Botswana for the Discerning Traveler

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/Savute Elephant Lodge

After a morning game activity, a light aircraft will transfer you to the five-star Savute Elephant Lodge within the Chobe National Park on the Savute Channel.

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your camp, where you will spend two nights on a fully inclusive basis with daily game activities.

Savute Elephant Lodge is located within Botswana's Chobe National Park on the Savute Channel. The Savute Channel is one of Northern Botswana’s greatest mysteries as it can lie dormant for years before beginning to flow, only to dry up again without warning.

Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge hosts a cluster of twelve tented residences raised on wooden platforms. Each has an outdoor lounge and is shaded by a traditional thatch roof. The large private decks are furnished with easy chairs and a hammock. These are ideal for viewing wildlife, or for enjoying a private dinner in complete privacy.

Luxurious room interiors include a four-poster bed complete with mosquito netting, lavish bathroom and dressing room, a fully-stocked minibar and discreet air conditioning.

Savute Elephant Lodge

After settling in and enjoying the camp, you will venture out this afternoon on your first game drive. Anticipate the untamed beauty of sand, savannah and awesome wildlife.

Accommodation: Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge - Luxury Room (B, L, D)

Day 7 - Savute Elephant Lodge

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.

Wildlife viewing

Equally atmospheric and exciting are evening drives. Animals and birds emerge from their siesta, predators begin their evening hunt and suddenly the bush is alive with sights and sounds.

In addition to game viewing you can discover an exceptional collection of Bushmen paintings, thought to be more than 1,500 years old, in the wide open landscape. After viewing the paintings, continue to the spectacular baobab grove, a cathedral-like cluster of 13 giant trees. Standing among the towering columns at sunset is sure to be one of many inspiring highlights of your trip.

Bushmen rock art

In the evening the clear African skies provide amazing stargazing. The open, unpolluted skies of Botswana are the perfect place to experience the vast dome of the African night sky. Learn how Bushmen used the stars to locate the true south. Use powerful telescopes to witness constellations that you may never have seen before, including the Southern Cross.

Accommodation: Belmond Savute Elephant Lodge - Luxury Room (B, L, D)

Day 8 - Savute Elephant 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 the airstrip for your light charter flight to Kasane and then connecting onwards to Johannesburg. On arrival at Johannesburg's O.R. Tambo International Airport you will connect with your international flight back to the USA.