11 Day Classic Botswana Safari: Delta, Moremi, Savuti &…

Day 1: Maun – Botswana

This Classic Botswana Safari starts off in Maun, the closest town to the world-famous Okavango Delta. On the first night, we stay at a comfortable hotel and go out for dinner at a local restaurant (own expense).

• Meals included: None
• Accommodation: Hotel - Standard twin rooms with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone, Wifi available in public areas.

Day 2 - 3: Okavango Delta – Botswana

On day two we leave Maun behind and make our way into the wild Okavango Delta of Botswana. Most of the day is spent exploring the fringes of the delta, passing through small rural villages along the way. Deep sand tracks will take us on an adventure drive into the Okavango Delta panhandle, a stretch of 70 km of the Okavango River which eventually fans out into the alluvial plains.

Arriving at our waterside lodge near Etsha village on the north-western side of the Okavango Delta, we settle in and enjoy the beautiful views over the lagoon. End the day off with drinks at the bar overlooking the water and tuck into a delicious dinner (own account) in the lodge's restaurant.

On the morning of day three, we enjoy breakfast (included) at the lodge and embark on an exciting Mokoro trip in the Okavango Delta. This guided excursion is led by local guides who stand in the back of the traditional style canoes, called Mekoro, poling the vessels along like gondoliers. This is the ultimate way to explore the waterways and lagoons of the delta ecosystem!

Later in the afternoon, we set off on a motorboat cruise to see more of this magical wilderness area and marvel at a breathtaking African sunset. Then we return to our lodge where a tasty dinner is served (own account).

The Okavango Delta of Botswana is a unique ecosystem and one of the last truly wild places in Africa. The delta covers a large area in the center of the Kalahari Desert forming a wetland paradise, fed by the seasonal rains and water from the rivers of the Angolan highlands. The islands, many waterways, reed beds, and dry land shrink and expand each season to form an ever-changing kaleidoscope of natural beauty, supporting an enormous range of wildlife and abundant birdlife. Elephants, hippos, buffalos, lions, and many species of antelope (even the shy Sitatunga) are some of the inhabitants of this vast landscape, offering a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience.

• Meals: Day 2 & 3 - Breakfasts provided by the lodges. Lunch & dinner at the lodge (own expense).
• Accommodation: Lodge - twin en-suite canvas chalets. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant. Wifi available.
• Includes: Concession entry fee, Mokoro trip, and Motorboat cruise

Day 4 - 5: Moremi Game Reserve & Mababe - Botswana

Next, our Botswana Safari takes us to Moremi Game Reserve. On day four we follow a rough 4x4 route to the northeastern side of the Okavango Delta, stopping to enjoy lunch along the way. A full day of travel brings us to our tented camp in a wildlife concession area along the Mababe River, bordering Moremi Game Reserve.

Day five is set aside for exploring the Moremi Game Reserve and the adjoining private concession area. We embark on morning and afternoon game drives in our open 4x4 safari vehicle which is ideal for game viewing. Entering the award-winning Moremi Game Reserve it's clear why it's called the gem of Botswana and is known as one of the top safari destinations in Africa. Rated as one of Africa's best-protected areas, a vast unspoiled wilderness consisting of grasslands and forests teeming with wildlife including elephants, hippos, buffalos, lions, and herds of antelopes. Moremi and the adjoining concession area host incredibly diverse ecosystems, with prolific birdlife and high concentrations of wildlife, all set in beautiful scenery. Our serviced camp is situated on a wildlife concession along the eastern border of Moremi Game Reserve.

• Meals: Day 4 - Breakfast provided by the lodge. Lunch prepared by tour leaders with group participation. Dinner (set meal) provided by the tented camp / Day 5 - Breakfast provided by the tented camp. Lunch prepared by tour leaders with group participation. Dinner (set meal) provided by the tented camp.
• Accommodation: Tented camp - Serviced camping, Meru tents with twin camp beds and en-suite toilet. Bucket shower with hot water. No wifi.
• Includes: Entrance fee to Moremi Game Reserve, morning & afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicle.

Day 6 - 7: Savuti, Chobe National Park - Botswana

Leaving the lush delta region behind, we head north to the renowned Savuti Marsh area of Chobe National Park. We spend most of day six driving through the wilderness to this outstanding game-viewing area.

Savuti is ideal for spotting big predators with frequent sightings of lions, spotted hyenas, and leopards. This area of Chobe is also known for its elephants, buffalos, zebras, and herds of grazing game. Our game drives take us through dramatic open plains, dotted with Arcacia (thorn) trees and further along the Savuti Channel where lions and hyenas are often spotted. We have dinner in our dining tent and fall asleep to the sounds of the African bush.

• Meals: Day 6 - Breakfast provided by the tented camp. Lunch & Dinner provided by the mobile camp / Day 7 - Breakfast, lunch & dinner provided by the mobile camp.
• Accommodation: Tented camp - Serviced camping, Meru tents with twin camp beds, en-suite toilet, and bucket shower with hot water.
• Includes: Entrance fees, morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 game viewing vehicle.

Day 8 - 9: Chobe National Park - Botswana

Chobe National Park is our next destination, a drive of about six and a half hours which is part game drive and part transfer. This game reserve is famous for its massive elephant population, large herds of buffalo, hippos, and lion prides. Add the incredible bird life and you will have everlasting memories created in this special park. We drive north, through the remote wilderness of Botswana to the small town of Kasane where our lodge is situated on the banks of the extraordinary Chobe River, surrounded by natural beauty.

We start day 9 of our Botswana Safari with a morning game drive after breakfast to explore the park and do some game viewing. This national park is one of the only places in Botswana where the Chobe and Puku Bushbuck can be found, so look out for them. Chobe is home to an incredible variety of wildlife - giraffe, zebra, kudu, impala, baboons, and many more. The rest of the day is spent on the river on a cruise boat where we'll also enjoy lunch while we enjoy spectacular wildlife viewing. Viewing wildlife this way is a most relaxing and satisfying experience. We have amazing sightings of hippos, crocodiles and fish eagles, and herds of elephants - all viewed up close. Also, a wonderful photo opportunity to get amazing wildlife and sunset photos. We leave the park as the sun sets and head back to enjoy a relaxing and well-deserved dinner at a local restaurant.

• Meals: Day 8 - Breakfast provided by the mobile camp / Day 9 - Breakfast provided by the lodge
• Accommodation: Lodge - Twin rooms with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, restaurant & bar. Wifi is available.

Day 10: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe (Lodge)

We leave Botswana to cross the border into Zimbabwe and head for Victoria Falls. The local name for Victoria Falls is Mosi-oa-Tunya which means 'The Smoke that Thunders'. One of the world's greatest waterfalls in the world, Victoria Falls is created where the mighty Zambezi River plunges more than 100 meters over the 1700-meter-wide Batoka Gorge. The rainforest surrounding the falls is sustained by the spray from the massive waterfall and is a protected national park. We don our raincoats and explore Victoria Falls on foot, while a local guide brings the falls to life by telling tales about explorers from these ancient lands and tells us more about the surrounding fauna and flora.

• Meals included: Breakfast provided by the lodge.
• Includes: Entry fees to Victoria Falls.
• Accommodation: Lodge - Twin rooms with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, restaurant, bar, and telephone. Wifi is available.
• Distance/time: 85 km (about 1.5 hours, excluding border formalities)

Day 11: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

Today you are free to explore Victoria Falls and enjoy one of the many exciting adventure activities (own expense) at Victoria Falls before our Classic Botswana Safari comes to an end.

• Meals included: Breakfast provided by the lodge.
• Optional Activities: Sunset cruises, scenic flights, bungee jumping, zipline tours & many more

Botswana Tour Transport

This affordable luxury safari is conducted in a custom-built 4x4 Land Cruiser. Every client is guaranteed a window seat on the 12-seater vehicle, as a maximum of 8 clients are catered for per trip. The spacious 4WD Land Cruiser provides a comfortable journey, with 12 forward-facing seats in four rows and a trailer for luggage. A solid roof and back provide protection from the sun and dust.

Botswana Safari Accommodation

This safari includes 3 to 4-star lodge accommodation at carefully selected establishments. The lodges have been chosen for their high levels of service and comfort, as well as their unique locations and the game viewing opportunities offered.

Guests stay in en-suite rooms, except for the two nights in central Chobe when tented rooms are used. The permanent Meru-style tents feature twin camp beds with linen and have en-suite facilities (chemical toilet and bucket shower with hot water off the fire).