Budget Botswana, Namibia & Zambia Lodge Safari

This Budget Lodge Safari takes you on an authentic bush adventure through top wildreness areas in Botswana and Namibia, starting and ending on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls in Livingstone.

The Botswana, Namibia & Zambia Lodge Safari forms a circular route around Botswana's wildlife gem, the Okavango Delta exploring the Guma Lagoon, Moremi Reserve and Khwai River areas of this pristine wetland by mokoro and motorboat.

Visit the Caprivi Strip area of Namibia game viewing in Mudumu and Mahango Reserves and stopping at Poppa Falls. After experiencing the magical delta we embark on game drives and a sunset boat cruise in the game-rich Chobe Park.

This Accommodated Zambia, Namibia and Botswana Safari offers a real African wildlife and bush experience at a great price!.

Tour Highlights:

• 2 nights in North Eastern Namibian National Parks - Caprivi area
• Central Okavango Delta & mokoro trips
• Motorboat in the Delta
• Optional Game/Scenic Delta flight (extra cost)
• 2 nights Moremi Game Reserve
• 1 night Makgadikgadi Pans
• 2 nights Chobe National Park
• Visit to Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia

Day 1: Susuwe/West Caprivi National Park, comfortable lodge - Namibia

This Budget Botswana, Namibia & Zambia Lodge Safari starts at 09h00 with a full tour briefing from your safari guide in Livingstone, Zambia. 

After the tour briefing in Livingstone near Victoria Falls we travel west crossing the border into Namibia near the town of Katima Mulilo, stopping in town for lunch. Then we continue our drive into the Caprivi Strip region of Namibia to our first overnight stay at Camp Kwando. The safari lodge overlooks Kwando River, a tributary of the Chobe River, which forms the border between Botswana and Namibia. (D)

Day 1: Livingstone – Susuwe: 340 km

Day 2: Susuwe/West Caprivi National Park, comfortable lodge - Namibia

On day two you will have time to participate in some outdoor and adventure activities in the Caprivi area.

In the morning after an early breakfast we embark on a guided bush walk to experience this area on foot. The bush walk is an excellent way to get a close-up look at the animals and plants of the African wilderness. On the guided walk you have the opportunity to learn about the intimate details of the bush from various animal spoor to indigenous plant species and birds.

In the afternoon we take an exciting game drive in Mudumu Game Reserve, a lush national park covering riverine forest, dense savannah and mopane woodland in eastern Caprivi. Muduma's waterways are home to spotted neck otter, hippo, tigerfish and crocodile. The watery park is a birding paradise attracting around 430 bird species, as well as various antelope species, including rare sitatunga and red lechwe antelopes. Other larger game including burchell's zebra, buffalo, elephant, lion, impala, kudu and buck also inhabit Muduma Park.

Returning to the lodge towards sunset you have free time to enjoy a drink before a hearty dinner. At the end of an exciting day in the African wilds you fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush. (B,D)

Day 3: Okavango Delta, comfortable lodge - Botswana

We rise early for the next stretch of our journey continuing west along the Caprivi Strip of Namibia until we reach the Poppa Falls along the Kavango River.

Arriving at Poppa Falls we explore the area on foot getting a closer look at the Falls. Poppa Falls consists of the last set of rapids on the Okavango River in Namibia, before it flows into Botswana's Delta region.

Next we continue into Mahango Game Reserve, situated on the flood plains of the Kavango River, just before it enters Botswana and becomes the Okavango.

The Reserve offers great vantage points for sighting herds of Red Letchwe and Sable Antelope. In the diverse and truly Mahango Reserve we look out for elephant, hippo and buffalo along with predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah. Wild dog and various antelope species including lechwe, sitatunga and roan also inhabit this compact wilderness area. Mahango is also famous for its ancient, towering baobab trees, which we have the opportunity to visit on foot.

After game viewing in Mahango Park we cross back into Botswana stopping for lunch in the town of Shakawe. After lunch we continue south to the birdwatching and fishing haven of Guma Lagoon where we will spend the next two nights.

Guma Lagoon Lodge is situated right in the Okavango Delta overlooking the large natural lagoon that the lodge is named after. Here we have the chance to explore the Okavango Delta, Botswana's wildlife gem and the world's largest inland delta, admiring the beauty of this intricate wetland system. There are plenty of activities available at Guma Lagoon from fishing trips to horse riding and mokoro (traditional canoe) day trips. (B, L, D)

Susuwe – Guma Lagoon: 350 km

Day 4: Okavango Delta, comfortable lodge - Botswana

Day 5: Maun, comfortable lodge - Botswana

Leaving the pristine Okavango Delta we keep driving south in our minibus to Maun, our next safari stopover. From the Okavango Delta you have the option of taking a scenic game flight over the Okavango Delta back to Maun (1hr scenic flight requiring a minimum of 3 guests to guarantee the flight).

This unforgettable Okavango Delta flight provides sweeping aerial views of the unique wetland system and its roaming wildlife. If you take the scenic Delta flight you will spend a leisurely afternoon in the watery Okavango at a campsite relaxing in nature before your flight to Maun.

Your guide will travel to Maun with the vehicle and join you at the airport. After collecting your group the safari guide will take you to shop for curios and necessities and then you spend the night at a comforatble lodge just outside Maun. (B,D)

Guma Lagoon – Maun: 290 km

Days 6-7: Khwai River area, luxury safari tent - Botswana

From Maun we travel to the Khwai River area, bordering Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana.

We spend the next two days of this Budget Lodge Safari exploring the Moremi Reserve on game drives in search of the impressive array of wild animals and prolific birdlife found in this beautiful wilderness park. 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 Reserve covers diverse habitats ranging from swamp and woodlands to drier areas.

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. 

Accommodation will be at a tented bush camp in large bow tents with camp beds and en-suite bush toilet and bucket shower on every tent. (B,L,D)

Maun – Khwai area: 160 km

Day 8: Nata, comfortable lodge - Botswana

Today we get an early start making our way back towards Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, and then on to Nata, on the outskirts of the Makgadikgadi Pans. We stop for lunch along the way arriving at our lodge in Nata late in the afternoon, traveling via the changing landscapes of Botswana, from green swamps to arid saltpans. (B, D)

Khwai - Nata Lodge: 480 km

Days 9-10: Kasane, comfortable lodge - Botswana

In the morning we visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary to view the expansive Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt flats in the world. Huge flocks of flamingoes and pelicans congregate on the pans of Nata to feed and nest at certain times of the year, forming a remarkable sea of birds.

Departing from Nata we head north to Kasane, a town on the edge of Chobe National Park in northern Botswana. We spend two nights near Kasane, exploring the northern parts of game-rich Chobe. This afternoon there is time for you to explore the lively town of Kasane, a well-known tourist hub in northern Botswana.

The Chobe River flows through Chobe Park all year round attracting numerous wild animals, including antelopes, buffaloes and hippos, as well as plenty of birds such as African Fish Eagles. Large herds of elephants are frequently seen visiting the river. The high density of herbivores in turn attracts many predators including lions and leopards, which can be seen in the area too.

We stay at a comfortable lodge in Kasane, from where you will embark on an early morning game drive into Chobe Park and experience a relaxing sunset river cruise on the Chobe River in the afternoon. (B, D)

Nata Lodge – Kasane Lodge: 320 km

Day 11: Livingstone, Zambia, comfortable lodge - Botswana

Today we cross the Zambezi River by ferry driving to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls, (visa required). In Livingstone we spend the last night of our safari at a comfortable lodge.

In the afternoon we visit the thunderous Victoria Falls, one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and go shopping for curios in Livingstone. At Vic Falls and Livingstone there are plenty of adventure activities on offer that your guide will be happy to arrange for you. 

On the last night dinner will be at your own expense at the safari lodge. The Budget Botswana, Namibia & Zambia Lodge Safari officially ends at 08h00 on Day 12 in Zambia.(B)

Kasane –Livingstone: 100 km

Livingstone Adventure Activities (Vic Falls):

• Zambezi River white water rafting (USD 120 half day, USD 135 full day per person)
• Helicopter/micro light flips over Vic Falls (From USD 135 pp)
• River cruises on the upper Zambezi (USD 55 pp)
• Canoeing on the upper Zambezi (USD 100 half day, USD 130 full day pp)
• Lion encounter (USD 125)
• Elephant back trails (USD 160 pp, excluding USD 10 park fees)
• Elephant encounter (USD 60 pp, excluding USD 10 park fees)
• Bungee jumping (120 USD per jump)
• Jet boating (USD 100 pp)
• Cultural village tour (USD 40 pp)
• Horse trails (USD 75 for 2 hours, USD 110 for half day with lunch, excluding USD 10 park fees) 

Please note:

This Botswana Lodge Safari starts at 09h00 in Livingstone, Zambia, should you require assistance with pre-tour arrangements such as accommodation and transfers from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe or Kasane, Botswana, contact African Budget Safaris. 

We recommend an extra day or two after the wildlife safari in Livingstone at Victoria Falls in Zambia to participate in some of the amazing adventure activities available. Post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Livingstone airport or lodges, Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane in Botswana, can be arranged with us at an additional cost.

For assistance with pre-safari and post-safari accommodation and travel arrangements contact African Budget Safaris.

Tour Transport:

Transport on this Budget African Lodge Safari is in an air-conditioned minibus and on certain game drives custom-built game viewing vehicles designed for safari trips in the African bush are used. Each vehicle carries up to 12 passengers, ensuring excellent visibility on game viewing drives, as well as great mobility in the wilderness.

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