The ever elusive leopard | Pat Collins
The ever elusive leopard  | Pat Collins
The magnificent Okavango Delta  | Peter Walton
A Lilac-breasted roller scouts the area for food  | Ashley Hewson
Elephants enjoy a dip in the Okavango Delta  | Jez Hollinshead
Local Gazelles in the open grasslands of Central Kalahari Game Reserve  | Ashley Hewson
The spectacular Victoria Falls  | Sue Badyari
Exploring the amazing Okavango River  | Andrew Thomasson

Botswana Leopard Trail & Kalahari

Best of Botswana's wildlife regions and diverse landscapes

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 8 reviews

17 Days from

$4060 USD

Trip Code: BLT
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single Supplement
$230 USD

Duration

  • 17 Days

Activities

  • Wildlife Safari

Accommodation

  • 15 nights camping
  • 1 night lodge

Meals

  • 15 Dinners
  • 16 Lunches
  • 15 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

2 / 10

Adventure touring

Trip highlights

  • Explore the Okavango Delta on mokoro and motorboat excursions
  • Search for wildlife in the Moremi Game Reserve
  • Marvel at the huge herds of elephants in Chobe National Park
  • Learn about the fascinating San Bushman culture
  • Traverse the dunes and salt pans in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve

Overview

This camping trip provides a complete overview of Botswana for those with an adventurous spirit looking to see the wild side of Africa. Few trips can offer such a diverse and stimulating experience as we traverse the country from the vast Kalahari, home to the San Bushmen, to the magnificent game reserves in the north. In the world famous Okavango Delta we explore this wildlife-rich region by traditional mokoro (dug-out canoe) and on foot. Whether you are a wildlife enthusiast or on your first African safari, there are few places on earth that are as impressive as Moremi Game Reserve and the Chobe National Park, where huge herds of elephants roam. We conclude this spectacular adventure with time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls.

Itinerary

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The safari begins in Maun where your guide will meet you at approx. 7.30am at a pre-arranged meeting point. You will travel 120km to a private reserve on the northern border of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, set up camp and enjoy traditional African cuisine for your lunch. You will explore the area for the next two days, enjoying game drives and participate in a nature walk led by a local San tracker. They will share their intricate knowledge and give you an insight into their unique and intriguing culture. You will also do game drives to explore the area, home to a fascinating variety of desert specialised wildlife such as oryx, springbok and eland as well as predators including lion, brown hyena and cheetah. Savour the vast open spaces, clear night skies and uninterrupted beauty. Overnight: Wild Camping. Note - Breakfast is included on Day 2.

Meals: L,D

You will wake up as the sun rises and enter the pristine wilderness of the largest game reserve in Botswana. The next three days will be exploring the undeveloped wilderness of the northern region of the Kalahari, moving from camp to camp. Savour the vast open spaces, clear night skies and uninterrupted beauty on game drives and at camp. This is adventure camping in its purest form as water and communications are limited and we travel as a self-sufficient group. Camping is in a private designated campsite with bush ablutions.

Meals: B,L,D

After we break camp, we will drive to the Makgadikgadi area. You will spend the night at a camp on the edge of the Makgadikgadi National Park, overlooking the Boteti River in Khumaga village. Enjoy an afternoon game drive into Makgadikgadi National Park. Camping at a campsite with fixed ablutions.

Meals: B,L,D

After an early morning breakfast you will pass by Maun town for drinks shopping essential for the remainder of your safari. Your adventure will take you from Maun to the Okavango Delta, a special corner of paradise. Once you have reached the edge of the Delta, you will transfer your equipment to motorboats and cruise along the narrow papyrus-lined channels enjoying the exquisite birdlife of the region as well as the stunning landscape. Deeper in the Delta you will meet the local polers with their mokoro (a traditional dugout canoe) and enjoy a tranquil transfer to an island. You will spend two days exploring this beautiful area on mokoro excursions and taking guided walks on the islands and floodplains of the Okavango. You will camp wild with bush ablutions. NOTE: You will leave your main luggage in the trailer and will need to pack a smaller bag (small backpack, hand luggage) with what you need for the 2 days on the island. Transfers from the mainland to the island where you will stay are done on traditional dugout canoes (mokoro) which cannot accommodate large bags. Your main luggage will safely remain in the vehicle that will be parked in a secured area while you are on the island.

Meals: B,L,D

Inspired by the beauty of the Okavango, you will start making your way towards a concession located outside Moremi Game Reserve. Overnight community campsite with permanent ablution facilities.

Meals: B,L,D

In the early morning, we will drive through to Moremi Game Reserve (100km, 5-7 hrs), one of the best wilderness areas of Botswana which covers swamp and dry areas. The next three days will be spent searching for the wide variety of wildlife and birds that this area is renowned for while absorbing the sounds and beauty of this region. Game drives in the early morning as the sun rises and in the late afternoon as the sun sets will be the norm. After your morning game drive you will return to camp for lunch and a siesta. On Day 12 you will move campsites to explore a different area of this diverse park (2 nights in Western Moremi and 1 night in Eastern Moremi). Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions.

Meals: B,L,D

Chobe National Park, with its diverse and striking landscapes, will be your next destination. As you continue your search for wildlife, you will traverse the drier region of Savuti where bull elephants dot the plains (120km, 7-8 hrs). You will then head northwards to the Chobe River where your game drives will meander along the banks of the river, followed by the call of the majestic African Fish Eagle (170km, 5-6 hrs). Camping will be in private designated areas with bush ablutions.

Meals: B,L,D

After a short morning game drive you will then drive to Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe side (Visa required), where you will spend the night at a comfortable lodge. In the afternoon there will be time to visit the thunderous Victoria Falls and shop for curios. Dinner will be at your own expense at the lodge.

Meals: B,L

The safari officially ends at 10:00am today. We are happy to arrange post-tour accommodation, activities and transfers to Victoria Falls Airport or lodges, Livingstone airport or lodges or Kasane, Botswana, at an additional cost.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

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What’s included?

Included

  • 16 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 14 dinners
  • 1 night lodge on a twinshare basis
  • 15 nights limited participation camping on a twinshare tent basis
  • group camping equipment including spacious dome tent and mattress (sleeping bag and pillow not included)
  • English speaking local guide and camp assistant
  • game drives, walks and river excursions as listed in itinerary
  • national park and conservation fees
  • private transport in specialised safari vehicle

Not included

  • international flights and airport taxes
  • airport arrival and departure transfers
  • sleeping bag and small pillow on all camping sectors
  • restaurant meals in Maun and Victoria Falls
  • entrance to Victoria Falls
  • visas
  • tips
  • items of a personal nature such as phone calls, laundry, etc.
  • optional excursions eg. activities in Victoria Falls
  • beverages (alcohol, soft drinks and bottled mineral water)
  • travel insurance

Reviews (8)

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