9 Day Botswana Safari: Maun to Victoria Falls (Small Group…

Day 1: Maun - Botswana

Welcome to Africa and your Maun to Victoria Falls Botswana Safari! Your safari journey begins in Maun, the bustling gateway to Botswana’s wilderness. After landing at Maun Airport, you will be met and driven to your your accommodation for the night. Maun Waterfront Guesthouse offers an inviting place to pause after your flight, with peaceful river views, a pool to cool down in, and shaded seating areas perfect for easing into the slower rhythm of safari life.

Take time to freshen up, explore the property, or simply watch the activity on the riverbank. As the day winds down, your guide will meet you to share details of the journey ahead and answer any questions. The evening is yours to enjoy, with dinner available at the guesthouse restaurant (own account).

• Meals: Not Included

Day 2: Maun to Khwai Area - Botswana

After a hearty breakfast, your Botswana Safari from Maun to Victoria Falls continues towards the northern entrance to the Moremi Game Reserve and the vicinity of the Khwai Concession area of the delta. Your guide will introduce you to the fascinating wildlife you encounter en route. The drive covers approximately 120 kilometres, and takes 2-3 hours, excluding game viewing.

Upon arrival, settle into Khwai River View, your exclusive home for the next three nights. After a welcoming lunch, take a moment to enjoy the tranquil river landscape, often visited by roaming elephants and other wildlife.

As the afternoon cools, you head out on your first game drive through one of southern Africa’s most rewarding wildlife areas. With no fences between the concessions and reserves, animals move freely, creating unforgettable viewing opportunities. Expect close encounters with elephants, buffalo, an array of antelope species, prides of lions, and, with a little luck, leopards lounging in tree branches or cheetahs surveying the open plains.

Return to camp as the stars begin to appear, where dinner awaits under the African night sky. Listen to the chorus of the bush around the campfire — a luxury experience defined by nature itself.

• Included Activity: Afternoon Safari Game Drive
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Days 3 & 4: Moremi Game Reserve - Botswana

Day 3 of your Botswana Safari begins at a relaxed pace. After breakfast, head to the nearby Mokoro station for an iconic Okavango Delta experience – exploring the delta waterways aboard a mokoro - traditionally a dugout canoe, but now made from fibreglass to preserve the trees of the delta. One or two people sit in each boat, expertly guided by a local poler through the serene Mbudi Channel. Glide through the water admiring the delta's lush vegetation and wildlife as your poler shares insights into life in this incredible place. Return to Khwai River View Camp for lunch and a brief siesta before embarking on an exciting afternoon safari game drive. Your guide expertly seeks out the hidden wonders of the bush. Conclude the day with a delicious dinner and relax around the campfire.

Awake at dawn on day 4, for a full day of safari adventures in the Moremi Game Reserve. Take advantage of the early morning hours - a good time to view wildlife. With open windows and hatch, the vehicle becomes your vantage point for encounters with the iconic Big Five - elephants, lions, buffalo, leopards, rhinos, and countless other wildlife species that thrive in this protected ecosystem.

Moremi and its surrounding concessions collectively host one of Africa’s most successful predators — the African wild dog. These extraordinary hunters work together with intelligence and speed, resulting in an unparalleled hunting success rate. Spotting a pack in action is an unforgettable privilege few travellers experience.

At midday, enjoy a picnic lunch in the heart of the reserve before continuing your adventure through woodlands, floodplains, and open savannahs alive with movement and sound. As daylight fades, you make your way back to Khwai River View, looking out for the last wildlife encounters along the way. We arrive in time to enjoy a delectable dinner beneath the stars. Tonight, the bush lulls you to sleep once more with its untamed symphony.

• Included Activity: Mokoro Trip, Afternoon Safari Game Drive, Full Day Moremi Safari
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner x2

Day 5: Moremi to Savuti & Chobe Forest Reserve - Botswana

Day 5 of your Maun to Victoria Falls Botswana Safari begins before dawn for a long but exhilarating journey to the Savuti region of Chobe National Park, spotting wildlife along the way. The Savuti Marsh is known for its rich wildlife and is particularly famous for its lion prides, which have even been known to hunt elephants! Wildlife sightings are sure to be abundant along the way, with the chance to see lions and leopards adding to the excitement.

The drive is approximately 160 kilometres (100 miles), which should take 6 to 7 hours depending on wildlife sightings. After a fulfilling day of game viewing, you’ll arrive at Thobolo’s Bush Lodge (or similar), situated north of Savuti overlooking the scenic Barangwe Pan. Settle into the lodge and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views from the deck. As the sun sets, unwind with a refreshing sundowner drink while watching wildlife come to the water to drink, before tucking into a hearty dinner.

• Included Activity: Game drive en route to Savuti
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Chobe Forest Reserve to Kasane - Botswana

After two early mornings, day 6 of our Botswana safari invites a slower rhythm. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at camp before making your way toward Kasane, where the Chobe River forms one of Botswana’s most iconic landscapes. A short and scenic drive brings you to Kubu Lodge, a charming riverfront haven enveloped by lush gardens and towering trees.

Once you’ve checked in, take time to unwind. Perhaps cool off in the pool, enjoy the river views from the lawn, or simply savour the tranquil atmosphere before you are served a generous lunch.

This afternoon, embark on an unforgettable river experience. Step aboard a comfortable safari boat and cruise quietly along the Chobe River, drifting past the shoreline of Chobe National Park. Here, herds of elephants gather to drink and play in the water, buffalo graze along the banks, and a wealth of birdlife animates the air. With more than 450 species recorded in the area, Chobe is a paradise for bird enthusiasts — watch for the striking malachite kingfisher, the cobalt-breasted kingfisher, the African skimmer, the crested eagle, and many more.

As the sun sets, the river mirrors shimmering gold and amber hues, creating breathtaking photographic moments and a serene end to the day. Return to the lodge with vivid memories and a gallery of images, then enjoy a delicious dinner as the sounds of the river softly accompany your evening.

• Included Activity: Chobe River Safari Boat Cruise
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Days 7 & 8: Kasane to Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

Start the day with an exciting morning game drive in Chobe National Park, taking advantage of the early morning hours which are best for game viewing. Chobe is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards and unique antelope species like the puku antelope and red lechwe. Enjoy a thrilling day of wildlife sightings and a picnic lunch in the park.

After lunch, return to Kasane where your Botswana Safari from Maun to Victoria Falls crosses the border into Zimbabwe. Once in Zimbabwe, a short drive brings us to Insika Lodge, your stylish retreat for the next two nights in Victoria Falls.

Settle into your room and enjoy the afternoon at leisure — relax by the pool, unwind in the gardens, or perhaps explore the nearby town. Evening brings a delightful dinner, marking your first night in one of Africa’s most iconic destinations.

Day 8 begins with a guided visit to Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most spectacular natural wonders on the planet. Arriving early, you experience the falls in the soft morning light before the crowds gather. Stretching 1.7 kilometres wide and plunging over 100 metres, the falls create a magnificent curtain of spray that rises above the gorge in shimmering mist.

After your tour, enjoy free time to wander through the town of Victoria Falls or browse its bustling craft market. For those seeking extraordinary viewpoints or extra thrills, optional activities such as scenic helicopter flights or bungee jumping can be arranged locally.

In the late afternoon, reunite with your group for a serene boat excursion along the mighty Zambezi River. Enjoy breathtaking sunset views as you glide back to shore, and sip a refreshing drink as the sun sets with hippos, crocodiles, and birdlife become silhouettes against glowing skies. After docking, enjoy your final evening out with your group and guide at a local restaurant ( at your own expense), where you can toast to unforgettable days and swap memories of your epic Botswana safari adventure.

• Included Activity: Chobe Safari Drive, Victoria Falls Tour, Sunset Zambezi Boat Cruise
• Optional Activities: Scenic Flight, Bungee Jump, White-Water Rafting, and much more
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (Day 7), Breakfast (Day 8)

Day 9: Victoria Falls - Zimbabwe

Enjoy a last leisurely breakfast at the lodge before you are collected for a transfer to the Victoria Falls Airport to catch your connecting flight. Here your epic Botswana Safari from Maun to Victoria Falls finishes.

• Included Activity: Airport transfer
• Meals Included: Breakfast

Botswana Safari Tour Notes

We recommend booking your incoming and onward flights at least one day before and after this Botswana Safari is scheduled. It is advisable to arrive the day before departure from Maun and fly out the day after the small group tour ends in Victoria Falls to allow for delays and changes.

Simply ask your friendly travel advisor to add pre- and post-tour accommodation to your Botswana Safari booking.

Optional Victoria Falls Tour Add-Ons

This Maun to Victoria Falls Botswana Safari combines well with our short Victoria Falls Tours, where you can enjoy the full selection of Victoria Falls activities. Since Victoria Falls is one of the world's iconic destinations, most people opt to spend more time here to take full advantage of the many cultural, wildlife and adventure activities on offer.

• The 4-Day Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe Safari Package stays at a friendly hotel close to the falls.
• The 4-Day Victoria Falls in Zambia Safari Package provides the perfect opportunity to experience the Zambia side of the falls, too.

There are airports on both sides of Victoria Falls for easy departures from either country.

Botswana Safari Accommodation

The accommodation listed in this safari itinerary is subject to availability. Should the listed establishment not be available, a similar lodge/safari lodge of the same standard will be booked. This will be conveyed to you at the time of booking.

For more details, contact African Budget Safaris