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A Week in the Wild Heart of Africa

From the Okavango Delta to the Kalahari

Trip Overview

This itinerary immerses you in Botswana's legendary landscapes and wildlife. Begin in Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, for a impressive mokoro excursion into the pristine waterways. Journey to the Moremi Game Reserve for some of Africa's finest game viewing, then experience the stark beauty of the Makgadikgadi Pans. The pace is moderate, balancing thrilling safari drives with moments of serene tranquility. Highlights include up-close encounters with the Big Five, gliding past elephants in a traditional canoe, and witnessing a vast, star-filled sky over the ancient salt pans. The journey connects you deeply with nature's rhythms.

Pace
Moderate
Daily Budget
$400-600 per day (mid-range safari lodges)
Best Seasons
May to October (dry season for optimal wildlife viewing)
Ideal For
Wildlife ensoiasts, Adventure travelers, Photography lovers, First-time safari-goers

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1

Arrival & Delta Gateway

Maun
Arrive in Botswana's safari capital, Maun. Acclimate with a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta and a visit to a local community.
Morning
Arrival and Transfer to Lodge
Arrive at Maun International Airport (MUB). Your pre-booked lodge transfer will meet you. Settle into your riverside accommodation on the Thamalakane River, enjoying your first views of the Delta's fringes.
2-3 hours $0 (included in lodge package)
Ensure your lodge knows your flight details for a smooth pickup.
Lunch
The Old Bridge Backpackers
Grills, Burgers, Salads Mid-range
Afternoon
Scenic Delta Flight & Nhabe Museum
Take a 45-60 minute scenic flight over the Okavango Delta for a impressive aerial perspective of its winding channels and islands. Later, visit the Nhabe Museum to learn about the region's art, history, and cultures.
3-4 hours $150-200 for flight
Book the scenic flight in advance with operators like Mack Air or Moremi Air.
Evening
Sundowner Cruise
Enjoy a sunset boat cruise on the Thamalakane River with drinks, spotting birds and hippos.

Where to Stay Tonight

Maun (Thamalakane Riverfront) (Cresta Riley's Hotel or similar)

Convenient location for activities, with easy access to the airport and town.

Exchange currency (Pula) in Maun town; ATMs are available but having some cash for tips and small purchases is wise.
Day 1 Budget: $450
2

Into the Watery Wilderness

Okavango Delta (Panhandle or Inner Delta)
Travel into the heart of the Delta for a classic mokoro (dugout canoe) experience and a guided nature walk.
Morning
Transfer to Delta Camp & Mokoro Excursion
After an early breakfast, transfer by road and boat to your Delta camp. In the late morning, start a serene mokoro trip. Glide silently through narrow papyrus-lined channels with your poler guide, looking for frogs, birds, and aquatic life.
2-3 hours $0 (included in camp package)
This is a full-board, all-inclusive camp stay; book well ahead for peak season.
Lunch
At your Delta camp
Buffet-style international and local dishes Upscale (included)
Afternoon
Guided Walking Safari
After lunch and rest, head out on a guided walking safari on one of the Delta's islands. Experience the bush on foot, learning about tracking, smaller flora and fauna, and safety in the wild from your armed guide.
2-3 hours $0 (included)
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Evening
Campfire Stories
Enjoy a delicious dinner under the stars at camp, followed by stories and stargazing around the campfire.

Where to Stay Tonight

Okavango Delta (e.g., Xaxaba or Gunn's Camp area) (Tented Safari Camp (e.g., Gunn's Camp))

To fully immerse in the Delta's unique ecosystem with water-based activities right at your doorstep.

Pack a small, waterproof bag for your mokoro trip to protect cameras and phones from splashes.
Day 2 Budget: $550
3

Delta's Wildlife Spectacle

Moremi Game Reserve
Transfer to the world-well-known Moremi Game Reserve for intensive game viewing in one of Africa's richest wildlife areas.
Morning
Transfer to Moremi & Morning Game Drive
Depart your Delta camp by boat/4x4 for the journey to Moremi Game Reserve. Check into your new lodge and immediately head out on your first game drive in this diverse reserve, known for predators and large herds.
4-5 hours $0 (included)
Lodges inside Moremi (like Camp Moremi) offer prime access but book a year ahead.
Lunch
At your Moremi lodge
Lodge buffet Upscale (included)
Afternoon
Afternoon Game Drive
Venture out again as the heat of the day subsides. Explore different areas of the reserve, such as the Xakanaxa Lediba or the Mboma Island, searching for lions, leopards, wild dogs, and the abundant elephant population.
3-4 hours $0 (included)
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Evening
Night Sounds & Dinner
Listen for the sounds of the bush from your tent's deck before a communal dinner at the lodge.

Where to Stay Tonight

Moremi Game Reserve (Xakanaxa or Khwai area) (Safari Lodge (e.g., Camp Xakanaxa))

Being inside the reserve allows for early starts and late finishes on game drives, maximizing wildlife viewing.

The Khwai Community Area adjacent to Moremi often has excellent wild dog sightings; ask your guide about exploring there.
Day 3 Budget: $600
4

Full Day in Moremi

Moremi Game Reserve
Dedicate a full day to exploring the varied habitats of Moremi, from floodplains to mopane woodlands.
Morning
Sunrise Game Drive to Black Pools
Set out at dawn with a packed breakfast. Head to famous spots like the Black Pools area, where predators often come to drink. The early light is perfect for photography, and animal activity is at its peak.
4-5 hours $0 (included)
Request a packed breakfast from your lodge the night before.
Lunch
Bush Picnic
Packed lodge lunch Upscale (included)
Afternoon
Boat Safari (if in Xakanaxa)
If your lodge is in the Xakanaxa region, take a boat safari on the lagoons and channels. This has a different perspective, focusing on hippos, crocodiles, water birds, and elephants crossing or swimming.
2-3 hours $0 (included)
Water levels permitting; confirm with your lodge upon booking.
Evening
Sundowner & Night Drive
Enjoy sundowner drinks at a scenic spot, then use spotlights on the drive back to camp to look for nocturnal creatures like genets, bushbabies, and hunting predators.

Where to Stay Tonight

Moremi Game Reserve (Safari Lodge)

Continuity allows for deeper exploration of the reserve's different sectors.

Carry a pair of binoculars—they are essential for spotting birds in the treetops and animals in the distance.
Day 4 Budget: $600
5

Journey to the Ancient Pans

Makgadikgadi Pans
Travel east to the otherworldly landscape of the Makgadikgadi, a vast network of salt pans, for a dramatic change of scenery.
Morning
Scenic Transfer to Makgadikgadi
After a final morning game drive or leisurely breakfast, transfer out of Moremi. This is a long but scenic drive (approx 5-6 hours) through changing landscapes, arriving at the edge of the great pans in the afternoon.
6-7 hours $0 (included in lodge transfer)
This transfer is typically arranged by your next lodge; ensure logistics are confirmed.
Lunch
Packed lunch en route
Lodge picnic Upscale (included)
Afternoon
Quad Bike Excursion to the Pans
After settling in, start a guided quad bike (ATV) trip onto the surface of the pans. Experience the surreal, endless horizon and learn about the geology and history of this ancient lakebed.
2 hours $80-100
Book this activity directly with your lodge upon arrival.
Evening
Sunset on the Pans
Stay out on the pans for a spectacular, uninterrupted sunset before returning to camp for dinner.

Where to Stay Tonight

Makgadikgadi Pans (Nxai Pan or Kubu Island area) (Lodge or Tented Camp (e.g., Planet Baobab or San Camp))

Provides unique access to the pans and specialized activities like quad biking and meerkat encounters.

The pans are coldest at night from June-August. Pack a warm fleece and beanie for evening activities.
Day 5 Budget: $550
6

Meerkats & Baobabs

Makgadikgadi Pans
Meet habituated meerkats, explore a baobab island, and experience the profound silence of the pans.
Morning
Meerkat Manor Visit
Rise early to visit a colony of habituated meerkats. Watch as they emerge from their burrows, sun themselves, and begin foraging for the day. You can sit quietly amongst them for incredible close-up encounters and photos.
2-3 hours $50-70
Essential to book this through your lodge; groups are kept small.
Lunch
At your lodge
Lodge buffet Upscale (included)
Afternoon
Visit to Kubu Island
Take a 4x4 excursion to Kubu Island, a granite rock outcrop littered with ancient baobab trees and prehistoric stone tools. It's a sacred site offering panoramic views and a deep sense of history amidst the pans.
3-4 hours $100-120
A full-day trip; requires booking with your lodge or a specialist guide.
Evening
Bush Dinner & Stargazing
Enjoy a special dinner set up in the bush. With minimal light pollution, the Milky Way is impressively clear—perfect for stargazing.

Where to Stay Tonight

Makgadikgadi Pans (Tented Safari Camp)

To maximize time for unique pan-specific activities.

Wear closed shoes and long pants for the quad biking and meerkat visit to protect from the sun and low brush.
Day 6 Budget: $500
7

Farewell & Departure

Maun / Departure
Return to Maun with time for last-minute souvenirs before your flight out of Botswana.
Morning
Final Game Drive or Lodge Relaxation
Enjoy one last sunrise activity—a short game drive or a walk to see the resident wildlife around your lodge. Have a final hearty breakfast, then begin your transfer back to Maun.
3-4 hours $0 (included)
Confirm your international flight time with the lodge to plan the transfer.
Lunch
French Connection in Maun
French-inspired cafe food, great coffee Mid-range
Afternoon
Last-Minute Shopping & Airport Transfer
Stop at the Botswana Craft or African Roots in Maun for high-quality souvenirs like baskets, textiles, and jewelry. Then, proceed to Maun International Airport for your onward flight, filled with memorable memories.
2-3 hours $20-50 for souvenirs
Leave ample time for the drive to the airport (30-45 mins from town).
Evening
Departure
Check in for your flight, reflecting on a week of incredible wildlife and landscapes.

Where to Stay Tonight

N/A (Departure) (N/A)

Trip concludes with an evening departure.

Keep some small bills (Pula) aside for last-minute purchases and airport departure tax if not included in your ticket.
Day 7 Budget: $200

Practical Information

Getting Around

This itinerary relies on pre-arranged transfers and internal flights booked as part of safari packages. Road transfers between camps are in 4x4 vehicles with guides. The long transfer from Moremi to Makgadikgadi is best done via a combination of road and a pre-booked charter flight to save time, though it increases cost. Within camps, all game drives and activities are provided.

Book Ahead

ALL safari camps and lodges must be booked 6-12 months in advance, for peak season (July-October). Book scenic flights, specific activities like mokoro trips and meerkat encounters, and internal flights at the time of lodging booking.

Packing Essentials

Neutral-colored clothing (khaki, green, beige), wide-brimmed hat, high-SPF sunscreen, binoculars, quality camera with zoom lens, reusable water bottle, warm layers for mornings/evenings, closed-toe shoes, swimsuit, universal power adapter, malaria prophylaxis.

Total Budget

$3,450 - $4,200 (excluding international flights)

Customize Your Trip

Budget Version

Stay at public campgrounds in Moremi and Makgadikgadi with a rented 4x4 and rooftop tent. Book activities like mokoro trips directly from Maun as day trips. Use combi buses for major routes between towns, but this requires significant self-driving and camping logistics.

Luxury Upgrade

Upgrade to premier luxury camps like Mombo Camp or Zarafa Camp. Include private guided vehicles, helicopter scenic flights over the Delta, and stays at Jack's Camp in Makgadikgadi for a vintage-chic experience. Opt for all-inclusive charter flights between camps.

Family-Friendly

Choose family-friendly lodges with larger tents or connecting rooms. Opt for shorter game drives and include more interactive activities like the mokoro trip and meerkat encounter, which kids love. Ensure lodges have swimming pools. Consider a slightly slower pace, perhaps skipping Makgadikgadi to spend more time in one Delta/Moremi location.

Book Activities for Your Trip

Tours, tickets, and experiences in Botswana

Continue Planning Your Trip

Things to Do

Top attractions and activities for Botswana

Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for Botswana

Getting Around

Transport options and tips for Botswana

Where to Stay

Accommodation guide for Botswana

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