Magic of Botswana: budget-friendly wildlife adventure

Maun - Nokanyana

Day 1: Journey into the wilds of Mababe

Welcome to Botswana! After touching down in Maun International Airport, you'll be transferred to Mababe, a small rural settlement in the eastern part of Botswana's North-West District, on the vast and wild plains of the Mababe Lower Depression.

Surrounded by vistas of yellow bushveld, sparkling rivers, and bright green forests, you'll be well-placed for admiring abundant wildlife - large herds of buffalo, lions, elephants, hippos, cheetahs and giraffes, to name a few.

Guided walks, game drives, and other activities are on offer here, and you'll spend an overnight stay in charming lodge accommodation on the northern border of the Moremi Game Reserve.

Nokanyana

Day 2: Take a game drive adventure

This morning, set out from your lodge to enjoy a game drive in a calming and beautiful environment. Bush walks and full-day game drive experiences are both available here, as well as cultural visits to the nearby Mababe village, if you're in the mood for a change of scenery.

Back at your lodge, you'll have further opportunities to spot the roaming wildlife, as your luxurious tent is well-positioned on the banks of the Khwai River, where wildlife congregate to refresh themselves.

Nokanyana

Day 3: Immerse yourself in nature's splendor

Today, you've the chance to kick back and enjoy your time at leisure, or else opt to join one of the activities on offer - whether a scenic helicopter ride over the delta (available for an extra cost), or another day of bush walks and game viewing. Now's your chance to slow your pace a bit and soak up all of nature's splendor, as your guide points out tracks and signs of animals as well as insects, birds, flora, and more.

Nokanyana - Mopiri

Day 4: Explore the Okavango Panhandle

Today, continue your wildlife adventure with a journey to the Okavango Panhandle, in the northwestern area of the Okavango Delta. This deep channel serves as the main water source feeding the delta, and offers excellent tiger and bream fishing, while surrounding woodlands and the river's shallow waters teem with myriad birdlife. It's also a gateway to the scenic Tsodilo Hills, some 40km west, with their various tribal cave paintings.

You'll check into your accommodation here, which offers boat trips, bush walks, birding and fishing adventures, sunset cruises, and more. Relax for a while in its spa before unwinding in your spacious tented accommodation, on the banks of the idyllic Weboro Lagoon.

Mopiri

Day 5: Wilderness & wildlife at your fingertips

Spend the day making the most of the tours and activities available to book at your accommodation - you've plenty of ways to venture out and get to know the many riches of the Okavango Panhandle, no matter how active or laid-back you wish to be. Try your hand at fishing, or you could even book a helicopter ride for scenic views (for an extra cost).

Mopiri

Day 6: Delta explorations in the Okavango Panhandle

Enjoy another day of pure immersion in the Okavango Panhandle! Spend a serene morning fishing, or take a nature walk to stretch your legs and learn about the local wildlife from your passionate host. Full-day island-hopping and overwater delta explorations are also possible, if you're in the mood for an adventure! This is your last full day experiencing the magic of Botswana's wildlife, so be sure to make it count.

Mopiri - Maun

Day 7: Your final moments in paradise

Enjoy a final morning activity before saying goodbye to your camp and heading for a charter flight over the delta and back to Maun International Airport, in time for your onward travels. Have a safe journey and visit again soon!