My First Botswana Safari

PRICE FROM:

US$3,592 – US$7,364

DURATION:

6 nights/7 days

DEPARTURE:

Year round

GROUP SIZE:

Enquire with reservations

PRICE FROM:

US$3,592 – US$7,364

DURATION:

6 nights/7 days

DEPARTURE:

Year round

GROUP SIZE:

Enquire with reservations

Experience the Best of Botswana

Why You’ll Love It:

  • Compare two destinations in Botswana and discover the different species that call them home at a very purse-friendly price.
  • Make the most of staying in the private Khwai Reserve and sample game drives, night drives and walking safaris – the best of everything!
  • Take a walk with the indigenous Bushmen, and discover the history and culture of the people of the Makgadikgadi.
  • Marvel at the second largest migration of mammals in Africa, and watch as 40,000 zebra and wildebeest converge at the Boteti River (May to November).
  • Search for unique desert-adapted animals and marvel at the breath-taking isolation of the endless salt pans.

This itinerary is fully customizable. To change this itinerary, please enquire with us.

What’s Included:

  • Accommodation, guest laundry, all meals & local beverages
  • All light aircraft and road transfers to and from Maun
  • All light aircraft and road transfers between camps
  • Daily activities, expert guiding, park entrance fees & VAT

Exclusions: Premium brand drinks, gratuities and fully comprehensive travel insurance.

SAVE YOUR PENNIES

At Natural Selection, we believe that everyone should go on a Botswana safari at least once in their life – and it shouldn’t be any old Botswana safari. We think it should be a truly diverse, all-singing, all-dancing sort of trip; one that showcases Botswana’s truly wild places and natural glory. And it also shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. A tall order? We’ve come up with this fantastic, budget-friendly custom safari to three different areas of Botswana that shows it’s absolutely possible…

Your journey begins at the Boteti River on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, where activities include Bushmen walks, boat cruises and plenty of game drives. You’ll then head to the Khwai Private Reserve and stay in two beautiful and very different locations. Khwai is quintessential Botswana and the emerald plains are home to an enormous variety of wildlife making for a truly fantastic end to your trip.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Maun and drive to Meno a Kwena, Makgadikgadi National Park

Settle into your new desert home and enjoy an afternoon lazing by the river, sundowners in hand.

Accommodations

Meno a Kwena is one of Botswana’s original safari camps. Views are out-of-this-world good and each tent looks over the Boteti River and the herds of zebra that it attracts. Meno isn’t a camp of unnecessary frills; instead, you’ll find rooms full of character and unique eccentricities, personalised service, and a huge dose of passion for the bush.

Day 2: Meno a Kwena, Makgadikgadi National Park

Today will be filled with Bushmen walks, game drives, village explorations, and desert wildlife. There are far worse ways to spend a couple of days.

Wildlife

The highlight of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park is undoubtedly the second largest migration of mammals in Africa, in which 30,000 zebra and wildebeest rumble across the area, congregating at the Boteti River in April in a dazzle of black and white (and grey and brown). Add to that some of the rarest desert species on the continent and the wildlife experience here is a special one.

Day 3: Drive back to Maun and fly to Hyena Pan, Khwai Private Reserve

Today you will drive back to Maun before hopping on a small plane to the Khwai Private Reserve.

Accommodations

In Khwai, Hyena Pan is one of the most purse-friendly camps in any Botswana private concession. But that doesn’t mean we’ve compromised on style and comfort – we’ve simply kept things laid-back and relaxed.

Day 4: Hyena Pan, Khwai Private Reserve

Enjoy a game drive in the morning, then change the pace with a walking safari or a visit to the magnificent Elephant Hide in the afternoon.

Wildlife

The Khwai Private Reserve is positively bursting with game, and it’s just as varied as the habitats you’re driving through. Wildlife moves freely from the neighbouring Moremi Game Reserve and you’ll see buffalo, zebra, reedbuck, red lechwe, sable and roan antelope, and waterbuck dotted over the landscape. Predators are plentiful and lion and leopard hide in the mopane bush, whilst cheetah and wild dog frequently cross the open plains. And don’t forget the elephant – there’s an extraordinary number of the grey pachyderms in the park and the sightings are top-notch.

Day 5: Drive to Little Sable, Khwai Private Reserve

Enjoy the landscapes whizzing past as you drive to Little Sable, your second location in the beautiful KPR – it’s an action-packed day and you’ll sleep well tonight!

Accommodations

Little Sable, which is refreshingly simple yet stylish and comfortable, has cool swimming pools and shady seating areas to chill out in between game drives and keep your eyes on the happenings in the bush.

Day 6: Little Sable, Khwai Private Reserve

Explore the luscious surroundings on a water-based safari by mokoro or boat (water levels depending) and see the wildlife from a different perspective.

Wildlife

The varied habitats of Khwai support an equally impressive cast of animals and all the stars of the wildlife show are present – as well as a few extra. The wetlands and rivers host impressive quantities of hippos and crocodiles, whilst on dry land, big cats lurk along treelines and sometimes right through camp. Sable, roan, impala, and kudu dot the grasslands, alongside giraffe and zebra, an abundance of elephant and buffalo, and of course, the occasional jackal. The birdlife is fantastic and guests can expect everything from giant eagle owls to lilac-breasted rollers. Khwai also has an excellent reputation for the rarer species of the African savannah including wild dogs, serval cats, honey badgers, and the elusive pangolin. Binos at the ready!

Day 7: Fly back to Maun for your onward flight

The last day of a safari is always bittersweet, but sadly it’s time to say goodbye to Khwai and fly back to Maun.

Ready to book this safari?

This itinerary starts at US$3,592 – US$7,364/person* and is fully customizable based on the number of people and travel dates.

Start Planning

Additional Information

When to Go & What to Pack:

This itinerary runs throughout the year. The dry, winter months of June to October are the most expensive time of year to travel so if you’re looking to save some pennies, we highly recommend travelling in what’s known as the shoulder season which is slightly cheaper, or even the green season. In Botswana, the shoulder season months are April to mid-June and November to January, and green season is January, February & March. Do remember, however, that you may only quad bike in the dry months (April to October).

As for packing, we recommend that you bring lots of light, neutral-coloured layers, preferably in natural fabrics. There are laundry facilities in all camps so don’t bring too much. Sturdy shoes are a must for walking safaris, and sun cream, a hat, sunglasses and any medication you take are all essentials. We also highly recommend a good book and your swimming kit, just in case.

Policies & Access:

Child Policy: Children aged 6 years and older are welcome. Please contact reservations for child pricing and policies.

Disabled Access: Please enquire with reservations.

Wifi: Wifi is available at all three camps on this itinerary.

Excluded: Premium brand drinks, gratuities and fully comprehensive travel insurance.

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