The Botswana Wilderness Circuit: Pans, Predators & Delta Waters

Arrival in Maun 

Your journey begins in the heart of Botswana. Upon arrival at Maun International Airport (MUB), you will navigate through immigration and customs. Most travelers from the EU and USA receive a visa-free entry stamp for stays up to 90 days, provided their passport is valid for at least six months with two blank pages.

A representative from your lodge will meet you in the arrival hall to begin your journey toward the Central Kalahari.  

The road transfer from the airport to the lodge covers approximately 215 km (3 hours 30 minutes - 4 hours) . Alternatively, a 40-minute helicopter transfer is available for an additional supplement, offering an aerial perspective of the terrain.

After settling into your accommodation, the afternoon is dedicated to your first safari activity, where you can observe the specialized wildlife adapted to this arid environment, such as gemsbok, springbok, and the famous black-maned Kalahari lions.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at the lodge.

Meals Included: Dinner
Overnight: Great Tsau Hill Lodge 

Why Central Kalahari Game Reserve?

This region offers a distinct landscape characterized by ancient sand dunes, salt pans, and vast grasslands, providing a profound sense of space and seclusion.

Discover the Vast Horizons of the Central Kalahari

Full days in Central Kalahari

The next two days of your fully inclusive safari stay are dedicated to exploring the profound silence and unique biodiversity of the Central Kalahari. Life here follows a rhythmic pace; mornings often begin with a guided game drive to track predators while the air is cool, and afternoons allow for deeper observation of the flora and fauna that thrive in this arid ecosystem. 

Between activities, the lodge serves as a sanctuary for relaxation, offering views over the undulating landscape where the horizon seems endless.

Included Activities

• Game Drives: Day and night excursions adjusted to your preferences and weather conditions to track the region's unique predators and plains game.

• Bush Walks: A 2-to-3-hour guided exploration for those over 12, focusing on animal tracking, signs of the bush, and the potential for big game sightings alongside an experienced Nature Host.

• Nature Walks: A family-friendly 2-hour walk focused on the area’s "smaller miracles," including insects, birds, and desert flora.

• San Bushman Experience: A 3-hour journey with descendants of the San people to learn about the ancient culture of the planet's first people (one outing included per stay).

• eBike Safari: A silent, 2-to-3-hour glide through the bush for guests aged 12 and over, offering a sense of freedom and a non-intrusive way to approach wildlife (one outing included per stay).

• Sky Walk & Sundowners: A guided path up Great Tsau Hill for panoramic views of the Kalahari at sunset, followed by a "Journey of the Stars" to explore the southern heavens in an area with zero light pollution.

Optional Activities (Additional Supplement)

• Full Day with the Bushmen: An immersive day including tracking, food gathering, craft making, and the opportunity to witness a traditional trance dance.

• Fly Camps: A private mobile camp experience in a remote section of the concession, featuring dome tents and meals prepared over an open fire.

• Scenic Helicopter Flights: Aerial tours starting from 30 minutes, providing a perspective of the vastness of the CKGR.

• Additional eBike Safaris: Further silent cycling excursions through the open pans.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (fully inclusive)
Overnight: Great Tsau Hill Lodge

Into the Vastness of the Makgadikgadi

Your transition from the desert to your next destination begins with a final morning game drive and breakfast at the lodge.

Following check-out, you will depart for the return journey to Maun International Airport (MUB), a drive of approximately 215 km that takes between 3 hours 30 minutes and 4 hours. Upon arrival at the airport, a representative from your next lodge will be waiting to meet you and facilitate your transfer to the following stage of your itinerary.

The subsequent road transfer covers 90 km (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes), leading you deeper into a new ecosystem. After a warm welcome and check-in at your new accommodation, take some time to relax and absorb the surroundings before your afternoon sundowner game drive commences.

As the sun begins to set, you will return to the lodge to enjoy dinner and reflect on the day’s journey.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Overnight: Leopard Plains

Why Makgadikgadi Pans National Park?

Its vast, otherworldly landscapes create a powerful sense of true wilderness.  The endless salt pans create dramatic scenery, incredible sunsets, and unique wildlife experiences, including seasonal zebra migrations, flamingos, and meerkats. It’s a place of striking beauty, quiet isolation, and unforgettable African skies.

Wildlife Encounters Between the Kalahari and the Pans

The next two days of your full-board stay are dedicated to exploring the terrain between the Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans. This region functions as a transition zone where different ecosystems meet, providing a location for observing the wildlife of central Botswana.

Your mornings begin at sunrise with a guided game drive to track resident species while the air is cool and animal activity is most frequent. Following the drive, you will return to the lodge for breakfast. The midday hours are reserved for lunch and rest, allowing you to use the lodge facilities during the heat of the day.

In the late afternoon, you will depart on a sundowner game drive to observe the landscape and wildlife as the light shifts. These excursions conclude with a stop at sunset before you return to the lodge for your evening meal. The proximity to the salt pans offers the opportunity to observe the specialized flora and fauna adapted to this specific environment.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (full board)
Overnight: Leopard Plains

Why Nxai Pans National Park?

Nxai Pans National Park is characterized by expansive grasslands and striking baobab trees. Seasonal wildlife, including zebra and wildebeest migrations, can be observed alongside a variety of birdlife and predators. The park offers serene landscapes, dramatic skies, and a tranquil safari experience away from the more frequented areas

Embrace the Rugged Beauty of the Savuti Marsh

Your transition from the dry acacia woodlands of the Kalahari borderlands to the renowned Savuti Marsh begins with a final morning game drive and breakfast at the lodge. Following check-out, you will depart for the return journey to Maun International Airport (MUB), a drive of approximately 90 km that takes about 1 hour 15 minutes.

Upon arrival at the airport, you will board a scheduled charter flight (50-minutes) destined for the Savuti Airstrip. This flight offers a spectacular perspective of the shifting Botswana landscape as you move toward the heart of Chobe National Park. On arrival, a representative will meet you for a 40-minute road transfer to your next destination, providing an initial opportunity to observe the unique topography and wildlife of this region.

After a warm welcome and check-in at your new accommodation, you will have time to enjoy high tea and relax while absorbing the vast views. In the afternoon, your exploration continues with a game activity to witness the legendary predator activity of the area. As the day concludes, you will return to the lodge for dinner and a quiet evening overlooking the marsh.

Meals Included:   Breakfast, HighTea, Dinner
Overnight: Ghoha Hills Savuti Lodge 

Why Savuti – Chobe National Park?

Savuti is characterized by its rugged marshlands, volcanic hills, and a mysterious channel that defines the life cycles of its inhabitants. The region is widely recognized for its high concentration of predators, particularly large lion prides and hyena clans, offering some of the most intense wildlife viewing in Botswana. Beyond the predators, the landscape is home to ancient San rock paintings and clusters of centuries-old baobabs, providing a sense of history that complements the natural surroundings. It is a destination of dramatic contrasts, offering a raw and profound safari experience within the heart of Chobe National Park.

An Invitation to the Savuti Plains

The next two days of your all-inclusive stay are dedicated to uncovering the rugged landscapes of the Savuti, an area defined by the legacy of its ancient channel.

Your mornings begin at sunrise with guided game drives in open 4 x 4 safari vehicles, navigating private roads and secluded waterholes to observe resident wildlife during their most active hours.

A central feature of your visit is a full-day excursion into the Savuti Marsh  (min 2 night stay) to visit the "Baobab Theatre" and the ancient Bushman Rock Paintings at Pimple Hills. This journey provides a quiet look into the region's geological and human history, complemented by a picnic lunch served in the field.

As the afternoon light softens, you will enjoy sundowner drives across the marsh, concluding with a stop at sunset before returning to the lodge. These days also offer ample opportunity for birdwatching and guided stargazing under the vast Botswana sky.

Meals Included:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (fully inclusive)
Overnight: Ghoha Hills Savuti Lodge 

From Savuti Sands to Delta Waters

Your morning begins with a choice: a leisurely hot breakfast at the lodge or an early visit to the hide for coffee and rusks. After a final short game circuit en-route to the Savuti Airstrip, a 40-minute road transfer brings you to your scheduled charter flight. The journey unfolds with a 45-minute flight to Jedibe Airstrip, where a 30-minute scenic boat transfer carries you deep into the Okavango Delta to reach Setari.

Upon arrival, settle in and enjoy lunch followed by a relaxed afternoon. Your exploration of this water wilderness begins with an afternoon boat safari, navigating the vibrant channels and lagoons. The day concludes with a tranquil dinner at the lodge, overlooking the floodplains.

Meals Included:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: Setari Camp 

Why Okavango Delta?

The Okavango Delta is a geological miracle where the Kalahari sands transform into a lush, water-rich labyrinth of lagoons and palm-fringed islands. This UNESCO World Heritage site offers a pure "water-wilderness" experience, defined by the tranquil channels and lily-covered lagoons of the inner Delta. It serves as a sanctuary for specialized species like the rare, aquatic Sitatunga antelope and the elusive Pel’s Fishing Owl, best explored by boat or traditional mokoro. It is a destination of profound tranquility, where the rhythmic ebb and flow of the floodwaters creates one of the most vibrant and unique ecosystems on Earth.

An Exploration of the Water Wilderness

The next two days of your all-inclusive stay at Setari Camp are dedicated to the serene world of the Okavango Delta, where life is dictated by the gentle flow of the floodwaters.

Your mornings begin on the water, exploring deep channels by motorized boat or gliding silently through lily-covered lagoons in a traditional mokoro. These excursions offer an intimate look at the Delta’s specialized inhabitants, from tiny painted reed frogs to the elusive, aquatic Sitatunga antelope. You may also join guided nature walks on remote islands to track wildlife on foot and discover the intricate flora of this unique ecosystem.

As the afternoon light softens, you will enjoy sunset boat cruises to witness the Delta’s spectacular birdlife, keeping a keen eye out for the rare and prized Pel’s Fishing Owl. Each day concludes with sundowners on the water and a tranquil dinner at the lodge, immersed in the peaceful symphony of the Delta night.

Meals Included:   Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (fully inclusive)
Overnight: Setari Camp 

Journey to 4 Rivers

Start your morning with breakfast at the lodge before a 30-minute boat transfer to Seronga. From there, your "aerial safari" begins with a light aircraft flight to the 4 Rivers Airstrip, where you will be met by your guide and transferred to camp with a short 20-minute game drive en route.

After settling into your tent and enjoying a freshly prepared lunch, take some time to relax and soak in the tranquil Tsum Tsum river views from camp.

Later in the afternoon, head out on your first game drive. As the sun sets, pause for a traditional sundowner in the bush before continuing into the evening. Night drives with spotlights offer the chance to encounter nocturnal wildlife before returning to camp for dinner and a relaxed evening around the fire.

Meals Included:  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight: 4 Rivers 

Why Kwara Private Concession?

The western side of Kwara Private Concession offers a true wilderness experience in a remote and uncrowded part of the Okavango Delta. You can enjoy exceptional wildlife viewing, from elephants and sable antelope to predators, in pristine, varied habitats including floodplains, woodland islands, and permanent channels. With fewer visitors and highly skilled guides and trackers, this area provides an intimate and immersive safari, perfect for those seeking both adventure and the tranquility of untouched wilderness.

Full Days at 4 Rivers Camp: A Remote Delta Wilderness

Life at 4 Rivers Camp unfolds in a pristine and lesser-explored corner of the Okavango Delta, where permanent waterways meet open floodplains and wooded islands. Over two full days, you will explore this diverse ecosystem, known for its rich wildlife and beautifully varied landscapes. From elephants gathering along the channels to herds of plains game moving across the floodplains, each outing offers a different perspective on this remarkable wilderness.

Guided by an experienced guide and tracker team, you’ll venture out on game drives that allow for off-road exploration and in-depth tracking, increasing your chances of memorable wildlife encounters, including predators and the elusive African wild dog. The focus here is on a flexible and immersive safari experience, shaped by the rhythm of the bush.

As evening falls, head out on a night drive to discover the Delta’s nocturnal side, where spotlights reveal a hidden world of smaller predators and fascinating night-active species.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (fully inclusive)
Overnight: 4 Rivers Camp

Final Morning & Departure

Wake for one last morning game drive, watching the sunrise paint the floodplains in gold as the bush awakens.

After a final breakfast at the lodge, a short road transfer brings you to the airstrip for your scenic light aircraft flight to Maun. Taking to the skies one last time, you can enjoy a bird’s-eye view of the winding river systems and vast wilderness below.

Arriving in Maun, you will connect seamlessly with your international departure flight, carrying with you the indelible sights and sounds of the Botswana wild.

Meals Included:   Breakfast
Overnight:  — (In transit / international flight)

Why End in Maun?

As the gateway to the Okavango, Maun bridges the wilderness and international flights, offering a smooth and convenient finale to your trip.