- Summary
- Itinerary
- Pricing
- Options & Add-ons
Botswana - Safari, Conservation and Community
Trip Highlights
Linyanti | Makgadikgadi Pans | Chobe Game Reserve
Discover
Striking scenery and wildlife in pristine and unspoiled wilderness areas
Visit Local Communities supported in Botswana and Namibia
Experience
A river safari on the Chobe River
Witness the second largest zebra migration in the world
Aerial views of wildlife from your small bush plane
Relax
Enjoy luxuriously appointed intimate safari camps that are leading the way in conservation and sustainability
Taste
Superb meals by top notch chefs
Traditional African sundowners on evening game drives
Day 1 - Johannesburg
On arrival at O.R Tambo International Airport, you will be met by a Lion World Travel representative and transferred to the either the InterContinental OR Tambo Airport Hotel or African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel.
The InterContinental O.R Tambo Airport Hotel located within walking distance of the arrival’s hall. Providing convenience, style and all the upscale facilities you would expect from an award-winning hotel, the 5-star InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel is within walking distance from the International Arrivals hall at Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport. Here you can enjoy a host of services and facilities, including an indoor pool and spa. The hotel has a superb restaurant with an informal atmosphere offering Aero-African and modern cuisine. The restaurant serves breakfast early and is open until the early hours of the morning offering a la carte dining.
Or
On arrival at O.R Tambo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to the Melrose Arch Hotel. Ideally situated in the heart of Johannesburg, the African Pride Melrose Arch Hotel specializes in luxury without compromise, with its variety of trendy retail shops and leisure amenities. The 5-star hotel is bright and modern with the ultimate in service and technology. Luxury bedrooms with wooden floors, an extra deep bathtub, flat screen TV and DVD surround sound system are but a few of the unique features.
Dine on fantastic global cuisine at March Restaurant or linger over drinks by the fire at Library Bar. Lounge by the hotel pool, which features a vibrant bar with drinks and light dining. Melrose Arch Hotel is ready to make you feel at home!
Accommodation: InterContinental O.R. Tambo Airport Hotel or Melrose Arch Hotel – Standard Room
Day 2 - Maun/Boteti River Valley
On arrival at Maun Airport you will take a light aircraft transfer with Safari Air to Boteti River Valley and transfer to Leroo La Tau where you will spend 2-nights on a fully inclusive basis.
Please Note: Luggage restrictions on the Botswana light aircraft transfer flights is 20kg/44lbs in soft bags – including hand luggage.
Chalet Bedroom Views
Leroo La Tau rises majestically above the Boteti River Valley which stretches across the western border of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Leroo La Tau has 12 thatched luxury chalets all overlooking the magnificent Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, each with en-suite bathrooms. There is a dining room, reading room and bar in the main lodge, expansive wooden decks, a viewing hide and a swimming pool where you can immerse yourself seamlessly into the ultimate wildlife experience in Botswana.
Accommodation: Leroo La Tau – Chalet (B, D)
Day 3 - Boteti River Valley
Enjoy daily game activities in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park on the western boundary of park.
Owing to the arid nature of the park, the river and the nutrient-rich western grasslands supply the essential water and sustenance for the wildlife that inhabit the region. The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is home to the second largest zebra migration in the world, where thousands of zebra migrate to the Boteti River in the dry winter months (May to Oct) from their summer grazing ground further inside the park.
The fascinating contrast between the Boteti River Valley and arid National Park makes it a fascinating region to include in any Botswana safari.
Game Drive
While staying at Leroo La Tau you will visit the Khumaga Village and Primary School. This heart-warming and eye-opening excursion offers you an insight into the people who you will fall in love with.
Having explored the area and enjoyed a spectacular wildlife phenomenon on guided game drives, guests can retire after dinner to a splendid fireplace overlooking the river.
Al Fresco Dining
Accommodation: Leroo La Tau – Chalet (B, L, D)
Day 4 - Boteti River Valley/Moremi Game Reserve
Today you will take a light aircraft transfer with Safari Air from Boteti River Valley to the Moremi Game Reserve and transfer to Camp Xakanaxa where you will spend 2-nights on a fully inclusive basis.
Aerial view of the camp
Camp Xakanaxa is located on the banks of the Khwai River on the Xakanaxa Lagoon, in the heart of the Moremi Game Reserve. It offers guests an authentic, year-round Okavango Delta land and water safari experience. The camp accommodates twenty-four guests in twelve spacious all canvas, classic Meru style luxury safari tents, with en suite bathrooms. Situated around the fringe of the lagoon, every tent has a private viewing deck with comfortable loungers.
The stylish main buildings extend over the river and are set on raised platforms to maximize the views over the river and islands. The elegant lounge and dining rooms, built of local timber, reed and thatch, feature a small library, expansive sundeck, plunge pool and sala with day bed.
The Moremi Game Reserve is situated in the east of the Okavango Delta and ranks as one of the most beautiful reserves in Africa. It covers more than 1880 square miles of pristine wilderness, and the varied terrain includes savannah, winding waterways, and dense forest.
Tented Room
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.
Lion Pride
Accommodation: Camp Xakanaxa – Tented Room (B, L, D)
Day 5 - Moremi Game Reserve
You will be taken on dawn and dusk game viewing activities in this wildlife paradise. Moremi’s lush topography is a collage of lagoons, shallow flood pans, plains and forests. It is one of Africa's finest areas for wildlife, with abundant game.
Venture out on game drives throughout the many different ecosystems that the Moremi Game Reserve has to offer or explore the lagoons and surrounding channels by boat for a chance to enjoy the picturesque waters of the Okavango Delta, with its kaleidoscope of birdlife.
Boat Ride
Experienced guides will introduce you to a whole new world of wildlife; watch a Leopard stretched out lazily in the branches of a Mopane tree, herds of elephant grazing under a canopy of green or a pride of lions camouflaged in the long grass. Moremi Game Reserve’s incredible wetlands support a vast number of animals.
Accommodation: Camp Xakanaxa – Tented Room (B, L, D)
Option: Camp Moremi (alternative to Camp Xakanaxa) Camp Moremi has a well-deserved legacy in the Botswana tourism industry for being able to deliver the classic African safari experience. Recently completely rebuilt, Camp Moremi is located within Botswana’s world-renowned Moremi Game Reserve, situated on the edge of the Xakanaxa Lagoon in an area known for its spectacular game-viewing opportunities.
Game drives conducted in open 4x4 vehicles in the morning and late afternoons offer excellent game viewing including frequent sightings of lion, leopard and wild dog. Alternatively, guest can explore the Xakanaxa Lagoon and surrounding Okavango channels by boating safari.
Camp Moremi
Day 6 - Moremi Game Reserve/Kasane/Chobe Savanna Lodge
Today you will take a light aircraft transfer with Safari Air from Moremi Game Reserve to Kasane Airport. You will then continue from Kasane Airport to Chobe Savanna Lodge by road and boat transfer. This transfer includes a border crossing between Botswana and Namibia.
Set in a classic African savanna environment with sweeping vistas, the focal point of the lodge is a thatched open sided lodge which commands a 270-degree view over the Chobe River and beyond to the Chobe National Park. With just 12 en-suite guest rooms, Chobe Savanna Lodge offers an exclusive, all-inclusive luxury Chobe safari.
Guest Room View
With the Chobe River the focus of the Chobe Savanna Lodge experience, guests can enjoy the exceptional wildlife that frequents the rivers banks from morning and afternoon boat cruises. Ideal for wildlife photographers and birders, the Chobe Savanna Lodge boats allow you to explore the far reaches of the Chobe River. Fishing and visits to the local community complete the Chobe Savanna Lodge experience.
All 8 river facing suites have spacious living areas, a bath, an inside and outside shower, overhead fans, air-conditioning, mini bar, tea/coffee facilities and a private plunge pool on the verandah.
Boat Ride
Accommodation: Chobe Savanna Lodge – Guest Room (B, L, D)
Day 7 - Chobe Savanna Lodge
The Chobe River forms the boundary between Botswana and Namibia and is one of the most well-known perennial rivers in Africa. The Chobe River Front encompasses vast floodplains fringed by lush riverine woodlands.
Giraffes in the front lodge
The abundant wildlife inhabiting the river and its shores can be viewed from a river safari where visitors can spot elephants, hippo, water-loving antelope including the rare Puku and a variety of other game such as lion, giraffe, zebra, leopard and buffalo. Nature lovers will delight in the incredibly scenic natural landscapes and bird watchers can look forward to the wide section of bird species which can be spotted along the riverbanks.
A cultural outing from Chobe Savanna Lodge entails a visit to the nearby community to immerse yourself into the everyday life of someone from a small village in Namibia. Chobe Savanna Lodge directly supports this village through various initiatives and employment opportunities.
Sunset drinks next to the River
Accommodation: Chobe Savanna Lodge – Guest Room (B, L, D)
Day 8 - Chobe Savanna Lodge/Kasane
It is time to say goodbye to the place that has given you so many memories as you take a boat and road transfer from Chobe Savanna Lodge to Kasane Immigration and Kasane Airport. (B)
Add-Ons
Day 9 - Chobe/Victoria Falls
Upon arrival in Victoria Falls you will be transferred to one of three your luxury accommodation options: Victoria Falls River Lodge - Luxury Tent.
Luxury Tent
Victoria Falls River Lodge is a luxury tented lodge is situated on the banks of the mighty Zambezi river – so close to Victoria Falls one can see the spray in the distance.
Accommodation: Victoria Falls River Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 10 - Victoria Falls
After breakfast enjoy a guided walking tour of Victoria Falls, one of seven natural wonders of the world.
Join your passionate and knowledgeable guide on an unforgettable tour. En route, make a stop at the Big Tree for spectacular views and to take photos. A visit to the iconic Victoria Falls is a truly awe-inspiring experience. Nothing can quite prepare one for the sheer splendour of the breathtaking spectacle which is one of Africa’s most famous landmarks.
There is not much that can compare to the heady fragrance of drenched earth and sun-kissed Rainforest foliage; the intense power of the wall of water – its deafening rumble coursing through your veins – or letting the cooling and constant spray of “the Smoke that Thunders” saturate the senses.
Tour of the Falls
With intimate knowledge of the local fauna and flora and other points of historical interest, coupled with advice on the best viewing spots, your guide will happily assist wherever possible to help ensure that the memories created at this World Heritage Site will last a lifetime.
You have the option of a sunrise or sunset river cruise. Watch from the comfort of Victoria Falls River Lodge’s private river cruiser. In the early morning as the world awakes and the sun’s first rays skip and dance across the shimmering surface of the might Zambezi.
Or in the evening sit back and let the gentle ebb and flow of the Zambezi lull and relax you. Join in on Mother Nature’s Happiest Hour by sipping on a sun-downer while watching her creatures big and small coming to the water’s edge to lap at its liquid life under the molten skies. After returning to the hotel, enjoy an inspiring and unique Southern African meal served in the distinctive thatched riverside dining area.
Accommodation: Victoria Falls River Lodge (B, L, D)
Day 11 - Victoria Falls/Johannesburg/Depart
After breakfast you will be transferred by road to Victoria Falls Airport for your flight back to Johannesburg. (B)
Upon arrival in Johannesburg you will connect for your ongoing flight back to the USA on South African Airways.
Jan 10 - Mar | Apr - Jun | Jul - Oct | Nov | Dec 1 - 09 | |
Selling Price | $4399 | $4799 | $5799 | $4799 | $5499 |
Single Supplement | $290 | $290 | $1890 | $290 | $290 |
Jan 10 - May | Jun - Oct | Nov - Dec 09 | |
Selling Price | $1050 | $1299 | $1050 |
Single Supplement | $250 | $330 | $250 |
Inclusions:
- All scheduled charter flights between the lodges and Kasane as listed
- Accommodation as specified
- Tours and activities as specified
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- All services and transfers as specified
- Transportation in luxury vehicles
- Light aircraft transfers as listed in the itinerary
- Sight-seeing as per itinerary led by English-speaking guide
- Entrance fees for sight-seeing as indicated
- Game drives as specified in itinerary
- Services of Rangers/Trackers
- Lion World Travel Representative Meet and Greet upon arrival
Exclusions:
- Roundtrip, international airfare
- Domestic flights in Southern Africa
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
- All other services not mentioned
- Gratuities/tips for game rangers/trackers, tour guides and drivers
- Costs of obtaining passports and/or visas
- Trip Cancellation, Interruption and/or Medical Insurance – please note that insurance for this trip is a mandatory requirement from suppliers in Southern Africa – proof of insurance must be provided before bookings are confirmed. It is your personal responsibility to ensure you have enough insurance coverage.
Baggage
Click here for airline baggage restrictions.
Luggage restriction on the Botswana light aircraft transfer flights is strictly limited to 20kg/44lbs in soft bags – including hand luggage.