10 Day Sleep Out & Luxury Botswana Safari

Day 1

Arrival in Maun, light aircraft transfer to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

Board your flight from Johannesburg to Maun and begin your sleep-out safari experience.  Upon arrival at Maun International Airport, you will board your light aircraft transfer to the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, here you will be spending 3 nights (1 of those nights will be spent on the pans) at Leroo La Tau. Situated high on the banks of the Boteti River, Leroo La Tau has the most beautiful sweeping views out over the river and into the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park.

Each room at Leroo La Tau has been created with the landscape in mind, furnished with soft neutral tones bringing in the beauty of the sandy surroundings.  When you are not out on a safari, you can relax in the main area with a viewing deck overlooking the river, take a dip in the pool, and enjoy a sundowner around the campfire.

Day 2

Salt Pans sleep-out experience

This morning you will enjoy breakfast before heading out on a morning game drive along the banks of the Boteti River, encountering wildlife such as elephant, zebra, wildebeest, jackal, and much more. This afternoon you will pack a small overnight bag as you prepare for your Salt Pans Sleep Out Experience.  Mid-afternoon you will meet up with your helicopter transfer as you take to the skies and watch the magnificent salt pans evolve before your eyes, stretching for hundreds of kilometers.

You will arrive at an open-air camp set up in the middle of the pans, complete with cozy bedrolls under the stars and unimaginable views.  The Makgadikgadi Salt Pans were once a large inland sea that dried up thousands of years ago, leaving behind the salt pans that we know today.  Enjoy an evening surrounded by the stillness of the vast salt pans, as you enjoy dinner cooked on an open campfire, you will watch the sunset – vibrant oranges, yellows, and reds will fade to blues and purples as the night skies appear for some stargazing.  Retire to your bedroll while taking in this magical experience.

Day 3

On safari in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park

This morning you will be woken up to the unsurpassed beauty of the sun rising over the pans, enjoy a warming coffee and breakfast before your helicopter flight back to Leroo La Tau.  During the flight, you will watch the animals starting their day and heading down towards the shade of the riverbanks.  On arrival back in camp you will have the afternoon to relax, enjoy your room, or take a dip in the pool before afternoon tea and another game drive in the Makgadikgadi National Park.

Day 4

Light aircraft transfer to the Okavango Panhandle

Today you will begin your journey to the Okavango Panhandle, after breakfast you will be transferred back to the airstrip for your charter flight into the Okavango Panhandle, it will be a scenic flight as you will fly over sections of the Kalahari Desert and the Okavango Delta before landing at the airstrip in the Panhandle.  Here you will be met by your guide who will transfer you to the Nxamaseri Island Lodge where you will be spending the next three nights.

Nxamaseri Island Lodge is located in a permanent swamp, although it is not the typical swamp, this is full of lush forests, winding waterways, and beautiful views.  Each chalet has views over the water and is furnished with everything you could need to make your stay comfortable.  This afternoon you will head out onto the water on either a motorized boat or a traditional dugout canoe to experience the magic of the waterways of the panhandle. After your activity,y you will return to camp for dinner under the stars.

Day 5

Tsodilo Hills sleep-out experience

This morning you will enjoy breakfast and an activity before hopping on board your helicopter transfer this afternoon to the historic Tsodilo Hills, where you will embark on a journey stepping back in time to learn all about the history of this region.  In the late afternoon, you will head out on foot for a sundowner walk around the hills, followed by a tasty dinner around the campfire sharing cultural stories.

After dinner you will retreat to your overnight pod, which consists of a dome tent under a grass structure on top of a raised platform, these pay tribute to the traditional huts in the area.  Each pod is equipped with comfortable beds and all you could need for an overnight stay. Drift to sleep to the sounds of the crackling fire and surrounding bush.

Day 6

On safari in the Okavango Panhandle

An early morning awaits you as you take a hike up the Male Hill of the Tsodilo Hills, this is the highest point in Botswana.  Along the way, you will stop and take in the beauty of the ancient rock painting depicting the life of a bygone area. After your hike and a tasty breakfast, you will hop on board your helicopter transfer back to Nxamaseri Island Lodge.  The rest of the day is spent relaxing at the lodge and enjoying the activities - a motorboat cruise, a mokoro trip (traditional dugout canoe), tiger fishing, or a game walk on a nearby island.  Whichever activities you choose, the serenity of the Okavango Panhandle will be apparent as you wind through the crystal-clear waterways.

Day 7

Light aircraft transfer to the Moremi Game Reserve

This morning after breakfast and a morning activity, you will be transferred back to the airstrip in time for your charter flight into the Moremi Game Reserve. Here your guide will be waiting to transfer you to the camp where you will spend the following 3 nights.

Camp Moremi is nestled deep within the Moremi Game Reserve, beside a floodplain teeming with wildlife. Each tent offers breathtaking views of the surrounding bush and is equipped with all the luxurious amenities you’ll need for a comfortable stay. The main area features a wooden walkway that connects the dining spaces, boma, bar, and swimming pool. Upon arrival, you’ll have time to settle into your room before enjoying afternoon tea and embarking on your first game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve.

Day 8 & 9

On Safari in the Moremi Game Reserve

The Moremi Game Reserve is located on the eastern edge of the Okavango Delta, making it an exceptional safari destination with a mix of both mainland and swamp areas. During your game drives, you’ll have the chance to spot most, if not all, of the Big 5, along with a variety of plains game, wild dogs, and a rich diversity of birdlife. Activities are scheduled in the early mornings and late afternoons when temperatures are cooler, and wildlife is most active. While at camp, you can unwind in your room, relax at the bar, or enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool. Since all camps in Botswana are unfenced, you may have the opportunity to view wildlife right from the camp, as animals often pass through.

Day 10

Light aircraft transfer to Maun, departure

As all good things do, your time in Botswana draws to a close.  After breakfast and a quick morning activity, if time allows, you will be transferred back to the airstrip in time for your charter flight to Maun International Airport.  From here you will board your flight back to Johannesburg where you will continue your onward journey with wonderful memories of your time in Botswana.