Okavango Delta Safari

  • 11 Days
  • Avg Group Size: 12
  • Activity Level 1
    • Activity Level 1

      Suitable for most fitness levels, our Level 1 adventures are the perfect introduction to adventure travel.

    Read more about the Active Range

  • Trip Start: Maun
  • Trip End: Victoria Falls

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Okavango Delta Safari Mokoro

Journey by mokoro through the Okavango Delta channels

The Okavango is one of Africa’s largest rivers and it never meets the sea. The resulting inland delta, known as the “Jewel of the Kalahari,” is comprised of 15,000 square kilometers of water channels, lagoons and islands, and boasts one of the most concentrated areas of wildlife on earth. As if that wasn’t enough, this adventure also takes you to see the famous Chobe National Park and breathtaking Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world. The Victoria Falls region is rich in adventure activities for adrenaline junkies!

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Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip.

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Okavango Delta Safari ~ Itinerary

Trip Start: Maun Trip End: Victoria Falls

Download our Handy Trip itinerary

Our Trip Itinerary contains all the exciting details you can expect to do on our trips. Get a clear picture of the adventures on this trip

  • Day 1Arrive, drive to Khwai River View Safari Camp

  • Day 2Wildlife Safari, Mokoro the Delta

  • Day 3Safari Moremi Game Reserve, & Cruise Xaxanaka Lagoons

  • Day 4Wildlife Safari in Chobe National Park

  • Day 5Explore Chobe National Park

  • Day 6Game Drive in Chobe National Park, Mapororo Hide Wildlife Viewing

  • Day 7Scenic flight of the Delta, transfer to Kasane, Northern Botswana

  • Day 8Cruise the Chobe River

  • Day 9Transfer to Victoria Falls - a natural wonder of the world!

  • Day 10Bike ride around Victoria Falls, sunset cruise on the Zambezi River

  • Day 11Farewell to awe-inspiring Africa!

  • Day 1

    Arrive, drive to Khwai River View Safari Camp

    #28089

    You will be met by your private guide on arrival at Maun Airport, then head for Khwai in the Khwai Community Area of the Okavango Delta. Enroute we’ll pass through Sankoyo village and Mababe village and arrive in camp in time for a lovely sundowner before you have time to freshen up for dinner.

    Overlooking the Khwai River (an important water source for the area and a hotspot for wildlife!) into Moremi Game Reserve, this area is home to elephants, buffalo, lion leopard, cheetah, wild dogs, and an abundance of birdlife. It’s the perfect location for observing the perennial drama of the African Bushveld!

    After a short drive to the Khwai Concession Area, you’ll arrive at your rustic tented safari camp – home for the next three nights, to settle into ensuite deluxe safari tents. Each tent is kitted out with a hot shower, flush toilet, plush beds, linens, towels, and a bedside table. You’ll enjoy delicious food cooked by our bush chef and served in the main tented area. The main tented area has a lounge with comfy sofas, a bar and dining area – the perfect spot to enjoy an evening drink around the campfire!
    Accommodation: Khwai River View Safari Camp
    Meals: Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 2

    Wildlife Safari, Mokoro the Delta

    #28090

    Safaris in the wilderness of Botswana are very different from one day to the next, but you’ll soon fall into a wonderful routine to explore the area, see a multitude of wildlife, and beautiful landscapes. Begin your day with an early morning wake up call, a steaming hot cup of delicious coffee, and a hearty breakfast. Head out in open 4x4 vehicles as the sun rises in search for wildlife either along the Khwai River, across the open plains, or off road amongst the dense bush. Off-road driving is strictly prohibited within the national park of the Okavango, but because we’re spending this time in a private concession, we’re permitted to head off road in pursuit of following sounds and signals of wildlife for incredible viewing opportunities. We’ll find somewhere scenic for a coffee stop mid-morning and make our way back to camp for a hearty brunch and some relaxation until the afternoon game drive.

    We’ll head out again as the light changes and becomes perfect for photography. The animals are more active at this time of day, so don’t forget your camera! Explore the Khwai River by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe. Guided by local qualified guides, you'll spend the afternoon exploring the area with its array of aquatic life and breathtaking beauty. This experience brings you close to nature as you enjoy the tranquility of the waterways, sounds of nature all around, and wildlife encounters.

    We’ll have a stop for sundowners and some snacks before heading back to camp for a hot shower, drinks around the fire, and a delicious dinner together. Your day ends with a good night’s sleep in anticipation of more safari fun tomorrow.
    Accommodation: Khwai River View Safari Camp
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 3

    Safari Moremi Game Reserve, & Cruise Xaxanaka Lagoons

    #28091

    The world-famous Moremi Game Reserve is a great way to spend the day exploring the diversity of this scenic and wildlife-rich area. Departing early from Khwai, you'll head to North Gate where you enter Moremi Game Reserve. You will witness the rich and diverse fauna and flora this area is famous for. Spend the day exploring the reserve, enjoying magnificent scenery and wildlife, and photographic opportunities of a lifetime.

    We arrive at Xaxanaka Boat Station late morning. Spend the next 2 hours cruising the Xaxanaka Lagoons/channels by boat. You’ll stop at a scenic area to enjoy a light and wholesome lunch.

    Then continue to explore Moremi for the rest of the day. We enjoy a sundowner on the banks of the Khwai River before heading back to Camp. Round this memorable day off with a delicious dinner served back at camp.
    Accommodation: Khwai River View Safari Camp
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 4

    Wildlife Safari in Chobe National Park

    #28092

    After a scrumptious breakfast we depart Kwai and head for game-rich Chobe National Park. This area of the delta is famous for its open grasslands, waterholes and lookout hides where visitors can spot hippos, crocodiles, elephants, impalas, water buffalo, reedbucks, and even baboons to name a few! Our day excursion includes a visit to the Savuti Marsh, the Baobab Theatre, Bushman Rock Paintings including a picnic lunch.

    A warm welcome awaits you at the Nogatsaa Pans Lodge from the lodge team. You will be given a short welcome briefing in the main lounge, where you will make your way to your room to freshen up and relax. The solar-powered and ecoconscious Nogatsaa Pans Lodge blends beautifully with the natural environment. High tea is served at 4pm in the open-plan dining area, where your adventure begins. You will be provided with hot/cold drinks and various pastries and, while overlooking the pan.

    You then have the option to have a sundowner drive where lion, buffalo, roan, sable and large breeding herds of elephants frequent - or put your feet up and enjoy the sundowner at the lodge, with its extensive viewing decks and raised platforms.
    Accommodation: Nogatsaa Pans Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 5

    Explore Chobe National Park

    #28093

    You may choose to wake up early, or sleep in a little longer. You can soak up the view while you are enjoying breakfast outside of the main area. You have a choice of having a continental buffet or ordering a hot breakfast. We also offer a mid-morning drive to our Poha Hide overlooking a waterhole, having the golden opportunity to sight some of the wildlife. You also have the choice to opt out of this drive.

    An alternative activity is to visit the Mapororo Hide where you can experience endless views overlooking the marsh. You will return from either of these drives just in time for a wonderful lunch.

    The Sunset Drive departs around 4:30pm utilizing our private network of roads, with sundowner refreshments and drinks to be enjoyed at either the Kabungwa or the Nogatsaa Hides. Depending on the season - our resident pride of lions, herds of elephants, buffalo, impala, kudu, giraffe, zebra and roan antelope are potential sightings of the camp, among various other animals. Not to mention the incredible number of bird species that are usually found in the area.
    Accommodation: Nogatsaa Pans Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 6

    Game Drive in Chobe National Park, Mapororo Hide Wildlife Viewing

    #28094

    Enjoy a leisurely sleep in or get up to greet the sunrise in this magical setting! Breakfast will be served on the thatch-roofed main area overlooking the bustling pan. You can enjoy another mid-morning drive to our Poha Hide overlooking a waterhole, to see what wildlife is enjoying a cool drink.

    If you’d prefer to take a break from the game drive you can opt to visit the marsh and get comfortable in the Mapororo Hide to enjoy the spectacular views. We will all meet back at camp for lunch and some relaxation.

    Then we’ll set off for the magical part of the day, on a Sunset Drive to witness in wonder the stunning array of wildlife. Don’t forget a sundowner and refreshments in one of the Hides (Kabungwa or Nogatsaa)!
    Accommodation: Nogatsaa Pans Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 7

    Scenic flight of the Delta, transfer to Kasane, Northern Botswana

    #28095

    This morning we will transfer to the airstrip in open landcruiser game viewers on a sand track, for a flight bound for Kasane in the far north of Botswana, game driving along the way. The flight to Kasane offers scenic views of the Delta, where you can see the vastness of the area you explored these last few days. After arriving in Kasane, we’ll make our way to our accommodation for the next two nights.

    Depending on your departure date, you may stay at either the Chobe Bush Lodge or Chobe Safari Lodge. Both lodges are perched on the banks of the Chobe River beside the world-famous Chobe National Park, making them ideal expedition bases for game viewing. You’ll have the afternoon to relax and wind down. Enjoy a luxurious bubble bath or sit on the deck and watch roaming impala, rare Chobe bushbuck, sounders of warthog, and dung beetles too.

    There’s no better way to finish a thrilling day of African adventure, by cooling off at the lodge pools, hearing traditional stories around the fire (boma), and sitting back for some first-class stargazing in the crystal-clear night skies.
    Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 8

    Cruise the Chobe River

    #28096

    After breakfast, you’ll board a boat for a cruise on the Chobe River. Northern Botswana has the world’s largest concentration of elephants, and boat cruises provide a great vantage point to view this proliferation of pachyderms.

    We’ll return to the lodge for lunch and head back out in the afternoon to explore Chobe National Park via game driving. Chobe is teeming with wildlife. Perhaps you’ll spy Cape buffalo pausing for a drink in the afternoon or a lion stalking prey along the banks. Depending on the time of year, you could see thousands of zebras, buffalo and other wildlife grazing along the floodplains of the Chobe River. Sable antelope, roan antelope and great birdlife spend time along the river in the adjacent teak woodland, and there is a rare antelope only seen in Chobe called puku. This is sure to be an exciting day!

    Relax this evening and enjoy your last evening in Botswana before we hop across the border to Zimbabwe tomorrow!
    Accommodation: Chobe Safari Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  • Day 9

    Transfer to Victoria Falls - a natural wonder of the world!

    #28097

    Today we’re bound for Zimbabwe to behold Victoria Falls – one of the most breathtaking natural wonders on Earth. Although the falls are neither the tallest nor the widest on earth, they’re still classified as the biggest, due to their combination of width and height. Known by locals as “the smoke that thunders,” Victoria Falls has a flow rate of more than 1,000 cubic meters of water every second! The town of Victoria Falls is often known as the adventure capital of Africa.

    Once we arrive, you’ll set off on a two-hour guided walking tour of Victoria Falls where you’ll stop at numerous lookouts, including Devil’s Cataract, Boiling Pot, Main Falls, Horseshoe Falls, and finally, Rainbow Falls the highest point on the cascade.

    After the walk, settle in and relax at your accommodation for the last two nights of your trip,
    Accommodation: A’Zambezi River Lodge
    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

    Hiking: 2 miles (3 kilometers)

  • Day 10

    Bike ride around Victoria Falls, sunset cruise on the Zambezi River

    #28098

    Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning at the hotel’s restaurant before heading out for a bike ride to explore the exciting town of Victoria Falls. Cycle along the Zambezi River, visit the famous Big Tree (a baobab tree estimated to 3,500 years old), enjoy spectacular views of the Batoka Gorge and cross the Victoria Falls Bridge.

    You're on your own for lunch today, so make sure to ask your guides for recommendations! We’ll gather again mid-afternoon for a sunset cruise on the Zambezi River, complete with complementary drinks and snacks – it’s the photographer and explorer’s dream!

    After the cruise, we’ll transfer to the Boma Restaurant, where you’ll be greeted in the local languages, Shona and Ndebele, and have the opportunity to don traditional ‘chitenges’ (robes). Once you’re dressed for dinner, enjoy drinks and appetizers before taking your seats. The restaurant is partially open to the African skies and offers a vast selection of traditional Zimbabwean dishes (or western cuisine if you’d prefer). An evening of entertainment is served alongside dinner, provided by Amakwezi dancers, singers, a local storyteller, and a local healer. It’s the most perfect end to your Okavango and Victoria Falls adventure.
    Accommodation: A'Zambezi River Lodge
    Meals:
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

    Biking: 6 miles (10 kilometers)

  • Day 11

    Farewell to awe-inspiring Africa!

    #28099

    If you’re flying home today, your driver will meet you after breakfast and take you back to Victoria Falls Airport. If you’re staying in the town of Victoria Falls, or plan to continue your adventure elsewhere, you’ll find endless recommendations from your guides and the hotel staff.
    Accommodation: Not applicable
    Meals: Breakfast

Okavango Delta Safari Departure Dates

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Included

  • Our own highly experienced trip leader, with you from start to finish
  • Specialist local guides and camp crews while on safari (applicable for our Kruger National Park, Okavango Delta, and Serengeti safaris)
  • A team of expert local guides and porters for the duration of the Kilimanjaro trek (applicable for our Mt Kilimanjaro Trek only)
  • Industry-leading Guest-to-Guide ratio (averaging 6:1)
  • Your own ‘Account’, an online space with everything required for your adventure
  • Our knowledgeable Customer Service Team to answer your queries - just a phone call, email or chat away
  • Customer Service pre-trip phone calls to ensure you’re 'trip ready'
  • All accommodations for the duration of your trip 
  • All meals except where indicated in the itinerary
  • Unlimited snacks to keep you fueled
  • Flights as outlined in the itinerary
  • All activities outlined in the itinerary 
  • All necessary equipment (well-maintained and safe) for activities
  • Down jacket, sleeping bag, and hiking poles for the duration of the Kilimanjaro trek
  • All gratuities for hotels, restaurants, and activities
  • All park and other entry fees
  • Transportation in our air-conditioned 4x4 safari vehicles - safe, clean, modern, and comfortable!

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Useful info

Where does the trip start?

On the first day of the trip your guides will meet you at Maun Airport (MUB), outside the terminal doors after you’ve collected your luggage and cleared customs, around 2pm.

Where does the trip end?

Your trip ends with a drop-off at the Victoria Falls Airport (VFA) in time for flights below or we can leave you to stay longer Victoria Falls too.

What flights would you recommend?

Arrival: We recommend arriving in Maun by 2:30pm. Many guests like to arrive a day or two early to accommodate potential flight delays and/or explore the area prior to your trip start.

Departure: Flying out on the last day of the trip, we recommend departing from Johannesburg after 1:30pm. Earlier flight times will require a separate transfer booked at your own expense.

What accommodations do we stay at on this safari?

Some nights you’ll be in luxury tents furnished with metal cots and a mattress with linen provided. An en-suite is attached with either an open top shower and toilet area or a bush bathroom area which consists of a flush toilet and showers. The last 3 nights you will be staying in comfortable lodges or chalets with full ensuites.

We recommend bringing enough clothing to only have to do laundry once during your safari and while there are laundry facilities at some locations - the Lodge’s in Maun and Victoria Falls - there may only be one machine to service your entire group. You will also need to purchase laundry detergent from the reception areas.

How much luggage can I bring on this safari?

You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 33 pounds (15 kilograms) and needs to be soft-sided, preferably a small duffel bag about 50 litres in size. You’ll also want a good quality daypack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) with a maximum weight of 11 pounds (5 kilograms), not including photographic equipment, to use throughout the days.

Tell me more about the fly camping

On the overnight fly camping experience you’ll be out in the Kopano Conversation Area on the south east side of the Okavango Delta for two days and one night, sleeping in 3x3 dome tents with stretcher beds, a mattress, cotton sheets, duvet and pillow provided, and there will be ensuite bush bathroom facilities. The camp staff set up camp, cook, wash, set up ablutions, dismantle camp and look after all the guest’s needs and requirements.

What safety measures are in place for the camps and walking excursions?

You’ll be accompanied by your experienced Safari trip leader, who’s there to keep you informed about the area you’re in and make sure that everything runs smoothly; a qualified safari guide, who will provide additional local knowledge of the flora and fauna; a driver and also a team of walking guides!

Your safety is the prime concern and decisions always default on the side of the caution and the safest option. You’ll be staying in Mobile/Fly Camps for many of the nights in this trip. The camps are set up in unfenced areas and close to the Khwai River bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Animals (including lions and elephants) often frequent the camp and you should be aware and take caution. The local guide and his team will be on hand to assist at all times. Each Camp you stay at will also have a team of people ensuring you are well fed and catered too.

Is tipping expected in Botswana?

Most people do choose to tip their Safari Guide and we recommend USD$5 per day, per guest, per guide. There will also be a team of camp/lodge staff at each accommodation, and we recommend tipping USD$5 per day, per guest, per team. You are welcome to tip an equivalent amount in the local currency. There are plenty of ATM’s in Maun or Victoria Falls. During your Active Adventures trip, your guide will take care of all included restaurant and driver tips for you. For other restaurants or services during your holiday, 5-10% is a typical gratuity amount.

How do rooming arrangements work?

Trip prices are based on shared arrangements (typically two guests per room), unless otherwise stated. For solo travelers, we’ll pair you with another person of the same gender to share rooms and if there’s no one suitable to share with, there’s no forced single supplement. However, if you specifically request your own rooms, you can opt to pay the single supplement. Solo travelers who book within 90 days of departure, where there are no other solo travelers willing to share, will be required to pay the single supplement.

For Family Vacation bookings, families consisting of four guests traveling with children aged 17 and under will be automatically assigned one shared room. However, the following alternative rooming allocations are available:

  • Families consisting of four guests with all children aged 13 and above are welcome to opt for additional rooms as per advertised double occupancy adult rates.
  • Families consisting of four guests with at least one child aged 12 and under are automatically assigned a shared room. However, families can opt to pay the adult rates for all guests in their family to have an additional room.
  • The same principles apply for families consisting of more than four guests.

Rooming preferences are subject to availability and must be communicated in writing at time of booking. Automatic assignments as per this policy will be applied in the absence of any specification provided by guests. Any request for additional rooms during trips will be at guests’ own expense and subject to rates made available by the accommodation provider at the time. All minors (guests aged 17 and under) must be accompanied by at least one adult.

What is not included?

Flights to and from trip start/end points
Pre/Post accommodation
Travel insurance
Gratuities for your safari guide(s)

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