9 Days Discover Botswana (Kasane to Kasane)

This camping safari takes you to four of Botswana's most famous protected areas. The Chobe National Park is Botswana’s first and is thus the oldest National Park in Botswana with an unbelievably huge population of elephants estimated to exceed 120,000. The Chobe is Botswana's third largest park, after Central Kalahari Game Reserve and Kalahari-Gemsbok National Park, and is the most biologically diverse teaming with one of the greatest concentrations of game in all of Africa. The Okavango Delta, as one of the most famous areas in Africa, probably needs no introduction. The Moremi Game Reserve is also world renowned as one of the most beautiful and species-rich animal reserves in Africa.

Our well trained and experienced guides will guide you on your journey and give you a deep insight into not only the wildlife of Botswana, but also the land and its people.

Itinerary

Day 1: Kasane, Botswana - Chobe National Park, Botswana

*Travel distance: approx. 85 km; driving time approx. 2 hours

The group meets at 13:00 in Nandos Kasane for a briefing by the Safari Guide and his team. Those travelling from Zimbabwe into Botswana will be picked up at Border-Crossing and driven to Kasane. Those arriving at Kasane airport will be met accordingly on arrival. The afternoon will then be spent on game drive within the Chobe National Park. The shores of the Chobe River are particularly impressive due to their biodiversity with many different representatives of the African wildlife such as lions, hippos, buffaloes, grass antelopes, the very rare wild dogs and sable antelopes. Participants who are already in Kasane in the morning can take a boat safari on the Chobe River if they are interested (not included in the price).

Day’s activities:

• Airport/Boarder pick-up

• Morning Boat Cruise (not included)

• Afternoon Game Drive

• Lunch, Dinner

• Overnight stay in the lodge (1 night, included)

Day 2: Chobe National Park, Botswana (Savuti region)

*Travel distance: approx. 180 km; driving time about 4-5 hours

In the morning after breakfast and after the camp is dismantled, drive to the south-western part of Chobe National Park, the Savuti region. Here you pass the village Kachikau, the Chobe Forest Reserve and drive through the Goha Gate. Irrigated by the Savuti Channel of the Okavango, the area is famous for its migration of zebras, kudu, impala, wildebeest and, of course, most famously for its predators esp. lions. After arriving and setting up the camp, lunch will be served. In the afternoon, we will take you of a game drive through the area with very good chances to experience leopards up close. In the evening you return to the camp, where a delicious dinner awaits you. Round off the day at the campfire under a stunning starry sky surrounded by sounds of wildlife.

Day’s activities:

• Drive to Savuti

• Set camp

• Late afternoon Game Drive

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Overnight camping (1 night)

Day 3: Chobe National Park, Botswana - Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana

*Travel distance: approx. 100 km; pure driving time about 4 hours

In the early morning set off for Moremi Game Reserve. After setting up the camp for the night and eating lunch, spend the afternoon on a game drive in the game reserve. The Moremi Game Reserve is one of the finest wildlife reserves on the African continent. Go on a search for animals that you have not been able to get before the camera lens!

Day’s activities:

• Drive to Moremi Game Reserve

• Set camp

• Afternoon Game Drive

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

• Overnight camping (1 night)

Day 4: Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana - Maun, Botswana

*Driving distance: approx. 130 km; driving time about 4 hours

In the morning, we embark on an early morning game drive and after breakfast break camp and head south towards Maun. On this route we drive through the reserve and its adjacent wildlife-rich areas (the Xini area and Khwai Concession). We reach Maun in the afternoon and have lunch straight away in a pre-selected restaurant. (Those on the 4-Day-Trip, from Kasane to Maun, your journey ends here after lunch). After lunch we have a relaxed afternoon at the lodge and enjoy civilisation and its amenities. We offer a laundry service here in Maun (not included).

In the evening embark on a relaxed sunset boat cruise on the Thamalakane and the Boro River. And then head back to the lodge for dinner and a good night sleep in great comfort.

****For families and group bookings we offer on request what we call “Dinner with Grandma”.. where our family will welcome you to a bonfire and traditional meal with our grandmother. We get the privilege of learning more about the people of Ngamiland, the tribes and vast cultures as well as the lands, esp. Chobe, Okavango and Moremi from the horse’s mouth as she explains how they lived, travelled and migrated through the wetlands in the olden days, even before Botswana was defined as a country.****

Please note that this is a genuinely exclusive offer; at no extra cost as we strive to allow you to “Discover Botswana”. It is there not always guaranteed.

Day’s activities:

• Game drives

• Drive to Maun

• Boat cruise

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Maun, Botswana - Okavango Delta, Botswana

Travel route: Mekoro rides in the delta

The mighty Okavango River, fanning inwards into Botswana, forms the largest inland delta in the world - the Okavango Delta. Maun is the gateway to this world famous place. The group takes a day trip in "Mekoros" (dugout canoes) through the countless waterways and hidden lagoons of the delta. The Mekoros are moved by so-called "Polers", who all come from the surrounding villages and are well versed in this maze of waterways. The delta is a unique area where extremely dry land meets the water. In about 3-4 hours within the delta you get a very good impression of this unforgettable landscape. On this day, optional activities (on-site and in cash) can be booked, such as: Helicopter tours, scenic flights over the Okavango or horseback riding.

Day’s activities:

• Explore the Okavango on the Mokoro

• Overnight at the lodge

• Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6: Maun, Botswana - Makgadikgadi salt pans.

*Driving distance: approx. 240 km; driving time about 2 hours

After a relaxed breakfast in the camp, we leave Maun for Makgadikgadi salt pans. On route we will get to explore the wildlife-rich and more greener Khumaga area The pans shimmer from afar on the edge of the Kalahari basin. Depending on the season, we will make a stopover at the Green's Baobab, to admire the site, which as a species is among the largest trees on our planet. 15 km to the south of Green’s Baobab used to be the Chapman's Baobab, which was often referred to as one of the largest and oldest trees in Africa until its collapse in 2016.

The Makgadikgadi Pans– with an area of 3 900 sq. kms is situated in the middle of the dry savanna of north-eastern Botswana. It is one of the largest salt flats in the world. The pan is all that remains of the formerly enormous Lake Makgadikgadi. It is technically not a single pan but many pans with sandy desert in between. Although mostly dry and harsh in nature, this are is not to be underestimated as it teams with an wide array of well adapted wildlife. This includes eland, lions, zebras, cheetah, gemsbok, springbok, red hartebeest, bushbuck, giraffe, steenbok, elephants and many more. We will explore this area and retire to our camp in the evening.

On this trip this night is a special one as you get to spend the night outdoors on the salt pans, covered only by the star tent and your sleeping bag. A night that you will not forget! (Please note that this experience is highly weather/and or season dependent)

Day’s activities:

• Drive to Makgadikgadi

• Game drive

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Makgadikgadi National Park-Nxai Pan National Park (Baines Baobabs)

*Driving distance: approx. 70 km or 90 km (depending on the seasonal routes); driving time about 3 hours.

After breakfast we break camp and drive through the Makgadikgadi heading north towards the Nxai Pan National Park.. a small national treasure well known for housing the world famous Baine’s Baobabs. These need no introduction. After arrival setting camp we will explore the area, similar in nature to its sister park; the Makgadikgadi, the Nxa provides a great opportunity to experience and learn the wildlife dynamics and laws of nature around water-holes that punctuate this harsh lands. We retire to our camp in the evening for dinner and a good night sleep.

Day 8: Nxai Pan National Park - Nata Bird Sanctuary.

*Driving distance: approx. 160 km; driving time about 3 hours.

After a relaxed breakfast we break camp and continue eastwards to Nata. Here we will marvel at the sight of the Nata Bird Sanctuary. This is a 230-sq-km community-run wildlife sanctuary and was formed voluntarily by the locals relocating their farmlands and cattle to established this protected area northeastern end of Sowa Pan. It is now traversed by network of tracks throughout and holds its place among the “worth a visit” places in Botswana. It is home to more than 165 species of birds. On top of this, the sanctuary protects also antelope, zebras, jackals, foxes, monkeys etc. It's at its best during the wet season when the sanctuary becomes a haven for Cape and Hottentot teals, white and pink-backed pelicans and greater and lesser flamingos. We will explore the area and spend the night here.

Day 9: Nata Bird Sanctuary - Kasane, Botswana.

*Driving distance: approx. 300 km; driving time 3 hours.

Today the return transfer to Kasane takes place with a pure driving time just under 3 hours. The route passes through Pandamatenga, the only large scale commercial crop-growing area in Botswana. On the way, elephants and sable antelopes can be spotted. We will arrive in Kasane before lunch and get to enjoy the last meal together. This journey will end here. Those connecting to Victoria Falls and Livingstone will be handed-over at the Border-Crossing around 14:00 hrs to their next adventures. The night’s stay in Kasane is not included in this trip but would easily arranged on request.

• These trip is great as a family adventure and could be arranged and tailored to you with hotel/lodge stay and additional activities esp. in Makgadikgadi e.g Quardbike Tours, Meerkats Experience, Gweta village tour; just to mention a few.

• Family travellers can enjoy up to 20 % discount according to our Family-Travel Policy.

• Group booking of 8 or more will also enjoy this adventure on a discounted price.

Included services:

• Itinerary as described (prices per person, based on a minimum of 4 travellers)

• 3 Lodge stay (unless otherwise tailored)

• 5 camping nights (2-persons sharing)

• Camping beds and mattresses

• Toilet tent for general use

• Shower tent for general use

• Professional, licensed and experienced English speaking safari guide

• Transport during safari in the safari vehicle and dugout canoe

• Meals as indicated

• All national park and camping fees

Not included services:

• Flights (national and international)

• Laundry services and personal toiletries

• Drinks and meals not mentioned above

• Visa

• optional activities

• gratuities

• personal expenses

• Private travel insurance