Birding and photography, upper Zambezi
Five days on an island in the upper Zambezi, birding and watching game mostly by boat, with a day in Botswana's Chobe National Park.
Dates
1 to 5 November 2026
Duration
5 days
Where
Sekoma Island, upper Zambezi
Viewing
Mostly by boat
Tariff
On request
Sekoma Island lies in the upper Zambezi River, surrounded by a great variety of habitats that hold a remarkable diversity of birds and mammals. The trip also takes in iconic places nearby: Chobe National Park in Botswana, the Victoria Falls and the waterways of the Zambezi.
Pel's Fishing Owl
African Finfoot
Schalow's Turaco
Rock Pratincole
African Skimmer
Lesser Jacana
Most of the birding and game viewing is done from the water, in flat-hulled aluminium boats that give photographers a stable platform.
Cruises explore the Kasai Channel, which links the Chobe and Zambezi rivers, with papyrus beds, floodplains and bays covered in water lilies.
Chobe is famous for its great herds of elephant and buffalo in the dry season, while Puku, Red Lechwe and hippo live along the river all year.
The afternoon is a three-hour cruise up the Chobe River into the park, often the highlight of the trip.
Day 1
Fly from Johannesburg to Livingstone, transfer to the Sekute jetty and take a short boat trip to the island lodge. Lunch, then a first cruise ending with sundowners on a sandy beach above the Zambezi's main channel.
Day 2
An optional early island walk, then a birding cruise in the Kasai Channel. Depending on water levels, a walk on a Caprivi floodplain. Late afternoon on neighbouring Ilombe Island.
Day 3
By boat to Kasane in Botswana for a morning game drive in Chobe National Park, a picnic lunch on the river and a three-hour Chobe River cruise. Back to the island for dinner in the boma.
Day 4
Mainland or channel outings, then relaxed birding, optional tiger fishing, a mokoro ride or a dinghy paddle. An afternoon cruise for Pygmy Goose and Lesser Jacana, ending with sundowners.
Day 5
An optional dawn walk for Sitatunga or Pel's Fishing Owl and a last cruise to the Mambova rapids, then back to Livingstone for the flight to Johannesburg.
Your booking
What your ticket covers on the day, and what to bring yourself.
✓
All meals
✓
Soft drinks and water
✓
All activities, including the Chobe National Park visit and the Chobe River cruise
Not included
Flights to and from Livingstone
The tariff and accommodation options are on request. Contact Lisa on +27 83 380 2322 or lisa@tembele.co.za to confirm.
On the 2025 trip, flights to and from Livingstone were not included. Lisa will confirm the 2026 arrangements when you enquire.
Yes. The trip flies in and out of Livingstone and crosses into Botswana for the Chobe day, so customs formalities are part of the journey.
Sekoma Island Experience
Tariff and accommodation options on request
1 to 5 November 2026
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