9 Day Grand Botswana Tour: Moremi, Savuti and Chobe

Upon arrival at Maun International Airport, you’ll be welcomed and escorted to your light aircraft for a breathtaking scenic flight over the Okavango Delta to the Moremi Game Reserve. Landing at Xakanaxa airstrip, your guide will greet you, ready to introduce you to the unparalleled wildlife of this region. Along the Okavango’s rivers and floodplains, expect to encounter vast herds of red lechwe, buffalo, and hippos, with possible midday sightings of elephant breeding herds. Moremi is renowned for its African wild dog population, and frequent sightings of lions, leopards, and cheetahs complete the experience. Settle into your camp by late afternoon, with time to refresh before a delicious dinner served in the dining tent, surrounded by the sounds of the African bush.

Your day begins with early morning coffee or tea, followed by a full morning’s game drive to explore the rich biodiversity of Moremi. You’ll return to camp around 11:00 for a well-deserved delicious brunch, offering time to shower, rest, and relax. After afternoon tea, you’ll set off again for an afternoon game drive through Moremi’s intricate network of rivers and lagoons. A highlight of the day is a motorboat cruise on the Xaxanaka lagoon or Mboma waterways to visit the famous heronries of the eastern Okavango. The evening concludes back at camp, relaxing around the campfire before dinner.

After breakfast, you will leave Xakanaxa, embarking on an interesting riverine route through Moremi. Your journey culminates in setting up camp within sight of the picturesque Khwai River, near Moremi’s North Gate. This area offers a different perspective on the Delta’s diverse landscapes and wildlife.

Spend your day with both early morning and afternoon game drives, thoroughly exploring the rich Khwai River area. This region is renowned for its diverse game, and you’ll have ample opportunities to spot a variety of species. Don’t miss the Dombo Hippo Pools, offering not only the chance to see plenty of hippo but also providing breathtaking sunsets. During the heat of the day, you’ll have leisure time to read, relax, and soak in the tranquil sounds of the wild, followed by afternoon tea before your sunset game drive.

Enjoy an early morning game drive for one last look at the captivating Khwai before returning to camp for breakfast. Today marks a significant shift as you leave Moremi, embarking on an interesting day’s drive northwards to Savuti. A stop en route will provide time for lunch. As you travel, you’ll pass over the Mababe depression, once a vast lake, a critical area during the summer months when approximately 20,000 zebras undertake their annual migration from Northern Chobe via Savuti and Mababe to the Makgadikgadi Pans. The Savuti channel and marsh, famously dry since 1980, incredibly received water again in 2009. The marsh is now partially covered, attracting large concentrations of game and birds, and it will be fascinating to observe how this water influences the famous Savuti bull elephant population.

Your day in Savuti kicks off with an early morning drive dedicated to searching for the renowned Savuti predators. This area has been the backdrop for many of the most amazing wildlife documentaries filmed over the last 25 years, often highlighting the fierce competition between different predators. Savuti also features unique rocky outcrops, offering a chance to spot the agile Klipspringer antelope, and a small collection of Bushmen rock art, providing a glimpse into ancient cultures. The day includes both morning and afternoon game drives, with ample leisure time to relax during the midday heat.

After breakfast, you will depart for the iconic Chobe River, a highlight of your safari. This region is incredibly famous for its breeding herds of elephant and massive herds of buffalo, which you are almost guaranteed to see in abundance. The Chobe riverfront is undeniably one of Southern Africa’s premier game viewing spots, where it’s possible to witness over a thousand elephants and buffalo in a single afternoon. Keep an eye out for shy antelope species like the Chobe bushbuck, Roan, and Sable antelope. A small population of Puku antelope, typically common on the floodplains of Zambia, can also be found here. For avid birdwatchers, Chobe is a paradise, with huge amounts of water birds congregating, especially during the summer months. On the afternoon of our second day in Chobe, a thrilling boating excursion on the Chobe River offers a unique perspective and new dimension to your game viewing experience.

After a final leisurely breakfast, we slowly journey out of Chobe National Park towards Kasane, savoring our last moments in this wildlife haven. From Kasane, it’s time to bid farewell as you are transferred to Livingstone, where your transfer company will ensure you arrive at the airport in good time for your international flight. (Please note: Visa and departure taxes are for your own account.)