These lodge-based safaris takes you to two of Botswana's most exclusive wildlife concessions within Okavango River Delta; the ultimate riverfront lodge in the Chobe National Park; & ends on the banks of the Zambezi River in Zambia to experience Africa's greatest waterfalls: Victoria Falls. This safari is all about prime locations, experience and comfort, staying in premium 4 & 5 star lodges along the way.
With the help of some of Botswana's best guides, you will explore the Okavango Delta & Chobe National Park - two of Africa's best preserved wilderness areas. From herbivores to carnivores, these tailor-made safaris pass through areas which provide some of the Continent's best opportunities to watch them in action: from big cats to huge herds of elephants & buffalo.
Okavango Delta
The Okavango Safari experience is very Aqua-Firma. On terra firma, high-quality 4-wheel vehicles provide morning and afternoon game drives. You can also choose to explore swamps and flooded grassland by small motor-driven boat cruise, or experience a modern take on a traditional dugout makoro canoe, propelled by your guide along flatwater areas of the Delta.
Private concessions not only Reduce dramatically the number of people you share your piece of Africa with, but your 4WD vehicle will not restricted to predefined trails; your guide can take you off road - wherever provides the best game viewing. Uniquely, night time games drives are also permitted; as are walking safaris, in the company of armed support for your safety. There is something truly ancient about walking through lands humans first emerged from, carefully in touch with the living bush.
From the comfort of your lodge, there will also be time to soak up the views and nearby environment; enjoying all-inclusive drinks, afternoon tea, a pool overlooking the savanna, and fireside evening drink chatting about all that you've seen to the background sounds of the bush.
Your first stop will be the Okavango Delta, where you will spend 5 nights split across two premium lodges. The Delta can vary considerably according to area and how water is has distributed itself across the land, so two locations will provide a more varied experience.
Chobe River & National Park
From the Okavango, we will fly you into Kasane, northern Botswana and then drive you onwards to your lodge in the Chobe National Park. Designated a national park in 1967, this region spans over 11,700 km2. One third of the Globe's African elephant population lives in Botswana (around 120, 000) with the majority of these inhabit the Chobe region. Herds of buffalo often exceed 100 individuals, with plenty of other mammals to see along the river and in the bush behind.
Game drives can react quickly to opportunities to spot a leopard dragging a kill up into trees; or watch a pride of lions launch and attack on a herd of buffalo more than a hundred strong. A 4WD is essential, too, for navigating inland opportunities to spot rare Sable Antelope or cheetahs, which prevent more open areas.
These safaris also head out onto the Chobe River and amongst Islands between Botswana and Namibia, in almost silent electrically propelled boats. There is so much to see. Of mammals you can enjoy zebras, giraffes, antelopes and warthogs grazing on their foreleg knees. Of reptiles, huge crocodiles hide amongst reeds and in shallow water. And of birds, the river is the prime location to see high flocks of pelicans, fish eagles, open-billed storks and many more of Chobe's 450 species of bird.
To top it all, it's something special to see families of elephant swim across deep water and climb up an opposite bank.
You will be staying at a stunning, waterside lodge along the Chobe river - the only permanent lodge within the Chobe National Park. This exclusive location, gives you the opportunity to be out first on game drives and enjoy a never ending view of life in the river.
Victoria Falls
The last stop on your safari is Victoria Falls in Zambia, where you will pass three nights in a luxurious woodland lodge, overlooking the Zambezi River and onto the game park beyond. A serene location for enjoying a sundowner on a floating pontoon, swimming in the pool set amongst landscaped gardens or heading out to explore the Falls via a boat cruise or guided walk. We include a visit to the Falls on the Zambia side; your guide walking you through gallery woodland and stopping to soak up some spectacular views of the different drops.
The falls sit at the border with Zambia to the north and Zimbabwe in the south. Being one of the world's greatest natural wonders, Victoria Falls is an impressive sight. Starting from its source on the Central African Plateau, the river flows eastwards for around 2,200 miles before draining into an area of around 500 square miles into the Indian Ocean.
If you wish to stay longer, then here are a few things we can add to your trip:
- Visit the Zimbabwe side of the Falls
- An overflight of the Falls by helicopter or microlight.
- See the Falls at river-level from a Rigid Inflatable Boat.
- Take a sunset cruise or train ride alongside the Falls.
Maun
Before all of this, your journey begins in Maun: a small vibrant town located in northwestern Botswana and serving as the gateway to the Okavango Delta.
You will spend two nights here preparing for your exciting safari ahead! From your country house style riverside hotel, we will give you a close introduction to wildlife conservation on Botswana at an elephant sanctuary; and take you out onto the river for a sunset cruise.
& Beyond
If you have time, we can tailor further exploration of Botswana, before or after this safari. This could include lodge-based experiences in:
- the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
- the Makagadikgadi Salt Pans
Speak to one of our Botswana specialists to assess your options.
Itinerary
Exclusive Wildlife Refuges of Okavango & Chobe
Day 1: Arrive Maun
Your journey begins in Maun, where you will be met and transferred to your country house style riverside hotel. A tranquil oasis set on the banks of the Thamalakane river, your hotel features thatched high ceilings and tall archways with views across the manicured lawns and over the river. Facilities also include a luxurions pool, spa, library and gift shop.
You will stay in your own cottage for two nights on a B&B basis, equipped with ensuite bathroom with walk-in shower, private veranda, ceiling fan and fireplace to ensure comfort any time of the year.
Day 2: Maun
A day to relax, or we can provide an introduction to wildlife conservation in Botswana by taking you to the Maun elephant sanctuary; and take you out onto the river for a sunset cruise (activities not included).
Day 3: Okavango Delta
Today, after breakfast and checking out of your hotel, you will be transferred to Maun airport for a flight to the Kanana airstrip. Views over the Okavango Delta will get ever more wild and wonderful.
Upon landing, you will be welcomed by a safari vehicle which will drive you through the African bush to your luxury Kanana Camp. You will spend 3 nights at this hidden gem, sat along the Kudum River, with open lagoons, reed-fringed waterways and scatterings of fig, palm and jackalberry trees. The lodge is elegantly designed, newly rebuilt and refurbished with just 8 wooden framed safari tents on site. Each tent cosists of an ensuite bathroom and spacious bedroom, with raised wooden decks on the oustide for peaceful, unhindered views. It is here that you will enjoy a night out under the stars, soaking in the beauty of the bush below.
Days 4-5: Okavango Delta
Your days here will be spent full of activity, with options to blend daytime game drives with night time drives, mokoro excursion, boat trip and guided walk across drier parts of the concession. Red lechwe, hippo, elephant and lions are all species you can hope to see, with good chances of seeing leopards too. The camp is especially attractive for birders, with regular sightings of the Pels Fishing Owl. It also has exclusive motor boat access to its own seasonal heronry, which is one of the largest in Southern Africa.
Day 6: Okavango Delta
Today, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for your short flight to your next lodge in the Delta. More impressive views of the Okavango Delta from the air!
Upon arrival at the Shinde airstrip, you will be transferred directly to the lodge just 10 minutes away.
You will spend the next 2 nights in Shinde, a private concession of the Delta. A small and exclusive camp, your stay here will be peaceful and intimate. The restaurant offers both inside and outdoor dining, overlooking the water to provide opportunities to dine in sight of wildlife. Shinde usually has sufficient water year-round to allow for water activities all year round - an option many camps cannot provide.
Day 7: Okavango Delta
Today your selection of safari options will include day and night game drives, a mokoro or boat excursion; or a walking safari if you prefer; and time to enjoy a drink on the outdoor dining deck, taking a dip in the pool.
Another terrific spot for birding, Shinde offers opportunity to spot wattled cranes, saddle-billed storks, herons and kingfishers, just to name a few of the hundred of species found here. Reedbuck, impala and blue wildebeest will frequently pass the camp. Leopards, lions and elephants signtings are a possibility on game drives. Heading out on the water, you may come across terrapins, hippos and crocodiles, harmoniously co-habitating this distinct territory.
Day 8: Chobe River Front
Today after breakfast, you will be transferred back to the airstrip for a flight to your next lodge destination along the Chobe River front. Our premium and the only permanent lodge here in the Chobe National Park, is nestled on the riverbanks and offers spectacular views of the Chobe River and floodplains. The lodge boasts beautiful rooms, all facing the Chobe river, with air-conditioning, en-suite bathrooms and a private terrace. From the main lodge you will have spectacular views across river from the outside lounge area, an elevated deck for superb wildlife spotting. Facilities also include a spa with hair salon, a gym and cocktail bar and swimming pool for the ultimate relaxation after a long day of game drives and boat trips.
Days 9-10: Chobe River & National Park
Game drives and boat trips will make the most of your experience in the bush here, all operated in fully electric vehicles, so that you can slip into nature unnoticed. Birding is very good here with Schalows turaco, barred owlet and white-browed coucal resident in the gardens as well as rosythroated longclaw, western-banded snake eagle and hooded vulture being among a few of the 450 species of the Chobe region.
The library and lounge areas are great for fitting in a little reading and peace in between game drives, whilst, the onsite spa with hair salon provides the perfect opportunity for ultimate relaxation after a full day of activities.
Day 11: Victoria Falls
Today, after breakfast you will depart Chobe by 4x4 vehicle and head north to the border, with a stop along the way at Kasane airport where you will swap vehicles and then carry on to cross over into Zambia.
You will arrive at your lodge situated on the Zambezi River, roughly 22km from Livingstone. Here, you will find peace and serenity as you overlook the river and game park beyond. A floating pontoon offers an ideal location for sundowners with a view.
Each tent offers a dressing area, couch, ensuite bathroom and outdoor seating area, with the main lodge having a kitchen and lounge for the guests exclusive use.
Days 12-13: Victoria Falls
We include a visit to the Falls on the Zambia side; your guide walking you through gallery woodland and stopping to soak up some spectacular views of the different drops.
If you wish, we can also arrange additional activities including:
- Visit the Zimbabwe side of the Falls
- An overflight of the Falls by helicopter or microlight.
- See the Falls at river-level from a Rigid Inflatable Boat.
- Take a sunset cruise or train ride alongside the Falls.
Day 14
Today, after a final breakfast, you will depart your lodge and be transferred to the airport for your flight home or onwards travel.
