The Jewel of the Kalahari, the Okavango Delta in Botswana is considered one of the worlds most unique landscapes with some 16000 square kilometers of wetland rich in its diversity of fauna and flora. The floodwaters from tropical storms start in Angola’s highlands in October, with numerous tributaries joining to form the Cubango river, which then flows through Namibia as the Kavango river and finally enters Botswana, where it is then called the Okavango only to drain away sometime in June/July through a maze of lagoons, channels and islands into the Kalahari desert with over 95 per cent of the water eventually evaporating making this a fragile and unique ecosystem that is zealously protected against the ravages of mass tourism.

An important feature of the Okavango Delta is the seasonal flooding in the delta’s area which can expand to over 16,000 square kilometers during the peak, shrinking to less than 9,000 square kilometres in the low period as the water travels through the delta, it starts to dry out and the wildlife begin to congregate on the edge of the newly flooded areas.The best time for game viewing in the delta is during the May-October period, as the animal life is concentrated along the flooded areas and the vegetation has dried out. The best time for birding and vegetation is during the rainy season (Nov.- April) as the migrant bird populations are returning and the plants are flowering and green.

The delta environment has large numbers of animal populations that are otherwise rare, such as crocodile, red lechwe, sitatunga, elephant, wild dogs, buffalo, wattled crane as well as the other more common mammals and bird life. Over 1100 species exist in the varied ecosystems and through the wise use of natural resources, the delta is a treasure house of abundant wildlife in a tranquil and beautiful setting. Rainfall is not heavy in the Okavango - it gets less than half of the rainfall than over the Kruger Park area

Botswana

Your time in Botswana will be spent game viewing in the beautiful and incomparable wilderness and surrounding areas of the Okavango Delta. Over 1100 species exist in the varied ecosystems, which comprise the Delta.  Wise use of natural resources is the watchword here and the delta is a treasure house to satisfy even the most ardent enthusiast.  Few people in this busy world are privileged enough to visit this inaccessible area and the abundance of wildlife and utter tranquility of the camps are proof enough of this.

Day 01 – 03:
On arrival at Johannesburg International Airport, after clearing immigrations and customs formalities you will be met by our representative who will escort you to International Departures for your Air Botswana flight to Maun.On arrival at Maun Airport arriving at you will be met by another representative  and transferred by shared light aircraft transfer to Savute Elephant Camp. Flying time is approximately 20 minutes In the heart of the Chobe National Park, sometimes referred to as the elephant capital of the world, is Savute Elephant Camp. Perched on the former banks of the now dry Savute Channel, the camp offers a spectacular birds eye view of elephant in their natural habitat, with an adjacent water hole just metres away from the camps main building.  The area is also renowned for high concentration of predators such as the endangered wild dog, lion, leopard, cheetah and hyena. Find yourself in harmony with a unique timeless place as you witness a play that has no script, by actors who have no lines, in an environment that needs no set. The area is know for its exciting game viewing and birding. This area also presents you with the are opportunity to view rock paintings drawn by the early Bushmen, who once inhabited the region. As the camp is situated in the Chobe National Park, park regulations prohibit night drives and walking.

Three nights at Savute Elephant Camp on a fully inclusive basis

Day 04 – 08:
This morning, after a morning activity, you will be transferred by shared light aircraft to Eagle Island  Camp. Hidden from the world, deep within Botswana's Okavango Delta, is the paradise we call Eagle Island Camp. Situated on the island of Xaxaba and surrounded by Illala Palms, the camp overlooks a surrounding lagoon fed by the tranquil waterways of the Delta. The area offers exceptionally high quality wildlife viewing with prolific birdlife and mammal sightings. It is also the site of one of the most romantic bars in the world, the Fish Eagle Bar, as voted by New York Times. The camp offers a cool retreat from the African sun and is shaded by a canopy of indigenous trees. Xaxaba is one of the Delta's most pristine natural locations, a region of myriad waterways, palm-treed islands and vast flood plains. Bird and animal life in this region is prolific. The camp offers game viewing by mokoro (traditional dugout canoe), motorised boats and a 14-seater Sundowner cruiser. For intrepid explorers with an appetite for sights and sounds of the bush, we offer guided walks. The magnificent sunsets can be enjoyed during times of high flood from the camp's most romantic Fish Eagle Bar at Eagle Island or from the raised deck overlooking the lagoon. Built to blend into its environment, with private decks overlooking the surrounding lagoon, the camps affords guests with a peaceful setting perfect for enjoying the sights and sounds of the Okavango Delta. 

Four nights at Eagle Island Camp on a fully inclusive basis.

Day 03 – 06:
This morning, after a morning activity, you will be transferred by shared light aircraft to Khwai River Lodge. Flying time is approximately 25 minutes. Timing for this transfer will be advised in camp. Nestled on the edge of a leadwood and fig tree forest, overlooking the vast Khwai River floodplains and beyond into the Moremi Wildlife Reserve, sits the luxurious Khwai River Lodge. Khwai is renowned for its large concentrations of mammals and it is not unusual to see many different types of wildlife from the comfort of your own private deck. As a year round destination for wildlife, predators can regularly be seen in the area, rated as one of the most prolific in Botswana for viewing wildlife. The exceptional location of Khwai makes it’s a regular host to Elephant, Buffalo, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah and Wild Dogs. Birdlife can also be viewed in abundance with exceptional sightings of wildfowl and raptors near the lodge. This is the perfect location for observing the perennial drama of the African bushveld and provides excellent birding.At Khwai River Lodge, you are close to Africa's heartbeat and at the centre of a world that has not altered since life began. You can sense this from the moment you arrive. Bush hats and desert boots, tall tales and long drinks, a past redolent of trophies and potent sundowners. Upon entering our Khwai River Lodge, you immediately sense its big game heritage. For decades, as befits one of the most established game lodges in Botswana, it has hosted guests from all over the world on the safari trail.

Two nights at Khwai River Lodge on a full board basis including activities.

Day 09
This morning, after a morning activity, you will be transferred by shared light aircraft to  Maun Airport for your onward flight to Johannesburg.