Compare Botswana Wilderness Safari by Wild About Africa vs Botswana Highlights by Intrepid Travel

Day 1 - Victoria Falls
On arrival at Livingstone Airport in Zambia you are met and embark straight onto a tour of the spectacular Victoria Falls. At 1,708 metres wide in full flood, the Victoria Falls is the largest curtain of water in the world, and one of its seven natural wonders. After you've had your fill of the Falls you drive west, to spend a very comfortable night at the lovely Toka Leya. Set along the Zambezi's riverbank, each of the raised en suite rooms here is spacious with an open plan lounge and bedroom, and a private deck with spectacular views. The lodge's main areas include an open-sided, comfortable lounge, a pool and nearby bar area, and a campfire below - all with views over the Zambezi River.
Includes dinner.

Day 2 - Chobe River & Linyanti Reserve
After breakfast you transfer to Livingstone Airport and leave Zambia and the Victoria Falls behind by taking short flight transfer Botswana. Your destination is Kasane Airport, and from there it's a quick transfer to the Chobe River.

Along the riverfront area of Chobe National Park the game viewing is often better from the river than from a safari vehicle, as the animals come down to the water during the heat of the day. Therefore we settle you aboard a shaded boat for a stunning adventure cruising along the Chobe River - watching the area's vast herds of elephant and buffalo come to drink, as well as a host of antelope. Sable antelope are often found here and you'll have your first opportunity to see puku - an antelope only found in a select few areas of Africa. There are also good chances of spotting the shy Chobe bushbuck.

Once back at the boat station, you board a vehicle and transfer back to Kasane Airport where a light aircraft wants to fly you to the private Linyanti Reserve in northern Botswana. Your destination is the exclusive Linyanti Tented Camp overlooking the Linyanti Marshes where a variety of animals come down to slake their thirst.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Days 3 & 4 - Linyanti Reserve
The landscape of the Linyanti includes open floodplains beside the water, an adjacent band of riverine forest, and dense (mostly mopane tree) forests stretching away to the south. This variety of habitats creates a wilderness paradise for a high diversity of wildlife and bird species. Activities include day and night safari drives in the northern sector, where this private reserve borders Botswana's Chobe National Park, exploring a range of habitats from riverbanks to scrub and forest. Also on offer is an all-day game drive to the Savuti Channel. Your guide will discuss the options with you: if s/he believes the wildlife viewing to be better in Linyanti's northern sector, due to seasons and animal movements, you will probably concentrate your safari drives in that area.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Days 5 to 7 - Santawani Reserve
Fly by light aircraft to the Santawani Reserve, bordering Moremi Game Reserve to the southeast. Considered one of Botswana's top wildlife areas a quarter of a century ago, tectonic movements changed the course of the waterways through this area and dried up much of the landscape. In more recent years, further earth movements and a higher Okavango Delta flood cycle have brought the water back, and wildlife is again present in very good concentrations.

Spend your time exploring the game drive trails through woodland, open plains and forests. Your guide will lead you on nature walks, spot-lit night drives and the more traditional game drives - the first two activities are not permitted in Botswana's national parks but are possible in Santawani which is a private reserve.

Your base will be the Gomoti Tented Camp where you'll sleep in large walk-in canvas tents, each with its own en-suite bathroom. The furniture is made from teak and the beds are covered with lush and comfortable linens.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Days 8 to 10 - Okavango Delta
From Santawani you take a light aircraft flight deeper into Botswana's Okavango Delta. Your destination is a wilderness camp situated in a permanently flooded region of this watery landscape. Spend the next three nights in relative luxury at a true water camp: either Jacana Camp or Xigera Camp. The setting represents the essence of the Okavango Delta as abundant water, sunlight and soil combine to form a paradise bursting with life.

Activities from either camp focus on experiencing the Okavango Delta environment and include year-round mokoro excursions (traditional dug-out canoes used by tribes in Botswana) as well as island bush walks and, water level permitting, motorboat cruises. Safaris by 4WD seeking out big game are also possible when water levels are low, typically from September to May.

Each luxury safari camp is set in one of the Okavango Delta wetland areas most densely populated with the elusive sitatunga antelope and more common red lechwe. Wildlife concentrations depend on the water flow and volume, so change from season to season, but all the large animals can be found in this exclusive wilderness area including elephant, lion, leopard and buffalo. Birds such as Pel's fishing owl can be seen here as well as the greater and lesser jacanas and a variety of kingfishers.

Accommodation will be in a spacious en suite room linked by pathways through the vegetation. Each is on a wooden deck overlooking the floodplains or surrounding waterways. The safari camp has a plunge pool for cooling off from the midday sun, a dining area and a lounge with a view. It's a lovely small camp offering relaxed comfort with a touch of luxury during your safari in Botswana.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 11 - Flight home
From the Okavango Delta, you transfer by light aircraft to Maun. It's the end of your Botswana Wilderness Safari and you bid farewell your safari guide and the rest of your group before taking your scheduled flight home.
Includes breakfast.

Day 1 Victoria Falls

Mhoro! Welcome to Zimbabwe. Your adventure begins today with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, if you arrive early, check out some of the optional activities around Victoria Falls. The Zimbabwe side of the falls offers the broadest view of this colossal natural wonder. Scenic helicopter flights are incredible – if you opt for one, choose Zambezi Helicopter Company (CAA Zimbabwe), the only operator Intrepid endorses. After the welcome meeting, why not get to know your fellow travellers over a group dinner?

Day 2 Elephant Sands

This morning, you’ll leave Victoria Falls behind and head to Elephant Sands via the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust – one of the projects The Intrepid Foundation supports. Here you can learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife, human-wildlife conflict and the Trust’s role in anti-poaching. There may also be a chance to meet any rescued or orphaned wildlife currently in their care. Then, travel across the Kazungula border into Botswana and make your way to your accommodation for the evening, Elephant Sands. Located in a private concession bordering on the Chobe Forest Reserve, the watering hole at Elephant Sands lodge attracts herds of elephants and other wildlife in season. We'll take a guided bush walk through the unfenced 16000 ha private conservancy, home to a variety of wildlife. This guided tour offers a unique opportunity to learn about the uses of native plants and identify animal tracks. You may even spot some of Africa's lesser-known 'Little Five' species! This evening perhaps soak up the sounds of the wilderness with a glass of wine as your overlook the waterhole, keeping an eye out for the roaming animals.

Day 3 Maun

After breakfast, drive to Maun, a bustling town on the edge of the Okavango Delta. Arriving here in the afternoon, you'll have the opportunity to take in this World Heritage site from above on a scenic flight in a helicopter flight (an optional activity that your trip leader can help you arrange). Tonight's accommodation is in a comfortable hotel situated on the town's outskirts.

Day 4 Okavango Delta Pan Handle

Leaving Maun after breakfast, make your way further to the north-western part of the Okavango Delta, admiring the scenery along the way. Meet your 4WD transfer for the last 12 kms and watch the scenery pass you by. When you arrive, settle into the lodge where you will be spending the next two nights, located on the edge of the Guma Lagoon.

Day 5 Okavango Delta Pan Handle

Today you’ll hop into mokoros (traditional dugout canoes) for a water-level exploration of the delta. Paddling through papyrus and reed beds to lily-covered lagoons and islands, be sure to keep on the lookout for elephants, antelope, warthogs and other creatures of the plains. Tuck into a picnic lunch on one of the islands and embark on a short bushwalk, returning to the lodge in the late afternoon in time to watch the sunset over the lagoon.

Day 6 Caprivi

After breakfast, take the 4WD transfer back to the vehicle and make your way to the Namibian border. The drive to tonight's camp, which is on the Caprivi banks of the Okavango River, involves passing through the Mahango Game Reserve – keep your eyes peeled for the surrounding wildlife on the drive.

Day 7 Chobe National Park

Continue the journey along the Caprivi Strip, located in the newly formed Kavango-Zambezi Trans frontier park. After crossing the border back into Botswana you’ll arrive at Kasane, a town surrounded by the Chobe National Park. Taking its name from the river which marks the border between Namibia and Botswana, Chobe boasts the largest population of elephants in Africa, plus an abundance of birdlife, pods of wallowing hippos and more. Check out Kasane town, or perhaps take a dip in the lodge pool, sit by the open outdoor fire, or simply watch the setting sun change the colours of the sky above the Chobe River.

Day 8 Chobe National Park

Take the opportunity to wake up early and enjoy an optional dawn game drive in Chobe National Park, where you may see elephants drinking at the waters' edge, large herds of cape buffaloes and many impala within the park. Return to the lodge for a late breakfast and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Later in the afternoon enjoy a sunset cruise on the Chobe River. At the right time of year, the river is frequented by large families of elephants crossing the banks, drinking and playing in the water. It's also ideal for spotting bird life such as saddle-billed storks, malachite kingfishers, fish eagles and beautiful bee-eaters, as well as hippos, and crocodiles. Why not grab a sundowner from the small bar onboard, then sit back and watch the sunset over the river – a perfect way to end the day.

Day 9 Victoria Falls

This morning you have the option to get up before dawn and head out on an optional morning game drive. This time of day is when predators such as leopards and lions are spotted returning from their night's hunting. Return to the lodge for breakfast, then drive across the Zimbabwean border. After completing the border formalities, drive the remaining distance to Victoria Falls. Your adventure ends when you arrive, at approximately 2 pm, and no accommodation is included tonight. Ask your travel specialist about post tour accommodation options if you're considering staying on in Victoria Falls a few extra days. Those staying longer can visit the falls and choose from various activities and excursions, including white water rafting and canoeing.