Tour to Botswana: Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park

Day 1. Arrival in the capital of Namibia — Windhoek, which is an amazing mix of colonial architecture and modern high-rise buildings. At the airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel, where you can rest after the flight. If you wish, you will have time to walk around the city; we recommend purchasing SIM cards (the easiest way is at the airport) and buying your favorite snacks and drinks for the road. In the evening, the whole team meets, checks navigation devices, marks the main points of the journey on the map, and enjoys a welcome dinner. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 2. Early breakfast, then we head to the car rental service — drivers need to check the condition of the vehicles and all camping equipment. Immediately after that, we depart for the border with Botswana. We will drive about 500 km, but the road on this section is paved, so the journey will not be too tiring, with all necessary stops for snacks and restrooms. In the evening, we check into a lodge in Botswana, have dinner, and rest. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3. Early wake-up, breakfast, and we hit the road — we need to reach the Okavango River Delta, about 300 km away. The road is quite rough, with some sections lacking pavement, so we leave early and try not to get too tired along the way. On the road, we stop at a supermarket to stock up on food for camping nights. In the evening, we arrive at the hotel, enjoy dinner at the restaurant, and relax while we still have beds and white sheets. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4. In the morning after breakfast, we head to Moremi National Park, one of the most famous reserves in Botswana, located in the Okavango Delta. It was founded in 1963 and named after the local chief Morea, who played an important role in protecting wildlife. The park is known for its biodiversity — lions, elephants, buffaloes, giraffes, hyenas, jackals, and rhinos live here. In addition, Moremi is home to about 30% of the world’s population of African wild dogs. In the evening, after an intense safari, we set up tents on the roofs of our jeeps and prepare dinner. Before that, participants receive a short safety briefing, as the national park has no clear boundaries and animals can move freely throughout the area. Overnight in a tent.

Day 5. Today is finally the long-awaited day when participants who love to sleep in will be able to rest — a leisurely breakfast, we pack up the camp, share impressions of the night accompanied by the giggling of hyenas, pack our things, and set off to meet a new bright day on the hottest continent! We head to the Kwai River area, known for its scenic nature and diversity of wildlife. Although these places are not officially a national park, dozens of lions, elephants, hyenas, giraffes, antelopes, zebras, and leopards can be found here. Midday — a lunch stop, and we continue exploring the region: in addition to animals, about four hundred species of birds are found here — a true paradise for birdwatching enthusiasts. By evening, we reach an atmospheric lodge northeast of Moremi, where we enjoy all the benefits of civilization — a hot shower, white sheets, and dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 6. Early wake-up, breakfast, and we immediately depart for the Savuti Reserve, located in the western part of the famous Chobe National Park. The Savuti Reserve includes diverse biomes, including savannas, open plains, and shrublands, as well as a unique system of permanent and seasonal water bodies that influence the distribution of animals and flora. The region is considered home to one of the largest elephant populations in Botswana, and they can be seen both in herds and alone. This leads to lions being forced to unite into mega-prides of up to 40 individuals to hunt these giants. Such hunting alliances are considered unique, and Botswana is almost the only place in the world where this phenomenon can be observed. By evening, we drive down to the river, set up our tents, prepare dinner, and spend the evening with a glass of wine and a stunning sunset. Overnight in a tent.

Day 7. The now-familiar early wake-up, breakfast, and we head back toward civilization — the town of Kasane, located in the north of Chobe National Park. We take lots of photos along the way; zebras, giraffes, and elephants are often encountered. By evening, we arrive at a hotel located near the national park, which we will visit the next day. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8. Today is a relaxed day in Okavango National Park — one of the most unique and beautiful nature reserves in Botswana and the world. It is located in the Okavango Delta, one of the largest inland deltas in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It features the highest concentration of wildlife in Africa, including the largest elephant population (according to some estimates, up to 80,000 individuals). In the evening, we return to the hotel, have dinner, and relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 9. Today we have a busy day — crossing the border into Zambia. In the morning, we wake up, pack our things, lock the vehicles, and transfer by bus to the neighboring country — obtaining visas along the way. In Zambia, we check into a stunning hotel famous for being located just 100 meters from Victoria Falls, with antelopes and zebras freely roaming the grounds. Right at the reception, we recommend booking activities of interest for the next day: rafting, bungee jumping, ziplining, skydiving, a helicopter flight over the falls, swimming in the Devil’s Pool, and much more. After lunch, we walk to the waterfall to admire the many rainbows, which are especially bright in the afternoon. In the evening — free time. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 10. Today is a conditionally free day near Victoria Falls — or rather, a day filled with activities you booked the day before. This place truly deserves a full day: David Livingstone, the famous African explorer and the first European to see the waterfall, wrote about it: “Although I have seen many natural wonders, this place surpasses them all, captivating the soul with its beauty and power.” Livingstone named the waterfall after Queen Victoria, emphasizing its significance as one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. If skydiving and other extreme or semi-extreme activities offered by local tour agencies are not of interest to you, you can simply walk to Zimbabwe and admire the waterfall from the other side by crossing the border control. Please note that you must return before the border closes. In the evening, we have dinner together at the hotel, share impressions, and relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 11. We start the morning with a relaxed breakfast; the most active participants can go to the waterfall at sunrise for breathtaking shots. Then a bus arrives for us, and we head back to Botswana, where we pick up our jeeps and drive about 300 km toward Namibia. We cross the Namibian border and stop for the night at an incredibly atmospheric hotel on the banks of the Kwando River. In the evening, we admire the sunset and stay alert for hippos, which also like to come ashore in the evening to enjoy the sunset. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12. In the morning, we wake up, enjoy the hotel grounds, admire hippos basking in the sun, and then head west for about 450 km. Along the way, we traditionally stop for photos, restroom breaks, and coffee. In the evening, we arrive in the Okavango River Delta and check into a cozy lodge. As usual, we enjoy the sunset and dinner and relax. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 13. For many, today will seem the most interesting day — a meeting with the Bushmen! Early in the morning, we leave the hotel, stop in the small nearby town of Rundu, stock up at a supermarket for lunch, dinner, and breakfast, and drive about 250 km to a Bushmen village. We try not to waste time and arrive at the camp by lunchtime, set up tents, and establish camp. In the evening, we meet the Bushmen — we will dance, sing, listen to their stories by the fire, and take stunning photos! Overnight in a tent.

Day 14. Morning wake-up, camp breakfast, and we say goodbye to the Bushmen (participants should purchase souvenirs from the craftsmen to support the local community). We then have a drive of about 450 km on an excellent road to a truly unique lodge, where we will be able to take absolutely incredible photos with giraffes, elephants, and rhinos! Numerous zebras, rhinos, antelopes, and other ungulates roam freely and feel perfectly at ease on the territory. In the evening, we relax and post photos on social media. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 15. In the morning, we go on a short safari through the park in search of the best photos of elephants, rhinos, antelopes, zebras, oryx, giraffes, warthogs, baboons, and other wildlife. Then we return to our hotel, pack our things, and head toward Windhoek, about 270 km away. In the evening, we check into the hotel, and the drivers go to return our jeeps. In the evening, we all gather at one of the local restaurants, have dinner, and say goodbye, as everyone will depart for home the next day. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 16. Morning wake-up, breakfast. Then we head to the airport by transfer to fly home.

A vivid adventure in four-wheel-drive vehicles with rooftop tents across the wild expanses of Botswana, where every moment is an encounter with nature. You will visit the best national parks — Chobe, Moremi, and Savuti — accompanied by an experienced guide who understands animal behavior, allowing us to capture truly spectacular wildlife moments: majestic elephants in the Okavango Delta and relaxed lion prides. In addition, you will discover some of the most hidden and fascinating corners of Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia.

In most cases, tours to Botswana are short three- or four-day trips that allow travelers to see only a few of the country’s most popular highlights, tick a symbolic “box” on their personal travel list, and miss much of what truly makes Botswana unique. We offer an unforgettable 8-day journey, traveling across the country in powerful self-drive 4×4 vehicles equipped with all necessary camping gear. This format allows us to fully appreciate the incredible diversity of wildlife and landscapes Botswana has to offer. After that, we head to Zambia to admire Victoria Falls, and the most energetic travelers will have the opportunity to cross the border and see the falls from the Zimbabwean side as well. After the waterfalls, we return to Botswana to continue our journey toward Namibia.

Another unforgettable highlight of the trip will be meeting one of the oldest peoples on Earth — the Bushmen, or, as they call themselves, the San. The approximate meaning of the word “San” is “outsider” or “hermit.” Genetic divergence between the Bushmen and the rest of humanity dates back at least 60,000 years. We will learn more about their harsh hunter-gatherer lifestyle in the Kalahari Desert, how they survive during droughts, listen to their ancient stories, and simply spend time together by the campfire in the evening.

Traveling in 4×4 vehicles with rooftop tents allows us to spend nights inside national parks, while at other times we will stay in atmospheric lodges, enjoying vibrant African sunsets and a glass of wine overlooking endless horizons. This tour is your chance to become part of the captivating world of wildlife, learn how authentic African tribes live, and add four African countries to your personal travel achievements in one remarkable journey.

• International airfare
• Visa fees (approximately USD 100)
• Travel insurance
• Single room accommodation
• Lunches and dinners in hotels / cities
• Chef services (in camps all participants actively take part in meal preparation)
• Any deviations from the program
• Any expenses related to program changes
• Tips
• Souvenirs

Documents:

• Passport
• Airline tickets
• Medical insurance
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate
• Malaria prevention medication

Clothing and footwear:

• Boots/sneakers, 2 pairs
• Fleece suit or a similar set of warm clothing
• Bandana or buff
• Sun hat / cap
• Long-sleeve shirts / tops
• Light trekking trousers
• Shorts
• T-shirts

Miscellaneous:

• Power bank
• Sunglasses
• Rain jacket
• Sunscreen SPF 50
• Lip balm SPF 10–15
• Personal first-aid kit
• Personal hygiene items, wet wipes, flip-flops
• Insect repellent
• Malaria medication
• Swimwear
• Mosquito net for the bed