TRIP QUEST TRAVEL - Botswana & Zimbabwe Tour (4N/5D) | Pre-tour Add On to SAFARI, SIPS & SHORES TOUR

Meeting and pickup point on arrival off your fight from the USA to OR Tambo International Airport [JNB], Johannesburg, South Africa:

• International Arrivals:  As you exit into the International Arrivals Hall from Customs, your tour representative will meet you carrying a calling board with Trip Quest  Travel , Touch Down DMC and/or your names. If your representative is not immediately visible, please stand in front of the information desk.

FLIGHT ARRIVAL INFORMATION
Gust to advise 

Upon arrival at O.R. Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg, you’ll be met by your tour representative and walked  directly to your hotel. Check in and enjoy welcome canapés and wine. 
Overnight: City Lodge OR Tambo 3* or similar

After breakfast, meet your guide in reception and walk  OR Tambo International Airport, ,check in counters .

On arrival in Kasane , you will be met by the Chobe  Princess ground staff who will transfer you and assit you through Kasane  immigration to  board the  Chobe Princess . The houseboat provides a unique vantage point from which to spot some of the myriads of wildlife which call the Chobe National Park home. Being on the river, in the heart of the Chobe National Park which boasts the highest concentration of wildlife for its size in Africa, will be one of the memorable experiences of your life. Especially if you’re lucky enough to see whole herds of elephant frolicking in the water or even swimming across it. Taking short trips on the river in the tender boat will bring you even closer to the wildlife as they come down to the river to drink. Every animal has to drink so the riverbank is the perfect place to see baboon, gentle giraffe, hyena, impala, lechwe, majestic kudu, puku, sable, solitary leopard, lion, warthog, waterbuck, the rare painted wild dog, blue wildebeest, and zebra among the many other species that live in the Chobe. While the bush on land can sometimes seem quiet, at night the river is a veritable wild orchestra. Under the vast and star-laden sky, accompanied by the night chorus of hippos grunting, lions roaring and night birds calling, you can enjoy a delicious dinner and then fall asleep in your luxurious suite to be ready for the adventures of tomorrow. A houseboat is the ultimate luxury safari and to be able to sip sundowners while you cruise one of the big rivers in Africa through one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet is an unmatched experience.
Overnight: Chobe Princess 4*
 

On board the Chobe Princess, activities are relaxed, flexible and centred around the river and wildlife experience rather than fixed lodge schedules. Guests can choose from a variety of daily water-based excursions and onboard leisure experiences.

Activities on board Chobe Princess

• Water-based game viewing safaris – Morning and afternoon tender boat excursions along the Chobe River to see elephants, buffalo, hippos, crocodiles and abundant birdlife from the water. Wildlife is often viewed very closely and in a more relaxed setting than land safaris.
• Bird watching – The Chobe region is a paradise for birders, with hundreds of species found in the wetland ecosystem. Dedicated guides assist with sightings and identification.
• Fishing excursions (seasonal) – Guests can try catch-and-release fishing, including the famous tiger fish (season dependent), with equipment and permits generally included.
• Photographic safaris – Tender boats are ideal for photography, particularly sunrise, sunset and wildlife images from the river.
• Village visits / cultural experiences – Depending on water levels, timing and itinerary, guided village walks can be arranged for insight into local communities.
• Relaxing on board – Enjoy the sun deck, plunge pool, lounge and bar areas while watching wildlife drift past directly from the boat. Elephants often come down to the riverbanks in front of the vessel.
• Sundowners and scenic cruising – Sunset drinks on deck while cruising the Chobe River are a highlight, with spectacular skies and wildlife sightings.

One of the best features of the Chobe Princess is that there is no rigid itinerary – activities are personalised around guest interests and wildlife sightings, making it ideal for a relaxed safari extension after a lodge stay.
Overnight: Chobe Princess 4 *

Today, after your breakfast cruise, you will disembark from the Chobe Princess and be assisted through the immigration process before continuing your journey to Victoria Falls.

Your first stop will be lunch at the Dusty Road Township Experience, a unique cultural and dining experience located in the heart of Chinotimba Township, approximately 2 km from the town centre of Victoria Falls. This immersive experience offers an authentic insight into Zimbabwean culture, community life, and traditional cuisine, providing a meaningful connection to the local way of life. Thereafter, you will be transferred to your hotel, Ilala Lodge, for check-in. The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure, allowing time to relax and freshen up before the evening’s activities. Later this afternoon, you will be transferred to the Lookout Cafe, is one of the must-do sundowner spots in Victoria Falls because the setting is spectacular — perched dramatically on the edge of the Batoka Gorge overlooking the Zambezi River, with views of the gorge, rapids and the iconic Victoria Falls Bridge. You can often watch adventure activities like the gorge swing, zipline and flying fox taking place below while you dine. Indulge in a delicious three-course set-menu dinner, After dinner , return to your hotel for a well-deserved night’s rest, falling asleep to the distant heartbeat of the mighty Victoria Falls. 
Overnight:  Ilala Lodge 4* or similar

After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of the magnificent Victoria Falls, one of the largest and most spectacular waterfalls in the world, located on the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Known locally as “Mosi-oa-Tunya”, meaning “The Smoke That Thunders,” the Falls are renowned for their immense curtain of water and dramatic spray visible from miles away. Formed by the mighty Zambezi River, the Falls stretch approximately 1.7 km wide and plunge more than 100 metres into the dramatic Batoka Gorge, creating one of Africa’s most iconic natural wonders.

Following your tour, you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight to Cape Town, where the next chapter of your South African adventure awaits.