| Botswana is considered Southern Africa’s premier game viewing destination. But it is also known as a very expensive destination. However by using a range of affordable lodges we offer a fully accommodated tour of Botswana at a value for money price.
Departs (14-day): Johannesburg, South Africa on Sunday at 6:30am.
Departs (13-day): Maun, Botswana on Monday at 4:30pm.
Ends: Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on Saturday at 8:00am (This means no yellow fever certificate required at JNB).
Group size: Guaranteed from 4 guests; 12 guests maximum.
Summary
• Botswana is considered Southern Africa’s premier game viewing destination, but it is also known as a very expensive destination. By using a range of affordable lodges, this itinerary offers a fully accommodated tour of Botswana at a value for money price.
• A participation tour that offers an accommodated safari at a reasonable price, accommodated in chalets, and cabins with a couple of nights tented camp to get us close to the wildlife.
• Some of the best wildlife viewing in Africa from open 4WDs and on game walks.
• All inclusive trip with cultural experience, adventure and wildlife.
• Victoria Falls, Moremi Game Reserve, Chobe National Park, Okavango Delta, Kalahari desert and Makgadikgadi Pans.
Highlights
• Khama Rhino Sanctuary – game viewing
• Okavango Delta – mokoro trail and bush walks
• Moremi Game Reserve – 3 day 4WD game viewing
• Chobe National Park – 4WD game viewing and river cruise
• Victoria Falls – adventure activities
Alternate Starts
• Johannesburg start saves you the cost of flights to Maun, and includes an opportunity to see rhino.
• Maun start clients join the group in Maun on day 2, eliminating the drive from Jo’burg to Maun.
Overnights
• A total of all 13 nights accommodation in lodges, chalets and tented camps. Of which 10 nights on safari we stay at small and intimate lodges, with en suite facilities.
•
1 night in Khama is in self catering chalets where two bedrooms share a bathroom.
•
2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each mini meru tent has twin camp beds with linen and en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire.
Meals
• 13 breakfasts, 11 lunches and 6 dinners are included, of which 7 breakfasts, 3 lunches & 3 dinners are provided by the lodges.
•
The remaining included meals are provided by the safari crew, prepared at the vehicle and eaten around the camp fire.
14-DAY (departs from Johannesburg, South Africa)
SAFARI
COST: $2,760 per person sharing, plus local payment of US$300 (in cash).
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $975
13-DAY (departs from Maun, Botswana)
SAFARI
COST: $2,655 per person sharing, plus local payment of US$300 (in cash).
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $950
TRANSPORTATION COST TO MAUN IS NOT INCLUDED.
If you are a single traveler, you will be assigned to room with another same gender single traveler and there is no supplemental payment required. If you request to room alone, then the price supplement will be charged. |
CLICK TO SEE DEPARTURE DATES
|
|
DAY 1;
(1 Night)
JOHANNESBURG to KHAMA RHINO SANCTUARY, Botswana [chalets - LD] |
 Departing Johannesburg at 06:30am we head north into Botswana and the Khama Rhino Sanctuary. The Khama Rhino Sanctuary Trust is a community based wildlife project established in 1992 to assist in saving the vanishing rhino, restore an area formerly teeming with wildlife to its previous natural state and provide economic benefits to the local Botswana community through tourism and the sustainable use of natural resources. This reserve situated on the Kalahari sandveld, has several natural waterholes and provides prime habitat for white rhino, zebra and wildebeest.
|
Includes: Entrance fees to Khama Rhino Sanctuary & afternoon game drive. Day 1: Breakfast is not included. Day 1: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 1: Dinner provided tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnight: Khama Rhino Sanctuary, 2 twin share bedrooms in each chalet with 1 bathroom shared between 2 rooms. WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 630km, ± 7½ hours, excluding border formalities & stops for sightseeing & lunch.
Optional Activities: N/A
|
DAY 2;
(1 Night)
MAUN, Botswana [lodge BL-] |
 We drive through the central Kalahari to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta. Since Maun's founding in 1915 as the tribal capital of the Batawana people, it has had a reputation as a hard-living 'Wild West' town helping the local cattle ranching and safari operations. The name Maun is derived from the San word 'maung', which translates to 'the place of short reeds.'
13-DAY OPTION: Fly into Maun on day 2 (Monday) and create a 12-night / 13-day Maun to Livingstone safari. See pricing above. The cost of air or other transportation to get to Maun is not included and must be booked separately. |
Includes: Day 2: Breakfast provided tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 2: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 2: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant.
Overnight: Crocodile Camp, twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 450kms. ± 6½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing.
Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120 pp depending on number of people in each
aircraft). |
|
DAYS 3 - 4;
(2 Nights)
OKAVANGO DELTA, Botswana [tented camp x2 BLD] |
 We drive into the Okavango Delta to our remote tented camp in the heart of the largest inland delta in the world. This amazing environment has large numbers of red lechwe, buffalo, elephant and birds, particularly kingfishers! One of the best experiences in the Okavango Delta is to be poled along reed-lined channels in a mokoro (dug out canoe). Sit back and relax as the water gurgles gently under the mokoro while your skilled poler points out the fauna and flora.
|
Includes: Entrance fees to the Okavango Delta, morning & afternoon game walks with local guides. Day 3: Breakfast provided by the lodge. Day 3: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 3: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 4: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 4: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 4: Dinner provided by tour leaders with the help of the group.
Overnights x2: Wilderness tented camping - 2 nights tented camp in the Okavango. Each mini meru tent has twin camp beds with linen and an en suite chemical toilet. Shared bucket shower tent with hot water off the fire. Tents have built-in insect nets. We need to take our own water and all equipment. Wild tented camping can be very enjoyable but please remember that we leave no trace of our stay and take all rubbish away with us. The wilderness tented camp supplies all linen blankets and pillows. Each tent is appointed with twin camp beds, comfortable mattresses, bedside table and light. The camp chairs have a backrest. WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 2-hour 4WD transfer into the Delta, each way.
Optional Activities: N/A
|
DAYS 5 -
8; (4 Nights)
MOREMI GAME RESERVE, Botswana [3x tented bush lodge BLD, 1x lodge BL-] |
 We take an open 4WD into Moremi Game Reserve for fantastic game viewing! Chief’s Island is the largest landmass within Moremi and was the Batswana tribe’s richest hunting ground, before being declared a game reserve by the tribe. We spend 4 days on game drives watching the abundant wildlife including elephant, hippo, buffalo, lion & other game, both in Moremi Game Reserve and in private concession reserves surrounding the park. We return to Maun midday on day 8 for an evening restaurant meal (own expense).
|
Includes: Entrance fees to Moremi Game Reserve, morning & afternoon game drives in open 4WD vehicle. Day 5: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 5: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 5: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge. Day 6, 7: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge. Day 6, 7: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 6, 7: Dinner will be a set meal provided by the lodge. Day 8: Breakfast will be provided by the lodge. Day 8: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 8: Dinner will be an own expense meal at a local restaurant.
Overnight: 3 x nights Hyena Pan Bush lodge – exclusive private tented bush lodge, bordering Moremi Game Reserve. Twin share permanent tented lodge with en suite facilities. WiFi not available.
1x night Maun Crocodile Camp, twin share bedrooms with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 150kms ± 4 hours, excludes game drives & stops for wildlife viewing (Maun – Lodge).
Optional Activities: Scenic flight over the Okavango Delta (+/-USD95-120) pp depending on number of people in each aircraft). |
DAY 9;
(1 Night)
MAKGADIKGADI PANS, Botswana [tented lodge or chalets BL-] |
 We have time for an optional game flight over the Okavango before we head to Nata (own expense). The shimmering salt pans of Makgadikgadi appear as a glaring white, endless plain. When the rain comes a dramatic change takes place as thousands of wildebeest and zebra migrate to the sweet nutritious grasslands and clouds of flamingo feed in its algae rich waters. It is an area of low rainfall so this spectacle only lasts a short while.
|
Includes: Entrance fees into Makgadikgadi Pans. Day 9: Breakfast provided by the lodge. Day 9: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 9: Dinner will be an own expense meal.
Overnight: Nata Lodge – twin share luxury tents with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. (or Pelican Lodge, – Chalets with en suite facilities). WiFi not available.
Distance / Time: 320km, ± 3½ hours, excluding stops for sightseeing.
Optional Activities: N/A |
DAYS 10 -
11; (2 Nights)
CHOBE NATIONAL PARK, Botswana [lodge BL-] |
 The Chobe River is a stunning feature of Botswana and will be the focus of our lodge stay. The Chobe River flows lazily along the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park attracting some of the largest herds of elephant in Africa. An Early morning 4WD game drive in the Chobe National Park and an afternoon game viewing “sundowner” cruise to see the mighty elephant herds return to the Chobe River to quench their thirst.
|
Includes: Entrance fees to Chobe National Park, morning game drive (day 11), sunset boat cruise (day 11). Day 10, 11: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 10, 11: Lunch provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 10, 11: Dinner will be an own expense meal.
Overnight: Thebe River Safaris – twin chalets with en suite facilities. Swimming pool, bar, restaurant, telephone. WiFi available.
Distance / Time: 300kms, ± 4 hours, excluding stops for sightseeing + 1 x 3 hour game drive.
Optional Activities: Afternoon game drive in open 4WD vehicle (on day 10). |
DAYS 12 -
13; (2 Nights)
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe [hotel Bx2 - -] |
 We visit “Mosi oa Tunya” or “the smoke that thunders” - Victoria Falls. These magnificent falls are one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls Bridge was commissioned by Cecil John Rhodes in 1900, and was completed by 1905, although Rhodes never lived to see it. It spans the impressive gorge and the famous adrenalin pumping Victoria Falls bungi jump is done from this bridge, with a terrifying drop of 360ft (111m). Opportunities to white water raft on the mighty Zambezi River, bungi jump, or take a “flight of angels” (own expense).
|
Includes: Entrance to see the Victoria Falls. Day 12: Breakfast provided by tour leaders with the help of the group. Day 12: Lunch will be an own expense meal. Day 12: Dinner will be an own expense meal. Day 13: Breakfast provided by the hotel. Day 13: Lunch will be an own expense meal. Day 13: Dinner will be an own expense meal.
Overnight: Rainbow Hotel, twin rooms with en-suite facilities. Swimming pool, restaurant, bar and telephone. Free WiFi available.
Distance / Time: 70kms – 1 hour, excluding border formalities.
Optional Activities: White water rafting, sunset cruises, elephant back safaris, scenic flights & many more. |
DAY 14
VICTORIA FALLS, Zimbabwe - TOUR ENDS [- B - -] |
Tour ends at 08:00 after breakfast. Transfers to local airports are available.
Flights are available from Victoria Falls to Johannesburg or you can take a free transit return to Johannesburg with the tour vehicle (all meals and accommodation for own expense). Two days travel and arrives Johannesburg at +/- 18:00 on Sunday. Subject to availability. |
Includes: Day 14: Breakfast provided by the hotel. |
Note: The distance and travel times quoted above are an estimate only, and subject to local road conditions and animal sightings!
Note: The accommodation specified above and in the itinerary, is a guide only and is subject to availability. Alternatives will be of a similar standard, and accommodation changes will be made without notice.
Special Interest: Moremi is known for its big game including frequent leopard sightings. These elusive cats lead a predominantly solitary life and Moremi GR, with its varied habitats and high prey species densities, provides a perfect refuge for these beautiful creatures.
Sustainable Tourism: In Maun we visit a community project, Sibanda’s Craft shop, where craftswomen manufacture unique hand-painted cotton textiles such as tablecloths, & cushion covers. The aim at Sibanda’s is to generate more employment within the community, empowering women to realize their dreams and improve the quality of their lives and those of their children, through economic upliftment and self-fulfillment.
 Top
CLICK TO SEE DEPARTURE DATES
Transport
For the majority of this safari you travel in a custom-built safari trucks with 12 forward-facing seats; or (on 10% of tours) Mercedes Sprinter minibuses with 12 forward facing seats and air conditioning. For the game drives in Moremi and Chobe and the transfer into the Okavango, we use open sided 4WD vehicles with local guides.
Local Payment
• A local payment is required on this safari and this will be collected by your tour leader on departure.
•
The local payment forms part of your overall tour cost, and must be taken into consideration when booking your safari. It will be used by your tour leaders to pay for some of the operational costs incurred on safari. Many of the tour costs are prepaid; however, in many cases, a cash payment is the only option as certain of the destinations that we visit only accept cash. For example entry fees to most national parks, some of the campsites and also local food markets (and even some shops) are only payable in cash.
•
In addition, each vehicle has a garage card but these are only accepted in South Africa and parts of Namibia, therefore in all other countries, fuel must be paid for in cash. Due to the remoteness of some departure points, having a local payment system enables us to manage tour funds effectively. The efficiency of this system helps keep the overall tour prices down.
•
It also ensures that a portion of the tour costs goes directly into the country you are visiting, thereby benefiting local communities and contributing to the conservation of the areas we visit. This is all part of the ongoing effort to operate sustainable safaris that make a real difference.
Participation
An essential part of your safari is some participation. From carrying your own bag to cleaning your window and packing the truck in the morning – it’s all part of your adventure and when everyone puts in a little effort the trip will run smoothly. Where the tour leaders provide meals, we ask that clients help (on rotation) with the washing up.
Shopping
Craft shopping for carvings, batiks, paintings and clothing are best in Victoria Falls which has a wide variety of curios. Botswana has beautiful grass weavings.
Food
• We pride ourselves on giving very good healthy meals to our clients and will provide three meals per day, except where shown in itinerary, when we try out local restaurants.
• The tour leaders do the shopping and meal planning and meal preparation for each group. He/she will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. A rough idea of what these will consist of is: Breakfast - cereals or coffee and toast or the occasional fried breakfast, Lunch - cheese, cold meats, salads on bread or rolls, Dinner - braais (local barbecue), potjies (stews), stir fries etc. We use regular plates, cups and cutlery. All cooking and eating utensils will also be provided.
• We do cater for special dietary requirements (e.g. vegetarian or allergies.)
• We will supply fruit squash served with breakfast and tea or coffee served with breakfast and dinner. All other beverages will be for your own expense. We will not supply bottled drinking water although it is available at many shops on tour.
Difficulty
• Anyone who is generally active and in good health should enjoy this trip. The accommodation used is simple but clean and this trip will appeal to anyone interested in getting the real wilderness of Botswana.
• Full itinerary with a couple of long driving days. The road conditions through the wilderness areas a very poor and our progress can at times be slow and dusty. Remember to hold on at all times and enjoy the ride!
• Everyone is asked to help out with the running of camp on tour. In other words if everyone spends a little time setting up camp, preparing meals and cleaning up then the tour will run smoothly and everyone will have a good time. Participation is the name of the game.
Things you should know
• Includes park entrances, game drives and the Okavango Delta excursion.
• You will need a valid passport and visas for entry into South Africa, Botswana & Zimbabwe.
• Luggage, please pack to a limit of 12kgs in a soft sports tog bag. Also bring day pack for walks and keeping in the vehicle.
• We recommend that you bring Euro, US$ or South African Rand for personal expenses on this trip but please note that foreign currency will need to changed into Botswana Pula as shops, restaurants and market vendors only accept BWP. Expenses in Victoria Falls can be paid in US$ and major credit cards can also be used for optional activities. Traveller’s checks can be changed in Maun, Kasane and Victoria Falls.
Common questions about this trip
• What do I need to bring? Comfortable clothes for warm days and cool evenings, walking shoes, a raincoat, hat and sunglasses, swimsuit, and a water bottle. A small pair of binoculars also comes in very handy and most importantly - a sense of adventure!
• Is it safe? Botswana is relatively safe and your guide knows the countries intimately and will endeavor to show you the best parts while looking after you. In the wild areas your guide will brief you on the necessary precautions, follow this advice and you will be fine. Be aware of your personal belongings and you will have a great trip!
• Do I need malaria tablets? Yes, the trip passes through malaria areas and prophylactics are recommended.
• Solo Traveler? Going it alone won’t make your holiday more expensive; our reservations staff will match you up with another same-gender traveler to keep your holiday affordable. If however you request a single room or tent these are available, with a price supplement.
Top
Please contact us for dates.
The Trade Route Safari to Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique can be combined with this Botswana Wild Parks departure to create a fascinating tour of Southern Africa.
The Botswana Southern Circle Safari to Namibia and Botswana can be combined with this Botswana Wild Parks departure to create an awesome safari that visits the highlights of Botswana & Namibia.
Top  Return to Budget Safari Packages
|
