Luxury Camps of Botswana: Wilderness Safaris

Depart Maun by light aircraft for the airstrip at Kalahari Plains Camp.

On arrival at the air strip, the Kalahari Plains staff will greet you and transfer you to the camp.

The balance of the day is at leisure to relax or begin your exploration of the National Park.

Kalahari Plains lies in a remote part of the diverse and productive Central Kalahari Game Reserve and offers some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Africa, particularly in summer. Located in the Kalahari Desert in central Botswana, this reserve is the largest conservation area in the country and one of the largest in the world. Its star attractions include the legendary Kalahari black-maned lion as well as some of the world's best cheetah viewing.

Expert guides will lead you on morning and afternoon drives.

Healthy wildlife populations are present in the area all year round, but with the advent of the summer rains, the desert comes to life. A plethora of plains game such as springbok and gemsbok converge in their hundreds to graze, followed by lion, one of the highest concentrations of cheetah in southern Africa and leopard. In winter, the Kalahari is a typical desert. General game is still easily seen, from the carnivores to wildebeest, red hartebeest and steenbok as well as small predators like black-backed jackal, Cape fox, honey badger and myriad mongoose species. Some 220 bird species have been recorded.

This evening, relax in camp or dine in the bush to observing nature unfold in the African wild and get to know the staff, their heritage and culture.

Bid farewell to the Kalahari and travel to the Okavango Delta via Maun.

On arrival at Hunda Airstrip the staff of Tubu Tree Camp will greet you and transfer you to the camp.

Tubu Tree, as its name indicates, is built into the trees, with elevated wooden walkways connecting eight traditional-style tents on raised platforms, with picturesque views over the surrounding floodplains from a private deck. 

The world’s largest inland delta and a World Heritage Site, the Okavango is one of the richest and most varied habitats in Africa, and ranks as a top wildlife destination.

The Okavango Delta consists of 15 000 square kilometres of water channels, lagoons and islands, forming an incredible wilderness sanctuary. Each year, floodwaters flow from Angola, over 1 000 km away, to create this incredible wetland habitat. Home to hundreds of species of animals and birds, the Delta offers the chance to spot creatures that are not often seen elsewhere, such as sitatunga, wild dog and wattled crane.

Your guides will introduce you to the wildlife around Tubu Tree including elephant, lion, Burchell's zebra, red lechwe, southern giraffe, tsessebe, and blue wildebeest on the floodplains. Kudu, impala, bushbuck and leopard are also seen in the forested areas. The variety of birdlife is impressive, with dry-land species seen on the larger islands and a multitude of wetland birds seen on the floodplains and waterways.

After a full day in the delta, return to the main dining and lounge areas which are raised to maximise the vista across the floodplains. An open bar area is shaded by a large marula tree.

Enjoy breakfast overlooking the delta before transfering to the airstrip for the flight to Chobe.

On arrival the staff will be waiting to transfer you to the camp.

Linyanti in northern Botswana boasts the famous Savute Channel, an ancient and sporadic watercourse that supports abundant wildlife, and the productive Linyanti River. This area is famous for its huge concentrations of elephant in the dry season, and year-round game viewing.

Savuti Camp, is comprised of seven large, raised tents. From the camp's thatched dining area, elevated wooden decks extend out over the channel bed, with a small pool, fire pit and wonderful views along and across the channel.

A full day exporing Linyanti with the camp's expert rangers.

Savuti is located along the Savute Channel, famous as a sporadic and unusual watercourse. As part of a natural cycle, the waters of the Savute either flow strongly - a magnet for thirsty wildlife - or recede to leave behind a rich grassland. Regardless, both plains game and predators thrive, and exploring the length of the Channel and its associated woodlands is thus a highlight here.

The Linyanti has diverse and prolific wildlife, but is most noted for its very large elephant population which can reach enormous densities during the dry winter months. Other game concentrations are also high, and apart from abundant plains game, species such as roan and sable antelope, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, spotted hyaena, black-backed jackal and wild dog may also be encountered. This area can also be excellent for the rarely-seen aardvark and aardwolf. Birding is spectacular.

After a memorable day with the wildlife, return to the expansive dining and lounge area overlooking the wildlife-rich lagoon.

Following an early morning game drive and breakfast, return to the Chobe Airstrip for your flight to Kasane.