Botswana Wildlife Safari
Botswana Wildlife Safari
Botswana Wildlife Safari
15 Days Starting and ending in Maun
Visiting: Maun, Okavango Delta, Caprivi Strip, Livingstone, Chobe National Park, Camp Savuti, Moremi Game Reserve, Xakanaxa
Tour operator:
Tour code:
BW
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
4 - 12
Physical rating:
Full On
Age range:
16-
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
From:
$4880 (USD)Tour Overview
A trip through Botswana's remote wilderness to track Africa's greatest animals, stay on a houseboat on the delta, sleep under canvas in the bush and visit the Smoke that Thunders - Victoria Falls.
Game Viewing - Explore Botswana's finest game reserves during seven days of safari
Okavango Delta Panhandle - Search for water-dwelling wildlife and exotic birds in the remote area of the delta
Chobe National Park - A remarkable wildlife sanctuary, world famous for its huge elephant population.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Join Tour In Maun
Location: Maun, Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Flowing from the Angolan highlands over 1,000km away, the waters can take over 6 months to make their way to the inland delta before draining into the Kalahari Desert.
For those arriving on time our Leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 2.30pm for the welcome meeting. Your leader will not be with you this evening but they will be on hand in the afternoon to give advice for dinner plans and to assist with any arrangements.
If you would like to receive a complimentary airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Maun Airport (MUB), which is around a 15 minute drive from our accommodation. Should you miss the welcome meeting, your Leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up.
If your flight arrives earlier in the day, perhaps you might choose to take a stroll around the town, where modern buildings and native huts stand side-by-side. Originally a rural village, it has rapidly developed into Botswana's 'tourism capital'. However, the town has managed to retain much of its rural atmosphere and you may well see tribesmen bringing their cattle to sell at the market.
Day 2: Drive To Okavango Panhandle Houseboat
Location: Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Boat
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
An early start this morning to get on the road for a long drive to the west side of the Okavango Delta Panhandle, where we will board the houseboat, our home for the next three nights, in time for lunch. During this trip we will travel in customised, open-sided land-cruisers. The vehicles are perfect for the game viewing opportunities but can be a bit brisk and windy during the longer travel days, so ensure you bring some layers for travel days, and your Explore leader will provide blankets to make the journeys as comfortable as possible. The roads through Botswana can vary in quality, so travel days can be slow and bumpy but the scenery more than makes up for this.
Once aboard the houseboat, the accommodation is very comfortable, with eight bedrooms with en-suite facilities. Each room has glass doors sliding open on to the wilderness of the remote panhandle area, while on the deck above are seating areas from which to enjoy the sunsets and listen to the birds. Due to seasonal variations in the level and strength of the river, the houseboat itself remains securely moored for much of the year, whilst we explore the river on smaller launches. However, the amount of water that falls in the catchment area can be highly variable and occasionally, conditions may allow the houseboat itself to cruise in the Delta.
The next couple of days are spent enjoying this spectacular setting. During our time on the river, there is a good possibility of seeing a variety of game. On our launch, we may cruise past submerging pods of hippos, while crocodiles bask in the shallows and on the riverbanks. While drifting along, it is not hard to imagine yourself as David Livingstone, exploring Africa all those years ago.
Day 3: Optional Boat Trips To Search For The Plentiful Wildlife; Sundowners
Location: Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Boat
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
During our second day aboard the houseboat, our itinerary is flexible. A typical day involves one or two trips out on the launch to take in the wildlife and visit the surrounding area. Back on board, there are plenty of opportunities for bird watching. Local fishermen are often seen aboard their traditional dugout canoes, known locally as Mokoros. The golden light of late afternoon can also be enjoyed with a traditional sundowner in the houseboat's bar. As this is a day at leisure you can choose how much or how little you do today.
Day 4: Visit To Tsodilo Hills; Home To Thousands Of Bushman Rock Paintings
Location: Okavango Delta
Accommodation: Boat
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we'll visit the intriguing and sacred World Heritage Site of the Tsodilo Hills. The San Bushmen community believe the hills are the site of the first creation and painted an astonishing 4000 rock paintings across 350 sites marking the area's significance. Here, four impressive rocks jut out of the expanse of the surrounding land, and it is believed by the San Bushmen that the largest of the rocks is the 'man', the second largest the 'woman', and the smallest the 'child'. The fourth rock, which stands apart from the others, is said to be the male's first wife. Some of the paintings are thought to be over 20,000 years old, and as well as the chance to see ancient rock paintings, the hills offer vast views across the countryside below. We'll spend around two hours exploring the area along the walking trails, as well as stopping for a picnic lunch before returning to the houseboat for a relaxing evening.
Day 5: Drive Through Namibia's Caprivi Strip To Livingstone
Location: Caprivi Strip
Accommodation: Lodge, Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning will be a very early start to ensure enough daylight hours for the long journey to Livingstone. Today's total journey time is approximately nine hours depending on time spent at the border crossings, and will of course include comfort breaks and a lunch break.
The drive takes us through north to Namibia's Caprivi Strip, before heading to Livingstone in Zambia. The Caprivi Region has a colourful and interesting history, playing a central part in the Berlin Conference of 1890. Named after German Chancellor General Count Georg Leo von Caprivi di Caprara di Montecuccoli, the strip was once administered by the British before it was swapped for Zanzibar with the Germans at a time of great European political manoeuvring.
A late afternoon arrival to Livingstone provides just enough time for a refreshing sundowner at our lodge accommodation overlooking the Zambezi River.
Day 6: Tour Of Victoria Falls, Free Time In The Afternoon
Location: Livingstone
Accommodation: Lodge, Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Often referred to as the adventure capital of Zambia, Livingstone is most famous as being home to one of the natural wonders of the world - Victoria Falls.
This morning we'll visit the falls from the Zambian side of the river where the Zambezi River plummets over a sheer cliff wall spanning more than 1676 meters and dropping approximately 100 metres into the abyss below. The natives named the waterfall, Mosi-oa-Tunya, meaning 'the smoke that thunders' because of the plumes of water vapour that rise like smoke into the sky above the falls, accompanied by the deafening roar.
This afternoon is free to relax, or you may choose to book a two hour game drive in the Mosi-oa- Tunya National Park in search of white rhino. Alternatively, there is the option to take a scenic flight over the falls or go white water rafting in the Zambezi.
Day 7: Game Viewing In Chobe National Park
Location: Chobe National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we cross the border once again when we take a ferry over the Zambezi River back into Botswana, where we will make our way into the Chobe National Park. Famed for its beautiful scenery, abundant wildlife and magnificent golden sunsets, Chobe is the heart of elephant country and is home to approximately 120,000 of the giant creatures. After a stop for supplies and lunch, we will head out on an afternoon game drive.
Although simple in style, our camping spot for tonight allows us to fully appreciate the wild setting. To the high demand in Botswana, all campsites for the next seven nights are booked two years in advance to ensure that we get the best positions in some truly spectacular spots.
Day 8: Full Day Of Safari In Chobe
Location: Chobe National Park
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We'll maximise our time today to ensure we make the most of game drive opportunities. We'll head out in the morning and again in the afternoon, for the chance to spot huge trumpeting herds of elephants in and around the river. Other mammals to be seen are buffalo, kudu, eland, waterbuck, sable and roan antelope, zebra, lion, cheetah, leopard, impala, reedbuck and the rare Chobe bushbuck. In the river are hippo and crocodile and the waters teem with bream, barbel and tiger fish (freshwater barracuda). The Explore leader will decide on the exact running times of the day, and lunch arrangements, depending on the weather conditions and the season to ensure the best viewing.
Day 9: Game Drives In The Savuti Area
Location: Camp Savuti
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today as we will travel south, we'll explore the interior area of Savuti with its sweeping plains, rolling grasslands and marshes which are fed by the erratic Savuti Channel. The channel ran dry in 1982, changing the lives of all wildlife on the plains as the ground baked in the African sun, and remained dry for over 20 years until 2008 when the water once again began to flow attracting animals back in high numbers. We'll have time to watch the herds that live in and around this area including lions, elephants and possibly the leopard, plus an abundance of bird species including the bee-eater and kori bustards.
Day 10: Drive To Moremi Game Reserve
Location: Moremi Game Reserve
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Leaving our Savuti camp, we continue over dirt roads into Moremi Game Reserve - one of Botswana's most diverse reserves in terms of scenery and wildlife. Tucked into the north-eastern section of the Okavango Delta, Moremi is thought to be the country's most beautiful game land, and is rated as one of Africa's greatest wildlife sanctuaries. This vast area is a mix of permanent swamps, islands, forests and dry land; an ornithologist's paradise. Birdlife and larger mammals can often be spotted on the flood plain, including elephant, giraffe, zebra and ostrich, as well as predators like lion, leopard and wild dog.
For the next two nights we will be camping in the northern Khwai River area where the waters feed an abundance of flora and fauna, including the frequently-visiting wild dog. Hippos are often heard by night too!
Day 11: Wildlife Viewing In Moremi Game Reserve
Location: Moremi Game Reserve
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Over the next couple of days, early mornings and late afternoons are devoted to game viewing. Here in the Okavango, silence reigns, broken only by the roar of a lion or the harsh cry of a fish eagle.
Day 12: Drive To Xakanaxa In The Okavango Delta
Location: Moremi Game Reserve
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The mighty Okavango is the third largest river in southern Africa. The delta area covers 16,000 square kilometres and is made up of crystal clear channels, countless fleeting lakes and ever-changing islands. The waters flows down in a south-easterly direction from the Angolan highlands, over 1000 kilometres away, taking up to six months to reach the delta area which floods on a perennial annual cycle.
Remaining in the Moremi Game Reserve, today we drive further into the Delta area to our camp at Xakanaxa, where we will spend the next two nights. This exceptional geography and topography attracts amazing wildlife to the waterways and we'll begin game viewing on our arrival.
Day 13: In Xakanaxa Area Of Moremi Game Reserve
Location: Xakanaxa
Accommodation: Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Today, we intend to spend the whole day in this unspoilt wonderland. Hippo, crocodile and red lechwe are easy to spot. Bird lovers can look out for fish eagle, jacana, kingfisher, heron, stork, egret, weaver and bee-eater; just some of the magnificent species found here.
Day 14: Drive To Maun; Take A Scenic Flight Over The Okavango Delta
Location: Maun
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
After an early morning game drive, we continue eastwards enjoying the vastness of the surrounding lands, until we reach Maun at lunchtime.
This afternoon, there may be the opportunity of an optional game flight over the Okavango Delta depending on the weather conditions.
What's Included
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Meals
Breakfast: 14 Lunch: 11 Dinner: 10 -
Accommodation
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Game Drives on Safari
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Airport Transfers at Destination
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Fully Guided
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All Domestic Transportation (including internal flights)
What's Not Included
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Country Entry Visas
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Tipping and Gratuities
Why Book this Tour
This is a great tour for wildlife enthusiasts, as you will visit some of the best game viewing parks in all of Africa. You will stay in lodges, hotel, houseboat and campsites; this means you get a great diverse experience of Botswana. Our campsites enable us to explore Moremi and Savuti in depth, an opportunity that is normally restricted to luxury itineraries due to the demand for the Okavango Delta.
Check out our Q&As
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
All customers that travel on an Explore group trip will be provided with a complimentary transfer, provided they arrive and depart into the designated airport or train station on the trip start and end dates. This is a great way to start your travels, offering you that little extra peace of mind and comfort.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Please see trip notes
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, we would be delighted to book extra nights before the start or at the end of your trip, please let us know your requirements at the time of booking.
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Will there be an escort accompanying this tour?
Yes
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Are all the relevant entry visa’s included in the price of the tour?
No
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No
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I'm going on a walking/cycling trip-do I need to train?
It will depend on the grade and how fit you already are. Check the trip page for details of the walking or cycling grade and how far you’ll be walking/cycling each day. For moderate or challenging trips in particular we’d recommend doing some walks or cycles before you leave to build up your fitness and prepare you for the distances being covered.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
We have a wide range of ages nationalities on our small group trips and they come from all walks of life.
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Should I get travel insurance?
Yes–it is a condition of booking that you are fully insured when travelling with us
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How long has the tour company been trading?
At Explore, we're the experts in adventure travel. Our small group adventure holidays have been running since 1981. Today, Explore is one of the most trusted travel companies in the UK with over 500 trips to more than 120 countries.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
Yes, but there are no concessions for doing so, and we must have a record in your booking advising as such before the trip departs.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Being a responsible company is a large statement, something that has to be entwined within the very fibre of a company. Discover the charities and partnerships we support as part of this at https://www.explore.co.uk/about/sustainability/charities-and-partners
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
We want to be as clear as and as honest as possible about what happens if you decide to that you no longer wish to travel on your trip. Our booking conditions have details of the costs you’ll incur when you cancel-these charges depend on how long it is before your planned departure.
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What is the accommodation like?
We choose comfortable accommodation in the best locations possible. We opt for small, local and family-run accommodation where we can, as opposed to large chain hotels. We typically use hotels that are the equivalent of European 3-star, and you’ll usually have an en suite room. Occasionally, where we want to get off the beaten trail we may stay in more basic accommodation.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Sustainability is embedded within the fibre of Explore, it emanates from the inside out. But as we enter a new decade it is clearer than ever that our world needs help, and Explore has created a sustainability strategy based on the 2015 UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Our flexible booking and safety policies mean you're protected before and during your travels with us. Receive a full refund if your trip is cancelled, transfer your trip free of charge up to 10 days before departure minus any irrocoverable costs.
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Do I need to be very fit to book with you?
All our trips require some level of active participation. This could be on a cultural trip, trek, safari, expedition or voyage. It is in the interests of all members of the group that everyone should be capable of fully participating in the activities of their chosen trip.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Final documents will include a comprehensive trip itinerary, climate and country information, budgeting and packing advice visa and passport information and details on optional activities available.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Yes on most of our trips. Most trips are based on customers sharing twin-bedded rooms. If you book a group trip as an individual, you will share a room with someone of the same sex. However, on many trips we offer the opportunity to pay a supplement to pre-book a single room, known as our single room option. On some trips a single room will be provided every night, on others it will be provided o
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Do we have to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to travel
It’s now a condition of booking a trip with us that customers should have one of the following before they travel - — Be vaccinated against COVID, having received the full recommended course, and allowing enough time for immunity to take effect. Full vaccination includes any booster required to keep the vaccine valid. — Have taken a negative test (rapid antigen or PCR) within 72hrs of departure.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Explore will only offer hotels that have specific COVID-19 protocols in place and comply with local government guidelines. We will ensure these measures include; enhanced room cleaning, ventilation, social distancing, regular cleaning and disinfection of high frequency touch points in public areas, food safety, staff re-training and minimising contact within the properties.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Dates & Availability
Saturday - Saturday
Feb 08, 2025 - Feb 22, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Mar 08, 2025 - Mar 22, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Mar 22, 2025 - Apr 05, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Apr 05, 2025 - Apr 19, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Apr 12, 2025 - Apr 26, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
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Jun 28, 2025 - Jul 12, 2025Wednesday - Wednesday
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Aug 30, 2025 - Sep 13, 2025Saturday - Saturday
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Sep 27, 2025 - Oct 11, 2025Saturday - Saturday
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Nov 15, 2025 - Nov 29, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Nov 22, 2025 - Dec 06, 2025Saturday - Saturday
Dec 20, 2025 - Jan 03, 2026Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Explore! allows you to make 1 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
Explore! requires a minimum deposit of 10% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of explore! charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 13 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.