Okavango Delta & Chobe Accommodated Safari (North)

Departing from Johannesburg this accommodated safari travels to Botswana heading for Palapye, on the banks of the tranquil Lotsane River. Visit the Khama Rhino Sanctuary before arriving in Maun, from where we fly into the pristine Okavango Delta. Explore this watery wilderness on nature walks and by mokoro, experiencing the truly wild and unspoiled African bush.

Travel east to Gweta, on the outskirts of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park and see the ancient baobab trees in this stark area. Next we drive north to Kasane, located on the banks of the Chobe River, for game viewing on a boat cruise in the game-rich Chobe Park renowned for its huge herds of elephants.

After crossing into Zimbabwe we arrive in Victoria Falls where we visit the spectacular Falls to experience the thundering sound of the mighty Zambezi. A relaxing Zambezi sunset cruise includes dinner and drinks. Enjoy optional activities including white water rafting, bungee jumping and elephant excursions.

Day 1: Johannesburg to Palapye – Botswana

This Okavango Delta & Chobe Safari leaves Johannesburg city in South Africa on the morning of day one, travelling north towards the Botswana border. After completing border formalities we cross into Botswana and head to Palapye, situated halfway between Johannesburg and Maun in Botswana. We spend our first night in Palapye, previously called Phalatswe, located on the banks of the Lotsane River.

Our lush overnight camp serves a home cooked buffet dinner and features a swimming pool, internet cafe and a bar with a games area. We stay in comfortable cabins with separate ablutions nearby, fitted with flush toilets and hot water.

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Day 2: Khama Rhino Sanctuary to Maun – Botswana

Today we take a short drive to Khama Rhino Sanctuary to visit this community based wildlife project. Established in 1992, this conservation project aims to help save the rhino from extinction. The 4,300 hectare sanctuary consists of a grassy pan dotted with watering holes providing a habitat highly suitable for rhinos. A nearby Botswana Defence Force base offers the conservation area 24 hour protection. 

After visiting the rhino sanctuary we travel to Maun, the gateway to the famous Okavango Delta, arriving in the afternoon. In Maun we spend some time preparing for our adventure into the pristine Okavango Delta. Later in the afternoon we have the option of visiting a local Crocodile Farm, if time allows. Our overnight accommodation is in en-suite twin rooms with mosquito nets, bedding and electricity. The shaded camp is just outside of Maun and features a swimming pool bar and restaurant.

Optional Activity: Crocodile Farm.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - 4: Maun to Okavango Delta - Botswana

Leaving our safari truck in Maun we take a morning scenic flight into the Okavango Delta, one of the most unique wilderness areas in the world, viewing the network of channels and estuaries from above.

The exciting game flight takes us to our Delta base from where we will spend the next two days exploring the waterways and islands of the Okavango. In the remote Delta we encounter untamed wild animals that are not used to seeing people. We venture into the unspoiled bush on foot getting a closer look at the various plants and smaller creatures in this spectacular area. When water levels in the channels are high enough we also explore this watery wildlife haven by mokoro (traditional dug out canoe).

The source of the beautiful Okavango Delta is found in the western highlands of Angola from where it flows through Namibia, before emptying into the Kalahari Desert in Botswana. The Okavango water system is the world's largest inland delta, watering around 15,000 square km’s of the desert. This labyrinth of waterways and lagoons flowing between secluded islands and floodplains boasts one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. The tranquil delta offers a truly wild and unforgettable African bush experience.

Our delta camp is set on the edge of a remote island in the heart of the Okavango. We stay in en-suite tents raised on wooden platforms in the shade. The comfortable camp lounge and bar area is also raised on wooden decks offering sweeping views over the surrounding delta.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Gweta – Botswana

On day five we fly out of the Okavango Delta admiring this wildlife gem from above. Our flight over the winding network of delta waterways takes us back to Maun from where we travel east to Gweta.

The small village of Gweta lies on the outskirts of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans half way between Maun and Nata. The Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the world's largest salt flats, is a secluded place of vast open spaces and solitude.

We stay at a lively safari camp in an area dotted with ancient Baobab trees, just outside of Gweta. The camp features a funky bar and restaurant, a swimming pool and communal open-fire dining area. You have the option of exploring the bush on foot seeing some of the oldest giant Baobab trees (averaging around 4000 years old!) in this stark area. 

Optional Activity: Baobab Nature Walk.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Kasane to Chobe National Park – Botswana

We make our way north today to our next safari stop of Kasane, gateway to Chobe National Park. Gweta is ideally located near the meeting place of the Chobe and Zambezi Rivers not far from neighbouring Zambia, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

In the afternoon we embark on a relaxing Chobe River boat cruise, keeping an eye out for the abundance of wildlife and birdlife found in the famous Chobe National Park. Home to one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa, the game viewing boat cruise provides excellent opportunities for spotting wild animals up close, including hippos, crocodiles, buffaloes and elephants. 

Chobe Park is the second largest National Park in Botswana, encompassing diverse habitats from lush plains and wooded grasslands to dense forests and swamps. Chobe is best known for its huge population of elephants that migrate within the wilderness area.  

Our overnight stay is at a safari camp a few kilometers from the Chobe Park. The camp overlooks the Chobe River and surrounding bush, featuring a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. Accommodation is in twin rooms, with en-suite bathrooms fitted with hot showers.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Today we head for Victoria Falls, crossing into Zimbabwe. Arriving at our final safari destination we visit the mighty Vic Falls in the afternoon to experience the "Smoke that Thunders" or Mosi-oa-Tunya as the locals call it.

Witnessing the mighty falls is an awe inspiring experience as the Zambezi plummets over 100 feet into the gorge below forming the largest curtain of falling water in the world at 1,7km wide. Listen to the thundering of Victoria Falls and see the impressive smoke-like spray rising up to 400 meters above the Falls making it visible from as far as 50 km away!

After visiting Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, we have the option of taking a popular Zambezi River sunset cruise which includes dinner and drinks.

We stay at a luxurious resort perched on a hilltop a few kilometers from Victoria Falls on the last night of this Okavango Delta and Chobe Safari. The resort features a world-class golf course, tennis courts, two squash courts, a swimming pool, bowling greens and a gym. There is a selection of restaurants to choose from, a casino and a poolside bar. 

Optional Activities: Chobe morning game drive, Zambezi sunset cruise, dinner out.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

This accommodated safari officially ends after breakfast today, bringing your unforgettable African wildlife and wilderness experience to an end.

Most people spend an extra day or two exploring Victoria Falls and participating in some of the numerous adventure activities available. Adding an extra few days stay after the tour gives you time to enjoy optional activities such as White Water Rafting, Flights over the Falls, Elephant Back Safaris, Lion Encounters, Bungee Jumping and Game Viewing amongst other exciting alternatives at Victoria Falls.

Optional Activities: Morning Game Drive in Chobe, White Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Walking with Lions, Elephant Excursion, Dinner out.

Meals: Breakfast

Please Note:

This budget Okavango Delta & Chobe Accommodated Safari (North) is also available in the opposite direction as the Chobe & Okavango Delta Accommodated Safari (South).