10 Day Delta & Chobe Waterways - Botswana Small Group Safaris
Get wet and wild on a tour that explores the watery channels of the Okavango Delta, the serene and beautiful Chobe River, and the dramatic Victoria Falls.
Brief Itinerary
Days 1 to 3: Johannesburg, Nata (Botswana), Livingstone Day 4: Livingstone, Chobe National Park, Kasane Days 5 to 8: Okavango Delta, Maun Day 9: Khama Rhino Sanctuary Day 10: JohannesburgTour Highlights
- Victoria Falls - Livingstone
- Chobe National Park
- Okavango Delta
- Khama Rhino Sanctuary
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Johannesburg, Nata (Botswana) (Dx1)
Leaving Johannesburg the 'City of Gold' early on day one, we travel north taking in the sights and sounds of South Africa's Northern Province. Entering Botswana through the remote border of Martins Drift we continue on to our camp in Nata. Your accommodation near Nata is at the gateway to the great Makgadikadi Pans. The region was once a vast superlake before the water dried up, leaving a breathtaking expanse of shimmering white saltpan's regularly trampled by hundreds of hoofed animals.
Days 2 & 3: Victoria Falls, Livingstone (Bx2 / Dx1)
We leave Nata early for a drive to Kasane and ferry crossing into Zambia. After a short drive further we arrive in Livingstone. The local name for Victoria Falls is 'Mosi oa Tunya' ('the Smoke that Thunders') referring to the huge spray that this huge curtain of falling water creates in full flood. We have two days here near Livingstone in our campsite on the Upper Zambezi. While here we take a tour of the 'Falls' to watch the spectacle and see the enormous Batoka Gorge into which the Zambezi plunges. The rest of our time here is at leisure to enjoy the area. Some of the optional activities typically on offer in the area include scenic flights, whitewater rafting, canoeing, bungy jumping, gorge swinging, jet boating, game drives, elephant back safaris and river cruises. Our accommodation also has swimming pool, bar, restaurant and riverside deck so there is plenty of opportunity to relax when not doing activities, and enjoy the camp's tranquil surrounds.
Day 4: Livingstone, Chobe National Park (Bx1 / Dx1)
We leave Livingstone and take the short drive back into Botswana. We now visit Chobe National Park, a beautiful conservation area and home to the 'Big 5'. It is also famous for its huge elephant population - an estimated 40,000 animals roam within the park boundaries. While here, there is the option to take a 'Fish Eagle' cruise on the Chobe River or an afternoon game drive to spot much of the wildlife for which Chobe is renowned. Watching the sun slide between the trees as elephants lazily browse their branches is truly a highlight of any trip to Africa. Tonight we camp near in Kasane close to the beautiful Chobe River.
Days 5 to 8: Okavango Delta, Maun (Bx4 / Lx3 / Dx4)
There may be another opportunity to take an optional game drive in Chobe this morning before we leave the park. On our departure we head on for a night in Maun. This town is the gateway to one of the world's most unique and beautiful ecosystems - The Okavango Delta. The Delta is a natural wetland system spreading over 1,600,00ha of northern Botswana. The Okavango River begins life in Angola and on reaching Botswana it divides repeatedly into an intricate floodplain of thousands of channels that form an inland delta - the only one of its kind in the world. We spend our days here exploring the area, with experienced local 'polers' punting us through the reed channels by mokoro - traditional dug out canoe. On many of the grassy islands we get out to enjoy foot safaris. The Okavango is home to numerous mammals and birdlife which we should spot during our time here.
We spend two nights in the Delta, camping. Our camp is on a remote island haven in the middle of this pristine environment. This is a true wilderness experience and at night you are surrounded by the sounds of the African bush to send you asleep, or keep you awake! Many people find this experience the highlight of their trip. On our final day we return to Maun and camp near the town.
Day 9: Khama Rhino Sanctuary (Bx1 / Dx1)
For those wanting more adventure, this morning there is the option to fly back over the Delta by small plane for a bird's eye view of this natural wonder; a great way to appreciate its immense size. Following this, our destination is south, at the Khama Rhino Sanctuary, near the South African border. In 1989 a group of locals wanted to convert the Serwe Pan previously a hunting area, into a conservation area, for the protection of the endangered white rhino. The Pan was chosen because of its excellent conditions and proximity to a Botswana Defence Force base that could provide 24 hour protection. The project has been a success and rhino numbers have slowly improved here in this prime habitat, also a haven for zebra, wildebeest and giraffe. We enjoy an evening game drive here, stopping at the waterholes, a popular place to find animals drinking at the end of the day. Tonight we enjoy our final night camping underneath the stars in the heart of the sanctuary.
Day 10: Johannesburg (Bx1)
Today, we finish our journey. Leaving Khama we cross back into South Africa and head south, arriving in Johannesburg this afternoon where our tour ends.
