13 Day Botswana & Namibia Adventures

This adventure starts and finishes in Maun traveling in a circuit and taking in Namibia’s Caprivi area.   Start heading east to the seemingly endless Pans and starry skies, then onto Chobe where elephants abound.  Cross into Namibia and travel through woodlands and enjoy Bwabwata National Park along with river areas before returning to Botswana. Fly from Maun into the incredible Okavango Delta, where the weaving waterways cast a magical spell and the game viewing is world-class. This accommodated trip offers accommodation at 2.5-3.5 levels, a camping option is also available

Highlights:  Makgadikgadi Pans with pans and visit to meerkats included; Chobe National Park for plentiful elephants; Caprivi and its wonderful reserves; Okavango Delta and Moremi Game Reserve

Day 1: Thamalakane River Lodge, Maun

Day Itinerary
Upon arrival your guide will drive you to Thamalakane Lodge located on the banks of the Thamalakane River, just 19kms from the town and en route to the famous Moremi Game Reserve. Character en-suite stone chalets are positioned in the shade of the riverine forest, overlooking the river. Chalets, public areas, and the swimming pool take advantage of the 180-degree view of the riverbanks lined with fluttering reeds visited by an ever-changing array of waterfowl and birds, it is a delightful place to come home to after a day spent exploring. Overnight based in a babbler chalet on a bed and breakfast basis, all other meals and activities will be at the client’s expense

Set on the banks of the beautiful Thamalakane River in northern Botswana, Maun is the third-largest town in this spectacularly scenic southern African country. Maun is the starting point for most expeditions into the Okavango Delta and as a result, has developed into a bustling metropolis that is considered Botswana’s tourism capital. Area attractions include a renowned riverboat that offers cruises up and down the Thamalakane River; the forest groves of the Maun Game Reserve; and Moremi Game Reserve, home to hippos, lions, and rhinos. Maun also serves as the jumping-off point for many safaris and air charters as well as offers 4×4 rentals. Don’t miss the Nhabe Museum exhibiting the local history, art, and culture of the Ngamiland region.

Overnight: Thamalakane River Lodge
Thamalakane River Lodge has ideally located an easy 20-minute drive from Maun Airport en route to the famous Moremi Game Reserve. It is a secluded haven of tranquillity nestled in a grove of mature riverine trees on the bank of the Thamalakane River. The rambling lodge has an idyllic setting and there are character en-suite stone chalets, some with private splash pools positioned in the shade of the riverine forest, overlooking the river. All chalets and common areas have terraces that take advantage of the serene 180-degree view of the riverbanks lined with fluttering reeds visited by an ever-changing array of waterfowl and birds. The newly added Firefinch Camp consists of 8 en suite Meru tents offering a more traditional safari accommodation experience. Relax by the pool or sit with a book on the lawn. There is a lounge and indoor/outdoor dining area set on a wooden deck with a large and varied menu. A good option in Maun.

Basis
Bed & Breakfast

Day 2-3: Planet Baobab, Gweta

Day Itinerary
Your destination today is Planet Baobab; this unique and funky camp is situated just off the main Nata to Maun road, bordering the extensive Makgadikgadi Pans system. The pans are the remnants of the once great Lake Makgadikgadi, at some 80,000sq kmsin extent, and up to 30m deep, thousands of years ago it was the largest inland sea in Africa. In the wet season (November to March), this vast area of salt pans interspersed with low-lying grass islands is the destination of herds of migrating wildebeest and zebra, which are closely followed by predators.
Your time here includes the first night in a simple Bakalanga Hut. During your stay enjoy a visit to the pans on a quad bike as well as see the wonderfully entertaining meerkats – famous from the Meerkat Manor TV show.

Known as the gateway to the Makgadikgadi Pans, the tiny old Botswanan village of Gweta is a pleasant place to stay while exploring the vast salt pans. Take a guided walk or quad bike ride through Gweta’s surrounds and discover flint-head spears and other artefacts abandoned by the area’s early Stone Age inhabitants. Experience a barbeque under the star-studded African sky while sipping on traditional, organic sorghum beer or a creamy baobab milkshake. During the rainy season, the Gweta area teems with zebra and wildebeest and these, in turn, attract hungry predators such as lion and cheetah. If a unique and interesting getaway is what you are after, Gweta won’t fail to impress.

Overnight: Planet Baobab
Situated close to the village of Gweta, 290 km from Francistown and 200 km from Maun, this family friendly camp accepts children of all ages. Planet Baobab combines style with comfort while remaining true to its African inspiration.
Accommodation provides different options at all price levels. Traditionally styled, beautifully painted Kalanga Huts with en-suite bathrooms or the shady campsite are a couple of accommodation options available.
The Africantastic ‘shebeen’ style central mess features a tasty bar menu, and when it heats up, cool off in the biggest coolest pool in the Kalahari.
Activities on offer all year round include: guided bush walks; traditional cattle post and village visits; incredibly friendly habituated meerkats; expeditions to Nxai Pan.
During the dry season (25th April to 31st October) activities include quad biking on the saltpans; a sleep out under the magnificent Makgadikgadi night sky. During the wet season (1st November to 24th April) visitors can witness the spectacular zebra and wildebeest migration experience.

Activities
Planet Baobab Quad Biking
Walking with Meerkats at Planet Baobab

Planet Baobab Quad Biking
During the dry season, quad bike across Ntwetwe and the lunar expanse of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Walking with Meerkats at Planet Baobab
Get unbelievably up close and personal with a group of habituated meerkats.

Basis
Full Board and Activities

Day 4-6: Chobe Bush Lodge, Chobe River Front

Day Itinerary
Drive to Kasane, a busy little town in the north of the country close to borders with Zimbabwe, Namibia and Zamibia! There may be time to join an optional activity or simply relax on the deck with a sun-downer drink. The following day recommend you join optional morning game drive (activities shared) exploring the riverfront and Chobe National Park in an open safari vehicle watching out for predators such as lion and hyena. This afternoon recommend you head out on an optional sunset boat cruise along the riverfront, you’re guaranteed to see plenty of elephants as they cross the river and frolic in the water – after all Chobe and surrounds is home to one of the most dense populations of this pachyderm. The following day is free to join additional activities perhaps a day trip to nearby Victoria Falls or a village visit.

The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park, renowned for its diverse and abundant game viewing opportunities. This section of the park is best known for its dense concentration of wildlife including elephant and hippo populations, but the waters attract all manner of game including large herds of buffalo and the lions that prey on them. A visit to this area guarantees close encounters with an array of African wildlife. Visitors can look forward to some exciting activities such as: driving along the game-dotted river banks in a 4WD; cruising along the river in a motorboat, spotting rare birdlife and for a unique, luxury safari experience, hire a houseboat.

Overnight: Chobe Bush Lodge 
Chobe Bush Lodge is in Kasane right on the doorstep of the famous Chobe National Park, overlooking the African bush and located within 150m of the Chobe riverfront. This is where four diverse African countries converge, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Zambia, which makes the town of Kasane an excellent gateway to Chobe, Victoria Falls or the Caprivi. The lodge consists of 38 spacious luxury en-suite rooms, featuring an open plan bathroom with bath and shower, air-con, TV and safe and tastefully furnished in modern-bush style design. Families can be accommodated in one of 4 large exclusive family rooms which consist of two separate bedrooms, each with its own en-suite facilities. Rooms on the ground floor offer verandas as the perfect place of relaxation – top rooms are provided with balconies and have views over the Chobe National Park. Wifi. Join activities such as game drives, river cruises, sunset cruises, day trip to Victoria Falls, village visits, fishing and much more.

Optional
Game Drives
Boat Cruises

Game Drives
Game drives in 9seater game viewing vehicles
Boat Cruises
Game viewing cruises on Chobe river available in the mornings or afternoon for unforgettable sunset cruises.

Basis
Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 7: Camp Kwando, Kwando River

Day Itinerary
Cross the border into Namibia and onto Camp Kwando, situated on the banks of the Kwando River and is the perfect base to explore Mudumu and Mamili National Park, join an optional boat cruise or simply relax on the wooden deck. Overnight in twin bed chalet on a bed and breakfast basis –the option to upgrade is available

Kwando is an excellent game viewing area with the perenial waters of the river attracting plentiful wildlife to the area. The Kwando River is the life blood of the region and the Linyanti Swamps to the south and is renowned for its large herds of elephants.

Overnight: Camp Kwando
Beautifully set on the banks of the Kwando River,Camp Kwando is centred round a large thatched lapa which houses a restaurant and bar over looking the river and close to this is the swimming pool. The Camp has two room types, 13 tented chalets (Island Tents) set on poles overlooking the river and each with en-suite facilities, safe and mossie net. The 6 larger Luxury Chalets or ‘Tree Houses’ built on stilts located on higher ground with views across to the Botswana plains and has a larger bedroom, en-suite facilities, ceiling fan, safe, and deck to sit and watch the world go by. There is also a lawn camp site with around 10 spaces set under shady trees along with shared ablutions offering toilets, hot showers and laundry facilities – electricity is generator run. Internet and cell phone reception is available
Game drives, boat cruises, sunset cruises, fishing, mokoro excursions, local village visits and guided nature walks are on offer. Activities geared towards kids are offered so ideal for families. Come capture the spirit of the African bush while sipping sun-downers from the beautiful overhead deck and experience the thrill of the tiger fish and the hauntingly beautiful call of the African fish eagle.

Basis
Bed & Breakfast

Day 8: Nunda River Lodge, Mahango Game Reserve

Day Itinerary
Drive through the Caprivi Strip and Bwabwata Game Reserve today, keep your eyes open for animals such as elephants that may cross your path. Overnight is in twin meru style tent on a bed and breakfast basis, all other meals will be at client’s expense. The following day head into Bwabwata Park either driving yourselves or with an escorted game drive activity via the lodge; alternatively, perhaps join a sunset boat cruise to view the nearby Popa Falls – all activities and additional meals at own expense

Mahango Game Park is a small park, a short drive south of Popa Falls, on the border with Botswana. As Popa Falls is a natural point to break the long journey between Rundu and Katima Mulilo, driving the route through the park will take approximately half a day and in order to drive the full circular route, an offroad vehicle is needed. There is a shorter route which can be driven by a sedan in the dry season and visitors can also transit through the park as it cuts through the main road to the Botswana border. The effort of visiting the park will be rewarding in terms of wildlife and bird watching with a high number of elephants, as well as fair numbers of antelopes which are scarce or not seen in other parts of Namibia. These include the roan and sable antelope, tsessebe and the red lechwe. The park is also home to a number of sitatunga, however these antelopes are very scarce, and sightings require luck. The best time to see elephants and antelope is during the dry season between April and October. It has three different habitats: the Kavango River, the flood plains, known as omurambas and woodlands, so a wide spread of species can be seen. The best time of year for bird watching is in the rainy months from November to February.

Overnight: Nunda River Lodge
Nunda River Lodge is situated on the banks of the Kavango River in the lush region of the Caprivi in the north-east of Namibia. It is an ideal base to explore this area as it is close to both Popa Falls and Mahango National Park. Activities include game drives into the park, boat cruises on the Kavango, fishing, mokoro canoe trips and guided walks to a nearby traditional village.

Basis
Bed & Breakfast

Day 9: Thamalakane River Lodge, Maun

Day Itinerary
Today cross the border back into Botswana and drive along following the trace of the river through the Okavango Panhandle, passing through small villages as you head to Maun. Overnight in twin babbler chalet on a bed and breakfast basis, all other meals will be at client’s expense.

Overnight: Thamalakane River Lodge
Thamalakane River Lodge is ideally located an easy 20-minute drive from Maun Airport en route to the famous Moremi Game Reserve. It is a secluded haven of tranquillity nestled in a grove of mature riverine trees on the bank of the Thamalakane River. The rambling lodge has an idyllic setting and there are character en-suite stone chalets, some with private splash pools are positioned in the shade of the riverine forest, overlooking the river. All chalets and common areas have terraces that take advantage of the serene 180 degree view of the riverbanks lined with fluttering reeds visited by an ever changing array of water fowl and birds. The newly added Firefinch Camp consists of 8 en suite Meru tents offering a more traditional safari accommodation experience. Relax by the pool or sit with a book on the lawn. There is a lounge and indoor/outdoor dining area set on a wooden deck with a large and varied menu. A good option in Maun.

Basis
Bed & Breakfast

Day 10-12: Moremi Crossing, Moremi Game Reserve

Day Itinerary
Today you will heard to the  airport and board a charter flight to Moremi Crossing Camp, taking in the magnificence of the winding, papyrus-fringed channels that make up one of the world’s greatest wet land wonders, you will be able to see some of Africa’s most celebrated animals from a bird’s eye view 500 FT above the ground. The Okavango is an immense river that never meets the sea, instead its crystal clear waters spread across the Kalahari Desert, forming Africa’s largest wetland wonder. The Delta is an abundant oasis amid the vast plains and pans of the desert that covers most of Southern Africa. Its waterways are a mesh of meandering and intercepting channels, creating a haven for Africa’s most celebrated wildlife. You’ll have time to join wonderful boat cruises, mokoro excursions – they are, after all, what the Delta is famous for, along with fishing, and nature walks to learn a little of how big and small creatures complete nature. Moremi Crossing offers great value for money

Situated in the east of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve ranks as one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa. It covers more than 4871 square kilometres of pristine wilderness, and the varied terrain includes savannah, winding waterways, and dense forest. This diverse ecosystem supports an incredibly wide spectrum of wildlife, ranging from large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra, to the rare sitatunga and lechwe antelope, lion, cheetah and packs of wild dog in the open grasslands. The birdlife is prolific and includes most of the 550 bird species recorded on Botswana’s national bird list. A range of luxury lodges in the reserve offers visitors the perfect base to experience this corner of paradise.

Overnight: Moremi Crossing
Moremi Crossing is built on a palm fringed island surrounded by the Moremi’s game-rich seasonal floodplains overlooking Chief’s Island and combines luxury with simplicity. The main, thatched lapa is home to a dining, bar and lounge area overlooking the Boro River and Chief’s Island, and attracts a number of birds a well as game. There’s also a swimming pool and curio shop. Accommodation consists of 16 en suite and spacious tents on raised decks, each with their own verandah and also has both a family tent and a honeymoon tent. This100% eco-friendly development features the latest in solar and waste disposal technology.The Okavango is an immense river that never meets the sea. Instead, its ever-changing waters spread across the Kalahari Desert, forming Africa ‘s largest wetland wonder. The Delta is an abundant oasis amid the vast plains and pans of the desert that covers most of Southern Africa and its waterways are a mesh of meandering and intercepting channels, creating a haven for Africa ‘s most celebrated wildlife. Activities at the lodge include mokoro excursions, game walks on Chief’s Island, motor boat cruises, fishing and the chance for wilderness camping. Please note there is no internet and charging of electrical equipment needs to be done in the main lodge.

Basis
Fully Inclusive

Day 13: End of Itinerary

Day Itinerary
Return flight to Maun in time for onward connection
Basis
Bed & Breakfast