7 Days Makgadikgadi and Botswana Wildlife Safari

Lying southeast of the Okavango Delta and surrounded by the Kalahari Desert, Makgadikgadi is technically not a single pan but many pans with sandy desert in between, the largest being the Sua (Sowa), Nwetwe and Nxai Pans. The largest individual pan is about 1,900 sq. mi (4,921.0 km2).

The pans themselves are salty desert whose only plant life is a thin layer of blue-green algae and Very little wildlife can exist here during the harsh dry season of strong hot winds and only saltwater, but following rain, the pan becomes an important habitat for migrating animals including wildebeest and one of Africa’s biggest zebra populations, and the large predators that prey on them. The wet season also brings migratory birds such as ducks, geese and Great White Pelicans. The pan is home to one of only two breeding populations of Greater Flamingos in southern Africa, and only on the Soa pan, which is part of the Makgadikgadi Pans.

Safari highlights

Game drives in Makgadikgadi pans
Game drives in Moremi game reserve
Game drives in Chobe national park

Detailed safari itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Botswana and transfer to Makgadikgadi pans national park

On arrival at Botswana’s Maun Airport, you’ll be flown across to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park where you will be met on arrival and transferred to the lodge. From the hide at the lodge, you can enjoy the view over the Boteti River, where animals come to drink and take the day at easy in one of Botswana’s premier national parks.

Day 2: Explore Makgadikgadi pans national park

Take an early morning game drive to make the most of your position here on the edge of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, which has thousands of zebra and wildebeest – and, as a result, predators like lions, cheetah, leopard and hyena too which are rarely seen but they have been records of this sightings in the park as it has the great annual Migration across the Kalahari desert.

Day 3: Flight to Moremi game reserve

After morning breakfast in Makgadikgadi you’ll fly to the Moremi Game Reserve to spend two nights at Xakanaka Camp on the banks of the Khwai River in the heart of the reserve. You should arrive in time for lunch and an afternoon game drive. Overnight at Xakanaka, with your meals, drinks and game activities included.

Day 4: Explore Moremi game reserve

Relax at the lodge or join the morning and afternoon drives to explore the area. Moremi Game Reserve in the heart of the Okavango Delta has one of the richest and most diverse ecosystems in Africa, so it’s no surprise that game viewing is excellent. Black and white rhino have been reintroduced so this is one of few places in Botswana where you can now see the Big Five, as well as cheetah, hyenas and the endangered wild dog. There are more than 400 species of birds.

Day 5: Flight from Moremi to Chobe national park

Today you’ll depart the Delta for Kasane Airport where you will be met and transferred by road and boat to Chobe Savanna Lodge – the transfer will include immigration as you cross the border into Namibia, but remain along the banks of the Chobe River. Arrive time for lunch and a bit of relaxation before joining the late afternoon River Excursion. Overnight at Chobe Savanna Lodge, with meals, drinks and water-based game activities included.

Day 6: Explore Chobe national park

A choice or aquatic activities is available – River excursions in small, easily maneuverable boats are ideal for close encounters with the wild visitors to the river’s edge. Fishing is also available with catch-and-release fishing trips for Bream or Tiger Fish. There is also the opportunity to visit Namibian cultural village where you can observe the ancient heritage of the local people. In addition to the scheduled game-viewing activities, Chobe Savanna Lodge is also a perfect venue for guests to simply take time out to watch the natural world go by in one of the most spectacular settings imaginable.

Day 7: Depart Chobe national park for your onward journey

After breakfast you’ll be taken by boat to Kasane immigration and then transferred to Kasane Airport where your journey ends.

Trip includes

Domestic flights
Accommodation
Game drives
Meals and sundowners
Guides and transfers for the entire safari
Park entrance fees
All other activities as indicated on the final itinerary

Trip excludes

International flights
Botswana tourist Visa
Travel insurance
Tips for guides and hotels
Pre and post safari accommodation

When to book safari package

We recommend booking this trip 6 months in advance.

Best time to Visit Botswana for a safari

The best time to visit Botswana is during the dry season between May and October, when you can expect warm, sunny days and chilly nights. This is also when the water levels in the Okavango Delta are at their highest, creating the waterways and channels Botswana is famed for.

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