening rumble coursing through your veins – or letting the cooling and constant spray of “the Smoke that Thunders” saturate the senses…

Join your passionate and knowledgeable Victoria Falls River Lodge Guide on a truly unforgettable tour of Victoria Falls and experience this Natural Wonder of the Word first hand.

With intimate knowledge of the local fauna and flora and other points of historical interest, coupled with advice on the best viewing spots (and an extra pair of hands to help get that ‘full’ family photo!), our Guides will happily assist wherever possible to help ensure that the memories created at this World Heritage Site will last a lifetime.

(Included in accommodation rate)

Kindly refer to the "Little Livingstone's Children's Activities" (Appendix C) for more information on activities specially developed for younger guests

Victoria Falls River Lodge and the Zambezi National Park are a bird watcher’s paradise.

In a comparatively small area around Victoria Falls, birding enthusiasts will be able to view a great diversity of birds within rain forest, riverine, gorge and savannah habitats.

Local species include Rock Pratincole, Schalow’s Turaco, African Finfoot, Half Collared Kingfisher, Thick Billed Weaver, African Skimmer, Pels Fishing Owl, Collared Palm Thrush and Western Banded Snake Eagle (to name but a few).

Guests at Victoria Falls River Lodge seldom have to travel too far from their private decks however as the lush foliage around the lodge offers ample opportunity to enjoy many of the spectacular array of bird life that Zimbabwe has to offer.

(Included in accommodation rate)

Kindly refer to the "Little Livingstone's Children's Activities" (Appendix C) for more information on activities specially developed for younger guests

Adventure options - for the younger generation

Sharing children’s rate is inclusive of:

oTransfers (shared) to and from the Victoria Falls Airport / Livingstone International Airport
oAll meals
oLocal beverages (soft drinks)
oOptional daily transfers from camp (typically departing at 10h00 and returning at 15h00) to Victoria Falls town
oTour of the Falls (part of the daily transfer to town) – entry fee to Rainforest for guest’s own account
oTransfers to/from National Park Gate / Jetty for 3rd party activities
oAfternoon Tea
oBird watching
oA choice of 2 x Game Activities (i.e. morning/afternoon game drive and sunrise/sunset river cruise) per person per day – subject to availability and the below conditions:

Game Drive (incl. snacks and soft beverages)
Children aged 0-3 years are not permitted on game drives

•Junior Discoverers Drive (incl. snacks and soft beverages)
oAimed at children aged 4-7 years accompanied by at least 1 parent - subject to vehicle capacity
oOutside of standard Game Drive times – timing is seasonal and in consultation with Management
oFamilies wishing to take children aged 4 - 7 years on game drive during standard early morning / late afternoon game drive times (i.e. not Junior Discoverers Drive) will require a sole use game viewer – per details above.

‘Standard’ game drives for children aged 8 years and older are included in the rate
Management reserves the right to remove any unruly/disruptive children from the vehicle and return them to Camp before resuming the game drive.

Boat Cruise (incl. snacks and soft beverages)
Children aged 0-3 years are not permitted on river cruises
Children aged 4 years and older are permitted on the river cruises
Management reserves the right to remove any unruly/disruptive children from the vessel and return them to Camp before resuming the cruise.

"LITTLE LIVINGSTONE'S CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES"

•Junior Discoverer’s Drive (mentioned above)

oEmbrace the outdoors like a true African Explorer
oJoin your Guide in his trusty 4x4 and bravely head into the ‘great unknown’ - learning all about the fascinating fauna and flora of its wild surrounds
oAimed at children aged 4-7 years accompanied by at least 1 parent - subject to vehicle capacity
oOutside of standard Game Drive times – timing is seasonal and in consultation with Management

•Young Bush Wackers

oTake a walk on the “wild side” and discover innumerable natural wonders right at your doorstep!
oConducted by qualified Guide within camp surrounds and river banks immediately in front of the Lodge.
oGeared for children ages 4-11 years (although older siblings and parents are welcome too!)
oTiming is seasonal and in consultation with Management

•Various books & games - for indoor entertainment

NOTE: All activities/excursions are subject to the aforementioned conditions (and those below) and with parental supervision only.

(The above Children’s Activities are included in the accommodation rate but are available at the Victoria Falls River Lodge - Luxury Tented Suites only)

Experience the wonder of the African bush on foot and, when accompanied by an expert Guide, enjoy the thrilling opportunity to an up close and personal introduction to some of the Zambezi National Park's resident wildlife.

(Optional activity - available at an additional charge. Kindly refer to Appendix A for further details)

The Upper Zambezi is home to a wide variety of fish species and Victoria Falls River Lodge offers half-day guided fishing trips leaving directly from the Lodge. Tiger fishing is a highlight and a unique experience on this iconic river.

Fishing from the jetty is also an option.

(Optional activity - available at an additional charge. Kindly refer to Appendix A for further details)

Boat cruising on the Chobe River

A full day Safari includes cruising on the Chobe River, driving within the Chobe National Park and a delicious picnic lunch and drinks

Game Drives - (there are over 75 species of mammals). Day drives are into Chobe National Park and night drives are on the concession.

Bird Viewing - there are over 450 species to be spotted in the region.

Viewing wildlife on a game drive is a thrilling experience. The varied woodland habitats and ancient floodplains along the Linyanti fault line make the Linyanti an essential part of any Botswana itinerary. Some of our guests have described it as utterly breathtaking. A safari to Africa is worthy of being on every travellers' must see destination.

Catch sight of nocturnal creatures on a night drive along the channel. An intriguing opportunity for you to see animals that you may never have heard of and are more unique, such as genets, civets, and bush babies. The other exciting element of night drives is the chance of seeing cats at their most active.

On request, nature walks with skilled, armed guides are wonderful ways of getting close to nature and observing the smaller things you miss when travelling by vehicle.

There are two hides in the vicinity of Kings Pool from which to view and photograph animals and birds. One is located at the western end of camp and the other is an original underground hide, with the water at eye level making for a unique camera-friendly perspective

End the day with sundowners, relaxing on the elegant, colonial-style Queen Silvia barge floating down the Linyanti River. While the camp and its lagoon take their name from King Gustaf of Sweden who honeymooned here in the mid 1900s, the name of the barge romantically commemorates his wife. The newlyweds fell in love with the beauty of Botswana – a feeling that was mutual as the country fell in love with them too, and Botswana fondly named Queen Silvia the Dancing Queen!

* Water levels permitting.

Fishing with a limited supply of basic equipment is on offer on a catch and release basis.

* Note that fishing is seasonal as it is prohibited by Botswana law in January and February due to breeding purposes.

Birding is outstanding at Wilderness King's Pool, with the Linyanti Wildlife Reserve an internationally recognised Important Bird Area (IBA), particularly for birds of prey like Dickinson's kestrel and water birds, from fish eagles to herons, and African skimmers. In the summer months, southern carmine bee-eaters nest near camp. Keep your binoculars close at hand!

Massages are available for you to enjoy in the privacy of your tent. A range of beauty treatments created to restore your body’s natural balance and soothe away your stresses.

Safari drives (day & night) take place in some of Botswana’s best adapted vehicles. Duba Plain’s Toyota Land Cruisers are uniquely designed to traverse the floodplains. These are, of course, open-sided, canopied and customised for photographers (raised roofs, photographic bars, multi-plug inverters). Seating only four to six guests on each vehicle, the Cruisers are fully stocked with drinks and snacks. Each suite has a professional camera and lenses as a package for guests to use or try out. Images are downloaded and presented for them to take away at no additional charge.

While the focus remains on the most comfortable times of day (early to mid-morning and late afternoon to evening) for drives, it is very common in Duba Plains to spend full days out in the field, having brunch delivered to the vehicles because the wildlife is so good and our focus is on finding and spending time with these extraordinary experiences.

Our schedule is flexible and guests are encouraged to create their own itinerary according to their interests. Very often, our safaris will continue into the night in search of nocturnal species. Great Plains guides are also keen trackers and birders and guests are encouraged to experience everything the camp has to offer.

Another huge benefit of staying within the conservancies is the ability to appreciate the stunning landscape on foot, peacefully, without the noise of engines. 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.

Zipping 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 May and October but varies seasonally).

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.

Duba Plains Camp offers a full syllabus of bush craft skills for our 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 Duba Plains guest suite 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.

Enjoy an aerial viewing experience with great scenery across the northern part of the Okavango Delta. Add a 15-minute champagne stop on palm island en route. Must be booked in advance and is subject to extra cost and availability.

Explore the Okavango Delta's permanent water channels by mokoro (when water levels allow). This is truly a refreshing yet peaceful experience allowing for wildlife and bird viewing from a unique perspective.