14 Days Botswana Wild Parks Safari

JOHANNESBURG to KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY [chalets]

(B=breakfast, L=lunch D=dinner)

Departing Johannesburg at 06:30 am we head north into Botswana and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust is a community-based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state, and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. This reserve situated on the Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhinos, zebra, and wildebeest.

Distance/time:       ±650km, 7h30 actual driving time, so with a border crossing and lunch stop we expect a total travel day of ±9h30. This is a long travel day for us to a special overnight stop.

Overnight:               Khama Rhino Sanctuary, 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms. WiFi available at reception and restaurant. OR Similar 

MAUN [lodge ]

We drive through the Kalahari to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Since Maun’s founding in 1915 as the capital of the Batawana people, it has had a reputation as a hard-living ‘Wild West’ town helping the local cattle ranching and safari operations. The name is Maun is derived from the San word ‘Maung’, which translates as ‘the place of short reeds’.

Distance/time:       ±520km, 6h30 actual driving time. We leave Khama relatively early to arrive in Maun midday to shop for delta supplies, so expect a travel day of ±8h00.

Overnight:               Island Safari Lodge,, chalet - twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. Wifi is available in the main area only. OR Similar 

OKAVANGO DELTA [tented camp for the next 2 nights]

We drive into the Okavango Delta to the launch station where we board our mekoro and pole to our tented camp in the heart of the largest inland delta in the world. This amazing environment has large numbers of red lechwe, buffalo, elephants, and birds, particularly kingfishers! One of the best experiences in the Okavango Delta is to be poled along reed-lined channels in a mokoro (dug-out canoe). Sit back and relax as the water gurgles gently under the mokoro while your skilled poler points out the fauna and flora.

Distance/time:       ±50km, 2h00 actual driving time to mekoro station. Mokoro ride to camp is dependent on campsite location so overall travel time for the day ±6h30.

Overnight:               Wilderness tented camping - 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each tent has twin camp beds with linen and an en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire. Tents have built-in insect nets. We need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild tented camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. The wilderness tented camp supplies all linen blankets and pillows. The camp chairs have a backrest. You will need to bring your own towel. WiFi not available.

MOREMI  for the next 3 nights (tented bush lodge)

We take an open 4WD into Moremi Game Reserve for fantastic game viewing! Chief’s Island is the largest landmass within Moremi and was the Batswana tribe’s richest hunting ground before being declared a game reserve by the tribe. We spend 4 days on game drives watching the abundant wildlife including elephants, hippos, buffalo, lions & other game, both in Moremi Game Reserve and in private concession reserves surrounding the park.

For an extraordinary wildlife experience, we have a session in an underground hide. As the only water source in the area, wildlife is attracted to this waterhole, particularly the large bull elephants. You are so close to these magnificent creatures that you can hear them breathing.

Distance/time:       ±150km, 4h00 actual driving time but it’s a rough 4x4 route, and with a mokoro ride start, lunch stop and game viewing en-route we expect a full travel day of ±10h00 subject to sunset time.

Overnight:               3x nights Elephant Pools Lodge – exclusive private tented bush lodge in Khwai Private Reserve, bordering Moremi Game Reserve. Twin-share permanent tented lodge with en-suite facilities. WiFi is not available. OR Similar 

We return to Maun midday on day 8 for an evening restaurant meal (own expense).

1x night Maun Island Safari Lodge, chalet - twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. Wifi available in main area only. OR Similar 

MAKGADIKGADI PANS [tented lodge or chalets]

We have time for an optional game flight over the Okavango before we head to Nata (own expense). The shimmering saltpans of Makgadikgadi appear as a glaring white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as thousands of wildebeest and zebra migrate to the sweet nutritious grasslands and clouds of flamingo feed in its algae rich waters. It is an area of low rainfall, so this spectacle only lasts a short while. (Please note due to high rainfall in the area over the last few years that there is water in the section of the pans we visit)

Distance/time:       ±320km, 4h00 actual driving time. It's a relatively flat, straight road so with stops and lunch the total travel for the day is ±5h00.

Overnight:               Nata Lodge – twin share luxury tents with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. (or Pelican Lodge, – Chalets with en suite facilities). WiFi available at restaurant. OR Similar 

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK for the next two nights [lodge ]

The Chobe River is a stunning feature of Botswana and will be the focus of our lodge stay. The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. An Early morning 4WD game drive in the Chobe National Park and an afternoon game viewing “sundowner” cruise to see the mighty elephant herds return to the Chobe River to quench their thirst.

Distance/time:       ±300km, 4h00 actual driving time. We leave early and aim for a midday arrival with total travel for the day of ±4h30.

Overnight:               Thebe River Safaris – twin room with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. Wifi available in main area only. OR Similar

VICTORIA FALLS, ZIMBABWE for the next two nights [hotel]

We visit “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” - Victoria Falls. These magnificent falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world. A rich and fertile rain forest, fed by the spray or “smoke”, surrounds the falls attracting colourful birdlife. Opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungee jump, or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).  

Distance/time:       ±70km, 1h00 actual driving time. It's not a long way, but the border can be busy and slow, so we anticipate a total travel day of ±3h00.

Overnight:               Shearwater Explorers Village, twin rooms with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, restaurant, bar and telephone. Wifi available.

Explorer the Adventurous Victoria Falls

Tour ends after breakfast 

End of your amazing Botswana & Zimbabwe Aventures