“Wild, Wondrous Africa: Botswana Safari”
and Victoria Falls
12 Days/11 Nights • June 11-22, 2027
Embark on an epic journey to Africa hosted by a renowned provider with over 40 years of expertise in crafting genuine safari and luxury lodge experiences. See magnificent and diverse wildlife and feel the thrill of a real safari adventure in comforta and with like-minded people and while supporting our mission!
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DATES: June 11-22, 2027
ZOOM ORIENTATION: Saturday, February 6, 2027 - 9 AM-Noon
GROUP LEADERS: Mel Dinkel mel@localhope.org, Leslie Baer Dinkel leslie@localhope.org
COST:
• Per Person Double or Triple Occupancy: $7708
• Single Supplement: $1430 pp
Welcome to Local Hope’s authentic bush safari adventure in Botswana and lodge experience at renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site Victoria Falls! Our thrilling excursion includes a cultural orientation and service work with a budding study center in Maun and will be expertly executed in-country with a top-rated provider that has specialized in Botswana safaris for more than 40 years. Please read on for the exciting details, and we look forward to traveling with you on this carefully curated, custom, "bucket-list" adventure in Africa that also supports the important work of Local Hope!
– Your Trip Leaders Mel, Leslie, and the rest of the Local Hope Team
Inclusions and Exclusions
THIS TRIP INCLUDES: Our Botswana safari hosted by expert guides will feature comfortable "glamping" accommodations, including floored, stand-up tents with comfortable cots, en-suite bathroom facilities, and showers set up by a dedicated crew prior to our arrival at each camp. Gourmet multi-course meals will be expertly prepared for us by our chef and kitchen crew. Additionally included are luxury lodge accommodations, all transportation, transfers and 24 delicious meals plus tea times and happy hours while on safari. Tips are included for safari and hosted meals.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED: Airfare, visas, some meals (8), optional excursion.
FURTHER QUESTIONS? - Please don’t hesitate to contact your trip leaders with questions about this trip. Thank you for joining us on this exceptional adventure which will also further the important work of Local Hope in the Guatemalan Highlands, to empower children and families to be healthy, educated and self-reliant.
READY TO REGISTER? – Just use the “Register Now” button. Please have a jpeg image of your valid passport ready to upload, or an image of your expiring passport to upload as a placeholder. If your passport is expired, you'll need to forward an image of your renewed/currrent passport to the trip leaders in time for your orientation.
DAY 1 - Friday, June 11, 2027 - Arrive in in Maun! - Overnight Cresta Inn Bed and Breakfast
To ensure we all start our safari together on time, we'll guard against flight delays by arriving a night early. That way, everyone also has a chance to rest from our long journey and begin to acclimate to the time change. Accommodations in Maun, the fifth largest city in Botswana and a popular takeoff point for safaris, are clean and basic. In the days to come we will see red lechwe (above left).
HOSTED - Airport transfer and overnight stay at one of Maun's top-rated inns, Welcome Dinner.
Note: During our safari, our two-person wall-tent accommodations will include cots and will be set up by our expert crew prior to our arrival at each camp. All meals will be prepared for us. Let’s get this safari started!: All Inclusive - Note that transportation, accommodations and catered meals are all-inclusive during our Botswana safari!
DAY 2 - Saturday, June 12 – Maun - 10-2pm Cultural Afternoon with "TEN Storytellers," including Authentic Lunch - Overnight Cresta Inn Bed and Breakfast
After breakfast with a combination of western and local options, we will visit a cultural center. There we will be introduced to local traditions and beliefs, have a delicious lunch including traditional food selections, and meet children and mentors at the center’s budding study center. After an activity with the students, mid-afternoon we’ll return to our accommodations where you can rest or take a walk into town to see all that Maun has to offer.
HOSTED: Breakfast, Lunch and Acitivies at Local Culture Center, no-host dinner
DAY 3 - Sunday, June 13 – Maun to Khwai - Kwai Game Reserve and Camp - Overnight in Kwai
After breakfast, our expert guides will meet us at our hotel and transport us to the taking-off point for our safari on the epic Moremi Game Reserve. We will head to Khwai, a fascinating area prolific with wildlife and varied ecosystems, including a patchwork of lagoons, open grass plains and woodland forests. Khwai boasts a healthy predator population including lions, leopards, cheetahs, and wild dogs. The area has been called “without a doubt one of the most scenic areas in Botswana.” After our sunset game drive, we will arrive at our camp in a wilderness area near Khwai River and enjoy a delicious dinner and fellowship around the campfire.
HOSTED: Two game drives, breakfast, lunch, tea time, happy hour, gourmet dinner
DAYS 4, 5 - Mon-Tues, June 14, 15–– Khwai Game Drives and Boating Excursion - Overnights Khwai
We will take early morning and afternoon game drives exploring the Khwai River and surrounding areas. This magnificent waterway is a hub for some of the most outstanding wildlife viewing in the region. Species to be viewed include elephant, buffalo, zebra, lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dogs, giraffe, eland, sable, hippo, hyena and various other nocturnal species. The nearby Khwai community has a population of just 400 people who are predominately of BaBukakhwe or River Bushmen decent. They are an inspirational example of a local community who live in harmony with wildlife. During the heat of the day, read, relax. enjoy the sights and the sounds of the wild.
HOSTED: Morning game drives, breakfasts, lunches, boat excursion, tea times, happy hours, gourmet dinners
DAY 6 - Wednesday, June 16 – Move Camps - Overnight Savuti
We will enjoy a game drive in the early morning, followed by a delicious breakfast in camp. Our route takes us on a fascinating day’s drive north to Savuti with lunch en route. We will pass over the Mababe depression which was once a vast lake and a zebra migration route. When wet, the Savuti channel and marsh attract large concentrations of wildlife. Back at camp, a delicious dinner and campfire await us.
HOSTED: Two game drives, breakfast, lunch, tea time, happy hour, gourmet dinner
DAY 7 - Thursday, Friday, June 17 – Savuti Camp, Game Drives – Overnight Savuti
We begin our search for predators in the early morning. The region has been the subject of numerous wildlife films over the years, some documenting the merciless competition between predator species. Savuti rocky outcrops are home to the Klipspringer antelope. A small collection of Bushmen rock art tells a story from the
past. During the heat of the day, you’ll have time to relax, play cards, read, rest and shower before dinner.
HOSTED: Two game drives, breakfast, lunch, tea time, happy hour, gourmet dinner
DAY 8 - Friday, June 18 – Journey to Chobe Reserve - Overnight at Chobe Bush Lodge
Wildlife is unpredictable. Because of this, our morning and afternoon game drives will reveal new conditions and surprises each day as animals move about the area searching for food, water, shelter, and aiming to stay clear of predators! Today we say goodbye to our guides and safari staff, and move to the luxurious Lodge at Chobe which will be our home for the next two nights. This accommodation been hailed as one of the top wildlife viewing spots in all of Southern Africa. In a single afternoon, it is likely to see more than a thousand elephants and buffalo.
HOSTED: Game drive, breakfast, tips to guides and staff, no-host lunch and dinner (although a meeting time and place will be provided for those who wish to join)
DAY 9 - Saturday, June 19 - Morning Game Drive, Afternoon Sunset Cruise – Overnight Chobe Bush Lodge
Wildlife is unpredictable. Because of this, our morning and afternoon game drives will reveal new conditions and surprises each day as animals move about the area searching for food, water, shelter, and aiming to stay clear of predators! The Lodge at Chobe, which will be our home for the next two nights, has been hailed as one of the top wildlife viewing spots in all of Southern Africa. In a single afternoon, it is likely to see more than a thousand elephants and buffalo.
HOSTED: Game drive, breakfast, sunset cruise, no-host lunch and dinner
DAY 10 - Sunday, June 20 - Monday, June 21 - Journey to Avani Resort, Zambia - Overnight
TRANSFER TO ZAMBIA!
This day we will head to Zambia and our four-star accommodations at the top-rated Avani Resort and Spa, complete with resident wildlife.
Now to Victoria Falls!
Welcome to the awe-inspiring wonder of Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an enchanting destination that will leave you breathless. Let the journey continue!
DAY 10 - Sunday, June 20 - Arrive Victoria Falls, and two nights at the Luxurious Avani Resort
After our border crossing, we'll arrive at the world-renowned Avani Resort at Victoria Falls. Located at the base of the falls, here you'll comfortable accommodations, delicious cuisine, stunning views and up-close-and-personal experiences with wildlife as zebras graze feet away and giraffes pass through the grounds. After our journey and check-in, today is a perfect time to relax or explore the Avani, the falls, or a local crafts market.
HOSTED: Breakfast, Transfer to Zambia (no-host multi-pass "KASA" visa required). Lunch and dinner are no-host, with a suggested location provided for those who wish to join in a group dinner.
Day 11 - Monday, June 21 - Relax or Explore, Optional Elephant Experience
You will have a full free day to explore the falls, nearby marketplace, and the resident wildlife on the grounds. Or, after our delicious and vast breakfast spread to choose from, those who choose the elephant experience option will depart the Avani mid-morning for an intimate experience with elephants! This evening we will gather for a farewell dinner.
HOSTED: Breakfast, (no-host lunch), Farewell Traditional Dinner
OPTIONAL: Elephant Conservation Center Experience including transportation, donation to elephant conservation and tips
DAY 12 - Tuesday June 22 - Transfer from Avani Zambia to Victoria Falls Airport
After breakfast we will gather to leave from Victoria Falls Zimbabwe (VFA ). In order to enjoy a leisurely breakfast, we suggest you plan your flight for no earlier than 2:00 p.m.
HOSTED: Breakfast, transfer to airport, tips
You'll leave with new friends and memories ot last a lifetime!
IMPORTANT TRAVEL INFORMATION
Arrival and Departure
Your Arrival: Inbound –Please arrive in Maun, Botswana (MUB) on June 11th as early in the day as possible to allow for any flight delays, and also, to allow yourself time to rest and acclimate.
Your Departure: Outbound – To allow for a relaxing breakfast, we suggest, that if possible, please do not schedule your departure June 22nd from Victoria Falls any earlier than 2:00 PM. We also understand that flights may be limited, and will work with our hotel to accommodate all departure times.
Reservations
Reserve Your Space! This is a high-demand experience. To ensure your participation, please register as soon as possible. Please have your passport information handy. If you don't have a passport, you may enter "placeholder" information as you await its arrival. The deposit required at the time of your registration is $1,000. This trip--a "bucket list" adventure for many--will provide memories to last a lifetime! Thank you for considering traveling with us while supporting the important work of Local Hope.
Passport
You’ll need a valid passport to travel internationally. and most countries require your passport to have a minimum of 6 months validity from your last date of travel, so remember to check the expiration date.
VISAS & ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Some countries you pass through may require a transit visa. We recommend that when making your air reservations, you check visa requirements. We will assist you in purchasing the "KASA" visa required to travel between African countries during the trip.
What People Are Saying
Recent Reviews of Local Hope's Recent Trips:
“My trip far exceeded my expectations! The Trip Leaders were warm, friendly, and knowledgeable… activities were meaningful and matched our interests and strengths. I learned so much about myself and the community we served. I feel very enriched and ready to return for another amazing experience!
—RK Rice
“My daughters and I have participated in five consecutive annual volunteer trips with this organization since 2015. These trips not only meet the needs of local communities, but also radically transform the volunteers on the trip—especially teenagers and young adults. All the trips my family and I have participated in have been magical.”
—Andrew D.
You’ll take with you memories and new friendships sure to last a lifetime!
Additional Questions?
Give us a call. (714) 232-8669
We look forward to welcoming you!
