This Botswana Wilderness Safari explores the best wildlife parks in Botswana, from the game-rich Chobe Park and magical Nxai Pan to the unique and watery Okavango Delta.
On this truly wild African safari experience you enjoy a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River and explore the Okavango Delta on bush walks and mokoro rides, camping in the wild. Highlights include embarking on exhilarating game viewing drives in both the diverse Chobe Park and the beautiful Moremi Game Reserve.
Starting in Kasane and ending at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, this genuine Botswana camping adventure offers unbeatable value for money!
__large.jpg "Hippo in Moremi, Botswana Safari by Michael Jansen")
This affordable Botswana Wilderness Safari starts in the town of Kasane near ChobeNational Park in northern Botswana at 13h00 on the first day.
Our African camping adventure begins with a full tour briefing from your guide followed by some shopping in Kasane for last-minute supplies and drinks. In the late afternoon, we embark on a relaxing sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River - your first chance to sight some of Africa's wildlife and birds. Wild animals found along the Chobe River include hippos, elephants, buffalos, and various antelope species.
We camp overnight at a Kasane campsite with permanent ablutions.
On day two we get up as the sun rises and leave the Chobe area driving 500 km (311 mi) south to Nxai Pan National Park, on the northern edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. The Nxai Pan largely consists of the remnants of an ancient lakebed now mainly covered by grassy plains dotted with a few clumps of umbrella thorn trees, mopane woodlands, and large baobabs. The focal watering hole and sweet grasses attract a variety of wild animals.
En route to the Nxai Pan National Park, we pause for a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park on our way to our overnight campsite. The next day we explore the Nxai Pan on a morning game drive looking out for impala and springbok. In the afternoon we visit the dramatic Baines Baobabs on the edge of a vast saltpan to get a closer look at these impressive ancient trees, depicted in the paintings of British explorer Thomas Baines.
In Nxai Pan National Park we camp at a private campsite with bush ablutions.
After enjoying a morning game drive in Nxai Pan we continue to the next stop on our Botswana Wilderness Safari, Maun. The frontier town of Maun is the gateway to the Okavango Delta, Botswana's top wilderness area. The afternoon is free for you to explore Maun, browse the shops, and simply relax at camp.
Alternatively, you can take an optional scenic Helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta. Flying over this massive network of waterways gives you a better idea of the sheer size and beauty of this wild place. You can often see wildlife, such as elephants, hippos, and giraffes, roaming across the open plains and waterways below as you fly over the magnificent delta.
Our next overnight camp is a designated camping site with permanent ablution facilities, located just outside of Maun.
Next, our Botswana Wilderness Safari takes us into the Okavango Delta, Botswana's most prized wilderness gem.
Reaching the southern edge of the delta we meet up with local polers who will take us deeper into this pristine watery haven. Our local guides pole us along the winding papyrus-lined channels in their traditional mekoros (dugout canoes), so sit back and take in the spectacular bush scenery. Keep an eye out for animals and birds as we glide peacefully to our secluded bush camp on a small island in the wild delta.
The next two days are filled with mokoro trips and guided bush walks exploring the reeded islands and floodplains of the remote Okavango Delta. Spending time close to nature in this unique part of Botswana is a memorable and rare experience, far from the trappings and bustle of modern living. During our Okavango Delta trip we camp on a small island for two nights. We camp wild with bush ablutions. The camping areas selected for this Botswana Wilderness Safari are remote and rugged offering a genuine African bush experience.
Please Note:
You will only be able to take overnight bags (hand luggage or small backpacks) into the delta, as we travel by mokoro canoes which limits the amount of luggage that can be carried with us. The rest of your luggage remains in the safari vehicle, which is parked in a secure area for the duration of our two-day delta island excursion.
Wake up in the wild Okavango Delta on day seven of our Botswana Wilderness Safari and enjoy one more breakfast in this pristine wilderness area.
Then we glide along the peaceful waterways in mekoro canoes, making our way out of the delta. We head to the fringes of the delta, near Maun, where we camp overnight. Freshen up with a shower in the permanent ablution facilities and enjoy lunch at the camp.
This afternoon you can join an optional scenic Helicopter flight over the Okavango Delta. This offer spectacular aerial views of Botswana's watery delta and roaming animals below. A scenic flight is the best way to appreciate the larger delta ecosystem and potentially see big animals, such as elephants, giraffes, and hippos from above. Note that the scenic Helicopter flight is an optional extra activity (payable in USD cash) that is booked during the safari.
Early on the morning of day eight, we make our way into western Moremi Game Reserve. One of the best wildlife parks in Botswana, if not Africa, Moremi Reserve covers diverse habitats ranging from marsh and woodlands to drier areas.
We spend the next three days of this Botswana Camping Safari exploring Moremi Reserve on game drives in search of the impressive array of wild animals and prolific birdlife found in this beautiful wilderness area. Moremi is considered one of the most scenic game reserves in Africa covering the eastern part of the Okavango Delta where mopane woodland and acacia forests contrast with watery floodplains and lagoons. Moremi is home to elephants, especially numerous during the dry season, as well as buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, and jackal. A wide variety of antelope species, including the rare red lechwe, are also found in Moremi, along with healthy populations of endangered African Wild Dogs.
First, we explore the western part of Moremi, around the 3rd Bridge and Xakanaxa areas. Then, on day 10 we move to a new campsite in the northeastern part of Moremi and explore the Khwai River area near Khwai Concession.
During our stay in Moremi Game Reserve, we embark on game drives in the early mornings at sunrise and again in the late afternoons at sunset. Our early morning game drives are followed by lunch and a rest back at the safari camp. We camp in private campsites with bush ablutions in designated wilderness areas of this top reserve.
Our next premier safari destination is Botswana's Chobe National Park, hosting one of the highest concentrations of game in Africa.
Botswana's most diverse game park, Chobe Park is best known for its large herds of migratory elephants. Our journey in search of wildlife takes us across the drier Savuti plains of the vast Chobe. Savuti is a striking wilderness area that hosts one of Africa's highest concentrations of wildlife and is renowned for its predators, especially lion and hyena. We continue north to the Chobe River meandering along the banks of the river on our game drives as we look out for elephants, hippos, and buffalos, as well as rich birdlife including the African Fish Eagle.
In Chobe Park, we will be camping at private campsites with bush ablutions. We spend the first night in Chobe camping in the Savuti area and the following two nights near Chobe River in the northern part of the national park. The camping areas selected are remote and wild providing a real African bush experience.
We enjoy one last morning game drive in Chobe National Park on day 14 of our Botswana Wilderness Safari. Then we drive to the famous Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe (visa required). In Victoria Falls we overnight in chalets at a comfortable lodge.
You have free time in the afternoon to visit the impressive Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world and an unmissable highlight of Southern Africa! You can also go curio shopping and explore the town, or participate in optional activities. Optional Activities in Victoria Falls include Zambezi River White Water Rafting, Gorge Swinging, Upper Zambezi Canoeing, Bunjee Jumping, and Helicopter Flights over Victoria Falls. On the last night of this Botswana Camping Safari dinner will be at your own expense at the lodge in Victoria Falls.
The truly wild African bush adventure of this Botswana Wilderness Safari ends after breakfast at the lodge in Victoria Falls on day fifteen.
The vehicles used on this affordable Botswana Wilderness Safari are custom-built game viewing vehicles, designed for safari trips in the African bush. Each vehicle carries up to 12 passengers, ensuring excellent visibility on game viewing drives, as well as great movability in the wilderness. Throughout this Botswana Safari, we use a specially designed trailer unit containing a mobile kitchen and space for all of the camping equipment and luggage.
On this semi-participation Botswana Safari, we camp in 2.1m x 2.1m x 1.75m bow tents that are easy to set up (clients help to erect the tents). All windows and doors of the tents are fitted with treated mosquito netting. Each person will get a 5cm high-density foam camping mattress to sleep on while camping.
The bush ablutions consist of high-slung bucket showers and bush toilets with canvas screens for privacy. Round (200V/2pin) power units are available in the vehicles to recharge cameras.
This Botswana Camping Safari includes one night at a comfortable lodge in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, at the end of the trip.
We recommend spending an extra day or two at Victoria Falls (after this Botswana Wilderness Safari) to participate in some of the amazing adventure activities available. Post-tour accommodation, activities, and transfers to the Victoria Falls airport or lodges, or Kasane in Botswana, can be arranged at an additional cost upon request.
For assistance with pre-safari and post-safari accommodation and travel arrangements contact African Budget Safaris.
For up-to-date and confirmed pricing info for optional items, please drop us an enquiry.
This tour does take children.
While the minimum age for guests on this scheduled safari is 12 years old, occasionally we may make exceptions during low season (November to June), or perhaps for children who have already travelled on an adventure holiday etc.
The safari camps are wild camp sites, in remote areas of Botswana and these camp sites are not fenced. Animals do come through the campsite at night and it is important that children are able to listen to and follow the guide safety instructions for the different areas on safari.
The guides are highly professional and very experienced, so guests will be safe in their care as long as they abide by the safety rules.
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