7-night Botswana Fly-in Safari

The magic begins in Maun, where – as some of us believe – your flight in a light aircraft is arguably the best part of your safari. It will be in either a Caravan or smaller Cessna plane (we like to call them bush taxis) as you head to Chobe National Park for your first two nights. You arrive in Chobe just in time for a quick bite and your first thrilling game drive. Later, after a hearty meal and generous glass of wine, you’ll be tucked in under a warm duvet, your ears swivelling to catch all the eerie songs of the night.

Today’s highlight is a half-day photographic boat cruise on the world-famous Chobe River. This is an exceptional opportunity to take in the unique animals, most of them just getting on with their elephantly business in a truly amazing landscape, on one of the best boat safaris in Africa. In the dry season, the Chobe’s banks host the largest concentration of African elephants, anywhere on the planet. The highlight of this experience is getting to see elephants swim across the river to Angola – sometimes in water that’s so deep all that’s visible are their trunks (but then who doesn’t swim with their trunks?)…

Head out on your final early morning game drive here. Be sure to work up an appetite, because after a generous breakfast, it’s time to fly on to Savuti and the next part of your exciting Botswana adventure.

Settled in at Savute under Canvas, in the late afternoon you head out again to explore the Savuti Marsh and the famous Savuti Channel, which may or may not be flowing, in either direction, depending on geographical factors beyond comprehension. (We could mention the tectonic plate movement, but ain’t nobody got time for that).

Return to camp for a well-earned meal, and to recall stories of your day’s adventures around the fire over a judicious nightcap.

Today is devoted to game drives – a good few hours in the morning, and again in the late afternoon-evening. Explore this amazing Savuti area. Look for lions (they could be sleeping, or feeding, or even thrillingly, on the hunt), leopards (look up, as your guide will confirm), and wild dogs on the hunt. They’ll take a baby impala in summer (though really, it’s just a snack) or throw themselves at a larger antelope. Truly, this is as wild and remote as it gets.

Having had an elegant sufficiency of the Savuti wildlife banquet, after your final morning drive you’ll catch a bush taxi for your flight to Nxabega Tented Camp, on the western edge of the Okavango Delta. Here is where you you’ve earned the time to enjoy a little more luxury, with your last three nights spent in a more permanent safari tent, set on a raised wooden deck.

Head out in the late afternoon on your first game drive to discover why the Okavango’s famous inland delta is a World Heritage Site. Over the next few days, you’ll follow predator hunts, track leopards, sip on fine wines under the stars, and discover a love for birds you never knew you had. Blame your guide. His passion is palpable. Here, somebody must have waved a wand, because the Okavango is pure, thrilling enchantment.

Choose how you would like to explore the area today. If we may suggest, a water activity is highly recommended, either on a boat cruise or even better, take the chance to glide along the reed frog-lined waters in a mokoro (dugout canoe).

With so many activities to choose from, you could opt for a walking safari. This is when you can track animals on foot with your expert guide. He’ll read the morning ‘newspaper’ (spoor in a sandy track), then follow a herd, taking his direction from a broken branch, or teach you how to brush your teeth with a Salvadora twig. But also, take a well-deserved day off to do some birdwatching from your private veranda, or simply enjoy your book, lounging on your swing-bed. Do be warned though, some of the best sightings inevitably happen on the game drives you miss.

Deep breath. It’s your final day. Time for one last game drive. Imprint the fragrance of the wild sage. Then head back to camp for a hearty breakfast and freshen up before your flight back to Maun, fondly called Donkey Town by the locals. Hold on to the bustle, and the dust, because this is where your Botswana fly-in safari comes to an end.