9 Day Classic Botswana Safari: Unveiling Wildlife & Wilderness

Your adventure begins the moment you touch down at Maun Airport, where you will be greeted with a warm “Dumela” (hello) and transferred to your first accommodation. Situated on the banks of the Thamalakane River, the Maun Waterfront Guesthouse offers the perfect setting to decompress after your travels. You are encouraged to settle into your comfortable room or unwind on the beautiful deck by the swimming pool. As the sun dips, your expert guide will gather the small group for a comprehensive briefing on the safari adventure ahead, setting the stage for the days to come

Following breakfast, you will embark on a 3 to 4-hour drive (approx. 120 km) to the renowned Khwai Region, a wildlife haven that borders the Moremi Game Reserve. You will arrive at the Khwai River View camp—your home base for the next three nights—in time for lunch. Because there are no fences separating the reserves here, wildlife roams freely through the landscape. Your first afternoon game drive offers a thrilling introduction to Botswana’s biodiversity; keep your camera ready for sightings of elephants, buffalo, lions, and various antelope. If fortune favors you, you may even spot leopards near the riverbanks or cheetahs sprinting across the open savannah. The day concludes around a roaring campfire, where you can listen to the nocturnal sounds of the bush before dinner

Today allows for a slightly more relaxed start. After breakfast, you will travel to a nearby “poler station” to experience one of the most iconic activities in the Okavango Delta: a Mokoro excursion. You will leave the safari vehicle behind and board these traditional dugout canoes (now eco-friendly fiberglass), propelled through the calm waters of the Mbudi Channel by a local poler from the village community. As you glide silently through the reeds, your guide will reveal the intricate flora and fauna of the wetlands. After returning to camp for lunch and a midday siesta, you will head out on another late-afternoon game drive. These cooler hours are when wildlife is most active, and your guide’s deep knowledge of the bush will help reveal nature’s secrets that untrained eyes might miss.

Rise at twilight to maximize your time in the Moremi Game Reserve, widely regarded as one of Africa’s most diverse ecosystems. Today is dedicated to a full-day exploration with the roof hatches and windows open for optimal viewing. Moremi is famous for its high density of predators. While you search for lion, leopard, and buffalo, the true prize here is the African Wild Dog. These endangered predators hunt in packs and are known for their incredible success rates when hunting impala, warthog, and wildebeest. You will enjoy a picnic lunch deep inside the reserve, surrounded by nature, before continuing your game drive into the late afternoon. You will return to camp at sunset for another delicious dinner under the stars.

Today involves an early start for a long, adventurous drive moving north toward the Chobe Forest Reserve. While the drive is long, it essentially serves as an extended game drive, particularly as you traverse the mysterious Savuti region. Savuti is legendary for its predator activity and has been featured in numerous wildlife documentaries, particularly for its prides of lions known to hunt elephants. As you cross this dramatic landscape, keep a lookout for these famous prides as well as leopards. You will eventually arrive at Thobolo’s Bush Lodge, located about two hours north of Savuti, where you can celebrate the journey with an ice-cold beverage and a relaxing evening

After the previous day’s long journey, you can enjoy a well-deserved lie-in and a leisurely breakfast. The drive today is short, taking you to Kubu Lodge on the banks of the Chobe River near Kasane. After checking in and relaxing by the pool, the afternoon brings a change of perspective. You will board a riverboat for a cruise into Chobe National Park. This area boasts the highest elephant density in the world. Viewing these giants from the water, along with buffalo and hippo, is a spectacular experience. Birdwatchers will be in paradise, with over 450 species present, including African skimmers, malachite kingfishers, and fish eagles. The day ends as the sunset sparkles over the water, providing incredible photographic opportunities

Your final morning in Botswana is spent on an early game drive within Chobe National Park. This session offers a chance to spot unique species that prefer the riverine environment, such as the water-loving Puku antelope and the Red Lechwe. Following a picnic lunch in the park, you will return to Kasane to swap your safari vehicle for a transfer vehicle. Together with your guide, you will cross the border into Zimbabwe and drive to the town of Victoria Falls. You will check into the Insika Lodge, where you can spend the rest of the afternoon at your leisure before dinner.

The morning is dedicated to a private guided tour of the majestic Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Your guide will take you to the falls early to catch the best light and avoid the midday crowds. Witnessing the sheer power of this 1.7 km wide waterfall is a bucket-list experience.
After the tour, you have free time to explore the town, visit the local craft markets, or book optional activities like a scenic helicopter flight or a bungee jump. In the late afternoon, the group reconvenes for a magical sunset boat cruise on the Zambezi River, soaking in the gentle currents and final views of the African bush.

After a relaxing breakfast, your journey across Botswana and Zimbabwe comes to an end. A transfer driver will take you to the airport for your onward flight, leaving you with memories of African wild dogs, thundering waterfalls, and starry nights.