Botswana Camping Safari

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Highlights

Botswana is, in effect, a giant natural game reserve and as such is a more than suitable place for wildlife watching. Amongst the species endemic here are springbok, wildebeest, zebra, rhinos, antelope, giraffe, hippos and lion. Although over two-thirds of the country is covered in desert, the remainder of Botswana is varied in its terrain with savannahs, grasslands and river flood plains providing home to a plethora of life. There are three areas in particular which are especially attractive to tourists, all of which you’ll cover in this monster itinerary: Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park and Victoria Falls.

Staying in a number of campsites dotted around the varied scenery in Botswana (and in a comfortable lodge over the border in Zambia,) you’ll spend your time embarking on the best game drives available in Southern Africa and getting to know this fantastic country on an intimate level. Chobe National Park is one of the areas you’ll both visit and relish: it has the largest concentration of elephants in Africa, having risen from a mere few hundred to over fifty thousand in the last twenty years. The Moremi Game Reserve located near Okavango Delta will also be a memorable experience, featuring not only an impressive biodiversity but also striking scenery. During your trip you will have the opportunity to see Victoria Falls on the Zambezi river, which is every bit as beautiful as you’ve heard. One peculiar feature on the Zambian side of the Falls is Devil’s Pool, a small water pool with no current extending to the edge of the 100 metre drop.

This safari is a good quality serviced trip with set departures using private camp sites. There are longer and shorter versions with the option to be involved in camp duties and going all the way up to silver service priced accordingly. Tents are 3x3 meter dome-type-with en-suite facilities. High enough to enable you to stand up and made of durable rip-stop canvas with sewn-in groundsheets. They come equipped with sturdy camp beds, mattresses, fitted sheets, pillow, pillowcases and duvets. Your en-suite includes camping basins, washstands, hot water bucket showers and water-based toilets. Meals are eaten around a table with safari style fold-up chairs. The staff does all the cooking, cleaning and setting-up / breaking camp, which enables you to make the most of being out with your guide in the wilderness. Your transport throughout the safari are robust 4wd vehicles accommodating up to 9 people on a set departure. All vehicles have an open roof and sides (with roll-down weatherproof canvas, or in some cases, windows that fold down). Group mobile safaris on scheduled departures are generally suitable only for children aged 10 and older, however private departures can be arranged on request.

itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Maun, fly to Okavango Delta
Upon arrival in Maun, you will be met by a tour representative and fly by light aircraft to Xakanaxa. This wildlife mecca forms part of the permanent Okavango Delta, the largest river delta in the world. Xaxanaxa also falls within the Moremi Game Reserve and you’ll arrive in time for orienteering and an evening game drives this unique area. Dinner included.

Day 2: Okavango Delta
After breakfast you’ll explore the crystal clear channels of the Okavango Delta by motorboat before enjoying a picnic lunch on its banks. In the afternoon you will return to the mainland in time for the evening meal and overnight camping. All meals included

Day 3: Khwai Game Reserve, Moremi Game Reserve
Today you’ll drive to the campsite in the Khwai area of Moremi Game Reserve. This area is hailed as one of Africa’s greatest wildlife sanctuaries. The day features spectacular morning and evening game drives along the rich floodplains and woodlands. All meals included

Day 4: Khwai Game Reserve, Moremi Game Reserve
Today will be spent on early morning and afternoon game drives in Khwai Game Reserve, with a siesta in between to avoid the hottest part of the day. All meals included

Day 5: Savuti
Moving on from Moremi you’ll travel via the Mababe depression to Savuti in Chobe National Park. Here you will camp along the dry Savuti channel and explore the area extensively by vehicle, which is well known for its healthy population of Bull elephants. All meals included

Day 6: Savuti
Another day of spectacular game drives in Savuti, with two separate areas being covered in the morning and evening before returning to camp. All meals included

Day 7: Chobe River Region
Today the group will make its way north to the mighty Chobe River which attracts large herds of big game, such as elephant and buffalo. Other species such as hippo, giraffe and kudu also occur in large numbers. All meals included

Day 8: Chobe River Region
A day of wildlife watching around the park and optional afternoon boat cruise along the Chobe River, although please note this will be at your own expense. All meals included

Day 9: Victoria Falls
A hop across the Zambian border via Kazungula Border Post will take you to the great town of Livingstone in Zambia. The afternoon can be spent at your leisure and there are a number optional activities including water sports. Before retiring to the Waterfront Hotel, you may wish to try and make time to visit Victoria Falls during daylight, an awesome sight to behold. Breakfast included.

Day 10: Depart
Tour concludes after breakfast in Livingstone. Nearby Lusaka International Airport is your best location for home flight return, but many travellers wish to extend their tour in the area. Breakfast included.

Practicalities

Getting There

Getting there

The start of this particular trip is Maun ending in Victoria Falls which is best accessed via Johannesburg. Kenya Airways and some Middle Eastern carriers are expanding with flights into Livingstone. There are also connections from neighbouring Namibian and from Lusaka the capital of Zambian.

Price Includes

Price includes

Use of specially modified 4×4 vehicles, professional Guide and Back-Up Crew, all camping on a fully serviced & non-participation basis in private campsites, camping equipment, meals as specified (B-Breakfast,L-Lunch,D-Dinner), local Soft-Drinks , Wine & Beer while camping, accommodation on a shared basis, Botswana National Parks and Game Reserves entrance fees, open Vehicle Game drives in all National Parks and Reserves, lodge accommodation Livingstone (Day 9) and scheduled flight Maun-Xakanaxa only.

Excluded: Scheduled flights, optional activities in Maun and Livingstone, any gratuities, any personal expenses, visa fees, departure taxes, entrance fees Victoria Falls, travel Insurance (compulsory) and Pre and Post Transfers.

When is best?

Although the Botswana Camping Safari is available most of the year and you’ll never regret a trip, we particularly recommend visiting in either October and September as the game is at its best. The only drawback to this is that Southern Africa during these months is at its hottest, which can be unbearable for some.

Is it for me?

For a non-participation safari (i.e. one that does not require you to work during your stay in order to keep costs down) this is one of the best value for money safaris in Botswana. The guides are passionate and keen, the itinerary superb and no corners are cut on this tour - throw in the unique delights offered by Botswana and neighbouring Zambia and what you have is a simply excellent, affordable safari.

Safety

For the latest travel advice from the Foreign and Commonwealth office check www.gov.uk/travelaware

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What customers are saying after travelling with Tourdust

Average Rating

based on 537 reviews

(5.00/5)

We had an amazing experience - absolutely loved it.
Mohamed and Said were great and very patient especially with me going downhill - was quite nervous about the scree slopes and paths.

Will be a trip we remember forever

Maritta B reviewing Atlas Valleys & Villages Trek - Value on 11 November 2024
Trip was great and all the arrangements were excellent so thank you for all the help!

Drivers and transfers were all good - on time and very good service on each trip.

Accommodation was lovely - Douar Samra was amazing (weather could have been better but lovely regardless). Riad in Marrakesh was also great!

All in all a great trip and we loved the variety of the mountains, Marrakesh and the coast.

Thanks you once again!

Hardeep S reviewing Boutique Marrakech & Atlas Mountains on 15 April 2024
I was also just about to email you to thank you and the team for arranging yet again, another wonderful experience.

Mount Kenya was spectacular and wild - I think I prefer it to Kili in many ways. The entire support team was professional, friendly and all round fantastic in making sure that we were safe, well fed and well looked after. In particular, we would commend Peter the guide as well as Paul one of the porters who doubled-up as his deputy on summit day. Our route was often shrouded in mist and rain that rapidly gathered in the valleys and moorlands, and we were very impressed at how Peter managed to navigate us safely through all of that notwithstanding. In addition, we loved learning about the history of Mount Kenya from him in the evenings. And ofcourse, I was blown away by the lovely birthday surprise at the end complete with balloons and a delicious cake that had journeyed with us from day 1. One thing we might recommend because of the sudden change in weather (it would sometimes get extremely cold and wet) is for the equipment list to be a little bit more detailed in terms of its recommendations e.g. layers to be moisture-wicking, walking boots be waterproof, doubling up on socks to avoid blisters etc.

El Karama is a beautiful conservancy and the lodge a true labour of love. Great hospitality in a relaxed environment. Delicious, fresh food. We enjoyed the drives, even if we didn't see much wildlife as the heavens opened on us for the last two outings. However, since it was very much geared towards families, I am not sure if I would stay again without kids. That said, I think it was perfect for a 3d/2n stay post mountain, and a much better choice than flying to the masai mara given the limited time we had.

Our transits were smooth. Samuel the driver was always on time, drove safely and kept the vehicle clean.

So it was a brilliant experience and one which I certainly will cherish for some time to come. It was great to work with you for a third time, and I certainly hope it won't be the last

Juhae C reviewing Mount Kenya Sirimon Naro Moru Trek on 01 March 2024

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Botswana Mobile Small Group Safari

Two Adults from $3,466 per person

Don't just take our word for it

Highlights

itinerary