Wander Women Southern Africa:
A Wildlife + Adventure Retreat

Day 2: Today we explore the lush wonderland of the Okavango Delta by mokoro — traditional dugout canoe — and on foot, gliding through reeds and watching for hippos, giraffes, and elephants. This is the traditional way the locals have traveled through the delta for centuries. Back at the lodge, we’ve watched animals splash around — recharge with some time to journal or reflect; or follow their lead and hop in the pool to cool down with some aqua yoga. In the evening, swap travel tales with your fellow travelers over a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

Day 3: We start the day soaring over the Okavango Delta on a scenic doors-off helicopter ride — because nothing says bucket list like seeing elephants and hippos navigate winding waterways from the sky. This is a highlight of our entire journey in Southern Africa, with opportunities to get a bird’s eye view of some of Africa’s most famous wildlife.  Next we’ll continue overland across Botswana while viewing animals as we pass through Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. The park is known for its diverse wildlife. Our destination? Elephant Sands, a rustic lodge with its own watering hole where wild elephants famously come to drink, bathe, and socialize. Join them for front-row views with sundowners of your own in hand, then take inspiration from the animal kingdom with a fauna-inspired flow with Alex before dinner!

Day 4: We journey into Chobe National Park, home to one of the densest wildlife populations in all of Africa. Keep your eyes peeled for Cape Buffalo and herds of wild elephants, as well as lions and exotic birds. In the evening, we’ll board a river cruise for golden-hour wildlife watching with sundowners available onboard — think herds of elephants, bathing hippos, and crocodiles lounging along the banks. It’s giving Lion King! Dinner is served riverside at our home for the night, the gorgeous Chobe Safari Lodge.

Day 5: We’ll rise early for a final game drive through Chobe National Park, our best bet for seeing big cats like lions and leopords — with wild dogs, warthogs, giraffes and hippos also on our bingo card. Then it’s off to Livingstone, Zambia — where we’ll cross the border and journey along the Zambezi River to Waterfront Lodge, while admiring our new passport stamps. Spend the afternoon at the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and pure magic in motion. The magnificent falls straddle two countries with a combined width of 5,604 feet and height of 354 feet, classified as the waterfall with the largest sheet of falling water in the world.

Day 6: If conditions allow, we’ll visit Angel’s Pool — a natural infinity pool perched right at the edge of the falls (hello, heart rate!) — and one of the most famous views in the area. The rest of the day is yours to explore: bungee jump, take a microlight flight over the falls, sip cocktails with elephants, or relax riverside. We’ll reconvene for sunset on the Zambian side of the falls — the perfect golden-hour finale.

Day 7: This morning, we stroll with endangered rhinos on a walking safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park — a powerful, grounding experience to close out our time on safari. After lunch we will visit the Zimbabwe side of the falls, where the remaining 75% of Victoria Falls is visible. We then check into Shongwe Lookout, where we can climb up to the lookout tower and survey the surrounding area, before coming together for a closing yoga practice and circle beneath the stars.

Day 8: Our journey comes to an end — but the connections we’ve made are just getting started. Depart anytime from Victoria Falls Airport, leaving with full hearts, unforgettable memories, and the kind of sisterhood that lasts long after the plane ride home.

Optional: Join us for Part I: Namibia of Wander Women Southern Africa!

Where We’ll Stay and Where We’ll Eat

Over these eight unforgettable nights, we’ll stay in a handpicked collection of boutique lodges and safari stays that immerse us in the magic of Southern Africa — without sacrificing comfort. Think riverside chalets where elephants wander by at dusk, eco-camps with starlit skies and crackling fire pits, and stylish safari lodges just steps from the wild. Each property has been chosen for its character, charm, and connection to nature — the perfect backdrop for rest, reflection, and adventure. Unlike most of our retreats, this one is double-occupancy only — a reflection of the small, intimate lodges we’ve chosen. With limited rooms and unforgettable settings, it’s the perfect chance to share cozy spaces, late-night chats, and plenty of laughs with your fellow Wander Women.

Our adventure begins at Island Safari Lodge, a peaceful riverside retreat nestled on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Surrounded by lush gardens and teeming birdlife, this charming lodge offers cozy rooms, a refreshing pool, and plenty of space to unwind after a day of travel. It’s the perfect place to exhale, meet your fellow adventurers, and ease into the rhythm of the wild.

Next, we’ll arrive at Elephant Sands, a rustic safari lodge with a natural watering hole that draws wild elephants from all around. There’s nothing quite like watching them bathe and drink just steps from your dinner table.

Then it’s off to the banks of the Chobe River, where we’ll stay at Chobe Safari Lodge. Enjoy a sundowner by the pool, indulge in a delicious dinner overlooking the water, and soak in the rhythm of life along the river.

Crossing into Zambia, we’ll spend two nights at the tranquil Waterfront Lodge, nestled on the banks of the Zambezi. We couldn’t ask for a better place to unwind, reflect, and savor the beauty of our final days together.

And for our grand finale in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, we’ll stay at Shongwe Lookout. This boutique lodge features its own lookout tower — climb to the top for sweeping views of the landscape and one last magical African sunset with your Wander Women crew.

Now let’s talk about the food: From sunrise coffee overlooking the savanna to candlelit dinners under the stars, every meal on this retreat is part of the adventure. We’ll enjoy a mix of hearty local dishes and international favorites, with fresh ingredients and warm hospitality at every stop. Whether you’re savoring a riverside breakfast or toasting the day’s sightings with a sundowner in hand, the food will fuel both your body and your soul. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and dairy-free diets can all be accommodated with advance notice, though variety may be limited due to the remote nature of the locations we are visiting. We will do our absolute best to cater to other restrictions and preferences as well.

 

Getting There And Away

If you’re joining us for only Part II: Botswana + Beyond, of Wander Women Southern Africa, you’ll fly into Maun International Airport (MUB) in Botswana on April 22nd and out of Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) in Zimbabwe on April 29th. Your airport transfers are included — we’ve got you covered from touchdown to takeoff.

Adding on?

• If you’re in for Part I: Namibia, you’ll fly into Windhoek’s Hosea Kutako International Airport (WDH) by April 14th.

• If you’re in for the full Wander Women experience, including the Meerkat + Giraffe Lodge pre-retreat extension, you’ll fly into Windhoek (WDH) by the morning of April 12th and out of Victoria Falls (VFA) on April 29th.

Need help picking flights or planning pre- or post-retreat travel? Just say the word — we’re here to help make your journey as smooth as it is unforgettable.

Travel With Us

This retreat is a collaboration between two women-led brands with a shared love for Africa—Wander Women Retreats and BMTM Adventures. With their combined expertise and a top-tier guide team, you’re in for an unforgettable journey across Southern Africa.

You’ll be hosted on this retreat by Alexandra Baackes, the founder of Wander Women Retreats and Alex in Wanderland. Alex has hosted over forty retreats around the globe, including more than a dozen in North Africa. A certified yoga instructor and longtime community-builder, she brings heart, intention, and a signature sense of adventure to every experience.

Kristin Addis, founder of BMTM Adventures, has spent years exploring and falling in love with this region — she’s spent a cumulative month exploring the countries in this itinerary alone! Her deep connection to Southern Africa shines through in this carefully crafted itinerary, designed to show you the magic of the wild in a truly immersive way. While she won’t be physically present on this trip, her influence touches every aspect.

And finally, Donovan Arawab, our incredible local guide, rounds out the dream team. Born and raised in Damaraland, Donovan is an expert guide and brings over a decade of experience to the field. His knowledge of wildlife, geology, and local culture is unmatched — and with his warm energy and sharp eye for animal sightings, it’s easy to see why guests love him.

Join Us

This retreat is strictly limited to sixteen adventurers and is now waitlist only! Join our waitlist here to be the first to know if a spot becomes available, or for more information, click the graphic below to be redirected to our partner’s website at BMTM Adventures.

Can’t make this one? Don’t sweat — sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when enrollment opens on future retreats. Remember, don’t hesitate to email us at retreats@alexinwanderland.com with any and all questions or concerns over if this is the right retreat for you.

F.A.Q.

So does non-refundable really mean non-refundable?

Yes, all payments are non-refundable. If the trip must be postponed or cancelled due to events beyond our control, you will be offered the choice between a full refund and applying your payments to a future trip.

The reason payments are non-refundable is that we start incurring costs from the moment someone presses “book” — from credit card fees to high hourly wages for our team who correspond with guests, manage trip inventory and our e-commerce platform, analyze forms to create room assignments, coordinate with our local vendors, and beyond.

There’s nothing we want more than for our guests to take and enjoy the travel they have worked hard and paid for. Thank you so much for your understanding and respect of our need to enforce this policy strictly. We want to be here to travel with you for years to come!

Are private rooms available?

Lodges are small and offer an intimate experience. For this reason we are unable to offer a single accommodation option for this retreat. However, there are many places in the lodges to have a quiet recharging moment when you need some alone time! As is typical in lodges in Africa, bedding will be made up separately, but side-by-side.

Everything is going to go totally perfectly and according to plan, right?

There’s a saying, “this is Africa!” Kristin and her team have worked tirelessly to find lodges that are unique and beautiful, and experiences that are unique, breathtaking, and bucket list-worthy, and Alex will be onsite spending every moment ensuring you have the trip of a lifetime.

But, keep in mind that Africa travel is unlike anywhere else in the world. In some circumstances, we stay at reserves where wildlife sightings are common. In other lodges, we are in vast national parks with wild, in some cases severely endangered animals. In all cases, sightings are of course never guaranteed. We drive an open air truck that is made for the landscape, and the roads can be rough and unforeseen delays are common. Wi-Fi may not always be available. It’s all part of the adventure!

What’s with the travel insurance?

Yes, it is absolutely mandatory for all guests to have personal travel insurance with $250K cover for the duration of the trip; credit card insurance is not accepted. Our affiliate, World Nomads offers coverage at affordable rates. We strongly recommend you book your travel insurance as soon as you make your trip deposit to protect your investment.

Do I need visas for Southern Africa?

For those traveling to Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, the KAZA UniVisa offers a convenient way to explore the region. Available to citizens of over 60 countries — including the U.S. — this visa allows multiple entries between Zambia and Zimbabwe for up to 30 days, and includes day trips to Botswana. It costs around $50 and can be obtained on arrival at select airports and land borders, or applied for online in advance.

Most travelers to Namibia, including U.S. citizens, will need a visa to enter. Tourist visas can often be obtained on arrival or applied for in advance online, and cost approximately $90. 

Be sure to check current entry requirements before your trip or email us if you have any questions.