ULTIMATE BOTSWANA

Upon arrival in Johannesburg, you will connect with your flight to Maun, before boarding a light aircraft flight to your camp in the vast Kalahari Desert.

Your Botswana adventure kicks off with a stay on the desert’s mysterious Makgadikgadi Pans. In this seemingly inhospitable environment, you will encounter an array of fascinating desert-adapted wildlife, from families of meerkats to one of Africa’s most elusive carnivores – the brown hyena. Mongoose, aardvark and aardwolf are present year-round, whilst the rains bring pink flamingo, zebra and wildebeest.

A safari at Jack’s Camp is the complete desert experience. You’ll enjoy morning strolls through the desert and safaris led by bushman trackers. In the dry season, you’ll have the fantastic opportunity to quad bike across the salt pans, exploring remote archaeological sites and discovering ancient fossil beds. An oasis of comfort in a harsh environment, the camp offers classic style tents with en suites and outdoor showers.

Stay: Three nights at Jack’s Camp – full board

Next is a completely different but equally fascinating wildlife experience in the Okavango Delta, one of the largest wetlands on the planet and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Game viewing in this watery paradise is consistently good all year round with wild dog, lion, leopard, elephant, sable and buffalo providing an excellent all-round wildlife experience. Bird watchers can also look out for more than 400 species of resident and migrant birds.

Your luxury camp sits on Xaxaba island deep in the Okavango Delta in an area that was especially selected for photographic safaris. Surrounded by a lagoon as well as countless waterways, floodplains and palm-fringed islands, the camp offers an array of water-based activities including barge cruises, motorboat tours and mokoro (traditional canoe) excursions. Open 4x4s drives, walking safaris and helicopter rides are all also on the menu. Those interested in experiencing the culture of the region can visit the Xaxaba village to learn more about the local way of life.

Stay: Two nights at Eagle Island Lodge – full board

Now it’s time to explore the Duba Plains Reserve – a 77,000-hectare private wilderness made up of palm-studded islands, floodplains and woodland. This exclusive area is home to plenty of wildlife including lions, elephants, buffalos and leopards. You’ll also have the opportunity to spot interesting Kalahari species like pangolins and aardwolf. From your luxury camp – which sits on an island in the shade of ebony and fig trees – you’ll enjoy morning and late afternoon/early evening excursions in specially adapted 4x4s as well as water-based activities.

Stay: Three nights at Duba Plains – full board

Today you’ll board a light aircraft to Zarafa. At the airstrip, you’ll be met by a guide who will transfer you to your camp in the extraordinary Selinda Reserve, a 130,000-hectare private wilderness which connects the Okavango Delta to the Chobe/Savute corridors. Abundant plains game can be found here including lechwe, kudu, zebra and giraffe. It is also a predator-rich reserve with cheetah, wild dog, lion, and leopard all roaming the untamed landscape. The huge numbers of elephant and buffalo are another highlight; while the population of birds – some 300 species or more – make it a paradise for birdwatchers.

Activities at Zarafa Camp, which overlooks the sparkling Zibadianja Lagoon, will depend on your particular interests. You could go on morning, night or full day game drives accompanied by experienced professional guides, enjoy guided nature walks or simply relax in the camp’s sunken hide to watch wildlife drink at the water’s edge.

Stay: Three nights at Zarafa Camp – full board

Today you’ll catch a light aircraft flight back to Maun. On arrival, you’ll board a domestic flight to Johannesburg for your onward journey home.