Wild Botswana Safari: Small Group

Arriving in Maun make your way to the Drifters Maun Lodge to meet up with the rest of the group.

The Drifters Maun Lodge offers wonderful views over the wide Boteti River – the bird watching is exceptional. Fall asleep tonight to the deep grunts of hippo

After an early start, we leave the lodge and head to Maun in time to catch your flight into the Okavango Delta.

The Okavango River, emanating from central Angola, far to the northwest, flows south- and eastwards, before slowing and spreading into one of the world’s only true inland deltas creating as it does so, a unique ecosystem that supports a huge variety of animal and plant life. The sight of a Jacana striding delicately amongst the flowering lilies, the Bee Eater diving to prey on an unsuspecting insect, and, of course, the familiar cry of the African Fish Eagle - all combine to create the canvas of one of nature’s unique masterpieces. The river, eventually spilling its contents into the vast plains of the Makgadikgadi sands.

Our comfortable and well- appointed camp on the edge of one of the largest lagoons serves as a base from which we explore. We will glide through narrow, reed-lined channels by mokoro, walk on uninhabited islands, and picnic in the wilderness while learning about the animals and plants of the Delta from local guides who have grown up in the area.

Through informal interaction with the guides, we will have the opportunity to learn about the local people and their way of life in this isolated wilderness. We will also have time to simply relax and enjoy the views over a glistening lagoon from a beautiful wooden deck, cold drink in hand, go for a walk with our guide, or take a refreshing dip in the pool. One afternoon we enjoy a relaxing sunset cruise on a boat.

Starting early, we transfer back to the airstrip to catch a second flight over the vast expanse of the Delta and Moremi National park, to the Khwai airstrip. Be sure to take in the breath- taking sights of the vast expanse of the Delta, and also keep an eye out for the wildlife that inhabits it.

Whilst in the air our support vehicle will have gone ahead with your luggage and all the camp equipment, On landing you will be met by the Drifters ground crew and transported in open vehicle game viewers to our campsite on the banks of the Khwai river, where the support staff have erected our tents. This wild experience is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the tour.

For the next 4 days, we game-drive extensively during the day to stop at hides and water holes at leisure, and to make the most of our time here. We travel in well-equipped, open 4x4 Land Cruisers, with our local Motswana guides, exploring the Khwai concession and the famous reserves of Moremi and Savuti. Our route is flexible and depends on the season.

The vegetation is constantly changing - from open plains with palm trees, to marshland, to dense Mopane woodlands or Acacia scrub. This variety of habitats makes for excellent game viewing. The 4x4s aren’t just for show, as the national parks are truly wild places, the roads are just tracks in the sand. We carry only our cameras and day packs, a picnic lunch and drinks for the road.

Towards sunset we arrive back at our camp in the bush, where the ground staff have lit a warm fire to welcome us. After a hearty meal it is time to retire., Drifting off to sleep to the howl of the distant hyena or the earthy roar of a lion and even the deep grunt of a half-submerged hippo. We use an exclusive campsite on the banks of the Khwai river, completely secluded and undeveloped – it is as if we are the first people here, and are alone in the world. We bring everything we will need with us, and leave nothing behind when we depart.

Our backup crew remains with us throughout, so we can concentrate on the wilderness.
Depending on the ever-changing conditions in the National Parks we might also venture into the vast Central Kalahari Game Reserve or the unique Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Our last morning in the parks, we slowly game drive our way back to Maun. We enjoy an own expense lunch, and have some time to explore the town. We will spend time stocking up on basic supplies, before travelling the short distance out of town to the Drifters Maun Tented Lodge, our stop for the night.

The lodge is situated on the banks of the Boteti River. This river is known to change its flow direction, depending upon the season and rainfall patterns. The lodge offers comfortable, tented en-suite accommodation, a swimming pool, bar, restaurant and birdlife.

This afternoon we relax at the lodge before enjoying a catered meal and a comfortable night.

Your tour ends after breakfast.