Affordable Botswana - 8 days

Enjoy an exhilarating adventure in Botswana at an affordable price. Meander along the crystal waterways of the renowned, vast Okavango Delta waters by mekoro - a dugout canoe- for unparalleled game viewing and bird watching.  Travel to the heart of Chobe National Park, famous for its large herds of elephant and buffalo. Stay in a variety of accommodations, including cottages, luxury tented camps and chalets and take in the view of the floodplains and lagoons from your own verandah.  Enjoy day and night drives, bush walks, and river cruising. 

Day 1, 2 & 3

VIP Meet & Greet: OR Tambo International Airport Welcome to Johannesburg! You will be met at the door of your aircraft with your name on a paging board, and your documents will be handed over to you. You will be assisted through immigration, baggage collection and customs. You will then be shown to your onward flight. Please note: Should your arrival aircraft be directed to the apron and not the terminal, you will be transported to the terminal by bus. Your Meet and Greet will then be waiting for you as you step off the bus with the paging board.

Maun to Mapula: Seat in Plane
Please note: Luggage limited to 20 kgs in soft bags including cameras and hand luggage.  Excess baggage will be carried at an additional charge, space permitting.

Welcome to the Okavango Delta…

The Okavango Delta is the best known and most visited tourist attraction in Botswana. The Okavango Delta is situated deep within the Kalahari Basin, and is often referred to as the ‘jewel’ of the Kalahari. Shaped like a fan, the Delta is fed by the Okavango River, the third largest in southern Africa. It has been steadily developed over the millennia by millions of tonnes of sand carried down the river from Angola.

The Delta has no outlet to the sea and as a result its water run into the Kalahari Desert. Each year, during and shortly after the rainy season, the Delta irrigates about 15,000sq km of desert. However, the high temperatures of the Kalahari causes much of this excess water to quickly evaporate. Floodplains and islands disappear under the rising water and then reappear in an ever-changing landscape at the end of each wet season.

Access to the Delta is via Maun, with its frequent flights to Gaborone and Johannesburg. There are many light aircraft operators to fly you directly to your bush camps from Maun. One of the most popular activities in the Delta, is to go on an enchanting mokoro ride, where a qualified guide silently poles you through the reed-lined waterways.

Mapula Lodge is situated in the north-eastern section of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. This intimate lodge is in a private concession just outside the renowned Moremi Game Reserve. The main guest area is a thatched structure on a large elevated deck with some sections of rough textured walling, but majority open sides. Chunky and raw wood poles frame and furnish the comfortable lounge, dining area and bar, all with exceptional views of the permanent lagoon where a resident pod of hippopotamus keep you entertained. The sweeping decks also incorporate an inviting swimming pool, where you can relax on the sunny loungers.

There are 10 luxury chalets which have been constructed by local craftsmen in a traditional design using rough plastered walling, gauze windows and thatched roofing. The interesting use of raw wood adds an attractive and unusual detail to the chalets. Each chalet has a lounge area and a large bathroom with unusual bath tubs and twin sinks, as well as outside showers. All the chalets open out to large verandas offering fantastic views over the lagoon.This is both a land camp and a water camp with day and night drives, as well as bush walks, boating and Mokoro excursions all year round, all with highly qualified and enthusiastic Guides and Trackers. Game viewing is particularly good in this area and there is also a huge variety of birds. There has been a pack of African Wild Dogs denning near the lodge for two consecutive breeding seasons, which has added an incredible dimension to the safari experience.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch,  Dinner
Overnight: Mapula Lodge

Day 4 

Mapula to Savuti: Seat in Plane

Please note: Luggage limited to 20 kg's in soft bags including camera's and hand luggage- Excess baggage will be carried at an additional charge, space permitting.

Camp Savuti is situated in the heart of Botswana’s Chobe National Park on the Savuti Marsh. This intimate camp was created when some of the “public campsites” were privatized and Ren and Connie Mbulawa purchased the site. The main guest area is under canvas and is made up of a comfortable and cosy lounge, bar and dining area overlooking the Savuti Channel. This is a true Botswana bush experience, coupled with a modest and tasteful level of exclusivity.

There are 5 Meru-style tents, which have been positioned to ensure privacy. They are a good size, offering comfort in a classic style. The canvas structures are set on platforms and offer twin or double beds draped with quality linens and lightweight duvets. The en-suite bathrooms boast flush toilets and safari showers. All the tents open out to views over the Savuti Channel.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch,  Dinner
Overnight: Camp Savuti

Day 6

Kasane to Savuti: Seat in Plane
Please note: Luggage limited to 20 kg's in soft bags including camera's and hand luggage- Excess baggage will be carried at an additional charge, space permitting.

Welcome to Chobe National Park…

The Chobe National Park was established in 1968. It covers approximately 11 700km2, encompassing floodplains, swamps and woodlands and the Chobe River forms its northern boundary with Namibia.

The riverfront is most famous for its large herds of elephant and Cape buffalo, which rely on the river for water during the dry winter months. In some instances, you may see hundreds of elephant at one time, as the road becomes impassable while scores of family herds make their way to the river to drink, bathe and play. One of the most popular activities of this region is to go on a river cruise, where you can experience the game viewing from a different vantage point, accompanied by the unmistakable and spine-chilling call of the Fish Eagle.

Situated within the Chobe Forest Reserve on the quieter western side of Chobe National Park, is owner operated Muchenje Safari Lodge.  Sitting high on the escarpment Muchenje’s elevated position offers extensive panoramic views over the Chobe River and Caprivi floodplain. With just 10 comfortable standard cottages and one family cottage (sleeping four), Muchenje offers a friendly, intimate, home away from home atmosphere. The cottages have high thatched roofs, are built from stone and line the ridge, offering private panoramic views from the balcony. All the cottages are en-suite with a shower, double vanity and toilet; fans and 24 hour electricity. The main lodge is coolly set under thatch and shady trees and is open sided to make the most of the excellent views. There is a comfortable lounge leading to the dining area where buffet style meals are served; a viewing deck perfect for sundowners, reference library, small gym and large swimming pool with cool shady spots and deck chairs. WiFi is available at the main lodge and around the pool.

Activities at Muchenje include early morning and afternoon game drives, full day game drives, bush game walks, “Night Eyes” game drive, Chobe River cruise and village visits.
NOTE: Muchenje is 50km from Kasane on a tar road. This same road is used for one way access into the Chobe National Park main gates for game drives and boat cruises.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch,  Dinner
Overnight: Muchenje Safari Lodge
 

Day 8

Today you’ll return to Kasane in time for your flight home. Excludes flight Kasane to Johannesburg