Wildlife + Culture + Landscapes
Travel through Botswana's varied ecosystems, appreciating the country's pristine landscape and incredible wildlife at each stop. From the vast expanse of the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans to the lush waterways of the Okavango Delta, you will find yourself surrounded by unparalleled natural beauty and have the opportunity to engage in unforgettable activities. Game drives, cultural encounters, boat cruises and horseback riding will each provide you with unique insights into this magical land.
At Travel Beyond, we believe your trip should be designed just for you, not for the masses. Our travel consultants create a custom itinerary for each client, offering recommendations for places and experiences that best fit your style. The itinerary below was planned for a past client, but we’re sharing it for travel inspiration and as an example of what a trip to Botswana might look like. To further paint the picture, take a look at the accompanying video! Let us know when we can design a trip just for you!
Welcome to South Africa! Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will be escorted to the InterContinental Hotel, located just across the street from the airport. Enjoy your evening at leisure.
Intercontinental Hotel Meals: N/A
This morning after breakfast, you will be escorted back to the Johannesburg Airport for your commercial flight to Maun, Botswana. Upon landing, you will complete airport formalities and proceed to check in for your flight to the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans.
Here, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Jack’s Camp, your home for the next three nights. With just nine tents, this Moroccan inspired camp promises top notch service, incredible food, and exceptional guiding. The main dining area includes an extensive collection of Makgadikgadi artifacts, making it just one of two national museums in Botswana. What’s more, its prime location makes it the perfect base for exploring the vast salt pans.
Enjoy lunch and a bit of down time before meeting for high tea and your afternoon activity. Dinner will be served back at camp.
Jack’s Camp Meals: Breakfast / Dinner
Enjoy two days exploring the Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, where the activities are endless.
Set off on a shared game drive to find the large herds of zebra and wildebeest who migrate through (usually December – April) or the rare brown hyena. Join the local bushmen for a walk, learning about their traditions and way of life.
For those looking for a bit more adventure, you can explore on horseback or take a doors-off helicopter flight, both of which provide an entirely new perspective of this ecosystem. If visiting in the dry season, you can even hop on a quad bike and drive out into the pans to visit the spectacular Kubu Island, or to simply appreciate the beautiful scenery and a moment of absolute silence.
The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans also offer visitors the opportunity to interact with a family of habituated meerkats. Meeting up with a local meerkat specialist, you follow the group as they forage for food. In time, and as the animals grow comfortable with your presence, you might have a curious meerkat climb onto your leg. Sometimes, they’ll even hop onto your shoulder or head. It is an unforgettable experience.
All meals will be served at camp.
Jack’s Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
This morning after breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight to the Okavango Delta. Upon landing, you will be met by your guide and transferred to Duba Plains, where you will stay for three nights.
Located within the Duba Plains reserve, this camp provides guests unparalleled access to the Delta and all of its wildlife. Each tent looks out over the floodplains and animals can often be spotted from the comforts of the main deck. The camp’s classic décor serves to transport visitors to another time, creating a quintessential safari feel that makes one’s stay at Duba unforgettable.
Enjoy high tea before heading out on an afternoon activity. Lunch and dinner will be served at camp.
Duba Plains Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Enjoy two days on safari in the Okavango Delta. Take a shared game drive into the reserve, looking for some of the rhino who live in the area or the elusive wild dogs. You’ll almost certainly find lions as well. If water levels permit, you can also opt for a boat cruise in the narrow waterways. While on board, keep your eyes open for fish eagles and malachite kingfishers, just two of the Delta’s many bird species. You might also cast a few lines into the channel, in the hopes of catching a tiger fish. All meals will be served at camp and, should it be of interest, you can organize an interactive dinner experience during which you can watch the chef create each course.
Duba Plains Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today, after a morning activity and breakfast, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight to the nearby Selinda Reserve. Upon arrival, you will meet your guide and make your way to Zarafa Camp.
For the next three nights, you will be fully immersed into the lush landscape of this reserve. Situated on the Zibadianja Lagoon, wildlife has a constant presence in and around camp, extending the safari experience well beyond game drives. What’s more, with only four tents, Zarafa is the epitome of both luxury and intimacy. The camp’s expert guides readily share their in-depth knowledge while chefs prepare world class meals.
Enjoy lunch and some time to relax before departing on an afternoon activity. Dinner will be served back at camp.
Zarafa Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
On safari!
Enjoy two days exploring the Selinda Reserve. Be it on foot, in a vehicle or, if water levels permit, from aboard a boat, you have ample opportunity to spot the incredible wildlife that call this area home. Activities will be on a shared basis and all meals will be served at camp.
Zarafa Camp Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Today you bid farewell to Africa. You will be transferred to the airstrip for your flight to Maun, from where you will check in for your onward flights home.
Overnight Flight Meals: Breakfast
