Private Journey

Botswana Wilderness & Delta Safari

Chobe’s elephant kingdom, the Zambezi by water, Makgadikgadi’s vast pans and an Okavango mokoro safari

7 Days / 6 Nights

Chobe National Park · Zambezi River (Namibia) · Makgadikgadi Pans · Maun · Okavango Delta (day experience)

Fully Customizable

7 Days / 6 Nights

Chobe National Park · Zambezi River (Namibia) · Makgadikgadi Pans · Maun · Okavango Delta (day experience)

Fully Customizable Journey

Overview

Premium Botswana is a refined journey through some of Southern Africa’s most striking wilderness regions, designed to showcase Botswana’s dramatic landscapes and exceptional wildlife within a well-paced, high-comfort itinerary.

Beginning on the banks of the Chobe River, the experience opens with classic safari moments in one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations, renowned for its extraordinary concentration of elephants. The journey then crosses into Namibia’s riverine Caprivi region for a feature stay on the Zambezi, where time on the water reveals a quieter, more intimate side of the wilderness, far from the usual crowds.

From there, the route transitions into the vast openness of the Makgadikgadi Pans, where the horizon feels endless and sunsets unfold with a rare sense of scale. The journey continues to Maun, gateway to the Okavango Delta, culminating in a water-level exploration by mokoro through the delta’s channels, paired with a guided bush walk and lunch on a secluded island.

Operated and coordinated by Nature Horizons, this itinerary balances iconic safari encounters with landscapes defined by water, space and silence, offering a high-end introduction to Botswana’s natural diversity.

Download Full Itinerary

Day 1 / 7

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

The Journey

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Welcome to Botswana. Your journey begins at Chobe National Park, one of Africa’s premier wildlife regions and home to the largest concentration of elephants on the continent. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your lodge on the banks of the Chobe River, positioned at the edge of the park. In the early evening, meet your local leader and fellow travelers for a welcome meeting. The night continues with a welcome dinner at the lodge, featuring a celebration of Indigenous ingredients and the bold, layered flavors of the region, enjoyed alongside the river’s evening atmosphere.

Overnight: Chobe National Park

Day 02

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK TO ZAMBEZI RIVER, NAMIBIA

CHOBE NATIONAL PARK

Rise early for a morning game drive in Chobe National Park. The first hours of the day often bring extraordinary wildlife movement, and you may see elephants gathered at the water’s edge, herds of Cape buffalo and impalas moving through the park’s landscapes. After the drive, return to the lodge for breakfast, then travel to the Ngoma Border Post and continue to the Namibian banks of the Zambezi River. Tonight’s stay is a Feature Stay at Zambezi Mubala Lodge, a newly built river hideaway set in a wildlife-rich environment known for hippos, vervet monkeys and exceptional birdlife. Arrive in time for lunch, followed by a relaxed afternoon to enjoy the lodge’s river setting. Optional seasonal activities may be available in the afternoon, including a canoe trip, a guided walking trail or a birding drive, arranged directly with your leader.

Overnight: Zambezi River

Day 03

ZAMBEZI RIVER

This morning is designed for a slower pace at your Feature Stay, with time to enjoy the lodge and its riverfront surroundings. In the afternoon, set out on a Zambezi River cruise. The camp’s privileged position allows access to a part of the river many visitors do not reach, creating a more serene wildlife viewing experience. As you move along the water, watch for elephants, buffalo and antelope along the banks, with abundant birdlife throughout. Return to the lodge for dinner and take in the shifting light as sunset transforms the river landscape.

Overnight: Zambezi River

Day 04

ZAMBEZI RIVER

ZAMBEZI RIVER TO MAKGADIKGADI PANS

ZAMBEZI RIVER

Today the journey heads south. Cross the Ngoma border back into Botswana and continue toward the Makgadikgadi Pans, an immense expanse of salt flats and grassy plains in northeastern Botswana. These pans are all that remain of the ancient Lake Makgadikgadi, creating a landscape defined by openness, sky and scale. This afternoon, depart on a 4WD excursion across the pans. The vast salt flat stretches outward in every direction as you look for birds and wildlife, some seasonal visitors and others present year-round. As the day closes, pause for drinks and snacks as the sun sets over the pans before returning to the lodge for dinner.

Overnight: Makgadikgadi Pans (Nata area)

Day 05

MAUN

MAKGADIKGADI PANS TO MAUN

MAUN

This morning travel to the edge of the Ntwetwe Salt Pans, home to a resident family of meerkats. With the support of trackers, observe their morning rituals as they emerge, warm themselves in the early light and prepare to forage. After the experience, stop for lunch at a lodge before continuing to Maun, the gateway to the Okavango Delta, one of the world’s most complex and wildlife-rich wetland ecosystems.

Overnight: Maun

Day 06

MAUN

OKAVANGO DELTA EXPERIENCE FROM MAUN

MAUN

Today is dedicated to the Okavango Delta, explored in the most intimate way possible, from the water. Board a traditional mokoro, a dugout canoe guided by local polers, and drift through a network of lagoons, lakes and channels. At water level, the delta reveals its subtleties: reeds shifting in the breeze, birdlife moving through the wetlands and, with some luck, wildlife along the banks. After time on the waterways, continue on foot with a local guide for an expert-led bush walk. This perspective offers a deeper understanding of the environment, highlighting details often missed on game drives, from plants and tracks to the rhythms of delta life. Lunch is served on one of the delta’s secluded islands, surrounded by the stillness of the waterways.

Overnight: Maun

Day 07

DEPARTURE FROM MAUN

The journey concludes after breakfast. A complimentary airport transfer is provided and can be arranged through the hotel during your stay. For those wishing to extend the experience, optional scenic flights over the Okavango Delta may be available, offering a remarkable perspective on the scale and complexity of this waterscape. Your leader can provide details and assist with reservations.

Accommodations

Stays

Selected accommodations are chosen for comfort, service quality, and location, supporting a seamless flow between regions.

Chobe National Park

A riverside lodge on the Chobe River, ideally positioned for wildlife viewing and access to the park.

Zambezi River (Namibia) | Feature Stay

A refined river lodge on the Namibian banks of the Zambezi, known for wildlife, birdlife and a tranquil, crowd-free setting.

Makgadikgadi Pans (Nata area)

A comfortable lodge base for exploring the vast pans and their unique sunset landscapes.

Maun

A well-located hotel base in Maun, serving as the gateway for the Okavango Delta experience.

Specific properties may vary based on availability while maintaining the same category and standard.

The Essentials

Includes

Private airport arrival and departure services
Private VIP ground transportation throughout the journey
Expert private guides and local specialists
All accommodations as listed
Daily breakfasts and selected meals
All entrance fees and experiences described in the itinerary.
On-the-ground coordination by Nature Horizons Tours

Additional

Does not include

International or domestic flights
Travel insurance
Meals not specified
Personal expenses
Optional activities not listed

Journey Style & Pace

A premium overland safari journey combining classic game drives with river and delta exploration. The pace is designed to be engaging yet comfortable, with highlights delivered in a logical progression from Chobe to the Zambezi, onward to the Makgadikgadi Pans and finishing with an Okavango Delta experience.

Customization & Flexibility

This itinerary can be adjusted around travel dates and personal preferences, while keeping the same route and included experiences. Optional activities noted in the itinerary may be arranged locally and are subject to seasonality and availability.

Who This Journey Is For

Ideal for travelers seeking Botswana’s most compelling contrasts, elephants and river ecosystems, vast salt pans and the Okavango Delta, paired with comfortable accommodations and strong guiding.

Extensions & Upgrades

Additional nights in Maun, extended Okavango Delta stays and scenic flights may be arranged upon request, subject to availability.

More Adventures

Signature

UGANDA PRIMATE SAFARI: GORILLAS, CHIMPANZEES & RIFT VALLEY LANDSCAPES

9 Days / 8 Nights

This is an immersive overland wildlife journey combining rainforest trekking experiences with cultural encounters and scenic drives across Uganda.

A journey through rainforest habitats in search of gorillas, chimpanzees, and Uganda’s remarkable wildlife

Signature

Uganda: Gorilla Trekking and Safari Adventure

11 Days / 10 Nights

This is a short yet immersive wildlife-focused journey centered around the gorilla trekking experience in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Travel is by private vehicle between Kigali and Bwindi with one full day dedicated to trekking.

Rainforest primates, Nile safaris and wildlife encounters across Uganda

Signature

Bwindi Gorilla Trek: A Private Rwanda - Uganda Primate Journey

3 Days / 2 Nights

A focused expedition from Kigali into Bwindi’s rainforest for an unforgettable mountain gorilla encounter

Signature

Wonders of Namibia

10 Days / 9 Nights

This itinerary combines scenic overland travel with wildlife viewing and cultural encounters. The pace allows for meaningful exploration of Namibia’s deserts, coastline and national parks.

Desert landscapes, Atlantic coastlines and wildlife safaris across Namibia

Signature

Namibia to Victoria Falls Overland Safari

9 Days / 8 Nights

This is a participation camping overland expedition with long driving days built into the route. The pace is active and structured around reaching key wilderness regions, with immersive highlights concentrated in the Okavango Delta and Victoria Falls.

An overland expedition from Namibia into Botswana’s wild waterways, ending at Victoria Falls

Signature

Namibia Desert & Wildlife Safari

11 Days / 10 Nights

This is a private expedition across Namibia’s most dramatic landscapes, combining charter flights with immersive exploration on the ground. The itinerary balances wildlife viewing, cultural encounters and scenic desert experiences.

Chartered flights across Namibia’s deserts, coastlines and wildlife reserves

Signature

Ultimate Botswana Safari

10 Days / 9 Nights

This is a private safari designed with a balanced rhythm of exploration and relaxation. Each day combines expertly guided wildlife encounters with time to enjoy the serenity and beauty of Africa’s most celebrated wilderness landscapes.

An iconic Southern African safari through Victoria Falls and Botswana’s legendary wilderness

Signature

Botswana Highlights

10 Days / 9 Nights

A wildlife-focused journey designed to explore Botswana’s most diverse ecosystems. The itinerary combines overland travel with guided safari activities and water-based exploration in the Okavango Delta.

A journey through Botswana’s wildlife landscapes, rivers and iconic wilderness regions

Signature

OKAVANGO & VICTORIA FALLS: THE WILD HEART OF SOUTHERN AFRICA

8 Days / 7 Nights

An expedition-style journey combining wildlife regions, river ecosystems, and cultural encounters across three countries. Travel days are balanced with immersive wilderness experiences.

A journey through southern Africa’s waterways, wildlife reserves, and desert cultures

Signature

HIGHLIGHTS OF ZAMBIA: VICTORIA FALLS & SOUTH LUANGWA SAFARI

7 Days / 6 Nights

A privately guided journey designed to balance river based exploration with immersive safari experiences, paced to allow each region to unfold naturally.

A classic African journey of powerful waterfalls and exceptional wildlife encounters

Signature

CAPE TOWN TO VICTORIA FALLS

9 Days / 8 Nights

A privately guided journey designed to balance cultural depth with immersive wildlife experiences, paced to allow each destination to unfold naturally.

From vibrant coastal culture to the wild heart of southern Africa

Signature

THE GREAT MIGRATION SAFARI EXPERIENCE

14 Days / 13 Nights

A high-impact safari journey designed for exceptional wildlife density and efficient regional transitions, balancing full safari days with well-placed lodge time.

Witness one of Earth’s greatest wildlife spectacles across the legendary plains of East Africa

Signature

ZANZIBAR SPICE ISLAND ESCAPE

6 Days / 5 Nights

A relaxed island journey combining light cultural exploration with extended time for rest and coastal immersion.

A serene Indian Ocean retreat of white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and island rhythms

Signature

THE ULTIMATE TANZANIA SAFARI: FROM THE COFFEE HIGHLANDS TO THE SERENGETI

8 Days / 7 Nights

This is a privately guided safari designed with a balanced rhythm, allowing for immersive wildlife encounters without unnecessary transit or fatigue.

An immersive safari through Africa’s most iconic wildlife landscapes

Request a Private Proposal

Request a private proposal to start refining the details of your itinerary.