Best of Botswana Safari
Overview
Desert to delta: Botswana’s wild landscapes in one unforgettable journey
To those who get off the beaten track in Botswana, a dynamic experience awaits. This Best of Botswana LuxVenture® pushes the boundaries of traditional travel by taking you, quite literally to new heights – showing intrepid travelers new experiences in some of the world’s most off-the-grid areas. Ignite the adventurer in you by taking to the skies for a helicopter flip over the Okavango Delta, game viewing by vehicle, foot, horseback, boat, mokoro, and quad-bike, and engaging meaningfully in cultural and conservation-minded initiatives. From learning survival skills with the San Bushman in the white-washed Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, to understanding how local employment initiatives can change lives, to dining in the bush with semi-habituated elephants, this trip will become a memory to share for a lifetime.
Highlights
- Game drives
- Boat safari
- Walking safari
- Mokoro safari
Destinations
Botswana
Duration
10 days
Price
From $18 461 per person
When to go
April-October
Itinerary Overview
Experiences off the beaten track.
Crafted for the bold + discerning.
Day 7-10
Makgadigadi Salt Pans
Vast, stark, and otherworldly, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans stretch to the horizon in glimmering silence. Here, desert-adapted wildlife, meerkat encounters, and quad biking safaris add a touch of magic to the wilderness.
Day 1
Kasane
Tucked in Botswana’s far northeast, Kasane is a bustling gateway town to Chobe National Park. Set along the Chobe River, it’s where local culture, wildlife, and river life intersect – perfect for launching into the wild.
Day 2
Chobe National Park
Renowned for its massive elephant herds, Chobe delivers raw, untamed safari moments. Game drives and river cruises reveal dense concentrations of wildlife, especially along the lush Chobe Riverfront.
Day 4-6
Okavango Delta
A labyrinth of floodplains and papyrus channels, the Okavango Delta is Botswana’s emerald oasis. Mokoro rides, boat safaris, and walking adventures promise intimate wildlife encounters in surreal, shifting landscapes.
Day 7-10
Makgadigadi Salt Pans
Vast, stark, and otherworldly, the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans stretch to the horizon in glimmering silence. Here, desert-adapted wildlife, meerkat encounters, and quad biking safaris add a touch of magic to the wilderness.
Day 1
Kasane
Tucked in Botswana’s far northeast, Kasane is a bustling gateway town to Chobe National Park. Set along the Chobe River, it’s where local culture, wildlife, and river life intersect – perfect for launching into the wild.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 1
Experiences
Relish in your first African sunset on a scenic sundowner cruise on the Chobe River. Glide down the gentle river to the tune of hippos grunting, gin & tonic in hand followed by dinner under the stars.
Day 1
Arrive
Kasane, Botswana
Check-in
Chobe Chilwero
Arrive in Kasane, where a Ker & Downey® Africa representative will be waiting to greet you and assist with the 10-minute private road transfer to Chobe Chilwero, where you will be spending the next three nights. Chobe Chilwero is conveniently set on the fringes of Chobe National Park – one of Botswana’s premier big game destinations and the elephant mecca of Africa. Overlooking the iconic Chobe River and surrounding floodplains, guests enjoy expansive views of the tawny landscape and the myriad of animal species that flock to the water’s edge to drink. The property boasts fine amenities such as elegantly decorated and spacious rooms, gourmet dining, and a pool and spa. Take some time to settle in and relax from your trip before relishing in your first African sunset on a scenic sundowner cruise on the Chobe River. Glide down the gentle river to the tune of hippos grunting, gin & tonic in hand as the sun slips below the horizon line. Enjoy a divine dinner back at the lodge before getting a good night’s rest to prepare for an early rise tomorrow.
Accommodation
Chobe Chilwero
Chobe Chilwero is conveniently set on the fringes of Chobe National Park. The property boasts fine amenities such as elegantly decorated and spacious rooms, gourmet dining, and a pool and spa.
Experiences
Relish in your first African sunset on a scenic sundowner cruise on the Chobe River. Glide down the gentle river to the tune of hippos grunting, gin & tonic in hand followed by dinner under the stars.
Day 1
Arrive
Kasane, Botswana
Check-in
Chobe Chilwero
Arrive in Kasane, where a Ker & Downey® Africa representative will be waiting to greet you and assist with the 10-minute private road transfer to Chobe Chilwero, where you will be spending the next three nights. Chobe Chilwero is conveniently set on the fringes of Chobe National Park – one of Botswana’s premier big game destinations and the elephant mecca of Africa. Overlooking the iconic Chobe River and surrounding floodplains, guests enjoy expansive views of the tawny landscape and the myriad of animal species that flock to the water’s edge to drink. The property boasts fine amenities such as elegantly decorated and spacious rooms, gourmet dining, and a pool and spa. Take some time to settle in and relax from your trip before relishing in your first African sunset on a scenic sundowner cruise on the Chobe River. Glide down the gentle river to the tune of hippos grunting, gin & tonic in hand as the sun slips below the horizon line. Enjoy a divine dinner back at the lodge before getting a good night’s rest to prepare for an early rise tomorrow.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 2
Experiences
Experience morning and afternoon game drives along the banks of the Chobe River with your expert guide or explore the Chobe River on a boat safari to experience game viewing on the water.
Day 2
Chobe National Park
Safari
Wake up with the sunrise while the grass is still dewy, the sky is a soft pastel hue, and the animals are their most active before the heat of the day. This is when your chances of a great game sighting is the best. After a morning cup of strong coffee, step into a 4×4 vehicle with an expert driver and guide who know Chobe like the back of their hands. Hear the crunching of sand beneath the tires as you navigate the roads and trails of this extensive and historic park. Chobe sprawls across 11,700-square kilometers and since its inception in 1967, has been a mainstay for avid safari-goers. While immense herds of elephants are the main attraction, other big game species and predators like lion, hyena, and gemsbok are also commonplace. As the sun centers itself at midday, return to camp for lunch and some time to relax in the shade, read a book, or jump in the pool. In the afternoon, you will set out once more for a game drive in search of species you may have missed in the morning. Before night falls, return to Chobe Chilwero and enjoy a gourmet dinner.
Accommodation
Chobe Chilwero
Chobe Chilwero is conveniently set on the fringes of Chobe National Park. The property boasts fine amenities such as elegantly decorated and spacious rooms, gourmet dining, and a pool and spa.
Experiences
Experience morning and afternoon game drives along the banks of the Chobe River with your expert guide or explore the Chobe River on a boat safari to experience game viewing on the water.
Day 2
Chobe National Park
Safari
Wake up with the sunrise while the grass is still dewy, the sky is a soft pastel hue, and the animals are their most active before the heat of the day. This is when your chances of a great game sighting is the best. After a morning cup of strong coffee, step into a 4×4 vehicle with an expert driver and guide who know Chobe like the back of their hands. Hear the crunching of sand beneath the tires as you navigate the roads and trails of this extensive and historic park. Chobe sprawls across 11,700-square kilometers and since its inception in 1967, has been a mainstay for avid safari-goers. While immense herds of elephants are the main attraction, other big game species and predators like lion, hyena, and gemsbok are also commonplace. As the sun centers itself at midday, return to camp for lunch and some time to relax in the shade, read a book, or jump in the pool. In the afternoon, you will set out once more for a game drive in search of species you may have missed in the morning. Before night falls, return to Chobe Chilwero and enjoy a gourmet dinner.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 3
Experiences
Visit the local community to immerse in Botswanan culture and see the Dipetsana Bike Shop that employs 5 local women who will share how this opportunity has impacted their lives.
Day 3
Chobe National Park
Boat safari
On your final day at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, participate in some of the other singular activities the lodge offers: visit the local community to immerse in Botswanan culture and see the Dipetsana Bike Shop that employs five local women who are keen to explain to guests how this opportunity has impacted their lives. Get a new perspective on a Chobe National Park safari by game viewing by boat. A safari on the Chobe River comes with its perks; from the water, travelers see wildlife from an entirely new vantage point. As thirsty animals congregate by the river ranks, they seem unfussed at the presence of the boat, and views are uninterrupted by vegetations or other vehicles. A boat safari provides extraordinary photographic opportunities memorable game sightings. Return to the lodge in the evening to reflect on a fruitful safari experience in one of Africa’s most touted national parks as you indulge in one final dinner at Chobe Chilwero.
Accommodation
Chobe Chilwero
Chobe Chilwero is conveniently set on the fringes of Chobe National Park. The property boasts fine amenities such as elegantly decorated and spacious rooms, gourmet dining, and a pool and spa.
Experiences
Visit the local community to immerse in Botswanan culture and see the Dipetsana Bike Shop that employs 5 local women who will share how this opportunity has impacted their lives.
Day 3
Chobe National Park
Boat safari
On your final day at Sanctuary Chobe Chilwero, participate in some of the other singular activities the lodge offers: visit the local community to immerse in Botswanan culture and see the Dipetsana Bike Shop that employs five local women who are keen to explain to guests how this opportunity has impacted their lives. Get a new perspective on a Chobe National Park safari by game viewing by boat. A safari on the Chobe River comes with its perks; from the water, travelers see wildlife from an entirely new vantage point. As thirsty animals congregate by the river ranks, they seem unfussed at the presence of the boat, and views are uninterrupted by vegetations or other vehicles. A boat safari provides extraordinary photographic opportunities memorable game sightings. Return to the lodge in the evening to reflect on a fruitful safari experience in one of Africa’s most touted national parks as you indulge in one final dinner at Chobe Chilwero.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 4
Experiences
Explore the incredible Okavango Delta landscape by 4×4 vehicle on morning and afternoon game drives. Return to camp in the evening to enjoy dinner under a star-lit sky.
Day 4
Transfer to
Okavango Delta
Check-in
Stanley’s Camp
After breakfast at the lodge, pack up and check-out for your road transfer back to Kasane. From here, take a charter flight to Stanley’s Camp where you will spend the next 3 nights. Set in the Okavango Delta, Botswana’s most coveted wildlife zone, Stanley’s Camp offers a dynamic and unforgettable safari experience. The wood and canvas camp is shaded by enormous ebony and sausage trees, blending in seamlessly with the natural environment. In utter seclusion, this small traditional safari lodge sits on a 260,000-acre private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Once you’ve had a chance to settle in and relax, set off on an afternoon game drive in search of wildlife, including the many active hyena dens nearby. Return to camp in the evening to enjoy dinner under a star-lit sky while listening to the subtle chirp of nighttime frogs and insects, a welcome reminder of your separation of the stress of everyday life.
Accommodation
Stanley’s Camp
Set in the Okavango Delta, Stanley’s Camp is a wood and canvas camp, shaded by enormous ebony and sausage trees. This exclusive safari lodge sits on a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve.
Experiences
Explore the incredible Okavango Delta landscape by 4×4 vehicle on morning and afternoon game drives. Return to camp in the evening to enjoy dinner under a star-lit sky.
Day 4
Transfer to
Okavango Delta
Check-in
Stanley’s Camp
After breakfast at the lodge, pack up and check-out for your road transfer back to Kasane. From here, take a charter flight to Stanley’s Camp where you will spend the next 3 nights. Set in the Okavango Delta, Botswana’s most coveted wildlife zone, Stanley’s Camp offers a dynamic and unforgettable safari experience. The wood and canvas camp is shaded by enormous ebony and sausage trees, blending in seamlessly with the natural environment. In utter seclusion, this small traditional safari lodge sits on a 260,000-acre private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Once you’ve had a chance to settle in and relax, set off on an afternoon game drive in search of wildlife, including the many active hyena dens nearby. Return to camp in the evening to enjoy dinner under a star-lit sky while listening to the subtle chirp of nighttime frogs and insects, a welcome reminder of your separation of the stress of everyday life.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 5
Experiences
Embark on a life-changing experience with semi-habituated orphaned elephants and learn about elephant conservation in Botswana. Explore the delta in perhaps the most authentic way possible – by mokoro.
Day 5
Okavango Delta
Safari
Today is yours to explore Stanley’s Camp’s diverse offerings. Rise early to feel the early morning coolth on your skin as animals come out of the woodworks, silently picking their way through the tall grasses and floodplains. This morning, embark on a life-changing experience with semi-habituated orphaned elephants. Stanley’s Camp’s Living with the Elephants program allows guests to walk through the bush with these intelligent and emotional creatures, feeling their habitat from their perspective. Conclude the walk with lunch in their company as your guide educates you about elephant conservation in Botswana. In the afternoon, take the opportunity to explore the delta in perhaps the most authentic way possible – a mokoro safari, a traditional dug-out canoe propelled by a long stick. In a mokoro, one can glide effortlessly through the shallow riverine pathways of the delta, flanked by grasses on either side. Watch hippos laze in the cool waters, and spot water-adapted antelope such as red lechwe grazing in the distance.
Accommodation
Stanley’s Camp
Set in the Okavango Delta, Stanley’s Camp is a wood and canvas camp, shaded by enormous ebony and sausage trees. This exclusive safari lodge sits on a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve.
Experiences
Embark on a life-changing experience with semi-habituated orphaned elephants and learn about elephant conservation in Botswana. Explore the delta in perhaps the most authentic way possible – by mokoro.
Day 5
Okavango Delta
Safari
Today is yours to explore Stanley’s Camp’s diverse offerings. Rise early to feel the early morning coolth on your skin as animals come out of the woodworks, silently picking their way through the tall grasses and floodplains. This morning, embark on a life-changing experience with semi-habituated orphaned elephants. Stanley’s Camp’s Living with the Elephants program allows guests to walk through the bush with these intelligent and emotional creatures, feeling their habitat from their perspective. Conclude the walk with lunch in their company as your guide educates you about elephant conservation in Botswana. In the afternoon, take the opportunity to explore the delta in perhaps the most authentic way possible – a mokoro safari, a traditional dug-out canoe propelled by a long stick. In a mokoro, one can glide effortlessly through the shallow riverine pathways of the delta, flanked by grasses on either side. Watch hippos laze in the cool waters, and spot water-adapted antelope such as red lechwe grazing in the distance.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 6
Experiences
Rise at dawn to take to the skies on a personal helicopter flip high above the delta. In the afternoon, navigate the bush by foot, guided by a tenured local guide whose ancestral map was graphed in this very area.
Day 6
Okavango Delta
Safari
Another full at Stanley’s Camp will bring even bolder adventures. Rise at dawn to take to the skies on a personal helicopter flip high above the delta. From this bird’s eye view, the delta’s endless floodplains unfurl beneath you, the twisting rivers catching the morning light and reflecting shades of blue and yellow. If you’re lucky, spot herds of elephant or buffalo from above. Awe-struck, return to camp for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, don your hiking boots to navigate the bush by foot, guided by a tenured local guide whose ancestral map was graphed in this very area. Examine the narratives of the bush both large and small to feel and understand the delta’s flora and fauna in new ways.
Accommodation
Stanley’s Camp
Set in the Okavango Delta, Stanley’s Camp is a wood and canvas camp, shaded by enormous ebony and sausage trees. This exclusive safari lodge sits on a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve.
Experiences
Rise at dawn to take to the skies on a personal helicopter flip high above the delta. In the afternoon, navigate the bush by foot, guided by a tenured local guide whose ancestral map was graphed in this very area.
Day 6
Okavango Delta
Safari
Another full at Stanley’s Camp will bring even bolder adventures. Rise at dawn to take to the skies on a personal helicopter flip high above the delta. From this bird’s eye view, the delta’s endless floodplains unfurl beneath you, the twisting rivers catching the morning light and reflecting shades of blue and yellow. If you’re lucky, spot herds of elephant or buffalo from above. Awe-struck, return to camp for lunch and some time to relax. In the afternoon, don your hiking boots to navigate the bush by foot, guided by a tenured local guide whose ancestral map was graphed in this very area. Examine the narratives of the bush both large and small to feel and understand the delta’s flora and fauna in new ways.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 7
Experiences
Set off on game drives to investigate unique, desert-adapted wildlife. The Makgadigadi Salt Pans offer unmatched wildlife sightings such as the migration of tens of thousands of zebra.
Day 7
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
San Camp
Check-out of Stanley’s Camp in time to board a light aircraft flight to Maun, from Maun take another scenic flight through to the local airstrip for Sans Camp. From where you will be met by a lodge representative and transferred to San Camp. The area is an immense semi-arid region stretching 930,000-square kilometers across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The simplistic and clean San Camp echoes the white soda and salt pans in its design. The surrounding landscape is dotted with waving palms, lawns of wild golden grass, and endless blue skies. San Camp brings about old-world elegance in its opulent furnishings. With 11 Meru-style canvas tents take guests back to a long-gone era of intrepid exploration. Discover a host of extraordinary activities from ancient cultures, desert-adapted wildlife, and extraordinary adventure in the Kalahari.
Accommodation
San Camp
Located in the Kalahari Desert, San Camp brings about old-world elegance in its opulent furnishings and the 11 Meru-style canvas tents take guests back to a long-gone era of intrepid exploration.
Experiences
Set off on game drives to investigate unique, desert-adapted wildlife. The Makgadigadi Salt Pans offer unmatched wildlife sightings such as the migration of tens of thousands of zebra.
Day 7
Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
San Camp
Check-out of Stanley’s Camp in time to board a light aircraft flight to Maun, from Maun take another scenic flight through to the local airstrip for Sans Camp. From where you will be met by a lodge representative and transferred to San Camp. The area is an immense semi-arid region stretching 930,000-square kilometers across Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. The simplistic and clean San Camp echoes the white soda and salt pans in its design. The surrounding landscape is dotted with waving palms, lawns of wild golden grass, and endless blue skies. San Camp brings about old-world elegance in its opulent furnishings. With 11 Meru-style canvas tents take guests back to a long-gone era of intrepid exploration. Discover a host of extraordinary activities from ancient cultures, desert-adapted wildlife, and extraordinary adventure in the Kalahari.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 8
Experiences
Enjoy the freedom of a 2-hour horseback safari on the endless salt pans alongside your experienced guide. Feeling adventurous? Explore the Salt Pans on your own quad bike.
Day 8
Makgadigadi Salt Pans
Safari
Staying at San Camp there are a myriad of activities available to you. Set off on game drives to investigate unique, desert-adapted wildlife different from that you saw in Chobe or the Delta. Impressive species like gemsbok call the salt pans home, thriving despite the dry conditions. Meerkats also abound, and guests are welcome to visit habituated meerkat families to learn about their sophisticated social dynamics. 2-hour horseback safaris allow you to explore new areas, off the beaten track and into the wilderness – getting closer to large herbivores than possible by vehicle. For those with a taste for adventure, quad-biking is also available. At night settle around a fire for dinner and a night cap as an orchestra of night noises provides a cheerful backdrop to the evening’s conversations.
Accommodation
San Camp
Located in the Kalahari Desert, San Camp brings about old-world elegance in its opulent furnishings and the 11 Meru-style canvas tents take guests back to a long-gone era of intrepid exploration.
Experiences
Enjoy the freedom of a 2-hour horseback safari on the endless salt pans alongside your experienced guide. Feeling adventurous? Explore the Salt Pans on your own quad bike.
Day 8
Makgadigadi Salt Pans
Safari
Staying at San Camp there are a myriad of activities available to you. Set off on game drives to investigate unique, desert-adapted wildlife different from that you saw in Chobe or the Delta. Impressive species like gemsbok call the salt pans home, thriving despite the dry conditions. Meerkats also abound, and guests are welcome to visit habituated meerkat families to learn about their sophisticated social dynamics. 2-hour horseback safaris allow you to explore new areas, off the beaten track and into the wilderness – getting closer to large herbivores than possible by vehicle. For those with a taste for adventure, quad-biking is also available. At night settle around a fire for dinner and a night cap as an orchestra of night noises provides a cheerful backdrop to the evening’s conversations.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 9
Experiences
In the morning, embark on a game drive in search of wildlife. Connect with the local people and culture of the Kalahari by spending a day with the San Bushman and learning about their way of life.
Day 9
Makgadigadi Salt Pans
Safari
Wake up to sun peeking over the horizon line, illuminating the endless Makgadikgadi Pans. Before the day gets too hot, go for a morning game drive, meandering through the dusty roads of the Kalahari in search of wildlife. Return to a warm meal, tea and coffee and time to relax and appreciate your unique surroundings before a final afternoon of exploring. For the culturally-inclined, walk with the San Bushman to learn how this ancient tribe has survived in these harsh conditions for ages, or discover archeological gems found in the salt flats. This evening will bring about one of the most phenomenal experiences on this trip. At nightfall, venture back out onto the salt pans, setting up camp in this desolate expanse of salt and sand where there are some of the clearest skies on earth. Spend the night sleeping on the salt pans with fresh air, bright stars, and a feeling of absolute unencumbered freedom.
Accommodation
Stanley’s Camp
Located in the Kalahari Desert, San Camp brings about old-world elegance in its opulent furnishings and the 11 Meru-style canvas tents take guests back to a long-gone era of intrepid exploration.
Experiences
In the morning, embark on a game drive in search of wildlife. Connect with the local people and culture of the Kalahari by spending a day with the San Bushman and learning about their way of life.
Day 9
Makgadigadi Salt Pans
Safari
Wake up to sun peeking over the horizon line, illuminating the endless Makgadikgadi Pans. Before the day gets too hot, go for a morning game drive, meandering through the dusty roads of the Kalahari in search of wildlife. Return to a warm meal, tea and coffee and time to relax and appreciate your unique surroundings before a final afternoon of exploring. For the culturally-inclined, walk with the San Bushman to learn how this ancient tribe has survived in these harsh conditions for ages, or discover archeological gems found in the salt flats. This evening will bring about one of the most phenomenal experiences on this trip. At nightfall, venture back out onto the salt pans, setting up camp in this desolate expanse of salt and sand where there are some of the clearest skies on earth. Spend the night sleeping on the salt pans with fresh air, bright stars, and a feeling of absolute unencumbered freedom.
Itinerary Breakdown
Day 10
Day 10
Departure
Transfer
Maun Airport
Today marks the end of your LuxVenture® Trip to Botswana. After breakfast you will be transferred to the local airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Maun Airport. From Maun, catch your connecting departure flight home.
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