Enjoy the best of what Botswana has to offer on this
exciting 10-day getaway camping safari. This itinerary also departures on specific dates for families with children over 7 years old.
This trip begins in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and travels south through Botswana before returning to Victoria Falls.
This trip departs from Victoria Falls directly in the morning. Should you wish to explore Victoria Falls, an earlier arrival should be planned and accommodation can be booked through us
Day 1: Victoria Falls to Kasane (Botswana) (L / D) We meet our transfer early at the Victoria Falls Rest Camp for our departure at 8:00am and head for the border to Botswana, where after border formalities; we meet up with our guide and make our way to Kasane. Kasane is a pleasant town situated on the edge of the Chobe National Park and the Chobe River. On arrival at our campsite, we have a quick briefing on our trip and a lesson on how to put up our tents have the afternoon to begin exploring the Chobe National Park from the river on a scenic boat cruise. Elephant, hippo and many bird species including the regal African Fish Eagle and Pied Kingfisher can be viewed from the boat while we watch another glorious African sunset.
Day 2: Kasane to Makgadikgadi Pans / Nata (B / L / D) This morning we are greeted by the sound of the resident Hippos! After breakfast, we make our way south to the Makgadikgadi Pans (weather permitting) where we get our first glimpse of the semi-arid Mopane woodland scenery. The Makgadikgadi Pans are rumoured to be the largest salt pans in the world and present a rare sight of a completely flat, white, vegetation free area, surrounded by plant life only on its edges. BUSH CAMP (No Facilities- bush toilet). Should weather conditions not allow camping on the pans, we will spend the night at nearby Nata.
Day 3: Makgadikgadi Pans to Maun (B / L / D) Today we travel west to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. The town has many shops, markets and modern facilities such as internet cafes. We arrive into Sitatunga Camp by lunch time where the afternoon can be spent at leisure or doing an optional scenic flight over the Okavango Delta, alternatively take a tour of the property’s crocodile farm. Our campsite for the next 2 nights has a lovely swimming pool, bar area and ablution facilities.
Day 4: Okavango Delta Excursion (Maun) (B / L / D) After an early breakfast we depart via 4x4 vehicles into the Delta Region. The Okavango Delta is a huge expanse of water that has travelled from the Kavango River from the Angolan highlands, and fans out onto the upper Kalahari region to form the largest inland Delta in the World. Studded with exotic islands, the Delta is renowned for its incredible variety of bird life as well as many other animals unique to Southern Africa. We drive to a mokoro (local dugout canoe) station where we meet our local guides & polers who will escort us on today’s excursion. We will organise you in the boats and you will then continue on by ‘Mokoro’. Gliding along the pristine channels of the Okavango Delta the guides will stop the mokoro’s along the journey to point out things of interest and to discuss animal behaviour and respect for all the inhabitants of the wilderness. After the mokoro trip, we will set out on a short walk, to become accustomed to some of the sights sounds and smells that make up the language of the African Bush. Following the water's edge gives us the chance to examine some of the tracks left by overnight visitors, as well as identifying some of the multitude of animals, birds and insects that inhabit the forests and waterways.
After a relaxing lunch in the shade of a large tree, you have the opportunity to cool off in the river or perhaps ask your guides if they can teach you how to pole their Mokoro’s, but be prepared for an unexpected swim….this is not as easy as it looks! Alternatively, have a go at learning some traditional bush skills, such as making rope form the baobab tree, or carving the seed of the palm nut into a necklace!
Once the afternoon has cooled off, your guides will then organise you back in your Mokoro’s and we cruise back down the crystal clear channels of the Boro to your pick up point. After farewells to your guides and polers we transfer you back to Sitatunga Camp.
Day 5: Maun to the Moremi Game Reserve (B / L / D) We head off early for the Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi lies on the eastern side of the Okavango Delta and is home to many different species of Wildlife. It is here that Lion, elephant, buffalo and many other species are often sighted. Moremi covers 4870km² and was declared a protected area in 1961 when the widow of Chief Moremi the 3rd feared that the wildlife was under threat due to hunting. We game drive to our campsite within the park to seeking out some of the resident wildlife along the way. Reaching the camp in time for lunch, we set up and after a safety briefing and quick afternoon nap, we head out in search of game.
On your return to camp, there is time for a hot bush shower before we gather for our evening meal and then move to the campfire and share stories of the day’s adventures. Retreating to the comfort of your tent you can fall asleep listening to the sounds of the African Bush. BUSH CAMP (No facilities – bush Toilets)
Days 6-7: Moremi Game Reserve to Savuti & Chobe National Park (B / L / D) Continuing on through the wilderness, we game drive further north-east into the Savuti region. The Savuti is well known for predators and the prides of lion that make it their home. The next days follow a similar routine to yesterday with a typical safari day starting at sunrise, with Tea and Coffee and a light breakfast served around the campfire before we head out on an early morning game drive. The best time of day to enjoy game viewing is early in the morning and late afternoon as most animals are active in the cooler parts of the day. Having spent the morning exploring the wilderness, we return to our camp for lunch, before a siesta or just relax with a book and the sounds of the wilderness.
Afternoon tea is served in the cool of the afternoon before you head out into the wilderness once more. We spend the day’s game driving and watching water holes as the animals gather to quench their thirst and marvel at yet another African sunset. When travelling to our next camp the journey is generally an extension of your daily game drives. A picnic lunch can be shared on the way when moving camps in this way. Tonight we enjoy the sounds of the wilderness from deep within the heart of Botswana. BUSH CAMP (No Facilities- Bush Toilets)
Day 8: Chobe National Park to Kasane (B / L / D) Our safari is drawing to a close and after a final breakfast in the wild, we game drive out of the Chobe National Park and return to the town of Kasane. We arrive in Kasane in time for Lunch and can enjoy a good hot shower and relax by the campsite’s swimming pool with a nice cool drink!
Day 9: Kasane to Victoria Falls (Zimbabwe) (B / L) This morning starts with an early morning game drive into Chobe National Park to explore the river front area by vehicle. We return in the late morning, and once we’ve completed border formalities, we have a short drive to the nearby Victoria Falls. Named after the famous World Heritage site and Water Falls, the town of Victoria Falls is situated on the Zambezi River and surrounded by the Victoria Falls National Park. Our campsite is conveniently situated in the centre of town, and within walking distance of the adventure booking agents, restaurants and shops. A 20 minute walk down the main road takes you to the entry point to view the falls, which are situated between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Victoria Falls, or Mosi-oa-Tunya (the Smoke that Thunders), was named by David Livingstone on his explorations, and is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. At 1700 m wide and around 100 m high, this is the world's largest sheet of falling water and a memorable sight on any African Safari! After our adventure activities briefing (see price guide at the end of this document for options), the afternoon is spent relaxing at the campsite’s swimming pool, viewing the Victoria Falls, or exploring the many sights and delights of this town!
Day 10: Victoria Falls - Trip Ends After breakfast, we exchange addresses and part ways, having just experienced a trip of a lifetime! We suggest booking additional days after your trip to take advantage of the optional excursions available at Victoria Falls.
Optional Excursions at Victoria Falls include elephant back safaris, horseback safaris, walking with lions, a visit to the crocodile ranch, boat cruises and golf at The Elephant Hills Resort. Adrenalin junkies can bungee from the Victoria Falls Bridge connecting Zimbabwe and Zambia or abseil down the Batoka Gorge - neither activity is for the faint hearted! All year round, flights in fixed wing, micro light and ultra light aircraft or helicopters provide an aerial perspective over this magnificent World Heritage Site. White water rafting on the Zambezi is world class. Beside the excitement of the Grade 5 rapids, there are the "floats," where there is time to admire the scenic cliffs and the occasional wildlife on the riverbanks.
Price: GB£ 895 plus Local Payment: US$ 450
Optional Excursions Below is a selection of Optional Excursions available on this trip. - these prices are approximate and are subject to change - where activities occur away from your base, there may be an additional transfer cost.
Botswana: Scenic Flight Over Delta (300-350US$ per plane max 5 pax) 70 US$
Zimbabwe: Please ensure that you pay for activities in Victoria Falls with Cash or Traveler’s Cheque’s Only Victoria Falls National Park Entry (viewing the Falls) 30 US$ Trip T-Shirt 25 US$
Victoria Falls: White Water Rafting-Full Day *130 US$ River Boarding combo Raft & Board 165US$ Canoeing on the Zambezi-Half Day/ Full Day *110 US$ / 125 US$ + plus 10 US$ park fees Half Day Adrenaline - George Swing, ZipLine & Flying Fox *135 US$ Bungee Jump (111m) 135 US$ Tandem Bungee Jump 160 US$ Elephant Back Safari *130 US$ Walk with Lions *130 US$ Micro Light over the Falls-15mins 150 US$ Micro Light over the Falls-25mins 250 US$ Helicopter Flight over the Falls 12 mins *130 US$ Helicopter Flight over the Falls 19 – 25 mins 250 US$ Zambezi Sunset Cruise 45 US$ Horse Safaris - 2Hr Novice / 3Hr Experienced 75 US$ / 100 US$ *Combo Deals Available 2 Activities 275 US$ **Please note that all accommodation & activities in Victoria Falls must be paid for in US$ cash (GBP & ZAR also accepted at a lower rate).
Please Note: This itinerary should be used as a guide only and may vary from day to day depending on road & weather conditions, political situations and group decisions and may run in reverse. All prices & Local Payments are subject to change. Due to Tourism Laws in some of the countries we visit, there may be a truck/vehicle and crew change during the trip.
Your arrival transfer and pre-trip accommodation in a dorm bed is included in your trip price. Should you choose not to make use of these, or in the event that we are not updated with your arrival details, no refund will be paid for services not used.
This safari is operated by a ground operator with 1 or 2 crew members (Driver guide/cook) dependent on group size, in custom built 4x4 safari vehicles. Accommodation in dome tents with roll mats (45mm) (the only one of our trips where clients need not provide a camping mat & sleeping bag). While this trip is outsourced to a local operator in Botswana, it is still a participation safari.
Family safari departures minimum age is 7 years for this safari.
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I recently completed the ten day Best of Botswana tour and it was wonderful!
Although I was unable to see the Makgadakgadi Pans due to flooding at this time of year, I thoroughly enjoyed all the time spent at the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park.
My guide, Shaba, and cook, Gee, were outstanding. They were both capable, conscientious and professional. They were also very friendly and a lot of fun. It was a great trip
