Victoria Falls and Botswana Family Safari

Experience gourmet dining in Victoria Falls at the top-rated Cassia Restaurant. Centrally located only minutes from the Victoria Falls at Ilala Lodge Hotel, the newly-renamed restaurant offers a delicious breakfast buffet, lunch and al fresco evening dining under the starry African sky.

The Cassia Restaurant delivers an unmatched menu, paired with an extensive wine list comprised of carefully selected wines from South Africa’s top vineyards. The calming and tranquil ambience is further complemented by the gentle rumble of Victoria Falls in the background. A truly unforgettable dining experience not to be missed.

You know what they say about the early bird? If you are a passionate birdwatcher, don’t miss out on this river cruise! Keen bird lovers will delight in marking off their sightings in the birding booklet provided on board while enjoying a delicious continental breakfast including fruit platters, fresh pastries and a variety of cheeses and biscuits. Rare birds such as the African Pitta and the Narina Trogon have been sighted here, as well as hundreds of other bird species. The knowledgeable and experienced guides conduct these early morning river cruises.

Enjoy freshly brewed coffee and a continental breakfast as you cruise up the Zambezi River towards Kandahar Island while enjoying the sounds of the diverse birdlife and the African bush come to life in the early morning. Breakfast includes freshly baked pieces of bread and pastries, fresh fruit platters, jams, yoghurts and cheeses as well as an assortment of teas and coffee.

Sit back and relax while sipping a cold drink and enjoying a few quiet hours along the banks of the Zambezi River. Our lunch buffet includes cold meats, fresh salads and a wide selection of biscuits and cheeses, all catered by the award-winning Palm Restaurant at Ilala Lodge Hotel. The fully stocked bar is available throughout the cruise and the attentive crew is at your service.

There simply is not a better way to enjoy the dazzling African sunset than from the comfort of a Ra-Ikane boat on a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River. Our ever-popular sunset cruise offers a unique way to explore the channels of the river and to get an up-close view of the pristine wilderness and African game along its banks. Enjoy an array of canapés, a full bar and a charming crew who can impart a bit of interesting Victoria Falls history with you on board the Ra-Ikane.

Game viewing on the Chobe River is most exceptional from March to November, when the weather is drier and the animals are more mobile in search of food and water. Winter offers particularly dramatic sightings, while the spring and autumn shoulder seasons provide excellent opportunities for viewing wildlife. During the summer rains, the landscape transforms into a vibrant tapestry of life, creating unique wildlife and birdwatching experiences.

Each day, guests venture out by tender boat to observe large herds of elephants, buffalo, lions, crocodiles, zebras, and more, all drawn to the river. The guides maintain a respectful distance, monitoring animal behaviour and adjusting the boat as needed to ensure minimal disruption. Guests will also encounter an impressive array of birdlife and plant species along the way.

No trip to the Chobe is complete without experiencing the thrill of fishing. On the Chobe River, it's not just about the catch – it’s about the adventure. Hooking a Tiger fish, one of Africa’s most sought-after species, is an experience anglers dream of. Known for their strength and speed, Tiger fish offer an exciting challenge that leaves guests with unforgettable memories.

Fishing safaris are conducted on a catch-and-release basis, ensuring the sustainability of the fish populations. The knowledgeable guides are dedicated to safely returning the fish to the water, allowing them to thrive for years to come.

Rates include all conventional fishing gear, such as rods, lures, lines, and reels. For those interested in fly fishing, it’s recommended to bring personal gear, as preferences can vary. This ensures each guest enjoys a fishing experience tailored to their needs.

With over 450 species, diverse terrains, and a stunning African backdrop, the Chobe River provides the ideal setting for a highly rewarding bird-watching safari. Birding season begins in September, with the arrival of migratory birds boosting the population by up to 20% compared to the winter months.

The prime time for birdwatching is early morning before breakfast, as various species leave their roosts and venture into the National Park. Guests aboard any of the three Chobe Princesses enjoy access to knowledgeable guides and tender boats, ensuring a truly rewarding birding experience.

Uninterrupted access to wild animals, absolute silence, and golden light make the Chobe River an unforgettable photographic safari destination, and one of Africa's top spots for wildlife photographers. To help capture that perfect moment, a custom-designed photographic safari boat is available on request, accommodating up to four clients in individual photographic seats.

The boat features custom-designed swivel chairs, offering greater stability and 360-degree views for a wider range of subject matter. Each seat is equipped with a mount for resting SLR cameras, and an experienced safari guide will assist in finding the perfect shot.

Guests are encouraged to bring their own photographic equipment, as it is not provided onboard. The recommended lens is an 80-400mm zoom for optimal results.

Travel by tender boat to a local Namibian village on the floodplains of the East Caprivi and meet the elders and locals of the Subiya tribe. Gain a deeper understanding of life in this 100-year-old village as you learn about their daily challenges, farming practices, and traditions.

The tour concludes with a vibrant display of traditional dancing and singing, where guests are welcome to join in the fun.

As a memento of your visit, consider purchasing a woven basket, beaded jewellery, or a carved wooden animal. The sale of these crafts helps empower the village by providing a valuable source of income. If you wish to bring gifts for the village children, items such as school stationery, books, or clothing are always highly appreciated.

Activities are centered around game drives throughout the Savute area in open 4x4 safari vehicles
Many trips will incorporate a visit to the famous Savute Marsh for your chance to see the historic presence of the Savute Channel at the marsh against a teeming backdrop of wildlife.

Guests will also enjoy a visit to the ancient San rock paintings at Gubatsa Hills, a small hilly outcrop which forms a remarkable landmark in the otherwise flat landscape.

Savute lays claim to a spectacularly large summer zebra migration, which is determined by the rains but usually occurs between November and December and again between February and April when the zebras move from the rivers in the north in search of the lush grasslands and full waterholes in the southeast of the park. They are always accompanied by a myriad of predators.

Take game drives and night drives in custom built 4x4s to spot the unique desert wildlife that inhabit the pans, like the elusive brown hyena or Kalahari lion. Your experienced safari guide will help you discover a desert landscape, pulsating with life. Complete with bush picnics, morning coffees and chilled drinks.

Get up close and personal with our families of habituated meerkats. Head out from camp at sunrise, so that you are ready to tail these delightful omnivores as they set off in search of their breakfast. Walk amongst them (advised by your guide) and if you take a seat you might be lucky enough to be mistaken for a termite mound, where you'll be used as a look out point for predators.

Discover the secrets of the pans with the Zu/’hoasi Bushmen on a fascinating bush walk. See this ancient desert landscape through their eyes. These skilled hunter gatherers will show you how to survive, using their extraordinary tracking skills to uncover a smorgasbord of culinary delights... from bulbs, to scorpions, to berries. Spending time with them is a very rare privilege.

Saddle up to explore this wild, unspoilt area in the same way many of the earliest explorers, hunters

and missionaries did – on horseback! You’ll embark on an adventurous outride (for all level riders). This is an exhilarating way to spot wildlife, cantering along the crusty salt flats and following the animal

highways that bring life to the Makgadikgadi Pans.

This is pure desert adventure! Take an exhilarating quad bike across the salt-crusted pans (all pan activity is weather permitting and dependent on the dryness of the pans). You’ll feel total freedom as you trek across this vast and ancient landscape, discovering so much about the remnants of this once super lake.

Seasonal: April - October

Visit the site of the Fallen Baobab, one of the three largest and oldest trees in Africa and the camp site for Livingstone and Selous..

Witness the second largest migration in Africa. A stonking spectacle of black and white stripes

as approximately 30,000 zebra and wildebeest migrate across the Makgadikgadi Pans, followed closely by stalking predators, waiting for the rich pickings of tired hooves. This is a wildlife explosion and an experience not to be missed!

This really is an unforgettable experience. Enjoy a helicopter flight over the Makgadikgadi Pans, doors off (or on), to take in the vastness of this desert landscape. You’ll go in search of the zebra and flamingo migrations (if timed correctly), get dropped on an island of baobabs for lunch, do a bit of sunset sky surfing as you follow the palm tree linings and tell all your friends about it all when you get home.

If you are in need of some serious time out, then one of our spa treatments is your perfect escape. Our professional therapist will put you in seventh heaven. Book a back massage overlooking the Makgadikgadi Pans or enjoy a relaxing spa treatment from the privacy of your tent. Whichever you decide, you’ll walk away feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Grab a fat bike and peddle around the Makgadikgadi Pans. This is a really fun activity for the whole family, and an ideal way to get some exercise. These bikes can easily cruise over the desert terrain, taking you along 4x4 tracks and around the crusty salt flats. Keep a look out for sightings of wildlife, while breathing in the beautiful scenery, alongside the desert silence.

The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans are one of the most important breeding sites in southern Africa for

the lesser and greater flamingos. These flying flame birds, arrive in their millions during seasons of good rain, when millions of small shrimp and other crustaceans crack through the salty pan crust to spawn. The result, a pink extravaganza in the heat of the desert. You can also heli to Sua Pan to view the flamingos in Mar - Apr (scenic helicopter flight must be booked an an additional cost).

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

Credit: Natural Selection

Camp Okavango is a true celebration of nature and, to deepen this connection further, a Sleep-Out Deck experience awaits—an opportunity to fall asleep beneath a canopy of stars and start the morning with a warm greeting from the African sunrise, thanks to its east-facing position. The sky becomes a live big screen, offering consistently stunning backdrops for the wildlife that frequently roams or soars by. Staying true to Desert & Delta Safaris' commitment to blending nature and comfort, this experience offers a seamless connection to the wilderness and thoughtful touches of luxury. Enjoy morning tea or coffee served in bed, a private bathroom, and mosquito nets. The Sleep-Out Deck experience is inclusive for guests staying three nights or more and can be booked between 1 April and 31 October.

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Step aboard a hard-bottom aluminum motorboat to explore the deeper channels of the iconic Okavango Delta. Cruise through this pristine landscape and be treated to a stunning array of birdlife, plant species, and larger game such as elephants, with expert guides to uncover Delta gems along the way. The boats are equipped with comfortable seating, a foldaway canvas roof for shade, and life jackets for safety and comfort.

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Drift through the Okavango Delta's serene, wildlife-rich channels in a mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), expertly navigated by seasoned guides. Immerse yourself in the vibrant diversity of birds, plants, and reptiles that thrive here, and savour the leisurely pace which enhances detail-orientated viewing.

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Guided walking safaris, led by qualified experts on the surrounding islands, provide an opportunity to track the region's larger wildlife while also immersing in the smaller marvels that make up its intricate ecosystems. These excursions are conducted in small groups, each accompanied by two knowledgeable guides.

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Seeing the Okavango Delta from a helicopter is a truly magnificent experience. Desert & Delta’s partners at Helicopter Horizons will remove the doors providing uninterrupted views and close up angles of the majestic Delta and its wildlife. A scenic flight is not just a must for keen photographers but an exciting opportunity to witness this remarkable network of land and water from above.

The flights are operated with the utmost respect and caution for the natural environment, the wildlife and travellers. Routes have been carefully marked out ensuring guests on other activities and in camp are not disturbed. The flight routes and take off areas are designed specifically to make use of pristine areas within the concession.

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

The Okavango Delta provides one of the most diverse and rewarding birdwatching experiences, offering the chance to observe both resident and migratory species in one of the planet’s most pristine and ecologically vital landscapes.

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

The Okavango Delta, brimming life beneath the surface, delivers the thrill of the chase. Seasoned and novice anglers alike are invited to cast their lines on a guided adventure. All fishing equipment is available at the lodge.

Camp Okavango | Fishing Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango | Fishing Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango | Fishing Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris

Camp Okavango | Fishing Credit: Desert & Delta Safaris