Lion Safari
14 night/ 15 day - This Botswana safari covers some of the best wilderness areas in Botswana, from the unique Nxai Pan, to the beautiful Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve. Starting in Kasane (northern Botswana) and ending at the Victoria Falls in Livingstone, it offers unbeatable value for money.
Your highlights:
Sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River
Nxai Pan National Park – 2 nights
Central Okavango Delta, mokoro excursions; Motorboat in the Delta
Moremi Game Reserve – 3 nights
Chobe National Park – 3 nights
Optional visit to the Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia (US$ 20, subject to change)
Livingstone, Zambia, comfortable Lodge – 1 nigh
Day 1: Chobe Area, camping
The safari starts in Kasane, Botswana, at 13h00. We are happy to assist with pre-tour arrangements such as accommodation and transfers from Livingstone, Zambia or Kasane, Botswana, if required. Upon arrival in Kasane your guide gives you a full safari briefing and takes you shopping for your safari drinks. The first highlight of your safari is the sunset cruise on the Chobe River. Camping is in Kasane at a campsite with permanent ablutions. (L, D)
Day 2- 3: Nxai Pan National Park, camping
Awake at sunrise this morning, your route takes you 500 kilometres south to Nxai Pan National Park where sweet grasses provide sustenance for a variety of wildlife. You stop en route for a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Park before getting to your campsite. The following day explore Nxai Pan, where the plains are often dotted with grazing herds of impala and springbok. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Baines Baobabs. These regal trees, immortalised in the explorer Thomas Baines’ painting, are situated on the edge of an expansive saltpan. Camping at a private designated campsite with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Kasane – Nxai Pan: 500km, 6h
Day 4: Maun, camping
After enjoying a morning game drive, you leave Nxai Pan and continue your safari to Maun - the gateway to the famed Okavango Delta. In Maun there is time to visit the shops and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. You camp overnight at a site with permanent ablution facilities. (B, L, D)
Nxai – Maun: 180km, 3-4h
Day 5-6: Okavango Delta, camping
Your adventure will take you to the southern tip of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once you have reached the edge of the Delta, you will meet your polers from the local community with their mekoro (traditional dugout canoes).
Quietly cruising along reed lined channels and floodplains, you will enjoy the spectacular landscape of this unique region during the tranquil transfer taking you deeper inside the Delta. You will spend two days exploring this beautiful area with mokoro excursions and guided nature walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango, camping wild with bush ablutions on a small island for two nights.
On day 7, you will start making your way towards the drier regions of the delta and camp in a concession outside the Moremi Game Reserve. (B, L, D)
Maun – Okavango Delta: 60km, 1.5-2h
Day 7: Okavango Delta – community campsite outside Moremi 50km, 1.5-2h
NOTE: on day 5 you will leave your main luggage in the trailer and will need to pack a smaller bag (small backpack, hand luggage) with what you need for the 2 days on the island. Transfers from the mainland to the island where you will stay are done on traditional dugout canoes (mekoro) which cannot accommodate large bags. Your main luggage will safely remain in the vehicle that will be parked in a secured area while you are on the island.
Days 8-10: Moremi Game Reserve, camping
Early morning of Day 8, you will enter Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After your morning game drives, you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. On Day 10 you will move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions (2 nights in Western Moremi and 1 night in Eastern Moremi). (B, L, D)
Community campsite outside Moremi – Western Moremi: 80km, 3-4h (transfer and game drive)
Days 11-13: Chobe National Park, camping
Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, is the next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, traverse the drier region of Savuti, and the famed marsh area. You then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives meander along the banks of the river. Camping is in private designated areas with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Moremi – Savuti: 120km. 5-6h; Savuti - Chobe River: 170km, 5h
Days 14–15: Comfortable lodge in Livingstone, chalet accommodation
After a morning game drive, cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls (a Visa is required), where you spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there is time to visit the Victoria Falls themselves, and shop for curios. Dinner is for your own account at the lodge. The safari officially ends at 10h00 on Day 15. (Day 14 – B, L & Day 15 B)
Chobe River – Livingstone: 100km, 2-3h
Included:
All accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), rooms at a comfortable lodge in Livingstone,
All transfers and activities as per the itinerary,
All meals that are indicated (B – breakfast, L –lunch, D – dinner) and tea/coffees,
Services of a Professional Guide and Camp Assistant,
All Botswana park fees for activities included on itinerary and transport in specialised safari vehicles.
Not included:
Restaurant meals (Livingstone, Zambia),
Entrance to the Falls, visas, airport transfers, tips, curios, optional excursions (scenic flight over the Delta and activities in Livingstone/Victoria Falls,),
Beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water),
Travel Insurance
Sleeping bag (and small pillow) on all camping sectors.
Your highlights:
Sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River
Nxai Pan National Park – 2 nights
Central Okavango Delta, mokoro excursions; Motorboat in the Delta
Moremi Game Reserve – 3 nights
Chobe National Park – 3 nights
Optional visit to the Victoria Falls, Livingstone, Zambia (US$ 20, subject to change)
Livingstone, Zambia, comfortable Lodge – 1 nigh
Day 1: Chobe Area, camping
The safari starts in Kasane, Botswana, at 13h00. We are happy to assist with pre-tour arrangements such as accommodation and transfers from Livingstone, Zambia or Kasane, Botswana, if required. Upon arrival in Kasane your guide gives you a full safari briefing and takes you shopping for your safari drinks. The first highlight of your safari is the sunset cruise on the Chobe River. Camping is in Kasane at a campsite with permanent ablutions. (L, D)
Day 2- 3: Nxai Pan National Park, camping
Awake at sunrise this morning, your route takes you 500 kilometres south to Nxai Pan National Park where sweet grasses provide sustenance for a variety of wildlife. You stop en route for a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the Park before getting to your campsite. The following day explore Nxai Pan, where the plains are often dotted with grazing herds of impala and springbok. In the afternoon, visit the magnificent Baines Baobabs. These regal trees, immortalised in the explorer Thomas Baines’ painting, are situated on the edge of an expansive saltpan. Camping at a private designated campsite with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Kasane – Nxai Pan: 500km, 6h
Day 4: Maun, camping
After enjoying a morning game drive, you leave Nxai Pan and continue your safari to Maun - the gateway to the famed Okavango Delta. In Maun there is time to visit the shops and enjoy a relaxing afternoon. You camp overnight at a site with permanent ablution facilities. (B, L, D)
Nxai – Maun: 180km, 3-4h
Day 5-6: Okavango Delta, camping
Your adventure will take you to the southern tip of the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once you have reached the edge of the Delta, you will meet your polers from the local community with their mekoro (traditional dugout canoes).
Quietly cruising along reed lined channels and floodplains, you will enjoy the spectacular landscape of this unique region during the tranquil transfer taking you deeper inside the Delta. You will spend two days exploring this beautiful area with mokoro excursions and guided nature walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango, camping wild with bush ablutions on a small island for two nights.
On day 7, you will start making your way towards the drier regions of the delta and camp in a concession outside the Moremi Game Reserve. (B, L, D)
Maun – Okavango Delta: 60km, 1.5-2h
Day 7: Okavango Delta – community campsite outside Moremi 50km, 1.5-2h
NOTE: on day 5 you will leave your main luggage in the trailer and will need to pack a smaller bag (small backpack, hand luggage) with what you need for the 2 days on the island. Transfers from the mainland to the island where you will stay are done on traditional dugout canoes (mekoro) which cannot accommodate large bags. Your main luggage will safely remain in the vehicle that will be parked in a secured area while you are on the island.
Days 8-10: Moremi Game Reserve, camping
Early morning of Day 8, you will enter Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After your morning game drives, you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. On Day 10 you will move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park. Camping will be in private designated campsites with bush ablutions (2 nights in Western Moremi and 1 night in Eastern Moremi). (B, L, D)
Community campsite outside Moremi – Western Moremi: 80km, 3-4h (transfer and game drive)
Days 11-13: Chobe National Park, camping
Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, is the next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, traverse the drier region of Savuti, and the famed marsh area. You then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives meander along the banks of the river. Camping is in private designated areas with bush ablutions. (B, L, D)
Moremi – Savuti: 120km. 5-6h; Savuti - Chobe River: 170km, 5h
Days 14–15: Comfortable lodge in Livingstone, chalet accommodation
After a morning game drive, cross the Zambezi River by ferry and then drive to Livingstone on the Zambian side of the Victoria Falls (a Visa is required), where you spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there is time to visit the Victoria Falls themselves, and shop for curios. Dinner is for your own account at the lodge. The safari officially ends at 10h00 on Day 15. (Day 14 – B, L & Day 15 B)
Chobe River – Livingstone: 100km, 2-3h
Included:
All accommodation (spacious bow tents with mattresses), rooms at a comfortable lodge in Livingstone,
All transfers and activities as per the itinerary,
All meals that are indicated (B – breakfast, L –lunch, D – dinner) and tea/coffees,
Services of a Professional Guide and Camp Assistant,
All Botswana park fees for activities included on itinerary and transport in specialised safari vehicles.
Not included:
Restaurant meals (Livingstone, Zambia),
Entrance to the Falls, visas, airport transfers, tips, curios, optional excursions (scenic flight over the Delta and activities in Livingstone/Victoria Falls,),
Beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water),
Travel Insurance
Sleeping bag (and small pillow) on all camping sectors.
