Rivers of Life: A Birding and Wilderness Journey Through Zambia, Botswana and Namibia

Rivers of Life: A Birding and Wilderness Journey Through Zambia, Botswana and Namibia

An affordable cross-border itinerary for travellers who seek wild beauty, remarkable birdlife, and the soul of southern Africa’s rivers. Flowing through Zambia, Botswana and Namibia, this route follows the Kafue, Zambezi and Chobe rivers — the lifeblood of a landscape where wildlife, culture, and conservation are shared across borders.

With over 650+ bird species and exceptional wilderness areas, this suggested itinerary is a birding pilgrimage and a journey into the heart of Africa’s natural heritage. We recommend spending at least 2–3 nights in each location to make the most of the experiences.

Stop 1: Kafue National Park, Zambia

Start in Lusaka → Drive 310 km to Kafue National Park

Your story begins in Zambia’s capital, where the road leads into the remote heart of Kafue National Park — one of Africa’s oldest and largest protected areas.

Stay at Mwamfushi Safari Lodge, nestled along the banks of the great Kafue River. Here, lions, leopards and cheetahs roam, elephants and buffalo gather, and antelope species — impala, puku, sable, kudu, eland, waterbuck, wildebeest — move through open plains and woodlands.

Kafue is a sanctuary for birders, with over 500 species. Look for the elusive African finfoot, Pel’s fishing owl, and Zambia’s only endemic bird — Chaplin’s barbet. From raptors to sunbirds, the skies are alive with colour and call.

Stop 2: Victoria Falls, Zambia

Return to Lusaka → Fly to Livingstone

Fly south to Livingstone, where the Zambezi thunders into the gorge at Victoria Falls — Mosi-oa-Tunya, “The Smoke That Thunders.”

Stay at Victoria Falls Waterfront, a riverside lodge with gardens, pools, and sunset views across the Zambezi.

Explore Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, where over 400 bird species thrive. Watch fish eagles soar, bee-eaters flash in brilliant colours, and Schalow’s turaco glide like a jewel through the canopy. Herons, storks, and cormorants gather along the riverbanks.

Stop 3: Chobe River — Namibia via Kazungula and Kasane

Continue your journey with Kalahari Tours, crossing the Zambezi River at Kazungula Bridge, where the borders of Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe converge — a gateway into the shared heart of the Kavango Zambezi.  From here you will drive to Kasane and then cross into Namibia and travel via boat to Serondela Lodge

Stay at Serondela Lodge, located in a Namibian conservancy along the Chobe River, facing the renowned Chobe National Park. With just eight riverfront rooms, it offers privacy, year-round wildlife viewing, and community-led sustainable management of wildlife and other natural resources.

The Chobe River hosts over 450 bird species — and from September, migratory arrivals increase this number by 20%. Boat trips offer remarkable sightings of waterbirds and waders in their element.

Stop 4: Kasane, Botswana

Cross back into Botswana → Kasane

Conclude your journey in Kasane at The Old House — a family-run guesthouse overlooking the Chobe River, where hospitality flows as freely as the waters.

From here, explore Chobe National Park once more — this time from the Botswana side. Between November and April, especially January to March, the park thrives with breeding activity and migratory arrivals. Enjoy boat cruises or game drives across floodplains, savannas, and woodlands — all alive with over 450 bird species.

Depart from Kasane

Your wings carry you home, but the rivers remain — flowing across borders, sustaining wild places, and connecting all who share in their story.