Experience the best of Botswana on this budget-friendly Overland Lodge Safari, ending at the legendary Victoria Falls.
From Maun, head into the Okavango Delta, staying in the Khwai River floodplains. Take a traditional mokoro trip through the delta waterways and search for wildlife in the beautiful Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta. On returning to Maun, take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta to witness this natural marvel from the sky.
Then head into the Kalahari Desert to see the vast Makgadigadi Pans and take a game-viewing boat cruise on the Chobe River in the heart of Chobe National Park. From Kasane, cross into Zimbabwe before making your way to mighty Victoria Falls where this tour comes to an end.
See the abundant natural beauty and thriving life of captivating Botswana while staying in excellent budget-friendly lodges along the way on this budget-friendly Botswana Explorer Maun to Vic Falls (Lodge Overland Tour).
During this trip, you are likely to come across activities that encourage tourists to participate in lion, elephant, or other wildlife interaction. This includes walking with lions, riding elephants and any other tourist operation putting travellers in close contact with animals that would normally live wild and separate from human contact.
We absolutely do not encourage or endorse this type of wildlife interaction operation. For more information on why this is not good for Africa's wild animals, please see our safari anti-bucket list blog post on the subject.
Our epic Botswana Explorer Lodge Overland Tour begins in Maun today. Check into your comfortable riverside hotel in the late afternoon and get acquainted with your crew and fellow travellers over a hearty dinner. The crew will brief you on the adventure ahead as we travel into the heart of the Okavango Delta.
If time permits, you have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight from Maun. Soar over the Okavango Delta for an excellent perspective of this great natural wonder – a mighty river with no way out to the sea, emptying onto a vast desert. The plentiful supply of water provides a lifeblood for an incredible diversity of plants and animals.
Optional Activities: Okavango Delta scenic flight (time permitting)
Meals: Dinner
Early risers today have another opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta.
Today, we embark on a two-day expedition into the heart of the Okavango Delta, packing light for this off-road adventure. Leaving our larger luggage behind in our overland truck in Maun, we are collected in smaller 4x4 safari vehicles to travel the delta's backroads towards the Khwai River floodplain in the northeastern region of the Okavango Delta.
For the next two nights, we will stay in a luxurious tented safari camp with sweeping views over animals grazing on the floodplains. After settling into camp, we set off to meet local guides, who will lead us on a journey through the Okavango Delta's waterways in traditional mokoro boats.
Navigating narrow reed-lined channels, our guide skillfully poles the boat, as channels open up to lagoons adorned with water lilies. Pausing on one of the delta's islands, we embark on a guided walk, as our guide looks out for animal tracks and gives us a deeper understanding of life within this captivating ecosystem. As the sun begins its descent, casting a warm glow over the delta, we glide back to the Mokoro station, captivated by the breathtaking sunset colours reflected on the delta waters.
Included Activities: Sunset Delta Mokoro Excursion
Optional Activities: Okavango Delta scenic flight (time permitting)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 of our Botswana Explorer Safari will be spent in the heart of the Okavango Delta, as we make an early start for a full-day game drive safari in Moremi Game Reserve. Spanning an impressive 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 square miles), this sanctuary teems with life, promising an unforgettable day of wildlife spotting.
Venturing through the park's diverse landscapes, we cross lush grasslands, meander through dense woodlands, and alongside tranquil waterways, keeping a lookout for animals that call this home – from the African Big 5 – lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo, and rhinoceros – while herds of zebras and giraffes graze peacefully on the plains, and hippos and crocodiles bask in the waterways. There are many species of antelope including the red lechwe adapted to surviving in marshy conditions, as well as hyenas, jackals, and the endangered African Wild Dog amongst many more creatures large and small. Over 500 bird species are to be spotted here, from waterbirds and migratory birds to forest dwellers.
As dusk descends, casting a warm glow over the landscape, we make our way back to our comfortable tented camp on the Khwai River floodplains full of stories of today’s adventure.
Included Activities: Moremi Game Reserve Full Day Game Drive
Meals Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Our Africa Overland Tour makes an early start this morning as we take a final drive through the Okavango Delta in our 4×4 safari vehicles, back to Maun. Here we meet up with our overland safari vehicle and head out of the waters of the delta and into the dry sands of the Kalahari Desert, a tapestry of arid plains and acacia woodlands.
Our journey takes us around the edges of the vast Makgadikgadi Pans, a captivating landscape of salt flats that seem to extend into infinity. We make a stop to take in views of these time-worn pans, which were once a part of a massive inland sea long since evaporated. When the rainy season arrives, previously dry riverbeds brim with water, creating an ideal environment for various bird species, including flamingos.
Our accommodation for the night is a desert lodge near Nata Pan, renowned for its waterhole that frequently attracts free-roaming desert elephants. Unwind on the deck as you observe the wildlife gathering around the waterhole to drink.
Included Activities: Makgadigadi Pans Viewpoint
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Our journey continues northeast through the Kalahari Desert and soon the arid plains give way to the lush greenery of the riverbanks as we near the Chobe River near the border town of Kasane. Tonight, we stay at a lovely riverside lodge on the banks of the Chobe River.
After a leisurely lunch, we embark on a game-viewing boat cruise in the Chobe National Park nearby. Navigating the waters of the Chobe River, we manoeuvre around groups of lounging hippos, and our quiet approach lends the opportunity for intimate sightings of the varied wildlife found along the water's edge of the park. Notably, Chobe is recognized for hosting one of Africa's largest elephant populations which thrive in tightly bonded families under the watch of seasoned matriarchs. Herds are frequently found along the riverbanks.
Included Activities: Chobe National Park Boat Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
On day 6 of our Maun to Victoria Falls Botswana Safari, we cross the border into Zimbabwe and drive the short distance to the mighty Victoria Falls where we will overnight before our tour ends tomorrow.
Today the program is clear to allow you to explore the spectacular Victoria Falls and its surrounds at your leisure. The falls are known by the locals as “Mosi-oa Tunya” (the smoke that thunders) and you will understand why when you experience the sheer power of the falling water.
Beyond its natural splendour, Victoria Falls offers many activities, from adrenaline-pumping white-water rafting to heart-stopping bungee jumps. For a bird's-eye view, consider a scenic helicopter or microlight flight. If you're seeking more wildlife encounters, venture into nearby reserves on a game drive. Alternatively, take on a leisurely Zambezi River cruise above the falls or immerse yourself in the local culture on a village tour. You may wish to stroll around town and explore the vibrant craft markets or indulge in a traditional high tea at the Victoria Falls Hotel.
We will spend our last night at a lodge located quite close to the falls.
Optional Activities: Falls Viewpoint Entrance Fees, White-Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, Boma Dinner Experience, Village Tour, and more
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Your Botswana Explorer Tour comes to an end after breakfast today. Spend the rest of the day trying more of the many optional activities on offer in Victoria Falls, or you may be continuing your onward journey.
Optional Activities: Falls Viewpoint Entrance Fees, White-Water Rafting, Bungee Jump, Gorge Swing, Zambezi Sunset Cruise, Helicopter Flights, Boma Dinner Experience, Village Tour, and more
Meals: Breakfast
We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this Botswana Explorer is scheduled. It is advisable to arrive the day before departure from Maun and fly out the day after the overland tour ends in Victoria Falls to allow for delays and changes, and to take advantage of the many activities on offer.
Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre-tour and post-tour accommodation to your safari booking.
You can do this fun-packed Africa Lodge Overland Tour in the reverse order as the Botswana Explorer Vic Falls to Maun (Overland Lodge Safari) if you prefer to start in Victoria Falls and end in Maun.
This Lodge Overland Tour is also available as a budget-friendly Camping Overland Tour – Botswana Explorer: Maun to Vic Falls (Camping Overland Tour) which follows the same itinerary and accommodation is camping at campsites rather than staying in lodges.
For more details contact African Budget Safaris
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