Luxury Botswana Safari For First Timers

On arrival in South Africa, board a flight from OR Tambo International Airport, Johannesburg to Kasane Airport, Botswana.

On arrival you will be met by our experienced ground crew and transferred to Chobe Game Lodge, situated within the Chobe National Park.

Chobe National Park, one of the largest Parks in Botswana is situated in north-east Botswana on the banks of the Chobe River. The Park is biologically diverse and boasts with the highest concentration of elephants in the world.

On arrival, check in, relax and settle in the lodge. Lunch can be enjoyed on arrival, with your first afternoon safari activity departing after 3PM.

The Lodge

With six comfortably furnished viewing decks, a riverside boma, two bars, six different lounges and four dining locations, a comfy chair or lounger is never far away, each with a different perspective on the wilderness that surrounds the lodge. A large swimming pool provides welcome relief during hot afternoons and there is always a waiter on hand to bring you refreshments from the bar.

Each of the forty-seven rooms at the lodge is river-facing and air-conditioned, featuring overhead fans, complimentary mini bar, en-suite bathrooms and a private terrace. For those guests who demand the ultimate in exclusivity, the Lodge has four river-view suites, each with its own plunge pool and separate lounge area.

Activities & Wildlife

Chobe Game Lodge offers a choice of land or water-based activities and the most complete game experience in the Chobe National Park.

Early-morning and late-afternoon game drives are conducted by our expert guides in open-sided 4x4 vehicles. Meanwhile, riverside game viewing may be done from small and highly manoeuvrable boats, perfect for morning or sunset cruises.

Chobe's diverse wildlife roams in abundance – it is, for instance, home to the largest concentration of elephant in Africa. During the dry season these large herds, as well as vast herds of buffalo, congregate on the fertile flood plains along the Chobe River to drink, bathe and play. There are frequent sightings of lion, African wild dog, puku, red lechwe, sable, giraffe and roan antelope.

Explore the best of Chobe National Park with Chobe Game Lodge's land and water-based activities for the ultimate game experience.

Experience thrilling early-morning and late-afternoon game drives with our expert guides in open-sided 4x4 vehicles. Meanwhile, riverside game viewing may be done from small and highly manoeuvrable boats, perfect for morning or sunset cruises.

Immerse yourself in the breathtaking wildlife of Chobe, boasting the highest number of elephants in Africa. Discover the true essence of nature's beauty. During the dry season these large herds, as well as vast herds of buffalo, congregate on the fertile flood plains along the Chobe River to drink, bathe and play. There are frequent sightings of lion, African wild dog, puku, red lechwe, sable, giraffe and roan antelope.

Daily itinerary

05:00 Early morning wake-up call.
05:30 Light breakfast
06:00 Leave for morning activity, (approximately 3 – 4 hours).
09:30 Breakfast is served in the dining area.
11:00 Optional mid-morning Chobe River safari.
12:30 Lunch is served in the dining area.
Siesta time - Relax and enjoy the lodge facilities and surroundings.
15:00 Afternoon tea
15:30 Depart for afternoon activity (approximately 3 hours).
19:00 Arrive back at the lodge.
19:30 Dinner is served in the dining area.

After your last morning safari activity and breakfast, check out and enjoy a short transfer to Kasane Airport. From here you will be transferred by charter flight to Savute Safari Lodge located in the Savute Region of Chobe Nationa Park.

Savute is famous for the Savute Marsh and its predators, especially its resident lion and spotted hyena populations. The game-viewing can be exceptional, and the wide variety of activities make this an area not to be missed. Savuti's almost desert-like landscape with a scorching sun, loose, hot sand, animals escaping the heat by clumping together in the limited available shade, and elephants lining up to get to the water supply, offer a wildlife experience you won't easily forget.

On arrival, check in, relax and unwind. Lunch can be enjoyed at the lodge, after which you will enjoy your first afternoon safari activity.

The Lodge

To ensure a private and relaxing environment, Savute Safari Lodge, located on the Savute Channel, accommodates just twenty-four guests in eleven thatched chalets built of local timber. The chalets, which have been elegantly furnished in calm neutral tones to blend with the natural environment, feature expansive private decks, a combined bedroom and lounge area and en suite facilities.

Sink into one of the numerous comfortable sofas in the lounge – and library – or sip a cocktail in the stylish bar. All these facilities are situated in a beautiful two-storey thatch-and-timber main building. Savute Safari Lodge offers a shaded viewing deck, an al fresco dining area and swimming pool with spectacular pool loungers – ideal for watching the varied wildlife – including the resident Elephants – as they make their way to the Channel to drink, bathe and play.

Activities

Activities are organised around game drives throughout the Savute area in open 4x4 safari vehicles. Many trips will incorporate a visit to the Savute Marsh to give you a chance to see the historic presence of the Savute Channel at the marsh against a backdrop of teeming wildlife

Enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive in the Savute area today.

Daily itinerary:

05:30 Early morning alarm.
06:00 Simple breakfast of light foods provided in the dining space.
06:30 Commence morning plans, with an estimated duration of 3 to 4 hours.
11:30 Enjoy a mid-morning meal in the dining space.
Siesta period Relax and appreciate the amenities and natural environment of the lodge.
15:00 Have afternoon tea in the open-air seating area.
15:30 Start the afternoon activity, lasting around 3 to 4 hours.
18:30 End of the afternoon activity, returning to the lodge.
19:30 End of the day with a dinner in the dining room.

Enjoy a morning and afternoon game drive in the Savute area today.

Daily itinerary:

05:30 Next morning is the time to get up.
06:00 We're having a light meal during the day.
06:30 Time to head out for some fun stuff, which should take around 3 to 4 hours.
11:30 It's already mid-afternoon, and we're having a big meal.
15:00 PM Tea break is on the patio.
15:30 PM Depart for the afternoon event, which should take about 3 hours.
18:30 PM Arrive back at the lodge.
19:30 PM Meal is provided in the dining room.

After your last morning safari activity in Savute, and breakfast, say your final goodbyes and check out. From here you will enjoy a short transfer to the nearby airstrip.

From here you will enjoy a charter flight transfer to Camp Okavango situated in the iconic Okavango Delta.

A maze of sparkling lagoons, meandering channels and overgrown islands teeming with wildlife, Botswana’s Okavango Delta (a World Heritage site) lies like a sparkling jewel at the heart of the Kalahari Desert. Adapted for a life in and out of water, the elegant red lechwe and shy sitatunga antelope are found in this watery wilderness. Lion, cheetah, leopard and African wild dog also share the floodplains with large herds of elephant and buffalo.

Check in, relax and unwind before enjoying something to eat and drink. Later on, you will depart on your first afternoon safari activity in this watery wilderness.

The Lodge

Camp Okavango, a unique and exclusive African safari camp is situated on the remote Nxaragha Island. This hidden treasure, in the heart of the permanent Okavango Delta, assures its guests of an unparalleled year-round water wilderness experience.

Camp Okavango’s main area comprises of a network of interconnected walkways linking up two lounge areas, a dining room, library, self-service bar and curio shop. Sweeping ramps lead to the lower level deck with two open-air fire pits and comfortable seating areas to relax and take in the natural surroundings. There is a third deck with a rim flow swimming pool and thatched lounge deck for those warm summer days.

There are eleven intimate Safari suites built on individual raised wooden platforms and set beneath the thick Okavango Delta vegetation. The en-suite bathrooms have double vanities, double shower and a separate water closet (with a view). The stack away sliding doors open onto a private open-air viewing deck offering beautiful views over the Okavango Delta.

Activities

To experience the true magic of the Okavango Delta this camp offers only water-based activities, including boat cruises, mokoro excursions and bush walks.

Water-based activities are conducted by experienced professional guides who will expertly navigate guests through the many meandering, reed-lined waterways. Roam the vast expanses of water from the comfort of a modern motorboat or explore the intricacies of the Okavango Delta the quiet old-fashioned way, in the traditional mokoro (dugout canoe).

For those wanting to get a little closer to nature, guided bush walks are conducted on a number of the nearby islands, offering an opportunity to track some of the larger land-based species that inhabit this water wilderness. Birding opportunities are outstanding, and anglers may put their skill against bream and tiger fish.

Discover thrilling water activities with expert guides. Explore guided bush walks for a memorable outdoor experience.

Daily itinerary:

05:30 Early morning wake-up call.
06:00 Light continental breakfast served in the dining area.
06:30 Leave for morning activity, (approximately 3 – 4 hours).
11:30 Brunch is served at the dining area.
Siesta time Relax and enjoy the lodge facilities and surroundings.
15:00 Afternoon tea is served on the open-air patio.
15:30 Depart for afternoon activity (approximately 3 hours).
18:30 Arrive back at the lodge.
19:30 Dinner is served at the dining area.

Enjoy a range of water-based activities today with experienced and professional guides. Guided bush walks are also on offer.

Daily itinerary:

05:30 Early morning wake-up call.
06:00 Light continental breakfast served in the dining area.
06:30 Leave for morning activity, (approximately 3 – 4 hours).
11:30 Brunch is served at the dining area.
Siesta time Relax and enjoy the lodge facilities and surroundings.
15:00 Afternoon tea is served on the open-air patio.
15:30 Depart for afternoon activity (approximately 3 hours).
18:30 Arrive back at the lodge.
19:30 Dinner is served at the dining area.

After your last morning safari activity and breakfast, check out and make your way to the nearby airstrip for your charter flight transfer to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Quite an unusual, but stunning destination, the shimmering salt pans of Makgadikgadi along with the Nxai Pans are believed to be the largest in the world. Most of the time they appear as glaring, white, endless plains. However, during the rainy season they are one of the most important wetland areas in Botswana - when they transform and come alive into stunning grass-plains attracting water birds and large herds of wildlife.

Arrive at Leroo La Tau, check in and relax and enjoy something to eat and drink before departing on your first afternoon safari activity in this extraordinary location.

The Lodge

The lodge, located on the banks of the Boteti River, features twelve luxurious thatched and glass-fronted suites with en-suite bathrooms, each unit raised on a wooden platform.

The main lounge and dining area, with its inviting wooden and thatch finish, allows you to relax at the bar while listening to the wide variety of night sounds so characteristic of the African bush. Alternatively, you can lounge around the swimming pool or enjoy the panoramic river vista from the game-viewing hide built into the bank of the river.

Activities and Wildlife

The lodge offers guided game drives in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park focusing on the exceptional wildlife sightings along the Boteti River. Depending on the water level, boat activities are also provided. Optional cultural excursions can be arranged to Khumaga Village as well as day trips to Nxai pan and Baines Baobabs (three night stay only).

Leroo La Tau translates as ‘lion’s paw’ but, although the surrounding area features abundant Lion, Zebra and Wildebeest, it also boasts Chobe Bushbuck, Leopard, Cheetah, Brown and Spotted Hyena, Impala, Kudu, Jackal, Porcupine, Genet and Caracal, to name but a few.

Please note: Owing to their remote location within the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, the Makgadikgadi Pans themselves are not visited on daily scheduled activities from Leroo La Tau.

Your daily schedule here will be the same as at previous lodges.

Join us for unforgettable guided game drives in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. Experience the incredible wildlife along the Boteti River at our lodge. Depending on the water level, boat activities are also provided. Optional cultural excursions can be arranged to Khumaga Village as well as day trips to Nxai pan and Baines Baobabs (three night stay only).

Daily itinerary:

05:30 Early morning wake-up call.
06:00 Light continental breakfast served in the dining area.
06:30 Leave for morning activity, (approximately 3 – 4 hours).
11:30 Brunch is served at the dining area.
Siesta time Relax and enjoy the lodge facilities and surroundings.
15:00 Afternoon tea is served on the open-air patio.
15:30 Depart for afternoon activity (approximately 3 hours).
18:30 Arrive back at the lodge.
19:30 Dinner is served at the dining area.

Enjoy one last day on safari in Botswana in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. If you aren’t keen on joining on activities, you can enjoy a day at leisure at the lodge or in your room.

After your last morning safari and breakfast, you will be transferred to the local airstrip. From here you will fly to Maun Airport.

On arrival in Maun you will board a direct flight to Johannesburg.

You will remember this 12 Day luxury Botswana experience for years to come!