Best of Botswana

Our Best of Botswana Safari takes combines four of northern Botswana’s best safari areas and combines them into a quality and cost-effective 12-day Botswana safari. The types of accommodation used here are considered ‘comfortable to luxury’. We can of course tweak this to use other more exclusive camps. The areas included are the Makgadikgadi Pans - an expansive set of salt pans, so vast you can lose the sight of land. It is a wilderness that has its signature wildlife & experience. The Okavango Delta is a wetland dotted with paradisiacal islands and teeming with wildlife. The Savute forms an important part of the Chobe National Park and the greater northern Botswana wildlife areas. Known for exceptional predator interaction and of course its ubiquitous elephants. Lastly, the Chobe River itself is an experience never to be forgotten and best enjoyed from the deck of a luxury houseboat.

Your journey begins in the wide-open spaces of the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park, where the flat, salt-pan landscape is perfect for capturing views of the endless horizon.  The park is also home to an abundance of fossil dunes and wildlife, including the Makgadikgadi meerkat, pink flamingo, and several predator species, such as cheetah and lion.

From here to the alluvial paradise of the Okavango Delta. The Delta is one of Africa’s largest wetland resources and the world’s largest inland delta that floods and swells annually, as water from the neighboring Angolan Highlands enters Botswana between June to October. This natural phenomenon attracts a wide range of bird and animal life that flock to the water-rich region, creating a unique and memorable safari experience.

From the Delta, we continue to the iconic Savuti Region, home to the episodic Savuti Channel a water source that supports an array of wildlife, including vast herds of elephants and large pride of lions.

The magic continues as you move to the Chobe River in northern Botswana, where you embark on a luxurious Chobe Houseboat Safari operating from the Namibian bank. Home to big crocodiles, many hippos, and a critical water source for all wildlife.

Best of Botswana

Itinerary at a Glance:

  • Day 01

    Johannesburg to Le Roo la Tau

  • Day 02 - 03

    On Safari at Leroo La Tau

  • Day 04

    Leroo La Tau to Xugana Island Lodge

  • Day 05 - 06

    On Safari at Xugana Island Lodge

  • Day 07

    Xugana Island Lodge to Savute Safari Lodge

  • Day 07 & 08

    On Safari at Savute Safari Lodge

  • Day 09

    Savuti Safari Lodge to Kasane for the Chobe River and onto the Chobe Princess Houseboat

  • Day 11 & 12

    On Safari aboard the Chobe Princess Houseboat

  • Day 13

    Chobe Princess to Johannesburg (via Kasane)

Day 01

Johannesburg to Le Roo la Tau

This morning you board your flight in Johannesburg for Maun, Botswana. Here you will be met and transferred by light aircraft to near the Makgadikgadi Pans. On landing at the airstrip, you will be met and transferred to the Leroo La Tau where you spend the first 03 nights of your Best of Botswana safari on a fully inclusive basis.

Zebras drinking on the Boteti River, near Makgadikgadi Pans, Botswana

Day 02 - 03

On Safari at Leroo La Tau

Days spent at Leroo La Tau on guided activities, including guided game drives in the Makgadikgadi Pans National Park focusing on the exceptional wildlife sightings along the Boteti River. The national park has a mix of grassland, scrubland, and thousands of square kilometers of saltpan. The habitat is hostile in its extremes but it features an abundance of interesting wildlife and vast space that is an integral part of a true Botswana safari.

View from the rooms at Le Roo La Tau, Botswana
Bush dinner at  Le Roo La Tau, Botswana
A view of the Boteti River , Botswana
Sundowners during a game drive at Le Roo La Tau, Botswana

Day 04

Leroo La Tau to Xugana Island Lodge

This morning after an activity and breakfast you will be transferred by light aircraft into the Okavango Delta. You will land at Xugana Island Lodge arriving in time for lunch and the afternoon safari activity. Here you spend 03 nights on a fully inclusive basis.

The Okavango Delta, near Xugana Island Lodge

Day 05 - 06

On Safari at Xugana Island Lodge

The Okavango Delta swells each year in what is known as the flood. The flood waters have their origin in the Angolan Highlands and only make it to the Okavango around June each year and lasts until about October. This coincides with the region’s dry winter months and the result is an abundance of wildlife that occurs in and around the delta.

Room Interior Xugana Island Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Aerial view of Xugana Island Lodge, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Mokoro activity from Xugana Island Lodge
Boating through the channels of the Okavango, Xugana Island Lodge, Botswana

Day 07

Xugana Island Lodge to Savute Safari Lodge

After your morning safari and breakfast at Xugana Island Lodge, you will board a light aircraft for your transfer to the Savuti area. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the Savute Safari Lodge in time for lunch and the afternoon game drive. Here you will spend 03 nights on a fully inclusive basis.

Elephants drink just about daily in front of Savute Safari Lodge

Day 07 & 08

On Safari at Savute Safari Lodge

Time spent at Savute Safari Lodge enjoying the morning and afternoon game drive safaris. Game drives are conducted in the early morning and late afternoon. The Savuti area is renowned for some excellent elephant sightings as well as lion and other predators.

A genuine Botswana welcome at Savute Safari Lodge, Botswana
Room interior, Savute Safari Lodge
Outside showers are a feature to the rooms at Savute Safari Lodge
Relax on the deck in the main area and watch the wildlife come past at Savute Safari Lodge
Lion prides are a frequent sighting around Savute Safari Lodge
An elephant calf hiding under its mother near Savute Safari Lodge, Botswana

The Savuti has its own unique pulse of life, that is governed by a force of nature that we have no way of predicting. The famous Savuti Channel can be a deep clear flowing channel of water supporting a host of birdlife, hippos and crocodiles for years at a time. Then without warning, dry up to a dry river bed that can remain as such for years again. The constant however to this beautiful wilderness is its rich wildlife, large zebra migration and the rocky hills (koppies) known as the Gubatsa Hills that have gazed over this piece of Africa for millions of years.

Day 09

Savuti Safari Lodge to Kasane for the Chobe River and onto the Chobe Princess Houseboat

After the morning safari and breakfast, you will be transferred by light aircraft to the Kasane from where you will be transferred by road to the boat launch where you clear customs into Namibia and then cruise across to board the Chobe Princess Houseboat. Here you will spend the last 03 nights of your Best of Botswana safari on a fully inclusive basis. The Chobe Princess has been refurbished to create a fresh new look capturing the beauty of the Chobe River and translating that into all the furnishings aboard the boat. Each room has beautiful views over the river, there is a splash pool and the top deck has been converted into a viewing platform with unspoilt views of the surrounding landscapes.

The Chobe Princess glides up the Chobe River, Botswana

Day 11 & 12

On Safari aboard the Chobe Princess Houseboat

Moving regularly between our moorings on the Chobe River, evoking a sense of exploration, the Chobe Princess exposes its passengers to the rich and diverse wildlife of the area. The Chobe is world famous for its vast elephant herds, which can be experienced up close in complete safety as they congregate at the river, or swim across to the Caprivi floodplains. It is not unusual to awaken to a herd of buffalo, in their hundreds, grazing peacefully next to the boat.

Relax in the lounge with 360 degree views of the Chobe River
Luxury Chobe Princess cabins with beautiful views
Chobe Princess moored in the evening light
Boat based game viewing from Chobe Princess

Day 13

Chobe Princess to Johannesburg (via Kasane)

This morning you will be transferred to the Kasane Airport where you board your flight back to Johannesburg, so ending your 12-night Best of Botswana safari.

Safari Cost

* The costs below are split out into the Botswana section (in USD) and the Namibia section & flights (in ZAR). The exchange rate between the ZAR : USD can be seen here

Jan & Feb 2025
$6,000 per person sharing
R36,250 per person sharing

Mar 2025
$6,000 per person sharing
R43,770 per person sharing

Apr - May & Nov 2025
$7,840 per person sharing
R44,610 per person sharing

Jun - Oct 2025
$9,880 per person sharing
R44,610 per person sharing

Dec 2025
$7,840 per person sharing
R38,250 per person sharing

 

Safari Price Includes

12 nights accommodation on a fully inclusive basis
Twice daily guided safari activities at the camps, lodges & houseboats specified, which could include boating, game drives, game walks & mokoro excursions
Park & concession fees where necessary

All light aircraft transfers as per itinerary
All road & airport transfers as per itinerary
The services of professional guides & camp staff
All meals, refreshments local spirits & wine (Excluding premium brands)
All Scheduled charter flights as per itinerary

Flights
JNB - Maun one way excl taxes
Kasane - JNB one way excl taxes

Safari Prices Excludes

Premium branded drinks
Personal items & gratuities
Visas if required
Airport taxes
Laundry Service on Chobe Princess Houseboat
Travel Insurance

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Jim Campbell
Jim Campbell
01 May 2025
We asked for a holiday of a lifetime for my wife's birthday ... and Lize Enderstein and ATG certainly delivered!!! We could not have experienced such a magnificent trip without all Lize's organisation and planning. It was an absolute dream! So much so, we're looking to visit again and will certainly be using Lize for our next adventure. Nothing was too much trouble and all the planning made everything work so very smoothly. We felt like royalty throughout our trip with all sorts of birthday surprises already booked at every location. Incredible!!! We are so very grateful for everything Lize arranged and can't thank her enough and would heartily recommend Lize and ATG. Jim and Melanie xxx
Teresa Harrison
Teresa Harrison
29 January 2025
I have been using African Travel Gateway for about 30 years and not once have they let me down. My travels have been varied, visiting different countries and cultures in Africa, but with their help, it is always a magic carpet ride. Lize has been my contact for many years, and the intineries devised have been spectacular. She really understands our requirements and goes the extra mile to ensure all is OK. This time, we visited South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana. Everything was amazing. Our highlights, however, were La Fontaine in Franshoek and Camp Xakanaxa in the Okavango Delta in Botswana. We HIGHLY recommend African Travel Gateway
Debbie Isaacs
Debbie Isaacs
21 January 2025
We used African Travel again for the second time over Xmas and New Year. Once again, every little bit of our trip ran smoothly and without a hitch. Their communication was great throughout and we will, no doubt, be returning to them in the future too. Thanks Petru.
Daniel Stewart
Daniel Stewart
08 January 2025
We had the most amazing time on our self drive tour of Namibia organised through African Travel Gateway. Everything from the planning and booking process, to the arrival and welcome in Windhoek, to the app with the itinerary and directions made for a really relaxed and well organised holiday. But the most important part was getting to experience Namibia - what a spectacular country! The only negative was that we should have booked for longer!
Hilda Stanfliet
Hilda Stanfliet
27 December 2024
Amazing hotel booked by Lize of African Travel Gateway, the most attentive service leading up to holiday
Zoe Heelas
Zoe Heelas
27 November 2024
ATG were fantastic from start to finish organising our trip 3 week trip in South Africa.Communication with Debbie was excellent before and during our trip. All accommodation and trips chosen by ATG was fantastic. This is our third trip with ATG and we are already thinking about our next.
Harrison Shore
Harrison Shore
09 November 2024
We used African Travel Gateway to plan our honeymoon, and it was incredible! Putting together the itinerary was really smooth and fun - Lize sent us a few options, and was really quick to make the changes we wanted and let us know what made the most sense. The planning portal had a lot of really useful information so we knew what to expect and made the whole thing very comfortable (this was our first trip to Africa!) The itinerary we ended up with was spectacular, and very well structured. We spent most of our trip in the greater Kruger area (Kapama River Lodge then Walkers Plains Camp) and then finished in Victoria Falls (Vic Falls River Lodge) - each stop was both nicer and more wild than the last, which made for a very cool trip. Some real gems - Walkers and the camp at Victoria Falls had both been open less than a year, and were super luxurious, no way we would have found places like that on our own! And starting at Kapama, which is a bigger operation and a little more controlled (fully fenced, very close to the Hoedspruit airport) was a great way to ease into the trip. The animal viewing at all three locations was amazing - we saw the Big 5 at both camps in South Africa, plus wild dogs and a cheetah at Walkers, and not just from a distance - we were able to get up pretty close at several of the viewings. The guides were excellent at all three, same with the staff, and the other guests! Logistics were seamless - all of our transfers were easy, the lodges knew our schedule and drivers were where they needed to be exactly on time. I would absolutely recommend African Travel Gateway, and hope to work with Lize on our next safari!
Hamdan nazarudin
Hamdan nazarudin
28 September 2024
Contacted Lize to get assistance with our trip. Her help has been really great! Enquiries are replied within a short period. Even asking for last minute arrangement of extra baggage and early hotel check-in. Itinerary are also seamless at every transition of camps and location.
Archie B
Archie B
16 August 2024
Travelled across South Africa with ATG. They picked the most amazing places to stay where we felt like royalty. The planning was efficient and there was regular communication during the booking process. The knowledge of Lize was excellent and so we knew what to expect at each stage. Would we use them again? YES, of course, and we are!!! - Already planning our next trip across Namibia for next year!
yvonne omer
yvonne omer
07 August 2024
We chose African Travel Gateway because of their awesome reviews and they did not disappoint! Bianca created a fabulous itinerary combining a luxury private reserve experience, a trip to Victoria Falls, a riverboat stay viewing the animals from a different perspective, ( and BTW the best scrambled eggs we have ever tasted) and a stay at a lodge where we saw different animals and a ride on a bush plane landing in what seemed the middle of nowhere! Every connection was seamless, no stress traveling at its best.Our hosts and guides were excellent, and lovely people. The food was wonderful and of course loved the sundowner drinks and our first” Bush Bar! Would definitely go back for more adventure, thank you ATG for a lovely experience!
Jennifer Morawiecki
Jennifer Morawiecki
06 August 2024
We've just returned from an incredible two-week holiday across Botswana and Zimbabwe with African Travel Gateway. The arrangements made by Bianca were perfect, the documentation provided was extremely thorough, and every detail of our journey was meticulously planned. Communication was excellent throughout. Coming from North America, we felt it best to work with a travel agent located in Southern Africa and it was absolutely the right choice. Highly recommended!
Maria Lohan
Maria Lohan
01 August 2024
Lize helped us find accommodation in Kruger when there was practically none to be got - and t was the best place. The tours she booked were tremendous and the people she booked were great and we are very grateful and glad we had the opportunity to book with Lize. Maria & family form Belfast
Arishana Riek
Arishana Riek
03 July 2024
Tailormade itinerary with knowledgeable guides (Apartheid Museum and Cradle of Humankind).
Sivan Debeljakovic
Sivan Debeljakovic
03 July 2024
Petru, of African Travel Gateway, planned our 12-day South Africa-Zimbabwe itinerary for three of us (arriving from two continents). Her expertise, keen insights, and care in arranging the most perfect accommodation for us, prompt and efficient transfers/drivers, and booking all internal flights, meant this was the smoothest, most enjoyable holiday experience, ever! We covered a lot of ground in a short time, but the precision-timing with transfers, and Petru's choice of such knowledgeable and personable tour guides really made all the difference. Huge thanks to Natasha (Afrifriends) and Chris (Paradise)! Highlights were: The Peech Hotel in J'burg (delightful boutique hotel with a fabulous breakfast - thank you, Oliver!); Ilala Lodge in Zimbabwe; Nkorho Bush Lodge in Sabi Sand (if you want up close & personal experiences with the wildlife, this is where you need to go!); Rickety Bridge Manor House in Franschhoek (perfectly appointed and beautiful accommodation); Boschendal Winery (try the pinotage; farm shop is a must!); Woodstock Markets in Cape Town (so much to see and buy here!). We had the most exceptional holiday – we will definitely return to SA in the future, and will be utilising the expert services of Petru at ATG. Thank you again, Petru.
Sergio Santini
Sergio Santini
03 June 2024
Petru has been our reference person at African Travel Gateway: she organised our self-drive travel through South Africa during April 2024. The itinerary has been tailored according to our wishes and her suggestions. She did a great job , fully meeting our requirements and tacking care about us in real time even during the trip. We really enjoyed the safaris she proposed and we saw what has to be seen in this beautiful country for a 3 weeks visit. The TravelKey App was new for us; it is an efficient tool and has been a very positive experience, having everything filed in the HP.
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