Honeymoon safari in Botswana

Makgadikgadi National Park

Day 1: Arrival at Leroo La Tau

Arrive in Botswana and take a small flight from Maun International Airport to Makgadikgadi National Park to begin this magical honeymoon tour.

Here, in the beautiful Leroo La Tau, is where you will be enjoying your first two nights, as well as a traditional Setstwana Blessing with memebers of staff and the Khumaga community.

Leroo La Tau sits above the Boteti River, which stretches across the western border of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. It is comprised of just 12 luxury thatched chalets, each with en-suite bathrooms and terraces overlooking the reserve. There is a dining room, reading room and bar in the main lodge, expansive wooden decks and a plunge pool.

After a day of safari, it's bliss to retire after dinner to the splendid firepit overlooking the river. 

Makgadikgadi National Park

Day 2: Full day in Makgadikgadi National Park

Today, enjoy a full day of safari and relaxation within the Makgadikgadi National Park. 

Guided game drives

This area is an essential part of the massive annual migration - between May and October, visitors can look forward to seeing enormous herds of zebras passing through, using the river as a refreshing pit stop.General wildlife sightings along the river are excellent year-round, with regular sightings of elephant, giraffe, kudu, oryx and lions to name a few. 

Boteti River Boat Cruises

Depending on the water level, boating activities are also on offer. Boating safaris depart from the lodge and head upriver to spot wildlife. There are prime birdwatching opportunities, with large flocks of flamingos and numerous other species calling it home, and during the zebra migration, visitors get a unique perspective as the zebras wade into the waters to refresh themselves.

Moremi Game Reserve

Day 3: Arrival at Camp Moremi

Your next stop on your honeymoon safari is Camp Moremi. Located in Moremi Game Reserve on the edge of the Xakanaxa Lagoon, the game viewing opportunities here are excellent.

Moremi Game Reserve covers more than 4,871 square kilometers of pristine wilderness, including savannah, winding waterways and dense forest. This diverse ecosystem supports an incredibly wide spectrum of wildlife, ranging from large herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebras, to the rare sitatunga and lechwe antelope. You may also see lions, cheetahs, and packs of wild dog in the open grasslands. The birdlife here is prolific and includes most of the 550 bird species recorded on Botswana’s national bird list.

Settle in and get ready for your first evening safari through this fantastic national park. On one of your evening here, you will enjoy a private honeymoon dinner in a romantic and exclusive camp location.

Moremi Game Reserve

Day 4: Immersed in Moremi Game Reserve

During your stay at Moremi Camp, each morning and evening, you will head out in open 4x4 vehicles for wildlife viewing in this stunning diverse landscape. Keep your eyes peeled for lions lounging on the grassy plains, leopards hoarding kills in the trees, cheetahs on the lookout for their next meal and of course all the beautiful grazing animals. If you're lucky, you may come across families of African wild dog as they scour the wilderness.  

Bird lovers should keep their binoculars trained into the undergrowth and waterways to spot cranes or the elegant slaty egret, and visit the local heronry.

Moremi Game Reserve

Day 5: Final day in Moremi Game Reserve

Enjoy your final day in Moremi. If you haven't already, consider going out on a boating trip to explore the Xakanaxa Lagoon and its surrounding channels to enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Okavango Delta and its kaleidoscopic birdlife. 

Relax and enjoy a final night in the lodge with sundowners and imagine what tomorrow's adventure will bring as you set off further into the Okavango Delta.

Okavango Delta

Day 6: Arrival in the Okavango Delta

Today you move deeper into the Okavango Delta. Here, the magnificent Okavango River sprawls out over the Kalahari Desert forming this flourishing waterlogged oasis featuring countless meandering waterways, fertile floodplains, reeded islands and crystal clear lagoons studded with water lillies. 

You're staying at Camp Okavango, an exclusive safari camp on the remote Nxaragha Island. Its location in the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta means guests have unparalleled year-round water wilderness experiences. They have just 24 guests maximum to ensure peace and exclusivity. Interlinking walkways connect the main lodge (with restaurant, lounges, library and dining toom) to the lower deck with fire pits. The suites all have doors that fold away leaving uninhibited views across the wilderness. 

Okavango Delta

Day 7: Into the Okavango

While you're here, make the most of this stunning unspoilt wilderness.

Take to the water on a traditional Mokoro and glide by wildlife for some incredible encounters and stunning photographic opportunities.

The whole delta covers an impressive 15,000 square kilometres, and how better to view it in all its scope than on a 60-minute helicopter flight, (included in your trip)? Soar above secluded lagoons and out over the lush floodplains, seek out some of the iconic creatures that call this untouched wilderness home.

Savour your experiences so far with a champagne sundowner on a remote island in the Okavango Delta and marvel at the stars with a night on the sleep-out deck at Camp Okavango (also included, though subject to availability and weather conditions).

Chobe National Park

Day 8: Arrival at the Chobe River

Chobe National Park is the next destination on this adventure. Enjoy 3 full days exploring this unspoilt retreat.

The Chobe River forms the northern boundary of the Chobe National Park which is renowned for its diverse and abundant game viewing opportunities. This section of the park is best known for its dense concentration of wildlife, including elephant and hippo populations, but the waters attract all manner of game including large herds of buffalo and the lions that prey on them - a visit to the Chobe River Front guarantees close encounters with an array of African wildlife.

Relax and cool off at the end of each day in your honeymoon suite at the Chobe Game Lodge, complete with a private plunge pool.

Chobe National Park

Day 9: First full day in Chobe National Park

Why not begin your day with a private sunrise cruise including a champagne breakfast on board (included)? This is a magical way to see the river and it's surroundings come to life with the beginning of a new day. 

There are numerous other experiences to be had here, which we will explain over the next two sections. It is completely up to you what experiences you enjoy on which days.

Chobe Game Lodge River Safaris

Unlike any other water-based activity in Botswana, the game viewing while on a river safari in Chobe is unsurpassed anywhere in Botswana. Elephants line the water’s edge, hippo congregate in lagoons, hundreds of antelope and giraffe make their way to the water and sightings of predators along the river banks are common. All of the boats at Chobe Game Lodge are solar-electric powered boats – a clean and quiet way to enjoy a boat safari and another first for tourism in Africa.

Chobe National Park

Day 10: Second full day in Chobe National Park

Chobe Game Lodge Game Drives

Early morning game drives set off as soon as the park opens, giving you the best chance of tracking predators whilst they are still active during the cooler parts of the day. The afternoon drives depart in the late afternoon, returning after sunset so you can see the animals start to get more active at dusk. You are very likely to see elephants, buffalos, impala and giraffes, while predators are plentiful towards the north, and excellent sightings of lions, wild dogs and leopards are to be had. 

Chobe Game Lodge Birding Experience

Birdwatching around here is spectacular with Schalows turaco, barred owlet and white-browed coucal resident in the gardens alone. Venturing into the park you can also spot rosythroated longclaws, western-banded snake-eagles and hooded vultures to name but a few of the 450 species of the Chobe region.

Chobe National Park

Day 11: Departure from Chobe National Park

Have a final morning game drive before being transferred to the airport for your onward travels.