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African Fish Eagle over the Okavango Delta

5 Day Botswana Safari: Okavango Delta Mokoro Safari

Tour Length5 days
Priced from pps $2389 R45291 £1877 2197 A$3643 C$3234 NZ$3928 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
  • Transport Microbus / Open 4x4 Game Viewing Vehicle / Flight / Fly-in Safari
  • Wildlife Big 5, Elephant, Leopards, Lions, Rhino & More
  •  See Departure Dates

Quick Itinerary Overview

Our Botswana Safari begins and ends in Maun traveling into the idyllic Okavango Delta, by road and returning by light aircraft. This Okavango Delta & Khwai Safari immerses you in the splendor of one of the world’s natural wonders – a river delta that spills into a desert. The Okavango Delta is known for its prolific wildlife, which makes for unique and exciting game-viewing adventures.

Explore the Okavango Delta's maze of waterways and estuaries by traditional-style mokoro canoes, or on foot with professional guides. Then fly by helicopter over Moremi Game Reserve to the northern floodplains of the Khwai River where an impressive variety of wildlife gathers. Explore this wild region on 4x4 game drives to spot wildlife, take mokoro safaris, and bask in unforgettable sunsets. In the Okavango Delta, we stay at Xaoo Safari Camp, a peaceful haven, with every creature comfort and beautiful views over the delta. Next, we head to the fully solar-powered Camp Khwai, a small intimate tented camp designed for privacy and comfort.

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Itinerary for this Tour

Day 1 & 2: Maun to Xaoo Safari Camp, Okavango Delta - Botswana

Our Botswana Safari kicks off in Maun, where you are greeted at Maun International Airport before heading off on a 45-minute road transfer to our first destination: a tented camp nestled in a forested island overlooking the Okavango Delta flood plains.

Xaoo Safari Camp is located on a private concession that shares a border with the southern part of the famous Moremi Game Reserve. Covering just under 5,000 square kilometers (1,900 sq mi) of the eastern side of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve is a study of contrasts, from permanent water lagoons to dry areas of mopane woodland and acacia forests, to seasonal floodplains that fill up after the rains each year.

These diverse habitats are home to nearly 500 species of bird and an impressive array of other wildlife including lion, leopard, African bush elephant, African buffalo, black rhinoceros, hippopotamus, giraffe, plains zebra, blue wildebeest, cheetah, spotted hyena, black-backed jackal, common warthog, and impala. The area is considered a significant habitat for African wild dogs and is also a great place to spot a Red Lechwe antelope specially adapted to these marshy conditions. Additionally, Moremi Game Reserve is one of the few places in Botswana where you might come across a rhino.

There is no better way to experience the delta than by mokoro canoe - a dug-out canoe that is traditionally hewn from either an ebony or sausage tree - though today most of the mekoro (plural) are made from fiberglass to preserve the magnificent old trees of the area. Your guide stands and poles silently through the narrow maze of waterways and estuaries of the delta while you relax and take in the sights and sounds of this magical place.

Guides come from the local villages, so you benefit from their indigenous knowledge as you drift along. Pause at small islands along the way where you can alight and explore further on foot. This is an opportunity to get close to the wonders, big and small, of one of Africa's last truly wild places. Your knowledgeable guide points out fascinating insects, plants, tracks, or other signs of animal activity.

Each day you will explore more of this fascinating area, embarking on a morning and afternoon activity of your choosing - a mokoro ride, walking safari, 4x4 game drive, or a cultural village tour. Helicopter and fixed-wing scenic flights are alternative activities available (own expense). Overnight wilderness camping is also an option (own expense).

Return to camp in the heat of the day to relax by the pool or watch the comings and goings at the lagoon that lies alongside the camp. Meals are served out on the spacious deck area. Keep a lookout for visiting wildlife and birds. This is a great spot to put your feet up at the end of the day admiring a beautiful sunset over the Delta, listening to the sounds of nature as the stars come out.

  • Meals included: Dinner (Day 1); Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner (Day 2)
  • Activities included: mokoro safari, walking safari, game drive, cultural village tour
  • Optional activities (own expense): Helicopter scenic flights, Overnight wilderness camping

About Xaoo Safari Camp, Okavango Delta

Xaoo Safari Camp nestles on a forested island overlooking the flood plains of the south-eastern Okavango Delta. A lagoon alongside the property has an abundance of small marsh animals, attracting birds, foraging herbivores, and those animals who feed on them. Watch the scene unfold from the swimming pool and boma campfire of the main area.

Accommodation is in six spacious luxury tents with ceiling fans, an indoor bath, and an outside shower. The camp is family-friendly and a sofa bed in the tent can be made up as an additional bed for up to 2 children under 12yrs or 1 additional adult. The camp is run on sustainable principles – it is fully solar-powered, and there is a strong focus on community involvement and support for the local guides and mokoro polers in the game drives and mokoro rides.

Xaoo Safari Camp is located near the tiny village of Xoxao, on a private concession that shares a border with the Moremi Game Reserve, known for its striking number of thriving wildlife species, birdlife, and unique delta landscapes. It is a 45-minute road transfer from Maun (included in the tour price).

Day 3 & 4: Xaoo to Camp Khwai - Botswana

On Day 3 of our Botswana Safari, after a final morning activity followed by a hearty breakfast, it is time to bid farewell to Xaoo Safari Camp. A helicopter will transfer you to your next destination, which lies on the floodplains of the Khwai River forming part of the northern border of Moremi Game Reserve. This will offer you a fantastic aerial perspective on the layout of Moremi and the movement of wildlife through the Delta.

Camp Khwai is a well-positioned camp, perfect balance of comfort and rustic, overlooking the Khwai River floodplain. Elephants, antelopes, and predators all concentrate in and around the Khwai River Area, making it a great place for wildlife spotting.

On arrival, settle in and enjoy a delicious lunch/high tea at camp before heading out on an afternoon game drive. Enjoy yet another spectacular sunset and spend the evening sitting under the stars and swapping stories of the day’s activities.

Rise early for a dawn game drive or mokoro safari, an excellent time for seeing the animals before they seek out the shade to avoid the midday sun. Return to camp for lunch and relax by the pool. Later head out on another game drive, take a mokoro ride, or perhaps visit a nearby village. Helicopter and fixed-wing scenic flights are alternative activities available (own expense).

  • Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner x2
  • Activities included: 2 Game drives per day, a mokoro ride & village visits
  • Optional activities (own expense): Helicopter & fixed-wing scenic flights

About Camp Khwai, Khwai River Area

Camp Khwai is a new luxury, tented camp located in the heart of the Khwai River floodplain. The thatched main area serves as a central gathering place for guests to sit and relax, indulge in delicious meals, spend time under the stars by the campfire, and watch the life on the floodplains play out before them. The camp boasts six deluxe tents & a spacious two-room family tent, all with overhead fans and indoor showers. Tents are all positioned to provide breathtaking views of the surrounding wildlife and natural beauty. The camp is fully solar-powered.

The Camp is located on a community-run concession on the eastern border of the Moremi Game Reserve. It has easy access to the Reserve, where you may observe the Big 5 and other incredible wildlife. All proceeds from tourism go directly to help local projects through the Khwai Community Trust. During your stay, you may take a tour of the nearby village to learn about the local culture and customs.

Note: The family unit tent sleeping 5 carries no age restrictions - but a private vehicle must be booked for activities.

Day 5: Camp Khwai to Maun - Botswana

On day five you have one last chance to take an early game drive in the park, before tucking into a delicious breakfast back at Camp Khwai.

After breakfast you hop onto a small plane for a return transfer to Maun, enjoying sweeping views of northern Botswana as you fly. Our Botswana Safari ends on arrival in Maun.

  • Meals included: Breakfast

Child Policy

This tour does take children.

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

Please note: Private activities need to be booked if children under 11 years old

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  • Teas/coffees and snacks
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This Botswana Safari departs daily with a minimum of 2 people to guarantee departures.

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