6 night Luxury Elephant Safari

Incredible game viewing from the world famous Chief’s Island combines with a once in a life time experience walking with elephants in this 6 night luxury safari. Begin in the stunning southern reaches of the Okavango and take the opportunity to sleep below the stars and enjoy close encounters with rescued elephants. Moving to the beating heart of the Okavango, Chief’s Island in the Moremi Game Reserve boasts some of the finest game viewing in the region. Good resident game and impressive predator numbers deliver a year round exciting safari experience. Tall palm trees, open plains and glistening waterways are the backdrop to this great safari. Smart and sophisticated accommodation with plenty of comfort awaits.

A full spectrum of activities are on offer including game drives, bush walks and a ‘walk with elephants’ at Baines Camp. Boating and mokoro excursions are also available at Baines when water levels permit, and Mokoro rides run when waters are high at Chief’s Camp. Scenic helicopter flights are also available, at an additional cost.

Both lodges offer elegant, upmarket accommodation, good service and guiding. Baines is a smart camp but the five star experience is with Chiefs, ending your safari in a high. They combine beautifully and offer a great all round safari experience for anyone looking for a traditional safari. Dining is private throughout. This is not for the safari purists who do not enjoy the more solid structures for modern additions to the rooms, but for those who prefer their creature comforts this is a fantastic choice.

This itinerary begins in the south west to the Okavango, at Baines Camp. Set in a particularly scenic area of the Okavango on a private concession this lovely little camp overlooks one of the main rivers of the Delta, the Boro river. With just six rooms, featuring the opportunity to sleep and even bath under the stars this is an innately romantic safari camp. (Those who wish to sleep within the reassuring comforts of the room can do so too!). The general game viewing is good here but the standout experience the opportunity to walk with rescued elephants, Baines is one of only 2 camps in the Okavango to offer this activity. Day and night drives, boating and mokoro are also available depending on the season. This is a beautiful corner of the Okavango and Baines offers a very special way to embrace this pristine wilderness.

The final three nights are spent on the largest and most famous island of the Okavango, the game rich Chief’s Island. With only two camps on this huge island this is a truly exclusive safari experience. Excellent resident game here delivers superb year round sightings. Predators including lion, leopard and wild dog are regularly seen as well as hyena, buffalo, elephant, giraffe, zebra and a range of antelope. Chief’s Camp is the epitome of a luxurious safari, one of the flagship Botswana lodges, with extremely spacious and spoiling rooms. This is also one of the few lodges to offer air-conditioning. A stunning camp ensuring you end your safari on a high.

Day 1 - Sanctuary Baines Camp

On arrival in Maun, you will be met and assisted onto your charter flight to the Okavango, a flight of approximately 20 minutes. On arrival your guide will be waiting to transfer your to camp, a game drive or boat ride of about 45 minutes, depending on water levels. You safari has begun, keep your eyes peeled!

Fully recreated in 2019, Sanctuary Baines Camp is a secluded retreat set on a private concession bordering the Moremi Game Reserve. Fresh from a substantial refurbishment, this eco-friendly camp has just six rooms, each with a private deck and views of the Boro River. The option of rolling your bed onto the outside deck to sleep below the dazzling stars is a standout feature. You can bathe below the stars too as each room features an open air but secluded bath tub.

Having settled into your Okavango home you will enjoy lunch and have some time to relax before your first afternoon activity- Game drives, mokoro, boating and walking are all offered here- water levels depending. You will discuss the current conditions and your particular interests with your guide as you plan your activities for the next few days.

Being set on a private concession means game drives at Baines can be conducted at night too, and off-roading is permissible. Vehicles may also enter the southern Moremi Game Reserve, onto Chief’s Island, if water levels are low enough to permit the crossing. Night drives provide opportunities to witness nocturnal animals not seen during daytime.

Setting off on your chosen afternoon activity in the late afternoon you will explore the area and stop for a sundowner before returning to dinner and your first night in the Okavango. Perhaps pamper yourself with an indulgent bubble filled star bath on your private wooden deck before bed. The option to sleep below the stars or within the comforting surrounds of your room will be offered to you.

Day 2 and 3 - Sanctuary Baines Camp

The two days follow a similar routine with early morning and late afternoon activities. One of these days will feature Baines’ most famous and popular activity – the Living with Elephants experience.

This activity is done in partnership with the Living with Elephants foundation which aims to give rescued elephants a safe home in the wild and second chance. Two orphaned elephants, Jabu and Morula, were rescued from culling operations years ago, join them for a highly informative bush walk and bush brunch Doug and Sandi who care for the elephants. A truly special experience.

Around this activity your guide will plan you game drives, bush walks and any available water activities too. This is a beautiful area which offers good game viewing, best in the dry season from May-October.

Between activities enjoy your lovely private deck or one of the many areas to relax in the common areas which sit on raised decks. The pool area is a great spot to watch the wildlife come and go from the river as you cool below the shade in the midday heat.

This evening your guide will advise you what time your flight to Chief’s Island will be the next day, and you will plan your morning activity accordingly. You may have a shorter activity than normal, depending on the scheduled time.

Day 4 - Sanctuary Chief's Camp

This morning you will enjoy one last activity (or perhaps a lie in) before returning to the airstrip for your 20 minute flight to Chief’s Island. Your guide will be waiting on arrival to transfer your to camp, a game drive of about 30 minutes, depending on the game sightings along the way.

A warm staff welcome awaits you at Sanctuary Chief’s Camp. Resting beneath mixed woodland on Chief’s Island on the coveted Mombo concession, this exclusive luxury lodge finds you at the heart of adrenalin- filled wildlife action. This is a classically elegant lodge, with 10 well-spaced out rooms offering plenty of privacy. Each room is extremely well equipped with impressive attention to detail with air-conditioning, fans, wifi and tea/coffee making facilities. Each room has a spacious private deck with a plunge pool and lovely outside seating area. All rooms enjoy wonderful views of the Delta.

Take you time to relax and settle into. Your guide meets you at lunchtime on the deck under the shade of the trees to discuss your activity preferences for the next two days. Activities focus on morning and afternoon game drives, with mokoro excursions offered when water levels permit, usually May-December.

Setting off on your first afternoon activity you begin to explore the famous Chief’s Island, stopping for a drink and snacks at sunset. Returning to camp, pre-dinner drinks in the boma area or around the fire precede an evening feast of African inspired dishes. Think fresh vegetables, grilled beef fillet and pan fried Kingklip just to name a few.

Day 5 and 6 - Sanctuary Chief's Camp

The next two days follow a similar routine with early morning and late afternoon activities as you venture further into this prime game viewing area.

Chief’s Island has permanent populations of antelope, zebra and buffalo attract numerous predators – lion prides and solitary leopards and abundant hyaena as well as the endangered African Wild Dog. Dramatic game viewing is maximised on morning and late afternoon game drives, when predators are most active, finished off with classic sundowner cocktails and canapés at a specially selected spot.

Gain a different perspective on the Delta wilderness by poling thought the waterways created by the floodwaters in the company of a professional mokoro guide.

Between activities spoil yourself at the spa with its range of holistic treatments or at the gym with a bushveld yoga session to restore balance and calm.

Taking advantage of the early morning and late afternoon light, scenic flights by Helicopter expose hidden areas for keen photographers wanting to capture visions of this paradise known as the Okavango Delta. This activity is an additional cost and should be pre-booked.

Day 7 - End of Safari

Wake up early to the calls of the wild as you prepare to depart Botswana. A final delicious breakfast and morning activity is on the cards before your personal guide transfers you back to the airstrip in time for your 25- minute charter flight back to Maun Airport. All transfers and charter flight bookings are made in accordance with your ongoing International flight arrangements as you head off back home with memories to last a lifetime. You will be met at Maun Airport by a representative who will assist you with check in to your onward flight.

Map View

Baines’ Camp

Baines’ Camp

Chief’s Camp

Chief’s Camp

Chief’s Camp

Water Level

Book This Safari

At Okavango Delta Explorations we specialise in crafting safaris to this unique ecosystem.

Get in touch to begin your Okavango Delta Exploration

Enquire Now

Extensions to this safari

From USD 670 per person

Chobe Chilwero

A luxurious air-conditioned lodge overlooking the Chobe River, Sanctuary’s Chobe Chilwero lodge offers panoramic views of the floodplains. A small, sophisticated and peaceful sanctuary with spa treatments and gourmet meals, this a sophisticated safari option. Chobe Chilwero offers a refined base to experience the abundance of wildlife and large elephant population in the Chobe region with game drives in Chobe National Park and sundowner cruises on the Chobe River in specialised boats

Learn More
From USD 780 per person

Mount Nelson

Old - world charm and opulence await the discerning guest at the Mount Nelson Hotel. Opened in 1898, this well located hotel is the epitome of elegant establishments. Delectable afternoon teas, magnificent gardens and excellent facilities ensure that Cape Town’s oldest hotel remains a much celebrated icon of a bygone era. A favourite with figures such as John Lennon and Winston Churchill, the Mount Nelson continues to delight its modern- day patrons.

Learn More

Experience the Okavango Delta

Contact us for more information and to start planning your Okavango safari

Contact
© 2024 Okavango Delta Explorations