Safaris Botswana: Between Delta and Caprivi
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During this eleven-day lodge safari you will set foot in three countries of Southern Africa: Botswana, Namibia and Zambia.
The journey begins in the small San village of D'kar in Botswana's vast Kalahari Desert, from where you will set off to the north of the breathtaking Okavango Delta. After exploring the Okavango Panhandle, Namibia’s lush Caprivi Strip will be the focus of your discoveries during the following two days. Here you will start in beautiful Bwabwata National Park and stop at Katima Mulilo on the mighty Zambezi River before continuing your way to the Zambian city of Livingstone, right by the world-famous Victoria Falls.
After visiting this spectacular UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, you will gradually make your way back to the Caprivi Strip and the Chobe River, to the mighty Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana and finally to Maun. An experienced guide will always accompany you during game drives, walking safaris and boat trips, providing you with exciting background knowledge on the flora and fauna of Southern Africa.
Highlights
- Travel to three countries in Southern Africa: Botswana, Namibia and Zambia
- Gain authentic insights into the San lifestyle and traditions
- Dive into the green, water-rich depths of the Okavango Delta
- Witness the incredible variety of species in the Caprivi Strip
- Experience the huge Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in the vast Kalahari
- Visit the majestic Victoria Falls
- Enjoy the comfort of fantastic safari lodges
Locations
Safari in Botswana, Namibia und Sambia
This eleven-day lodge safari takes you from the Kalahari and Okavango Delta in Botswana, Namibia's Caprivi Strip to the majestic Victoria Falls in Zambia, allowing you to experience the wildlife and culture of Southern Africa in an unparalleled way.
Arrival and orientation in Botswana
Via O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg you will fly to Maun Airport where you should arrive by about 01:30 PM on the day that the trip starts. At the airport you will be welcomed by your guide at 02:00 PM and continue your journey to D'qae Qare Farm near the Kalahari town of D'kar. Here you can settle into your accommodation before enjoying some exciting cultural insights into the traditions of the San people. The next day, you continue your journey into the Okavango Delta.
Activities during the safari
A typical exploration day during a safari trip usually includes one activity in the morning and one activity in the afternoon. These may be game drives, walking safaris, boat trips and cultural excursions. This safari includes many transfer days where activities are usually limited to the afternoon. However, in many cases the transfer is a highlight in itself, as it allows you to enjoy unique landscapes and views. Activities or transfers are always accompanied by an experienced guide.
On a typical day of exploration, you and your guide will leave in the early morning hours, as most animals are most active at this time. You can now explore the species-rich animal and plant world of Southern Africa up close in an off-road vehicle, on foot or by boat. To escape the midday heat, you will return to your accommodation in the late morning, enjoy an strengthening lunch and a siesta lasting several hours.
After some coffee and tea in the afternoon, you will once again make your way into the unique natural landscapes of Southern Africa. After surely further unforgettable sights and moments you will return to your accommodation, have dinner and – gathering around the campfire – let the day slowly come to an end.
Accommodation during the safari trip
During your trip you will stay in different safari lodges with comfortable double rooms or spacious safari tents. In each accommodation you will receive daily meals. However, drinks are not included in the price.
The first night of your safari is spent at D'qae Qare San Lodge in the Kalahari. This lodge is run by local San and allows you to experience the fascinating culture in an authentic way. Here you will stay in a double room with an attached bathroom and from your veranda you can enjoy a wonderful view over the waterhole of the area which is regularly visited by ostriches, wildebeest, kudu, warthogs and sometimes even cheetahs or hyaenas.
The Xaro Lodge is your second accommodation of the journey. It is located on a narrow strip of land in the Okavango Delta, the so-called "Panhandle", on the banks of the Okavango River in the northwest of the Delta. Here you will stay in safari tents built on wooden platforms, all of which have private bathrooms and private verandas overlooking the river. In the main area you will find a lounge, a restaurant plus dining area, a library and a swimming pool. The beautiful lodge is only accessible by boat.
Nambwa Tented Lodge, your third accommodation, is located in Namibia's beautiful Caprivi Strip in the north-east of the country. Situated in the middle of Bwabwata National Park on an island on the Kwando River, Nambwa Tented Lodge accommodates guests in elevated tent chalets with attached bathrooms. Each of the spacious chalets has a small lounge, a viewing deck, a safe and mosquito nets. Other viewing decks are located throughout the lodge, with a restaurant plus dining area, a bar, a library, a fireplace, a souvenir shop and a swimming pool in the main area. WiFi is also available in the main area.
The Caprivi Houseboat Safari Lodge is another accommodation in Namibia, located about 10 km east of Katima Nulilo in the Caprivi Strip directly on the banks of the Zambezi River. Here you will stay in safari chalets with attached bathrooms, all of which overlook the mighty Zambezi River. In the communal area there is a lovely garden, a bar and a restaurant. Wlan is also available at the Caprivi Houseboat Safari Lodge.
Your accommodation in Zambia is the beautiful David Livingstone Safari Lodge. On the banks of the Zambezi River and just a short drive from Victoria Falls, guests stay in luxurious double rooms with attached bathrooms and a wonderful view of the river. In the communal area there is a dining area, a bar, a small souvenir shop and a swimming pool with magnificent river views. The lodge also has WiFi, a spa and wellness area and its own small cruise ship for trips on the Zambezi River.
Back in the Caprivi Strip, Chobe Savanna Lodge is your accommodation for two nights. The lodge is situated on a peninsula on the northern banks of the Chobe River and offers great views of the Caprivi floodplains as well as Chobe National Park. You will sleep in a safari chalet with en-suite bathroom and private veranda. The rooms also have a fan, air conditioning and a mini bar. On different levels in the common area of the lodge you will find a dining room, a lounge, a bar and a swimming pool.
The last accommodation of your safari trip is the Nata Lodge in Botswana, located in the Kalahari on the edge of the incredible Makgadikgadi Salt Pans. Guests stay either in one of the spacious safari tents or chalets, all of which have attached bathrooms. In the centre of the lodge, guests will also find a restaurant plus dining room, a bar, a lounge, a small souvenir shop and a swimming pool.
Free time as a safari guest in Southern Africa
On exploration days, there is usually a siesta of several hours after lunch which can be used until early afternoon as a break for napping, reading or observing animals from your own veranda. After dinner there is also some time for guests to enjoy themselves. On transfer days, which form the majority of this safari trip, there is no such siesta as described above. However, the morning hours of day 5 and the time in Livingstone can be spent as desired. Please note that the cost of any additional activities not described in the itinerary must be covered by you.
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Day 1
Arrival in Maun and transfer to D'kar in the Kalahari
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Day 2
Transfer from D'kar in the Kalahari to the northern Okavango Delta
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Day 3
Exploration day of the Okavango Panhandle in the northern Okavango Delta
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Day 4
Transfer from the Okavango Delta in Botswana to the Bwabwata National Park in Namibia
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Day 5
Transfer within the Caprivi Strip
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Day 6
Transfer from the Caprivi Strip in Namibia to Livingstone in Zambia
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Day 7
Exploration day in Livingstone
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Day 8
Transfer from Livingstone in Zambia to the Caprivi Strip in Namibia
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Day 9
Exploration day of the Chobe River in the Caprivi Strip
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Day 10
Transfer from the Caprivi Strip in Namibia to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana
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Day 11
Transfer from the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans back to Maun
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Notes
Important information about this trip
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1. D’kar
D'kar is a village in the Ghanzi District of Botswana, located in the west of the country in the middle of the Kalahari. It is about 40 km away from the district capital of Ghanzi and has about 1,000 inhabitants.
D'kar is the home of a quite large community of the Ncoakhoe San, who together run a small art gallery, a cultural centre and a wildlife ranch. During a visit to D'kar, guests can experience the culture and traditions of the San, the indigenous people of Botswana, in a very special way.
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2. D’qae Qare San Lodge
D'qae Qare San Lodge is located near the village of D'kar on D'qae Qare Game Farm in the mighty Kalahari. Run by local San Bushmen, it offers an authentic experience of the fascinating culture of the ancient hunter-gatherer people.
Guests of the lodge stay in spacious double rooms with an attached bathroom and can enjoy a wonderful view over the lodge's waterhole from their small veranda. The waterhole is frequently visited by warthogs, ostriches, kudus, wildebeests and sometimes even cheetahs or hyaenas, enabling you to enjoy wildlife watching from your own doorstep.
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3. Okavango Delta
The Okavango Delta in Botswana is without doubt one of the most spectacular natural sites in Southern Africa, if not in the entire world. Covering more than 20,000 km², the fertile oasis in the northwestern part of the country is the largest inland delta of our planet. The mighty UNESCO World Heritage Site is fed by the Okavango River, which once a year floods down from the highlands of Angola into an endless labyrinth of river courses, islands and lagoons. With a visit to the Delta, one of the last natural paradises on earth awaits you, whose awe-inspiring biodiversity will amaze every visitor.
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4. Xaro Lodge
Beautiful Xaro Lodge is located in the northwest of Botswana's Okavango Delta on a small island on the banks of the Okavango River. The region is also known as the Okavango Panhandle, a narrow strip of land in the Delta. Even the journey to the lodge itself is a small highlight, as the lodge, located amidst a true bird paradise, can only be reached by boat.
Guests stay in one of the 18 safari tents built on wooden platforms, each with its own attached bathroom and veranda. The veranda offers fantastic views over the vast water landscape. The main area of the lodge includes a lounge, a library, a restaurant and a swimming pool. A variety of safari activities allow you to explore this wonderful area.
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5. Caprivi Strip
The Caprivi Strip is a zip-shaped, narrow bulge in the northeastern part of Namibia. This tropical paradise captivates by its unique landscapes and – due to its rivers and numerous rainfalls – is one of the regions with the most game in Namibia. No less than four remarkable reserves are located in this special safari destination: Khaudom National Park, Mamili National Park, Mudumu and Mamili National Park and Bwabwata National Park.
In Caprivi you can observe particularly large herds of elephants but also cats of prey, rhinos, buffalos, numerous antelope species, hippos, crocodiles, wild dogs and many other representatives of the African fauna.
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6. Nambwe Tented Lodge
Nambwe Tented Lodge is the only lodge with its own concession in Namibia's Bwabwata National Park, situated in the tropical Caprivi Strip. An elevated wooden walkway winds through a small grove and connects the ten luxurious tent suites with the spacious main area of the lodge.
Nambwe Tented Lodge's viewing deck offers unmatched views of the extensive floodplains, being regularly visited by huge herds of elephant and buffalo. Day and night drives, walking safaris, boat trips and mokoro tours are available to explore the diverse wildlife of Bwabwata National Park. The park is home to more than 35 species of mammals including elephant, lion, leopard, hyaena and hippo.
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7. Chobe Savanna Lodge
Chobe Savanna Lodge is located in the eastern tip of Caprivi, a narrow strip of land in the northeast of Nambia. This region is considered to be one of the most wildlife-rich regions in Africa and therefore offers the chance of unique wildlife sightings.
Guests at Chobe Savanna Lodge stay in one of the twelve spacious safari chalets with an attached bathroom and a private small viewing terrace. From here you can enjoy magnificent views over the floodplains and river landscape of the Chobe River.
The communal area of the lodge, built over several levels, also offers impressive viewpoints. The vast Chobe wilderness can be overlooked from the lounge, the restaurant and the garden incl. swimming pool – all the way to Botswana's famous Chobe National Park.
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8. Livingstone
Livingstone is the gateway to Zambia's world-famous Victoria Falls and awaits guests with a mix of adventure, culture, scenery and wildlife. Canoe or kayak trips, white water rafting or bungee jumping on the mighty Zambezi River provide action and adrenaline.
If you are drawn out into nature, you can admire the impressive phenomenon of the Victoria Falls up close or observe wild animals on a safari in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park. Culture enthusiasts also get their money's worth in Livingstone: the museums, markets and historical sites of the city offer many interesting impressions for their visitors. From tranquillity and relaxation to excitement and adventure: Livingstone offers a wide range of opportunities to experience.
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9. Caprivi Houseboat Safari Lodge
The Caprivi Houseboat Safari Lodge is located near Katima Mulilo in Namibia's Caprivi Strip, embedded in an idyllic garden on the banks of the Zambezi River.
The lodge accommodates its guests in five rustic safari chalets with attached bathroom. The canvas curtains of the chalets can be opened completely to the front so that guests have the feeling of spending the night outside. In the common area there is a bar, a restaurant and a nice sitting area in the green. There is also a small campsite. Due to its location, the Caprivi Houseboat Safari Lodge offers a suitable starting point for exploration tours on the mighty Zambezi River.
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10. David Livingstone Safari Lodge
The beautiful David Livingstone Safari Lodge is situated close to the impressive Victoria Falls, right on the banks of the Zambezi River. Accommodated in a spacious double room with private bathroom and balcony, guests can enjoy unique views over the picturesque river landscape. The accommodation also features a beautiful main area with a restaurant, a lounge, a bar, a swimming pool and a spa and wellness centre.
David Livingstone Safari Lodge is a perfect base from which to explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Victoria Falls but also to enjoy other highlights of Livingstone's wide range of leisure activities.
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11. Makgadikgadi Salt Pans
Covering an area of about 16,000 km², the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in Botswana are among the largest salt pans in the world. This area is the least populated region of Botswana and is home to the colony of meerkats. As the remains of a huge lake, the salt pans are located northeast of the Kalahari and southeast of the Okavango Delta.
Almost 5,000 km² of this rough, barren and dry area are protected by the Makgadikgadi National Park which was founded in 1992. While the pans themselves have a salty surface with only grass on their edges, the area in between is characterised by sand dunes, rocky islands and desert areas.
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12. Nata Lodge
Nata Lodge is located on the edge of Botswana's vast Makgadikgadi Salt Pans in the middle of the mighty Kalahari. It is not far from the Nata Bird Sanctuary, a 230 km² conservation area and true bird paradise.
Guests at Nata Lodge are accommodated in one of the wooden chalets or safari tents built on stilts, each with its own small veranda and attached bathroom including outdoor showers. Nata Lodge also has a restaurant, a lounge, a swimming pool and a campsite with sanitary facilities. Safari guests can explore the breathtaking Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Makgadikgadi National Park and the beautiful Nata Bird Sanctuary.
Background of the safari trip in Botswana, Namibia and Zambia
This safari trip gives you the opportunity to get to know three countries in Southern Africa within eleven exciting days: Botswana, Namibia and Zambia. All of them are characterised by impressive landscapes, a species-rich animal world and true natural highlights. With a visit to the Kalahari you will experience one of the world's largest deserts, witness the Okavango Delta, one of the largest and most animal-rich wetlands in Africa, and marvel at the Victoria Falls which are the widest waterfall on earth.
Lush nature is joined by culture and adventure: a visit to the San in Botswana provides valuable cultural insights into the life and traditions of the ancient hunter-gatherer people, while in Livingstone a wide range of leisure activities can be enjoyed, from bungee jumping to river rafting and helicopter flights. Experienced guides lead you to the most beautiful places and bring you a little closer to the richness of Southern Africa.
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