Encompassing prime wildlife areas in northern Botswana, this small group trip includes game drives, walking safaris and river trips, with excellent photographic opportunities.
The contrasts encountered on this itinerary range from the open vistas of the Linyanti ecosystem with its deciduous forests, where you visit the resurgent Savuti Channel, through the crystal-clear waterways and fertile islands of the Okavango Delta. The trip ends in Livingstone, just across the border in neighbouring Zambia, near the thundering cascade of Victoria Falls. If you wish to spend some time here please contact us to arrange this.
A non-participatory camping safari, groups consist of a maximum of just seven guests, resulting in a small and intimate group. Accompanied by excellent guides, you will be able to enjoy vehicle safaris, night drives, walking safaris and mokoro rides, as well as a boat trip on the Chobe River.
There are regular departures throughout the year.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart the UK
Day2: Arrive Maun & fly by light aircraft to Moremi
After your arrival at Maun International Airport, you will board a charter flight to the Xakanaxa airstrip in Moremi Game Reserve where you will be met by your guide. Your first three nights are spent in the Xakanaxa region where you will explore the surrounding wilderness on morning and afternoon game drive excursions.
Accommodation during your tour is in spacious en suite wilderness tents, fitted with camp beds. Bucket showers (hot or cold) are available, subject to availability of water.
Days3-4: Vehicle safaris in Moremi Game Reserve
In the heart of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Wildlife Reserve is one of the most beautiful and unspoiled reserves in Africa, and the huge variety of wildlife here will not disappoint. Moremi is one of the best places in Africa to see the endangered African wild dog, and Xakanaxa is home to a resident herd of buffalo, which in turn attract prides of lion. The birdlife is also exceptional, with swamps and open waters attracting a variety of species.
Days5-7: Khwai Concession, wildlife viewing by vehicle & mokoro
Following an early morning breakfast, take a leisurely drive through Moremi Game Reserve to the Khwai Community Area, one of the most scenic areas of the Okavango. In the morning, you will pass the magnificent Dombo Hippo Pools, to watch the resident hippo's antics.
Khwai is home to predators such as leopard, cheetah, serval, lion and crocodile, and other game includes Burchell’s zebra, giraffe, red lechwe and tessebe. In the mopane woodlands, birdwatchers can enjoy species such as Gabar goshawk, little sparrowhawk, scarlet-chested sunbird and chin-spot batis; the swamps form breeding grounds for the rosy-longclaw, black coucal and African crake.
You spend three nights at an exclusive campsite in the community area, allowing plenty of time to enjoy game drives during the day and at night.* There are also opportunities to watch wildlife by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), offering a different perspective of the area's wildlife and some up close and personal encounters.
* Night drives are not permitted within the national parks and reserves, so are conducted outside the boundaries of Moremi Game Reserve in the Khwai community area.
Day8: Drive to Savuti
Essentially a travel day, today you head further north en route to Chobe National Park, driving through a range of habitat The route passes through excellent lion and cheetah country. Elephant sightings can occur throughout the journey, however are more likely at the start and end of the day where permanent surface water can be found.
Days9-10: Vehicle safaris in Savuti Linyanti
Considered one of Africa’s best wildlife-viewing areas, Savuti Linyanti boasts one of the continents highest remaining concentrations of wildlife. The Savuti Marsh has been the location for many a wildlife documentary, and particularly strong prides of lion (20-30 members) and hyena clans offer some dramatic wildlife viewing opportunities. The marsh is also prime cheetah country, and it is not unusual for wild dogs to hunt in Savuti in the wet season.
Day11: Boat trip on the Chobe River, drive to Livingstone
Depart Savuti early this morning to travel along the Chobe River, arriving in Kasane in time for a picnic lunch before taking an afternoon boat cruise. Return to Chobe Safari Lodge mid afternoon, and then transfer over the border to Zambia for a night in Livingstone, close to Victoria Falls.
Please note: This trip also operates in the reverse direction from Livingstone to Maun. Depending on flight schedules, an overnight in Maun may be required.
Chobe sits on the confluence of the Zambezi and Chobe Rivers. The mosaic of bush, waterway, floodplain and woodland is home to a vast array of wildlife, most notably Africa’s largest concentration of elephant, but also huge herds of buffalo that congregate along its fertile floodplain during the dry season.
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Where: Northern Botswana
Ideal for viewing: Cape buffalo, African elephant, lion, puku, wild dog
Excellent for: Vehicle safaris, River safaris
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Where: Northern Botswana
Ideal for viewing: hippo, Nile crocodile, red lechwe, sitatunga, tsessebe
Excellent for: Walking safaris, Vehicle safaris, River safaris, Birdwatching
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Where: Northern Botswana
Ideal for viewing: lion, wild dog, African elephant, red lechwe, spotted hyena
Excellent for: Walking safaris, Vehicle safaris, River safaris
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Where: Northern Botswana
Ideal for viewing: Pel’s fishing owl, red lechwe, sitatunga, fire-crowned bishop, scops owl
Excellent for: Walking safaris, Vehicle safaris, River safaris
The Khwai Concession sits on the edge of the Moremi Game Reserve which is located in one of the world’s premier wildlife watching locations – the Okavango Delta. Home to a dazzling variety of wildlife, there’s a wealth of habitats to explore in Khwai from lagoons and channels to savannah grassland.
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Where: North Botswana
Ideal for viewing: lion, leopard, African elephant, Cape buffalo, cheetah
Excellent for: Vehicle safaris
Featured accommodation:
Standing on the Zambian bank of the Zambezi, just 30 minutes from Livingstone, this secluded lodge has wonderful views to Zimbabwe on the opposite bank. Each thatched cottage has a private deck overlooking the river – a perfect spot for that African safari sundowner! This is one of our best value options.
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