9 Day Highlights of Botswana Safari

Once you have arrived in Johannesburg, an African Sky representative will be waiting in the arrivals hall to welcome you. After a short briefing and assistance with any immediate questions, you are escorted to the departure terminal for your regional flight to Kasane in northern Botswana. Here you enter the world-famous Chobe National Park, often called the Land of Giants for its vast elephant population along the Chobe River, supported by permanent water and rich floodplains.

From Kasane, a short overland transfer brings you to your riverfront lodge, where you can settle into your room, soak up the views and enjoy a refreshing drink before your first activity. In the late afternoon you head out on either an open 4x4 game drive or a relaxed boat cruise on the Chobe River. Both options offer remarkable photographic opportunities as elephants, buffalo, hippos and a variety of antelope gather at the water’s edge while the sky glows with another golden African sunset.

Your full days in Chobe follow a rewarding rhythm focused on both land and water-based safaris. Early each morning you set out in open 4x4 vehicles, following the riverfront where large herds of elephant, buffalo and plains game come to drink. Predators such as lion, leopard and spotted hyena often work these same routes, taking advantage of the concentration of wildlife along the riverbanks, while fish eagles, bee-eaters and kingfishers provide a vibrant backdrop for bird enthusiasts.

After a leisurely brunch and some time to relax at the lodge, you embark on afternoon boat cruises along the Chobe River, widely regarded as one of Southern Africa’s most memorable wildlife experiences. From the stability of the boat you can drift close to bathing elephants, wallowing hippos and basking crocodiles, watching the light change across the islands and floodplains. Sundowners on the water round off each day, before returning to camp for dinner beneath a sky thick with stars.

After a final early morning game drive and breakfast on the Chobe riverfront, you travel back to Kasane Airport for your charter flight to the remote Savute region of Chobe National Park. As the aircraft lifts off, you gain a bird’s-eye view of the river system before the landscape opens into woodlands, sand ridges and the wide Savute Channel, known for its fascinating history of drying up and flowing again over recent decades.

On landing, you transfer to your lodge and settle into this wilder, more remote corner of Botswana. Later in the afternoon, you depart on your first game drive in Savute, exploring the open plains and the Savute Marsh, where waterholes attract elephant, zebra, giraffe, and other plains game. The area is renowned for powerful lion prides and intense predator interactions, adding a sense of anticipation to every drive.

Today, you enjoy morning and afternoon game drives that reveal why Savute is considered one of Africa’s most compelling safari destinations. Your guide explores a variety of habitats, from the Savute Marsh and surrounding mopane woodlands to rocky outcrops that offer sweeping views across this untamed landscape. Large elephant bulls, sizable buffalo herds, and mixed groups of antelope provide excellent opportunities to encounter lion, leopard, and spotted hyena.

During the dry months, permanent waterholes become a focal point for wildlife, sometimes drawing large concentrations of animals into a relatively small area and creating dramatic predator–prey interactions. Seasonal zebra movements between the Linyanti region and the Mababe Depression add further interest. Between drives, you can relax at the lodge and absorb the sense of isolation that has made Savute legendary among wildlife enthusiasts.

After a final morning activity in Savute and breakfast at the lodge, you transfer to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight into the Okavango Delta, one of the world’s great inland wilderness areas and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. From the air, a mosaic of winding channels, palm-dotted islands and seasonally flooded plains unfolds below — a striking contrast to the drier landscapes of Savute.

On arrival, you are transferred to your lodge and have time to settle into your suite overlooking the surrounding waterways. Later, you head out on your first Delta activity, typically a tranquil motorboat cruise or traditional mokoro excursion through reed-lined channels. This gentle introduction offers a close-up view of the Delta’s rich birdlife and aquatic ecosystems, setting the tone for your stay in this serene, water-based environment.

These days are devoted to exploring the Okavango Delta through a combination of water-based activities that showcase this unique wetland ecosystem. Motorboat excursions and traditional mokoro trips allow you to glide quietly along reed-lined channels, where herons, kingfishers and jacanas are commonly seen, and where hippos and crocodiles may be encountered from a safe distance. The gentle pace offers a wonderfully immersive way to experience the Delta’s intricate network of waterways and islands.

Between activities, time is spent relaxing at the lodge, taking in views across the lagoon and surrounding floodplains. Birdlife is abundant and ever-present, while the tranquil setting encourages a slower rhythm of exploration. Evenings are enjoyed back at camp, often around the fire, reflecting on the day’s sightings and the peaceful atmosphere that defines this water-based safari experience.

Your final morning in the Okavango Delta begins with a last opportunity to enjoy this remarkable wilderness on a guided morning activity, typically by motorboat or traditional mokoro through the Delta’s tranquil channels. After breakfast at the lodge, you are transferred to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight to Maun, taking in a final aerial view of the winding waterways and scattered islands below.

On arrival in Maun, you connect with your onward flight to Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport. As your safari draws to a close, you depart with lasting memories of the sights, sounds, and stillness of the Okavango Delta — a fitting conclusion to your time in one of Africa’s most unique and unspoiled environments.