Botswana for the Discerning Traveler 2019

Day 3 - Eagle Island Lodge

Another day on safari to experience heart pounding big game encounters. End your day star-gazing a flawlessly clear sky.

Early morning game drives take you out into a wild landscape. Expect to see a huge range of wildlife from big cats to rhino, antelope and buffalo.

Equally atmospheric and exciting are evening drives. Animals and birds emerge from their siesta, and suddenly the bush is alive with sights and sounds. Game viewing vehicles seat up to 6 guests.

A mokoro or traditional dugout canoe ride, takes you over shallow waters to areas inaccessible by regular boat (subject to water levels). Luminous dragonflies hover with whirring wings. Game such as red lechwe antelope, reed bucks and giraffes come to drink. For many it is the birds that truly dazzle - egrets, storks and even fishing.

Star Gazing at Eagle Island Lodge

Or you can take a walking safari, where you are totally enveloped by nature. Set out from camp early in the morning, and as you become accustomed to your surroundings you will pick up the sounds and smells of animals nearby.

Accommodation: Belmond Eagle Island Lodge - Luxury Tent (B, L, D)

Day 4 - Eagle Island Lodge/Khwai River Lodge

After a morning game activity, fly to the Moremi Reserve to the beautiful Khwai River Lodge.

Moremi Reserve is situated at the heart of the Okavango Delta and was the first wildlife area to be protected by the local tribal people. Extending north and east to join Chobe National Park, it is a wildlife haven that allows free movement of animals according to seasonal migration.

Belmond Khwai River Lodge has 12 luxury rooms set on raised wooden platforms with a traditional African thatch roof. Private decks with easy chairs and hammocks provide panoramic views. Large, comfortable rooms feature a netted four-poster bed, elegant bathroom, stocked mini bar and discreet air conditioning.

Facilities include an al fresco dining area with views of the reserve, a gym and spa facilities, swimming pool, laundry service and Internet access.

Look out over the bush from a private deck

You will arrive in time for an afternoon at leisure before heading out on your evening game drive. At Khwai River Lodge, exclusive night time safaris provide a rare opportunity to witness the nocturnal life of the African bush. Night vision goggles allow you to capture the action like never before. With a 455ft viewing range and numerous state-of-the-art features, you can truly admire the mysterious night-time domain.

Accommodation: Belmond Khwai River Lodge - Luxury Room (B, L, D)

Day 5 - Khwai River Lodge

Experience another day spending time spotting the famed Big Five in the forested Moremi Wildlife Reserve. Elephant and buffalo are found year-round in large numbers, and you're likely to see a lot of other wildlife throughout the Okavango Delta. Lion and leopard have thriving populations as well.

In addition to exciting game drives, you may participate in a walking safari to totally immerse yourself in nature. Set out from camp early in the morning, and as you become attuned to your surroundings you will pick up the sounds and smells of animals nearby.

You may also enjoy a visit to a local San Bushmen Community. Khwai River Lodge enjoys a unique location close to a San Bushmen’s village and fortunate visitors may be invited into a private home to experience aspects of their unique way of life.

Hippos near Khwai River Lodge

Accommodation: Belmond Khwai River Lodge - Luxury Room (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Khwai River Lodge/Ngoma Safari Lodge

After a morning game activity, a light aircraft will transfer you to Kasane. Upon arrival in Kasane you will be met and transferred by road to Ngoma Safari Lodge via Kasane in Botswana. Spend 2-nights here including all meals and twice daily game viewing activities. Activities include morning walk or drive, full day safari inclusive drive and cruise, afternoon walk or drive, cultural/community tour, and night drive.

With a dramatically beautiful setting, perched high on a ridge overlooking the game-rich floodplains and Chobe River below, the 4-star Ngoma Safari Lodge is situated in Northern Botswana within the Chobe Forest Reserve bordering the western edge of Chobe National Park and overlooking the Chobe River.

Ngoma Safari Lodge Suite

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.

Ngoma Safari Lodge View

Each of the suites has a view of the river and offers the opportunity to do some game viewing across the floodplain below, depending on the season. The lodge was built near existing elephant trails and the eight suites were strategically placed away from the trails so as not to block access for the animals.

Accommodation: Ngoma Safari Lodge - Double Suite (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Ngoma Safari Lodge

Enjoy dawn and dusk game viewing activities in Chobe National Park. The Chobe Floodplains and Chobe River provide a haven for wildlife to concentrate and Chobe River cruises are a highlight of this area providing amazing sightings of elephants, hippos, crocodiles and birdlife along its banks.

During the dry winter months the elephant population is enormous and estimated to be one of Africa’s largest concentrations of elephants.

On the Chobe River boat cruise keep an eye out for hippos, crocodiles and elephants. On game drives within the park you may also see lions and plenty of plains game.

Accommodation: Ngoma Safari Lodge - Double Suite (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Ngoma Safari Lodge/Kasane/Johannesburg/Depart

Make the most of your last morning as you take in all the sights and sounds on your final game activity of this trip. (B)

You will then transfer to Kasane Airport for your flight to Johannesburg. On arrival at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport you will connect with your international flight back to the USA.