Day 1

THE OKAVANGO DELTA

Arrival Maun and overnight: Camp Xakanaxa, Moremi Game Reserve

Your international flight arrives in Maun, a small town on the southernmost edge of the legendary Okavango Delta that's the capital of Botswana's safari industry. You will be met on arrival and guided through to your connecting, small plane flight to Camp Xakanaxa (pronounced ka-ka-na-ka!) in the Moremi Game Reserve. 

On arrival at Camp Kaxanaxa's airstrip you will be met by your safari guide and transfered to the camp in an open safari vehicle. It's a short drive and you may see game along the way. 

You will be greeted in camp by your hosts and shown to your tent after check-in formalities have been finalised. Flights into camp usually arrive in time for you to participate in an afternoon game activitiy, so you will be briefed on arrangements and offered the chance to  either go on a guided game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve or take a boat-based safari, exploring the lagoon and its channels.

You will return to camp after your game activity in time for drinks around the boma fire on the fire deck and a sumptuous three-course dinner, marvelling at the richness of the African night skies and the cacophany of sounds that the African night offers up.

About Camp Xakanaxa

Overlooking the Khwai River and the Xakanaxa Lagoon, Xakanaxa is one of the few camps in this region that can offer a year-round land and water safari experience, thanks to its network of permanent water channels and lagoons. This gorgeous tented camp has just 11 spacious Meru-style luxury safari tents, all with private decks offering views out over the lagoon.

The tents all have their own en-suite showers, hand basins and toilet facilities and offer a blend of rustic African charm, home-from-home comfort and luxurious finishes. The camp's main buildings are raised on platforms that extend out over the Khwai River to maximise the stunning views. There is an elegant lounge area and dining room, all built from local timber, reed and thatch and an expansive deck with its own plunge pool, sala and day-bed that's the perfect place to lay back and watch wild Africa pass by.

The boma deck is out over the river and is wonderful for relaxing after dinner with drinks around the fire, sharing stories of the day's adventures. In the grounds is a larger swimming pool with another elevated sun deck.

The game viewing activities at Camp Xakanaxa are superlative, with the option of land-based and water-based safaris. Game drives take place in the Moremi Game Reserve, exploring the region around the camp which is rich in wildlife. Sightings of elephant, buffalo, lion and leopard are commonplace and the birding is spectacular. You will also see a variety of plains game from giraffe, wildebeest and kudu to waterbuck and red lechwe. 

Water-based safaris take place in specially adapted powerboats offering you a unique vantage point from which to explore this area of the Okavango Delta. Hippos and crocodiles abound and you may also see huge herds of elephants as they come to drink and cross the channels to islands. Add to this visits to stork rookeries and the array of diverse birdlife and you have the perfect combination of Delta experiences.

Day 2

At Camp Xakanaxa

You will have an early wake-up call this morning, shortly before dawn, so you can take part in a morning game activity, choosing between a game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve or a water-based activity.

You'll gather around the camp fire for coffee and rusks before heading out just as the sun begins to break over the horizon. This is one of the most exciting times of day in the African bush as nocturnal animals and predators seek places to rest and the diurnal species begin their daily routines, finding water and food. 

Morning activities are interrupted by a coffee stop at a suitable place selected by your safari guide, where you can stretch your legs and enjoy a mug of tea, coffee or hot chocolate and some wonderful home-baked goodies! Try a tot of Amarula in your coffee if you dare! It's a wonderful African cream liqueur made from the fruits of the marula tree and its an absolute must!

You'll return to the camp for a hearty breakfast and some siesta time, either relaxing by one of the pools or back in your tent. A late lunch is served before you ready yourself for the afternoon/evening game activity of your choice.

Afternoon game activities are interrupted by a safari tradition of note - sundowners. This is where you get to toast the setting sun and absorb the spirit of wild Africa, digesting what amazing things you've seen and done during the day and welcoming the coming night. 

On a water-based safari you will return to camp after sundowners. On a game drive you will continue the last part of your drive in darkness with a spotlight, looking for nocturnal species you rarely see during the day like civet, genet and birds such as owls and nightjars.

You will return to the camp in time for dinner and another wonderful night's sleep in the African wilderness.

Day 3

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Transfer to Savute Safari Lodge, Savute Region, Chobe National Park

After your morning game activity and breakfast, you'll be transferred the Xakanaxa airstrip for your connecting flight to the Savute marshes region of Botswana, on the eastern edge of the Chobe National Park, famed for its concentrations of wildlife and especially its lions. Here you will be staying at Savute Safari Lodge.

After landing at the Savute Safari Lodge airstrip you will be met by your guide and transfered to the lodge in an open safari vehicle. After check-in formalities you'll be taken to your beautuful and luxurious thatch and timber chalet where you can freshen up before joining an afternoon game drive.

Your afternoon game drive will explore the region around the lodge, taking in the Savute Marsh and Savute Channel which are renowned for their high concentrations of wildlife. Expect to see a wealth of plains game, elephants, buffalo and, if you are lucky, some predator action!

The Savute region stretches from the Linyanti River to the Savute Marsh, taking in the winding waterways of the Savute Channel that brings life to this vast landscape. It's a fickle waterway, having dried up and flooded at various stages of its history irrespective of good rainy seasons and flood levels across Botswana.

About Savute Safari Lodge

With its 11 luxurious timber and thatch guest chalets and two-bedroom family suite strung out along a tree-line overlooking a waterhole in the heart of the beautiful wilderness of the Savute, Savute Safari Lodge is the epitome of authentic African safari style, immersing guests into the wild environment while offering high levels of luxury and pampering.

Expansive private decks offer stunning views over the bush and waterhole where elephants and other game often gather and each chalet has its own lounge area as well as en-suite facilities.

The communal lounge and dining areas include a library and stylish bar. Relaxation is guaranteed... Sink into one of various plush couches strategically placed to offer amazing views and total seclusion or sip a refreshing G&T at the bar... The choice is yours!

The shaded viewing deck is matched by a wonderful al fresco dining area for amazing dinners under the stars and a swimming pool gives you the chance to cool off when the heat of the African sun becomes too much. Choose a lounger by the pool with a view over the waterhole as the ultimate game-viewing spot!

Day 4

At Savute Safari Lodge

Your early wake-up call will be pre-arranged with you enabling you to freshen up before meeting up for coffee and rusks and then heading out to explore the Savute wilderness as dawn breaks.

The Savute region is known for its lions. You may also be lucky enough to see leopard and perhaps even African wild cat, as well as cheetah, serval and caracal, which pretty much covers most of Southern Africa's cat species!

The area is also frequented by packs of painted wolves (African wild dogs) which are always a fantastic sighting, and you'll most likely see spotted hyena and smaller predators such as mongoose, civet and genet. 

On return from your morning game drive you'll enjoy a wonderful brunch and then take advantage of some down-time to relax and enjoy the facilities on hand. Take a siesta by the pool or curl up on a couch with a good book!

You'll meet up again in the late afternoon for tea before embarking on your afternoon/evening game drive, returning back to the lodge for another marvellous dinner.

Day 5

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Transfer to Chobe Game Lodge, Chobe National Park

You have the choice of doing a morning game activity or sleeping in, as after breakfast you will be leaving Savute Safari Lodge, heading to the airstrip for your connecting flight on a small plane to Kasane, on the banks of the Chobe River, for your visit to Chobe National Park, staying at Chobe Game Lodge. 

On arrival in Kasane you will be met by your Chobe Game Lodge driver for the transfer by road to the lodge. This will take you through the main Sedudu gates of Chobe National Park and into this renowned wilderness area, where you will enjoy a short game drive en-route to the lodge which is 15km inside the park.

You'll be met at Chobe Game Lodge by your guide and hosts and after check-in formalities are completed you'll be shown to your room, with time to relax and unpack before your afternoon game activity. If you would prefer to just relax and enjoy the lodge, you are perfectly at liberty to do so, taking advantage of the range of facilities on offer and the stunning views out over the Chobe River.

On return from your afternoon/evening activity you'll enjoy pre-dinner drinks and a delicious dinner before turning in for the night.

About Chobe Game Lodge

The only permanent lodge situated inside Chobe National Park, Chobe Game Lodge is a luxury, five-star eco lodge that is highly acclaimed for its eco sustainability credentials. It offers 44 air-conditioned rooms, all of which are river-facing with their own private terraces. There are also four river-view suites with their own plunge pools and lounge areas. 

Decorated to an exceptional standard of luxury throughout, the décor at Chobe Game Lodge is a fusion of African tribal design with wonderful Arabian influences. The main areas are designed to encourage total relaxation and pampering, with six viewing decks, a riverside boma, two bars, six different lounges and four dining venues. There is also a wonderful boardwalk along the river bank. 

This gives you a smorgasbord of choices about where to lay back, unwind and take in the incredible views in between activities. Add to this a large swimming pool and impeccable waiter service! 

The game-viewing activities are outstanding at Chobe Game Lodge. With either water or land-based safaris on offer, the choice is yours on how to split your time between the magnificent river and this legendary national park.

Early morning and late afternoon drives are on offer, as is riverside game viewing in small and highly manoeuvrable boats, making this a popular cruise option. The lodge's game viewing boats are solar powered to boot!

Chobe is legendary for its huge herds of elephants and buffalo. Indeed, it is home to the largest concentration of elephants in Africa and during the dry season especially these herds are easily found on the wide, fertile floodplains along the river, as well as on islands. This is where you will often see elephants in the water, bathing and playing. 

Lion, painted wolves (African wild dogs), puku, red lechwe, sable, giraffe and roan antelope are also regularly seen. And if you are lucky you may even spot an elusive leopard prowling the rich, riverine forests.

The river itself is full of life, from hippo and crocodiles to a rich variety of birdlife, from the beautiful African fish eagle to the yellow-billed stork. 

Day 6

At Chobe Game Lodge

As usual, you'll have an early wake-up call and some time to ready yourself before heading out on a morning game activity, choosing between a game drive in the Chobe National Park or a water-based activity along the Chobe River. Coffee and rusks will be served before you depart. 

Dawn in Chobe is simply superlative as you explore this vast national park in search of its incredibly diverse wildlife species. Game viewing in Chobe is great all year round, so you can look forward to fantastic sightings. Don't forget your binoculars and camera!

You can enjoy a wonderful breakfast on returning to the lodge and take some time to explore, swim, bird-watch and generally relax. Perhaps indulge in a spa treatment or even hit the gym to work off some of the amazing food you've been eating!

After a late lunch/afternoon tea, you'll be off into the wilds of Chobe once again. Try a leisurely cruise along the riverbanks in one of the lodge's fabulous solar powered game-viewing boats. Completely silent, they glide effortlessy along the water, edging close to game that comes down to drink and offering wonderful views across this breathtakingly beautiful waterway. 

On a water-based safari you will return to the lodge shortly after sunset, while there is still enough light to safely navigate the river. If you choose to take part in a game drive you will continue the last part of your drive in darkness with a spotlight, returning to the lodge later, but in time for dinner and another wonderful night under the African stars. Don't forget to ask your guide to point out the constellations for you!

Day 7

JOURNEY'S END

Transfer to Kasane for onward journey/home 

It's the end of your wonderful Best African Safaris journey taking in some of the most beautiful destinations Botswana has to offer. 

After your morning game activity and breakfast, you'll be transferred back to Kasane to connect with flights for your onward journey or your fights home and we will bid you farewell. We hope to see you again!

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR RATES AND Ts and Cs

* DAY 7 OPTIONAL ADD-ON

VICTORIA FALLS

Two nights' extension, Victoria Falls Hotel

Basis: Bed & Breakfast

Opt to extend your journey with a two-night stay in Victoria Falls, experiencing one of the great wonders of the natural world, staying at the "grand dame" of African hospitality - the five-star Victoria Falls Hotel...

Day 7

Transfer from Chobe Game Lodge to Victoria Falls

After your morning game activity and breakfast at Chobe Game Lodge, you'll be transferred by road to Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe. It's a 90-minute road journey and your driver will assist with the border crossing and immigration processes before taking you to the beautiful and historic Victoria Falls Hotel - the oldest hotel in the Southern hemisphere.

On arrival at the Victoria Falls Hotel you will say farewell to your driver and complete check-in procedures before being shown to your room. You are then at leisure to choose from a range of activities on offer at the falls. 

Take a guided tour of the falls themselves, or enjoy the experience under your own steam. The falls are just a short walk away from the hotel along a dedicated, private pathway. Just remember to hire a raincoat (or take one along with you!) as the legendary "smoke that thunders" is very wet!

Indulge in a range of adventure activities, from white-water rafting below the falls to microlighting over them, helicopter flips, game drives in the Victoria Falls National Park, river safaris along the Zambezi and gentle sunset cruises. 

We are happy to recommend activities and arrange them for you, or you can book them at leisure at the Victoria Falls Hotel concierge desk.

Choose to eat in the hotel's stunning restaurants or go out and explore the town of Victoria Falls and eat locally.

Overnight: Victoria Falls Hotel

Day 8

At Victoria Falls Hotel

Plan your day according to your mood. Enjoy a wonderful breakfast at the hotel and then indulge yourself in a range of activities available on the doorstep. 

Choose whether or when you want to have lunch - perhaps indulge in a gourmet burger at the pool bar down by the wonderful Edwardian pool or sample traditional afternoon tea out on the terrace with views of the distant falls.

Explore the curio markets and pick up some amazing gifts for loved ones back home or additions for your own African art collection!

Enjoy dinner at the hotel or explore other dining options in the area.

Overnight: Victoria Falls Hotel

Day 9

Check-out and transfer to Victoria Falls International Airport

You've come to journey's end. After a wonderful breakfast it's time to leave, with a transfer to the nearby Victoria Falls International Airport for your onward flights. We hope you've enjoyed your time with Best African Safaris and hope to see you soon!

PLEASE CONTACT US FOR RATES AND Ts and Cs

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