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Trip Overview
Duration
10 Days | 9 Nights
Guide
Steve Faulconbridge
Date
12 – 21 September 2026
Location
Hwange - Zimbabwe
Vic Falls - Zimbabwe
Okavango Delta - Botswana
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! This incredible journey for six will take you to some of Southern Africa’s most remarkable destinations in Zimbabwe and Botswana, all with your expert private guide, Steven Faulconbridge
Your trip begins in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park, a landscape renowned for its massive elephant herds and diverse wildlife. You’ll spend your first nights at Camp Hwange, a perfect base to explore the park and witness magnificent predators and prey in their natural habitat.
Next, you’ll travel to the mighty Victoria Falls, staying at the charming Ilala Lodge on the Zimbabwean side. You’ll experience the awe-inspiring power of the falls up close with a guided tour and enjoy a memorable sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, followed by a special boma dinner under the stars.
Your grand finale is in Botswana, where you’ll fly by helicopter into the world-famous Okavango Delta and the luxurious Karangoma Safari Lodge. This pristine wilderness is often called the “Jewel of the Kalahari,” and from the air, you’ll get a spectacular view before landing for an exclusive safari experience to see the best of the best.
Your Private Guides
Steve Faulconbridge
Private Safari Guide
With over 15 years of experience in the field and a master’s degree in nature conservation, Steve brings a thoughtful, quietly profound approach to guiding. A certified Level 2 Lead Trails Guide, he specialises in botany, animal behaviour, birding and tracking, interpreting the bush with the precision of a scientist and the intuition of someone deeply in tune with the land.
Since joining WildEarth in 2018, Steve has become known for his gentle way of guiding, where curiosity is welcomed and every question is a door to deeper understanding. His favourite part of being with WildEarth is the freedom to explore any subject, from the structure of a termite mound to the quiet clarity found in stillness.
What sets Steve apart is not just his ecological insight, but his gift for creating space, space for reflection, connection, and often a sense of calm awe. Guests often speak of ‘Oh my word’ moments and quiet pauses spent in nature that feel a little like meditation.
His favourite animal? The honey badger, fierce, fearless, and full of character. Much like Steve himself, there’s more to them than first meets the eye. Away from the vehicle or the trails, you’ll find him playing drums, dancing, or simply soaking in the rhythm of the wild.
The Lodges
Camp Hwange
A rustic, traditional camp of 8 canvas-walled units beneath cooling thatch, Camp Hwange overlooks one of the natural waterholes that make this part of Hwange National Park special. Founded in 2010 by a well-known professional guide, Camp Hwange’s location is strategic. This private concession in the central part of Hwange lies between the rugged mopane woodlands to the north and the sandy soil teak forests to the south-west; it’s location here on this open savannah ecotone means that game viewing is as diverse as its habitat types. Aside from fantastic game viewing, especially in the drier months from April through to November, Camp Hwange offers an excellent guided experience with a strong emphasis on walking and tracking.
Ilala Lodge Hotel
Situated in Victoria Falls town centre, Ilala Lodge Hotel holds the distinction of being the closest hotel to the waterfall on the Zimbabwean side – an eight-minute walk from the main viewing points. This positioning offers particular convenience for guests seeking immediate access to the Falls upon arrival.
The hotel’s 73 rooms and suites are configured across multiple categories, from Classic Rooms to the expansive Strathearn Suite. All accommodations feature garden views that extend toward the adjacent national park. The constant sound of falling water – locally known as “the smoke which thunders” – provides a distinctive atmospheric element unique to this location.
The award-winning Cassia Restaurant has earned recognition for both its cuisine and extensive wine menu, featuring selections from established South African vineyards. The restaurant operates throughout the day, with evening service conducted outdoors under natural lighting. The proximity to Victoria Falls means that the spray from the of the waterfall provides a unique visual backdrop.
Two swimming pools anchor the hotel’s leisure facilities, complemented by a poolside bar and lounge area equipped with business facilities, games, and reading materials. An activities office staffed by specialists are ready to book activities ranging from helicopter flights to multi-day safari extensions.
Karangoma
Karangoma is the result of a partnership with local elder Olatotse Sarefo and is rooted in Bukakhwe San and Hambukushu culture. The name itself is a Sembukushu word describing ‘drum beating, ancestral healing, bringing good future to the tribe, or, when one is ill, cure dancing’. It is exactly this essence of healing and harmony that the camp seeks to offers its guests in their reconnection with nature and traditional cultures. And what better place to do that than the productive and beautiful Okavango Delta where this small, exclusive camp offers the opportunity for some truly special game viewing and connection with the natural world. Karangoma’s 6 tented suites are hidden on a shaded peninsula with gorgeous views out across the floodplains.
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – 3: Saturday, 12 September 2026 – Monday, 14 September 2026
Camp Hwange • Central Hwange National Park
You will be met at Victoria Falls Airport by a representative and by your guide, Steve Faulconbridge. From here, you will take a Mack Air Zimbabwe flight into Hwange. Luggage is limited to 20 kilograms per person in soft sided bags.
For three nights, stay at Camp Hwange and explore the wilderness of Zimbabwe’s largest national park. Morning and afternoon drives reveal elephants, lions, and Hwange’s famed diversity of wildlife. Time in camp brings the quiet beauty of the bush, with fireside evenings and open skies above.
Day 4: Tuesday, 15 September 2026
Ilala Lodge Hotel • Victoria Falls
After breakfast, fly from Hwange back to Victoria Falls. You will be met at the airport and driven to Ilala Lodge. In the late afternoon, take a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River, followed by dinner at the Boma, a festive experience of local food, music, and dance.
Day 5: Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Ilala Lodge Hotel • Victoria Falls
This morning, enjoy a privately guided tour of Victoria Falls. Walk along the viewpoints to take in the full sweep of the falls, with mist rising from the gorge and rainbows arcing above. The rest of the day is yours to relax at the lodge or explore the town.
Day 6 – 9: Thursday, 17 September 2026 – Sunday, 20 September 2026
Karangoma • Okavango Delta
Today you will transfer by road from Victoria Falls to Kasane, then fly by light aircraft to Vumbura Airstrip. From there, a helicopter will take you into Karangoma, a small and exclusive camp set deep in the Okavango Delta.
Your days here are shaped by the rhythms of water and wilderness. Game drives, mokoro excursions, boating, and guided walks reveal the delta’s rich wildlife, while evenings invite stargazing under vast skies. Karangoma’s intimate setting offers both seclusion and connection with the floodplains, where elephants roam and birdlife thrives.
Day 10: Monday, 21 September 2026
Karangoma • Okavango Delta – Maun
After a final morning at Karangoma, board your flight from the camp back to Maun for your onward journey.
Inclusions, Exclusions & Pricing
Included
- All internal road and air transfers.
- Steve Faulconbridge as your private guide,
- Personal travel concierge
- 24/7 in country assistance
- Luxury accommodation throughout
- All meals & local beverages (Victoira Falls is breakfast only)
- Park fees, conservation fees
Excluded
- International Flights
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
Pricing
Sharing
Per person sharing
