Four Countries, One Wild Adventure

Have you heard of Africa’s quadripoint — the remarkable place where Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe almost meet?

I was curious to visit this fascinating region of Southern Africa. Zambia and Zimbabwe are divided by Victoria Falls and the mighty Zambezi River, while the borders between Namibia and Botswana feel far less defined — in the bush, it can seem as though you have a foot in each country.

Our adventure began with a Kenya Airways flight via Nairobi to Livingstone, Zambia — often called Africa’s adventure capital.

Muli bwanji — how are you, and welcome to Zambia.

At the David Livingstone Safari Lodge and Spa, we enjoyed a sunset cruise on the Lady Livingstone, complete with dinner and a string quartet. Africa’s sunsets are unforgettable: orange, red and pink reflected on the water as the planets appeared in a star-soaked sky.

Livingstone, in southern Zambia, is known for Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and the Zambezi River. It is also a hub for adventure, from bungee jumping and gorge swinging to white-water rafting, kayaking, canoeing and jet boating.

One highlight was taking a boat to Livingstone Island and, with expert guides, visiting Angel’s Pool at the edge of the Falls. Crawling to the brink while the guides held my legs was unforgettable. Mosi-oa-Tunya — “the Smoke that Thunders” — is one of the world’s largest waterfalls, spanning 1,708 metres.

In Livingstone, I also learnt more about David Livingstone, the missionary, explorer and geographer who became a Victorian national hero. A strong advocate for Africa’s commercial potential, he hoped trade could help combat slavery. After sitting in a small boat on the Kwando River, where hippos, crocodiles and elephants can appear at any moment, I had even greater respect for the courage he would have had to travel these waterways.

From Zambia, we crossed into Botswana for a night at Elephant Valley Lodge, set between Chobe National Park and the Matetsi wildlife conservancy, near the Kazungula border and Kasane Forest Reserve.

The camp has 20 meru-style safari tents overlooking a busy waterhole — the perfect place for a gin and tonic by the firepit as wildlife comes to you. Our next stop was Chobe Marina Lodge. On the banks of the Chobe River, nearby Kasane sits at the edge of Chobe National Park, with no fences separating town from wilderness. Elephant and hippo are often seen roaming nearby; at one point, our vehicle slowed for a hippo crossing the road. Chobe Marina Lodge, close to the park, offers river views, beautiful gardens and easy access to this unspoilt landscape as it nears completion of its makeover following the November 2024 fire.

The team at Chobe Marina Lodge made us feel warmly welcome, and the lodge’s river views and gardens make it an appealing base. After a few days, we travelled along Namibia’s Caprivi Strip towards the Kwando River. This wildlife-rich region is known for protected reserves, national parks and sanctuaries, with hippos, crocodiles, zebra, impala and prolific birdlife.

We stayed at Lianshulu Lodge, set on a private concession in Mudumu National Park and overlooking the lively Kwando River — especially lively at night, thanks to the hippos grunting and being sociable.

The lodge has 11 spacious, individually styled chalets, each with a private bathroom and secluded viewing deck shaded by forest. Days can be spent birdwatching, cruising the river, enjoying catch-and-release fishing or heading out on game drives. As the camp is unfenced, guests are escorted after dark between their chalets and dinner.

Our final country we visited was Zimbabwe. The town of Victoria Falls, beside the waterfalls, is an ideal base for exploring the area. We stayed at Samanzi Luxury Cabanas, a peaceful retreat in the heart of town with 15 poolside cabanas set among lush tropical gardens. I enjoyed a lunch at the iconic Victoria Falls Hotel, with dramatic views of the gorge. The property is rich in history, as it was originally conceived as accommodation for workers on the Cape-to-Cairo railway and today it is a famous luxury property.

So, the quadripoint is this extraordinary meeting place in Southern Africa where Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe converge. I would return in a heartbeat.

Karen Simmonds visited Africa with partners Amazing Africa and Gobble, sales and representation, in June 2026.