Day 1: Kasane, Camping
The safari officially begins in Kasane, Botswana, at 13h00. Bush Ways Safaris is happy to assist with pre-tour arrangements such as accommodation and transfers from Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe or Kasane, Botswana, if required. On arrival in Kasane your guide will give you a full safari briefing and take you shopping for your safari drinks. The first highlight of your safari will be a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River. Camping will be in Kasane at a public campsite with permanent ablutions.
Day 2: Nxai Pan National Park, Camping
Rising with the sun, your route takes you 500 kilometres south to Nxai Pan National Park where sweet grasses host a variety of wildlife. You will stop en route for a picnic lunch and enjoy an afternoon game drive in the park before getting to your campsite. Camping will be at a private designated campsite with bush ablutions.
Day 3: Nxai Pan National Park, Camping
The next day you will explore Nxai Pan and enjoy the plains which are often dotted with grazing herds of impala and springbok. In the afternoon you will visit the magnificent Baines Baobabs. These regal trees, immortalised by the explorer Baines’ painting, are situated on the edge of an expansive saltpan.
Day 4: Maun Outskirts, Camping
After enjoying a morning game drive, you will leave Nxai Pan and continue your safari to the outskirts of Maun - the gateway to the Okavango Delta. In the afternoon, you will have the option of taking a scenic flight over the Delta, Maun to Maun (45 minutes Maun to Maun scenic flight, rate TBA – to be booked during the safari, payment in cash only). This magical experience provides another perspective of the Okavango Delta’s distinctive water system.During the flight it is even possible to spot large game animals such as Elephant, Giraffe and Hippopotami.
You will spend the night at a campsite just in the outskirts of Maun with permanent ablution facilities.
Nxai – Maun: 180km, 3-4h
Day 5: 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 mekoros (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.
Maun – Okavango Delta: 60km, 1.5-2h
NOTE: 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 (mokoros) 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.
Day 6: Okavango Delta, Camping
Mokoro excursions and nature walks to explore the islands and waterways of the Okavango Delta.
Day 7: Maun Outskirts, Camping
Leaving the channels of the Okavango Delta, you will start making your way towards the drier regions of the delta where you will camp and refresh before proceeding into the reserve the next day. This afternoon you will have the option of doing a 30min flight in a helicopter with no windows and doors, allowing magnificent views from above. Rate TBA by your guide/agent. You will spend the night at a campsite just in the outskirts of Maun with permanent ablution facilities.
Okavango Delta – campsite outside Maun 50km, 1.5-2h
Day 8: Western Moremi Game Reserve (3rd Bridge / Xakanaza Area), 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.
Day 9: Western Moremi Game Reserve (3rd Bridge / Xakanaza Area), Camping
Game drives to explore the Moremi Game Reserve around the 3rd Bridge / Xakanaxa areas.
Day 10: North-East Moremi Game Reserve / Khwai Concession, Camping
Transfer/game drive from Western Moremi to the region surrounding the Khwai river (North-east Moremi / Khwai Concession). Game drives to explore the areas.
Day 11: Southern Chobe National Park (Savute / Zwei Zwei), Camping
Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, will be your next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, you will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains. You will then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives will meander along the banks of the river, followed by the call of the majestic African Fish Eagle. Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions, first in the Savuti area (Day 11), then in the northern part of the park closer to the riverfront (Days 12 & 13).
Eastern Moremi – Savuti: 120km, 7-8h (transfer and game drive)
Day 12: Northern Chobe National Park (Floodplain), Camping
Transfer / game drive from Southern Chobe National Park to the Chobe river floodplain. Game drives to explore Northern Chobe National Park.
Savuti - Chobe River: 170km, 5-6h (transfer and game drive)
Day 13: Northern Chobe National Park (Floodplain), Camping
Game drives to explore Northern Chobe and floodplain.
Day 14: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Comfortable Lodge
After a short morning game drive you willthen drive to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense.
Chobe River – Victoria Falls: 100km, 3h (including border crossing)
Day 15: End of the Safari
The safari officially ends after breakfast on Day 15, at the lodge.
Bush Ways is happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Victoria Falls airport or lodges or Kasane, Botswana, at an additional cost. Activities in Victoria Falls include White Water Rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, Canoeing on the upper Zambezi and Helicopter Flights over the Victoria Falls, please ask your guide for further details.
