The seasonal rains transform Botswana's arid plains into verdant pastures carpeted with wild flowers. This abundance of food prompts many species to give birth, a fact not unnoticed by waiting predators...
Migrant birds also arrive in their hundreds, so for the experienced African traveller or specialist photographer, this is a special time to visit. Staying at a range of affordable safari camps in prime wildlife locations around the region’s five major rivers, you will see the awesome, thundering power of the Zambezi at Victoria Falls, the gentle meanderings of the Chobe, Linyanti and Kwara Rivers, the sporadically-flowing Savuti Channel, plus the Okavango Delta’s maze of creeks and channels.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart the UK
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Day 2:
Arrive Livingstone, Zambia, transfer to lodge near Victoria Falls
On arrival at Livingstone International Airport in Zambia, you will be met and transferred to your lodge in the bush overlooking the Zambezi River, close to Victoria Falls – an ideal base for the many activities on offer in the area. The afternoon is free, so you can select from the various options available, such as an elephant-back safari into the bush, a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, or simply relaxing by the pool to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Accommodation: Stanley Safari Lodge, 2-nights
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Day 3:
Guided tour of Victoria Falls
This morning, take a guided tour of the falls (Zambian side) to see the dramatic majesty of the waters thundering into the gorge. The afternoon is left free so you can enjoy an optional trip, whether a helicopter or microlight flight over the gorge for a birds-eye view of the falls, a game drive or a boat trip.
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Day 4:
Transfer to Kasane, Botswana, fly into Linyanti Swamp
This morning transfer to Kasane across the border in Botswana, where you board a light aircraft for the one-hour flight into the Linyanti area, then transfer to your chosen camp.
Accommodation: Lagoon Camp, 3-nights
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Days 5-6
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Visit Linyanti Swamp
Spend the next two days exploring the Linyanti Swamp, with great opportunities to see hippo, elephant, lion, and wild dog, and also enjoy some fantastic birding.
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Day 7:
Fly into Kwara Concession
Transfer to the airstrip and take a short flight by light aircraft into the Kwara Concession, bordering Moremi Game Reserve, then transfer to camp. Afternoon activities are based around boat trips on the river to see wildlife and enjoy the sunset, or guided walking safaris.
Accommodation: Kwara Camp, 3-nights
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Days 8-9
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Explore Moremi Game Reserve
Over the next two days you can enjoy the stunningly beautiful, unspoilt scenery of Moremi – which is considered to be one of Africa’s finest wildlife sanctuaries – by vehicle or on foot. Its 3,000 square kilometres of woodland, floodplain and reedbed include the Okavango Delta, attracting high concentrations of plains game and predators which you can see from the river or on land. Furthermore, as Kwara is a private concession, you can enjoy night drives and venture off-road as you search for wildlife – something that is not permitted in the reserve.
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Days 10-11
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Explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta.
This morning transfer back to the airstrip and fly by light aircraft to your next camp in the heart of the Okavango Delta. During the green season, the Delta offers a veritable frenzy of wildlife with sightings of many different species of mammals, reptiles and birds. You explore the creeks and channels by mokoro.
Accommodation: Pom Pom Camp, 2-nights
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Day 12:
Fly to Nxai Pan National Park
After a final morning excursion, transfer back to the airstrip for a flight by light aircraft to Nxai Pan National Park and transfer to your camp.
During the green season, gemsbok and zebra migrate to Nxai Pan National Park and the adjoining Makgadikgadi Pans due to the excellent grazing. Zebra in particular come to bear their young – an event that attracts numerous predators. Elephant are present all year round. You also join a nature walk led by San bushman, for an opportunity to track animals from their footprints and learn about the way of life of this ancient people.
Accommodation: Nxai Pan Camp, 3-nights
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Days 13-14
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Wildlife watching at Nxai Pan National Park
Nxai Pan comes to life in the green season as the landscape is covered with verdant vegetation due to the regenerating rains. You spend the next couple of days seeking out the wildlife that roams these seemingly endless plains. Activities include game drives, a day trip to Baines’ Baobabs and Khama Khama Pan, and star gazing after dark to enjoy the unpolluted skies.
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Day 15:
Fly to Maun & depart
Transfer back to the airstrip and fly by light aircraft to Maun, arriving in time to connect to an overnight international flight to the UK.
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Day 16:
Arrive UK
