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New York to Southern Africa: Victoria Falls, Chobe and the Okavango Delta

New York → Victoria Falls → Chobe → Okavango Delta

Victoria Falls
"Cataratas_Victoria,_Zambia-Zimbabue,_2018-07-27,_DD_04.jpg" by Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence
Cataratas Victoria, Zambia-Zimbabue, 2018-07-27, DD 04 (Victoria Falls)
Foto: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, über Wikimedia Commons

Falls & delta safari Best season (general guide): May–Oct

This route crosses three countries in a week: Zimbabwe for Victoria Falls, Botswana's Chobe riverfront and the Okavango Delta. From New York you'll connect through Johannesburg or another hub.

At Victoria Falls, the path through the rainforest opposite the falls gives views of the water and the spray. A sunset cruise on the Zambezi upstream is a calm contrast.

Cross into Botswana at Kasane for two nights by the Chobe River. Boat trips on the river get you close to elephants and hippos, and game drives cover the riverfront.

Then fly from Kasane or via Maun into the Okavango Delta. Floods from the Angolan highlands reach the delta during the dry season, filling the channels just when the land is driest. Camps use mokoro canoes, guided walks and game drives to explore.

May to October is the best season for wildlife. The falls are fullest from about February to May, and the delta floods peak in mid-year. UNESCO lists Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta.

Pacing: border crossings between Zimbabwe and Botswana are straightforward, but carry your passport and any visa documents. Check the visa rules for each country before you travel.

Light aircraft to the delta have strict luggage limits and usually require soft bags. Pack neutral clothes, a warm layer for early drives and binoculars.

At the falls, a raincoat is useful in the high-water months, as the spray can soak you. In the dry months, the flow drops and the rock face shows more clearly.

Each stop on this route offers a different way of seeing wildlife: from the river in Chobe, by canoe and on foot in the delta, and from the water's edge at the falls. Three different settings make the week feel longer than it is.

Suggested outline

  1. New York

    Start

  2. Victoria Falls

    By air · 2 nights suggested

    The rainforest path facing the falls and a Zambezi sunset cruise.

  3. Chobe

    Overland · 2 nights suggested

    Boat trips and game drives along the Chobe riverfront.

    Chobe National Park
    "Gnus_zebras_chobe_national_park.jpg" by Gorgo, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

  4. Okavango Delta

    By air · 3 nights suggested

    A fly-in camp with mokoro, walks and drives.

    Okavango Delta
    "Okavango_Delta,_Botswana1.jpg" by Joachim Huber, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons· licence

Day by day

  1. Day 1 · Victoria Falls — Arrive; rainforest walk at the falls· New York → Victoria Falls (by air) — long-haul; may arrive the next calendar day
  2. Day 2 · Victoria Falls — Zambezi sunset cruise
  3. Day 3 · Chobe — Cross to Kasane; river cruise· Victoria Falls → Chobe (overland)
  4. Day 4 · Chobe — Riverfront game drive
  5. Day 5 · Okavango Delta — Fly to Maun and into the delta· Chobe → Okavango Delta (by air)
  6. Day 6 · Okavango Delta — Mokoro and guided walk
  7. Day 7 · Okavango Delta — Game drive or boat
  8. Day 8 · Okavango Delta — Travel home from Okavango Delta· Okavango Delta → New York (by air)

A suggested pace only; expedition days are set by the operator.

Flights, leg by leg

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Victoria Falls

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Plan the trip: Victoria Falls

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Chobe

Nearest airport: Victoria Falls Search fares · Victoria Falls ↗

Okavango Delta

Nearest airport: Maun Search fares · Maun ↗

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