Southern Africa Birding Safari: South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe & Botswana

Courtyard Hotel Eastgate: 2 nights  Johannesburg

The Courtyard Hotel, a beautifully appointed, Tuscan-themed hotel, is located only 15 minutes from the Johannesburg OR Tambo Airport in a very secure area. The hotel overlooks a landscaped greenbelt with walking path. The Eastgate Shopping Centre is nearby, hosting many shops and restaurants. There is a complimentary shuttle to the shopping center offered between 7:00pm to 10:00pm each evening.

Thorntree River Lodge: 2 nights  Livingstone

Thorntree River Lodge is a wonderfully situated lodge on the banks of the Zambezi River. The newly built fabric-covered chalets, hidden in the bush, are raised on elevated structures to enhance guests' connection with their surroundings. With a refreshing modern look and soft, traditional elements, Thorntree provides a balanced, relaxing atmosphere. The wide sweeping panorama of the river lends a special magic to the location. Thorntree's riverside location and its unique position within the Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park allow for a wide choice of activities, including sunset cruises, game-drives, cultural tours, fishing, and visit to Victoria Falls. The esteemed national park is a sanctuary for white rhino as well as a haven for many other species including giraffe, sable, zebra, wildebeest, buffalo and a wide variety of birds.

Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge: 3 nights  Imbabala Private Concession

The Imbabala Zambezi Safari Lodge is a beautiful thatched lodge resting by the Zambezi River in Zimbabwe. Due to its border with the Chobe Forest Reserve, Imbabala is a regular stop for elephant herds. The lodge features a lounge, dining room, and bar area but meals are often served outside by a hospitable staff. Rooms are stone and thatch mini-lodges with breathtaking views of the Zambezi River and a watering hole where animals often congregate. During the day guests can take advantage of morning and afternoon game drives, river safaris, walking safaris, fishing safaris, and more. Imbabala has an excellent location for those exploring Southern Africa: the lodge is approximately 30 minutes to Chobe National Park (Botswana), 90 minutes to Livingstone (Zambia) Airport, and 60 minutes to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) Airport.

Ivory Lodge: 3 nights  Hwange National Park

With a 6,000 acre conservation parcel of Hwange National Park, visitors at Ivory Lodge enjoy unparalleled access to wildlife. A large watering hole on-site attracts the famed Presidential elephants for daily drinks. These elephants symbolize Zimbabwe’s commitment to elephant protection. During your game drives and foot safaris at Ivory Lodge witness a diverse range of habitat environments (open savannah, forest, semi-desert) that invites a mix of buffalo, zebra, impala, elephant, giraffe, and sable.

A'Zambezi River Lodge: 2 nights  Victoria Falls

Located in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, the A’Zambezi River Lodge is the only hotel in Victoria Falls with a river frontage and jetty site. The imaginative architecture, with its sweeping curve of grass thatch, blends well with the lush green lawns. A'Zambezi is the perfect retreat to relax and unwind in the quiet ambience of the African wildlife and nature, while enjoying renowned service. The majority of the rooms have balconies facing the river and swimming pool whilst the rest face the national park and the gardens.