Botswana Lodge Explorer - 11 days
Starting in Maun take in the best of Botswana from the fascinating salt pans to the incredible wildlife of Moremi and Chobe National Park, before crossing the border into Zimbabwe to going wild in Hwange National Park and end your adventure in Victoria Falls.
Trip Highlights
Included
Not Included
Itinerary
Maun
Welcome to Botswana. On arrival into Maun Airport, you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The name Maun is derived from the San word “maung”, which means “the place of short reeds”. The afternoon is yours to spend at leisure, why not relax next to the pool at the lodge. This evening you will meet your guide and the rest of the group for your pre-departure meeting at 6pm.
Overnight: Maun
Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pan National Park
Maun - Makgadikgadi Pans. This morning we depart Maun and continue onto the area of the Makgadikgadi Pans. After settling into our accommodation, we take a stroll with our guide through the surrounding baobab grove, as he explains the local ecology, geology and the unique biology of the baobabs, which are in fact not trees but the largest succulents in the world.
Overnight: Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pan National Park | Dinner
Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pan National Park
After breakfast, we depart for an excursion to either Nxai Pan or Ntwetwe Pan. These excursions are seasonal based on wildlife sightings and road conditions. Both pans form part of the greater Makgadikgadi system.
Covered in nutritious short grasses and small islands of acacia trees, Nxai Pan attracts vast numbers of desert herbivores such as gemsbok, springbuck, and extraordinarily large herds of giraffe. The Ntwetwe Pan is amongst the largest saltpans in the world and famous for its extraordinary lunar landscape. Ntwetwe is home oto uniquely adapted desert species such as bat eared foxes, springbuck, kori bustards and some of the Kalahari’s most fascinating inhabitants, the meerkats. After exploring either Nxai or Ntwetwe we return to the lodge in the afternoon with some time to relax by the pool.
Overnight: Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pan National Park | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Khwai River
Makgadikgadi Pans - Maun - Khwai River. This morning we travel via Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, to our camp, which is situated in a private concession in the Khwai River region. This large area is renowned for its concentration of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife during just one game drive. Game viewing is seasonal; depending on the time of the year you may see different species in different areas. The best time for game viewing is the end of the dry season or spring from August to November. During this season, in order for us to offer the best game viewing possible, extra driving may be required due to the animals migrating closer to the river. In the summer, birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors. After dinner, we will explore the concession on a night game drive.
Overnight: Khwai River | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Moremi Game Reserve
Khwai River - Moremi Game Reserve - Khwai River. Today we head into the famous Moremi Game Reserve known as one of the most beautiful and varied reserves in Africa with an unprecedented concentration of wildlife. The full day is spent in the unspoiled nature of the Moremi Game Reserve.
Overnight: Khwai River | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Chobe National Park
Khwai River - Chobe. This morning you will be transferred to Khwai Airstrip for your flight to Kasane (flight not included in the tour cost*). On arrival you will be met and transferred to our lodge. We enjoy a boat cruise on the Chobe River in the afternoon from where we can watch elephants, hippos, crocodiles and a variety of birds without having to reach for our binoculars – you’ll be near enough for close-up photographs, as well as having the chance to witness a spectacular African sunset.
*Please Note: The flight from Khwai Airstrip to Kasane is not included in the tour cost. We can book this for you, contact us for rates.
Overnight: Chobe National Park | Breakfast
Hwange National Park
Chobe - Hwange. This morning we depart Chobe and make our way to our lodge in a private concession near to Hwange National Park. The next two days are spent exploring this wildlife rich area. This afternoon you can partake in an optional game drive if time allows.
On the following day, we will have plenty of time to explore this vast wilderness on a game drive. Hwange National Park is one of Africa's finest havens for wildlife and is home to vast herds of elephant, buffalo, and zebra and has a very large concentration of giraffe. It is also home to many predators and endangered species plus varied birdlife. We will also visit the Painted Dog Conservation Centre to witness the work that is done to protect these endangered species.
Overnight: Hwange National Park | Breakfast x 2, Lunch x 2, Dinner x 2
Victoria Falls
Hwange - Victoria Falls. The final leg of our journey takes us into Zimbabwe, home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the mighty Victoria Falls. This afternoon we enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on the mighty Zambezi then have the rest of the day and the next day at leisure or to partake in one of the many optional activities which include helicopter flights, horse back safaris, canoeing, bungee jumping and more!
Overnight: Victoria Falls | Breakfast x 2
Victoria Falls
Our safari ends after breakfast. You will be transferred to Victoria Falls Airport in time for your departure flight.
Breakfast
Prices & Dates
All other departure dates are guaranteed to run subject to a minimum of 4 travellers. This safari has a maximum group size of 12. Prices shown are per person travelling. The price per person applies when there are 2 people travelling, sharing a room. The 'Single supplement' applies for single travellers who require their own room and needs to be added to the per person price.
Person
Supp.
Hotels
The hotels listed below are ones which we frequently use on this tour. We reserve the right to substitute these hotels to ones of a similar standard when necessary.
Thamalakane River Lodge, Maun
Situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River with magnificent views of the surrounding scenery, this lodge features African-inspired accommodation amidst the Botswana landscape. The spacious chalets have a unique 'skylight' wall to maximise the views. Its location on the river means that guests can watch water fowl and birds at their leisure from the public areas. The lodge's acclaimed restaurant is not too be missed with superb food and wine to match the superb surroundings.
Planet Baobab Lodge, Makgadikgadi & Nxai Pan National Park
The Planet Baobab Lodge is a unique oasis-like lodge in the heart of Botswana’s baobab capital. Guests can choose between a traditional Bakalanga hut made from mud or a traditional grass hut made in the way bushmen once did. The use of natural materials indigenous to the region mean that air-conditioning is unnecessary and only the mud huts are en suite. After a day on safari, relax with a cold drink besides the pool and feast on delicious dishes from all over Africa.
Khwai Bedouin Camp, Khwai River
Overlooking the magnificent Khwai River on a private concession, the Khwai Bedouin Camp is set deep in the bush amongst large acacia trees with comfortable en suite tents facing the river. The camp is frequently visited by the local animal residents, from elephants to lions, so you can enjoy your safari from the comfort of your own tent. At night, bed down to soft pillows and duvets with mosquito nets provided for your added comfort. This one of a kind camp is situated in the Khwai River area just outside the northern gate of the Moremi Game Reserve.
Chobe Safari Lodge, Chobe National Park
Situated on the banks of the Chobe River, Chobe Safari Lodge is an excellent gateway to Chobe, Victoria Falls and the Zambezi Region. Rooms are spacious, with excellent facilities and private balconies. The restaurant serves a fantastic array of African and International cuisine. The Cocktail and Sedudu Bar is a great place to relax with a cocktail as the sun sets. The lodge is in Kasane, just 5 kilometres from Chobe National Park.
Sable Sands Lodge, Hwange National Park
Situated in the Dete Vlei just outside Hwange National Park, Sable Sands is a lodge consisting of 11 rondavel chalets. These chalets are scattered around the lodge's central swimming pool. Rooms are en suite with private terraces. The lodge contains a waterhole which attracts large herds of elephant, buffalo, zebra and antelope. The lodge also boasts a library, lounge, bar and BBQ facilities. There are hammocks a plenty for you to relax in as well.
Ilala Lodge, Victoria Falls
Set amongst pretty landscaped gardens, the elegant Ilala Lodge is the perfect place for exploring Victoria Falls. Spread out over two floors, the guest rooms are beautifully furnished in a classic style with teak wooden furniture. The falls are much more visible from the upper floors however the ground floor offers charming proximity to the friendly warthogs who frequent the hotel grounds to graze. The hotel also benefits from a gorgeous outdoor pool and award winning restaurant. The lodge is located within walking distance of the mighty Victoria Falls.
In Brief
