9-Day Botswana Safari from Maun to Victoria Falls via Okavango Delta Chobe and Makgadikgadi Pans
Highlights
Explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta by mokoro, drifting silently through reed-lined channels and floodplains alive with birdlife and wildlife
Game drives in Moremi Game Reserve, one of Africa’s most pristine safari areas, known for predators, elephants, and diverse ecosystems
Experience the vast stillness of the Makgadikgadi Pans, where endless horizons and star-filled skies create moments of deep reflection
Close yet respectful encounters with free-roaming elephants at Elephant Sands, offering unforgettable wildlife moments
Sunset cruise along the Chobe River, witnessing elephants, hippos, and crocodiles in golden evening light
Visit the iconic Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders
Maun
Group Tour
9 Days
Medium
English
Description
Explore Botswana’s wilderness on a nine day safari from Maun to Victoria Falls. Discover Moremi Game Reserve on immersive game drives, drift through the Okavango Delta by mokoro, and cross the vast Makgadikgadi Pans beneath star filled skies. Encounter free roaming elephants at Elephant Sands and experience exceptional wildlife viewing in Chobe National Park with a sunset river cruise. Conclude with a guided tour of the magnificent Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
Itinerary
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Day 1: Maun – Where Your Story Begins
- Afternoon: Step off the plane into the warm embrace of Maun, the threshold between everyday life and the untouched freedom of the wild. Your driver welcomes you, and instantly the journey transforms into possibility.
- Evening: Over a beautiful welcome dinner, you meet the team and fellow travelers. Excitement builds as you realize: the next eight days will change you.
- Meals: Complimentary Welcome Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge/Tented Camp
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Day 2: Moremi Game Drive - Into the Living Wild
- Morning: Dawn breaks, and with it your first taste of pure wilderness. Enter Moremi, where elephants move like ancient guardians and lions command the land with quiet power. Every breath, every rustle, every silhouette feels alive.
- Afternoon: The reserve unfolds in spectacular scenes, wild dogs racing across plains, giraffes silhouetted against acacia trees, the heartbeat of Africa echoing in each moment.
- Evening: As twilight settles, your camp glows softly beneath one of the clearest skies on Earth. Dinner by firelight, surrounded by the sounds of night, feels almost spiritual.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Satellite Bush Camp
Activity: Game Drive
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Day 3: Mokoro Journey – The Soul of the Delta
- Morning: Drift through the Okavango Delta on a mokoro, the water carrying you like a gentle whisper through reeds and shimmering reflections. It is peaceful, sacred, and impossibly beautiful. A picnic on the riverbank completes a morning that feels timeless.
- Afternoon: Continue your exploration through new landscapes, each corner offering a deeper connection to this extraordinary ecosystem.
- Evening: Gather around the campfire for stories and stargazing. Here, under a sprawling Milky Way, you feel both humbled and uplifted.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Satellite Bush Camp
Activity: Mokoro (dug-out canoe)
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Day 4: Return to Maun – Rest, Reflect, Renew
- Morning: Take in your final sightings of Moremi as you journey back. The wildlife, the silence, the wildness, each has woven itself into your memory.
- Afternoon: Rest beside the pool, absorbing the stillness of the afternoon sun.
- Evening: Dinner at the lodge brings warmth and laughter, a gentle pause before the next chapter.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Lodge/Tented Camp
Activity: Refresh/Relax
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Day 5: Makgadikgadi Pans – Into the Infinite
- Morning: Enjoy quiet time in Maun, or soar over the Okavango Delta on an optional doors off scenic helicopter flight, a breathtaking view of the world from above. Then travel to the Makgadikgadi Pans, where the earth opens into endless white horizons.
- Afternoon: Ride across this surreal desert, encountering meerkats and the delicate life that survives in this ancient land.
- Evening: Tonight you sleep beneath a cathedral of stars. No walls. No boundaries. Just the universe above you and a stillness that awakens something deep within.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Satellite Camp
Activity: Overnight Makgadikgadi Excursion (Optional Doors-Off Helicopter Flight)
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Day 6: Elephant Sands – Eye to Eye with Giants
- Morning: Journey to Elephant Sands, where elephants move freely around the lodge as though welcoming you into their world.
- Afternoon: Experience a guided nature walk, learning not just about the land, but about the delicate balance that sustains it.
- Evening: At sundown, as elephants gather just meters away, you feel the profound privilege of sharing space with the world’s gentle giants.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Accommodation: Satellite Camp
Activity: Guided Nature
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Day 7: Chobe National Park – River of Life
- Morning: Head into Chobe National Park for a game drive alive with movement, elephants crossing the floodplains, predators scanning the horizon, birds erupting into flight.
- Afternoon: A sunset cruise along the Chobe River reveals wildlife in golden light, hippos rising, crocodiles drifting, elephants drinking as the sky ignites in color.
- Evening: Dinner next to the river feels like a gift from Chobe itself, calm, luminous, unforgettable.
- Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
- Accommodation: Lodge
- Activity: Chobe River Sunset Cruise (Optional Chobe Game Drive)
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Day 8: Victoria Falls – A Wonder That Moves You
- Morning: Cross into Zimbabwe and learn about the thrilling possibilities awaiting you in Victoria Falls.
- Afternoon: On your guided tour, the roar of the Falls surrounds you, powerful, cleansing, inspiring. You walk through mist, rainbows forming at your feet, and feel the raw force of nature’s greatness.
- Evening: Enjoy your final evening at leisure, filled with gratitude, awe, and the sweetness of a journey well lived.
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch
Accommodation: Lodge/Hotel
Activity: Tour of the Falls
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Day 9: Departure – A Heart Full of Africa
- Morning: After breakfast, your transfer awaits. You leave not just with memories, but with a renewed spirit and a deeper connection to the wild beauty of our world.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Lodge/Hotel
Activity: (Optional Activities Available)
What's Included
Lodge guesthouse and satellite bush camp accommodation
Two nights satellite bush camp in Moremi Game Reserve
Game drive in Moremi Game Reserve
Mokoro excursion in the Okavango Delta
Overnight excursion to the Makgadikgadi Pans
Guided nature walk at Elephant Sands
Boat cruise in Chobe National Park
Guided tour of the Falls at Victoria Falls
Expert tour manager and experienced local guides
8 breakfasts 7 lunches and 6 dinners
Scheduled complimentary transfer at the start of the tour
Vehicle cross border fees road taxes toll fees bed levies and park entry fees for included activities
Pre and post tour accommodation arrangements available upon request
What's Excluded
Pre and post tour accommodation
All optional activities
1 lunch 2 dinners and all soft drinks and alcoholic beverages
All local and international flights
Post tour airport transfers
Travel insurance is required for the trip
All required visas for the trip
Vaccinations immunisation and medication
All gratuities throughout the trip
All items of a personal nature
Know Before You Go
Tour Overview - This journey unfolds as a quiet immersion into Botswana’s raw and untamed wilderness, guided by the rhythm of water, wildlife, and wide open space. From drifting silently through the channels of the Okavango Delta to watching elephants move freely across ancient landscapes, each day invites you to slow down and be present.
Wildlife encounters are unhurried, shaped by patience rather than pursuit, while vast horizons and star-filled nights create space for reflection. Time on the river, in the bush, and beneath endless skies allows the wilderness to reveal itself naturally. Thoughtfully guided and deeply respectful of the land, Botswana Wild is less about covering distance and more about connection, leaving you with a lasting sense of calm, perspective, and belonging to Africa’s wild heart.
Tour Properties
Start: Maun Botswana
End: Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Travel Style: Small Groups (Family/Private - available on request)
Guide Type: The tour is accompanied by a dedicated Tour Manager, with local guides joining the group at various destinations to provide specialist knowledge and local insight.
Group Size: 4 - 10
Minimum Age: 16 years
Accommodation: 3/4 star (twin-share)
Transport: Sprinter Bus/4x4/Boat/Mokoro (dug-out canoe)
Highlights - Game drives in Moremi Game Reserve, one of Africa’s most pristine safari areas, known for predators, elephants, and diverse ecosystems
Explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta by mokoro, drifting silently through reed-lined channels and floodplains alive with birdlife and wildlife
Experience the vast stillness of the Makgadikgadi Pans, where endless horizons and star-filled skies create moments of deep reflection
Close yet respectful encounters with free-roaming elephants at Elephant Sands, offering unforgettable wildlife moments
Exceptional wildlife viewing in Chobe National Park, home to one of Africa’s largest elephant populations
Sunset cruise along the Chobe River, witnessing elephants, hippos, and crocodiles in golden evening light
Visit the iconic Victoria Falls, one of the world’s greatest natural wonders
Unhurried, thoughtfully guided travel, focused on connection, authenticity, and meaningful safari experiences
Climate Information
Botswana’s climate is semi-arid
Hot and dry for most of the year, the rainy season runs through the summer months
Rainfall in the winter months is uncommon, though it cannot be ruled out
As a general rule, when traveling, it’s worthwhile to be prepared for all types of weather
Fitness level required to do this tour
This tour is suitable for guests with a moderate level of fitness.
Activities are generally leisurely paced and designed to be accessible, with some walking on uneven terrain, steps, and occasional longer days of sightseeing.
No extreme physical exertion is required.
Guests should be comfortable with: walking for short to moderate periods on uneven terrain in natural environments, warm weather conditions, early morning starts on safari days, and getting in and out of the tour vehicle independently.
If you have any health concerns or mobility limitations, we recommend discussing them with us before booking so we can advise on suitability.
Passports & Visas
Travelers are required to have a valid passport with at least six (6) months’ validity from the date of departure and a minimum of two (2) blank visa pages, where applicable.
Certain nationalities may require a visa before travel.
It is the traveler’s responsibility to ensure that all passport and visa requirements are met.
Money - Botswana – Local currency is the Botswana Pula (BWP).
Banks and bureau de change are available in all major towns and cities.
Zimbabwe (Victoria Falls region) – US Dollars (USD) are widely accepted and preferred.
We recommend carrying small USD notes for tips, optional activities, and smaller purchases.
Credit and debit cards are accepted at most lodges and larger establishments; some establishments add a surcharge of between 5 - 8 %.
It's advisable to bring an extra $500 as an emergency fund for emergencies.
Gratuities - Tipping is entirely at the guest’s discretion and should reflect the level of service received.
While gratuities are not compulsory, they are customary in Southern Africa and always appreciated. General Guidelines (Per Person): Tour guide / Tour manager and driver: 15 - 20 USD per day, Local guides: 10 - 15 USD per activity. Hotel porters/lodge staff: ZAR 5 - 10 USD per day, and Restaurants: 10–15% of the bill, where service is not already included.
These amounts are provided as a guideline only and may be adjusted based on personal preference and service quality.
For convenience, guests may choose to contribute to a pooled tipping fund at the start of the tour.
This fund is used to distribute tips fairly among local guides, drivers, and service staff encountered throughout the journey.
Participation in pooled tipping is entirely optional.
Contribution amounts are at the guest’s discretion. Guests may opt to tip individually instead, if preferred. The tour manager will manage the distribution transparently and fairly
Meals & Dietary Requirements
We are happy to accommodate most dietary requirements where possible, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and other common needs.
While we will do our best to accommodate special diets, availability may vary by location, particularly in more remote areas.
Please advise us of any dietary requirements or food allergies at the time of booking.
While we do our best to accommodate special needs, we cannot guarantee an allergen-free environment.
Health & Safety - We strongly recommend that you regularly review your government’s official travel advice before departure and throughout your trip to ensure you remain informed of the latest health, safety, and entry requirements for international travel.
We strongly advise the use of a discreet money belt or similar secure travel accessory to safeguard your passport, cash, and payment cards at all times.
High-value items, including jewelry, should be left at home, as they are neither necessary nor appropriate for safari travel.
Most lodges provide in-room safes or secure storage facilities for valuables, and we recommend making full use of these services.
While your Tour Manager will be available to offer guidance and support throughout the tour, guests are ultimately responsible for exercising personal judgement and remaining vigilant.
Please maintain awareness of your surroundings at all times, take particular care when walking in public areas, especially after dark, and, wherever possible, move about in groups rather than independently.
Medical - Malaria precautions are advised for parts of Botswana and the Victoria Falls region (consult your doctor regarding prophylaxis).
These tablets may need to be taken at least 1 week before traveling and sometimes for 4 weeks after traveling.
Do not forget to follow your prescribed routine
Do not change the routine once prescribed by a doctor
Dusk till dawn is the time when mosquitoes bite, always protect yourself with repellents and long clothing during this time
Do not expose yourself to unnecessary risk
Also, remember to check with your GP what the side effects are
Yellow Fever is only required if you are arriving from (or have recently transited through) a yellow fever risk country.
Routine travel vaccines such as Tetanus, Hepatitis A & B, and Typhoid are recommended.
We strongly recommend visiting a travel clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalized medical advice.
Your Tour Manager is a registered and certified First Aider, qualified to provide initial assistance for minor injuries, including cuts and abrasions.
While they are not authorized to administer medication, they will ensure that appropriate medical services and relevant authorities are contacted without delay should the need arise.
Water - Although tap water is generally safe for cooking, bottled or filtered water is recommended for drinking throughout the trip.
Complimentary drinking water may be provided on certain travel days.
However, guests are advised to carry their own refillable water bottle for their convenience.
As part of our commitment to responsible and sustainable tourism, we encourage guests to travel with a reusable, refillable water bottle.
This helps reduce single-use plastic waste and supports conservation efforts in the regions we visit.
Bottled water is readily available for purchase throughout the tour, and some shops and hotels have refill stations.
Accommodation - Please note that local legislation and regulatory standards governing tourism facilities and establishments may differ from those applicable in your home country.
Consequently, certain properties may not be equipped with features such as fire extinguishers, clearly marked fire exits, or smoke detection systems.
Notwithstanding this, we maintain stringent safety standards for our operations.
Transportation - All tour vehicles are equipped with fire extinguishers, fully functioning seatbelts, clearly identified emergency exits, and a comprehensive first aid kit.
Please be advised that local laws and standards relating to transportation safety may differ from those in your home country.
It is therefore imperative that seatbelts are worn at all times when travelling in tour vehicles, where fitted.
In addition, please exercise caution when crossing roads and always check carefully in both directions to ensure it is safe to do so.
Activities - Your Tour Manager will accompany you on all included excursions and will be on hand to provide guidance, support, and practical assistance as required, including when you are exploring independently or participating in optional activities.
Please be advised that, whilst your Tour Manager will provide information regarding optional activities available at various locations, such activities do not form part of Kifaru Overland Safaris’ contracted itinerary or services.
Kifaru Overland Safaris makes no representations, guarantees, or warranties as to the safety, quality, suitability, or operational standards of any optional activities or the third-party providers who operate them.
Participation in such activities is entirely at your own discretion and risk, and any arrangements entered into are made directly between you and the respective operator.
Should you require any further information or clarification, please do not hesitate to contact us. We will be pleased to assist you.
What To Bring
Soft case or duffle bag plus one small backpack with a total weight limit of 20 kilograms
Lightweight waterproof jacket or poncho
2 to 3 long sleeved shirts
3 to 4 long and short sleeved t shirts
2 to 3 short sleeved shirts
2 pairs of long trousers
3 to 4 pairs of shorts
Polar fleece or warm top
One set of smart casual clothes and suitable shoes
Hiking boots or trainers and a pair of sandals
2 pairs of swimwear
Sun hat
Neck scarf
Toiletries
Underwear and socks
Headlamp
Camera with waterproof cover or bag
Extra battery and lens if not digital
Spare memory card
Binoculars
Spare passport photos
Reusable water bottle
Money belt
Sunglasses
Earplugs
A good book and writing material
Universal plug or adapter for charging
Personal medications
Malaria prophylactics
Small sewing kit
Wet wipes and tissues
Hand sanitiser
Mosquito repellent for body and room use
Meeting Point
Maun International Airport, Maun, Botswana
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations within 24 hours before the tour -
Refund of 50% of the tour price.
Price
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