Botswana Wetlands and Wildlife Self-drive Camping Safari

Arrive in Maun, which has regular flights from Jo'burg, Victoria Falls, Cape Town and Windhoek, and transfer by light aircraft to the Okavango Delta Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a network of waterways and flood plains in Botswana
More... for two nights

This part of your tour is not self-drive because the Okavango Delta is almost impenetrable by road. Spend two nights in the world's largest inland delta enjoying game drives, motor boat safaris and mokoro safaris in the channels and lagoons.

Game viewing is exceptional in this pristine wilderness with an abundance on water-loving animals like elephant, buffalo, crocodiles, hippos, waterbuck, lechwe and reedbuck. Lions, leopards, wild dogs, hyenas and jackals are naturally attracted to the rich pickings of this fertile expanse and the birdlife is phenomenal.

Accommodation: Oddballs or Moremi Crossing Moremi Crossing
Moremi Crossing, built in 2009, is a modern and eco-friendly safari lodge in the Okavango Delta overlooking the Boro River and Chief's Island.
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From the Delta, fly back to Maun and collect your camping-ready off-road safari vehicle and head into Maun to buy your food and supplies for your self-drive camping tour of Botswana. From Maun you will then drive about 20 minutes to Thamalakane River Lodge where you can enjoy an afternoon's rest beside the beautiful river.

Thamalakane Lodge is a comfortable lodge away from the hubbub of Maun on the banks of the Thamalakane River. The stone and thatch chalets have en suite bathrooms, private splash pools and a great view of the river with its chirruping birdlife and hippos grunting beneath the lilies.

Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge

Drive from Thamalakane River Lodge for about two hours into the Okavango Delta Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta is a network of waterways and flood plains in Botswana
More... along well-maintained gravel roads, stopping for pictures of wildlife and beautiful African scenery as you continue deeper into the waterways of the delt

As you approach it, the Okavango Delta opens up slowly to reveal its vast, watery wilderness. The land changes from open acacia savannah to lush islands with broad-leafed and riparian woodlands, towering palms and thickets of impenetrable bush.

Wildlife in the Moremi Game Reserve is prolific including lion, leopard, cheetah, hyena, wild dog, elephant, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and plenty of antelope including the rare red lechwe. Birding is superb with hundreds of species on record, plenty of specials and some renowned birding spots.

Accommodation: You will spend two nights camping at either Third Bridge or Xakanaxa Campsite and another two nights at North Gate.

From the delta to the deep brown bush you go. Savute is the acacia and grassland plains of your picture book safari in the Chobe National Park Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
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The drive from Moremi Game Reserve takes you directly into Chobe and you'll be on permanent safari from the moment you leave the delta to the moment you arrive in Savute. In fact, the rest of your self-drive tour is a permanent safari as you don't leave a National Park until the end.

Game drive safaris in the Savute region are always excellent with great concentrations of plains game: lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, hyena and many smaller nocturnal predators; elephant, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and a plentiful supply of antelopes with impressive variety.

Accommodation: Camping at Savute campsite

From the dry open grasslands of Savuti to the lush riverside of the Chobe River, your safari continues to provide striking contrasts, beautiful settings and amazing wildlife and birdlife. Drive north and east through Chobe National Park Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
More... to Chobe Safari Lodge on the Chobe River.

It's a long game drive from Savute to Chobe River and you should be on the lookout for elephant, buffalo, a variety antelope and many species of bird.

The Chobe River attracts Africa's greatest concentration of elephant. Knee-deep in the gentle river's flooded plains, elephants nibble in numbers on the juicy jackalberry and mangosteen trees that tower above the ground with huge dense canopies.

The schedule of activities at Chobe Safari Lodge is flexible and varied with optional motor boat safaris, canoeing safaris, guided walks, fishing, sunset river cruises and game drives into Chobe National Park on offer at a time and frequency that suits you. Or you can take your own vehicle into the park and follow the well-graded gravel roads in your time.

As well as huge herds of elephant, the Chobe area has good numbers of plains game including buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, giraffe, large and small antelope and plenty of predators including lion, leopard, wild dog and hyena. Thanks to the river, birdlife is prolific with over 400 species on record including Pel's fishing owl and African Fish Eagle.

Accommodation: Camping on the river or a room at Chobe Safari Lodge Chobe Safari Lodge
Chobe Safari Lodge is a comfortable family hotel right on the Chobe River in this famous Botswana game park.
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From the Chobe River inside the Chobe National Park Chobe National Park
Chobe National Park has one of the highest concentrations of wildlife in Africa.
More... you can drive about 20 minutes to Kasane Airport and fly out to Jo'burg; or you can drop off your vehicle and transfer to Victoria Falls Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls - also called Mosi-oa-Tunya which means the smoke that thunders
More... on either the Zimbabwean side or the Zambian side.

Victoria Falls is accessible from both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Both sides offer excellent hotels and safari lodges and a great view of the falls. Both sides are safe and standards are still high in Zimbabwe. Despite that country's economic and political problems, Victoria Falls remains a safe and accessible destination and an essential addition to any African safari.

Victoria Falls is an exciting hive of activity. After a day spent exploring the beautiful waterfalls area – one of seven natural wonders of the world – it's time for some action. A scenic flight over the falls is amazing and the sunset river cruises are a must; walking safaris with lions and elephants are popular highlights and there are many adventure activities available for the young-at-heart including excellent white water rafting and canoeing safaris.

Spend at least two days exploring Victoria Falls and either cramming in the activities or relaxing in your safari lodge with a beautiful view, a cool drink and the wonderful African weather. After breakfast on your last day, transfer to the nearest international airport and connect to your homeward flight at the end of a wonderful African safari.

Accommodation: Victoria Falls Victoria Falls
Victoria Falls - also called Mosi-oa-Tunya which means the smoke that thunders
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