Trans Botswana | Okavango Delta, Chobe National Park, Caprivi & Vic Falls

Meet between 13:00 and 14:00 in Letlhakane. Refuel whilst everyone is supplied with two-way radios before heading out onto the vast, flat terrain of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Overnight we camp wild at Kubu Island. Kubu Island is a dry granite rock protruding from the vast saltpans and boasts the finest examples of ancient Baobab trees. The magnificent sunset will set the backdrop as we enjoy a sundowner on the pan whilst getting to know one another. Gather around the campfire to enjoy a wholesome meal. Your tour leader will enlighten you as to what to expect over the next 11-nights and 12-days.

Early risers can enjoy coffee and rusks against a backdrop of enormous baobabs as the sun rises on the first morning of your Botswana adventure.

After breakfast, we test drive our 4×4 skills on the sandy terrain while heading to our next camp on the outskirts of Maun, along the way, stopping to enjoy a light picnic lunch.  Being on the road so regularly, our guides have discovered picnic stops that offer the best shade and which are safest for the convoy.

Day at Leisure with Optional Scenic Flight over the Delta

After a leisurely breakfast, it's a short 30minutes into Maun where we restock and refuel and whilst in Maun, those who wish to do a scenic flip over the Delta, will do so.  Please note; this flight is an optional activity and is not included in the overall tour cost

After the flight, everyone is able to enjoy Maun exploring the local markets or enjoying one of the towns many and varied eateries.

(Today lunch is for your own account)

The rest of the day is spent at leisure around the pool and for those needing to catch up with civilization, there is wi-fi in the outdoor bar / reception area.

A relaxed early dinner around the campfire is enjoyed after a wonderfully relaxing day

We make an early start today to accommodate the poor condition of the road.  The drive is slow and arduous for the convoy but following arrival mid-afternoon, it’s easy to see why we keep coming back.

Situated next to one of the major channels.  Drotsky Camp is really beautiful – situated just outside the town of Shakawe on the panhandle of the Okavango Delta, the campsite lies in shady indigenous forests on the banks of the river.  Most of the sites are just off the river banks to avoid the mosquitoes!

Ablutions are sparkling clean and the grounds beautifully maintained and swept.  There is also a wonderful deck from which classic Okavango sunrises can be enjoyed.

Dinner this evening is around the campfire next to the river.

After a few long days of travelling, everybody enjoys a well-deserved rest and there is no better place than Drotsky Camp.  We have the morning free to stroll around the camp and the surrounds, to do some birding, have a swim in the lodge pool during the summer months and to simply relax. The birding at Drotsky’s is abundant so bring your binocs, a good pair of walking shoes and your reference books.

We enjoy a leisurely brunch and in the later part of the afternoon we head out onto the tranquil waterways.  Our guided afternoon boat cruise is in comfortable aluminium cruise boats (this activity is included in the tour cost)

Leaving Drotsky’s we head north out of Botswana and into Namibia via the mystical Tsodilo Hills, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consisting of rock art, rock shelters, depressions, and caves with more than 3500 rock paintings etched against the magnificent stone facade of the hills.

The Tsodilo Hills are one of the most historically significant rock art sites in the world, boasting 500 individual sites that represent thousands of years of human habitation – there are several walking trails that include multiple rock art paintings with fantastic depictions of antelope, rhinos, zebra, tortoises, and even a whale and penguin!  The museum has excellent explanations of the life and history of the people who did the art – and the spiritual significance of the mountains as well.

Once we have crossed the Mohembo Border into Namibia, we drive through the Mohembo section of the Bwabwata Reserve that links Divundu to the Botswana border.

Our campsite for the next three nights will be at Ngepi Camp situated on the unspoilt upper reaches of the Okavango Delta Panhandle. Situated in a riverine belt of giant Jackalberry trees and lush surroundings together our camp provides us access to an interesting floating swimming pool, mokorro rides and a visit to a local community – all optional. Its a perfect setting for socializing and relaxing after the day’s activities

Today we get to enjoy the Mohembo Game Reserve adjacent to Ngepi.  The reserve is small but offers great game viewing opportunities with hippos, baboons, warthogs and elephant to name a few.   This section of the Bwabwata National Park has over 300 bird species and boasts four of the big five. It is also renowned for its Roan Antelope and Sable population.

A picnic lunch is enjoyed at one of the scenic water holes under the shade of the Kameeldoring trees.

Everyone has the opportunity to have a lie-in as you will decide on your own day’s activities. We serve a big breakfast/brunch and you have the opportunity to relax in the camp, enjoy a mokoro ride or visit nearby 32 Batallion Core Zone in neighbouring Bwabwata National Park.

Optional Activities:  There are a number of activities such as bird watching, dug-out canoe trips, village tours and tiger fishing available for you from Ngepi camp.  All of these activities will be for your own cost.

The Bhejane activity for the day is a late afternoon sundowner cruise on the mighty Kavango River.   Bring your own drinks and snacks as well as your camera

Today we pack up camp and head back into Botswana via the Caprivi Strip stopping en route at Namwi Island Camp for a light lunch before heading to Ngoma where we will cross into Botswana onto the Chobe floodplain.

Our next and final camp for the tour lies just outside Kasane at Thebe River where we spend our last three nights.

After an early breakfast at 07h00 we transfer via bus to the magnificent Victoria Falls. After taking in the wonders of the Falls, you can enjoy a superb lunch at LOOKOUT POINT restaurant situated just about the Zambezi Gorge, or head over to Vic Falls Hotel and enjoy their High Tea. (Lunches, teas and all activities at Vic Falls are not included in the tour cost and are for your own cost)

Optional Activities:  adventure activities such as bungy jumping and helicopter flights over the Falls (not included in the tour price).  Speak to your guide who will make all the necessary arrangements on your behalf.

Our game drive this morning starts at 06h30 or 07h00 depending on group consensus and for three hours in several open safari vehicles we are taken around the park by Chobe Guides who are skilled trackers (and off road drivers) and highly adept at tracking lion, leopard, elephant and some of the best game you will ever get to enjoy!

Remember, the earlier the game drive, the better your chances of spotting the Big Five!

After the game drive everyone is returned to Thebe where the Bhejane crew serves brunch following which a sunset boat cruise on the Chobe River is enjoyed – departure for this activity is at approximately 15h00 giving everyone enough time to enjoy a swim in Thebe’s pool, pop into Kasane to buy a few curios and gifts for family back home or to clean out your vehicle in preparation for the journey home.  

Sunset on the Chobe River is always magnificent and as the final activity of the tour, sundowners and snacks & newly formed friendships make the perfect end to our adventure.  We spend our last night around the campfire enjoying the unique bond of friendship that can only be made by fellow travellers who, together, have experienced the magic of the African bush

(Sundowner Cruise:  Don’t forget your drinks, we provide the ice, and some light snacks!)

After breakfast, with dust on our shoes and our hearts full, it is with renewed purpose we begin the journey home.

Perhaps one more cup of coffee, a final few photo's and then heartfelt goodbyes to the people and the place that made this adventure unforgettable.