These lodge-based safaris take you to Victoria Falls and two of the most important wildlife highlights of Botswana: the Okavango River Delta and Chobe National Park. Key to your experience within Chobe and the Okavango is the wildlife and guiding, which these safaris prioritise based at 3-star lodges. For a more exclusive safari, we can discuss an upgrade to your lodge in Chobe to 4-star and 5-star; and for the Okavango Delta, take you to a more luxurious lodge within a private concession.

Northern Botswana has some 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 and huge herds of elephants & buffalo; to animals much harder to see elsewhere such as African Wild Dogs. You will explore the Chobe and Moremi national parks, which have some areas with an incredible density of wildlife.

Your modes of safari will be in a combination 4 Wheel Drive vehicles, for day time and a night time game drive; motor-driven boat along the Chobe River, where Botswana borders onto Namibia; and a modern take on a traditional dugout makoro canoe along a flatwater area of the Okavango Delta.

From the comfort of your lodge, there will also be time to soak up the views and nearby environment; enjoying an afternoon tea, dip into a pool and evening drink listening to the sounds of the bush.

Victoria Falls

The first stop on your safari is Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, where you will pass two (or more) nights in a comfortable hotel / lodge. We include a visit to the Falls on the Zimbabwe side; your guide walking 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:

• Spend some time unguided walking the same trail on the Zimbabwe side
• Guided trip across to the Zambian side of the Falls. Please note that this is usually worth considering between February and May; outside of that period, what you see from the Zambian side can be dry, with no water flowing
• An overflight of the Falls by helicopter or Microlight
• See the Falls from a Rigid Inflatable Boat
• Take a sunset cruise or train ride alongside the Falls

Chobe Floodplain, Chobe National Park

From Victoria Falls, we will drive you a couple of hours into northern Botswana and on 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 those inhabiting the Chobe region. Herds of buffalo can be huge, with plenty of other mammals to see such as giraffes, impala, kudu and of course lions and leopards. Cheetah are sometimes seen slightly back from the river, where rare Sable Antelope can also sometimes be seen.

For keen birders, there are over 450 different species present along the river and drier interior. Large flocks of pelicans can be wonderful to watch flying in squadrons and fishing en masse on the water. Fish eagles are common, as are Open-billed Storks.

Your game viewing will mainly be by 4WD, but we will also include a river safari along the Botswana – Namibia border.

Khwai Community, Moremi

From Chobe to the Okavango River Delta and to the Khwai Community Reserve. This sits on the border of Moremi – a Game Reserve which occupies about one third of the Okavango Delta covering 4,871 km² of protected wilderness. Khwai is situated at the southeastern extreme of the Okavango Delta, with the Khwai River providing permanent water, with areas either side drying and flooding according to the season. Game is again plentiful here, with rare possibilities of wild dogs and cheetah, as well as excellent chances to see big cats, hundreds of buffalo and excellent birdlife.

If water levels are as we need, you will have the chance to explore deep water channels in Moremi by makoro.

& Beyond

If you have time, we can tailor further exploration of Botswana, before or after this mobile safari. This could include lodge-based experiences in:

• Other parts of the Okavanago Delta
• Central Kalahari Game Reserve
• Makagadikgadi Salt Pans

Speak to one of our Botswana specialists to assess your options.