Botswana 2024/2025: land of elephants and vast spaces

Flight from Chicago

After the passport and baggage check, we will board the flight to Johannesburg in the Republic of South Africa.

Johannesburg

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, we will proceed to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay in Johannesburg.

Zimbabwe - Zambia - Victoria Falls

In the morning after breakfast, we will proceed to the airport. After passport and baggage check, we will board a flight to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Even before landing in Victoria Falls, there will be a chance to see mist/water vapor rising above the ground. These are the Victoria Falls – a natural wonder and a natural border on the Zambezi River between Zambia and Zimbabwe.

We will take a walk along the edge of the waterfalls. In the afternoon, crossing the border to Zambia, we will arrive at the David Livingstone Lodge and Spa. Africa and its magic can definitely be felt here thanks to the hotel’s location right on the banks of the Zambezi River.

Dinner and overnight stay at the David Livingstone Lodge and Spa.

Zambia: Elephant Cafe

What’s worth seeing once is worth seeing twice.” Today, we will take another look at the Victoria Falls from the Zambian side.

We will also enjoy lunch with elephants at the Elephant Cafe. Built near the elephant sanctuary, the restaurant offers guests the opportunity to interact with African elephants while indulging in the flavors of African cuisine.

In the late afternoon, we will enjoy a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River.

Botswana - Chobe National Park

Today Africa will present us with another country – Botswana. We will enjoy relaxation at the famous Chobe Marina Lodge.

During the evening safari in Chobe National Park, we will have an incredible opportunity to observe the richness of the fauna up close.

Chobe National Park is the oldest national park in Botswana and one of the largest nature reserves in the world. Thorny thickets, dense bushes, extensive marshes, and savannahs intersected by a network of rivers are the perfect hideout for hundreds of animals. Lions, hyenas, leopards, zebras, giraffes, African wild dogs, various species of antelope, herds of buffaloes, and the largest population of elephants in Africa all inhabit this area.

After the exciting safari, we will transfer to Chobe Marina Lodge for overnight accommodation.

River Chobe

Today we will observe animals in their natural environment both during open vehicle drives and during a cruise on the Chobe River.

Early in the morning, we will embark on a safari. With a bit of luck, we may spot a leopard or a lion.

Then, we will return to the hotel for a short lunch and rest. In the afternoon, we will go on a cruise on the Chobe River. From the boat’s deck, we will look out for crocodiles basking on the banks, hippos lurking in the bushes, herds of buffaloes grazing, or elephants crossing the river. The best view of the huge herds living in the park can be obtained from the water during the sunset cruise.

After the cruise, dinner and relaxation at Chobe Marina Lodge.

Park National Chobe - Savuti

After breakfast, we will embark on our journey through Chobe National Park. Continuing our safari during the journey, we will reach Savuti.

Savuti is considered one of the best, if not the best, places for wildlife viewing in Africa. This incredible area and its waterholes provide excellent conditions for observing wildlife in the early morning and late afternoon.

In Savuti, we will visit waterholes that attract herds of elephants, zebras, wildebeests, as well as giraffes, impalas, and ostriches. Lions, hyenas, and leopards are also spotted here.

On the way to Savuti, we will have a picnic lunch in the heart of nature.

Upon arrival, we will embark on an evening safari. The floodplains in the Savuti marshes attract numerous species of predatory and singing birds, as well as migrating zebras, herds of buffaloes, and many other exotic animals. We will conclude the safari by admiring the sunset and the animals arriving at the waterhole.

Overnight camping.

Savuti

The next day will be spent continuing our safari in Savuti. After a very early wake-up call and a night spent camping amidst the sounds of nature, we will head out for a morning safari when the animals are most active.

Following the morning safari, we’ll have breakfast at the campsite. After breakfast, there will be time to relax.

In the afternoon, we’ll embark on another safari to fully immerse ourselves in the charms of the pristine wilderness, revisiting some of the spots we explored in the morning. It’s often possible to see lions, leopards, and sometimes rare antelope species. Amidst the marshes of Savuti, there’s also a good chance of spotting many interesting bird species.

In the evening, we’ll return to the campsite for dinner and relaxation.

Mogotlho Camp

On this day, after breakfast, we will continue our safari and head to Mogotlho camp, located along the Khwai River.

Mogotlho Safari Lodge is situated on the banks of the beautiful Khwai River in a private concession in the wilderness area in northern Botswana. It borders both the Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park.

Because the Khwai River feeds the Mababe Depression, this unique location attracts large herds of buffaloes and elephants, as well as lions, hippos, leopards, and wild dogs, to name just a few, which often visit the camp and the surrounding area.

Upon arrival, we will have an afternoon safari. After the safari, dinner and relaxation at Mogotlho camp.

The Khwai River

After breakfast, we will drive to another camping site along the Khwai River. During the journey, we will have the opportunity to observe wild animals in their natural habitat.

In the morning, we’ll embark on a safari along the Khwai River and its floodplains in search of lions, leopards, and hunting African wild dogs. Along the river, we also have a good chance of seeing hippos, crocodiles, and many bird species.

By late morning, we’ll arrive at the camp for lunch. There will be time to rest and relax.

In the afternoon, we’ll head out on another safari, exploring new areas. A short walk may be possible before returning to the vehicle and driving along the river to watch the sunset. This will be an opportunity to observe wild animals at a watering hole.

For those interested, a night safari is available.

The Khwai River

On this day, we’ll embark on a morning safari, heading back to the Khwai River and its floodplains.

By late morning, we’ll return to the camp for breakfast, followed by some rest and lunch.

In the afternoon, we’ll go on a traditional canoe ride called a Mokoro. This excursion offers a great opportunity to explore the Okavango Delta and get as close to nature as possible.

During the Mokoro ride, the canoes are guided by a poler – a local boatman who is knowledgeable about the wildlife and animal behaviors. The Delta spreads out in a maze of channels, and the local guides know their way around well. The Mokoro ride through the channels is an extraordinary experience, allowing you to observe nature up close. You might suddenly spot an elephant emerging from the dense papyrus bushes or catch a glimpse of a hippo’s head poking out of the water.

After the thrilling Mokoro ride, we’ll return to camp for dinner and overnight stay.

The Okavango Delta

After breakfast, we’ll depart early in the morning for the Moremi Game Reserve. Located in the eastern part of the Okavango Delta, the Moremi Game Reserve is also known as the Moremi Wildlife Reserve. It is the first reserve established solely by local residents – the Batawana tribe – to protect the local environment and wildlife. It’s an area of dense African wilderness, offering one of the most stunning landscapes in Botswana and preserving an equally impressive ecosystem.

During our journey, we’ll have the opportunity to admire this impressive ecosystem. This place attracts tourists eager to see truly wild nature. The Delta areas in Okavango provide an ideal environment for observing endangered wild dogs and other rare species of wildlife in their natural habitat. Among these rare species are the Kalahari lion with a black mane, the puku antelope, the brown hyena, and the aardvark.

In this part of the Okavango floodplains, it’s common to see herds of buffalo, elephants, zebras, and red lechwes. Predators following the herds of antelopes coming out of the forest to waterholes are also often spotted.

We’ll have a picnic lunch on the way. After lunch, we’ll continue our safari.

At this time, most animals visit the rivers to quench their thirst after a day in the scorching sun. There’s a good chance of seeing elephants crossing the river and black herons hunting fish.

Just after sunset, we’ll return to the Xakanaxa camp.

Moremi Game Reserve - Maun

On this day, after breakfast, we’ll embark on a boat cruise in the Okavango Delta. It creates a fairy-tale maze of shimmering lagoons, winding channels, and vibrant islands. Lions, cheetahs, wild dogs, jackals, and leopards coexist here with herds of elephants, antelopes, and buffaloes, forming one of the richest ecosystems represented by almost all species of African animals.

It’s also one of the few places in Africa where you can observe the “Big Five” – lion, rhinoceros, elephant, buffalo, and leopard.

After a memorable time in the Okavango Delta, we’ll journey to Maun, the most touristy city in Botswana.

Overnight stay in Maun.

Maun

In the morning, we will begin our farewell to Botswana – our personal farewell. Last photos, souvenirs, conversations. Transfer to the airport and departure.

If you’re eager to explore this continent further, be sure to join us in Kenya, Namibia, or Morocco.

Botswana 2024: Land of Elephants and Vast Spaces

Photography by Agnieszka Kledzik