ULTIMATE BOTSWANA SAFARI

Welcome to beautiful South Africa and the start of our Adventure We'll kick off with an important trip briefing at 18:00 followed by an (optional) group dinner at the hotel restaurant to welcome our fellow travelers.

Beautiful stop-over before we head into Botswana tomorrow. We will depart 6am and travel to VoëlParadys (Birds Paradise) We will stop in Lephalale for shopping to get any essentials or items you may have forgotten, then head to our lodge and spend the afternoon at leisure enjoying the views and local wildlife on your doorstep.

This morning we leave South Africa behind and make our way through the border and onto Elephant Sands, a Botswana citizen-owned conservancy on privately owned land. Here you can get up close to the elephants drinking just a few meters away, a unique experience! There are no fences around the accommodation, so other wild animals also roam freely.

“Mosi-oa-Tunya“ -The Smoke That Thunders Today we travel to Victoria Falls in Livingston, Zambia. After breakfast we'll do a quick shop stop before heading to the border where we will cross into Zambia. NOTE: This is one of the busiest border crossings in Africa. A lot of patience, bright smiles, and an ice cold drink which we’ll buy from the local vendors and we’re A-for-away! Thereafter we will travel just over 70 kilometers to Zambezi Waterfront where we’ll be stationed for the next 3 nights. One of my favorite spots in Africa! Once we've settled and freshened up, we will hop onto the Mv Makumbi for a sunset boat cruise. We will spend the morning of day 2 at the Victoria Falls on the Zambian side. You have the option to visit the Zimbabwean side this afternoon or join one of the optional activities listed below. Day 3 - List of optional activities available: * Enjoy the magnificent beauty of the Batoka Gorge by rafting the most exciting and challenging rapids on the planet with White Water Rafting Victoria Falls. * Loads of fun things to do from microlights to helicopter flights over Victoria Falls Still unsure…..or want to do something more mellow? Explore the spectacular landscapes surrounding Livingstone and Batoka Gorge on an all-terrain quad bikes. * Enjoy glorious scenery and birding on the Zambezi River in a canoe. Or simply relax next to the pool and take a stroll through the markets in town.

Today we head back to Kasane where we'll spend two nights at Chobe Safaris Lodge, bordering Chobe National Park. Be on the lookout for Ellies, Giraffes, Southern Ground Hornbills (currently on the endangered species list), and much more. We will stop in town for some shopping, ATMs, and Bureau de Change, then head to our oasis for the night. Don't be surprised to see some wildlife roaming the streets and or taking a nap in front of the bank. We'll then freshen up and head out for a sunset cruise, exploring and taking in the most breathtaking sunset while spotting wild animals and an abundance of birdlife and end the night off with a delicious dinner and some“bush tv” Chobe National Park is unlike any other Park that you can tour in Africa. It is home to one of the largest concentrations of elephants on the continent and is at the epicenter of Botswana's great zebra migration, which is why you will have one of the best safari experiences on an early morning game drive on day two of our stay. Upon return, we’ll have a hearty brunch waiting and you can spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure in the pool overlooking the river.

Our next destination is White Sands, the only Lodge situated within the Bwabwata National Park directly at the Popa Falls which is one of the main attractions in the area. A family-run community project providing fun and entertainment for both adults and kids. One of the most amazing cultural experiences as we meet the Khoisan people for a short walk where we can test our skills forging an arrow or braiding a bracelet from papyrus or simply learn about the traditions of the local tribe.

Once again we cross into Botswana where we’ll stay at Swampstop conveniently located 350 km from Maun where we’ll enter the Okavango Delta. Although just a stop-over, our camp for tonight boasts with a raised bird viewing deck where guests can enjoy serene River front days and evenings watching the resident otters, crocodiles and abundant bird life. Relax, regroup as the next few days will be full of surprise and excitement.

Get ready for a bumpy ride as we travel to Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta. Although it retains a rural atmosphere and local tribesmen continue to bring their cattle to Maun to sell. The community is distributed along the wide banks of the Thamalakane where red lechwe can still be seen grazing next to local donkeys, goats and cattle. We’ll arrive in town around lunch time, do a full shop and fuel up in the adventure capital of Botswana before heading back to Sitatunga Camp where we’ll be based for the next 3 nights.

An early start as we get onto our 4x4 vehicles which will drive us to the Mokoro (dug out canoe) Station. We will then hop into a mokoro then make our way through the narrow waterways of the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and witness a combination of aquatic game, amazing bird species and breathtaking landscapes. Tonight we will truly be in the wild, where our host Polers/Guides will host us to amazing stories, song and dance around our campfire.

After a beautiful early morning walk in the Okavango Delta, we'll have a delicious breakfast then pack up and head back to Sitatunga for a well deserved hot bush shower. We will have lunch at camp, then head into town for shopping and quick stop at the markets for some gift shopping. You also have the option to hop onto a 5 or 7 seater Cessna for the most spectacular views of the Okavango Delta from the air.  You might also be treated to viewings of large fields of buffalo, roaming elephants, a journey of giraffe, and wallowing hippos. 

With a long drive day ahead, we set out early towards Khama Rhino Sanctuary where we’ll spend our last afternoon searching for rhinos. Established in 1989 due to growing concern over the then escalating prevalence of rhino poaching in Botswana. Khama Rhino Sanctuary offers prime habitat for endangered white and black rhino as well as over 30 diverse animal species and more than 230 species of birds. Once abundant in Botswana, these peaceful giants were on the brink of local extinction in the early 1980s, despite being granted protected status since 1922.

After a magical trip crossing between 4 countries, our African adventure comes to an end. Early start as we cross the border at Maartin’s drift into South Africa and on to Or Thambo International Airport where we unfortunately have to part ways. If you're wanting to catch an outgoing international flight, it's important to book it for early evening or later, to allow for delays that we may encounter. Until our next adventure. Safari Njema! (Travel Safe)