7 Day Moremi & Mababe Camping Safari in Botswana

Botswana Safari Highlights

• Xakanaxa and Moremi Game Reserve
• Fringes of the Okavango Delta Mokoro trip
• Mababe Private Reserve in the Khwai River Area
• Scenic charter flights over the Okavango Delta

Day 1: Maun to Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve – Botswana

At the start of this Botswana Safari, the charter company meets you at Maun International Airport. From Maun, you take a charter flight at about 14h00, flying to the Xakanaxa Airstrip in Moremi Game Reserve. As you fly over the delta keep an eye out for large mammals, including hippos and herds of elephants, buffalos, and red lechwe antelopes.

Arriving at Xakanaxa your guide welcomes you and transfers you to your first tented camp in the heart of Moremi Game Reserve. Here you can spot smaller game and an impressive array of birds, including various species of goshawks, eagles, hornbills, cuckoos, and whydahs. Settle in at the mobile tented camp and your spacious safari tent fitted with beds (linen included) and private, en-suite bathrooms. Then, sit back and enjoy your first African sunset while dinner is prepared.

• Meals included: Dinner
• Accommodation: Tented Camp (en-suite safari tents) in Moremi Game Reserve

Day 2 & 3: Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve – Botswana

Situated on the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta, this area is a wonderland of waterways, flood plains, lagoons, woodland, and open grasslands. As such, it offers diverse habitats to a wide range of wildlife and birds. We spend days two and three of our camping safari in Botswana exploring the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve on 4x4 game drives spotting an array of animals and birds.

Moremi is one of the most beautiful and diverse game reserves in Africa. It hosts abundant wildlife and is one of the best places to see African wild dogs. The Xakanaxa area is home to a large herd of buffalos numbering about several hundred. The buffalos attract four different lion prides that are often seen following close on their heels. Elephant herds and antelopes, including red lechwe and other unusual species, are commonly spotted in this region too. The wetlands of Xakanaxa host an incredible array of birds, ranging from the coucals to cisticolas and crakes, while the waterways draw skimmers, stalks, herons, egrets, cranes, and eagles, among other birds.

In between game drives, we relax at our private tented camp - the ideal spot for soaking up the African wilderness, and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smells of the bush.

• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Accommodation: Tented Camp (en-suite safari tents) in Moremi Game Reserve
• Activities: Guided 4x4 game drives

Day 4: Xakanaxa to Mababe Private Reserve – Botswana

Day four of your Botswana Safari starts with an early breakfast at the tented camp in Moremi. Then we take a slow drive through Moremi Game Reserve to the Khwai River and Mababe areas. Enjoy an extended game drive along the waterways and floodplains into the open grasslands and woodlands, exploring the Moremi, Khwai River, and Mababe wildlife areas. Along the way, we visit Dombo Hippo Pools to soak up the scenery and watch the resident hippos. From there we take a game drive through Khwai, stopping to enjoy a picnic lunch en route.

The highlight of today is a Mokoro trip in a dug-out style canoe, poled along by a local guide. We explore the calmer backwaters of the Khwai and Mbudi rivers on the outskirts of the Okavango Delta. A Mokoro ride in the delta is an unforgettable experience not to be missed, so sit back and relax. Herons and other waterbirds are plentiful in these waters, and we may spot some animals from the channels. After our African gondolier experience, our game drive continues.

The Mababe area with its mopane grasslands, is home to herds of breeding elephants whilst some impressive big old bulls prefer the northern reaches of Mababe. Mature and baby elephants all love their mud baths in the cool Khwai River. An unusually high density of hippos as well as some huge Nile crocodiles have their home in this river as well and can be seen sunning themselves on the river banks. Africa's big cats, like leopards, cheetahs, and lions are common predators along this route. Both Xakanaxa and Mababe are areas where different packs of wild dogs can be seen. An enormous array of the finest wildlife in Africa - buffalo, giraffe, zebra, rhino, and many different types of antelope can be seen here. Birds like the African Hawk-Eagle, Gabar Goshawk, and African Harrier Hawk are common raptors, to name but a few. There are more than 450 bird species in the Okavango Delta region of which 100 can be found in Mababe. The Khwai is a paradise for birds and attracts an amazing variety of local and migratory species.

This evening we embark on a night game drive in Mababe Private Reserve where our next tented camp is located. This outing gives you an opportunity to see some of the fascinating nocturnal animals that are rarely encountered during the day.

• Accommodation: Tented Camp (en-suite safari tents) at Mababe Private Reserve
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Activities: 4x4 Game drives, Mokoro trip, and night drive

Day 5 & 6 Mababe Private Reserve, Kwai River Area - Botswana

The following two nights are spent at an exclusive campsite in the Mababe concession. The camp is set on the banks of the Khwai River where animals can be spotted coming to quench their thirst at all hours. With the Kwai River flowing through the concession, there are various routes to explore along the river banks. Kalahari shrub to the east and tall cathedral mopane forests to the south makes for a wonderfully varied landscape. There is a strict policy of max 20 vehicles allowed in the whole concession at any given time which ensures an uncrowded and more private safari experience overall.

One of the highlights of staying in Mababe Private Reserve is that night drives and guided walks are permitted here, unlike in Moremi Game Reserve. This means we get to explore on game drives after dark, using spotlights to search for nocturnal animals. We will also explore the surrounding wild areas on foot, but please note that walking is seasonal, based on rains and the height of the grass. Your experienced guide will determine if conditions are safe for bush walks. Walking in Mababe is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the abundant flora and fauna close up, and take some great photos.

Our time will be spent between the dry-land habitats of the leadwood and camel-thorn woodlands, the savannah grassland areas, and the riverbanks of the Khwai River. You’ll also experience the more arid western region of the Mababe concession, which resembles the central Kalahari Desert. Exploring this varied and unique area will leave you in awe.

The Mababe region boasts a healthy population of breeding elephant herds as well as bull elephants. Lions, leopards, serval cats, and African wildcats are also found in this region. Large herds of buffalos also move through this area during the summer rainy season - a very impressive sight. Other ungulates include tsessebe, blue wildebeest, giraffe, kudu, sable antelope, and even eland and oryx.

The infamous Kori Bustard, Botswana's national bird, can be found in the lower parts of the Mababe Depression. The western reaches are the prime habitat for the rosy-throated Longclaw and you’ll also find the bat-hawk hunting along the full length of the river. Other interesting raptors here are the cuckoo hawk (rare), long-crested eagle, and black sparrowhawk. There are more than 100 bird species in the Mababe reserve, enough to keep the most seasoned birder enthralled.

• Accommodation: Tented Camp (en-suite safari tents) at Mababe Private Reserve
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
• Activities: 4x4 Game drives, night drives & walking safaris (conditions allowing)

Day 7: Mababe Private Reserve to Maun – Botswana

After an early breakfast at our camp in Mababe, we take a game drive to the Khwai airstrip, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. At the airstrip, it is time to say goodbye to the wilds of Mababe and board your charter flight back to Maun. This 30-minute flight gives you a final chance to admire the Okavango Delta and its larger animals from above. Landing at Maun, your Moremi & Mababe Safari in Botswana comes to a close.

• Meals included: Breakfast
• Activities: Transfer to Khwai Airstrip & charter flight back to Maun

Botswana Safari Notes

• The minimum age for scheduled departures is 12 years old.
• December to March departures are only guaranteed to run with a minimum of 4 confirmed guests.
• April to November departures are guaranteed to run with a minimum of 2 confirmed guests.
• Departures run with a maximum of 9 guests.
• Single Supplement - first two singles booked, no single supplement, after that single supplement of 25% per single traveler.
• Rates will be subject to surcharges if fuel prices and/or park fees increase.
• Although every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary above, this safari program is subject to change based on local conditions (weather, roads, animal movements) and availability. In the rare case of any changes, we'll notify you prior to your trip.

Travel Note:

Should you be traveling to another safari lodge in the area after this safari, flights can be arranged directly from Khwai Airstrip. This way you can avoid having to fly back to Maun and then onwards.

If you would prefer to fly into Moremi from Kasane (at the start of the safari) or from Mababe to Kasane (at the end), this can be arranged at an extra charge. For more details about your transfer and flight options and prices, contact African Budget Safaris.

About Mababe Private Reserve

Discover a unique and exclusive safari experience at Mababe Private Reserve in Botswana's NG41 concession. Unlike the neighboring Khwai Concession, Mababe has stricter environmental laws, allowing for a more intimate wildlife adventure. Enjoy a considerate and calm safari setting, with a maximum of 20 vehicles permitted in the concession at any given time and a limit of four vehicles per wildlife sighting. Along the Khwai River banks, the reserve's campsites offer excellent opportunities to witness animals gathering to drink and engage in river activities.

The Mababe Private Reserve is a natural habitat for animals such as elephants, giraffes, buffalos, hippos, and various predators. Its diverse ecosystems feature open grasslands, Mopane woodlands, and Kalahari scrub, which support a unique blend of flora and fauna. Guests can go on safaris and night drives, with dedicated areas for walking tours and extended night game drives. The exclusive and authentic safari experience is assured with limited vehicle capacity, varied habitats, and immersive encounters in this unspoiled environment.