TRAILS OF BOTSWANA

Best of Botswana 12 Night Itinerary

FROM US$7965.00 per person sharing

This 12-night itinerary is the ultimate Trails of Botswana journey, where you get to experience the best within our Botswana portfolio of esteemed camps and lodges. Booking this itinerary gives you the opportunity to explore the sanctuary style Mankwe Tented Retreat located in a private concession outside of Moremi Game Reserve; mokoro trips at Mboma Island Expeditions in the Okavango Delta; the sought-after Savuti region at Camp Savuti in Chobe National Park; and the wonders of Victoria Falls at Taita Falcon Lodge in Zambia.

12 Night Itinerary Breakdown:

• 3 nights Mankwe Tented Retreat
• 4 nights Mboma Island Expeditions
• 3 Nights Camp Savuti
• 2 Nights Taita Falcon Lodge

Day 1: Maun to Mankwe Tented Retreat

• Road transfer to Mankwe Tented Retreat
• Sunset game drive

Upon landing at Maun Airport, a driver will meet you for your 2-hour road transfer to Mankwe Tented Retreat. On arrival, you will receive a camp briefing after which you can settle in, enjoy the surrounding wilderness views with some refreshments before departing for your first afternoon game drive on the Mankwe Tented Retreat concession. Your guide will pack a cooler box with your choice of drinks for your afternoon sundowners at a scenic spot in the bush. After sunset, enjoy a short night drive back to camp where a campfire will be waiting to welcome you. Dinner will be served in the dining area, followed by your first night in the Botswana wilderness.

Day 2: Mankwe Tented Retreat

• Full day Moremi

An early wake up call will be met with coffee and rusks at the main area of camp before you depart for a full day Moremi excursion, where you might be lucky enough to encounter big game on your full day activity.  Among the roamers of the bush are the Big 5, and an array of plains game. The Moremi is predator central, known for its prolific game. This is a complete full day game drive experience with a picnic lunch stop in the bush. Arrive back at the lodge, enjoy some refreshments around the fire before enjoying a 3 course dinning experience in the main dining area.

Day 3: Mankwe Tented Retreat

• Morning game drive
• Afternoon game drive

Wake up early to coffee and rusks at the main area of camp before you depart on a morning game drive through the pristine Mankwe Tented Retreat concession. After your morning activity, return to the lodge for breakfast, followed by an afternoon siesta. Spend some downtime at one of the many relaxation areas overlooking the waterhole in front of camp. The waterhole is a major drawcard for both birds and wildlife. Lunch will be served later in the day before you depart on afternoon game drive, including sundowners and a night drive back to camp. Dinner is served, followed by your last night at Mankwe Tented Retreat.

Day 4: Mankwe Tented Retreat to Mboma Island Expeditions

• Air charter transfer to Mboma Island Expeditions
• Sunset boat cruise in the Okavango Delta

Arise to an early morning wake up call followed by coffee and breakfast at Mankwe Tented Retreat before you embark on the 2-hour road transfer to the Khwai Airstrip for a scenic flight to Mboma Island Expeditions. You will arrive at Mboma Boat Station where your guide from Mboma Island Expeditions will pick you up in a motorboat. Climb aboard and enjoy the 1–hour boat cruise through the waterways of the Delta to Mboma Island Expeditions.

Arrive to a welcome drink and high tea, and receive a briefing from the camp host before being shown to your classic canvas safari tent under the trees. After refreshments, it’s time for your sunset boat cruise. Your guide will pack a cooler box with your choice of drinks and you will depart the island and cruise into the sunset. Enjoy the Delta’s beauty and birdlife for a couple of hours before returning to camp for dinner and your first night on Mboma Island Expeditions.

Day 5: Mboma Island Expeditions

• Morning boat cruise, mokoro and/or game drive
• Sunset boat cruise

Early wake up call followed by coffee and breakfast in the dining tent. After breakfast you will depart for a boat cruise back to the boat station and enjoy a mokoro activity or game drive in the Moremi Game Reserve. Remember your camera and sun block, as you will be out until late morning.

Upon returning to camp, you are welcome to have a warm bucket shower and refresh before lunch is served in the dining tent. Sit down and enjoy a good meal, followed by an afternoon siesta, or a spot of birdwatching on the island. High tea is served later in the afternoon and a sunset cruise complete with sundowners awaits to end the day. After your sunset cruise, return to camp to enjoy the campfire and a 3- course dinner before tuning in for your last night on Mboma Island Expeditions.

Day 6: Mboma Island Expeditions

• Morning boat cruise, mokoro and/or game drive
• Sunset boat cruise

Wake up before dawn to enjoy a light breakfast of coffee heated up on the fire; and tuck into some cereal and toast, before heading out into the Selinda reserve for an awe-inspiring walking safari led by an experienced and passionate trails guide. After a few hours out in the bush examining animal tracks and signs, encountering wildlife, enjoying photographic opportunities, and swimming in the fresh water of the spillway, you’ll return to camp for lunch. A relaxed afternoon at camp is a welcome way to spend the day before embarking on an afternoon game drive with sundowners in the bush.

Day 7: Mboma Island Expeditions

Today follows the same pattern as yesterday starting with an early wake up call and morning activity. Enjoy another full day in the Okavango Delta awaits.

Day 8: Mboma Island Expeditions to Camp Savuti

• Light air transfer from Mboma Island Expeditions to Camp Savuti
• Sunset game drive in Savuti

Wake up early to coffee and breakfast in the dining tent on Mboma Island Expeditions before departing the Delta and heading for the Savuti. After breakfast, you’re back out on the water for a  boat cruise transfer from Mboma Island Expeditions to the airstrip to connect with your light air transfer to Savuti.

Upon arrival at Savuti Airstrip in Chobe National Park, your guide will be waiting to meet you. You will then enjoy a 30- minute transfer through the park to Camp Savuti, located on the banks of the Savuti Channel. Receive a warm welcome and a briefing from your host before having lunch and settling in to your tented room.

Later in the afternoon you can enjoy a sunset game drive including a sundowner stop at a designated stretch point in the park and enjoy being surrounded by the famous Savuti. Head back to camp and refresh before dinner.

Day 9: Camp Savuti

• Morning game drive
• Afternoon game drive with sundowners

Early morning wake up call followed by a quick continental breakfast and coffee before departing on morning game drive. Enjoy a lengthy game drive around the Savuti Marsh, and stop for coffee and rusks at a stretch point in the park. Return to camp and enjoy a good lunch at the lodge, while taking time out to enjoy the view from your private deck. High tea is served at the lodge later in the afternoon, and is followed by an afternoon game drive complete with sundowners in the bush. As the sun sets, return to camp and enjoy the open-air campfire and a special dinner out on the deck under the stars.

Day 10: Camp Savuti

• Morning game drive
• Afternoon game drive with sundowners

Today follows the same pattern as yesterday starting with an early wake up call and morning activity. Enjoy another full day in the revered Savuti region.

Day 11: Camp Savuti to Taita Falcon Lodge

• Fly from Savuti to Taita Falcon Lodge
• Afternoon game drive with sundowners

Early morning wake up, followed by breakfast and a game drive ending at Savuti Airstrip. Here you will connect with your light air transfer out of Savuti to Kasane. At Kasane you will be met by your guide from Wild Horizons who will road transfer you to Livingstone Airport. On arrival at Livinsgtone Airport you will be met with Taita Falccon Lodge representative who road transfer you through the heart of Zambia until you reach Taita Falcon Lodge. Settle in, enjoy some refreshments at the lodges viewing platform overlooking the dramatic cliffs of the Batoka Gorge.

Day 12: Taita Falcon Lodge

• Gorge hike – bird and bush walk on Taita Falcon property
• Cultural village tour
• Activity of your choice within the area

Wake up and enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the open air dining area. The day is at your leisure. If you are not booked onto any activities, spend time at the pool, taking in the views while enjoying a drink on deck. Hike one of the trails or simply read in your secluded garden. The only structured time is for the evening meal.

Day 13: Depart Taita Falcon Lodge

• Depart for Livingstone Airport

Wake up and enjoy your last breakfast at Taita Falcon Lodge before departing via road transfers to Livingstone Airport.