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Wildlife Odyssey: Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa
We are doing the Wildlife Odyssey in October 2026. The discussions pertaining to this itinerary are a couple of years old (2024). Has anyone done this trip since then, and if so, was their experience markedly different from the earlier postings? I have a pretty good idea of what to expect, having been to Africa before (a different company) and been on quite a few Tauck tours. Thanks.
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We are going 10/5/26. Although we have not been, we know a couple who went on this very tour last year and loved it.
We are going 8/10/26. I agree the comments are a view year's old - would like to hear something more recent. Did anyone bring gifts for kids in villages, or just give cash?
Are you sure there are school visits on this trip?
In 2024 we visited a preschool. There were about 30 children. One person donated supplies. Most donated cash.There was no request or pressure to do so. I didn’t realize that this activity was on the itinerary. Perhaps it was not listed because Tauck alternates the places that are visited. We went in the afternoon. Some people remained at the hotel.
8/16/24 There is an article today in the Wall Street Journal about electric vehicles and boats for safaris. The Chobe game lodge figures prominently in the article. That is one of the hotels in this fabulous itinerary.
In answer to the school visit question, if you go a day early, the Elephant Camp includes a tour of the local school and a local village.
We just returned from this trip and had a great time. As to weather, in Ngala we were on the back end of a cold front, so the morning game drives were cold and windy. Wear layers, several folks wore long underwire, wear a warm hat and bring protection for your face. The rest of the time the weather was good, just some light rain. We did not get to fly into Ngala due to the windy storm, so got a 5 hour bus ride with boxed lunches and snacks, as usual Tauck took good care of us. The lodges were all very nice, and we saw no critters in our rooms.
We did visit a preschool and one guest collected money from us and pressed it to the school director. That seemed to work well, so he would not get a bunch of donations from individuals. We also visited a women’s cooperative, where they sell baskets and other items they have made. They accept USD (they like newer bills)