12-Day Botswana Birding Safari with Chobe and Okavango Specialities

To reach Chobe Game Lodge, you will fly into one of the regional airports. Kasane International Airport (BBK) is the closest and most convenient hub.

Kasane International Airport (BBK) - Botswana

• Distance: 15 km (approx. 45-minute drive).

• Best for: Direct access. Includes a short drive through Kasane town and entry into Chobe National Park.

Victoria Falls International Airport (VFA) - Zimbabwe

• Distance: 100 km (approx. 2 to 2.5-hour road transfer).

• Best for: Travellers combining their safari with a visit to Victoria Falls. Requires a border crossing at Kazungula.

The Transfer Process

Most guests book their transfers directly through Chobe Game Lodge or their safari operator.

1. Meet & Greet: A driver meets you at the arrivals terminal holding a placard with your name.

2. The Kazungula Border (if coming from VFA/LVI): You will clear customs and immigration to enter Botswana. The driver manages your luggage transfer between vehicles at the border.

3. Park Entry: Your vehicle enters Chobe National Park via the Sedudu Gate.

4. Game Drive Transfer: The final 30-minute stretch from the gate to the lodge runs directly through the park. Keep your binoculars ready, as your birding safari begins the moment you pass the gate.

5. Entry & Visa Requirements

   Ensure you have the following documents ready at passport control:

   • Passport Validity: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date with at least 3 blank pages.

   • Visas: Citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia generally do not require a tourist visa for stays under 90 days in Botswana.

   • Cross-Border Fees: If transferring from Zimbabwe or Zambia, ensure you have cash (USD) or credit cards for visa fees (e.g. KAZA Univisa if doing day trips back and forth).

Day 1 - 4: Chobe Game Lodge - Chobe Riverfront

• You will spend three days moving between the well-renowned Chobe floodplains in search of Rosy-throated Longclaw, with the possibility of seasonal migrants such as Denham's Bustard, Crowned Crane, and Black Coucals.

• The trip will also venture inland to the teak forests in search of Racket-tailed Rollers, Stierling's Wren-Warblers, Brown Firefinch, and African Cuckoo Hawks.

• The lodge also enjoys frequent sightings of Schalow's Turaco and plenty of White-crowned Lapwings along the edge of the Chobe River.

• Depending on sightings in the park, there will be an opportunity to spend time on the outskirts of Chobe National Park, picking up Collared Palm-Thrush, Rock Pratincoles, and occasional Bat Hawk sightings.

• Our favourite birding experience: Watching Broad-billed Rollers hunting flying ants from the Chobe Game Lodge boardwalk at dusk.

Day 1 - 4: Chobe Game Lodge - Chobe Riverfront

• You will spend three days moving between the well-renowned Chobe floodplains in search of Rosy-throated Longclaw, with the possibility of seasonal migrants such as Denham's Bustard, Crowned Crane, and Black Coucals.

• The trip will also venture inland to the teak forests in search of Racket-tailed Rollers, Stierling's Wren-Warblers, Brown Firefinch, and African Cuckoo Hawks.

• The lodge also enjoys frequent sightings of Schalow's Turaco and plenty of White-crowned Lapwings along the edge of the Chobe River.

• Depending on sightings in the park, there will be an opportunity to spend time on the outskirts of Chobe National Park, picking up Collared Palm-Thrush, Rock Pratincoles, and occasional Bat Hawk sightings.

• Our favourite birding experience: Watching Broad-billed Rollers hunting flying ants from the Chobe Game Lodge boardwalk at dusk.

Day 4 - 6: Savute Safari Lodge - Savute Region

• Wake up to sunrise tea or coffee and explore the moon-like landscape before a light breakfast.

• Birding from Savute will be done on game-drive vehicles, exploring the range of birding environments.

• Carmine Bee-eaters are frequently observed riding on the backs of Kori Bustards moving through the Savute Marsh.

• The region hosts a range of unique habitats.

• Here, we'll be on the lookout for a host of raptors, pratincoles, and seedeaters.

• The Savute region also offers wonderful birdwatching from the lodge itself, with the permanent waterhole attracting thousands of pratincoles at certain times of the season.

• Our favourite birding experience: Thousands of Black-winged and Collared Pratincoles congregate along the seasonal pans and waterholes - a sight to behold as they care for their nests and hunt in the air.

Day 4 - 6: Savute Safari Lodge - Savute Region

• Wake up to sunrise tea or coffee and explore the moon-like landscape before a light breakfast.

• Birding from Savute will be done on game-drive vehicles, exploring the range of birding environments.

• Carmine Bee-eaters are frequently observed riding on the backs of Kori Bustards moving through the Savute Marsh.

• The region hosts a range of unique habitats.

• Here, we'll be on the lookout for a host of raptors, pratincoles, and seedeaters.

• The Savute region also offers wonderful birdwatching from the lodge itself, with the permanent waterhole attracting thousands of pratincoles at certain times of the season.

• Our favourite birding experience: Thousands of Black-winged and Collared Pratincoles congregate along the seasonal pans and waterholes - a sight to behold as they care for their nests and hunt in the air.

Day 6 - 9: Nxamaseri Island Lodge - Okavango Panhandle

• After arriving at Nxamaseri, we'll invite you to head out on nature walks on the islands and go out by boat to find the birds of the region.

• There will also be an opportunity for those who would like to spend a night out at Tsodilo Hills sleep-out camp.

• This is included at no extra charge, and as well as discovering the ancient Bushman rock paintings there, we can drive across unique Kalahari terrain and walk through the hills and arid vegetation in search of species endemic to this area, such as Bradfield's Hornbill.

• Nxamaseri Island Lodge is also in a prime location to make the most of exposed sandbanks hosting large flocks of African Skimmers and hundreds of waders.

• Papyrus-lined channels, floodplains, and islands full of thick forests present perfect habitats for special birds of the Okavango region, such as Greater Swamp Warbler, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Chirping and Lapula Cisticola, Wattled Cranes, Pel's Fishing Owl, and all the Botswana kingfisher species.

Day 6 - 9: Nxamaseri Island Lodge - Okavango Panhandle

• After arriving at Nxamaseri, we'll invite you to head out on nature walks on the islands and go out by boat to find the birds of the region.

• There will also be an opportunity for those who would like to spend a night out at Tsodilo Hills sleep-out camp.

• This is included at no extra charge, and as well as discovering the ancient Bushman rock paintings there, we can drive across unique Kalahari terrain and walk through the hills and arid vegetation in search of species endemic to this area, such as Bradfield's Hornbill.

• Nxamaseri Island Lodge is also in a prime location to make the most of exposed sandbanks hosting large flocks of African Skimmers and hundreds of waders.

• Papyrus-lined channels, floodplains, and islands full of thick forests present perfect habitats for special birds of the Okavango region, such as Greater Swamp Warbler, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Chirping and Lapula Cisticola, Wattled Cranes, Pel's Fishing Owl, and all the Botswana kingfisher species.

Day 6 - 9: Nxamaseri Island Lodge - Okavango Panhandle

• After arriving at Nxamaseri, we'll invite you to head out on nature walks on the islands and go out by boat to find the birds of the region.

• There will also be an opportunity for those who would like to spend a night out at Tsodilo Hills sleep-out camp.

• This is included at no extra charge, and as well as discovering the ancient Bushman rock paintings there, we can drive across unique Kalahari terrain and walk through the hills and arid vegetation in search of species endemic to this area, such as Bradfield's Hornbill.

• Nxamaseri Island Lodge is also in a prime location to make the most of exposed sandbanks hosting large flocks of African Skimmers and hundreds of waders.

• Papyrus-lined channels, floodplains, and islands full of thick forests present perfect habitats for special birds of the Okavango region, such as Greater Swamp Warbler, Coppery-tailed Coucal, Chirping and Lapula Cisticola, Wattled Cranes, Pel's Fishing Owl, and all the Botswana kingfisher species.

Day 9 - 12: Leroo La Tau - Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans National Park

• The trip finishes at Leroo La Tau, which allows time along the dry Boteti riverbed for seasonal waders that follow the rainwater collecting in the riverbed, as well as time out in the arid regions of Nxai Pans.

• As well as seeing a number of korhaans, bustards, larks, and pipits, the transformation of the parched Kalahari into lush grasslands attracts thousands of migratory zebra and wildebeest.

• This brings opportunities for many vulture sightings at kills, a range of insectivorous species following the migration, and gorgeous pans and waterholes attracting sandgrouse and francolins in vast numbers.

• The lodge also hosts a wonderful bird hide inside the property, perfect for late-afternoon birding from the edge of the Boteti.

• Our favourite birding experience: Spending time at the inland waterholes watching hundreds of Burchell's and Double-banded Sandgrouse flock in to collect water and travel back miles and miles to their young.

• Our favourite birding experience: It has to be the sightings we get of the elusive Pel's Fishing Owl - such an impressive bird and so special to see it in its prime habitat.

Day 9 - 12: Leroo La Tau - Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans National Park

• The trip finishes at Leroo La Tau, which allows time along the dry Boteti riverbed for seasonal waders that follow the rainwater collecting in the riverbed, as well as time out in the arid regions of Nxai Pans.

• As well as seeing a number of korhaans, bustards, larks, and pipits, the transformation of the parched Kalahari into lush grasslands attracts thousands of migratory zebra and wildebeest.

• This brings opportunities for many vulture sightings at kills, a range of insectivorous species following the migration, and gorgeous pans and waterholes attracting sandgrouse and francolins in vast numbers.

• The lodge also hosts a wonderful bird hide inside the property, perfect for late-afternoon birding from the edge of the Boteti.

• Our favourite birding experience: Spending time at the inland waterholes watching hundreds of Burchell's and Double-banded Sandgrouse flock in to collect water and travel back miles and miles to their young.

• Our favourite birding experience: It has to be the sightings we get of the elusive Pel's Fishing Owl - such an impressive bird and so special to see it in its prime habitat.

Day 9 - 12: Leroo La Tau - Makgadikgadi and Nxai Pans National Park

• The trip finishes at Leroo La Tau, which allows time along the dry Boteti riverbed for seasonal waders that follow the rainwater collecting in the riverbed, as well as time out in the arid regions of Nxai Pans.

• As well as seeing a number of korhaans, bustards, larks, and pipits, the transformation of the parched Kalahari into lush grasslands attracts thousands of migratory zebra and wildebeest.

• This brings opportunities for many vulture sightings at kills, a range of insectivorous species following the migration, and gorgeous pans and waterholes attracting sandgrouse and francolins in vast numbers.

• The lodge also hosts a wonderful bird hide inside the property, perfect for late-afternoon birding from the edge of the Boteti.

• Our favourite birding experience: Spending time at the inland waterholes watching hundreds of Burchell's and Double-banded Sandgrouse flock in to collect water and travel back miles and miles to their young.

• Our favourite birding experience: It has to be the sightings we get of the elusive Pel's Fishing Owl - such an impressive bird and so special to see it in its prime habitat.

• Day 12: The trip finishes at Maun International Airport for onward travel.