Best of Botswana

Botswana & Zimbabwe Tour Highlights:

• Okavango Delta – Explore the majestic environment of the incredible Okavango Delta by boat and vehicle. This is always a highlight of your Botswana safari. Experience a traditional mokoro safari through the delta on this small-group guided tour of Botswana.
• Moremi Game Reserve – Part of the Okavango Delta, this UNESCO World Heritage-Listed site is one of the most beautiful wildlife reserves in Africa with a great diversity of plant and animal life. Winding through the channels of over 150 ,000 islands, Moremi is teeming with wildlife and offers one of the most unique African safari experiences that is a must-see on your Botswana safari.
• Chobe National Park – On your Chobe safari you will experience an incredible array of wildlife and birds including one of the largest elephant herds in Africa and in the dry season, possibly the annual zebra migration.
• Hwange National Park – Here you will find an incredible selection of wildlife plus over 100 species of birds. On your safari in Hwange, look out for the 105 mammal species, including 19 large herbivores and eight large carnivores. All of the big five are found in Hwange!.
• Victoria Falls – Also known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’ which translates to “The smoke that thunders”. The largest waterfall in the world are a spectacular sight as it drops over 100 meters into the Zambezi gorge below.

Sample Africa Itinerary (Subject to Change)

Day 1: Arrive Maun, Botswana

On arrival at Maun International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your lodge on the banks of the Thamalakane River, just outside of Maun enroute to the famous Okavango Delta.  The rest of your day is at leisure, this evening meet your safari group for a pre-departure meeting

Stay: Thamalakane River Lodge or similar for 1 night (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Days 2-3: Maun to Okavango Delta (Botswana)

After breakfast, head to Etsha 13 on the western border of the Okavango Delta. Unlike other deltas, it flows deep into the Kalahari Desert without reaching the sea. The next day is spent discovering the birds and wildlife and exploring water pathways in traditional dugout canoes (called mokoros).  Visit a secluded island for a guided walk where you may spot elephants, waterbuck or other animals.

Optional Activity at Guma Lagoon (additional cost): Scenic Helicopter Flight
Activities may be booked directly with your guide on the ground. Pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum number of passengers to operate. Please note that some activities are seasonal and are only available at certain times of the year.

Stay: Guma Lagoon Camp or similar for 2 nights (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Day 4: Okavango Delta to Moremi (Botswana)

Travel south to another camp in the delta that is situated in a private concession in the Greater Moremi area. The large expanse of pristine delta vegetation here is known for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during a game drive. Game viewing is seasonal and depending on the time of the year, you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing in the delta is  towards the end of the dry season and spring, from August to November when you can get closer to the rivers and channels for the best game viewing. In the summer, the abundant birdlife often means exceptional sightings of wildfowl, waders and raptors.

Stay: Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar (Safari tents with bucket showers, washbasins & toilet).
Please note: there is limited solar power at the camp.

Experience one of Botswana’s finest game viewing areas in an unfenced camp located on a private concession in close proximity to the Moremi Game Reserve, a 2 hour drive from Maun. The comfortable tents are positioned privately under big Acacia trees. The camp is also equipped with a homely and communal dining and lounge area. You can listen to the remarkable night sounds of the bush from the comfort of a safari tent equipped with twin beds, soft pillows and duvets. The tent openings and windows are fitted with mosquito screening.

To limit the camp’s impact on the environment yet still afford the necessary comfort in the bush, the en-suite bathrooms are equipped with bucket showers, wash basins and flush toilets. Please note that the camp is solar powered, and cameras and mobile phones can be charged in the communal areas should the power levels allow it. In the evening, your private tents will have solar-powered lights. Clients travelling with CPAP machines need to inform us about this in advance as electricity will be limited throughout the night

Day 5: Greater Moremi Area (Botswana)

Spend the day exploring the Greater Moremi area on morning and afternoon game drives in an open 4×4 vehicle.  Here you will be looking to spot a variety of game that frequent this region, including rare nocturnal animals on a night drive. This region is renowned as one of the most beautiful unspoiled and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife.

Stay: Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar

Day 6: Khwai (Botswana)

Embark on a full-day game drive in Khwai, situated on the fringes of the Moremi Game Reserve. This region boasts a diverse ecosystem of lagoons, plains and forests. Khwai attracts large herds of elephant and buffalo in the dry season offering excellent opportunities for lion and leopard sightings alongside abundant birdlife and varied flora.

Stay: Camelthorn Bush Camp or similar

Day 7: Moremi to Nata (Botswana)

Depart the Moremi bush and travel east towards the Makgadikgadi Pans, once a large river fed lake which has become saline and empty. This area incorporates a multitude of salt pans and vast grass plains dotted by palm islands and forms the Great Makgadikgadi which comprises the largest area of salt pans in the world, covering 37,000 sq km.

Stay: Nata Lodge or similar (permanent safari tents with ensuite bathrooms, swimming pool & bar)

Days 8-9: Nata to Chobe National Park (Botswana)

Visit Nata Bird Sanctuary in the morning, for a magnificent view of the Sowa pan which is part of the Greater Makgadikgadi Pans (note: visiting the pans is subject to road conditions, water levels and time constraints). Continue north to Kasane, the gateway to the Chobe National Park, the second largest national park in Botswana that covers 10,566 sq. km and has one of the greatest concentrations of elephants in Africa!  You will have an afternoon at leisure to relax by the pool or take an optional activity.

Day 9 starts with an early game drive in Chobe National Park. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and relaxation before your afternoon boat cruise on the Chobe River where you can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds.  This is an excellent opportunity for close up wildlife photos.

Stay: Nata Lodge or similar (Day 8) Chobe Marina Lodge or similar (Day 9)

Day 10-12: Chobe (Botswana) to Hwange (Zimbabwe)

Cross the border into Zimbabwe to your lodge in Hwange National Park to spend the next three nights in this incredible vast wilderness. Hwange boasts an incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna. There are over 100 species of mammals and nearly 400 bird species recorded here. Upon arrival, you can choose to partake in an optional game drive (additional expense) to start your wildlife experience.

The following day is spent on a full day game drive to discover a variety of animals. Marvel at the herds of elephants, buffalos, and zebras and witness the impressive concentration of giraffes. Keep an eye out for predators, endangered species and the diverse birdlife that thrives here.

On Day 12 you have another chance to take an extra morning game drive and witness the untamed wilderness in all its glory. As the afternoon approaches, you can enjoy leisure time at the lodge or opt for additional activities (additional expense) that the lodge offers.

Stay: Robins Camp or similar (chalets with en-suite bathroom, swimming pool & bar area)

Day 13: Hwange to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Travel to Victoria Falls where you have the afternoon at leisure.

Stay: Shearwater Explorer Village or similar (rooms with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool, bar & restaurant)

Optional Activities at Victoria Falls: (additional cost)

These are some of the most popular optional activities on offer in Victoria Falls. These can be booked directly with your guide on the ground and pre-booking is recommended to avoid disappointment. All activities are subject to availability and may require a minimum number of passengers to operate. Please note that some activities are seasonal and are only available at certain times of the year. Please contact our reservation office for further information.

• 15 Minute Helicopter Flight Flying Fox (Cable Slide)
• 22 Minute Helicopter Flight Gorge Swing
• Boma Dinner Incl. Transfers Zip Line
• 12-13 Min. Flight of Angels Horse Back Safaris (Novice)
• 25 Minute Flight Livingstone Island: Lunch Departure
• Bungee Jump Victoria Falls Bicycle Tour
• Bridge Slide Canopy Tour

Day 14: Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Today is at leisure to explore Victoria Falls town and its unique offerings, from adventure activities to cultural experiences. Your guide will take you on a tour of the mighty Victoria Falls, known by the local Kololo tribe as Mosi oa Tunya- “the Smoke that thunders”. In the afternoon, join a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi River.

Stay: Shearwater Explorer Village or similar

Day 15: Depart Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe)

Today your safari ends. Transfer to Victoria Falls Airport for your departure flight.  It is recommended to book a flight that departs after 1.00pm.

Helpful Info for your Safari:

Transport:  This tour uses fully equipped Toyota Land Cruisers, Mercedes All-Terrain vehicle, 12-seater 4×4 safari vehicles or other appropriate vehicles with comfortable seating, large windows for game viewing, a music and PA system. They endeavor to ensure that air-conditioning is provided, however are unable to guarantee this. All luggage, besides hand luggage and photo equipment, is carried on the vehicle or trailer roof racks to ensure maximum comfort in the vehicle. Some game drives may be conducted in open-sided safari vehicles. For transfers between Kasane and Victoria Falls or Hwange and Victoria Falls (or vice versa), 2×4 vehicles may be utilized.

Travel Times & Distances: All travelling times are affected by road conditions, border crossings, detours and weather conditions, therefore on certain days travelling times may be longer than anticipated especially where there is a lot of distance to be covered. Please keep in mind that the time it takes to travel 100 km in your home country is not equivalent to the time it takes to travel 100km on African roads, therefore we encourage you to sit back and enjoy the spectacular scenery Africa has to offer. Where possible additional stops will be made to ensure your comfort at all times.

Accommodation: This itinerary is based on mid-range typical African standard lodge accommodation. Accommodation is situated either in national parks, on the banks of a river, or in other places of interest and will be a mix of lodges, chalets and tented camps with ensuite bathrooms.

Meals: Where included most breakfasts and dinners will be enjoyed in the restaurants of the various accommodation establishments. Please advise us of any special dietary requirements in advance.

Visas: It is your responsibility to arrange visas required to visit the countries stated on the itinerary. Please note that travellers entering Botswana will be required to present a valid international health certificate of vaccination for yellow fever should they originate from or have travelled through countries which have been declared yellow fever infected areas within the preceding 6 months.

Travel Insurance: Please note that travel and cancellation insurance is mandatory for every guest travelling on this safari and is your responsibility to ensure you have insurance with protection for the full duration of your journey to cover personal injury, damage and loss of personal items including but not limited to camera equipment and other electronic items, medical expenses, repatriation expenses and loss of luggage, etc.