Seven-night Best of Botswana Explorer

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Day 1: Arrive in Maun

Arrive at Maun International Airport and transfer by small plane to Jack's Camp in the heart of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

The Makgadikgadi is a year-round destination, yet the two seasons couldn’t be more different. The dry season, from April to October, is the desert as you know it: a shimmering whiteness envelops the scorched landscape, like a mirage floating over the crusted salt, and you’ll spot nomadic herds in the distance, as if an illusion. This is the time of year for whizzing across the pans on the back of a quad bike, sleeping under the stars, and enjoying the pans in their most iconic state.

When the rains start to fall in November, the Makgadikgadi Pans are transformed. It’s a time of plenty (even in the desert), and the salt flats are turned into watery grasslands, almost unrecognisable from the previous months. 

A layer of emerald-green grass stretches out in every direction, pink clouds of flamingo and flocks of migratory birds arrive to nest, and Africa’s second largest mammal migration of wildebeest and our black and white striped friends floods the plains. The green season in the desert is one of Africa’s, great unpredictable spectacles, and a magical time to visit.

Rain transforms everything, turning the pans into lush grasslands from November onwards. Animals are on the move and the desert becomes a green oasis teeming with life, notably thousands of zebra and blue wildebeest that feast on the sweet summer grasses. The safari activities are similar in these months although you usually won’t travel as far; on many days you can see the wildlife direct from your veranda. This green season continues until mid-April and corresponds with the off season for tourism in Botswana, making it a slightly cheaper time to travel.

About Jack's Camp

Jack’s is one of Africa’s most iconic camps and is full of very stylish old world glamour. Enjoy the ultimate in space and exclusivity; the camp is one of just three in a vast private wildlife reserve.

Nine guest tents (seven twins and two doubles) are each 270 square metres in size and are embellished with rich textiles and colours, an overhead cooling system, en-suite showers and a private plunge pool on each shaded verandah.

The mess tent is resplendent with renowned Natural History Museum display cabinets, a full library, antique pool table and well-stocked drinks chest. There is also a legendary Persian tea tent with sumptuous carpets, plump cushions and lots of wonderful finishing touches. 

The camp pool is also under canvas to keep it cool!

One of the most original and exciting camps in Africa, the safari experience at Jack’s is unique. Here the living desert is constantly full of surprises. At first sight, the lunar-like salt pans appear devoid of life, but in the hands of the of the knowledgeable camp guides the story of the Makgadikgadi begins to unfold. Throughout your stay you will find an impressive choice of extraordinary activities and desert culture experiences to enjoy in and around camp. 

Overnight: Jack's Camp

Day 2: Makgadikgadi

After an early morning desert exploration, retreat back to the sanctuary of camp to sit back and relax in the elegant Persian tea tent. 

Indulge in a lazy afternoon in your private plunge pool overlooking the Makgadikgadi pans, watching the world go by. 

Keep your eyes peeled for the year-round desert wildlife: brown hyena, oryx, Kalahari lion and, after dark, aardvark, porcupine, honey badger and bat eared fox.

You'll choose what you want to do in the afternoon, followed by a wonderful dinner in camp and tales of the day's adventures around the camp fire.

Overnight: Jack's Camp

Day 3: Makgadikgadi

There’s an impressive choice of extraordinary activities to be enjoyed including quad biking, bushman walks, classic desert game drives, meerkat visits and horse rides. 

The camp has one of the most comprehensive collections of ancient artefacts in Botswana, collected and curated by the owners - the Bousfield family - over decades.

Tonight, season permitting, you'll enjoy one of Africa's ultimate safari experiences - a sleep out on the Makgadikgadi Pans under a billion twinkling stars!

Overnight: Jack's Camp/Sleepout Under The Stars (season permitting)

Day 4: To the Okavango Delta

After breakfast you'll be transferred to the airstrip for your short small plane flight to the beautiful Khwai Private Concession in the Okavango Delta and your stay at Sable Alley.

About Sable Alley

There’s no denying that Sable Alley is spacious, sophisticated and really quite stylish. Each canvas-walled suite is a huge 55 square metres, and comes complete with mini-indoor seating area, writing desk, double bed, and some seriously Afro-chic décor. 

Slide open the screen doors at the front for uninterrupted views of the lagoon, or take a seat on the veranda for a closer inspection. At the back, you’ll find two basins, and indoor shower and a flush loo. And if you fancy washing off the dust from the day in the great outdoors, no problem – there’s an outdoor shower with a view too.

Just like the bedrooms, the communal areas are designed around the spectacular vistas. Watch the happenings at the lagoon from the bar, G&T in hand, from the outdoor fire pit, or from a squashy sofa in the lounge. At night, dinner is served either in the indoor dining area, or alfresco on the deck, accompanied by twinkling stars and the rumblings and grumblings of the wildlife. 

There's a swimming pool and sun deck, both unique spots from which to watch the hippo pods emerge from the lagoon, or simply for some chill-out time in the heat of the day.

Overnight: Sable Alley

Day 5: At Khwai

Another day of choosing what to do! Whatever it is, you know the game viewing is going to be great.

There’s never a bad time to visit Sable Alley (really). There’s something different in every season but, most importantly, the wildlife is out-of-this-world excellent all year round. Resident hippo splash in the inland pools, elephant and buffalo herds are hard to miss, and you’re never more than a few whiskers away from a lion pride.

From May onwards the Okavango Delta floods. Seasonal channels emerge, perfect for paddling around on a mokoro canoe safari – you might just have to share them with a few antelope. In June to September, the Delta floods really get going, and the heightened water levels mean mokoro and motorboat safaris are possible all day, every day.

December to March brings the summer rains. The grasses grow, and on a single game drive you might not see as many animals; but every rain cloud has a silver lining, and there’s a good chance of encountering big cats stalking their prey, the thick bushes allowing them to hunt undetected. And don’t let the thought of rain put you off – downpours are short and sporadic, and a good, waterproof jacket will see you through pretty much anything the weather throws at you.

Overnight: Sable Alley

Day 6: To Duke's Camp

After your morning activity and breakfast, it's time to head off to the airstrip for your short flight in a small plane to Duke's Camp in the Okavango Delta.

About Duke's Camp

Duke’s Camp offers twelve canvas safari suites, each one carefully positioned to offer unforgettable views of the Okavango Delta. The tents are on raised wooden decks and sit elegantly amongst leadwood and ebony trees.

Taking their cue from the style and panache of its "sister" camp, Jack’s Camp, the guest tents at Duke’s Camp revel in the much-loved vintage safari aesthetic of plush fabrics, Persian rugs and hand-carved four-poster beds. 

Think mahogany sideboards filled with African memorabilia; richly-patterned kilims atop wooden floors and a butler tray decked with a steaming pot of filter coffee come morning. It’s a seamless blend of yesteryear charm, safari savoir-faire and deep respect for the surrounding natural ecosystems.

Each tent offers a spacious en-suite bathroom, bedecked with brass fittings and bespoke amenities, as well as a private viewing deck. Here leather campaign chairs offer a space for quiet reflection on your time in the wilderness, and the opportunity for spontaneous game sightings. Herds of elephant and red lechwe are common here, and moments spent in quiet observation rarely go unrewarded.

The main mess area at Duke’s Camp is a delight with its old world glamour and elegant Persian tea-tent. Grab a drink from the well-stocked drinks cabinet and settle into the small lounge furnished with intricately carved tables, antique oriental rugs and campaign furniture.

Meals are enjoyed under the shade of the giant leadwood trees or in the communal dining tent, where the long vintage dining table dominates the space. 

At day’s end, gather by the firepit to watch the mopane wood smoke curl up into the southern skies, hinting at tomorrow’s promise of yet more African adventure.

Overnight: Duke's Camp

Day 7: Duke's Camp

Choose your activity! With morning, afternoon and night game drives on offer you can explore the pristine private concession, home to a rich array of wildlife including healthy populations of lion, leopard, cheetah, and elephant. A highlight of any visit to the Delta is sighting the semi-aquatic red lechwe and rare sitatunga antelope.

Glide through crystal-clear channels on a traditional mokoro (dugout canoe) safari, as expert guides introduce you to the remarkable fauna and flora of the Delta. Note that mokoro activities are subject to the annual floodwaters, and in dry years may be restricted or curtailed from October to January.

Cast a line for the myriad fish species of the Okavango Delta, including African pike, nembwe and tilapia. Note that fishing is catch and release and is not permitted during the breeding season, from 1 January – 31 March.

Escape the African sun in the camp pool, with the chance to spot wildlife from your lounger.

The Okavango Delta is a haven for birders, with more than 440 species spotted in the region. While the arrival of northern hemisphere migrants makes summer the best time for birding, twitchers will be mesmerised year-round.

The Tsodilo Hills is a fascinating World heritage Site that is located just 30 minutes flight away by helicopter. With over 4,500 individual paintings, Tsodilo is a treasure trove of ancient rock art with some of the highest concentrations in the world dating back between 800 to 1300 AD. 

A half day helicopter trip should be booked in advance to spend a morning exploring these Hills and their paintings.

Overnight: Duke's Camp

Day 8: Time to leave

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

Included:

Three night’s accommodation at Jack's Camp on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Two night's accommodation at Sable Alley on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Two nights' accommodation Duke's Camp on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Teas and coffees in all accommodation

Drinks (local beers and wines)

Game viewing activities

Excluded:

Premium drinks, items of a personal nature.

* Contact us for fly-in options and for Ts and Cs

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