BOTSWANA   8 Days

This itinerary includes Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, Chobe National Park, and Moremi Game Reserve in Botswana.

Wild Botswana is a landlocked country defined by its diverse landscape of desert, grasslands, and waterways, offering an unforgettable safari experience in some of Africa’s most pristine and remote game areas.

In the heart of the Kalahari Basin, in the northwest of Botswana, lies a stunning natural wonder: the Okavango Delta (Moremi Game Reserve). The Delta is one of Africa's last great natural sanctuaries, a pristine wilderness home to vast concentrations of wildlife.

Chobe National Park, Botswana's third-largest national park, is named after the Chobe River, which flows along its boundary. The park is famed for its elephants, diverse habitats, wide variety of animals and birds, and its magnificent river, which allows for exceptional game viewing by boat.

Botswana’s economy—driven by mining, cattle, and tourism—has become one of Africa’s fastest-growing. Botswana is similar in size to France.

<Please note: The Photo Gallery can be found at the bottom of this page>

Before you go:

• Travelwildnow.com strongly advises using a licensed tour operator for your safari. They provide personalized plans and stay with you the whole trip.

  • You can find reputable companies through popular travel guides like Lonely Planet & Bradt travel guides.

• Visiting Botswana - USA and Canadian citizens do NOT require a tourist Visa.

• Visiting Zimbabwe - USA and Canadians require a tourist Visa. This can be done online or upon arrival.

• As a general rule, passports must be valid for six (6) months beyond the date of travel.

• The US dollar is accepted in Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is recommended to bring US dollars on your trip. Note: ATM’s are not reliable in Zimbabwe.

• Before departing check for vaccine and malaria recommendations.

• Types of travel adaptors used in Botswana and Zimbabwe: Type D and Type G.

• Always keep your camera in a dust-free bag. Driving on unpaved roads brings in dust that can harm your camera.

• Below we have outlined a blueprint for what your safari adventure might entail.

DAY 1

• Arrive at Victoria Falls airport, Zimbabwe and transfer to your hotel.

  • A tour guide will meet you at the arrival terminal and assist with the next steps. Tour operators handle all your accommodation needs.

• Most hotels in Victoria Falls are within walking distance of the majestic Falls. The Victoria Falls Hotel and Ilala Lodge stand as the closest options for accommodation. <Other hotel options in the area>

• The Falls sit on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

• If you have time, walk from your hotel to Victoria Falls for a quick view. It is a 10-minute walk from town. You will find an easily accessible trail that runs along the Falls easy and fun, no guide needed.

• Overnight: Victoria Falls.

DAY 2 

• Following breakfast, walk the trail at Victoria Falls with its 16 viewpoints.

• Victoria Falls is located on the Zambezi River, and is 1,708 meters wide and 108 meters high.

  • The appearance of the Falls changes throughout the day due to the sunlight, creating various breathtaking views.

  • You can explore the Falls on an easy, flat trail that takes 2 to 3 hours, giving you plenty of time for photos and to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

• The Falls are one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. The others are the Great Barrier Reef, the Grand Canyon, Northern Lights-Aurora Borealis, Paricutin volcano, the Harbor of Rio de Janeiro and Mount Everest.

• Adventure activities in Victoria Falls include bungee jumping and white water rafting which is considered the best in the world.

• For those who are daring, there is also an option to take a 15-minute Microlight flights that circle around Victoria Falls.

  
  

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• You will depart roughly mid-day to cross the border into Kasane, Botswana. Travel time: 2.5 hrs.

  • The town of Kasane serves as the entry point to Chobe National Park. Although the town is not an impressive destination, it's an essential stop to access the park.

• Botswana has many different wild animals. You can see many kinds of animals when you visit.

• Visit Chobe National Park, renowned for its game viewing and boat cruises.

• Chobe boat cruises are an excellent way to experience the best of Botswana. You can see large groups of animals close up in the Park. They move to the river and its islands to eat the sweet grass.

• Chobe Park itself has four (4) noticeably different layouts. These regions are described below.

  —Where you wander and what you see will be heavily influenced by which region you’re in. <map>

  • Savute-is famous for its fascinating channel and for its resident lion and spotted hyena populations.

  • Linyati wetlands-With its papyrus-lined waterways, Linyati offers amazing birdwatching all year and is famous for large herds of elephants and wild dogs. It is one of Southern Africa's most beautiful and untouched wilderness areas, known for high-end luxury.

  • Nogatsaa-This area is remote and untouched, offering a genuine Botswana experience with hides overlooking grasslands, clay pans, and waterholes. It is hard to reach.

  • Chobe Riverfront-is the most accessible area of the park <map>. This area has the most wildlife and is the top safari spot for tour operators. The main entrance (Sedudu) is close to Kasane town.

• Overnight: Chobe-Kasane region (3 nights)

• Where to stay:

  • Chobe Game Lodge is the only permanent lodge inside the park and offers a ultimate safari experience.

  • <Read more> on the many accommodations choices outside of park.

DAYS 3 and 4

• Two (2) exciting days at Chobe National Park featuring one of the greatest concentrations of game in all of Africa.

• Chobe is famous for large groups of elephants, hippos, and Cape buffalo that gather by the Chobe River during the dry season. Lions, antelopes, and many other animals live nearby in the forests and lagoons.

  • Visitors can enjoy full-day safaris, unique night game drives, and relaxing boat cruises along the Chobe River, all arranged by their tour operator.

• The best time to visit Chobe is the dry season, from late June to early October. The grass is short, and animals gather near the river, making them easier to see.

• Overnight: Chobe-Kasane region.

DAY 5

• Your next stop is Moremi Game Reserve.

  —Getting there: you board a small plane from Kasane airport to Moremi Game Reserve airstrip.

  —Flight time ~ 45-minutes. Arrive by lunchtime.

• The Moremi Reserve is in the Okavango Delta, the world's largest undisturbed inland delta and the second-largest wildlife reserve. It is as large as Switzerland and has flat land.

• The Okavango Delta is home to many different animals, offering plenty of space for them to live naturally. In the dry season, when many visitors come, about 260,000 mammals gather near the delta, making it a great place for safaris and watching wildlife.

  • Best time to visit: dry season: June to early-October.

• Throughout all the Parks, Games drives are scheduled in the early morning, afternoon and evening.

• Overnight: Moremi Reserve camp. (3 nights)

• <Where to stay>

  Many visitors ask what is the difference between a tented camp and a lodge? —A lodge has concrete structures, walls made of stone or wood.

  —A tented camp consists of large safari tents. Don’t think of the small tents you pitch in your backyard or on a campsite. These safari tents are spacious sleeping-living tents with en-suite bathrooms.

• View—a typical 4-star tent.

DAYS 6 and 7

• Moremi Game Reserve—experience the untamed beauty and breathtaking game drives.

• In the Moremi Reserve, visitors can experience excellent views of common savannah game as well as birdwatching on the lagoons. There are also thickly wooded areas, which are home to leopards and the Cape Wild Dogs. 

• Embark on an unforgettable Mokoro (dugout canoes) tour down the Khwai River. Skilled guides will take you through the shallow delta, where you can see hippos, elephants, and crocodiles up close.

• Overnight: Moremi Game Reserve camp.    

                                                                    

DAY 8

• End of the safari. Depart to Maun Airport for your return home.

  • Consider optional extensions to Namibia or Cape Town.

• Driving time:  

  Moremi Camp —-> Maun Airport: 4.5 hours by road, or a 35-minute flight on a small aircraft.

• Historical Weather Data. 

• During the months of May through August you will most likely experience good weather with pleasant average temperatures. Best time to visit.

• Most rainfall (rainy season) is seen in January, February and November.

• The warmest month is October.

• The coolest and driest months are July and August. An excellent time for a safari adventure.

• Sunrise/Sunset times.