7-Day Okavango Delta & Makgadikgadi Pans Walking Safari

Day 01

Depart Johannesburg for Maun, transfer to the Okavango Delta, Kweene Trails

Today you depart from O. R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg for Maun, Botswana, with the flight taking approximately 2 hours. On arrival in Maun, you will board a scenic helicopter transfer of around 20 to 30 minutes into the heart of the Okavango Delta, flying over winding channels, islands and floodplains before landing near Kweene Trails’ Kweene River Camp. This remote mobile camp will be your base for the next two nights before you continue deeper into the Delta.

Kweene River Camp is set along the banks of the seasonal Kweene River and offers a truly authentic and immersive bush experience. The camp features a simple yet comfortable main area with a dining and seating space, while accommodation is in dome tents equipped with cosy bedrolls, soft lighting and a small outdoor seating area. Bathrooms are traditional in style, with bucket showers (heated by camp staff) and pit latrine toilets, allowing you to stay close to nature while still enjoying essential comforts. The camp team, including your guides and chef, ensure a welcoming and well-supported experience throughout your stay.

In the afternoon, you will head out on your first walking safari through the Delta’s floodplains and waterways. Exploring on foot offers a completely different perspective, allowing you to connect with the landscape and notice the smaller details of the ecosystem. Your guide will share insights into animal tracks, plants and the intricate relationships that sustain life in this unique environment, setting the tone for an unforgettable walking safari adventure.

Day 02 to 04

Walking safari in the Okavango Delta, Mobile Camp

Your days on safari begin early with tea and coffee before heading out on foot to explore the Delta as it comes to life. Morning walks typically last around 3 to 4 hours, giving you time to track wildlife, learn about the landscape and take in the sights and sounds of the bush. After your walk, return to camp for a hearty brunch and some time to relax during the heat of the day, before heading out again in the late afternoon for another shorter walk or exploration of the surrounding area.

On Day 03, you will enjoy a longer walking day as you move between camps. After breakfast, you will set off on foot deeper into the Delta, with the walk taking approximately 4 to 6 hours depending on the pace and wildlife encounters along the way. You will arrive at Magwegwe Camp, your new base for the next two nights, set in a seasonal swamp area that attracts an abundance of wildlife and offers a different perspective of the Delta’s landscapes. The camp is set up in a similar style to your first mobile camp, with comfortable dome tents, bucket showers and all the essentials needed for an authentic yet comfortable bush experience.

Over these days, you will become fully immersed in one of Africa’s last true wilderness areas. Walking through this pristine environment allows you to appreciate the finer details of the ecosystem, from animal tracks and birdlife to the plants that sustain it all. With experienced guides leading the way, each day brings new discoveries, creating a deeply rewarding and memorable safari experience in the heart of the Okavango Delta.

Day 05

Transfer to Maun, transfer to the Makgadikgadi National Park, Jack’s Camp

This morning, enjoy a final bush breakfast in the Okavango Delta before preparing for your onward journey. You will then be transferred by helicopter back to Maun, a scenic flight of approximately 20 to 30 minutes. From Maun, you will board a light aircraft for your flight to the Makgadikgadi Pans, which takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to Jack’s Camp, where you will spend the next two nights on the edge of the vast salt pans.

Jack’s Camp is a unique and iconic desert camp set in what was once an ancient inland sea. The camp offers a blend of classic safari style and comfort, with spacious tents, elegant furnishings and a welcoming main area that provides a true oasis in this remote landscape. After settling in and freshening up, enjoy afternoon tea before heading out on your first game drive across the pans. This striking environment is home to desert-adapted wildlife such as oryx, zebra, springbok, jackals and bat-eared foxes. Return to camp in the evening for a delicious dinner followed by incredible stargazing under the vast, open skies of the Makgadikgadi.

Day 06

On Safari in the Makgadikgadi National Park

Today is spent exploring the vast and otherworldly landscapes of the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the largest salt flats in the world and a truly unique safari destination. This stark yet beautiful environment offers a completely different experience from the Okavango Delta, with endless open horizons, shimmering salt crusts and a sense of space and silence that is hard to find anywhere else. Despite its arid appearance, the area supports a surprising variety of wildlife, including oryx, springbok, zebra, jackals and brown hyena, as well as a rich array of birdlife, particularly during the wetter months.

One of the highlights of your stay at Jack’s Camp is the opportunity to interact with a habituated group of meerkats, allowing for close and memorable encounters with these fascinating creatures. You can also explore the pans on guided quad biking excursions, travelling across the open salt flats and experiencing the vastness of the landscape firsthand. Cultural visits to local communities may also be arranged, offering insight into the traditional way of life in this remote region. As the day draws to a close, enjoy a final sundowner overlooking the pans as the sky transforms with the setting sun, followed by another magical evening under the stars.

Day 07

Light aircraft transfer to Maun, departure to Johannesburg

After breakfast, and a final activity if time allows, you will be transferred to the airstrip for your light aircraft flight back to Maun, which takes approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
On arrival in Maun, you will connect with your onward flight to Johannesburg, a journey of around 2 hours. This brings your Botswana walking safari to an end, leaving you with unforgettable memories of the Okavango Delta and the vast Makgadikgadi Pans.