7-Day Victoria Falls to Chobe & Okavango Delta Safari

Botswana Safari Highlights:

• Chobe National Park game drive & sunset boat cruise
• Nata Village Tour
• Okavango Delta camping, bush walks & mokoro trips
• Open vehicle game drive in Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Day 1: Victoria Falls to Chobe National Park – Botswana

Leaving Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, we cross into northeastern Botswana, driving to the town of Kasane. Chobe National Park is the attraction here, hosting one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa. Arriving at our lodge along the river, near Kasane, we have lunch before exploring Chobe Park.

First, we set off on an open vehicle game drive in the 10566 km² Chobe National Park. The 4x4 game drive takes you into Botswana's top national park in search of the plethora of wildlife and birds inhabiting the scenic grasslands and riverine bush. Chobe is famous for its large elephant herds, which are frequently sighted, along with giraffes, lions, leopards, hippos, buffalos and antelope species.

Later this afternoon, we take a sunset boat cruise along the scenic Chobe River, offering superb water-based bird watching and game viewing. Watch a beautiful African sunset and look out for elephants, hippos, reptiles, baboons, buck and more.

Return to the comfortable lodge for a peaceful night beside the river.

• Accommodation: Twin-share rooms with en suite bathrooms at a riverside lodge
• Travel: About 80 km, 1-2 hours excluding stops/border crossing
• Meal: Dinner

Note: We strongly recommend that you arrive in Victoria Falls a few days before this safari departs to visit Victoria Falls and enjoy adventure activities. These include white-water rafting, scenic flights, tram rides, bungee jumping, canoeing, game viewing, river cruises, gorge swings and more.

Day 2: Chobe National Park to Nata – Botswana

After an early breakfast this morning, we set out to explore Chobe National Park on an open-vehicle game drive, where we have the chance to encounter not only the park's abundant elephants but also lions and various species of antelope. As we head south, we may be fortunate enough to spot elephants or buffalo along the road, often straying from their migratory herds that roam freely in search of fresh pastures and water. Our journey takes us to the small settlement of Nata, where we'll spend the night. If we're lucky, we may be treated to a diverse array of bird species, such as Southern Yellow-billed hornbills, pied and arrow-marked babblers, glossy starlings, and paradise whydahs, all visible from the comfort of the pool deck, bar, or breakfast table.

• Accommodation: Twin-share chalets or pre-erected tents with en-suite facilities at a lodge in Nata
• Optional Activities: Nata Bird Sanctuary
• Travel: About 315 km, 5-6 hours excluding stops
• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 3: Nata to Maun – Botswana

Our day starts with an early breakfast followed by a guided tour through a local village to learn about the local community and culture.

After our cultural experience, we embark on the long drive to Maun, the gateway to the legendary Okavango Delta. We stop to top up on supplies and snacks in Maun before continuing to our safari camp nearby. Take it easy and cool off in the pool, enjoying the leafy setting at our camp outside of Maun, with enough leisure time to pack and prepare for our unforgettable trip into the pristine Okavango Delta tomorrow.

• Accommodation: Twin-share chalet with en-suite facilities at a safari camp near Maun
• Travel: About 320 km, 5-6 hours excluding stops
• Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

Day 4: Okavango Delta – Botswana

Up and away we go, driving to the delta after an early breakfast. We travel along rough dirt roads, slowly making our way into the outskirts of the Okavango Delta. Reaching the fringes, we transfer from a 4x4 vehicle to mokoro canoes and continue our journey on watery channels. The local guides are experts at poling these traditional-style vessels along the winding waterways, standing balanced in the back of the dug-out mokoro with a long pole. We glide slowly, quietly into the heart of one of the wildest places in Africa.

Arriving at our tented camp set in the bush, we enjoy lunch amid the labyrinth of reed-lined streams, remote islands and pristine estuaries. This afternoon, we set off on a nature walk with one of the locals, looking out for the array of birds and wild animals inhabiting the delta. Alternatively, you can take it easy at the bush camp, simply enjoying the peaceful, unspoilt environment. The Okavango is the world’s largest inland delta, a truly unique and beautiful ecosystem covering 1.6 million hectares of northern Botswana. The delta, with its source in Angola, spreads out in an intricate web of channels on the flat plains of Botswana, emptying into the desert.

In the evening, we relax around the flickering campfire, listening to our guides sing some traditional Tswana songs and tuning into the sounds of nature. We sleep under starry skies in this unique wilderness area.

• Accommodation: Twin-share pre-erected tents with en-suite bathrooms (basic bucket shower and toilet)
• Travel: About 50 km, 1-2 hours excluding stops
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Okavango Delta to Maun – Botswana

Waking up with the birds in the middle of the bush, we head off on a thrilling nature walk. The guided walk is a great way to spot animals and birds, as many species are most active in the morning hours. We get up close to Mother Nature and learn more about the unique flora and fauna of this diverse ecosystem.

Return to camp for a light breakfast before gliding out of the Okavango Delta in the Mekoros. At the mokoro station, we switch to a 4x4 safari vehicle, retracing our rough tracks to the camp near Maun. Have lunch and spend the afternoon resting at camp or visit bustling Maun with your safari guide. Alternatively, grab the chance to take an optional flight over the delta in a small fixed-wing plane. Flying over the delta is a remarkable experience - an exciting way to take in the full expanse of the delta plains and waterways, spotting wildlife below.

• Accommodation: Twin-share chalets with en-suite bathrooms at a safari camp near Maun
• Optional Activities: Okavango Delta Scenic Flight, Maun Horse Riding
• Travel: About 50 km, 1-2 hours excluding stops
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 6: Maun to Khama Rhino Sanctuary – Botswana

Today, we travel south to Khama Rhino Sanctuary. We get up early for a hearty breakfast before hitting the road for a full day of driving. Our long drive takes us along the edges of the Kalahari Desert region in central Botswana, via the small, remote town of Mopipi.

Arriving at Khama Rhino Sanctuary in the late afternoon, we embark on an open vehicle game drive in this compact and game-rich park. The local guides share their in-depth knowledge of the bush and its inhabitants with you on the game drive, giving you the chance to learn more about the flora and fauna. Sightings include rhinos, giraffes, black-backed jackals, zebras, wildebeest, springbok and many more, as well as birds.

Khama is a community-based wildlife sanctuary formed by locals in 1989 when the hunting grounds of Serwe Pan were converted into a sanctuary for rhinos. Khama Rhino Sanctuary benefits the local community and helps protect the endangered rhinos, along with other wildlife.

After our game drive in Khama, we head to our final safari lodge located inside a private nature reserve along the Limpopo River. The private game reserve covers 3500 hectares of wilderness in the Tuli Block region of southern Botswana. Here we may see giraffes, various antelopes, crocodiles, hippos, zebras, and an abundance of bird species, so keep your eyes open. Tonight we share a final dinner together at the safari lodge, celebrating our adventurous journey through Southern Africa.

• Accommodation: Twin-share rooms with en-suite bathrooms
• Travel: About 710 km, 12-13 hours excluding stops
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 7: Limpopo River (Botswana) to Pretoria – South Africa

Our last full day on the road takes us on the long drive south to Martin's Drift and across the Limpopo River into South Africa.

Covering a great distance today, we pass through captivating, changing landscapes as we make our way to our safari endpoint in Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa. Situated just a short distance from Johannesburg, Pretoria is often called the "Jacaranda City," named for the stunning purple jacaranda trees that blanket the streets every October. The city offers a wealth of attractions, including the towering 10-meter bronze statue of Nelson Mandela, proudly standing beside the historic Union Buildings. You'll find a variety of cultural landmarks, shopping venues, lively bars, and fantastic restaurants within easy walking distance of our recommended hotel where this unforgettable safari will end.

Arriving in Pretoria by mid-to-late afternoon our 7-day Okavango Budget Lodge Safari comes to a close, and we say farewell to our fellow travellers.

• Travel: About 400 km, 7-8 hours excluding stops
• Meal: Breakfast

Safari Pass - Local Payment:

Please note that this safari requires a mandatory Safari Pass (Local Payment) at an additional cost. The Safari Pass includes most of the tour highlights and activities, as well as some accommodation en route. This compulsory payment can be made when booking your tour, or at the start of your trip, payable directly to your tour guide. Contact African Budget Safaris for the detailed itinerary listing what is included in the Safari Pass and see the Full Pricing above for rates.

Tour Accommodation:

On this tour, accommodation is mostly in shared rooms with twin beds in basic chalets, cabins or rooms, with en-suite bathrooms. Most of the places that we stay at have a swimming pool, restaurant and bar. We spend one night camping under the stars in pre-erected tents on a remote island in the Okavango Delta – an unforgettable wildlife experience!

Tour Transport:

Transport on this tour will be in a comfortable 12-seater, self-contained, custom-built vehicle or minibus, except when we embark on game drives in Chobe Park, which are conducted in open 4x4 safari vehicles, and in the Okavango Delta, where dugout-style canoes (mokoros) are used.