Imagine Botswana

This diverse itinerary showcases some truly spectacular safari regions in Botswana. Witness the dazzling zebra migration in the arid wilderness of Nxai Pan National Park, drift down the glistening waterways of the Okavango Delta by mokoro and get your fix of African wild dogs on exhilarating game drives through the lush wetlands of Linyanti. Experience the best of Botswana with a plethora of wildlife and activities before visiting the iconic Victoria Falls.

1. Fly to Maun

2. Days 1-3: Makgadikgadi and the Kalahari

   Upon arrival into Maun, catch your light aircraft flight into Nxai Pan National Park, once part of a ‘super lake’ that covered Botswana, which is now a fossil lakebed covered in grassland. On landing on the airstrip, your guide will meet you off the plane and game drive you to camp, passing umbrella acacia trees and mopane woodland. You’ll arrive at Nxai Pan Camp, your wilderness home for the next two nights. Your days here will be spent exploring this wilderness region on action packed game drives and learning about the enthralling culture of the San Bushmen. Or take a day trip to witness the ancient Baines Baobab trees, scattered along the salt pans. If you travel in the green season, this is when you will witness thousands of zebra congregate in Nxai Pan, which is visually spectacular against the arid backdrop and grasslands. 

   Accommodation: Nxai Pan Camp (2 nights)

3. Days 3-6: Kwara Concession

   This morning after a final game drive soaking up Nxai Pan, you’ll board a light aircraft flight to the heart of the Okavango Delta. As you soar over, watch in awe at the glistening network of waterways. Landing in the Kwara Concession, bordering the Moremi Reserve, your safari continues. Your guide will greet you off the plane and game drive you to camp, passing lush grass teeming with wildlife. Arriving at Splash Camp, your base for the next 3 nights, you’ll settle into camp and enjoy a hearty lunch on the deck and enjoy drinks by the pool overlooking the bush before heading out on your first game drive in this untouched wilderness. The Kwara concession has some of the best game viewing in the Delta due to the permanent waterway running through it. Feel your adrenaline racing as you see a cheetah prowling the grasslands for prey and wait in anticipation for her to begin a high-speed hunt, whilst her cubs quietly wait in the tall grass. Observe lion cubs playfully interacting with each other under their mother’s watchful eye, with no other vehicles in sight.  
   
   As the sky begins to turn a burnt orange hue, your guide will take you to a scenic sundowner spot overlooking the river where you can enjoy a gin and tonic before driving back to camp and watch the nature unfold around you as the sky darkens. 
   
   The following days will be spent absorbing this wilderness. Enjoy the high vantage point of a double decker boat through the permanent waterway and observe a herd of jovial elephants crossing the water as you slow down and marvel at these majestic animals. Soak up the peace and tranquillity of the water channels as you lay back and drift along in a mokoro, observing the lush foliage and vibrant colors of carmine bee-eater birds along the way. 

   Accommodation: Splash Camp (3 nights)

4. Days 6-8: Linyanti

   Today you will board a light aircraft flight, flying north. You will notice the scenery change as you soar over ancient riverbeds crawling through the landscape. Your base for your final 2 nights on safari is Lagoon Camp. Nestled on the banks of Kwando River, this heavily forested area is home to a plethora of birdlife and mammals. The area is abundant with herds of elephants and big cats and the African wild dog, making the region a hive of activity. Follow a pack of wild dogs in your open game vehicle and feel the thrill of these fast paced and highly intelligent canines as they begin to chase their prey. Immerse yourself in the wilderness as you venture out on a walking safari, fully awakening your senses as you listen out for sounds in the bush and identify animal tracks. Experience the wild after dark as spotlights are switched on and game drives expose you to nocturnal sights of rare and elusive species such as aardwolf and leopard and listen to the sound of a clan of hyenas cackling in the distance. 

   Accommodation: Kwando Lagoon Camp (2 nights)

5. Days 8-11: Victoria Falls - the Zim side

   Finish your Southern Africa sojourn with a visit to the UNESCO world heritage site, the raging Victoria Falls. Spend your final three nights at Batonka Guest Lodge, set in lush green gardens this lodge is a tranquil retreat from the hustle and bustle of vibrant Victoria Falls town. Aside from a walking tour of the falls, spend your days relaxing by the pool, exploring the unique and quirky crafts at Elephant’s Walk artists village, or maybe even jump aboard a helicopter or microlight and see the falls from above.

   Accommodation: Batonka Guest Lodge (3 nights)

6. Fly Home

Kalahari, Okavango Delta, Linyanti & Victoria Falls