A Celebration of Botswana: The Wildlife & The People

Days 1+2: Chobe National Park

Botswana’s famous Chobe National Park is a must-see wildlife destination covering almost 11,000 km² (6,836 square miles). It was the country’s first national park and boasts the biggest concentration of wildlife in Africa. Famous for its large concentration of elephant and buffalo, which congregate along the Chobe River, Chobe National Park offers adventures such as game drives, river cruises, excellent birdwatching and exceptional photographic opportunities.

Our exclusive, semi-permanent campsites are perfectly situated near the Chobe River at the northern end of the Chobe National Park.  Hop into a safari vehicle and go searching for iconic wildlife on a game drive, all the while, discovering and learning about the spectacular landscape. Relish a delicious dinner with your guide who will set the scene and explain the events and activities for the exciting week ahead. Overnights Chobe Under Canvas.

Days 3-5:  Okavango Delta - Xarrana

After a morning game drive and a delicious breakfast, you will be transferred to Kasane Airpot for your fixed wing flight to Xaranna Okavango Delta Camp nestled deep in the heart of Botswana’s game-rich Okavango Delta.

With sweeping views opening up onto a seasonal lagoon, this light and airy camp enjoys luxurious solitude on its own Delta Island, within an exclusive 90,500-hectare (223,630-acre) wildlife concession. Hit your sweet spot with a delicious High Tea and then head off on an exciting game drive. Your fully interpretive game drives are wonderfully remote and secluded. Afternoon drives in the Delta continue after sunset, with the chance of seeing those elusive species like leopard and serval that are active after dark. Enjoy a delicious dinner on the deck with your guide, being entertained by a wonderful array of stories.

Days 6-9: Okavango Delta - Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge

This morning you have a choice of a game drive or water experience before departing the lodge. Take to the skies on a chopper flight to Sexaxa Primary School on the outskirts of Maun to meet and interact with the children and enjoy a full briefing on the work that &BEYOND and the Africa Foundation are doing in the region.  Visit the Okavango Craft Brewery in Maun and enjoy a fun beer tasting in the brewery. Looking at innovation and diversifying the wildlife economy in northern Botswana, the Okavango Craft Brewery is a wonderful entrepreneurial venture for small-scale farmers.  Take a short drive through Maun gaining insight into the town’s history and culture followed by a chopper flight to Sandibe.

Once you have checked in enjoy a delectable High Tea and then set out in search of the Delta rich wildlife on a game drive Enjoy dinner on the deck under the starry skies with the Lodge Manager.

Meet up with the wild dog research team and spend the morning tracking and interacting with the dogs and finding out all about the packs and the project. With 9% of the Okavango Delta in our care, we support the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust with their African Wild Dog Dispersal Study. By assisting with tracking the locations of wild dogs, the project provides an understanding of how and where wild dogs disperse, and assesses connectivity between sub-populations which is fundamental for the management and conservation of the species.

Enjoy a morning and afternoon drives with a focus on elephant population and impact, both in communities and the bush. Stop to assist our teams in treating and wrapping a baobab with wire and chili to assist it in surviving the hungry herds.

Your Guide:

Renowned wildlife guide and conservation consultant, Map Ives began his career in 1976 as a guide in Zimbabwe before moving to Londolozi in South Africa in 1979. He returned to Botswana in 1982 where he led walking safaris based out of mekoro in the most remote parts of the Okavango Delta. With a deep, profound love and knowledge for the Delta he is captivated by the pristine and biodiverse environment and is eager to share this exquisite part of the African continent with you.