Botswana Wilderness Camping Safari

This Botswana Wilderness Camping Safari explores the best wildlife parks in Botswana, from the magical wide-open Nxai Pan to the unique watery Okavango Delta. 

This truly wild African safari experience also takes you on a sunset river cruise on Chobe River as well as embarking on exhilarating game viewing drives in both the diverse Chobe Park and beautiful Moremi Game Reserve.

Starting in Kasane and ending on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls in Livingstone, this genuine Botswana bush adventure offers unbeatable value for money!

Tour Highlights:

• Sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River
• 2 nights Nxai Pan National Park
• Central Okavango Delta & mokoro excursions
• Motorboat in the Delta
• 3 nights Moremi Game Reserve
• 3 nights Chobe National Park
• 1 night at a comfortable lodge in Livingstone, Zambia

Day 1: Chobe Area, camping - Botswana

The Wild Botswana Camping Safari starts in the town of Kasane near Chobe in northern Botswana at 13h00 on the first day. 

This Budget Botswana Safari begins with a full tour briefing from your guide followed by some shopping in Kasane for last minute supplies and safari 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 hippo, elephant, buffalo and various antelope species.

We camp overnight at a Kasane bush campsite with permanent ablutions. (L, D)

Day 2-3: Nxai Pan National Park, camping - Botswana

On day two we get up as the sun rises and leave the Chobe area driving 500 kilometres 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 grazing herds of impala and springbok. In the afternoon we visit the magnificent Baines Baobabs on the edge of an expansive saltpan to get a closer look at these regal ancient trees, immortalised by the paintings of explorer Baines. Camping will be at a private designated campsite with bush ablutions. (B,L,D)

Kasane – Nxai Pan: 500km, 6h

Day 4: Maun, camping - Botswana

After enjoying a morning game drive in Nxai Pan we continue to our next stop on the Botswana Wilderness Camping Safari - Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. The afternoon is free for you to explore Maun, browse the shops and simply relax.

Our next overnight camp is at a designated bush site with permanent ablution facilities.  (B, L, D)

Nxai – Maun: 180km, 3-4h

Day 5-6: Okavango Delta, camping - Botswana

Next our Botswana Wilderness Camping Safari takes us north west to the fringes of the Okavango Delta, Botswana's wildlife gem.

Reaching the western edge of the delta we transfer to motorboats and continue into this pristine watery haven. We travel along the winding papyrus-lined channels by motorboat enjoying the spectacular bush scenery and rich-birdlife of the delta region.

Once we have cruised deeper into the Okavango Delta we will be met by local polers with their mokoros (traditional dugout canoes). We continue our journey by mokoro gliding peacefully to a secluded delta island. The next two days are filled with mokoro excursions and guided walks exploring the reeded islands and floodplains of the remote Okavango Delta. During our delta trip we camp in the wild with bush ablutions. The camping areas selected on this Botswana Wildlife Safari are remote and truly wild offering a genuine African bush experience.(B, L, D)

Maun – Okavango Delta: 300km, 4h

Day 7: Maun, camping - Botswana

After our truly wild Okavango Delta experience we return to Maun.

You have the option of taking a scenic game flight over the Okavango Delta back to Maun, an hour long flight at extra cost. This unforgettable Okavango Delta flight provides sweeping aerial views of the unique wetland system and its wildlife. If you take the scenic flight you will spend a leisurely afternoon in the watery Delta at a campsite relaxing in nature before your flight to Maun.

Your safari guide will drive to Maun and stock up on supplies for the next stretch of your Botswana Camping Adventure. You will be collected for some shopping and stay overnight just outside of Maun at a campsite with permanent ablution facilities. (B, L, D)

Okavango Delta – Maun: 300km, 4h

Days 8-10: Moremi Game Reserve, camping - Botswana

Leaving Maun on day eight we head to our next game viewing destination, Moremi Game Reserve. One of the best wildlife parks in Botswana, Moremi Reserve covers diverse habitats ranging from swamp and woodlands to drier areas. 

We spend the next three days of this Botswana wildlife 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, hyaena 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 Dog.

During our stay in Moremi 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. (B, L, D).

Day 8: Maun – Moremi Game Reserve: 150km, 6h (including game drive)

Days 11-13: Chobe National Park, camping - Botswana

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.

At Chobe Park we will be camping in private designated sites with bush ablutions. The camping areas selected are remote and wild providing a real African bush experience. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Moremi – Savuti: 120km. 5-6h

Day 12: Savuti - Chobe River: 170km, 5h

Days 14–15: Comfortable Lodge in Livingstone, chalet accommodation - Zambia

We enjoy one last morning game drive in Chobe Park before taking a ferry across the Zambezi River into Zambia. Then we drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the famous Victoria Falls (visa required), where we stay overnight at a comfortable lodge.

You have free time in the afternoon to visit the impressive Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, and go curio shopping in Livingstone. On the last night of this Botswana Camping Safari dinner will be at your own expense at the Livingstone lodge. Optional Activities in Livingstone include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi, Elephant Rides and Helicopter Flights over Victoria Falls. (Day 14 – B, L & Day 15 B)

The truly wild African bush adventure of the Botswana Wilderness Camping Safari ends after breakfast at around 10h00 on day fifteen.

(Day 14 – B, L & Day 15 B)

Day 14: Chobe River – Livingstone: 100km, 2-3h

Looking for other tours to Botswana? View all Botswana Budget Safaris