Eight-night Botswana Adventure

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Day 1: Arrive in Maun

Arrive at Maun International Airport and transfer by small plane to Shakawe and Xaro Lodge. Shakawe is in northern Botswana, on the eastern edge of the Chobe National Park, famed for its concentrations of wildlife and especially its lions.

After landing at Shakawe airstrip you will be met for your transfer by road and boat to Xaro Lodge. After check-in formalities you'll be taken to your beautiful luxury safari tent where you can freshen up before joining an afternoon boat cruise along the Kavango River.

Your afternoon cruise will take you along the Okavango River, looking for some of the incredible bird species that make this area such a legendary birding destination!

Species that are spotted regularly include Pel’s fishing owl, African skimmers, southern carmine bee-eaters, egrets, night herons, a variety of kingfisher species, pygmy geese and the inimitable African fish eagle. 

After your cruise, enjoy a wonderful, home-cooked dinner at the lodge, enjoy drinks around the fire and marvel at the night skies, filled with glittering stars.

About Xaro Lodge

Xaro Lodge is nestled in a grove of giant mangosteen trees on an island in the Okavango River and is accessible only by boat. This intimate 24-bed lodge's luxurious Meru-style safari tents, each with ensuite bathroom facilities and private decks looking out over the river, are designed to immerse guests in this tropical paradise surrounded by water.

The tents are raised on wooden platforms and have large, sliding glass doors allowing for uninterrupted views from the comfort of the bed! Sunrises are spectacular here! Xaro's communal lounge and dining areas offer a comprehensive library and plenty of space for relaxing with a pair of binoculars and updating your tick list! Meals are hearty and home-cooked with love and served either in the dining area or outside, under the stars.

This is a birding and photography destination of note, with mostly water-based activities on offer, taking in the unique rivering forests and floodplains where more than 300 species of bird can be seen.

Overnight: Xaro Lodge

Day 2: At Xaro Lodge

Today is a special day as we take you to visit the incredible Tsodilo Hills UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

We depart after breakfast for this incredible place, known as the "Louvre of the Desert" where there are more than 4,500 paintings preserved in an area of only 10 sq km of the northern Kalahari basin, not far from Xaro Lodge and about 40km from Shakawe. 

Tsodilo Hills is believed by the local San Bushmen to be the site of the first creation and its rock art is estimated to date back some 24,000 years in some instances. Other pieces of art are more modern, dating only a few hundred years old.

The rock shelters, caves and depressions of the area have been used by the Bushmen for millennia and they believe the four hills, rising unexpectedly from the largely flat landscape, are a resting place for the spirits.

We will take a picnic lunch with us to Tsodilo, and enjoy it at leisure in this spectacular place, taking the day to explore and take in the atmosphere and amazing views, as well as visiting the small museum, before returning to the lodge in the late afternoon.

There will be time to freshen up and relax before pre-dinner drinks and a wonderful dinner, discussing the day's adventure.

Day 3: To Ngwesi Houseboat

After breakfast you'll have a short road transfer from Shakawe to Sepupa, then a boat transfer to Seronga to board the beautiful Ngwesi Houseboat for a leisurely cruise, boat-based game viewing and the chance to soak up some of the spirit of wild Africa.

About Ngwesi Houseboat

Named after the feisty tiger fish that's found in abundance throughout the Okavango Delta, the Ngwesi Houseboat consists of an upper and lower deck and is headed by a licensed skipper and trained staff. It comes with its own tender boats which are used to explore the waterways of the Okavango Delta.

The lower deck consists of four en-suite double cabins, two with twin beds and two with double beds, with glass sliding doors offering superb views out over the water. The en-suite bathrooms are spacious and equipped with hot and cold fresh water showers, luxurious soft towels and bed linen as well as lovely guest amenities.

The upper deck is where day-to-day life happens with its leisurely, sun-drenched lounge offering great viewing of the region's abundant wildlife. Comfort is the key word, with luxurious furnishings and lots of great hospitality making this a fabulous alternative to the traditional safari lodge.

Overnight: Ngwesi Houseboat

Day 4: To Khwai

After breakfast aboard the Ngwesi Houseboat you'll be transferred by boat back to Seronga for your small plane flight to Khwai airstrip in the heart of the Okavango Delta. 

You'll be met on arrival and transferred by road to O Bona Moremi Safari Lodge in the world-famous Khwai Concession. 

Once you’ve arrived at O Bona Moremi you will be taken to one of its 13 solar powered, elevated Meru safari tents to settle in and get your bearings. You can enjoy the views from your private patio with safari chairs and listen to the hippos laughing nearby. 

Each Safari Tent is complete with very comfortable twin or king-size beds, clothes storage, 24-hour lighting, an ensuite bathroom and a lovely outside shower with wonderful hot water. 

The dining and lounge area are built on a spacious elevated viewing deck overlooking seasonal floodplains with elephants as regular visitors. 

You can enjoy pre-dinner drinks or sundowners around one of the lodge's two fireplaces after a fulfilling safari day before your delicious dinner is served. After dinner you can again relax by the fireside before getting into bed and falling asleep whilst listening to the magical sounds of the Okavango Delta.

About O Bona Moremi Safari Lodge

The shady O Bona Moremi Safari Lodge boasts classic dining and lounge facilities on an elevated deck overlooking a Khwai River tributary, its floodplains and riverine forests. 

The Safari Lodge lies on the boundary between the famous Moremi Game Reserve and the Khwai Concession, giving you easy access to some of Botswana’s best wildlife viewing, with both land and water-based activities. You'll have the chance to see to elephant, lion, leopard, cheetah, buffalo, hippo, plains game and painted wolves (African wild dogs) in this area

Immediately adjacent to the north gate entrance of Moremi Game Reserve lies the little village of Khwai, giving guests the opportunity to experience the lifestyle of an original local community living in the heart of big game country.

Overnight: O Bona Moremi Lodge

Day 5: At Khwai

You'll be up at dawn to take part in your chosen game activity before returning to the lodge for breakfast. 

Your stay at O Bona Moremi in the core boundary zone of the Okavango Delta will be dedicated to getting up close and personal with the unique wildlife that has roamed the Khwai Wildlife Concession and the Moremi Game Reserve for centuries. 

Look forward to once in a lifetime safaris in modern, comfortable open 4×4 game-viewers, walking safaris, night drives or even an unforgettable excursion in a traditional Mokoro canoe. 

No matter which activities you choose to do, you will always be accompanied by our experienced safari guides which will go out of their way to show you the natural wonders of Botswana. And not to forget: here in the heart of Botswana’s safari country we’d definitely count in “Sundowners” into the category of activities – so look forward to an ice-cold gin and tonic while elephants walk through the sunset and lechwe browse the green grass of the vast floodplains of the Khwai River.

Overnight: O Bona Moremi Lodge

Day 6: At Khwai

The usual morning at O Bona Moremi starts with a fresh cup of tea and a light breakfast. After you've enjoyed your morning activity with fantastic safari sightings in the Khwai Wildlife Concession or the Moremi Game Reserve you will be served a hearty brunch with fresh salads and home-made iced tea.

Before you head out for your afternoon activity, high tea is prepared with a freshly baked cake and a choice of savoury snacks. Dinner consists of a three course meal with a lovely blend of traditional recipes and western cuisine. 

The main course is usually buffet style while starters and desserts are plated. All meals are freshly prepared at the lodge by our professional chefs. Even though the lodge is in the wilderness of the Okavango Delta, fresh goods are delivered regularly as well as assorted wines, beers, spirits and soft drinks. 

Look forward to your adventurous safari day coming to an end, sitting by the campfire while enjoying an Amarula on the rocks.

Overnight: O Bona Moremi Lodge

Day 7: Transfer by road to luxury mobile camp

After your morning activity and brunch, you'll head off on the next leg of your adventure and a road transfer to O Bona Explorer mobile safari camp. 

The road leading to O Bona Explorer might have been a little dusty but it's worth it because you're staying in a private safari camp pitched in the middle of the Moremi Game Reserve. On arrival, you can freshen up with a bucket shower in the ensuite bathroom of your grand, 24 square metre safari tent before enjoying your first, epic afternoon game drive.

Your day will end with a fantastic three-course dinner seated in the camp's large main tented area in the middle of the African bush... A glistening camp fire and an ice cold sundowner awaits you, before you get into your comfortable bed and fall asleep to the sounds of nature under the never-ending African night sky.

About O Bona Explorer Camp

The O Bona Explorer mobile safari camp was designed from scratch to provide the ultimate mobile safari experience for small groups in Botswana. Being able to host up to 10 people at a time in either the Moremi Game Reserve, the Chobe National Park or even the legendary Central Kalahari Game Reserve. 

The camp has a tailor-made off-grid power and water supply and you can look forward to spacious safari tents, comfortable beds, en-suite bathrooms with chemical toilets as well as hot and cold bucket showers. Not to mention the freshly prepared, delicious meals and of course unlimited epic safari game drives. 

Overnight: O Bona Explorer Camp

Day 8: Mobile safari

You'll have an early start exploring the African wilderness before returning to camp for a hearty breakfast/brunch. Spend the rest of the day at leisure before embarking on your afternoon/evening game activity, returning to camp for another wonderful dinner under the African stars and stories of the days' adventures around the camp fire.

Overnight: O Bona Explorer Camp

Day 9: Time to leave

It's time to say goodbye to Botswana. After your final game activity and breakfast/brunch, you'll have a road transfer back to Maun International Airport for your onward flight. 

Included:

Two night’s accommodation at Xaro Lodge on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

One night's accommodation on Ngwesi Houseboat on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Three nights' accommodation at O Bona Moremi Safari Lodge on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Two nights' accommodation at O Bona Explorer Mobile Camp on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Teas and coffees in all accommodation

Game viewing activities

Excluded:

Premium drinks, items of a personal nature.

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