Okavango Wilderness Trail (Accommodated)

Day 1: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe - Chobe National Park, Botswana

From Victoria Falls, begin to travel the short distance to the Botswana border and cross into the small town of Kasane, and on to our lodge. This afternoon, head out onto a game drive and boat cruise in the Chobe National Park. Chobe is widely known for its populations of elephant, but the park also contains lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe and a host of antelope and bird life. The Chobe floodplains and Chobe River provide a sensitive eco system which attracts much of the wildlife of the region especially in the dry season when it is not uncommon to see between 500 and 2000 elephants on the floodplains at one time.

One highlight of Chobe is the combination of wildlife, birdlife and reptiles seen along the banks of the Chobe River. Take the afternoon cruise for a unique perspective of river-side wildlife. After, return to the lodge for a relaxing cool-down by the sunset.

*We recommend you arrive to Victoria Falls a few days early, so you can visit the Victoria Falls National Park and Zambezi River.

Day 2: Chobe National Park - Gweta

Following breakfast, depart for Gweta. Driving south, you may be lucky to encounter elephant or buffalo alongside(or on) the road, often strays to the migratory herds whichroam freely throughout the area in search of pasture and water. Stop in the small settlement of Nata for lunch or snack before continuing to Gweta where you have the opportunity of exploring the Salt Pans in an optional 4x4 safari. Alternatively try the (also optional) Baobab Foresttour. The night is spent at the lodge.

Optional activities: Baobab Forest Sundowners

Day 3: Gweta - Maun

After an early breakfast, join a guided walk through a local Tswana village to learn something of the life of the community, from schools and doctors to trading and traditions. Then depart and head west to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Maun has experienced rapid growth in recent years and is a bustling provincial centre. Options here include scenic flights but the first priority is to prepare for your excursion into the Okavango Delta. Your accommodation in Maun is a simple guesthouse/lodge/hotel. The afternoon is at your leisure to relax with a cool beverage and pack for the Delta excursion for the following day.

Day 4: Maun - Okavango Delta

Heading out early after breakfast, begin your excursion into the Okavango Delta. The first part of the journey is by 4x4 over rough sandy paths to the ‘mokoro’ station, where the river level reaches. Here you are introduced to the local Tswana ‘polers’, your guides for the excursion and transfer your luggage and equipment to the makoros (dug-outcanoes). Travel by these shallow canoes amongst giantlily pads, tall grasses and labyrinthine channels to our camp on the edge of the Okavango.

From your camp, venture out on guided walk in search of some of the prolific birdlife and larger mammals that inhabit the reserve. The whole area is a natural wetland spreading over some 1,600,000ha of northern Botswana offering a perfect habitat for thewildlife that roams here freely. The Okavango River rises in Angola (far to the north) and flows south dividing repeatedly to form an intricate flood plain of channels andswamps which then spreads out into a broad flat inlanddelta – the only one of its kind in the world. Enjoy the afternoon wilderness experience and for many people the feeling of being at camp overnight is an unforgettable experience.

Day 5: Okavango Delta - Maun

his morning, explore the surrounds on a nature walk where you have the thrilling experience of being out in the natural wilderness. This is a great way to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of the wilderness and enjoy nature as it wakes for the day. After the bush, enjoy breakfast and then pack up again onto our mokoros, leaving nothing behind but footprints. Returning to the 4x4 and bidding your polers farewell, return to Maun.

The afternoon offers the opportunity to join the guide for a trip into town for a little shopping. Another popular activity here is an optional scenic flight over the ‘Delta’ for a bird’s eye view of the wilderness you have just explored by makoro and on foot. Prices depend on number of people interested but seeing the vastness of the Okavango from the air gives a further appreciation of the beauty of this part of Africa.

Optional activities: Delta Scenic flight.

Day 6: Maun - Khama Rhino Sanctuary

Another early rise for our long journey skirting the greater Kalahari, where we may glimpse in the distance the vast salt pans of central Botswana to the Khama Rhino Sanctuary which we normally reach by late afternoon. In 1989 a group of local people wished to convert the Serowe Pan, previously a hunting area, into a conservation region for the rhino that inhabited the area. The ‘Pan’ was chosen because of its rhino-friendly habitat (and for its proximity to the Botswana Defence Force base for 24-hour protection against poachers). Khama is a prime habitat for white rhino, zebra, wildebeest and giraffe and with its community-based wildlife project, allows the local people to benefit from tourism.

We take a game drive to catch sight of some of the rhino with guides often pointing up interesting facts about the local fauna and flora. Our last night on safari is spent at the Stevensford private nature conservancy situated on the Limpopo River in Botswana’s Tuli Block. At 3500 ha, this reserve is home to many species of antelope, crocodile, hippo, zebra, giraffe and a plethora of bird species.

Day 7: Martins Drift – Pretoria, South Africa

Our last morning sees us joining the main route along Martin’s Drift border post. Crossing the mighty Limpopo River into South Africa, we take in the scenic views and notice changes to vegetation, infrastructure and populated areas. We arrive in Pretoria where our tour ends normally by mid to late afternoon.

• Accommodation with private facilities
• Tours led by experienced Guide(s)
• Activities as specified
• Meals as specified
• Transport in minibus & 4x4 safari vehicle (Vehicles are not air-conditioned)

• International and internal airfares 
• Arrival/departure taxes or reciprocity fees, visa fees where applicable 
• Optional activities 
• Travel insurance 
• Gratuities
• Mandatory Safari Pass*
• Any items not mentioned as included

• Mandatory Safari Pass: USD500 per person
• Single Supplement: AUD340

*Please note the Safari Pass is mandatory and it covers selected park entries, activities and excursions along the way where payment goes directly to the local supplier to ensure local suppliers benefit directly from the income. The Safari Pass is subject to change should local operators update activity rates.

This is a Small Group Safari:

• Minimum age: 8, no maximum age.
• Family friendly
• Min number of passengers: 2, Max: 12
• Vehicles are not air-conditioned.