Description
Okavango and Makgadikgadi Pans
This tour will take you to the exquisite Okavango Delta and the expansive vistas of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Our adventure begins in Maun, where we will stay at the relaxed Maun Rest Camp on the Thamakalane River. You then have the chance to take a scenic flight over Botswana’s famous Okavango Delta. This is highly recommended because it offers a bird’s eye view of the incredible scenery.
The next day we head into the Moremi Game Reserve. There is exceptional game viewing here. We will spend three days camping on the banks of the Savuti Channel. Days bring safari drives and bird watching, while nights are spent stargazing and listening to the calls of the wild. We will then move to the Khwai concession. There is rich game here such as elephant, zebra and wildebeest, as well as magnificent bird life. Keep your eyes peeled for big cats lurking in the midday shadows or the hazy light of dusk!
Our next stop is Makgadikgadi Pans, with its wide open spaces, then we will head to Nxai Pans. There is a waterhole within sight of our camp, so you can enjoy excellent game viewing from your deck chair!
Read our Country Information for advice on travel to Botswana. Read our safari story on the circling Lion.
If you are looking for safari lodges in Nxai Pan or the Okavango then consider Kwando Nxai Pan and for the Okavango Delta look at Kwando Lagoon Camp.
Read more information about the Makgadikgadi Pans. If you’re looking for a desert experience then have a look at our 10 day safari to the Central Kalahari game reserve.
Getting There
Fly in
Fly in to Maun in Botswana from a variety of different locations. Airlines that fly to Maun include South African Airways and SA Airlink.
On arrival in Maun you will be met by your safari representative and assisted onto a light aircraft for your flight to the Linyanti.
For assistance with ground arrangements, get in touch with us, we’ll make sure your safari is seamless.
Full Itinerary
Day 1 – Maun
On your arrival at Maun International Airport, Pierre will meet you off your aircraft and drive you the short distance to Maun Rest Camp set on the banks of the Thamalakane River. Here you can relax in the shade of a Real Fan palm tree while the team prepares the vehicles for our expedition. A scenic flight over the Okavango Delta is highly recommended, the perspective is fantastic and well worth it, we have included this in your tour cost. We will dine together as a group to get to know one another, Pierre will explain the plan for the following day. (D)
Day 2 & 3 – Savuti Channel
Departing Maun we head north into the Moremi Game Reserve through thick stands of Mopane and errant herds of elephant as they traverse their huge home ranges. The road is gravel but in good condition allowing us to make good time as we follow the River Khwai. Seasonal waterholes are common making game viewing good. Arriving at our campsite for the next 3 days on the banks of the Savuti Channel in time to set up camp and enjoy our first sundowner on the banks of the river. We will game drive & explore with packed lunches each day, with the Linyanti Swamps just North of us this area has excellent species diversity. (BLD)
Day 4 to 6 – Khwai
After a relaxed breakfast prepared by our personal chef we break camp and slowly meander South bound for the Khwai concession. With dense riverine bush on our right and vast open floodplains on our left we will spot elephant, wildebeest, zebra, shy kudu in the thickets and hundreds of bird species, all resplendent in their plumage. The scenery changes constantly and the road will keep our speed down giving us plenty of opportunity to search the midday shadows for cats. We will stop at a waterhole for lunch before continuing South. Approaching Khwai the vegetation becomes noticeably thicker wit the presence of the river. Our campsite for the next 3 days is set amongst a tall stand of trees’. (BLD)
Day 7 to 9 – Makgadikgadi Pans
After several successful days of relaxing and game viewing we will begin our journey in the early morning to be in Maun for lunch at one of the cafes. A brief stop in this dusty town before we turn East, our destination, Xhumaga. We turn off the A3 towards Mopipi and begin South to enter the Makgadikgai Pans. Here the environment is vastly different from the Moremi and the contrast is stark, sandy plains dotted with scrub but making the vista all the more pleasurable for its openness. The Boteti River is seasonal, depending on the summer rains in Angola that feed the Okavango and spill over into the Boteti River. This is the only source of water for many miles, buffalo, zebra, wildebeest and elephant congregate in the early mornings and late afternoons for the life giving waters. We spend time game viewing from deck chairs and take long game drives into the vastness of the Pans. (BLD)
Day 10 to 12 – Nxai Pans
Departing Xhumaga early we are on our way to the ancient baobabs that Thomas Baine first discovered in the early 1800’s. Baobabs are well known for growing slowly, incredible longevity, beautiful flowers and providing elephants with much needed potassium. Once on the A3 we head due East for a little over an hour before we enter Nxai Pans National Park. Once we have completed the gate formalities we game drive slowly to our first campsite of or stay here. Vast open plains greet us where the trees stand sentinel over all who pass. An incredible sunset is in store as we make camp and food is prepared for us. We will spend 3 days discovering the park, some time will also spent in the comfort of a deck chair close to the waterhole as we wait for the animals to come down to drink. (BLD)
Day 13 – Maun
A sedate start to the day after a delicious breakfast will see us returning after the short drive to Maun. The A3 from Nxai Pans to Maun has been the area where Pierre has seen Wild Dogs in earlier years. Once back at the Rest camp we can check in to our accommodation, enjoy a swim in the pool, some technology and enjoy the view over the Thamalakane River. Dinner will be served under the trees. (BLD)
BLD – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner
