Desert & delta

BOTSWANA + ZIMBABWE

This safari encompasses most of the ecosystems in Botswana. From the parched, desolate salt pans to the verdant Okavango Delta waterways and seasonal floodplains. You will explore the banks of the wide Chobe River and the remote Savute savannah - and you will gasp in awe at the sight of the smoke that thunders - Victoria Falls. The wildlife that thrives in these landscapes is as astonishing as it is varied.

You will be entranced and awed, but most importantly, you will go back home appreciating WATER for what it means to us all ...

Water and the lack thereof. We follow the wildlife from desolate salt pans to deep permanent lagoons and seasonal floodplains

Overview

Length: 11 days / 10 nights - but we will amend it to suit your needs
Group Size: Flexible – you tell us how many are in your party
Location: Botswana and Zimbabwe
Departure Dates: To suit you

from US$ 5,570 per person sharing
VICTORIA FALLS

Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the Seven Wonders of the World.It’s also an adventure centre of note. You could stay in Vic Falls for ages and enjoy a different activity every day, from bungee jumping, gorge swinging and white water rafting, to helicopter and microlight flights (a.k.a the flight of angels), sunset boat and steam train cruises, horse riding, game drives, canoe trips, and so much more. WHAT TO DO in Vic Falls: click here and scroll down to 'Things to do in Victoria Falls'.

During your stay on the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls, walk across the bridge to visit the Zambian side, which offers an exhilarating walk across the ‘Knife-edge Bridge’, a close-up view of the ‘Boiling Pot’ (a scary whirlpool at the base of the falls) and, for the really adventurous, a dip in the famous ‘Devil’s Pool‘.

Just wandering the streets of this quaint town is a memorable experience as you negotiate for souvenirs, dodge warthogs (and elephants!), hang out with locals and sample a range of restaurants and bars.


CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

The Chobe Riverfront near the town of Kasane attracts massive herds of elephants and buffaloes in the dry season, offering fantastic photographic opportunities as they bathe and drink in the late afternoon sunlight. And the remote inland Savute Marsh is the stuff of legends for its large population of lions that target buffalo herds.

Wildlife of Chobe National Park includes four of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant and buffalo – only rhinos are absent), many antelope species (including the only population of puku in Botswana), zebras, giraffes and good populations of cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs, as well as a plethora of smaller species such as serval, aardwolf, pangolin, aardvark and bat-eared fox. Birding in northern Chobe can be rewarding, with over 450 species.


OKAVANGO DELTA

The Okavango Delta is a lush wilderness of papyrus, impenetrable reed beds, grassy floodplains, tree-covered islands and a complex network of water channels of varying depths, engineered and maintained by hippos and elephants.

Some areas are permanently underwater, and others only when the rejuvenated annual floodwaters arrive from Angola. This constant ebb and flow of water has created one of the most fascinating and diverse ecosystems on the planet. Unsurprisingly, the Okavango Delta is both a RAMSAR Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Okavango Delta wildlife includes the Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino) – although rhinos are rarely seen – many antelope species, zebras, giraffes, hippos, crocodiles and good populations of cheetahs, hyenas and wild dogs, as well as a plethora of smaller species such as serval, aardwolf, pangolin, aardvark and bat-eared fox. You will see more wildlife in areas that are not permanently flooded.

A bucket list activity unique to this area is gliding down the myriad of waterways on a mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe). Video: sunset mokoro. Your poler guide will expertly slide the mokoro along channels surrounded by tall papyrus and reeds, giving you a unique perspective and photographic opportunity as you silently sneak up on birds, frogs, otters and possibly even larger animals such as hippos, crocodiles and elephants. A lucky few will see the elusive and wary sitatunga antelope.

Birdwatching can be spectacular, with over 400 species, including avian jewels such as Pel’s fishing owl, slaty egret, pygmy goose, crowned and wattled cranes, Western banded snake eagle, coppery-tailed coucal and colonies of incandescent carmine bee-eaters.


THE SALT PANS

On the eastern fringes of the Kalahari lies a collection of huge fossilised salt pans – desolate flat landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Surrounding the pans are expanses of grass and thorn trees, with the odd island of tall palm trees. It’s a picturesque landscape, very photogenic and seductive.

The most popular salt pans are the Makgadikgadi Pans (including Sua Pan – and its rocky Kubu Island, bedecked in massive baobab trees) and Nxai Pan (where you will find the famous and starkly stunning Baines’ Baobabs).

Wildlife viewing is seasonal and dependent on water – with some of the pans flooding after early summer rains, with peak water in January to March each year (rain-dependent), resulting in a flush of grass, flowers and flocks of greater flamingos arriving to breed. This is also when the unpredictable zebra migration arrives to take advantage of the food and water. During dry times the wildlife that moves around the area in search of sustenance includes lion, cheetah, brown and spotted hyenas, springbok, hartebeest, ostrich, elephant and smaller species like black-backed jackal, African wildcat and bat-eared fox.

2023 prices and dates

Lodges visited: Bayete Guest Lodge + Chobe Safari Lodge + Savute Safari Lodge + Camp Moremi + Leroo La Tau

11 Days / 10 Nights

3 Jan to Mar

Per person sharing

US$ 5,570

Per solo traveller

US$ 7,935

Apr to Jun & 1-14 Nov

Per person sharing

US$ 6,950

Per solo traveller

US$ 9,310

Jul to Oct

Per person sharing

US$ 8,370

Per solo traveller

US$ 10,735

15-30 Nov

Per person sharing

US$ 6,975

Per solo traveller

US$ 9,340

Dec

Per person sharing

US$ 5,670

Per solo traveller

US$ 8,030

**2023 Camp Closures: Leroo La Tau - 15 Jan to 01 Mar, Camp Moremi - 15 Feb to 01 Mar; Savute Safari Lodge - 15 Oct to 31 May 2024.

Includes:

  • Airport and inter-camp road and air transfers starting at Victoria Falls International airport and ending in Maun

  • 2 nights at Bayete Guest Lodge including breakfast (dinner & lunch available upon request), fully stocked bar for guest account,  Wifi.

  • 2 nights at Chobe Safari Lodge including 2x breakfast, 2x lunch, 2x dinner, 2x boat cruise, 2x game drive, 3 days park fees

  • Activities at Chobe Safari Lodge include game drives and boating (seasonal and water level dependent)

  • 4 x charter flights + departure airport taxes: Kasane to Savute Airstrip, Savute Airstrip to Camp Moremi, Camp Moremi to Leroo La Tau Airstrip, Leroo La Tau Airstrip to Maun Airport

  • 2 nights at Savute Safari Lodge, including meals, local drinks, activities, park fees, government levies, and laundry 

  • Activities at Savute Safari Lodge include day game drives

  • 2 nights at Camp Moremi, including meals, local drinks, activities, park fees, government levies & laundry

  • Activities at Camp Moremi include game drives and boating (seasonal and water level dependent)

  • 2 nights at Leroo La Tau, including meals, local drinks, activities, park fees, government levies & laundry

  • 27/7 office support

Excludes:

  • International flights to and from Maun 

  • Excess baggage charges

  • Visas

  • Travel & Medical Insurance, Visa fees if applicable

  • COVID tests

  • All park fees at Victoria Falls 

  • All premium brand drinks

  • Telephone calls

  • All items of a personal nature, including gratuities,

Lodges visited: Waterberry Zambezi Lodge + Muchenje Safari Lodge + Splash Camp + Pom Pom Camp + Nxai Pan Camp

11 Days / 10 Nights

Jan to Mar

Per person sharing

US$ 7,620

Per solo traveller

US$ 7,730

Apr to Jun

Per person sharing

US$ 9,965

Per solo traveller

US$ 11,655

Jul to Oct

Per person sharing

US$ 11,905

Per solo traveller

US$ 14,085

Nov

Per person sharing

US$ 8,080

Per solo traveller

US$ 8,790

Dec

Per person sharing

US$ 7,830

Per solo traveller

US$ 7,940

*A festive season surcharge applies per person per night 20 Dec - 04 Jan  
*Bookings of more than 2 singles will incur extra costs

Includes:

  • Airport and inter-camp road and air transfers starting at Livingstone International airport and ending in Maun

  • 4 x charter flights: Kasane to Kwara Camp Airstrip, Kwara Camp Airstrip to Pom Pom Airstrip, Pom Pom Airstrip to Nxai Pan Airstrip, Nxai Pan Airstrip to Maun Airport

  • 2 nights at Waterberry Zambezi Lodge including meals, snacks, local drinks, two in-house activities per day, WiFi and laundry

  • In house activities at Waterberry include a Victoria Falls visit (both Zambia and Zimbabwe sides), sunset, daytime or dawn river cruises, fishing, island picnics, guided birding, guided village walk, guided tour of the town and local markets.

  • 2 nights at Muchenje Safari Lodge including meals, local drinks, activities, laundry and park fees

  • Activities at Muchenje Safari Lodge include unlimited safari activities, full day Chobe excursion including river cruise, night drives, guided safari walks, mokoro trips (water levels permitting), and village trip

  • 2 nights at Splash Camp including meals, local drinks, activities, park fees, emergency medical evacuation cover & laundry

  • Activities at Splash include day & night game drives, guided walks and seasonal boat cruises, mokoro excursions and basic fishing (seasonal & depending on water levels)

  • 2 nights at Pom Pom Camp including meals, local drinks, activities, park fees, emergency medical evacuation cover & laundry

  • Activities at Pom Pom Camp include day & night drives, mokoro, guided nature walking (have to be requested in advance) & bird watching. When water levels permit boating is also offered

  • 2 nights at Nxai Pan Camp including meals, local drinks,  activities, park fees, emergency medical evacuation cover & laundry

  • Activities at Nxai Pan Camp include game drives, and Bushman nature walk experience.

  • 24/7 office support

Excludes:

  • International flights

  • Travel & Medical Insurance

  • Visa fees if applicable

  • COVID tests

  • Porterage

  • All premium brand drinks

  • All items of a personal nature

  • Any activity not specified on the itinerary

  • Gratuities

Why us

Why us

We live here, in Africa, and have been doing this since 1991. Travel in Africa is about knowing when and where to go, and with whom. A few weeks too early / late or a few kilometers off course and you could miss the greatest show on Earth. And wouldn’t that be a pity?

Trust and safety

Trust & Safety

We are members of:
African Travel & Tourism Association (ATTA)
Southern African Tourism Services Association (SATSA)
✔️ Have Integrity ✔️ Are Legitimate
✔️ Are Audited ✔️ Are Insured

We are insured by Sutcliffe & Co (UK)

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Make a difference

Make a difference

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