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Oddballs enclave game

Kalahari & Okavango Delta Lodge Safari in Botswana

Tour Length7 days
Priced from pps $4450 R84253 £3527 4115 A$6821 C$6046 NZ$7426 Full pricing info
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Summary of this Lodge Safari

  • Max. Group Size 10 Travellers
  • Starts & ends in Maun, Botswana
  • Accommodation Luxury Camping / Lodge / Safari Lodge
  • Transport Fly-in Safari / 4x4 Vehicle
  • Wildlife Big 5, Elephant, Exceptional Birding, Leopards, Lions & More
  •  See Departure Dates

Quick Itinerary Overview

Explore two of the wildest places in Southern Africa - flying to the remote Central Kalahari Desert and the pristine Okavango Delta on this lodge safari in Botswana.

First, stay at Deception Valley Lodge - set in a 15,000-hectare private reserve on the northern boundary of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. Explore the unique Kalahari ecosystem on walks with the San people (San bushmen), find out about desert plants traditionally used in rituals, medicines, and foods, and discover more about the strange animals of the desert. Embark on day and night game drives venturing off-road in search of leopards, lions, and other creatures. Next, you fly to the intimate Oddballs’ Enclave, set on a small island deep in the Okavango Delta. In this watery habitat, you can set off on guided bush walks with your own private guide, discovering the diverse flora and fauna of this unspoiled wilderness area.

Experience traditional African cultures, exceptional lodge accommodations, unique safari activities, and diverse wildlife on this scenic journey into the vast Kalahari Desert and watery Okavango Delta. 

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Itinerary for this Tour

Botswana Safari Highlights:

  • Desert walks with San Bushmen in the Central Kalahari Desert
  • Kalahari Desert game drives in a private reserve
  • Guided bush walks on Chiefʼs Island in the Okavango Delta
  • Scenic mokoro rides in the Okavango Delta (when water levels permit)

Days 1 to 3: Maun to Central Kalahari - Botswana

Our Botswana Safari adventure begins in the bustling town of Maun, located in northern Botswana. A Delta Air representative is there to meet you at the airport and assist you with boarding the light aircraft for the flight into the Central Kalahari Region.

We fly to Deception Valley Lodge, set on a private game reserve along the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Southern Africa's largest wildlife reserve. This secluded semi-desert region is a land of faded sandveld grasses dotted with acacias and shrubs stretching out endlessly under wide blue skies. Deception Valley Lodge is located on 15000 hectares of privately owned wild land, with guest areas overlooking a watering hole visited by a variety of animals and birds.

The lodge offers authentic San cultural experiences and nature drives. Walk with the local San guides, foraging in the bush and finding out how these remarkable nomadic people have survived in harsh conditions for thousands of years. Embark on game drives in the Central Kalahari, home to a surprising diversity of animals and small creatures, plants, and even birds. At night there are the countless bright stars of the Kalahari skies to keep you in awe.

  • Spend 3 nights at Deception Valley Lodge in the Kalahari Desert

About Deception Valley Lodge - Kalahari Desert

Deception Valley Lodge is located inside a private reserve on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. This remote lodge with a swimming pool overlooks a waterhole making it like an oasis in the semi-desert region. Deception Valley has its own airstrip, 15 minutes drive from the lodge. The comfortable lodge accommodates up to 16 guests at a time. Facilities include various lounge and dining areas and eight spacious suites. Each suite has a lounge area, bedroom and en-suite bathroom with a Victorian-style bath and outdoor shower. The lodge has a wireless internet connection via satellite.

The lodge offers afternoon and night game drives in custom-built safari vehicles. The guides can drive off-road in the private reserve enabling them to track wildlife more successfully. The private reserve hosts Kalahari lions, cheetahs, leopards, giraffes, kudus, brown hyenas and more. On night drives elusive nocturnal species are spotted and during the day bird watching is rewarding.

The most unique experience at Deception Valley Lodge is spending time with the Naru-speaking San (Bushmen) of the Kalahari. Guests have the chance to interact with the ancient hunter-gatherer tribe of Southern Africa joining local guides on nature walks. Find out how the San have survived in the inhospitable deserts of Southern Africa for thousands of years. The guides share insights into their hunting and foraging techniques, as well as the traditional rituals, crafts and culture of the Kalahari San. Walking with the San, you will also learn about the surprisingly diverse flora and fauna of this semi-desert habitat, discovering their culinary, ceremonial and medicinal uses.

Days 4 to 6: Central Kalahari to Okavango Delta - Botswana

On day four of our safari in Botswana we have breakfast at Deception Valley Lodge, before flying to Oddballs’ Enclave in the heart of the Okavango Delta. Touching down at the airstrip in the small plane, a friendly welcome from your private guide awaits. The guide transfers you to the remote Oddballs’ Enclave camp and takes care of you (two guests per guide) throughout your stay in the delta.

Oddballs’ Enclave is uniquely located on a small island to the southwest of Chief’s Island and is only accessible by light aircraft. We spend the next few days exploring this wild area, bordering on the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve.

You can look forward to exciting bush walks with your guide - born and raised in the Delta, his in-depth knowledge will open up a new world to you in this wild place. Only by exploring on foot can you breathe in the bush and get so close to the flora, birds, insects, and wildlife. You may come across big animals on your walks in the pristine wilderness, making for thrilling encounters. Your guide will do his utmost best to find a special bird or animal that you'd like to see or photograph. Apart from keeping you safe and informed, your guide will make sure that you have an unforgettable experience.

You also have the option of setting off on an unforgettable full-day exploration with your guide, taking a delicious picnic lunch with you from camp. And, when water levels are high enough you'll also get to explore the Okavango Delta by mokoro canoe. Mekoro are the traditional-style dugout canoes used to get around in the watery environment.

The main lodge areas and decks of the classic Oddballs’ Enclave camp are ideal spots for enjoying a sunset, looking out over the pristine delta, and spotting birds and animals roaming nearby.

  • Spend 3 nights at Oddballs’ Enclave in the Okavango Delta

About Oddballs' Enclave - Okavango Delta

Oddballs' Enclave is set on a small island deep in the Okavango Delta - a remote location that can only be reached by plane. This is an intimate delta camp offering classic safari accommodation for up to ten guests at a time.

At this secluded delta camp, accommodation is in five spacious Meru-style tents on raised wooden platforms. These permanent tents are erected under canvas and have semi-detached en-suite bathrooms. The bathrooms are semi-open-air, but very private with bucket showers providing hot and cold running water. Each walk-in tent is fitted with either twin single beds or a double bed along with basic furniture and fittings. These comfortable, luxury tents also have small viewing decks where guests can relax and enjoy the unspoiled views of animals and bush.

Main areas of the tented camp include elevated decks with lounge areas opening onto the bush and campfire area. The lounge and deck areas offer comfortable places for guests to soak up the views over the delta grasslands and woods beyond. A cool den area and bar will help to refresh you after a day of exploring. A rich variety of birds and some wildlife species can be sighted at the camp with delta species, including elephants, big cats, baboons, hippos, and antelopes.

Oddballs' Enclave camp uses eco-friendly solar power to generate electricity and wherever possible to heat the water too, reducing its environmental impact. The tented camp is family-friendly, catering for families with children. This beautiful camp offers a personal safari experience with private guides and friendly, helpful staff, all from the local area. The emphasis at this remote spot is on slowing down and unwinding whilst taking in the pristine wilderness setting and its wild inhabitants.

Day 7: Okavango Delta to Maun - Botswana

After breakfast at Oddballs’ Enclave, we set off on one last adventure in the untamed Okavango Delta of Botswana. Then we tuck into a tasty breakfast back at camp before catching our flight back to Maun. Looking down on the Okavango Delta and wildlife, you feel revived and a bit sad to leave such a wonderful place.

This Kalahari Desert & Okavango Delta Lodge Safari in Botswana ends when we reach Maun in our light aircraft.

Botswana Safari Note:

We only recommend booking this Botswana Safari for travel during the late fall, winter, and early spring seasons in Botswana. This is because the summer months are uncomfortably hot for walking safaris in the Okavango Delta and the water levels are not high enough for proper mokoro trips. We have therefore only listed the tour departure dates available within the date range we recommend.

Child Policy

This tour does take children.

Children of all ages welcome to join with accompanying parents or guardian.

Please note: Deception Valley Lodge have a family suite and private game vehicle which must be booked for families with children.

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+Included in the Tour Price
  • Lodge accommodation
  • All meals on safari
  • Guided safari activities
  • Light aircraft transfers
+Not Included in the Tour Price
  • Travel Insurance
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  • International flights
+Departure Dates

This tour departs daily with a minimum of two people.

Scheduled Tour Departures
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If you do not see departures listed for your dates, please do contact us for further info.

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1. Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

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