8-Day Botswana Safari: Central Kalahari, Okavango Delta, and Kwando Concession
This comprehensive 8-day Botswana safari offers participants a journey through three of Botswana’s most diverse and wildlife-rich areas, providing ample opportunities for wildlife viewing and cultural interactions.
Duration: 8 Days
Places to Visit: Maun, Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Okavango Delta, Kwando Concession
Itinerary:
Day 1-2: Maun – Central Kalahari Game Reserve
Distance: 300km/5-6hrs drive
Upon arrival at Maun International Airport, a skilled guide will welcome participants and provide a brief introduction to Botswana’s geography and culture. Maun, with a population of approximately 55,000, serves as the gateway to many of Botswana’s wildlife areas.
Depart for the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR), the second-largest game reserve in the world, covering 52,800 square kilometers. The journey traverses changing landscapes, from mopane woodland to vast grasslands.
Spend two days exploring the CKGR, known for its desert-adapted wildlife and San Bushmen heritage. The reserve is home to species such as the Kalahari lion, brown hyena, and the elusive aardwolf.
Visit Deception Valley, made famous by Mark and Delia Owens’ book “Cry of the Kalahari.” Learn about the unique adaptations of plants and animals to this semi-arid environment.
Participate in a guided walk with San Bushmen trackers. The San have inhabited this region for thousands of years, developing intricate knowledge of survival in the harsh desert environment. Learn about traditional hunting techniques, bush medicine, and water-finding skills.
In the evening, enjoy a traditional San storytelling session under the stars, learning about San mythology and their deep connection to the land.
Accommodation: Kalahari Plains Camp (2 nights)
Day 3-5: Central Kalahari – Okavango Delta Flight from CKGR to Okavango Delta (approximately 1.5 hours)
Fly into the heart of the Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site covering 15,000 square kilometers. The Delta is one of the world’s largest inland deltas and supports a rich diversity of wildlife.
Spend three days exploring the Delta’s diverse ecosystems. Activities include mokoro (traditional dugout canoe) excursions, guided walking safaris, and game drives (depending on water levels).
Learn about the Delta’s unique flood cycle and how it supports the ecosystem. The annual floods arrive in the dry season, creating a haven for wildlife in an otherwise arid region.
Visit a nearby village to learn about life in the Delta. Many communities here practice a mix of traditional subsistence farming and modern conservation-based tourism.
Participate in a basket weaving workshop. The Bayei people of the Delta are renowned for their intricate basket weaving skills, passed down through generations.
Take a scenic flight over the Delta (optional, additional cost) to appreciate its vastness and intricate waterways from above.
Enjoy a cultural evening featuring traditional songs and dances of the Okavango region, including the healing dances of the local Bayei people.
Accommodation: Tented camp in the Okavango Delta (3 nights)
Day 6-7: Okavango Delta – Kwando Concession Flight from Okavango Delta to Kwando Concession (approximately 1 hour)
Transfer to the Kwando Concession, a 232,000-hectare private reserve in northern Botswana known for its high concentrations of predators.
Spend two days on game drives and walking safaris in the concession. The area is famous for its wild dog populations and large lion prides.
Learn about the unique management of private concessions in Botswana and how they contribute to conservation efforts. The Kwando Concession is committed to low-impact tourism and community involvement.
Visit the nearby Mababe village to learn about the Bukakhwe people, a San subgroup. Understand their traditional hunter-gatherer lifestyle and how they’ve adapted to modern times.
Participate in a night drive to observe nocturnal animals and learn about celestial navigation techniques used by local trackers.
Enjoy a traditional Botswana dinner featuring dishes such as seswaa (pounded beef) and morogo (wild spinach), followed by stories around the campfire.
Accommodation: Lagoon Camp (2 nights)
Day 8: Kwando Concession – Maun Morning flight from Kwando to Maun (approximately 1 hour)
Upon arrival in Maun, visit the Nhabe Museum, which showcases the history and culture of the Ngamiland region. The museum includes exhibits on the indigenous San people and their traditional hunting techniques.
Take a short tour of Maun, learning about how tourism has transformed the local economy and culture.
Before departure, visit the Botswana Craft shop to purchase locally made souvenirs. The shop supports artisans from across Botswana and offers a wide range of traditional crafts.
Transfer to Maun International Airport for departure, concluding the safari.
