Premium Botswana
Premium Botswana
Premium Botswana
7 Days Starting in Kasane and ending in Maun
Visiting: Chobe National Park, Zambezi River, Makgadikgadi Pans, Thamalakane River, Thamalakane River (Okavango Delta), Thamalakane River (Maun)
Tour operator:
Tour code:
UBPB
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Trip Styles:
Tour Overview
Experience the wilderness and welcoming people of Botswana on a 7-day Premium adventure through its heart. Set out in search of wildlife on a series of game drives, cruise down the Zambezi River from the Namibian banks, drift through the endless channels of the Okavango Delta, and hang out with a family of meerkats at the Ntwetwe Salt Pans. From the rich diversity of Chobe National Park to the curious beauty of the Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana’s natural wonders will take your breath away.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Chobe National Park
Location: Chobe National Park
Accommodation: Chobe Marina Lodge or similar
Meals Included: dinner
Welcome to Botswana! Your adventure begins at Chobe National Park – one of Africa’s premier wildlife destinations and home to its largest population of Elephants. You will be collected from the airport and transferred to your accommodation on the banks of the Chobe River at the fringe of the national park. Here you will meet your tour leader and small group of fellow travellers for a 6pm welcome meeting. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place. After your meeting, join your group and leader for dinner at the lodge. Enjoy a celebration of indigenous food and the rich flavours of Africa as you dine alongside the scenic Chobe River.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 2: Zambezi River
Location: Zambezi River
Accommodation: Zambezi Mubala Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Rise early for a morning game drive in Chobe National Park. You might see elephants drinking at the water's edge, large herds of cape buffaloes and many impalas within the park. Head back to the lodge for breakfast, then journey to the Ngoma Border Post before continuing to the Namibian side of the Zambezi River. Here you will find your Feature Stay accommodation, the fabulous Zambezi Mubala Lodge. Newly-built, modern, innovative and stylish, Zambezi Mubala is a secret river hideaway where you can find hippo, vervet monkeys and over 450 species of birds. Arrive in time for a hearty lunch at the lodge, then enjoy some downtime to relax by the pool, spot wildlife from the bar or soak up the wild surroundings on the banks of the Zambezi River. Speak to your leader about some fabulous optional activities for the afternoon, including a canoe trip, guided walking trail or a birding drive.
Included Activities:
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Day 3: Zambezi River
Location: Zambezi River
Accommodation: Zambezi Mubala Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Today, enjoy a restful morning at leisure to get some extra rest or enjoy your beautiful feature stay. This afternoon, take a cruise down the Zambezi River. The privileged position of your camp allows you to access a part of the river that most visitors don’t get to see, which means you’ll have the special opportunity to view abundant wildlife without the crowds. This region offers a wildlife spotting experience like no other – with a bit of luck, you will see large herds of elephants, buffalo and antelope. Afterward, head back to the lodge to enjoy dinner and refreshments as you watch the changing colours of the spectacular landscape at sunset.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 4: Makgadikgadi Pans
Location: Makgadikgadi Pans
Accommodation: Nata Lodge or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Heading south, cross the Ngoma border back into Botswana and continue your journey to the vast salt flats and grassy plains of the Makgadikgadi Pans. Located in the north-east of Botswana, the Makgadikgadi Pans are situated in the middle of a dry savanna and are all that remain of the former Lake Makgadikgadi. This afternoon, get to know your surroundings during a 4x4 excursion. The immense, sprawling salt flat will unfold in front of you as you look out for birds and animals, some that are seasonal visitors and some who call the area home year-round. Savour the landscape as you sit out on the pans and enjoy drinks and snacks as the sun sets. Return to the lodge for dinner and relive the highlights of an exciting day.
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Thamalakane River
Location: Thamalakane River
Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Embrace a very early start this morning and head out with a packed breakfast in hand. Today’s experience will surely be one to remember. Travel to the edge of the Ntwetwe salt pan, home to a resident family of entertaining Meerkats. With the aid of trackers, arrive in time to observe their morning rituals as the sun rises. Watch the meerkats bask in the morning sun before heading out for their daily foraging – the fantastic conditions and lighting will help you snap an unforgettable picture of these marvellous creatures. Stop at a neighbouring lodge for lunch, then continue to Maun, the gateway to one of the world's most complex ecosystems, the Okavango Delta.
Included Activities:
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Day 6: Thamalakane River (Okavango Delta)
Location: Thamalakane River (Okavango Delta)
Accommodation: Thamalakane River Lodge or similar
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
Today, you'll take a traditional mokoro – a dugout canoe steered by friendly local 'polers' – for an Okavango waterways experience. With some luck, you could spot some of the delta's unusual wildlife and exotic birdlife. Spend some time today exploring the maze of lagoons, lakes and streams by mokoro before exploring on foot with a local guide. View plants, trees and animals from a different perspective and observe close-up details often missed on game drives. Your guide will provide expert knowledge and help you gain a deeper understanding of the environment. Lunch will be served on one of the many secluded islands created by the Delta waterways.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Thamalakane River (Maun)
Location: Thamalakane River (Maun)
Meals Included: breaksfast
The trip concludes today after breakfast, but this doesn’t mean the adventure has to end. If you’d like to spend more time here, we’ll be happy to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability). Please speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
For those interested, there is the opportunity to fly over the delta in a helicopter for a bird's-eye view. This is a great way to appreciate the vast scale of this waterscape. Your leader can give you more information on this activity and how to reserve a place.
Optional Activities:
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What's Included
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Accommodation
Lodge (6 nights) -
Chobe - Welcome Dinner
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Complimentary airport arrival transfer
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Chobe National Park - 4x4 Game Drive
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Zambezi River - Morning & Afternoon River Cruise
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Makgadikgadi Pans - Sunset 4x4 Excursion & Sundowner
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Makgadikgadi Pans - Meerkat Pan Experience
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Okavango Delta - Mokoro safari
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Okavango Delta - Expert Guided Bush Walk
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Meals
6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
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Zambezi River - Morning River Cruise
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Transport
- 4WD , Open Safari Vehicle , Private Vehicle
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- If you require a Sleep Apnea Machine to sleep please ensure that it is battery operated. Lodges and Permanent Tented Camps are often powered by generators which are turned off during the night.
Important Information
- 1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
- 2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room?on this trip, subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 3. Travel is always an adventure, and our leaders are experts when it comes to dealing with anything unexpected along the journey, so pack your understanding and flexibility, sit back and relax while they take care of the rest.
- 4. Border crossing delays in the region have been sporadic and difficult to predict. What takes an hour one day may take four hours the next. This may affect the order of activities in the itinerary. We understand this uncertainty can be frustrating, and we strongly recommend packing a bit of patience and flexibility.
Mode of Transport
- 4x4 , Open Safari Vehicle , Private Vehicle
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
As the early bird catches the worm, the early riser sights the animals. There will be many early starts either to make use of the better safari time or to beat the morning traffic on long travel days.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions