Introduction
Discover a land filled with fascinating sights and adventures. Go on an epic adventure on the Chobe River, where a cruise will take you past awesome elephants and hippos, as the wild springs to life in front of your eyes.
With so many fantastic places to explore, your journey across Botswana could include the lush Okavango Delta where you can take a mokoro (dugout canoe) and explore first-hand the landscape. Visit the impressive Moremi Game Reserve, known as the “predator capital of Africa”, with its extraordinary and varied ecosystem, offering you exclusive access to some of the most distinct animals in the world. You’ll be surrounded by lagoons, forests and water channels. Perhaps you could go on a stroll with Kalahari bushmen, or look for meerkats in the Makgadikgadi Pan, the largest salt pan in the world, home to zebra and pretty pink flamingos. Uncover the distinctive culture of the San people or experience Victoria Falls, often known as “the Smoke that Thunders,” from both the Zambian and Zimbabwean sides.
Highlights
Discover the majestic Okavango Delta on a canoe (1-3 hours - Okavango Delta)
While cruising the Okavango Delta in a traditional mokoro (dug-out canoe), learn about the abundant wildlife and biodiversity of Botswana and look for some of its most elusive animals, including the African Wild Dog, the hippopotamus, termites, elephants, as well as giraffes, birds, rhinos and lions.
Take an exciting helicopter ride over Okavango Delta (15 or 30 minutes - Okavango Delta)
Discover the splendours of the Okavango Delta from a great height.
As you soar above the beautiful floodplains, take in the breath-taking view, as the delta is made up of several smaller islands and larger too, including Chief’s Island, while observing various animal species, including elephants, wildebeests, antelopes and zebras.
Bushwalk with San (3 hours - Makgadikgadi Pan)
Take a genuine bushwalk with Zu’/hoasi tribesmen while exploring the stunning Makgadikgadi Pan salt flat. Known as the largest salt pan in the world, it will impress you with its vast white landscape, as it interjects with the sandy desert and sparce flora. Zebras will amaze you; swallows will excite you and flamingos will colour your surroundings. You’ll also learn about the history, way of life, and resourcefulness of these resilient people.
Recommended Hotels
Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero
Stay in Chobe’s densely forested interior. This property is an opulent getaway where you can go on sundowner cruises and safari excursions.
After a day of adventure, unwind with a spa treatment or take a plunge in the pool that overlooks the Chobe River.
Sanctuary Stanley’s Camp
This small camp is located on the outskirts of the vast Moremi Game Reserve. Get to know the local elephant herd while staying in luxurious safari tents with en suite bathrooms and experiencing the dramatic seasonal changes that alter the terrain from arid savannah to abundant tropical canopy.
Sanctuary Chief’s Camp
The Moremi Game Reserve, a “pristine safari paradise,” is home to an exceptional camp. A private plunge pool is available in each of the 12 opulent raised bush pavilions. Enjoy seasonal mokoro excursions in addition to twice-daily safari drives.
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival In Johannesburg, South Africa
The best way to lengthen your holiday stay is by flying overnight to Johannesburg.
Day 2: Trip To Livingstone, Zambia
Your day will begin by flying from Johannesburg to Livingstone, which is a short trip away. Take a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River to start your experience; keep an eye out for elephants drinking at the river’s edge.
Day 3: Discover Victoria Falls, Zambia/ Zimbabwe
Discover the thunderous falls of the “Smoke that Thunders”. Victoria Falls is the largest waterfall in the world and is known for its white water rafting and abundant wildlife population, including baboons, monkeys and buffalos. Following this, relax and indulge with a divine spa treatment by the Zambezi, or perhaps give fishing a shot, or stop by a neighbourhood school.
Day 4: Explore Chobe, Botswana
Just a border crossing away, enter the majestic Chobe National Park, which is considered one of the best national wildlife parks in Southern Africa, with its abundant wildlife. Prepare to be amazed with iconic animal sightings and activities on land and water.
Day 5: Uncover Chobe’s Hidden Wonders
The best way to experience the wildlife spring to life is through an adventurous safari at sunrise. Following this, a boat excursion is scheduled for mid-afternoon; and you can enjoy a sundowner as you cruise down the river amidst crocodiles, hippos, and an impressive variety of wildlife.
Day 6: The Wilderness Of The Okavango Delta
Begin the day by taking air travel to the Okavango Delta. The Okavango Delta is one of the world’s remaining major natural sanctuaries, a rich and unspoiled environment that is home to huge populations of animals.
Day 7: Okavango Delta Continued
The day’s activities include walking safaris with lions, giraffes, and buffalo as well as mokoro canoe cruises and safari drives. A day filled with excitement and adventure.
Day 8: Trip To Moremi
The adventure continues in Okavango and the impressive Moremi Game Reserve. With over 400 kinds of birds, many of which are migratory and several of which are endangered, this makes for magnificent game viewing and bird watching. It also includes all significant, naturally existing herbivore and carnivore species in the area. The reserve now has the “Big Five,” with the reintroduction of both Black and White Rhinos.
Days 9 & 10: Moremi Experiences
There is no better way to discover Botswana than to engage in morning and evening safari drives. There is plenty of opportunity to view a variety of wildlife, including more elusive animals like cheetahs, leopards, and even wild dogs.
Day 11: Depart Moremi And Return Flight
The adventure comes to a spectacular ending with a scenic flight to Maun, before heading on to Johannesburg to connect with your overnight journey back to the UK.
