This 10-day Botswana safari itinerary takes you through the heart of the country’s most renowned wildlife havens, starting in the safari gateway of Maun, venturing into the pristine waterways of the Okavango Delta at Moremi Game Reserve, tracking predators and big game along the Khwai River, exploring the rugged desert-like marshes of Savuti in Chobe National Park, and concluding along the elephant-rich banks of the Chobe Riverfront.
Arrive at Maun Airport, the primary entry hub for safaris into the Okavango Delta. Spend the afternoon resting from your journey, exploring local town eateries, browsing craft markets, or taking an optional scenic helicopter flight over the delta to get a bird's-eye view of the winding channels and roaming wildlife. Overnight: Maun
Depart early from Maun and travel north into the iconic Moremi Game Reserve, where the lush Okavango Delta meets dry land. Arrive in time for lunch, followed by an afternoon game drive exploring lagoons, floodplains, and acacia forests packed with wildlife. Overnight: Moremi Game Reserve
Spend a full day exploring Moremi's exceptionally rich ecosystems. Highlights include morning and afternoon game drives tracking lions, leopards, and large herds of red lechwe, as well as experiencing a traditional mokoro (wooden dug-out canoe) excursion along quiet, lily-covered water channels. Overnight: Moremi Game Reserve
Take a slow morning game drive out of Moremi towards the adjacent Khwai Community Area. Situated along the Khwai River, this unfenced concession serves as a vital corridor for migrating wildlife between Moremi and Chobe National Park. Arrive in the afternoon for a sunset riverfront drive. Overnight: Khwai Community Area
Focus on predator tracking and immersive bush experiences. Enjoy early morning game drives along the riverbanks, where elephants frequently cross, and take advantage of private concession perks such as guided walking safaris and night game drives to spot elusive nocturnal creatures like leopards, aardvarks, and bushbabies. Overnight: Khwai Community Area
Spend another full day maximizing your wildlife sightings in Khwai. Drive along the floodplains to track African wild dog packs one of Botswana’s top wildlife highlights and watch hippos and crocodiles interact in the permanent channels.Overnight: Khwai Community Area
Embark on a scenic overland game drive heading northeast into the famous Savuti region of Chobe National Park. Transition from wetland terrain to Savuti’s dramatic, arid landscapes, famous for its enigmatic channel and ancient baobab trees. Overnight: Savuti (Chobe National Park)
Dedicated entirely to game viewing in Savuti. Explore the Savuti Marsh and northern rock outcrops, home to ancient San bushmen rock paintings. Savuti is famous for its powerful lion prides, known for hunting mega-herbivores, as well as spotted hyenas and cheetahs roaming the open plains. Overnight: Savuti (Chobe National Park)
Spend a second full day tracking wildlife across different sectors of Savuti. Search for large bull elephants, giraffe towers, and wild dogs while taking in the stark beauty of this dynamic ecosystem. Overnight: Savuti (Chobe National Park)
Journey north from Savuti to the Chobe Riverfront near Kasane. Conclude your safari with a game drive along the riverbanks or a boat cruise on the Chobe River, offering up-close views of massive elephant herds bathing and swimming across the water. Transfer to Kasane Airport for your departure flight (or optional land transfer to Victoria Falls).
Frequently Asked Questions
The dry season from May to October offers peak wildlife viewing as animals gather around shrinking water sources and vegetation thins out. This period also brings high water levels to the Okavango Delta for traditional canoe safaris. The green season from November to April features lower prices, lush scenery, newborn animals, and exceptional birdwatching, alongside hotter weather and periodic rains.
Passport holders from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the EU do not need a visa in advance for tourist stays up to 90 days. You only need a passport valid for at least six months with two blank pages. Nationalities requiring a visa can apply online through the official Botswana e-Visa portal prior to travel.
Travelers must use soft-sided duffel bags without hard frames or wheels so they can fit into small aircraft and vehicle luggage bays. The strict total weight limit is 20 kg (44 lbs) per person, including camera gear and daypacks. Neutral clothing colors like khaki, beige, and olive are recommended, while bright colors and dark blue or black fabrics should be avoided.
Northern Botswana, including the Okavango Delta and Chobe, is a malaria risk zone. It is advisable to consult a doctor for prescription antimalarial tablets and bring DEET-based insect repellent. Routine travel vaccines like Hepatitis A and Typhoid are recommended, while a Yellow Fever certificate is only required if arriving from an endemic country.
US Dollars printed after 2013 are universally accepted across the safari industry alongside the local Botswana Pula. Cash tips are customary to show appreciation for service. A common guideline is $10–$20 per guest per day for your main safari guide, and $10–$15 per guest per day placed in the general lodge staff tip box.
