Explorer's Journal: Following the Wild Through Botswana & Victoria Falls with SA Explorer Isabel

Join SA Explorer Isabel on an unforgettable journey through Zimbabwe and Botswana, where thundering waterfalls, winding rivers, and world-renowned safari destinations come together in one incredible adventure. From taking in the immense scale of Victoria Falls by helicopter and cruising the wildlife-rich Zambezi River to spotting elephants along the Chobe River and searching for big cats in the Okavango Delta and Savute, this journey showcases some of Southern Africa’s most iconic landscapes and wildlife experiences.

Hi everyone, SA Explorer Isabel here! My mom and I recently set off on an adventure through Zimbabwe and Botswana, and I’m excited to share some of the highlights with you. From our first glimpse of Victoria Falls to unforgettable safari moments with elephants, lions, cheetahs, and more, every stop offered something completely different. Along the way, we experienced luxury safari camps, incredible wildlife encounters, and some of the most beautiful landscapes I’ve ever seen. Come along as I take you through each chapter of our Southern Africa adventure!

First Impressions of Victoria Falls: Zimbabwe’s Natural Wonder from Every Angle

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Getting our first glimpse of Victoria Falls! (Photo: Isabel Falls)

After a quick 1.5-hour flight from Johannesburg, South Africa, we arrived in the small town of Victoria Falls, home to one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Similar to South America’s Iguazú Falls and North America’s Niagara Falls, Victoria Falls is one of the world’s most spectacular waterfalls, renowned for its immense width, powerful flow, and dramatic curtain of cascading water. It’s actually twice the height of Niagara Falls! While most of the falls are located on the Zambia side, many of the most panoramic views are found from Zimbabwe. If you have the time to visit both sides, each offers its own unique perspective.

Victoria Falls consists of five main waterfalls, and I loved walking along the trails to capture the different viewpoints. We visited during peak water flow, which meant that at times we were completely immersed in mist while exploring the paths. With so much water rushing over the edge, we decided to add a helicopter ride to fully appreciate the scale of the falls.

From the air, we circled Victoria Falls several times and gained a whole new understanding of just how vast the area is. It’s easy to see why the helicopter ride became the highlight of our visit. Beyond walking through Victoria Falls National Park and taking to the skies, adventurous travelers can also experience the falls through activities like whitewater rafting and bungee jumping.

Experiencing the mist from the ground and then seeing the entire landscape from above made for a truly well-rounded and unforgettable visit.

We ended the day with a beautiful sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, searching for wildlife during golden hour. While the falls are undoubtedly the main attraction, the surrounding area offers so much more to explore.

More to Discover in Victoria Falls

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Embarking on a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River and spotting incredible wildlife! (Photo: Isabel Falls)

While Victoria Falls is best known for the falls themselves, the area also offers fantastic opportunities for sunset cruises, game drives, and, of course, relaxing at beautiful lodges.

Every evening in Victoria Falls ended with a sunset cruise along the Zambezi River, the fourth-longest river in Africa. Originating in Angola, it flows through six countries before eventually emptying into the Indian Ocean. It was fun to be on the same river that feeds Victoria Falls, knowing that the water we were sailing on would soon pour over the famous cataracts!

The sunset cruise is a wonderful way to unwind. We were served drinks and snacks as we watched the riverbanks turn golden in the fading light and kept an eye out for wildlife. We spotted hippos, crocodiles, and countless birds while scanning the shoreline in hopes of seeing a larger animal come down for a drink. It was the perfect way to end a day of exploring.

The next morning, we headed out on an early sunrise game drive in Zambezi National Park, home to four of the Big Five. It was a great way to kick off the safari portion of our trip, and our guide, Blessed, made it even more memorable with a coffee and snack stop in the bush. There’s nothing quite like a cup of coffee in the middle of the African wilderness!

Our lodge was located along the upper Zambezi River, an area that feels quieter and more secluded. It was wonderful to spend the afternoon relaxing, watching the river flow by, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings before heading out on another sunset cruise.

A few days in Victoria Falls was a fantastic way to begin our African adventure. Experiencing both the falls and the surrounding activities only takes a couple of days and is well worth adding to any Southern Africa itinerary—if it isn’t already on your list!

Botswana’s Elephant Capital

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Chobe National Park: unique wildlife and sunset cruises along the Chobe River. (Photo: Isabel Falls)

Next stop: Botswana’s Chobe National Park!

Botswana is known as a leader in sustainable tourism, prioritizing conservation efforts and community benefits alongside visitor experiences. I was excited to learn firsthand how lodges put these principles into practice and to see the work being done to protect wildlife and habitats within the country's national parks.

We left Victoria Falls in the morning and drove across the border into Botswana. The journey took about two hours before we arrived at our next safari lodge. Chobe National Park and its surrounding areas are best known for their large elephant population and have earned the nickname "Africa's Elephant Capital." Thanks to decades of conservation efforts and protected wildlife corridors, Botswana is home to one of the largest elephant populations in the world. I was hoping we would see some large herds, and we were definitely not disappointed!

Our next few days consisted of both morning and evening game drives, along with river cruises on the Chobe River. While the Zambezi River at Victoria Falls offered excellent wildlife-viewing opportunities, the Chobe River is truly the lifeblood of the park. Nearly every day, we spotted large herds of elephants bathing, drinking, and playing along the river’s edge. My favorite part was always seeing the baby elephants!

Cruising along the river also provided opportunities to spot hippos, crocodiles, and other wildlife, including greater kudus, coming down to drink. Experiencing the park from both land and water offered a deeper understanding of how interconnected the ecosystem is and why conservation efforts are so important. Protecting habitats like the Chobe River supports not only elephants, but countless other species that depend on these resources to survive.

Throughout our stay, it was inspiring to see how lodges work closely with local communities and conservation organizations to help protect wildlife while creating economic opportunities for local residents.

Into the Okavango Delta

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Scenes from our time in Moremi Game Reserve. (Photo: Isabel Falls)

After an amazing start to our Botswana safari in Chobe National Park, our next stop had a lot to live up to. We boarded a small plane and flew over the Okavango Delta, which allowed us to truly appreciate just how expansive the area is. It was incredible to see the network of floodplains from above and witness just how unique the delta truly is.

After about a 45-minute flight, we landed in Moremi Game Reserve, located within the Okavango Delta, and were picked up at the small airstrip by our guide. He drove us to our luxury tented camp, which would be our home for the next few days. Safari tents are a wonderful way to feel immersed in your surroundings (that night, we heard lions roaring!) while still enjoying comforts such as hot showers, comfortable beds, and sometimes even a bathtub.

Our days in Moremi consisted of game drives and boat safaris, where we cruised through narrow channels lined with tall grasses. Our safari group was most excited about seeing big cats, so we dedicated our game drives to searching for them. Often elusive and perfectly camouflaged in the grass, they can be incredibly difficult to spot. Our search involved following tracks, listening for roars and bird calls, and patiently scanning the landscape until we finally came across a family of lions.

When we found them, it felt like discovering the pot of gold at the end of a treasure hunt. Encountering this pride was undoubtedly my favorite moment of the trip so far!

Along with the pride of lions, we also spotted more elephants, giraffes, zebras, and hippos—just to name a few. It was definitely a successful start to our safari adventure in the delta! 

A Perfect Safari Finale in Savute

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Spending time in Savute, located in a remote corner of Chobe National Park. (Photo: Isabel Falls)

Today, we boarded a small bush flight and once again cruised over the expansive Okavango Delta on our way to Savute. Located in a remote corner of Chobe National Park, on the opposite side of where we had been before, Savute is known for its vast, dry landscapes—perfect habitat for big cats like lions, cheetahs, and leopards. After spotting a pride of lions in Moremi, we crossed our fingers that we might get lucky with a cheetah or leopard sighting. Both species are often solitary and can be difficult to spot, but we were hopeful!

Our guide was an expert at paying attention to the small details within the ecosystem, helping put us in the best position to find more big cats. On our final game drive, we noticed some grass rustling in the distance. We quickly made our way over, lowered our voices, and carefully scanned the area for any sign of movement that might reveal a hidden cheetah or leopard.

Just when we thought we had missed whatever had caused the commotion, a cheetah emerged and crossed the road directly behind our vehicle! It was truly one of those moments where we were in the right place at the right time.

Not long after, we headed to the airstrip, leaving Botswana behind on an incredible high note. We finally saw our cheetah (and a leopard!), along with buffalo, wildebeest, elephants, zebras, and giraffes—just to name a few of the highlights. No two game drives are ever the same, and that's what makes safari so exciting: you never know what you'll discover around the next corner.

Traveling through a variety of parks allowed us to experience the unique character of each region, and every destination offered a different perspective on Botswana's incredible wildlife and ecosystems.

Ready to experience the magic of your own African safari? Reach out to learn more!