Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana

Name: Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (81 reviews)

81 reviews

Activity

Wildlife

Overview

From the Okavango and Victoria Falls to safari lands, experience Africa’s natural world at its most dramatic

Journey into the wilds of Botswana. Glide along the Okavango Delta in traditional mokoro canoes helmed by local polers and admire a billion stars from the otherworldly and eerily silent Makgadikgadi Pans. Search for the emblematic wildlife of Africa on the Savuti Marsh and Moremi Reserve and take to the Chobe River, home to the highest concentration of elephants anywhere. Finally discover why Dr David Livingstone, upon seeing Victoria Falls, declared ‘scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight.

Key Information

Trip Code: WZT
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: Botswana, Zimbabwe
Carbon Footprint: 27kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All accommodation: 2 Classic nights (lodge/chalet), 11 Simple nights (4 camps, 7 wild camping)
All breakfasts, seven lunches, eight dinners
Immersive itinerary with all transport and listed activities
Expert tour leader to enhance your adventure
Group arrival and departure transfers available

Don't Forget To

Request a single room if required, purchase travel insurance and arrange any visas and vaccinations.

Highlights

Immerse yourself in Botswana’s wild side, witnessing immense landscapes and safari icons
Glide along the Okavango Delta in mokoro canoes helmed by master polers
Wild camp under the starry African sky, serenaded by hippos, elephants and lions
Experience the silent beauty of the otherworldly Makgadikgadi Pan
Rise early to game drive in Chobe National Park, the best spot on the planet to see elephants
Witness the mighty Victoria Falls, one of the Natural Wonders of the World

Itinerary

First Destination: Maun
Next Destination: Maun

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Maun
Next Destination: Maun

The adventure begins at our campsite on the banks of the Thamalakane River. You can arrive at any time and make use of the site facilities, which includes a bar, swimming pool and much-loved restaurant.

Around 6pm, say hello to your tour leader and fellow travellers where we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome over a group dinner together.

Want to explore further? Secure pre-tour nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Audi Camp (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

We pack minimal gear for two nights into a smaller bag (provided), before a 4×4 transfer into the Okavango Delta. At the polers’ station, we meet a team from a nearby village who will look after us during our stay in the delta. With them, we travel in mokoros (traditional canoes) deep into the Okavango Delta. We have lunch at our riverbank campsite, and then our first game walk in the late afternoon. We return to camp before sunset and for our first meal in the African bush.

Accommodation: Okavango Delta wild camp

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We get up early this morning for a game walk with a guide from the poling team. There are never any guarantees with wildlife, but there is the chance of seeing elephants, buffalos and other smaller game. We return to camp for brunch and time to relax. In the afternoon, we take a short mokoro trip on the river to view the sunset before returning to camp.

Accommodation: Okavango Delta wild camp

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, we board our mokoros for the trip back to the polers’ station. We meet our vehicle and transfer back to Maun for the night, where we will purchase supplies for the days ahead. The afternoon is free to relax by the pool or take an optional scenic flight over the delta.

Accommodation: Audi Camp (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

After a relaxed breakfast, we head east to the vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pan. We camp wild on the pan or one of the campsites nearby, depending on the conditions. The Makgadikgadi Salt Pan covers more than 6,180sqmi (16,000sqkm) and forms the bed of an ancient lake – now dried up. The sunsets here are spectacular.

Accommodation: Makgadikgadi Pan wild camp (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we have a long drive north before crossing into Zimbabwe to Victoria Falls, a town minutes from the waterfalls of the same name. At the Kasangula border, we complete border formalities and continue to our accommodation for the next two nights. The falls themselves are more than 5,580ft (1,700m) wide and 330ft (100m) tall, making them the largest waterfalls in the world.

Accommodation: Premier Lodge (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Today is a free day to take part in one of the many optional activities on offer, including white-water rafting, flights over the falls and various others.

Accommodation: Premier Lodge (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

This morning, we can view the Victoria Falls from the Zimbabwean side, before returning to Botswana. It’s then a short drive from the border to the town of Kasane, where we camp by the Thebe River, a tributary of the mighty Zambezi. The afternoon is free, with an option to view game on a cruise down the Chobe River. This is widely regarded as one of the best game cruises in Africa with a very good chance of seeing elephant herds drinking from the river before sunset.

Accommodation: Thebe River Camp (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

We take an early morning game drive back to the Chobe Waterfront area. Chobe is famous for its large population of elephants but is also home to plenty of other game, including lions and wild dogs. After exploring the northern end of this huge park, we head south into remote, rugged terrain, passing in and out of the national park, before finally reaching the Savuti Area at the southern edge of the park. Here, the Savuti Marsh is fed by the Savuti River channel, which alternately flows and then dries up for years at a time. Recent flooding has given this area new life. It’s home to plenty of game, but is especially well known for lions, and the large numbers of elephant that walk enormous distances to find fodder.

Accommodation: Zwei-Zwei or Savuti wild camp

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We take morning and afternoon game drives on the Savuti Marsh. There is a good chance of seeing the lions, cheetahs and hyenas that follow the seasonal zebra migration through this area. Large secretary birds and kori bustards are often seen strutting around the marsh and small red-billed francolins provide a noisy morning wake-up.

Accommodation: Zwei-Zwei or Savuti wild camp

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breaking camp, we drive to Moremi Game Reserve. Along the way, we pass through a variety of habitats, including the Mbabe depression, Mopani forest and past great Acacia trees before arriving at Khwai village and the North Gate entrance of Moremi Game Reserve. Moremi National Park is the jewel in Botswana’s wildlife crown. Protecting much of the northern part of the Okavango Delta, it encompasses waterways, marshes, islands and open grasslands.

Accommodation: Moremi wild camp

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We take morning and afternoon game drives through this beautiful, protected area, looking for the large variety of animals that live here. Despite its wet reputation, there is plenty of dry land in Moremi, which allows our game drives to cover significant distances while spotting game in the sometimes-dense vegetation. It’s a good place to spot elephants, lions, leopards and cheetahs, while red lechwe, a water-dwelling antelope, are often seen grazing among the lilies.

Accommodation: Moremi wild camp

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We go on a final game drive through the park this morning before returning to Maun and our riverside campsite. We can enjoy the swimming pool before our last dinner at the campsite restaurant.

Accommodation: Audi Camp (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

The adventure ends after breakfast and we begin our return journey home. If you want to extend your time in Botswana please speak to your sales representative who will be happy to advise.

Meals included:Breakfast

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Accommodation

Camping in the African wilderness

Camping in the African wilderness is a bucket list-worthy experience and Botswana is a fantastic destination for this.

We spend 11 nights camping (seven of those wild camping) and two nights in a hotel/lodge. When we stay at public campsites, we have access to excellent facilities; however, the nights spent wild camping are the real highpoint.

We sleep in spacious, two-person tents fitted with mattress-topped camp beds. For the wild camping nights, there is a bush shower and toilet, while dinner is taken around our campfire.

Wild camping in the Okavango Delta

Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana

The highlight stay on this trip for many is our two nights wild camping in the Okavango Delta. Our neighbours, which you’ll likely hear shuffling around at night, include hippos, elephants and lions, while our away-from-it-all location normally allows us to see a night sky illuminated with stars.

Worth knowing

All camping equipment is provided except for sleeping bags and pillows.

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 2 (Easy & Moderate) with a Wildlife Rating of Four.For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page or our Wildlife Holidays page for more on our Wildlife Ratings. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Transport

Expect some long and hot drives as we travel between game parks. On some days, we travel on paved roads, but a lot of distance is covered on dirt and sand roads. Depending on water levels, driving in the delta can also be challenging. Vehicles can be difficult to get in and out for persons of reduced mobility.

Camping

During the full-service camping safari, we have a separate supply vehicle with a camp crew who set up camp for us. The camp crew will also cook the food, wash the dishes and attend to all camp chores, so you can fully enjoy the wilderness.

We normally use Botswana Tourism (HATAB) sites, which are only available for private groups. There are no facilities in these remote locations, so we use bush toilets and a bush shower. These sites are not fenced and have no running water. We carry a water supply on our vehicles and fill up daily from public sites. There is plenty of water in which you can wash, but we must be sparing. This all adds to the remote wilderness experience. Other nights will be spent in developed campgrounds with facilities usually including toilet blocks, a bar and, sometimes, a swimming pool.

Weather

October and November are the hottest months, but are also good for game viewing. Please see the Weather & Seasonality section of the Trip Notes for more information.

Legal note

All group members joining this tour will be asked to sign an indemnity form at the start of the trip. This indemnity form is a requirement of the South African Tourism Service Association of which our local supplier is a member. As a client of Exodus Travels Ltd, your rights under the Package Travel Regulations (1992) are unaffected, and Exodus remains liable for the actions of our sub-contractors.

Joining Instructions

Start hotel: Audi Camp, Lekawen Drift
Phone: +267 75 323 065
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm in the evening.
Airport: Maun Airport (MUB)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a 15 to 20-minute drive from the airport. We provide one group transfer from the airport to the hotel, which you can join at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s one group transfer to the airport, which you can join at no extra cost. Please speak to your sales representative for the time of the transfer. If the group transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

Botswana

Currently British and Commonwealth and European passport holders do not require visas for Botswana.

If you are transiting through South Africa and are a non-UK passport holder, you may require a transit visa. Please check before travelling.

Please be aware that children under the age of 18 must provide a full birth certificate (a short one won’t be accepted) as well as a valid passport. If the child is travelling with only one parent or with another adult, the missing parent (or parents) will have to provide an affidavit giving their consent for the child to travel. If flying via South Africa, you may have to pass immigration between flights and the same regulation is needed for entry into South Africa.

Zimbabwe

Most nationalities, including British require a visa to visit Zimbabwe. This can be obtained on arrival in Zimbabwe. The current charge for a single entry visit visa issued on arrival in Zimbabwe is US$55, although this could change. If you have not obtained a visa before travelling, you should bring enough cash with you to pay for your visa on arrival. You should ensure you have small notes as immigration officers may not be able to provide change.

If you plan on visiting Zambia as well then there is the UNIVISA for USD50 (a shared visa for Zimbabwe and Zambia) that will allow you multiple entries into Zimbabwe. Please note that the UNIVISA is sometimes unavailable if the immigration officers do not have the necessary paperwork. Alternatively a double entry visa for Zimbabwe (US$70.00) is available to UK passport holders and some other nationalities.

Please note that if flying via South Africa you will probably have to pass immigration there. Children under 18 will have to have an unabridged birth certificate showing the names of both parents. If the child is travelling with only one parent, they will need to have an affidavit from the other parent, of no more than three months, confirming the child can travel with the other parent; a court order granting full legal guardianship of the child; or a death certificate of the deceased parent.

Breakfast: Cereals, coffee and toast and the occasional fried breakfast/brunch.
Lunch: Cheese, cold meats, salads, bread or rolls.
Dinner: Potjies (stew), braais (barbecue), stir-fries, etc.

Vegetarians and vegans can be well catered for on this holiday. Please inform us before departure of any special dietary requests so our local team can be well prepared.

The trip leaders do all the shopping and meal planning for each group. They will always try to obtain fresh produce wherever possible. Each tour has one cool box for meat and fresh produce only and one cool box for cold drinks. We supply squash, tea or coffee with meals. All other beverages will be at your own expense.

On some days where early morning game drives are included, lunch may be substituted for a large brunch on return from the game drive – this is customary. We will always ensure the number of meals detailed in the trip notes are provided.

The water provided on this trip is safe, clean drinking water, normally from boreholes. You can buy bottled water if you prefer, but we encourage you to make use of the safe drinking water provided as this helps diminish plastic consumption.

There is no best time to visit the Okavango Delta, as it flows year round. The wettest season is January and February, when travel on dirt roads becomes difficult. March to September, although dry and bright, can be cold at night (in June and July it can be chilly – but no colder than 5°C, so bring appropriate gear).

Delta water levels reach their highest in July. From December to June, water levels in the Zambezi are at their highest, and the spray can be seen several miles away as it soars as much as 500ft (150m) in the air. October and November are the hottest months, and midday temperatures can be very uncomfortable. The rains normally start slowly in late November. December can be wet, but it does not rain for long periods and should not put anyone off travelling, as there is always plenty of sunshine.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

Reviews

Add new review

Audrey Morgan

Added October 2025

Outstanding wildlife adventure

Having lived in E. Africa and done many safaris over the years this trip is the cherry on the cake. 4 leopards and a cub and painted dogs were a highlight. Incredible team with Brian at the helm with incredible knowledge and patients. The best food produced by Brighton. And...

Most Inspirational Moment

Leopards and the Painted Dogs Take the 45 min open door helicopter over the Okavango...magical Vic falls and Devils Pool

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brian was so patient and knowledgeable. Great driver. Went above and beyond as a guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just soak it all in as Boswana is magical. Take Binos and a buff for dust.

Peter Ackerman

Added October 2025

Amazing Adventure

This trip exceeded our expectations in almost every way. The proximity to the wildlife was extraordinary, the range of wildlife was exceptional and the entire experience is unforgettable. The trip was enhanced by the outstanding nature of our group leader, Brian, and the support team, Brighton, Timoth and Moeti. The...

Most Inspirational Moment

It is impossible to identify one specific moment as the highlight of the trip. Seeing numerous cheetahs in one day, seeing a leopard stalk its prey, seeing a Kori Bustard take off, seeing 6 lion cubs walking nose to tail. Away from the wildlife, Victoria Falls is one of the most magnificent sights we have ever seen.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our Group Leader was big friendly Brian who was always full of joy and happiness. His in-depth knowledge of Botswana, its fauna and flora was beyond belief. His driving was safe and careful and he always seemed to find the best spots to observe the animals and take photographs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is not possible to overstate how dusty and dirty you become travelling on dirt roads in an open sided truck in September. However, bush showers are available which washes most of the dirt and dust off! You wont need as many clothes as you think and you can have laundry done at Maun and Victoria Falls. It does get cool in the middle of the night so sleeping bags are advisable. You do need to be reasonably mobile in order to enter and exit the rear of the truck. Mobile phone service is virtually non existent even with a Botswanan SIM except in Maun.

Neil Phillips

Added October 2025

An adventure of a lifetime

Having done a safari in lodges in Kenya 20+years ago, we wanted to experience the adventure of a safari under canvas, getting up close to the wildlife of Botswana. Oh boy! We were not disappointed. This was the most thrilling holiday we've ever been on; absolutely sensational. Our leader, Brian,...

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many wonderful moments it's hard to choose, but from a wildlife point of view, watching a leopard stalk its prey, right by our vehicle, is very hard to beat. From a geographical point of view, the Victoria Falls are one of the natural 'Wonders of the World' and lived up to that description. They are awe-inspiring.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mr Brian, our leader, guide and driver was fabulous. He worked non-stop to ensure we had the best experience possible. He and his team made the holiday for us. His ability to get our vehicle in the right place at the right time, to get the best views of the wildlife, was beyond belief. He has such a deep knowledge and love of his country and the animals that is totally infectious and inspired us. He gave thorough briefings each evening and before each drive, and gently guided us, making sure we were up in time to see as much wildlife as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Depending on the time of year you go, this holiday may be very hot and dusty. Everyone in our party decided it was pointless to put clean cloths on each day, so you won't need as many cloths as you think. There are opportunities to get cloths laundered during the two weeks at Victoria Falls and Maun. The water is definitely safe, so take a water bottle you can refill. You'll find you drink a lot of water. Take layers of cloths for night time. We were never cold in 1-2 season sleeping bags at the end of September, but in June-August you might want extra layers. You do need to be reasonably mobile to climb into the back two rows of the vehicle. Bring a scarf to cover your mouth as the drives are very dusty at times.

Susan Suarez

Added February 2025

Amazing Experience

Fantastic trip to a stunning country with a great guide, cook and team. I’m new to camping and was apprehensive but it was fine and we adjusted much more quickly than expected.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention but the mokoro rides in the Okavango Delta, game drives in Savuti, African painted dogs running beside us, watching a lioness eat a baby giraffe or seeing a big group of elephants rushing to the local watering hole were all highlights. I also loved the last night in the Okavango where the local crew sang and danced after dinner.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brian was amazing. We were 11 people, so a large group and he dealt with the group’s lost luggage, missed connections, my misplaced passport at the Zimbabwean border, etc with equanimity. Brian was also very good at positioning us in advantageous light for those of us who were serious photographers. Mike was a great cook and all the dinners were excellent and the two others were lovely.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go- you won’t regret it and try camping. We had two eighty year old campers in our group. There’s something amazing about waking up in the morning and seeing all the animal footprints around the campsite or eating breakfast while elephants stroll by.

ELIZABETH STEVENS

Added October 2024

Living the African bush rather than just seeing it

This was a very immersive experience and we loved every minute.

Most Inspirational Moment

The buffalo stampede to the waterhole at dusk; elephants 'visiting' the carcass of an elephant killed the night before by a pride of lions; hyena suckling her young; pack of wild dogs;

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenny was our group leader, ably assisted by Mello, Timoth and Yetu. Kenny could be a bit abrupt at times but was extremely knowledgeable and very organised. Superb cooking by Mello and vegetarians weren't an after thought as is often the case; Timoth and Yetu were quiet but very hard working and very appreciative of assistance with packing up the tents and washing up.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You have to be comfortable with being dirty and as a previous traveller said, putting on clean clothes is just not worth it so you'll probably not need as many clothes as you take. We were able to do some laundry in Victoria Falls. We were advised to take USD but in Botswana, it is better to have Pula. We were taken straight from the airport to a foreign exchange bureau and then had to change the USD that we'd brought with us, into Pula. For Zimbabwe, you can do everything in USD. For optional extras, we did the helicopter ride over the Okavango Delta (USD 280), the night time safari with dinner in the Zambezi national park ($140 in total) and the late afternoon boat ride on the Chobe River from Kasane (roughly $45 but payable in Pula). We would recommend all 3. The one thing that we all didn't like, was the tipping. If we had followed our interpretation of the guidelines in the Exodus notes (does per person mean per traveller or per member of crew?), we (a couple) would have ended up paying over$550 in tips which we feel is excessive. Other travellers in our group had different ideas and there were a number of discussions about how much we should tip which made us all feel uncomfortable. If such a large tip is expected, then I would argue that the staff are not paid enough. For the mokoro polers, give all tips to your group leader for distribution.

Harry Perren

Added October 2024

A truly mind blowing experience!

We went on this tour in September 2024, and really did have the most unbelievable time. Each day brought something new and exciting, from hearing Hyenas while trying to sleep, to having Elephants walk just past camp.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sunset on the salt pan was amazing! The chef, Mike, put on a bbq of Steaks and Boerewors for us, which we enjoyed just as the sun disappeared, and the stars started showing. Brian then spent time teaching us about the stars (using the worlds brightest laser pen) which was so informative!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had 4 guys who looked after us on this tour - Brian, Mike, Timoth and Moeti. They were all amazing, and so helpful throughout the two weeks. Brian himself basically becomes everyone’s favourite person, he’s so well informed on just about everything, and does his best to make sure you get to experience Botswana in the best way possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be uncomfortable, some drives are very long (although broken up the frequent wildlife spotting). When at the wild campsites there is quite a long break between the morning drive finishing and the afternoon drive starting. We found this to be quite tough, as it can get very hot! So make sure when Brian says to buy supplies, get some soft drinks alongside the beers, to make the day a bit easier! Having read a previous review I decided to take a trail cam along with me, and after a few nights of not getting too much action, I managed to capture a Hyena sniffing around the camp fire! So definitely worthwhile bringing one along if you’re interested!

C Ly

Added October 2024

Once in a lifetime experience

This is the most incredible experience, we travelled in September 2024 and the more we look back and remember it, the more unbelievable it feels. We wild camped in tents in the African savanna! This isn't a holiday. It's an adventure. I can't imagine a better way to travel on...

Most Inspirational Moment

It's so hard to pick one. Everyday had a new and different experience. The thrill of morning game drive in Savuti will be hard to beat. Driving with determination and excitement to the next sighting had us holding on to the vehicle in anticipation!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Big Friendly Brian made this trip for us. His enthusiasm and experience makes for the best wildlife experience. Safari is about being in the right place, at the right time. And Brian puts you right there. He also made us feel very safe during the wild camps with clear instruction and daily briefings. We were also supported by the excellent Mike, Timoth, and Moreti who drove the support vehicle, set up camp, and cooked amazing food. The full service camping, having tents set up and ready for us in camp, was great. And we always had a friendly wave and warm welcome into camp each day.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for long bumpy drives, permanently dirty dusty feet, warm drinking water, and early mornings. But it's all completely worth it! We used our binoculars everyday. Bring a day pack that can fit under a car seat in front of you otherwise it can be cramped. You have the chance to buy beers along the way for evening in camp, but would also recommend some soft drinks and snacks to help the drives go past. Bring podcasts and headphones, or a book, for the long drives. Be sure to try the bush shower, cooling and amazing views at the same time. Tips in the Okavango are 30 USD per person. There's opportunity to change USD to Pula which can be useful for tips or crafts. Most places accept credit card. We travelled in September and it was warm. We had our sleeping bags with us, but most nights just used a thinner liner. It's hard to know how many clothes to pack but we only wore about half what we took. So really think about what you will feasibly wear. Best kit was a thin, quick drying shirt you could rinse out in camp.

M B

Added October 2024

Amazing amount of wildlife

Excellent trip with so much wildlife . Elephants , lions , leopard, african wild dogs , hippos, crocs ....the list goes on. Thats without listing all the birds.

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a lions up a tree stealing a leopard kill ( impala)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenny and his crew were outstanding . Kenny happy to provide lots of information and explanations , very patient .

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is proper wild camping , some camp sites are unfenced so animals, large and small, will wander through at times. You will get very dusty and putting clean clothes on is pointless. The bush shower is fun but the water needs to be heated first so use it sparingly ( therefore the shower is not available every day ) . Personally found a "dry shower" can ( no water needed) adequate for a day or two - check cyclist shops i.e. muc off dry shower - . Take a Buff/Neck gaiter as you will get dusty when travelling in the truck . Stick to neutral colours when on bush walks , any colour not brown/ green/sand/dark will really stand out and therefore disturb the animals ( or possibly attract them which might be worse ! ) . That includes your day pack but as you will be wearing it and not facing the wildlife it might be OK, the guide and crew will advise. Lying in bed listening to the wildlife was a different experience , the bush can be quite noisy . Definitely carry a head torch plus possibly a spare as you need to scan area - at night - before leaving your tent. Opportunities to charge batteries are limited , basically a twin USB charger on the truck , so you will have to take turns at whose eqpt can be charged while truck engine running . (Note when viewing wildlife the truck engine is turned off ) . Overall an amazing trip .

Michelle Stone

Added July 2024

Wilder than expected

We have done trips with wild camping before but this trip took things to the next level. On this trip you really do get away from it all and get very close to the wildlife. You really will be amongst the animals you've come to see. Early morning starts (be...

Most Inspirational Moment

Seeing a leopard was a highlight for us, especially as we were able to follow him for at least half an hour. We also spent some time watching a pack of African Wild Dogs and their pups playing in the morning sun outside their den. Elephants are always a joy to watch, especially family groups by the water.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Kenny was a great group leader providing guidance and information and answering all our questions with great patience. His crew (John the chef, Casey and Yetu) kept the campsites feeling like home.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you are comfortable with the idea of wild camping: you are camping in sites with no fences or facilities. You will get dirt under your fingernails and you will hear animals around the campsite at night, (maybe even get a nudge from a honey badger through the tent canvas) but you will see lots of animals up close and in their natural environment. (This can be unnerving, especially seeing a hippo at close quarters from a mokoro.) The vehicle does not have doors and this makes getting in / out a bit like rock climbing. On the bright side you will get a full body workout each time you get in/out of the vehicle. This trip would not be suitable for anyone with any mobility issues. In winter you will experience two seasons: hot during the day and very cold at night. Do not underestimate how cold it can get in winter at night at the campsites and on those early morning game drives and pack an extra layer and a woolly hat. As noted, dust can be an issue. A scarf or 'buff' to cover your nose and mouth for long dusty driving days may help you inhale less dust. Relax and enjoy your wildlife experience in this beautiful country.

Marion Hughes

Added July 2024

Amazing Botswana

A great trip for seeing wildlife. We saw so much and pretty well everything except a cheetah. Full of amazing moments and experiences from start to finish. The Chobe River cruise is a must as is the walk in the Victoria Falls Park. Our group of 10 got on very...

Most Inspirational Moment

So many amazing memories but mine is realising how beautiful a leopard is as I stared at it’s face through binoculars.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Big friendly Brian is exactly what it says on the tin. He loves his job and has a great team looking after you. He will ensure you are safe and see as much as possible.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a full on trip and not for everyone. Wild camping is tough and it can be cold at night and on the early morning drives in July. Take some gloves and a warm hat. A thin insulated jacket/ gilet would be useful as would a top with a hood. It’s really dusty terrain so a buff is useful too. Music for the longer journeys. Keep notes of what you see as you will forget otherwise. Binoculars are a must.

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USD 4500

14 Days Excluding Flights

1 844 294 6551 dates & prices

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Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

From the Okavango and Victoria Falls to safari lands, experience Africa’s natural world at its most dramatic

Key Information

What's Included

Don't Forget To

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Camping in the African wilderness

Essential Information

Joining Instructions

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

Reviews

Outstanding wildlife adventure

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Amazing Adventure

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An adventure of a lifetime

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Amazing Experience

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Living the African bush rather than just seeing it

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A truly mind blowing experience!

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Once in a lifetime experience

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Amazing amount of wildlife

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Wilder than expected

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Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Amazing Botswana

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

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