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Want to know the best Botswana safari itinerary every first-time traveller should know about? This is the tried-and-true safari itinerary that every safari enthusiast should be aware of.

Coming up with the perfect Botswana safari itinerary can be a difficult task because you do not want to miss anything, and you are trying to see and experience every wildlife moment Botswana has to offer.

If you are anything like me, you are doing all the research and comparisons to ensure that you visit the best safari areas in Botswana.

As a safari-goer myself, I am sharing the best Botswana safari itinerary I swear by.

You are going to learn about the best Botswana safari itinerary, Botswana safari itinerary for solo travellers, best Botswana safari itinerary for couples and more.

After learning about this safari itinerary, you will be extra organised to go on the safari experience of your lifetime.

This post is all about the best Botswana safari itinerary every safari lover should try.

13 Day Best Botswana Safari Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Maun

Maun is the starting point of almost every Botswana safari. It is a city in northern Botswana, near safari camps and lodges.

By the way, there are direct flights from Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Depending on where you are travelling from, you might need to arrive at Gaborone International Airport and take a domestic flight to Maun.

You can easily catch a flight from the capital city to Maun. The average flight duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Before heading into the wild to your safari camp/lodge, spend a day or two in Maun. Explore the city; it’s small but has a lot to offer. I recommend a lodge near the Thamalakane River.

This area of town is popular with tourists, offering a variety of excursions, including the famous Chobe river cruise and cultural village tours.

Maun is also the perfect starting point for a Botswana safari itinerary for solo travellers.

Day 2-4: Okavango Delta

By day 2, if you are doing a fly-in safari, it is time to board your safari bush flight, which should have been pre-booked with your safari tour operator.

So that you know, the bush flights are booked directly with the tour operator of your choice.

We locals call these fly-in safari flights “monang”, meaning mosquito, because they are so light and small. The average flight duration is about 45 minutes.

There is also a road transfer from Maun to your lodge, which can take anywhere from 1 to 6 hours, depending on the lodge’s location.

I find this day to be exhilarating, as it marks the true beginning of the African safari adventure. On your way to your lodge or camp, expect to see wildlife before you even arrive at your destination.

Once you arrive, the wild is your oyster. The lodges are stunningly beautiful, and the food is delicious.

The reason why I think this is the best Botswana safari itinerary is that you will spend a considerable amount of time in the Okavango Delta, which, by the way, will leave you impressed.

Day 5-6: Moremi Game Reserve

If you have been dreaming about seeing African predators in action, Moremi Game Reserve is the place to be.

Predators are often seen in the Moremi Game Reserve. However, nothing in the wild can be predicted.

You may see all the predators or not see any. Just let the wild surprise you, and it will. Enjoy the game drives and guided walking safari tours.

For your accommodation, you can choose either a mobile safari camp or a lodge.  Okavango Delta accommodation is gorgeous.

I highly recommend a permanent tented lodge to make your safari trip extra magical. Furthermore, Moremi Game Reserve is within the Okavango Delta, so the transfer shouldn’t take too long.

If you are following the Botswana self drive safari itinerary, you can pitch a safari tent at a campsite. Remember to choose your campsite wisely.

Day 7-8: Khwai Community Concession

This is a community-run concession next to Moremi. It is the best of both worlds, from luxurious lodges to budget-friendly mobile camps.

We are all aware of the cost of a Botswana safari, and, given how expensive it can be, this area is more affordable than other lodges and concessions.

You can fly into Khwai or drive in. If you want to cut costs, driving in will be the best option.

However, it will take significantly longer to reach the destination due to the rough, bumpy roads.

The drive from Moremi Game Reserve takes about 4 hours, while a flight takes about 15 minutes.

This area is rich with wildlife, so the drive will still be worth it. Expect to see elephants everywhere. It is also great for predator sighting.

You don’t need to go on a long game drive to see something fantastic here.  Night game drives are a must. Who knows, you might even spot the elusive pangolin.

If you are interested in bird life, you are in for a treat.

Botswana safari itinerary: Khwai Private Reserve

Since you will be in the area, you can also visit the neighbouring Khwai Private Reserve. Safari lovers, know KPR for its exclusivity and luxe.

It is located just north of the Khwai community concession. You will have a great chance of predator sightings here, especially in larger herds.

You will likely see lions, African wild dogs, leopards and cheetahs among other wildlife. Please note that Khwai Private Reserve is not accessible to self-drivers.

It is also privately managed; therefore, you can only access it if you are staying at their lodges.

Although Khwai Private Reserve borders Khwai Community Concession, crossing over is not easy; there are no direct internal roads,  so you might have to go out and re-enter via the north gate.

However, some safari tour operators have internal permission to move across more efficiently through fly-ins. Typically, to access Khwai Private Reserve, you must fly in via bush aircraft.

You can fly in from other camps. Your safari guide will be waiting for you upon arrival. This is an adventure in its own right.

Khwai Private Reserve is my personal favourite with bespoke guiding, unbeatable wildlife sightings, and gorgeous accommodation.

In addition to its beauty, it’s an exclusive, intimate area, making it perfect for couples and honeymooners.

There is a wide range of excursions available here, including game drives, sky beds, walking safaris, and mokoro excursions.

Day 9-10: Savuti

By day 9, you will be satisfied with the Okavango Delta region—time to head over to Savuti. Savuti is located within Chobe National Park in the western section.

If you are here, your closest town is Kasane; you are now a long way from Maun.

Savuti is not a soft, pampered safari area, although it does feature jaw-dropping luxury safari lodges nearby. The conditions outside the comfort of your safari lodge are wild, remote, challenging, but photogenic.

Expect hot days, cooler nights, and dusty roads. Most people know Savuti for its excellent predator action. Adventure-minded safari-goers will love this area.

The travel duration from Khwai to Savuti is 6 hours by road. A high clearance safari vehicle is a must. It takes so long due to harsh road conditions.

Also, wildlife may slow you down. A charter flight will take about 30 minutes. Savuti is also considered to be a Botswana self-drive safari paradise.

Day 11-12: Chobe National Park Riverfront

Drive to Chobe National Park’s riverfront. The drive will take about 3 to 4 hours, as you are already inside the park.

Chobe National Park is home to large herds of elephants and a rich birdlife. Other regular animals here are lions, leopards, crocodiles, hippos and 450 bird species.

Go on a Chobe River boat cruise, it’s a classic. I particularly enjoyed this activity while in Kasane, the famous sunset cruise!.

You also get close to elephants and hippos while on a boat cruise, giving you the best view for photographs and videos.

In addition, go on game drives in Chobe National Park.  Enjoy both early-morning and afternoon game drives for excellent wildlife sightings. I’ve always had better luck on a. morning game drive.

Additionally, Chobe National Park lodges provide special boats for safari photographers and videographers, equipped with swivel chairs and camera mounts. Most of these activities are included in a safari package.

Kasane come to life during the festive season. Batswana love visiting Kasane in December, so I recommend booking well in advance if you are visiting during the Christmas season.

For those interested in taking a day trip to Victoria Falls while staying here, this is the ideal time, as it‘s only a 1-hour 30-minute drive away. Expect to see a lot more tourists and activity here.

Regarding Chobe accommodations, there are several lodges within and around Chobe National Park.

My recommendation for beginners is Chobe Marina Lodge. It is budget-friendly, located right on the banks of the Chobe River, a 10-minute drive from Chobe National Park, and 5 minutes from Kasane International Airport. It has the perfect location.

Day 13: Best Botswana safari itinerary final day

This is the final day, and for some, it is also the day of departure. But before you say goodbye to your safari guide, explore the town and get to know the locals, the culture, and the way of life. Mingle with the locals, marvel at the language.

Visit the Old House restaurant and order traditional food. Food is a massive part of every culture. By eating the conventional food, you are immersing yourself in the country’s culture.

Try our staple dish, seswaa, with pap. Batswana make seswaa by shredding cooked beef. Pap is soft, thick maize porridge. See if they have dikgobe, dumplings and stew. Try Botswana’s classic street food, “mangwinya” (fat cakes), a deep-fried dough ball bread.

At the end of the 13th day, you will leave Botswana with more than just photographs.

This itinerary covers the iconic Botswana safari spots, from the breathtaking Okavango Delta, to the rich wildlife of Chobe and the raw beauty of Savuti, to the intimate wilderness of Khwai, and finally the cultural charm of Kasane.

This Botswana itinerary will offer unforgettable moments and a lifetime experience. This is also a fantastic self-drive itinerary.

However, if you want a shorter itinerary, I highly recommend a week-long safari.

This post was all about the best Botswana Safari Itinerary to help you be prepared for the adventure of your lifetime.

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