Botswana Lodge Safari Holiday
Botswana Lodge to Lodge Safari Holiday
Embark on a journey through the stunning landscapes of Botswana, concluding with the breathtaking Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
This 10-night lodge-to-lodge safari is designed not just as an adventure but as a deeply enriching experience that invites you to connect with the beauty of nature and wildlife in a comfortable setting.
Starting in the serene Kalahari region, you'll traverse diverse ecosystems that tell stories of resilience and wonder. Imagine discovering the unique charms of Deception Valley and the lush wetlands of Moremi Game Reserve; each day filled with opportunities to learn and grow. Your local guide will be there every step of the way, personalizing your experience to ensure you feel a genuine connection to Botswana's remarkable wildlife and communities.
As you venture into Chobe National Park, prepare to be captivated by the presence of majestic elephants and the serene sunsets over the river. These moments promise excitement and a sense of peace and gratitude for the natural world around you. And finally, as you stand before the iconic Victoria Falls, you will feel the overwhelming power and beauty that nature offers.
With welcoming lodges, cosy camps, and charming guest houses to return to after each day's exploration, this safari is more than an adventure; it's an opportunity to immerse yourself in the world's wonders and create lasting memories that resonate deeply within your heart.
Days 1 & 2 – Deception Valley
Your safari adventure starts in Maun, where your guide will greet you at the airport. Take the scenic 4-hour drive (about 160km) to Deception Valley Private Reserve. This reserve sits on the northern edge of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, offering a comfortable camp as your home base for the next two days. Then, get ready to immerse yourself in the wonders of the Kalahari. You will explore the area for the next two days, enjoying game drives and participating in a nature walk led by a local San tracker. They will share their intricate bush knowledge and give you an insight into their unique and intriguing culture. The game drives will allow you to discover this stunning area, home to various desert-specialised wildlife, such as oryx and predators, including lions, hyenas and cheetahs. Take in the vastness of the open spaces, the dazzling night sky, and the uninterrupted beauty surrounding you. This is Botswana at its finest!
Overnights at The Dune Camp or similar (Day 2 – BLD)
Day 3 – Makgadikgadi
You will wake up as the sun rises and take a short game drive before heading to the Makgadikgadi area. Here, you spend one night at a camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi National Park, overlooking the Boteti River in Khumaga village. When you arrive for lunch at the camp, you will have time for a short siesta, and then you can enjoy a game drive along the Boteti River in the late afternoon.
Overnight at the Boteti River Camp or similar (BLD)
Days 4,5 & 6 – Khwai & Moremi Game Reserve
After breakfast, you will make your way west, and we will stop over in Maun, where you will enjoy lunch (at your own expense) at a local restaurant. Your adventure then proceeds to Khwai. Your drive will take you through beautiful wildlife areas and game viewing as you go. You can take a helicopter transfer that afternoon to Khwai (45 minutes, rate TBA by your guide – to be booked during the safari, payment in USD). Your journey is to the Khwai River area, on the border of the Moremi Game Reserve, one of the best wilderness areas in Botswana.
Here, the next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives will explore the region surrounding the Khwai River (northeast Moremi / Khwai Concession), and you will also have an opportunity to do a mokoro trip (dug-out canoe) on a tributary of the Khwai River. Your mokoro poler/guide will share the hidden secrets of this water system with you.
Accommodation is at Khwai Guesthouse in Khwai Village. (Day 1 - BD, Day 2 & 3 - BLD)
Days 7 & 8 - Chobe National Park
The safari then continues by heading north towards a rustic camp at the edge of Chobe National Park. Here, you will stay for 2 nights to explore the park's northern reaches. The day will be a full day of activity as we will do a full-day game drive through the Savuti area of the Chobe National Park towards the Chobe flood plains. You will have your picnic lunch break en route and arrive late afternoon at your lodge. Time is spent in northern Chobe, a park incredibly rich in game due to the Chobe River, which provides water all year round. Large herds of elephants and buffalo are frequently seen. Due to this area's high density of herbivores, many predators, such as lions and leopards, can be found. While staying, you will go on game drives and a boat cruise within the Chobe National Park.
Overnights at Chobe Elephant Camp (BLD)
Day 9 – Travel to Victoria Falls
Today, the journey takes you to Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, where you will spend two nights at a comfortable lodge. Your guide will take you to the Kazungula border, where you will meet the transfer vehicle for your lodge (Visa required). The lodge team will assist you with arranging activities you can enjoy during your stay (at your own expense). Spend the afternoon at leisure, visiting the majestic falls or shopping for curios. Dinner is at your own expense.
Overnight at Pioneers or similar (B)
Day 10 - Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe
The lodge has an activities desk where you can make bookings for the day to explore Vic Falls town. Activities include white water rafting down the Zambezi Gorge, canoeing on the upper Zambezi and helicopter flights over the falls. Please ask the lodge reception for further details if not pre-booked. (B)
Overnight at Pioneers or similar (B)
Day 11 – End of safari
Your safari ends today when you check out of the hotel. Transfers to the airport are not included, but we can add these in if required or arrange transport and other excursions. Contact us for details.
Get in touch with Our Local Tour to book the Botswana Lodge Safari
Price
Low Season - £3245 per person based on two people travelling and sharing
High Season - £3545 per person based on two people travelling and sharing
Single supplement - £655
Departure Dates 2025
27 Mar - 06 Apr Low
09 May - 19 May Low
18 May - 28 May Low*
10 Jun - 20 Jun Low*
01 Jul - 11 Jul High
07 Jul - 17 Jul High*
30 Jul - 09 Aug High
05 Aug - 15 Aug High*
25 Aug - 04 Sep High
04 Sep - 14 Sep High*
27 Sep - 07 Oct High
07 Oct - 17 Oct High*
01-Nov - 11-Nov Low
11-Nov - 21-Nov Low*
20-Dec - 30-Dec Low*
Dates marked with a * operate in reverse, starting in Victoria Falls.
Please note that dates, schedules and itinerary are subject to change. Please contact us for more information.
Included in the Botswana Lodge Safari
- All accommodation (rooms in comfortable guest houses and lodges),
- Transfers and activities as per the safari itinerary
- Meals that are indicated (B – breakfast, L – lunch, D – dinner) as per the itinerary
- Drinking water
- Services of a Professional Guide and park fees for activities included on the itinerary
- All Botswana park entry fees for activities included in the itinerary
- Transport in specialised safari vehicles
Not included in the Botswana Lodge Safari
- International flights to start and end point of the tour - contact us for information and flight options
- Any airport taxes
- Travel Insurance
- Visa requirements
- Transfer at the end of the tour
- Optional excursions: scenic flight over the Delta and activities in Victoria Falls/Maun, entry into the Falls.
- Items of a personal nature
- Tips for guide and driver
- Beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water)
Government Travel Safety Advice
We strongly recommend that you check your government's travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs. For UK citizens, check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office advice. Please refer to the COVID-19 entry requirements page for any country-specific conditions of entry.
Luggage
- One large kit bag (preferably a rucksack or a bag with soft sides) Please do not bring hard suitcases as they are very difficult to pack in the trailers and can pose a problem for any light aircraft flights you may take as part of your safari. Semi-hard suitcases should be avoided as well.
- One item of hand luggage (e.g. a small backpack) – there will be room for this at your feet
- Main luggage: max weight = 18kg, max. size = 700mm x 350mm x 350mm
- Remember that on safari you need far less clothes than you think so bear this in mind when packing
Personal Equipment
- Torch with spare batteries and bulbs – a head torch is a good idea
- Hat/cap
- Scarf and gloves (especially for winter months – note that if you also have gardening or working gloves, they can be convenient to set up & pack your tent)
- Warm jacket/fleece/jumper – windproof in winter months (May - Sept), waterproof in summer months (Nov - Mar)
- Swimming costume
- Towel
- Natural clothing (i.e. no bright colours and no white), t-shirts, shorts, a pair of light weight long trousers and a lightweight long sleeve shirt (long sleeves are extremely useful for sun protection during the day and mosquito protection during the evening) Please note that camouflage printed clothing is fine for the bush but please do not to wear in towns or when crossing borders.
- Comfortable walking shoes and flip flops/sandals
- Camera equipment, binoculars, lots of spare film, batteries and spare memory cards for digital cameras are essential as the opportunity to download photos is limited.
- Adaptors for cables, chargers, USB, etc.: note that we recommend you label them to avoid confusion on the vehicle charging station
- Water bottle and a small day pack for walks
- Personal toiletries and medications in small bag, not a vanity case including;
Sunscreen
Malaria prophylaxis - Botswana is considered a malaria area and preventative medications should be taken
Mosquito repellents/lotion/spray
Water proof/zip lock bags for storing personal items to keep dust free and/or dry.
Personal First Aid Kit. Please note: A First Aid Kit will be present throughout the safari but personal medicines must be brought for the duration of the safari.
Safety
Botswana is considered a safe destination. It is economically and politically stable. Listen to your guide. He will brief you regarding your safety in the Bush and towns. As you will be spending only a short time in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe you should not encounter many of the problems that affect the rest of the country.
Do not have your valuables on display when visiting the Falls and markets
Currency
Depending on your safari, these are the expenses you may be required to cover:
You will have to pay for your own beverages, to be bought at the shops in town (prior to or during your safari depending on your chosen itinerary). Shops in Kasane and Maun will accept either Botswana Pula in cash or debit/credit cards (Visa or Mastercard recommended).
Scenic flights can be an optional activity pre or post safari or during your safari. To be paid in cash in EUR to our partner once you are in Maun.
If you are staying at a lodge, drinks and lunch/dinner are not included. If your safari ends in Victoria Falls, you will have the option to see Victoria Falls. It is advisable to pay cash in USD (US Dollar).
If you are wanting to change money in Botswana, banks & currency exchange bureaus do not accept notes that are damaged/defaced in anyway such as by ink or pen. Older notes may not be accepted (pre 2006). If paying for sleeping bags, mattresses or an activity in cash, the same applies.
There are ATM machines in major towns (Maun, Kasane and Vic Falls) although they are not guaranteed
to be working.
Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercards are the most widely used. Amex and Diners are rarely accepted.
USD is now the only currency used in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, other than Zimbabwe bonds.
If you withdraw excess Botswana Pula it can be changed at a good rate in Victoria Falls due to Botswana’s
proximity. However, once you are out of this area, exchange rates will not be in your favour, and Pula may
not be accepted for exchange.
Tipping
Tipping is a generally accepted form of “thanks” throughout the world. It is not compulsory to tip but highly appreciated by all levels of staff. Our local team believe that tipping is a personal decision and should reflect the level of service you have received throughout your safari. Therefore we don’t think it is our place to suggest any particular amount. In Botswana it is appreciated if you tip in the local currency although foreign currencies are also accepted.
In Zimbabwe and Zambia it is recommended that you tip in foreign currencies
As an idea of who you may want to tip, we have listed the following
• Professional Guide, Camp Assistant & Translator
• Mokoro Polers/local guides in the Okavango Delta
• Boat driver on a Chobe River Cruise
• Porters/bar staff/waitresses at any lodges
• Pilot during the optional scenic flight
Shopping
For curios and crafts the best value shopping is in the Victoria Falls area. There are also a good variety of shops in Botswana towns which sell local Botswana crafts such as basketry, ask your guide about it, they will be happy to show you. As space is limited on safari, we encourage shopping at the end of the safari in Victoria Falls.
Safari Drinks
Vehicles are equipped with a water filtration system to provide safe and clean drinking water throughout the safari. Bring a bottle to refill as and when you please. Please note that our safari teams do not sell drinks during the safari and drinks can only be bought in town prior to and/or during the safari. At all hotel/lodge accommodation drinks are on a cash bar basis.
Please find below the approximate prices for drinks in Botswana (note these are subject to change)
o Water 5l = Pula 20 - 25
o Water 1l = Pula 7 - 10
o 6 cans of beer = Pula 70 - 80
o 6 cans of Coke/Fanta/etc = Pula 50
o 2 litres Red wine (box) = Pula 115
o 5 litres Red wine (box) = Pula 215
o 2 litres White wine (box) = Pula 115
o 5 litres White wine (box)= Pula 215
o 1 litre Fruit juice = Pula 25
o 330ml Fruit Juice = Pula 17
o 6 cans of Tonic Water/Dry Lemon/Lemonade = Pula 50
Food
You will enjoy a wide variety of meals during your safari and we attempt to include an ‘African’ flavour in our safari menus. All meals are cooked on an open fire.
It is possible to cater for specific dietary requirements, provided we are notified when making your booking. Please note that specialist gluten free/vegan foods are not always available in Botswana. Therefore, if you require any specialist food please bring it on safari with you. All food is pre-ordered and supplied from either the Maun or Kasane base which means there is good consistency of quality as well as minimising any time wasted if your guide had to visit the supermarket. It is important to advise us if you are vegetarian, or have any allergies or intolerances prior to coming on safari so we can plan for and accommodate your dietary requirements.
