Boteti River, Moremi and Chobe Safari Experience
Day 1-3: Meno a Kwena, Boteti River - Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Airport Pick Up Maun International Airport [MUB]
Boteti River - Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. North-eastern Botswana's Boteti River, within the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, lies on the grounds of an ancient lake, within a region where some of the first 'homo sapiens' lived. This area is an essential part of the massive annual migration - visitors can look forward to seeing enormous herds of oryx, wildebeest, impalas, zebras, and springbok, as well as elephants and hippopotamuses along the riverbank. The river also provides prime birdwatching opportunities, with large flocks of flamingos and numerous other species calling it home. Besides the usual nature reserve activities, try taking a small chartered plane for the best views of the herds, go quad biking across salt flats and sleep there under the stars, or take a cultural tour to see ancient tribal sites.
Overnight: Meno a Kwena
The canvas-tented safari camp accommodates guests in 9 tents - 7 twins and 2 doubles. The camp is ideally located in full view of exciting wildlife activity at the river in front of camp. Southern Africa's largest zebra and wildebeest migration concentrates at the river during the dry season, from May to November.
Activities
Meno a Kwena Game Drives Meno a Kwena Safari Camp is ideally located with access to year-round peak wildlife viewing opportunities. The large dry-season concentrations occur along the Boteti River from May to November, and then they migrate to the salt pans, their wet-season breeding grounds, from December to April.
Bushman Walk Small families of Bushmen from the Ju! Hoansi clan village of Xai Xai on the Botswana/Namibia border of the Kalahari Desert come to Meno a Kwena to operate the walking and cultural experience. This activity gives guests an insight into their hunter-gatherer way of life, as they have coexisted with wildlife for thousands of years. This is one of the most popular activities offered to guests.
Floating Hide (water levels permitting) The floating hide is an additional activity that enhances the wildlife viewing opportunities right in front of camp. The hide offers guests a close-up experience of wildlife activity in and around the river.
Boating (water levels permitting) Game drives include a boat transfer across the Boteti River to the safari vehicle in the national park opposite camp. Short two-hour boat cruises are also offered, all water-level dependent.
Full / Half Day Game Drive in the Makgadikgadi National Park Departing camp shortly after breakfast, you can enjoy a full day of game viewing within the Makgadikgadi National Park. After a 90-minute transfer to the park gates, you will spend the day searching for the park's plethora of species. Lunch and tea are taken in picturesque locations along the bank of the Boteti River, often with elephants and antelope for company as they pass through.
Salt Pans Sleep Out (May - September & subject to weather and the dryness of the pans) (Additional charge) Depart camp after breakfast for a two-day, one-night sleep-out. After a 3-4 hour drive to the edge of the salt pans for a picnic lunch, enjoy a siesta on bedrolls. Arrive at the campsite in the middle of the pan at sunset for sundowners. After supper, sleep in fully equipped bedrolls under the stars. Wake up before sunrise for breakfast, tea, and coffee, then drive back to Meno a Kwena for lunch.
Basis Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Day 3-6: Delta Camp, Moremi Game Reserve
Moremi Game Reserve. Situated in the east of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve ranks as one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa. It covers more than 4,871 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, and the varied terrain includes savannah, winding waterways, and dense forest. This diverse ecosystem supports an incredibly wide spectrum of wildlife, ranging from large herds of buffalo, wildebeest, and zebra to the rare sitatunga and lechwe antelope, lion, cheetah, and packs of wild dog in the open grasslands. The birdlife is prolific and includes most of the 550 bird species recorded on Botswana's national bird list. A range of luxury lodges in the reserve offers visitors the perfect base to experience this corner of paradise.
Overnight: Delta Camp
Situated on the south-western edge of Chief's Island in the heart of the Okavango Delta, Delta Camp is set in the forest of a large, beautiful, palm-studded island. The Okavango Delta, with its crystal-clear channels, lagoons, sweeping floodplains, and countless islands, is home to over 450 bird species, a spectacular array of plant species, and the full spectrum of African game - the Okavango has earned its reputation as one of the world's premier wilderness areas. The focus is on peace and tranquillity, though stalking game on foot provides all the excitement one could wish for, and guests are actively encouraged to visit the local village, home to the guides, and to interact with the people there. Accommodation is for a maximum of 16 guests in spacious lethaka (reed) chalets with en-suite bathrooms. Built of natural materials and elevated off the forest floor, each chalet has hot and cold running water, a shower with a view, and solar-powered electric lighting.
Activities
Private mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) The guides are locals - men of the swamp, born and raised in the area - and you will spend your days in their mokoro (pl. mekoro), gliding through the floodplains and channels.
Private guided walks The guides are locals - men of the swamp, born and raised in the area - and you will spend your days walking under their guidance on some of the many islands in the area, taking in the magnificent scenery and light, as well as the abundant game and birdlife of the Okavango.
Basis Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Day 6-8: Hideaways Camp Kuzuma, Chobe, Kazuma Forest Reserve
Kazuma Forest Reserve. Situated in the Chobe region of Botswana, the pristine Kazuma Forest Reserve offers visitors an authentic African wilderness experience. This impressive landscape stretches over thousands of hectares and features expansive grassland, natural pans, and Mopane tree forests. It is home to abundant wildlife and provides an ideal habitat for wildebeest, buffalo, antelope, sable, giraffe, zebra, lion, and leopard. Numerous herds of elephants also frequent this reserve, as it is idyllically positioned in an elephant corridor. The nearby Kazuma Pans attract many birds, making it a birdwatching paradise boasting over 380 different species. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities including guided walks, fishing trips, and sunrise or sunset game drives.
Overnight: Hideaways Camp Kuzuma, Chobe
Camp Kuzuma is a remote safari camp in Botswana that borders Chobe National Park and Zimbabwe's Hwange National Park and is one of the top safari lodges in this area. Located in an exceptional wilderness area consisting of vast open plains and forests, it forms part of a busy wildlife corridor, ensuring amazing wildlife encounters. The seven well-appointed tents are incredibly spacious, boasting deep Victorian baths and king-sized beds draped in mosquito nets. With a true commitment to eco-tourism, this Chobe safari lodge is completely off the grid, yet offers all the comforts guests may desire. Camp Kuzuma's expert guides will astound you with their knowledge of the local fauna and flora, as will the amount of wildlife to discover when journeying through the bush in an open-air safari vehicle.
Activities Game Drives Explore the 11,000-hectare private concession on an open Land Rover. Game drives take place in the early morning and late afternoon to take advantage of cooler weather and optimal animal activity. Evening game drives allow guests to experience the bush at night and discover nocturnal animals. An expert guide ensures your wildlife experience will be something to remember.
Chobe River Cruise Marvel at one of the highest concentrations of elephants on your Botswana safari and Chobe River cruise as these big grey beasts make their way down to the river. It is also the perfect time to observe rare antelopes like puku and lechwe along the water's edge. In the water, coming up close and personal to big pods of hippos and some of the biggest crocodiles in Africa is a given on a Chobe River cruise. Avid birdwatchers can expect to see more than 400 species, with the African fish eagle, African skimmer, coppery-tailed coucal, and long-toed lapwing just some of the standouts.
Basis Full Board Plus - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast, Lunch and Activities
Day 8: End of Itinerary
Basis Bed and Breakfast
Drop Off Kasane Airport [BBK]
