Botswana Game Parks and Okavango Delta Safari

This 14 day safaris takes you to all corners of Botswana, rich in culture and diversity.

We start at Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, heading to Chobe National Park, acknowledged as offering the finest game viewing in Africa. We then explore the vast uninhibited Makgadikgadi Pans and in the afternoon embark on a hike, before relaxing  on a wooden deck overlooking an elephant water hole.  

We then proceed to Khwai River via the quaint town of Maun. Exploration continues in Moremi  Game Reserve before traveling north to the Okavango Delta, a pristine waterway whose fertile plains are home to an abundance of bird life and game.

Leaving the Delta we head to Namibia-expect to see towering baobabs, large herds of elephants and other animals belonging to the Big 5. The last leg of the trip takes us to Zimbabwe's Victoria Falls town, where you explore the mighty Victoria Falls.

DAY 1: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park – Botswana

On day one of the Botswana Game Parks Safari we depart from Victoria Falls town in Zimbabwe, heading for Botswana. We cross into Botswana and drive on to Chobe Safari Lodge, situated on the banks of the Chobe River.

Upon arrival we set up camp at the lodge before taking a leisurely afternoon sunset cruise on the Chobe River. Chobe River boat cruises are considered one of the best water-based game viewing experiences Africa has to offer.

Elephants are commonly sighted on these boat cruises, as Chobe is home to some 80 000 elephants. Other wildlife frequently sighted includes hippo, water birds, buffalo, crocodiles and a variety of birds. One of the best things about game viewing on a Chobe River cruise is that you get to see the animals at close range, so close in fact that you don’t even need binoculars or huge zoom lenses for close up photos.

Distance: 80km / Departure:  09h00
Lunch Stop: Chobe Safari Lodge
Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge Camping (banks of the Chobe River, tents, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool & bar)

DAY 2: Makgadikgadi Pans – Botswana

We rise early on day two, to get an early start on the longest drive of the Botswana Game Parks Safari. We travel southwards, making our way to Planet Baobab stopping at the striking Magkadigkadi Pans en route.

On our Magkadigkadi stop we witness the huge, arid pans from up close. If conditions allow we drive onto the pans to experience the vast stillness of being surrounded by these wide-open spaces. These uninhabited and dry pans stretch endlessly under dramatic blue skies, making this a memorable and remote African wilderness encounter.

From the pans we make our way to Planet Baobab, where we spend the remainder of the day on a bush walk. The bush walk is lead by a local guide, who shares his in-depth knowledge of the area with visitors. On the walk you will learn about the area’s history, flora and fauna and the traditional uses of a variety of the plants. In the evening we stop at a waterhole in the bush for sundowners.

Distance: 410 km Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route
Accommodation: Camping at Planet Baobab (tents, wash rooms with hot water and "shebeen" bar).
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 3: Maun and the Khwai River – Botswana

In the morning we have breakfast at Planet Baobab and head out on foot for a morning bush walk, with our knowledgeable bush guide. This is a great opportunity to get a closer look at the bush and its wildlife, as well as learning more about the local history.

After the bush walk we continue to our next destination on this camping safari, via Maun. Our next stop, Mankwe Bush Lodge, is in a vast private concession covering nearly 350 000 hectares along the Khwai River. The concession contains a variety of eco-systems and habitats supporting a wide range of the wildlife found in the area. We arrive at the lodge and set up camp, before taking an exciting night game drive in the private concession. Night drives are only permitted in private concessions, making this drive a special opportunity for spotting nocturnal animals. The concession is inhabited by a variety of wildlife, being located just south of the famous Chobe National Park and east of Moremi Game Reserve.

Distance: 350 km / Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en route
Accommodation: Mankwe Bush Lodge Camping (tents, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool and bar)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 4: Khwai River – Botswana

Day four on the Botswana Game Parks Safari is spent on game drives in the bush. This action-packed day of game viewing, promises sightings of a variety of wildlife species, including some of Africa’s Big Five.

We set off into the Khwai wilderness area after breakfast in 4X4 safari vehicles in search of game. After a picnic lunch stop in the bush we continue on our game viewing drive in the Khwai region.  

Departure: 08h00
Lunch Stop: Khwai River
Accommodation: Camping at Mankwe Bush Lodge (tents, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool and bar)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 5: Moremi Game Reserve – Botswana

On day five we set off into the scenic and wildlife-rich Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi covers a large part of the eastern Okavango Delta and is home to an exceptionally high concentration of wildlife. The park consists of woodland, forest, floodplains and lagoons making it a varied wilderness area full of contrasts.

The whole of day five is spent game viewing in the pristine Moremi Game Reserve sighting its wildlife, including elephant, buffalo, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, African Wild Dog, hyena, jackal, impala, and red lechwe, among others.

Distance: 150 km / Departure: 8h00
Lunch Stop: inside Moremi Game Reserve
Accommodation: Camping at Mankwe Bush Lodge (tents, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool and bar)

DAY 6: Maun – Botswana

Today we leave the wilderness haven of Moremi for the town of Maun, one of Botswana’s major tourism hubs. In Maun you can either take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta or relax at the Camp’s pool.

Distance: 90 km Departure: 9h00
Lunch Stop: Crocodile Camp
Accommodation: Crocodile Camp (tents, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool and bar)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 7 & 8: Okavango Delta – Botswana

We depart from Maun early in the morning continuing on our camping safari to the next wildlife haven in Botswana, the Okavango Delta. We drive to the western edge of the delta and on to Etsha 13, from where we enter the watery delta world of reed-lined channels and remote islands.

The next two nights are spent in a camp on the delta surrounded by untamed wilderness and the sounds of nature. The Okavango is the largest inland delta in the world and is unique in that it flows into the Kalahari Desert without ever reaching the sea.

We explore the delta by Mokoros (traditional dug out canoes) moving between thickly vegetated islands on winding waterways and secluded lagoons. Makoro trips are excellent for getting a close look at some of the birdlife and other delta wildlife. We also take an hour and a half guided walking tour on one of the delta’s secluded islands in search of elephants, waterbuck and other wild animals.

Distance: 290 km / Departure: 9h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route
Accommodation: Guma Lagoon Camp (tents, wash rooms with hot water, and bar)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

DAY 9 & 10: Mahangu National Park and Popa Falls – Namibia

On day nine we bid farewell to the unique and mysterious Okavango Delta wetlands of Botswana, moving on to neighbouring Namibia. We cross into Namibia and head for Mahangu Lodge, stopping at Popa Falls on the Okavango River en route.

We spend day ten of the Botswana and Delta camping safari game viewing in Mahango National Park, in northeast of Namibia. This small but beautiful and diverse park lies on the western banks of the perennial Okavango River. Mahango Park, dotted with giant baobab trees, also features riverine forests and broad flood plains where large herds of elephant, buffalo and red lechwe roam.

Distance: 200 km / Departure: 9h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route
Accommodation: Camping at Mahangu Safari Lodge (tents, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool and bar)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

DAY 11 & 12: Kwando River and Mudumu Park – Namibia

Travelling along the Caprivi Strip of Namibia, we head for our safari camp on the Kwando River. Along the way we take an afternoon game drive in the wild and untouched Susuwe National Park. The rest of day 11 is spent relaxing in the bush environment of our overnight camp and enjoying the swimming pool and other facilities.

Day 12 is spent in the Mudumu National Park, a lush wilderness area compared to the rest of Namibia. The park covers around 1010 km sq of woodlands, savannah, swamps and rivirine forest. Its borders are the Kwando River to the west and the Linyati swamp in the South. Mudumu National Park is rich in birdlife hosting around 430 bird species, as well as numerous wild animals, such as elephants, zebras, red lechwe, buffalo, sable, roan, hippos and crocodiles.

Distance: 250 km + 23 km Departure: 8h00
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route
Accommodation: Camping at Camp Kwando (tents, wash rooms with hot water, swimming pool & bar)
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (x2)

DAY 13: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Today we return to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, where our Botswana Game Parks Safari started, leaving Namibia behind.

The final day is spent exploring the mighty Victoria Falls, the largest sheet of falling water in the world, and participating in some of the many exciting activities available. Optional activities, at your own expense, include; helicopter flips, white water rafting, bungee jumping and elephant back riding.

Distance: 340 km / Departure: 8h00   
Lunch Stop: picnic spot en-route
Accommodation: Lokuthula Lodges (Chalets with en-suite bathrooms, swimming pool and bar)
Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

DAY 14: Victoria Falls – Zimbabwe

Our memorable journey through Botswana and Namibia comes to an end after breakfast in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. We hope you had the adventure of a lifetime on the Botswana Game Parks and Okavango Delta Safari and look forward to seeing you in Africa again.

Meal Plan: Breakfast

Note: For options to upgrade accommodation on this safari contact African Budget Safaris for details.

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