15 days Botswana: stunning natural gems by plane

15 days Botswana: precious natural gems by plane

Price on request / Big Five adventure / 15 days

*price p.p. incl. guide, safari jeep, hotel and park entrance fees, excl. international flight (based on six persons)

15 days Botswana: stunning natural gems by plane

Green floodlands, golden savannas and starry skies. Fascinating predators, gentle giants and winged beauties. All of these gems (and more) await you on this 15-day journey in Botswana.

Travelling through the diverse Makgadikgadi Pans to its beautiful Boteti River, along the blue river of Chobe National Park or cruising through the community-run Khwai Community Concession: every experience brings you closer to the country’s unique flora and fauna.

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While exploring this untamed land in a 4×4, mokoro or on foot, you learn more about its extraordinary ecosystem while marveling at the Big Five, giraffes, zebras, antelope species and more from up close. Goosebumps (and some tears of joy) guaranteed.

But it’s not just the stars of African wildlife captivating you, but also rare bird species or special cats like the caracal. Throughout your journey you stay in authentic and beautiful lodges of our gold, platinum or diamond luxury category. Falling asleep surrounded by the sound of nature will leave you in awe longer after you’re back home.

Upon arrival in each lodge, you can pick two activities to do in this destination (included in your package). They are carried out by the lodge, and you will be joined by other guests, unless you book a private excursion. The links in the daily outlines below give you an idea of what’s possible.

: Yes, Botswana is a safe travel destination. In fact, it’s widely regarded as one of Africa’s safest countries, with a solid tourism infrastructure, low levels of corruption and a strong democratic tradition. As in any country in the world, there are some areas to better avoid, especially in big cities like Gaborone, Maun or Francistown.

Best talk to your guide or travel consultant if you plan to go to any of these areas. Apart from that, simply stick to the safety rules you’d follow anywhere else in the world, and you’ll have an unforgettable time in Botswana.
: A safari in Botswana is truly unique: it’s more remote, more immersive and holds both small and big adventures. With floodplains, deserts and everything in between it’s home to an unparalleled ecosystem. And the rich wildlife knows exactly how to thrive in it. While enormous elephant herds, predators and all the stars of a typical safari roam the north of the country (Big Five included), the dunes of the south are home to those who have adapted to the harsh conditions like the gemsbok, meerkats or hyenas.

In general, Botswana is all about authenticity. It’s renowned for low-impact experiences, protecting its pristine wilderness, and its traditional values with indigenous communities like the Kwhai or the San.
: At Africa Safari Trips, we’re all about co-creating your perfect journey. When you plan your African adventures with us, you’re not just booking a trip; you’re embarking on a personalised experience. We start by understanding your wishes and preferences, and we won’t stop until every aspect of your journey aligns perfectly with your vision. Our team works closely with you to ensure that your entire trip is tailor-made to your satisfaction. And for added convenience, we offer a selection of our most popular African tours and safaris as a starting point for your consideration.
: If you’re looking for a safari that feels like two different planets on one map, Botswana is your spot. Up north, at the Okavango Delta and in Chobe, watch out for lazy or angry hippos (one never knows), thousands of elephants, and of course the Big Five. Other highlights are the African wild dog, the sitatunga, hundreds of different birds, and of course the who’s who of African wildlife.

In the south, around the Kalahari and the Makgadikgadi Pans, wildlife is just as unique as the landscapes themselves. They set the scene for the massive Zebra Migration, black-maned lion and the striking gemsbok. The actual stars are much smaller though: it’s the hyper-alert meerkats. Watch these little fellas hunt, play and dig. And dig. And dig some more.

15 days Botswana: precious natural gems by plane

Low season (March, April, May and 1st of November - 19th of December)

2 persons

On request

4 persons

On request

6 persons

On request

Mid Season (the rest of the year)

2 persons

On request

4 persons

On request

6 persons

On request

High season (January, July, August, September and 20th to 31st of December)

2 persons

On request

4 persons

On request

6 persons

On request

* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets

Here’s how your price comes together.

Included

Local guide
15 days
24/7 service
All accommodations
Drinking water in our safari jeeps
Full board
Mentioned internal flights
Park Fees
Pickup and transfer airport
Private guide speaking fluently English
Reservation costs
Fully accredited under SGR

Excluded

Visas
Travel insurance
International flights (can be booked for you on request)

Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips

At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival at Maun International Airport + Relax in the lodge in Maun or get active!
Day 2: Flight from Maun to Boteti River in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Day 3: Makgadikgadi Pans National Park
Day 4:
Day 5: Drive from Boteti River to Nata + Visit the Nata Bird Sanctuary + Relaxing and animal viewing at the waterhole of the Elephant Sands Lodge
Day 6: Kasane + Visit the Caracal Biodiversity Centre (Pay on Site)
Day 7: Drive from Kasane to Chobe Riverfront
Day 8: Chobe Riverfront (Chobe National Park)
Day 9: Drive from Chobe Riverfront to Kasane + Flight from Kasane to Savuti
Day 10: Savuti (Chobe National Park)
Day 11: Flight from Savuti to Khwai Community Concession + Khwai Community Concession
Day 12: Khwai Community Concession
Day 13: Flight from Khwai Community Concession to Moremi Game Reserve + Moremi Game Reserve
Day 14: Moremi Game Reserve
Day 15: Flight from Moremi Game Reserve to Maun + Flight home from Maun International Airport

Day 1

Arrival at Maun International Airport

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Welcome to Botswana. Upon arrival at Maun International Airport, in the north-west of the country, you step into one of southern Africa’s busiest aviation hubs and the undisputed gateway to the legendary Okavango Delta. Even before landing, you are treated to a spectacular preview, with low-altitude vistas over a vast, shimmering mosaic of waterways and islands. Your private driver for the whole trip will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall. He will take you to your lodge, where you can get some rest after your long journey and enjoy genuine Botswana hospitality. This is where your dream safari begins!

Activities:

: Today is yours to enjoy - a free day to discover Maun at your own pace. Often called the tourism capital of Botswana, Maun blends local life with easy access to nature. Dive into the region’s story and join an immersive cultural tour; browse colourful markets, watch traditional basket weaving, and simply soak up everyday life. More into art? Visit the Maun contemporary art gallery, meet the artists and attend an arts & crafts workshop. Prefer nature over city life? Just a 20-minute drive away, the Thamalakane River offers 1-hour mokoro excursions, sunset boat cruises or scenic helicopter flights over the delta. Contact your travel consultant to help you find the perfect activity, unless you'd rather stay in the lodge, relax and enjoy all the amenities. Maun lets you shape the day exactly as you please!

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 2

Flight from Maun to Boteti River in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Your journey begins with a scenic flight from Maun to the Boteti River area in Makgadikgadi Pans National Park. During this one-hour flight, the landscape changes quickly. From above, you see dry pans, open savannah, and winding river channels. After you arrive, there is still time to head into the park for some amazing wildlife encounters along the Boteti River!

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 3

Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

The Makgadikgadi Pans National Park protects one of the most surreal corners of Botswana’s vast salt pan system, remnants of an ancient super-lake once the size of Switzerland. Today, they stretch far beyond the park itself: a shimmering network of salt flats, grasslands and endless horizons. This is a landscape of extremes. In the dry season, the pans are blindingly white, but after the rains, they transform into shallow lakes, drawing flamingos and other birdlife in remarkable numbers. Game drives here feel wonderfully different. Expect desert-adapted wildlife such as oryx, springbok and elephant, along with predators that roam vast territories. But there's more to discover beyond the pans. Visit a local community along the Boteti River, where daily life unfolds at its own pace. This guided experience offers a glimpse into how people have lived alongside the Makgadikgadi for generations - resilient, resourceful, and deeply connected to the land.

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 4

Nxai Pans or sleeping under the stars?

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Choose between a day trip to Nxai Pans National Park and seeing the mesmerising Baines baobabs, or a drive to the salt pans of Makgadikgadi for a night of camping under endless stars. The choice depends on your hotel, as only the Moela Safari Lodge offers the Makgadikgadi sleeping trip.

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 5

Drive from Boteti River to Nata

The drive from the Boteti River to Nata takes 2 to 3 hours, covering 150 to 200 kilometres, depending on the lodge you chose. The route takes you up north from the river (via the ferry if you depart from the southern bank) to join the A3 near Motopi, then heading east through the village of Gweta. It's a well-maintained, mostly tarred road, but look out for potholes and free-roaming wildlife, especially elephants.

Activities:

: Nata is a strategic stopover in northeastern Botswana, widely known for its proximity to the vast Makgadikgadi salt pans, but its headline act is the community-run Nata Bird Sanctuary: a 230-square-kilometre haven for birdlife set along the northeastern edge of Sua (or Sowa) Pan. It’s one of the few places in Africa where flamingos breed in spectacular numbers.
After the rains, the pans transform into a shimmering, shallow wetland. Pelicans gather in their thousands, up to 250,000 flamingos arrive in blushing clouds, and more than 165 bird species fill the skies. But not all residents wear feathers: antelope roam the open plains, joined by zebra, hyena, jackal and baboon - a surprisingly rich cast of wildlife on sun-crusted grasslands.
: At the Elephant Sands Lodge in Nata, everything revolves around one unforgettable focal point: a natural waterhole that draws in wildlife throughout the day... and well into the night. It’s not unusual to see dozens of elephants gathering here, sometimes more than 30 at once, wandering in to drink or have a bath just metres from the restaurant, bar and pool area. What makes this place so special is the wonderfully unfenced setting. It's just you and the quiet thrill of watching animals come and go on their own terms, without barriers. Whether you’re cooling off in the pool, sunbathing or enjoying a drink in the shade, you have front-row seats to the spectacle. The waterhole is softly illuminated after dark, and silhouettes of elephants turn into great stories around the campfire.

Accommodations:

Day 6

N/D

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Activities:

: Kasane sits on the southern bank of the Chobe River, right on the edge of Chobe National Park in the country’s northeast. Thanks to its unique position near Africa’s Four Corners, it offers easy access to both the wildlife-rich safari country on one side of the border, and the famous Victoria Falls in neighbouring Zimbabwe on the other side. With just over 9,000 residents - but far more visitors passing through - Kasane has a lively, laid-back feel, making it one of Botswana’s most popular travel hubs after Maun. Stay along the river and you’re never far from the action: think boat cruises, gentle strolls through town, or simply unwinding between safaris. Visit one of the nearby villages or the Caracal Biodiversity Center, and learn a lot about the local way of life and conservation efforts.
: A visit to the CARACAL World of Wildlife Biodiversity Center offers a closer look at the people working behind the scenes to protect Botswana’s wildlife. This inspiring NGO focuses on both conservation and supporting local communities. At the centre, injured and orphaned animals are rescued and rehabilitated, with some remaining as ambassadors to help tell their story. Expect to encounter a fascinating mix of creatures, from reptiles and chameleons to the ever-charming bushbabies. Open Monday to Saturday mornings, it’s an eye-opening visit that adds a new perspective to your safari.

Accommodations:

Gold Chobe River Lodge
Platinum Tlouwana Camp
Diamond Luxury Tlouwana Camp

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 7

N/D

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Activities:

: The drive from Kasane to the Chobe Riverfront is a scenic introduction to Botswana’s wildlife, covering 60 kilometres in one hour. Leaving the airport, you pass through Kasane city before entering Chobe National Park via Sedudu Gate. From there, the road follows the riverfront, an area well known for elephant herds and other wildlife often spotted even before your first official game drive. It's a gentle transition from arrival mode straight into safari territory.

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 8

Chobe Riverfront (Chobe National Park)

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

The Chobe Riverfront stretches along the northern boundary of Chobe National Park, where the Chobe River separates Botswana from Namibia. The whole park is home to over 120,000 elephants - the largest remaining population in the world. Still, during the dry season, the herds gather along the riverfront in extraordinary numbers, alongside buffalo and plains game. Game drives along the riverfront put you in the middle of this, while a boat cruise on the Chobe River brings you eye to eye with hippos, crocodiles and elephants swimming, drinking or just bathing in the sun at the water's edge.

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 9

Drive and fly from Chobe Riverfront to Savuti

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

The easiest and fastest way to get from one side of Chobe National Park to the other is to first drive from Chobe Riverfront to Kasane, then fly from Kasane to Savuti. Your total travel time will be 2 hours, which means you'll have plenty of time for game drives!

It's also possible to drive the distance, which will take up to 3.5 hours.

Activities:

: The drive from Chobe Riverfront to Kasane is a short and scenic one, taking 30 minutes. The route is well-traveled by safari vehicles, making it easy to navigate from the wilderness back to town. You might still spot some wildlife along the way, particularly elephants along the riverbank, before exiting the park via Sedudu Gate and driving straight into Kasane. The airport lies just 4 kilometres south of the town cente.
: The flight from Kasane to Savuti offers a scenic one-hour journey over the Chobe River floodplains and into the heart of Chobe National Park. The airstrip lands you directly within the Savuti area, putting you steps away from one of Botswana's most celebrated wildlife corridors. Upon arrival, settle into your lodge and take in the surroundings before heading out on your first Savuti game drive, where elephant herds and predators are never far away.

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 10

Savuti (Chobe National Park)

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Savuti is one of Africa's most extraordinary and ever-changing wilderness areas, a vast, ancient landscape in the remote western reaches of Chobe National Park that has captivated explorers and wildlife enthusiasts for generations. Fed by the legendary Savuti Channel, its waters have come and gone over centuries, shaping a dramatic mosaic of dry riverbeds, open grasslands, and seasonal wetlands that draw some of the continent's most spectacular concentrations of wildlife on any game drive. A Savuti Marsh Excursion offers a rare and privileged window into this untamed world!

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 11 - 12

Flight from Savuti to Khwai Community Concession

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

The short flight from Savuti to the Khwai Community Concession takes 15 to 30 minutes, whisking you from Chobe National Park into one of Botswana's most biodiverse and community-managed wild spaces. The Khwai airstrip drops you right at the edge of this expansive concession, where the Khwai River draws an extraordinary concentration of wildlife year-round. After landing, make the most of the afternoon with a game drive along the riverine forests and floodplains.

Activities:

: Wedged between Chobe National Park and Moremi Game Reserve, the Khwai Community Concession is where unfenced wilderness meets community spirit. Think roaming elephants, prowling predators, herds of buffalo and shimmering lagoons - all wrapped into one spectacular safari playground. Add an amazing game drive, a peaceful mokoro safari in a dugout canoe, and a meaningful encounter with the Khwai village community in the mix, and you’ll have an experience as enriching as it is exhilarating.

Accommodations:

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 13 - 14

Flight from Khwai Community Concession to Moremi Game Reserve

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

This 30 to 45-minute flight from the Khwai Community Concession carries you deeper into the Okavango Delta, one of Africa's most iconic wilderness areas. Moremi’s airstrip places you at the doorstep of a reserve with habitats ranging from dense woodland to open lagoons teeming with wildlife. On arrival, take a gentle walk around camp before heading out on your first game drive through the waterways and woodlands.

Activities:

: In the heart of the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve offers one of Africa’s richest and most varied safari landscapes. Covering 40% of this UNESCO-listed wilderness, this is where floodplains, lagoons and savannah meet in ever-changing harmony, shaped by the delta’s annual flood, which brings life to every corner. Expect safaris full of contrasts, in a 4x4 safari jeep or a motorboat: elephants wading through channels, hippos wallowing in lagoons, and big cats moving quietly through forested islands. With exceptional year-round game viewing, Moremi is home to the Big Five - including the reintroduced rhino - as well as thriving populations of the rare African wild dog and over 500 bird species.

Accommodations:

Gold Camp Xakanaxa
Platinum Camp Okuti
Diamond Luxury Xigera Safari Lodge

Gold

Platinum

Diamond Luxury

Day 15

Flight from Moremi Game Reserve to Maun

This short 30 to 45-minute flight from Moremi Game Reserve to Maun brings your extraordinary Botswana safari to a gentle close, offering one last aerial view of the shimmering Okavango Delta below. Upon landing in Maun, take some time to browse the local curio shops or enjoy a relaxed lunch before your onward connection.

Activities:

: As you board your flight home from Maun, take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey through Botswana's most spectacular wild places. The memories of thundering elephant herds, sweeping salt pans, and golden delta sunsets will stay with you long after you land!

Make your dream trip come true with Africa Safari Trips

At Africa Safari Trips, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

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We offer private safaris
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Own safari vehicles
No limit on driving distance

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