BOTSWANA

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Looking for an affordable African wildlife adventure? Pack your khakis and binoculars for a thrilling safari through the heart of the Okavango Delta’s watery wonderland. Travel from the mesmerizing wetlands of the palm-fringed Okavango to the game-rich Moremi Reserve, ending at the iconic Chobe Riverfront, home to an astounding 120,000 elephants.

Your adventure begins in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango. Board a light aircraft for a quick hop over the Delta, spotting elephants and marveling at the landscape below. Spend the next two nights at the sumptuous Camp Moremi, one of only 24 guests. Prepare to be awestruck by the abundant wildlife and birdlife viewed from your specially adapted land cruiser, guided by a knowledgeable professional.

From Camp Moremi, fly over the Okavango to the elegant and serene Camp Okavango. Like Camp Moremi, this intimate camp hosts only 24 guests, offering luxurious accommodations amidst the magic of still waters, the call of the fish eagle, and the serene beauty of waterway exploration.

Having fallen in love with this renowned beauty spot, your next adventure awaits at Chobe Game Lodge. Another short flight takes you north into the vast Chobe National Park, where you’ll spend the last two nights at Chobe Game Lodge. This grand finale will redefine your idea of the perfect African safari, following in the footsteps of iconic figures like Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, who found this location worthy of their love.

This epic safari will transport you from the mighty Chobe River to the magical waterways of the Okavango and end at the large open moonscapes of the Kalahari Desert. Following in the footsteps of the great Livingstone himself, this safari manages to embrace Botswana’s hot spots in all their glory.    

Begin your safari in style at the lovely Ngoma Lodge which is discreetly situated in its own private reserve, adjoining the Chobe National Park. Chobe National Park in Northern Botswana is probably best known for its huge population of elephant although there is a wide diversity of bird life and mammals in the area. Spend 2 days here exploring this majestic game-rich reserve either on the river or in a specially adapted game viewing vehicle.

A short hop on a light aircraft whisks you to Khwai, adjacent to the world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve – big and bold with its impressive populations of elephant, lion, wild dog, zebra, giraffe and impala. This world heritage site makes for excellent game viewing from specially adapted land-cruisers. Staying at the independently owned and superb Machaba Camp, your stay here offers exhilarating game viewing and a chance to explore this iconic area in style. 

Another light aircraft journey takes you deep into the Okavango Delta and the tranquil and lovely Shinde, which is dotted with palms, wallowing hippos and brightly coloured malachite kingfishers. Located to the North of Moremi, Shinde’s deep water channels, palm islands and wide-open water plains make this an ideal spot to enjoy a true Okavango experience. Wildlife abounds here with hippos, crocodiles, great birdlife, baboons, lion and jackal to name but a few.  What makes this area so special is its sense of peaceful isolation and, of course, the gorgeous Shinde Camp where more 5-star glamping and superb bush cuisine awaits. 

Travel south-east of the Okavango by air to the great Kalahari plains where jaw dropping horizons and grasslands are home to majestic oryx, zebra in their hundreds and predators both great and small, including cheetah and the black-maned Kalahari Lions. Rooftop sleep-out platforms, bushman walks and game drives into the huge reserve are just some of the many ways to explore the area and to savour the last few days of your Grand Safari.

Imagine sipping an ice-cold G&T in your plunge pool while watching a herd of elephants splashing and playing nearby, all against a backdrop of palm trees and a blood-red sky.

From the grace and beauty of the Okavango Delta to the thrill of the Moremi Reserve and the 300,000 acres of pristine wilderness in the Selinda Reserve, this is bush luxury at its finest. We have selected what we believe to be the best camps in the best locations in Northern Botswana and possibly in all of Africa.

Your journey begins at Jao Camp, reached by a thrilling helicopter flight into the heart of the Okavango Delta. Jao Camp is simply sublime. With exacting standards, superb guiding, commanding views, stylish accommodations, gourmet bush cuisine, and impeccable attention to detail, this camp is truly special. A gym, spa, two pools with stunning views, and comfortable sitting and private dining areas serve the small number of guests seamlessly. The individual tented suites are secluded, light, and airy, offering everything you would expect from a world-class 5-star establishment. The Jao concession effortlessly combines luxurious camp life with outstanding game viewing, including lion, leopard, buffalo, zebra, giraffe, hippo, cheetah, and wild dog. The professional guides at Jao enhance your safari experience to the highest level.

From Jao, another scenic helicopter flight will take you to Duba Plains Camp, known for some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa. Often referred to as the Okavango’s Maasai Mara due to the abundance of plains game and predators, Duba Plains is situated on its own 77,000-acre private game reserve. Here, lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, and leopard sightings are often close-up and thrilling. The camp’s effortless comfort and style blend perfectly into the surrounding bush, enhancing its exceptional location.

Your adventure continues with a helicopter flight to the vast and solitary Selinda Reserve near the great Linyanti Swamps. Large swathes of grasslands and water plains make this one of the most remote areas in Botswana. Zarafa Camp was built with exclusivity in mind and delivers it in spades. Hosting only six guests at a time, the focus is on discovering and enjoying this hauntingly beautiful area with some of the best professional guides in the safari world.

A safari with kids can seem daunting, but in Botswana, careful planning ensures that children can be an integral part of your dream safari while being safely entertained and educated. A family safari draws you closer as you explore and enjoy this paradise together, learning how to track animals.

Beyond Holidays’s perfect family safari begins with a short flight into the Okavango to Xigera Camp. Resembling a huge treehouse, the camp features wooden walkways through the forest and charming, brightly furnished dining and sitting areas. The family tented suite is spacious and delightful, with plenty of room for everyone. A large decked veranda allows for private family dinners if the kids need to eat early, and a private guide can be arranged for the family.

Next, journey to Machaba Camp in the magnificent Moremi Game Reserve. The owners of Machaba Camp have three small children, so every effort has been made to make this camp pleasurable for families. Private guided vehicles and boats make game viewing an inclusive family experience under the care of professional guides.

The final stop on this wonderful family adventure is Gomoti Plains Camp on the western fringes of the Okavango. With walking safaris, game drives, boating, and mokoros, this camp is a perfect adventure playground for the whole family. Superb game viewing, outstanding bush cuisine, and airy family tented suites make this a favorite for all, with the fabulous wildlife in the area as the icing on the cake!

Walking with the Kalahari Bushmen, floating in a viewing hide to watch the great African zebra migration, and canoeing or trekking along the ancient waterways of the Selinda Spillway... Experience Botswana in a more cultural and immersive way.

Upon arrival in Maun, a 2-hour road transfer takes you to the charming and quirky Meno a Kwena (meaning "teeth of the crocodile" in the local dialect). Perched on the banks of the seasonal Boteti River, Meno a Kwena attracts one of Africa's largest zebra migrations from November to May. Located in the Kalahari, equidistant between Nxai Pan, Makgadikgadi Pans, and Baines Baobabs, Meno a Kwena's greatest draw is the chance to meet families of Kalahari Bushmen who reside nearby. They regularly visit the camp to share their ancient culture, offering a humbling and moving glimpse into their fascinating lives. Additionally, the camp features a terrific floating hide at the water's edge, where you can watch elephants play in the river.

After returning by road and a short flight, you'll arrive at the marvelous Selinda Reserve. Here, you'll meet your professional guide for the next four nights. Depending on water levels, you'll spend the next five days either canoeing or walking along the ancient Selinda Spillway, camping along the way. This thrilling adventure is not for the faint-hearted but rewards you with a night of extravagance and indulgence at Selinda Camp.

A final light aircraft hop takes you to Jao Camp, where you can spend a night under the stars in a super-raised hide. Marvel at the starry skies above and listen to the nighttime sounds of the surrounding wilderness as you drift into slumber.

The Okavango conjures images of tranquil waters, blooming waterlilies, elephants grazing against breathtaking sunsets—a dreamy idyll perfect for a romantic safari of a lifetime.

Your romance-filled safari begins at the enchanting Makgadikgadi Pans and its mystical salt flats. A light aircraft from Maun transports you to San Camp, where you can dine under the stars enjoying world-class cuisine and a bottle of champagne, or simply revel in the remoteness and beauty of the endless horizons. 

Enjoy walking, driving, or quad biking during the sunny days and relax in the evenings around an open fire or watch the sunset from the ‘Yoga’ pavilion.

From one romantic setting to the next, you’ll be chartered to Moremi Camp for incredible game viewing by day and evenings luxuriating in the delightful honeymoon suite, complete with muslin mosquito nets and champagne on ice.

Next, journey to the tranquility of the Okavango Delta. Your stay at Camp Okavango promises peace and serenity as you glide through the intricate waterways in a mokoro (dugout canoe) or cruise on a motorboat, enjoying the many birds and wallowing hippos. At night, the gorgeous honeymoon tented suite is both romantic and grand, with plenty of room for private dining.

After another light aircraft hop, your journey concludes at Chobe Game Lodge, where you’ll stay in a suite with a private plunge pool, sitting room, and stunning views over the Chobe River.