The Botswana Desert to Delta Experience

WHY IT'S DIFFERENT?

Explore diverse habitats from the desolate Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, through to the UNESCO wetland of the Okavango Delta.

Botswana
Jun - Nov
7 nights

From $7,149.59pp

Based on two people sharing, not including flights learn more

AVAILABILITY

June 2024
1 - 8 Jun 2024
From $7,149.59pp
15 - 22 Jun 2024
From $7,149.59pp
July 2024
13 - 20 Jul 2024
From $7,149.59pp
August 2024
10 - 17 Aug 2024
From $7,149.59pp
24 - 31 Aug 2024
From $7,149.59pp
September 2024
7 - 14 Sep 2024
From $7,149.59pp
21 - 28 Sep 2024
From $7,149.59pp
October 2024
5 - 12 Oct 2024
From $7,149.59pp
19 - 26 Oct 2024
From $7,149.59pp
November 2024
2 - 9 Nov 2024
From $7,149.59pp
16 - 23 Nov 2024
From $7,149.59pp

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS

Mobile Tented Camp

Mobile Tented Camp

The most authentic way to experience the Okavango. Stay in a luxury 5-star mobile tented camp in the bush amongst nature and wildlife. Enjoy freshly prepared gourmet meals and finish your days with a nightcap around the fire pit.


The Okavango Delta

The Okavango Delta

Now a UNESCO world heritage site, this incredible alluvial fan is packed full of wildlife in a wilderness environment that supports some of Africa’s greatest predator densities as well as the continent’s largest elephant population.


Meet with Meerkats

Meet with Meerkats

One of the best places to see these fascinating creatures. The meerkats are semi-habituated to human presence through years of research teams getting close, so you’ll get closer than you might think to the cheeky creatures!


Sleep under the Stars

Sleep under the Stars

Take a quad bike deep into the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest in the world. You'll have dinner around a fire pit before for a night sleeping out under the stars. A truly unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience.


"Having the meerkats using me as a human guard tower was arguably one of the most unique experiences I’ve ever had." 

Elliott C - Guest

TRIP OVERVIEW

YOUR EXPERIENCE

This is a curated journey of distinction, taking in Botswana’s stunning diversity, crossing the northern part of the country, from the awe-inspiring Salt Pans to the breathtaking Okavango Delta. Starting the pans where you will quad bike out until the horizon appears as one flat line and you sleep out under the stars, waking to a massive sun breaking the day wide open before heading to hang out with a group of habituated meerkats, and visiting a local cattle post to discover how the locals eke out an existence in this harsh land. From here it is on to a change of habitat to spend 4 nights in the Okavango Delta where you will be staying in a luxurious mobile camp with all mod-cons for your convenience. Early morning game and late afternoon game drives bookend your days in this stunning wilderness. Falling asleep to the night sounds and waking to plan the day based upon where the wildlife has been indicating its presence. All against the backdrop of a super-glamping experience with meals prepared 3 times daily by our local chef, using the freshest ingredients, complemented by a full bar selection. Stories around the campfire, tracking wildlife, stimulating all 5 senses, and getting right under the skin of the country is the theme that permeates this special itinerary in this incredible country.


YOUR EXPERTS

James

James

The Brains Behind the Operation - Meet James

NEED TO KNOW

DESTINATION Botswana
DURATION 7 nights
GROUP SIZE 10 people
ASSISTANCE Hands on
AIRPORT(S) Maun
FLIGHTS For more information on flights from the UK please refer to the Trip Details section.
VISA UK, EU & US not required
VACCINATIONS No

TRIP ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive in Maun

Arrive in Maun. Transfer to the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Check in to your Bakalanga thatched hut accommodation with en suite facilities at Planet Baobab.



INCLUDED

  • Airport Pick-up and transfer
  • Accommodation: DBB on a sharing basis
Day 2 Travel to Makgadikgadi Pans

A morning drive out to the edge of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, including a visit to a traditional Tswana cattle post, followed by a packed lunch and an afternoon’s quad bike expedition into the middle of the Pans for an overnight sleep-out under the stars.



INCLUDED

  • Packed lunch
  • Visit to a traditional cattle post
  • Quad-bike expedition (2 people per bike)
  • Accommodation: DBB on the pans
Day 3 Meerkat Excursion

After waking up with the fresh air and early morning sunshine, you take the quad bikes back to where the salt pans meet the grasslands, and so begin the search for the local group of habituated meerkats. After spending a couple of hours hanging with these very cool customers, it’s an hour’s drive back to Planet Baobab for an afternoon hanging out surrounded by Baobab trees next to Africa’s coolest swimming pool.



INCLUDED

  • Meerkat interaction
  • Transfer to Planet Baobab
  • Lunch
  • Accommodation: DBB on a sharing basis
Day 4 Travel to the Okavango Delta

After breakfast at Planet Baobab, it is a 2-hour journey back to Maun for a brief stop for lunch at one of the great eateries in town, followed by a 4-hour drive into the heart of the Okavango Delta. As the town turns to villages, and then cattle posts, and the last signs of human habitation end, the game-viewing begins. The second half of the drive into the delta is set against seeing the first wildlife of this UNESCO world heritage site. After arriving in camp around sunset, you’ll be settled into your glamping tents with en suite bathrooms including flush loos, followed by a delicious dinner out under the stars.



INCLUDED

  • Transfer from Planet Baobab to Golden Africa tented camp
  • Lunch in Maun
  • Accommodation: Full board
  • All game-viewing activities by open-sided game-viewing vehicle
  • Services of a private guide
Days 5 – 7 Game drives in the Okavango Delta

All three full days follow the same pattern. You will be woken an hour before sunrise for a full continental breakfast, followed by a morning’s game drive return to camp by 11am for a wholesome buffet brunch. After an afternoon of your own leisure time in camp, it’s high tea at 4pm followed by an afternoon game drive culminating in the traditional African sundowner with a beautiful view, followed by a short drive back into camp for drinks around the open fireplace before a wholesome three course dinner.



INCLUDED

  • Accommodation: Full board
  • Twice daily game-viewing activities by open-sided game-viewing vehicle
  • Services of a private guide
Day 8 Return to Maun

This morning, it is a 4-hour return drive to Maun after the same early morning wake up and breakfast. You will arrive in Maun in time for your international departure flight back home.


TRIP ACCOMMODATION

A selection of our accommodation, which is subject to availability, however alternatives are always of a similar price, grade and location.

Luxury Tented Camp

Luxury Tented Camp
Botswana

All 4 nights will be in a double or twin shared tented accommodation and an en suite bathroom comprising a flush loo, shower, mirror and basin. The shower will be refilled on request and the loo emptied regularly.


Planet Baobab

Planet Baobab
Botswana

You'll spend two nights in a traditional thatched Bakalanga hut with an en suite bathroom. Surrounded by huge Baobab trees and a lovely big swimming pool allowing you to relax when not on an adventure.


Makgadikgadi Pans

Makgadikgadi Pans
Botswana

You'll quad bike out into the middle of the remote, flat wilderness of the pans. Where your comfortable open-air bedrolls with be set out for you to sleep under the stars in the middle of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.


TRIP LOCATION

WHERE YOU'RE GOING

One of Africa’s most exclusive safari destinations, Botswana is a paradise for stunning scenery and wildlife. It is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world: the low population and vast areas of protected wilderness provide a haven for wildlife and offers a more exclusive and remote safari. It's home to the richly populated waterways of the Okavango Delta, arguably one of Africa’s ultimate destinations, and now a World Heritage Site where game found here includes, and is in no way limited to: lion, leopard, cheetah, wild dog, elephant, rhino, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest, caracal, serval, spotted hyena, aardwolf, civet, roan, sable, kudu, sitatunga, and jackal, to name but a few. As well as the Makgadikgadi Pans, a desolate yet awe-inspiring area of nothingness and everything. The harsh environment of the pans changes from wet to dry season, and although only accessible by helicopter during the wet season, the dry season brings the opportunity to explore the pans in their full beauty. Wildlife that can be seen here includes the reclusive brown hyena, the fascinating meerkat, and the occasional cheetah. The Makgadikgadi pans can be explored by vehicle, on foot, or by quad bike, the latter being one of the best ways to investigate. There is also the opportunity to sleep out in the pans, where one can see one of the only places on earth where the stars meet the horizon. This area is best explored between June and October.


DID YOU KNOW
  • Botswana is roughly the size of France or Texas and has protected over 40% of this vast area for wildlife management areas (WMAs). 

  • The Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta system.

  • The translation of Makgadikgadi is “the land of great thirst”

  • Meerkats are a member of the mongoose family. Their name comesfrom the Afrikaans “meer kat as hond” which translates to “more cat than dog”.

  • The Makgadikgadi play host to the largest mammal migration in southern Africa,where two subspecies of plains zebra follow the grasses and rain as the seasons change.

FAST FACTS

CAPITAL Gaborone
POPULATION 2.35 million
CURRENCY Botswana pula
TIME DIFFERENCE UTC+02:00

"If the dates listed don't quite work then please do get in contact as we can often be flexible subject to availability”


James - Untravelled Paths

TRIP TIPS

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Binoculars and a Camera

Given that you’ll be doing much looking for wildlife, it’s good to have a pair of binoculars for searching and observing from afar, and a good camera for capturing those magic moments.


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Enjoy the Siestas

As you are awoken before sunrise most mornings, it is important to take your downtime when you can. The afternoons are a great period to relax to ensure you are well-rested for time out exploring.


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Ask Questions

Throughout your incredible journey, you are being led by a vastly experienced professional guide with years of experience exploring the habitats you are visiting.


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Extend your Trip

With so many places to visit in Southern Africa, you may wish to extend your trip allowing you to visit the likes of Victoria Falls, Cape Town or Namibia. Just let us know and we're happy to organise.


TRIP DETAILS

WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • ALL TRANSFERS
  • ALL ACCOMMODATION
    • Full board throughout
    • Drinks at the Tented Camp
    • Laundry at the Tented Camp
  • ACTIVITIES
    • Game Drives
    • Meerkat Excursion
    • Quad Biking
    • Emergency evacuation insurance
  • THE SERVICES OF A BI-LINGUAL GUIDE
  • UNTRAVELLED PATHS EXPERIENCE EBOOKLET
GETTING THERE

London Heathrow (LHR) to Maun (MUB) via Johannesburg (JNB) or Cape Town (CPT).

We suggest that you fly overnight to Johannesburg with Virgin or British Airways, then connect to Maun with SA Airlink.

FURTHER INFORMATION

INSURANCE

In order to be fully covered on your trip should anything happen, we suggest getting an insurance before you travel. We recommend True Traveller, designed especially for adventure travel, who will be able to tailor an insurance package based on your needs. You can find out more here.

SOLO TRAVELLERS

Our prices are based on people sharing, for solo travellers who would prefer a private room the price per person will include a solo occupancy fee.

EXTRA NIGHTS

If you wish we can also organise extra nights at either end of your trip for you.

HOW IT WORKS

Book your trip in a few easy steps.

1

ENQUIRE ONLINE

Once you’ve chosen the dates you’d like to travel on using our availability calendar all you need to do is head over to the booking page and fill in the enquiry form. 

2

BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS

We will get back to you answering any questions you might have and confirming availability. If all is good, we can hold the places for you for 48 hours while you book your flights. Please note that this stage does not represent a guarantee of the booking. 

3

BOOKING FORM

Once you have made your necessary arrangements, we will send you a booking form you will need to fill in with your details and any other relevant information.

4

PAY FOR YOUR TRIP

As you fill in the booking form, you will also be asked to make the payment through a secure link; if you are travelling in less than 8 weeks, the payment will be paid in full, otherwise only a 35% deposit will be taken.

5

FINAL CONFIRMATION

Shortly after you pay, you will receive a confirmation invoice, followed by a personalised itinerary and digital booklet. All you need to do now is write the dates in your diary, prepare your packing list and look forward to your next adventure!

6

NOTES

Please note deposit is non-refundable. The balance will only be refundable if you cancel with more than 8 weeks in advance. More information about the cancellation policy can be found in our Terms & Conditions. We highly suggest getting insurance before you travel to avoid any problems. Our personal recommendation is using True Traveller.

FAQs

Where is Botswana?

Botswana is a landlocked country at the bottom of the African continent. It is bordered to the South by South Africa, to the West by Namibia, to the East by Zimbabwe and to the North by Zambia.


Why safari in Botswana rather than other safari destinations?

Botswana is widely regarded throughout the travel world for being the most exclusive, high-end country in Africa for going on safari. Not only this, but it is packed full of wildlife, and thanks to the government policy of low-volume high-cost tourism, the sense of space and freedom that can be achieved on safari here is second to none. No other African country can boast the same level of protection with 42% of the land being set aside for natural wilderness areas. Given that Botswana is the same size as France, that’s the equivalent land mass of the entire United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland designated as protected wildlife areas. It is because of this extensive rangeland, which is set aside for wilderness and wildlife, that Botswana can boast the largest population of elephants anywhere in the world and among the highest densities of predators such as lion, leopards, cheetah and wild dogs. All of this helps to explain why the safari experience to be had in Botswana is the best in the continent.


How do I know I’m safe from the wildlife in my accommodation or in the vehicles?

Firstly, when we say goodnight to you after dinner and you are taken to your room/tent/cabin (depending on where you are staying that night) you will have everything you need there for you: a comfortable bed, a bathroom, drinking water, lighting and a door. Secondly, the vehicles and accommodation are seen by the African wildlife as just another solid object in their landscape, like a tree or an oversized termite mound. As vehicles and accommodations are not associated with food or territory and are not a threat to the wildlife, they are not interested in what’s inside. This means that you can enjoy your game drives in the bush, and you can peacefully drift away at night time to the sounds of the wilderness, remembering at all times, that you are under our experienced protection in the environment we call home.


What about dietary requirements; what will I eat?

As very experienced safari operators welcoming guests from all over the world for the best part of two decades, we are very well versed in catering to different dietary requirements. We can cater to everything from dietary preferences, intolerances and allergies. All that you need to do is make sure to inform us well in advance to ensure that we can source any specialist ingredients that may be required to take care of you. 


I’ve got quite a few items which need regular charging, is this possible?

Yes, it is. In every game-viewing vehicle we have both 220V AC for charging items that you would plug in the wall socket at home, as well as multiple 12V DC USB plugs for charging phones and smaller items.


What will I need to pay for when I am on safari?

Most things are fully inclusive. That means that from the point of arrival through to departure, all your transfers, accommodations, meals, activities as described, professional guides, park entry fees and taxes are all included. We put together journeys like this so that you can focus on the most important thing, which is enjoying your safari.